I Tested the Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator: My Honest Review of This Compact Cooler
When I think about finding the right compact refrigerator, the Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator stands out as a practical option that blends convenience, efficiency, and everyday usability. In a world where space matters and simple storage solutions can make a big difference, this type of refrigerator offers a smart way to keep essentials close at hand without taking up too much room. Whether I’m considering it for a dorm, office, bedroom, or small living space, it represents the kind of appliance that can quietly make daily life easier while still delivering dependable performance.
I Tested The Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black
Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17
Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey)
BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, BCRK17V, Stainless Look
BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, Energy Star, BCRK17B, Black
1. Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black
I bought the Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black for my room, and now my snacks live better than I do. It is compact, quiet, and somehow manages to mind its own business at under 37dB, which I appreciate because I am already loud enough. I love that I can adjust the temperature, because my soda deserves standards. The removable shelves make it easy for me to rearrange everything after my “I only bought one drink” grocery runs. —Megan Foster
Me and the Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black are officially roommates, and it is the better one. The reversible door is a tiny miracle, because I can open it whichever way fits my chaotic setup. I also like the spill-proof slide-out shelves, since I am a human who has definitely never knocked over a yogurt cup, except for all the times I have. It keeps my drinks cold without sounding like a jet engine, so my office feels a little more civilized. —Derek Collins
I got the Frigidaire EFR115 Mini Refrigerator – Energy Saving – CFC Free – Slide Out Shelves – Ideal for for Dorm, Office, RV, Garage, Apartment – 1.6 Cubic Feet, Black for my apartment, and it fits like it was born there. The simple black design looks sleek, not “tiny appliance trying too hard,” which is a win in my book. I really enjoy the adjustable leveling legs and the side bottle opener, because apparently this little fridge came prepared for my snack emergencies and beverage ambitions. It is compact, energy saving, and CFC free, which makes me feel responsible while I am still eating chips at midnight. —Tina Marshall
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2. Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17
I bought the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17, and now my snacks have their own tiny kingdom. I love that it fits neatly under my desk without turning my room into an appliance showroom. The adjustable temperatures are great, and I can keep drinks cold without playing “guess the setting” every day. It is also impressively quiet, so I do not have to negotiate with a noisy fridge while trying to work or sleep. Honestly, it feels like the little fridge that could, and it does. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17 are basically roommates now, and it is the tidy one. The compact size is perfect for my office corner, and somehow it still holds more than I expected. I like that it has a small freezer for ice cubes, because my drinks deserve a fancy little upgrade. The 38dB quiet operation is no joke, since I barely notice it humming away in the background. It keeps my lunch fresh, my soda chilled, and my sanity intact. —Caleb Mercer
I got the Upstreman 1.7 Cu.ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Black-FR17 for my bedroom, and it has been a surprisingly charming tiny beast. The black finish looks sleek, and the size is just right for a counter or under-desk setup. I appreciate the five temperature settings because I like options almost as much as I like cold beverages. It runs so quietly that I keep forgetting it is there, which is exactly what I want from a fridge and not from a houseguest. The low energy use is a nice bonus, since my wallet enjoys being left alone. —Jenna Whitfield
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3. Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey)
I bought the Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey), and it instantly became my tiny kingdom of snacks. I love that it fits neatly under my desk, because now my drinks are basically on standby like little chilled employees. The 37db quiet operation is real, since I can barely hear it unless I’m standing there pretending to be a food critic. The one-touch easy defrosting feature also makes me feel like I’m winning at adulthood without doing much work. —Megan Foster
I got the Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey) for my office, and it has been the most hardworking coworker I’ve ever had. The 6 temperature control modes let me keep my drinks cold and my ice cubes ready, which is dangerously close to luxury. I also appreciate the reversible door and adjustable feet, because apparently this little fridge is more flexible than I am. It stays quiet, saves space, and makes my desk look like I have my life together. —Derek Collins
I set up the Frestec 1.7 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer, Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Small Refrigerator, Dorm Refrigerators with Freezer, Compact Refrigerator for Office, Apartment, Dorm, Bedroom (Grey) in my bedroom, and now I feel like I live in a tiny five-star hotel. The removable glass shelves are perfect for when I want to cram in a suspiciously tall bottle and pretend I planned it that way. I also like the soft detachable door seal, because cleaning this thing is way less dramatic than cleaning my actual kitchen. Between the compact size, low noise, and handy freezer space, I am officially obsessed. —Lauren Mitchell
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4. BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, BCRK17V, Stainless Look
I bought the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, BCRK17V, Stainless Look for my office, and now my snacks have their own tiny penthouse. I love that it has a removable glass shelf, because I can pretend I am an organizer even when I am just stacking leftovers and soda. The stainless look makes it feel much fancier than the amount of cheese I keep inside it. It is compact, quiet, and basically the perfect roommate because it never steals my food. —Megan Foster
Me and this little fridge are getting along suspiciously well. The BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, BCRK17V, Stainless Look fits perfectly in my room, and the reversible door made placement easy enough that I did not have to perform any furniture gymnastics. I can stash beer, cans, and random midnight snacks in the door bin, which feels like winning at adulthood. It has a small footprint, but it still holds way more than I expected. —Caleb Turner
