Head-to-head · Best Mini Fridges

Magic Chef Retro 3.2 Cu. Ft. 2-Door Mini Refrigerator vs Whynter BR-1211DS 136-Can Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Whynter BR-1211DS 136-Can Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). Whynter BR-1211DS 136-Can Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator is best for: people who want a lockable glass-door drinks fridge with exact digital temperature settings. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #2 in Best Mini Fridges

Magic Chef Retro 3.2 Cu. Ft. 2-Door Mini Refrigerator

4.1

2 sourcesall derived

The Magic Chef HMCR320 is a retro-styled two-door mini fridge with a separate top freezer, a crisper drawer and a listed capacity of 3.2 cubic feet. Wirecutter recommends it for buyers who want a tall mini fridge that feels more like a full-size one, recording fridge temperatures between 34.8°F and 37°F throughout its tests. Reviewed also found excellent temperature control, but noted that the door can bounce open and the handles feel cheap. It suits a dorm room, studio or office that needs real freezer space; anyone who needs a reversible door or a sturdy handle should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Wirecutter logged fridge temperatures between 34.8°F and 37°F throughout testing
— Reviewed found fridge within a degree or two of target, freezer within one degree
— Separate freezer door fits frozen meals, ice cream pints and full-size ice trays

Watch-outs

— Door can bounce back open unless it is shut firmly
— Retro handle often loosened or came off in Wirecutter's testing
— The door is not reversible

Buy at homedepot.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Mini Fridges

Whynter BR-1211DS 136-Can Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator

4.5

2 sourcesall derived$285as of Oct 17

The Whynter BR-1211DS is a 3.4-cubic-foot freestanding beverage fridge with a glass door, digital touch controls and no freezer. Reviewed named it its best mini fridge for drinks, fitting 121 standard cans inside and recording small temperature swings that stayed close to the set point. Food & Wine also picked it for drinks, praising its 34–43°F range, built-in lock and UV-filtering double-pane glass door. It suits a den, games room or dorm where cans and bottles are the main load; anyone who needs a freezer, door bins or a reversible door should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Reviewed fit 121 standard cans inside; Food & Wine cites a 136-can capacity
— Digital controls set exact temperatures instead of a vague 1–10 dial
— Reviewed measured minimal temperature swings, close to the set point

Watch-outs

— Can-focused layout with no door bins is less suited to general food storage
— No freezer compartment of any kind

$285 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Magic Chef Retro 3.2 Cu. Ft. 2-Door Mini Refrigerator

Wirecutter describes the Frigidaire EFR840 as virtually the same fridge as the Magic Chef HMCR320, so the choice between them comes down mainly to door storage and finish. Unlike the freezerless NewAir AB-1200, it has a separate freezer compartment, and it adds a crisper drawer that the Midea WHD-113FSS1 is not described as having in the sources.

Whynter BR-1211DS 136-Can Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator

Like the NewAir AB-1200, the Whynter is a freezerless glass-door beverage centre, but it is rated for 136 cans against the NewAir's 126. Unlike the Frigidaire EFR840 and the Midea WHD-113FSS1, it has no freezer section, giving its full 3.4 cubic feet to refrigerated storage.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Magic Chef Retro 3.2 Cu. Ft. 2-Door Mini Refrigerator	Whynter BR-1211DS 136-Can Freestanding Beverage Refrigerator
Model	HMCR320WE	BR-1211DS
Listed Capacity	3.2 cu ft	—
Measured Capacity (Reviewed)	2.01 cu ft	—
Dimensions	33.5" H x 19.1" W x 20.1" D	20" D x 19" W x 33" H
Configuration	Top freezer with separate door	—
Finishes	White, mint green, red, black	—
Reversible Door	No	—
Capacity	—	3.4 cu ft
Can Capacity	—	Up to 136 cans (manufacturer rating)
Temperature Range	—	34–43°F
Freezer	—	None
Defrost	—	Automatic
Voltage	—	115 V

← See the full ranking of best mini fridges