Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft vs BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft
Both made our Best Mini Fridges for Bedrooms 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 Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if you want 4.4 cu ft is enough for two people's groceries, not just drinks and snacks. Choose the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if you'd rather have eNERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class. Overall we rank the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Mini Fridges for Bedrooms list.
Winner overall: Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator
Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator vs BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 5 in Best Mini Fridges for Bedrooms | #3 of 5 in Best Mini Fridges for Bedrooms |
| Pick label | Best overall | |
| Brand | Midea | BLACK+DECKER |
| Key features | 4.4 cu ft capacity, the largest single-door option in this list; 42 dB rated noise level; Reversible door with adjustable legs | 2.5 cu ft single-door capacity; ENERGY STAR certified, about 212 kWh/year; Small freezer compartment with ice tray |
| Biggest strength | 4.4 cu ft is enough for two people's groceries, not just drinks and snacks | ENERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class |
| Main trade-off | Chiller compartment is not a real freezer -- no ice cubes, no frozen food | Small top freezer compartment barely holds an ice tray, not a real freezer |
| Best for | dorm rooms | dorm rooms |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick
Choose the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if…
- 4.4 cu ft is enough for two people's groceries, not just drinks and snacks
- 42 dB rating is quiet enough for an overnight bedroom or dorm setting
- Adjustable legs make it easy to level on uneven dorm flooring
Best for: dorm rooms
Prefer the alternative? See the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator section.
#3 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 Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator section.
Pros and cons of each
Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator
Pros
- 4.4 cu ft is enough for two people's groceries, not just drinks and snacks
- 42 dB rating is quiet enough for an overnight bedroom or dorm setting
- Adjustable legs make it easy to level on uneven dorm flooring
Cons
- Chiller compartment is not a real freezer -- no ice cubes, no frozen food
- 33.86-inch height is taller than most true mini fridges and won't fit under some desks
- Some owners report occasional compressor hum after a year of use
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
Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator vs BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator: common questions
Which is better, the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator or the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator?
Choose the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if you want 4.4 cu ft is enough for two people's groceries, not just drinks and snacks. Choose the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator if you'd rather have eNERGY STAR rating keeps yearly electricity cost among the lowest in this size class. Overall we rank the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Mini Fridges for Bedrooms list.
What is the difference between the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator and the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator?
The Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator stands out because 4.4 cu ft is enough for two people's groceries, not just drinks and snacks, while 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. The trade-offs differ too: the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator's main caveat is that chiller compartment is not a real freezer -- no ice cubes, no frozen food, and the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator's is that small top freezer compartment barely holds an ice tray, not a real freezer.
Is the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator worth it over the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator instead if chiller compartment is not a real freezer -- no ice cubes, no frozen food is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator instead of the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator?
The BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V 2.5 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator suits dorm rooms, while the Midea WHS-160RB1 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator is best for dorm rooms.