Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge [Extensive Review]

The Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge is a compact refrigerator that is manufactured by Black+Decker.

The brand, Black+Decker, has a reputation for manufacturing electrical appliances to satisfy customer needs. The company has been around for several years and boasts a wide range of products that have gone to many countries in the world.

It has products ranging from battery systems to battery accessories, pet products, power tools, lawn and garden tools, home appliances such as stick vacuums, upright vacuums, filters, and scrubbers, and small appliances such as toasters, coffee and tea makers, and mini-fridges.

In this review of its 1.7 cubic-feet mini-fridge, we will let you in on all you need to know about. So, at the end of the review, you will be able to decide whether or not you should go for it.

Who Needs the Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge?

This refrigerator is perfect for anyone looking for a mini-fridge to support a larger refrigerator in the house, or someone who needs a small fridge to keep beverages and other items in the office.

This 1.7 cubic feet refrigerator is large enough to store a variety of items including canned drinks, eggs, beauty products, breast milk, and other perishable and non-perishable products.

The Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge has a small freezer where you can store small snacks and wrapped items. The fridge also comes with an ice tray which many people place in the freezer to make ice cubes for juices and beverages.

The mini-fridge which weighs about 33 pounds is not difficult to install in homes and offices, so you don’t have to worry about how heavy it may be. It occupies a small space and can be placed on the floor, table, or shelf where it won’t disturb anyone or impede traffic.

This mini-fridge is mainly for people looking for assistants to their larger refrigerators. It is not meant to serve as the main fridge in homes but can be used in bedrooms, making it much easier for you to get whatever you need without having to travel to the main refrigerator.

Features of the Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge

Design

The Black+Decker 1.7 cubic fridge mini fridge comes in a stylish black, white or silver color, and in an elegant box shape.

It glass shelves that can be removed to allow larger items to fit into the mini-fridge.

The fridge also has a reversible door and a flat back which saves space and allows you to place it anywhere.

What’s more? The door has two shelves – one full-width and one half-width shelf – that provide you with additional storage space for bottles, medications, and any other item that can fit into the available space.

Freezer Compartment

The mini-fridge comes with a freezer compartment which is quite small and can only fit in a few items. When purchasing the fridge, it comes with an ice tray which is supposed to be placed in the freezer, so that it can form ice cubes to enjoy your warm beverages.

The freezer compartment gets much colder than the regular fridge, and for this reason, it is advisable not to put anything that cannot withstand a low temperature into the freezer no matter the size.

Cooling Function

Unlike portable mini-fridges that use the thermoelectric mode of cooling beverages, the Black Decker 1.7 Cubic-Feet Mini Fridge uses a compressor to cool internal portions of the fridge and freezer. It then circulates cold air throughout the unit.

And because the unit is compressor-based, it is not uncommon to hear some humming sounds coming from the unit. However, it only lasts for as long as the unit needs to cycle.

More so, because the fridge has no automatic defrost feature, users have to defrost manually whenever ice begins to form in the unit.

Cleaning the fridge will also be required regularly especially when water collects at the bottom of the unit.

Temperature Control

Temperature control is pretty straightforward in the Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge because of the adjustable thermostat that comes with it. This thermostat allows you to set the internal temperature of your mini-fridge to your preference.

So, you can rest assured that your mini-fridge would not get colder than you want it to be.

Power Source Option

Due to the size of the mini-fridge, it only has one connectivity option – the AC connection option.

It comes with an AC adapter and plug. So, it cannot be plugged into a car’s DC cigarette lighter and cannot be taken for outdoor parties except when there’s a power source that the mini-fridge can connect to.

Pros of the Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge

i. It has a nice design

ii. Features a glass shelf and other removable shelves for proper organization.

iii. Has a freezer compartment.

iv. Cools items efficiently.

v. Is lightweight and allows for easy installation.

vi. Can be used to store a variety of products

Cons of the Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge

i. Door shelves are not stable.

ii. May get loud sometimes.

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Alternatives to the Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge

Smaller Capacity

Cooluli Concord 20-Liter Mini Fridge with Digital Thermostat

There are many refrigerators smaller than the Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge and most of them are portable mini-fridges.

