Everyone needs a refrigerator. For people who live in communal housing or simply want the convenience of cold drinks at their fingertips, a compact refrigerator is a must-have. If you’re on a budget, owning a compact fridge may be cost prohibitive. However, Danby and Midea manufacturer a few models that anyone can afford.
The Danby DAR026A1BDD-3 Compact Refrigerator makes the most of its interior space. It features an innovative soda can holder and comes with multiple shelves you can adjust to fit oversized items. The exterior is constructed from durable metal, and you can use the top of the fridge to put books, an alarm clock or some knickknacks.
Midea’s Compact Refrigerator is ideal for those who are short on room space. The door holds a surprising number of items, considering the fridge’s cubic feet. The fridge also boasts a segregated area for chilling a drink fast. You’ll appreciate the low weight of the refrigerator, and you have the ability to the open the door from the left or the right.
The Interior
Danby Compact Refrigerator (DAR026A1BDD-3)
With interior space that measures 2.6 cubic feet, this is certainly a compact fridge. However, Danby added features that let you take advantage of the space available. There are three shelves in this refrigerator. Two of the wire shelves span the entire width of the fridge while the bottom one is only half the width. However, you can move the shelves to any of the Danby fridge’s six slots.
The door’s storage is rather ingenious. While it does have a standard 2-liter bottle holder on the bottom and a small bottle holder on the top, it lets you store soda and beer cans in a unique way. There are four can cradles that are stacked in four rows, which Danby calls its Canstor beverage dispenser.
Midea Compact Refrigerator (WHS-65LB1)
Midea provides 1.6 cubic feet of food and drink storage inside of this compact fridge. The refrigerator’s interior features a single wire shelf that saves space. This shelf is not adjustable, but it cuts the space right in half, allowing you to fit a variety of foods on top or bottom. There is even a chiller box that keeps a drink cold without freezing it.
The door’s storage consists of two shelves. One shelf is designed with a 2-liter bottle in mind with room for a few smaller bottles next to it. The upper shelf is the perfect place to put a couple of soda cans.
Conclusion: While both are compact, the Danby model offers an additional cubic foot of storage in comparison to the Midea fridge. Each one has plenty of shelves. However, the Danby has that creative beverage dispenser that soda enthusiasts will love. If you want a quick way to cool a warm beverage, the Midea model’s chiller compartment will do the trick.
The Exterior
Danby Compact Refrigerator (DAR026A1BDD-3)
Danby made sure this refrigerator could withstand rough moves and wear and tear. The all-black compact fridge and its door are constructed from hard steel. While the finish on the fridge is smooth instead of pebbled, the top surface of the refrigerator is resistant to scratches.
Since the 46-pound refrigerator has reversible door hinges, you can change the direction in which the door opens at any time. The recessed handle makes it easy to open the door. Overall, you don’t have to worry about the space the fridge takes because it measures 20.1 by 17.7 by 26.9 inches.
Midea Compact Refrigerator (WHS-65LB1)
Like the Danby fridge, the Midea compact fridge is black from top to bottom. The finish is smooth too, making the refrigerator less likely to trap and show dirt and grime. Since the refrigerator is made from stainless steel, rust accumulation will be of no concern.
The refrigerator features a reversible door for a dual-direction choice, and the handle is recessed into the door, so there is no risk of the handle breaking like one that juts out the front. With a weight of 35.3 pounds, moving the fridge is a breeze even if you don’t have a helper. You can also adjust the legs for stability on the 17.7 by 18.6 by 19.4-inch Midea refrigerator.
Conclusion: Both compact fridges are black and smooth with a reversible door and a built-in handle. The top of the Danby fridge won’t get scratched over time, and the legs of the Midea refrigerator are adjustable. The Midea model weighs about ten fewer pounds than the Danby, and it’s slightly smaller in terms of its dimensions.
The Controls
Danby Compact Refrigerator (DAR026A1BDD-3)
If lowering your electricity usage is important, Danby won’t hike up the bill. This compact refrigerator meets Energy Star standards. Over the course of one year, the fridge draws an estimated 253 kilowatts per hour of electricity. This equates to approximately $30 extra per year to run the fridge – How’s that for energy-efficient?
The fridge uses R600a refrigerant to cool the interior space, which is better for the environment than older types of Freon. Although the thermostat is mechanical, the defrost isn’t. Instead of spending your time defrosting the refrigerator, it takes care of that pesky chore for you.
Midea Compact Refrigerator (WHS-65LB1)
With the Midea Compact Refrigerator, you won’t have an energy-hog appliance. This fridge uses a mere 207 kilowatts of electricity, and that figure is not per day; it’s per year. Therefore, you’ll be spending well under $30 annually to power the fridge.
Like the Danby refrigerator, the Midea fridge takes the eco-friendly R600a refrigerant. Defrost is accomplished manually, but you can adjust the temperature from 32 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit by turning the six-step dial next to the chiller box.
Conclusion: These compact fridges don’t use a ton of electricity, saving you money over time. They both take R600a refrigerant, and their respective thermostats are adjustable. However, the Danby fridge boasts auto defrost while the Midea refrigerator requires manual defrost.
Lifestyle-Friendly Compact Refrigerators
Danby and Midea offer many of the same desirable features in their compact refrigerators. Both have a smooth, black, modern finish that looks great in any space. Both are made of strong metal, and they have a reversible door as well as an unbreakable recessed handle.
Each model gives you a place to store drinks on the inside of the door, and their thermostats are adjustable. Both manufacturers made sure to keep their refrigerators energy and eco-friendly, appealing to the budget-minded and environmentally conscious alike.
Out of the two compact fridges, the Danby DAR026A1BDD-3 is more spacious, and it has three adjustable shelves to the Midea’s stationary one shelf. The Danby refrigerator also has a can dispenser, an auto-defrost function, and a scratch-resistant top. Although you have to operate the defrost on the Midea WHS-65LB1, this refrigerator is lighter in weight and smaller in size. From guest rooms to dorm rooms, these two compact refrigerators are an excellent buy.
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