BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft vs Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft
Both made our Best Mini Fridges for Dorm Rooms shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if you want eNERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class. Choose the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge if you'd rather have 1.6 cu ft and a flush back give it the smallest usable footprint here. Overall we rank the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Mini Fridges for Dorm Rooms list.
Winner overall: BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator
BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator vs Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 5 in Best Mini Fridges for Dorm Rooms | #3 of 5 in Best Mini Fridges for Dorm Rooms |
| Pick label | Best overall | |
| Brand | BLACK+DECKER | Frigidaire |
| Key features | 2.5 cu ft single-door capacity; ENERGY STAR certified, about 212 kWh/year; Small freezer compartment with ice tray | 1.6 cu ft capacity, the smallest footprint in this list; Retro-styled body with a side-mounted bottle opener; Flush-back design for tight against-the-wall placement |
| Biggest strength | ENERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class | 1.6 cu ft and a flush back give it the smallest usable footprint here |
| Main trade-off | Small top freezer compartment barely holds an ice tray, not a real freezer | 1.6 cu ft is tight -- mostly drinks and snacks, not a grocery run |
| Best for | dorm rooms | dorm rooms |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Best overall
Choose the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if…
- ENERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class
- Glass shelves and a door bin fit tall bottles that many mini fridges can't
- Reversible door lets it fit either side of a dorm layout without extra clearance
Best for: dorm rooms
Prefer the alternative? See the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge section.
#3 pick
Choose the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge if…
- 1.6 cu ft and a flush back give it the smallest usable footprint here
- Side bottle opener is a genuinely useful built-in feature
- Retro color options stand out from the typical black or white dorm fridge
Best for: dorm rooms
Prefer the alternative? See the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator section.
Pros and cons of each
BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator
Pros
- ENERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class
- Glass shelves and a door bin fit tall bottles that many mini fridges can't
- Reversible door lets it fit either side of a dorm layout without extra clearance
Cons
- Small top freezer compartment barely holds an ice tray, not a real freezer
- Manual defrost needed every few months to prevent frost buildup
- Some owners report the freezer section struggles to hold a hard freeze
Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge
Pros
- 1.6 cu ft and a flush back give it the smallest usable footprint here
- Side bottle opener is a genuinely useful built-in feature
- Retro color options stand out from the typical black or white dorm fridge
Cons
- 1.6 cu ft is tight -- mostly drinks and snacks, not a grocery run
- Plastic door handle feels less durable than the metal handles on larger models
- Runs slightly louder than the Midea at full cooling cycle per owner reports
BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator vs Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge: common questions
Which is better, the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator or the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge?
Choose the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if you want eNERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class. Choose the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge if you'd rather have 1.6 cu ft and a flush back give it the smallest usable footprint here. Overall we rank the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Mini Fridges for Dorm Rooms list.
What is the difference between the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator and the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge?
The BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator stands out because eNERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class, while the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge stands out because 1.6 cu ft and a flush back give it the smallest usable footprint here. The trade-offs differ too: the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator's main caveat is that small top freezer compartment barely holds an ice tray, not a real freezer, and the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge's is that 1.6 cu ft is tight -- mostly drinks and snacks, not a grocery run.
Is the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator worth it over the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge instead if small top freezer compartment barely holds an ice tray, not a real freezer is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge instead of the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator?
The Frigidaire EFR176 1.6 Cu Ft Retro Mini Fridge suits dorm rooms, while the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator is best for dorm rooms.