In choosing a mini-fridge, the size is a great factor to look at. Maybe you weren’t looking for something as large and wanted something that you can take on your road trips. Then you may want to consider the Cooluli Concord 20-Liter Mini Fridge.

The Cooluli Concord 20-Liter Mini Fridge is smaller than the featured product and comes with a long list of advantages.

This mini-fridge works with a digital thermostat which lets you monitor and adjust the internal temperature of your refrigerator. It also has a DC adapter that lets you connect it to your car’s cigarette lighter when you are on the move and an AC adapter to connect it to a wall socket or any other AC mains.

If you have decided that you won’t be storing items more than 20 liters and you would love something stylish that you can carry with you everywhere, then this may be a great choice to consider.

Smaller Capacity with Adapter Option

Cooluli 4-Liter Portable Mini Fridge

The Cooluli 4-Liter Mini Fridge serves is a very small mini-fridge and comes with an additional connectivity option that most other mini-fridges don’t have.

So, apart from the normal AC adapter which the Black+Decker 1.7 Cubic-Feet Mini Fridge also has, this unit comes with a DC cable.

Additionally, it has a USB adapter that makes it easy to connect it to a portable and suitable power bank

If you don’t have much to store in your fridge and would love to have a cold beverage whenever and wherever you are, then this may be a good alternative for you.

You can read our full review of this product here to have an idea of what to expect from it.

Larger Capacity

Midea 3.1 Cubic-Feet Double Door Mini Fridge with Freezer

In case 1.7 cubic feet doesn’t scratch the surface of your capacity needs, then the Midea 3.1 Cubic-Feet Mini Fridge may be what you need.

This compact refrigerator by Midea will provide you with the option to store more and larger items than the featured product will allow you to.

The Midea 3.1 cubic feet mini-fridge comes with a small freezer that has a separate door and is large enough to take more items. The freezer operates at a much lower temperature than the fridge, which means you can be sure that you’ll have your items frozen quickly.

It has adjustable and removable shelves that let you organize your items in whatever way you prefer.

Quick Comparison  

	Featured Product	Smaller Capacity	Smaller Capacity with Adapter Option	Larger Capacity
Product	Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge Click here to get it on Amazon!	Cooluli Concord 20-Liter Mini Fridge with Digital Thermostat Click here to get it on Amazon!	Cooluli 4-Liter Portable Mini Fridge Click here to get it on Amazon!	Midea 3.1-Cubic Feet  Mini Fridge with Freezer Click here to get it on Amazon!
Dimensions	18.5 inches x 17.5 inches x 19.7 inches	11.4 inches x 13.8 inches x 16 inches	10.2 inches x 7.7 inches x 10.5 in	18.5 inches x 19.4 inches x 33 inches
Capacity	1.7 cubic feet	20 liters	4 liters	3.1 cubic feet
Weight	33.1 pounds	15.65 pounds	5 pounds	52.2  pounds
Temperature ranges	At ambient temperature   Cooling – 30°F-40°F	At ambient temperature   Cooling – 40°F Heating – 149⁰F	At ambient temperature   Cooling – 40ºF-45ºF Heating – 122⁰F-144ºF	At ambient temperature   Cooling – 30⁰F-50⁰F Freezing – -11.2⁰F – 5⁰F
Connectivity	Possesses AC adapter	Has both AC and DC adapters.	Features DC/AC adapters, and also has a USB adapter for connection to power banks.	Has AC adapter.
Color(s)	Black, White, Silver	Aqua Blue, Black, White, Pink	Black, Blue, White, Pink, Cow, Fuchsia, Red	Black, Stainless Steel, White

What Users Are Saying About The Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge

Many users are pretty excited about this product. Most of them have positive reviews about it while a few others do not think the fridge did justice judging by its price and what it had to offer.

One common issue had to do with the hanging shelves on the door. Some of the users mentioned that these shelves are quite unstable. Whenever the fridge is opened, the shelves give way, letting the items that have been stored in them to fall to the ground. This can be really annoying.

Moreover, some users say that the magnet in the door is not strong enough to hold it in place. So, a good number get fit magnets themselves to ensure that the door stays shut when it is closed.