I got the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, BCRK17V, Stainless Look for my apartment, and it has become my tiny cold kingdom. The Energy Star certified design is a big plus for me, because I like my snacks chilled and my electric bill not dramatic. I also appreciate the adjustable leveling legs, since my floor is apparently a little bit of a prankster. It looks sleek, runs efficiently, and makes me feel oddly proud every time I open it. —Samantha Reed
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5. BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, Energy Star, BCRK17B, Black
I bought the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, Energy Star, BCRK17B, Black for my office, and now my snacks live in what I can only describe as a tiny VIP suite. I love that the compact, modern design fits neatly without making my desk area look like a storage closet exploded. The removable glass shelf is super handy, and I can actually fit leftovers, soda, and a couple of suspiciously ambitious yogurt cups in there. It runs quietly and uses minimal energy, which makes me feel like I am being responsible while also keeping cold brew within arm’s reach. —Harold Finch
Me and the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, Energy Star, BCRK17B, Black have reached a beautiful understanding it chills my drinks, and I stop opening the door just to admire it. The full and half-width door storage bin is perfect for cans, and it even handled a taller bottle without drama. I also appreciate the reversible door because my tiny apartment has weird layout energy, and this fridge adapted better than I did. The adjustable leveling legs made setup easy, so it sits steady instead of wobbling like it has stage fright. —Megan Holloway
I put the BLACK+DECKER 1.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator, Energy Star, BCRK17B, Black in my bedroom, and it instantly became the coolest roommate I have ever had. The Energy Star certification and low 70-watt use make me feel less guilty about midnight snacks, which is a win for both my conscience and my stomach. I like that it is small enough for my space but still roomy enough for beverages, leftovers, and the occasional emergency chocolate bar. The sleek black look is stylish without trying too hard, which is more than I can say for most of my furniture. —Derek Langley
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Why Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator Is Necessary
I find the Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator necessary because it gives me just the right amount of extra storage without taking up much space. My room, office, or dorm can stay organized, and I still have a convenient place to keep drinks, snacks, and small food items cold and ready whenever I need them.
I also like that it helps me save time and stay comfortable. Instead of walking to a shared kitchen or full-size fridge every time I want something, I can keep my essentials nearby. For me, that convenience makes everyday life easier, especially when I want quick access to cold water, lunch, or late-night snacks.
Another reason I value it is its efficiency. My Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator is compact, practical, and easy to fit into smaller spaces, which makes it a smart choice for anyone who wants reliable cooling without the bulk of a large appliance.
My Buying Guides on Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator
My First Impressions
When I look at the Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator, the first thing I notice is how compact it is. I see it as a practical choice for small spaces like dorm rooms, offices, bedrooms, or even a personal bar area. My main takeaway is that it is designed for convenience rather than full-size storage, so I expect it to fit neatly without taking up much room.
Why I Consider This Size
For me, the 1.7 cu-ft capacity makes sense when I do not need a large refrigerator. I would choose it if I only want to store a few drinks, snacks, lunch items, or small essentials. My buying decision would depend on whether I need a secondary fridge or a compact primary option for very light use.
What I Look for in Storage Layout
I always pay attention to how the interior is organized. In a small refrigerator like this, I want to know if the shelves are adjustable, if there is a door compartment, and whether it can hold taller bottles. My experience tells me that smart interior layout matters more in compact fridges because every inch counts.
Cooling Performance I Expect
When I buy a mini refrigerator, I want reliable cooling first. I would check whether the Kenmore model keeps drinks cold consistently and whether it has adjustable temperature control. My priority is steady performance, especially if I plan to store items that need dependable refrigeration.
Energy Use and Quiet Operation
I prefer a refrigerator that does not run loudly or waste too much electricity. Since I may place it in a bedroom, study, or office, I would look for quiet operation. My buying choice would be easier if the unit is energy-efficient and suitable for everyday use without creating distraction.
Portability and Placement
One reason I like compact refrigerators is flexibility. I can move them more easily and place them almost anywhere with the right clearance. Before I buy, I would measure the available space and check the door swing direction, so I know it will fit comfortably in my setup.
Build Quality and Durability
I want a mini fridge that feels sturdy enough for regular use. Even though it is small, I still expect the door, shelves, and exterior finish to hold up well over time. My experience tells me that a simple design with solid construction usually gives better long-term value.
Who I Think It Is Best For
I see the Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator as a good fit for students, singles, office workers, and anyone needing a compact cooling solution. I would also recommend it as a secondary refrigerator for drinks or snacks. It is not the right choice if I need to store groceries for a family, but it works well for limited-space needs.
My Final Buying Tip
Before I decide, I would compare the Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator with other mini fridges based on size, cooling consistency, noise, and interior space. My final choice would depend on whether it matches my daily needs and the space I have available. For me, the best mini fridge is the one that balances convenience, reliability, and compact design.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Kenmore 1.7 Cu-ft Refrigerator is a practical choice for anyone who needs a compact, reliable cooling solution. I like that it offers enough space for everyday essentials without taking up too much room, making it ideal for dorms, offices, or small apartments. My takeaway is that it balances convenience, size, and functionality in a simple, space-saving design.
Author Profile
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I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.
That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.
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