In some cases, the motor of the fridge begins to make a loud uncomfortable noise while it is working. This has caused users to shut it down and some discard the product after.

Despite the little problems, the majority of users are happy with the product. Most of the users love the freezer compartment because it is able to freeze and preserve their food items well.

However, some users were surprised at the size of the fridge. They wished it was as big as it looked in pictures.

In general, this fridge is very efficient in cooling and most times get delivered in good condition to the customers.

On a few occasions, the fridge arrived dented and was returned for fear of further damage.

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Our Verdict

The Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge works efficiently to keep foods and other products very cold.

It also comes at an affordable price.

Its black color and small size make it fit into several places such as countertops, floors, shelves, etc.

You should note that this mini-fridge is not a large refrigerator and cannot store all the things you have in mind.

We love that the shelves are present for the user to organize food items properly.

Apart from the noise level which not many users have control over, the other issues can be dealt with. For instance, the weak magnetic power at the door can be fixed by placing appropriate magnets. By doing that, the fridge will stay shut, and warm air won’t seep into the unit.

The Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge satisfies everyone who wants a small assistant to the main refrigerator in the home.

While this isn’t so portable, and can only be stationed in a place, it is not as large and shouldn’t be substituted for the main refrigerator except you don’t plan to store so much.

Black+Decker 1.7 Cubic Feet Mini Fridge — Related FAQs

Does a Mini Fridge Need a Dedicated Circuit?

A mini fridge is considered a permanent electrical appliance, so it should have its own dedicated circuit. Major electrical appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers need dedicated circuits so they can operate safely without the risk of overloading the system.

A dedicated circuit is meant to be used with one appliance only. That way, the appliance can operate without blowing a fuse or destroying a circuit breaker. Having dedicated circuits for different major electrical appliances also helps to keep the whole place tidy, without the risk of tripping over wires or electric shocks.

What Size Inverter Do I Need to Run a Mini Fridge?

That will depend on the running wattage of the mini fridge. For a mini fridge that has a running wattage of 500 watts, you will require an inverter that can handle 500 watts of power, and a surge of 1500 watts for a split second for the motor to come on.

A fridge motor needs about three times the amount of its running wattage to be jolted to life. However, that amount of power is needed for only a split second, or just long enough to make the motor come alive.

Do Mini Fridges Use a Lot of Power?

Manual defrost mini fridges of between 1.7 cubic feet and 4.4 cubic feet use about 240 kilowatt-hours or more per year, while the ones of the same size range with partial automatic defrost use about 318.4 kilowatt-hours per year.

Several factors determine the energy consumption of mini fridges. These include the size, the manufacturer, how old the fridge is, whether it has a manual or automatic defrost system, how high you set its temperature, and whether it is kept in a cluttered place or not.

How Do You Measure the Size of a Mini Fridge?

Use a tape to measure the width, depth, and height of the inside of your refrigerator. Write down your findings and multiply all three results (W x D x H). Then divide the result by 1728 to get the size of the refrigerator in cubic feet.

Another hack worth considering is to look at the model number of the mini fridge. In many cases, the model number has the refrigerator’s size hidden in it. For example, a refrigerator with model number ABC15 already shows that the size is 15 cubic feet.

Is it Okay to Have a Fridge Next to Oven?

Having your fridge next to an oven may not cause any health hazards, but it may increase your energy bills as your fridge will take longer to cool due to the heat from the oven. Also, after it finally cools, keeping that temperature will be hard. This will even be worse if there is not enough ventilation around the fridge.

A fridge put next to an oven will have to work extra hard to maintain its temperature. This will lead to a waste of energy.

Does a Mini Fridge Need Ventilation?

A mini fridge needs ventilation. Without proper ventilation, excessive heat will build up around it, causing it to have to work harder than usual. This will lead to decrease in performance and possible failure.

A fridge creates heat and pumps it out to cooling elements behind it. Ideally, this heat must find a way to dispel, for the unit to keep working efficiently. The standard recommendation is that a ventilation pathway of about 5cm be left across the entire width of the fridge for adequate airflow.

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