Reveal if the Best Mini Fridge Upstreman FR17 Is Worth It
The Upstreman FR17 mini fridge has been a surprising addition to my home office setup. I didn’t initially think I needed one until the hassle of running to the kitchen for snacks became unbearable during back-to-back Zoom calls. With a sleek stainless-steel look and compact size, it slipped right under my desk without disrupting the limited space I have. And weighing just 25 pounds, it was light enough for me to move around without breaking a sweat. The model FR17 somehow makes you question how something so small can pack so much utility.
Convenient Compact Design
I underestimated how much I would love the size of this mini fridge. Its dimensions (17.7 x 18.9 x 19.3 inches) are perfect for tight spaces. I’ve placed it under my desk, and it looks like it organically belongs to the setup. The single-door design with a reversible hinge adds to the flexibility of where it can be placed. It feels sturdy despite the compact form factor, and the stainless-steel finish gives it a modern vibe that doesn’t clash with any surrounding decor.
Cooling Performance
From sodas to leftovers, everything stays perfectly chilled, even though I wasn’t expecting much from such a small refrigerator. The temperature range of 33.8°F to 46.4°F caters to nearly everything except ice cream (lesson learned the hard way), but the compact freezer compartment does allow me to make ice cubes. It gives me that refreshing chilled drink during a long workday, which feels like a luxury. With five variable temperature settings, finding just the right balance for different food items is seamless.
Check Upstreman FR17 price on Amazon.
Quiet Operation
I’m someone incredibly sensitive to noise, especially because I work in a relatively quiet environment. The low noise level of 38 dB was a pleasant surprise. Even when I’m on a midnight work deadline, this fridge operates so quietly that I barely notice it’s there. It’s been a relief knowing that I can keep it running in my office without any distracting hums or vibrations. If you’ve ever owned a noisy fridge in your dorm room, you’ll appreciate how peaceful this one is.
Energy Efficiency
Electricity bills are not my favorite part of the month, and I was initially apprehensive about buying another appliance. But the FR17 uses just 0.5 kWh per day, so my wallet hasn’t even noticed the addition to my setup. It’s Energy Star-certified, and the use of the eco-friendly R600a refrigerant gives me a little extra peace of mind knowing it’s not harmful to the environment. I’ve kept it running continuously without worrying about energy costs spiraling out of control.
Positives
- Versatile and compact design, perfect for small spaces.
- Low noise levels ensure it fits into quiet environments like bedrooms or home offices.
- Adjustable temperature settings make it simple to fine-tune cooling performance.
- Energy-efficient with eco-friendly refrigerants to reduce environmental impact.
Areas for Improvement
- The freezer compartment is quite small, limiting its use for storing frozen items.
- Manual defrost can be a bit inconvenient for long-term maintenance.
- Temperature settings sometimes require fine adjustments depending on external room temperature.
Peer Products
Before settling on the FR17, I looked into a couple of competing compact refrigerators, like the Midea WHS-65LB1 and BLACK+DECKER BCRK17. Both come with similar compact designs and are budget-friendly, but they fell short in different aspects. The BLACK+DECKER model, while stylish, generates significantly more noise, which was a deal-breaker given my work environment. Meanwhile, the Midea model offered robust cooling but lacked the freezer compartment altogether, which ultimately made the FR17 a better choice for its added functionality. In comparison, the Upstreman fridge edges out its competitors with its ultra-quiet operation and eco-friendly features, though it doesn’t completely overshadow them in terms of storage versatility.
Cost Efficiency
Considering its energy efficiency, reliable cooling performance, and solid build, the FR17 feels like a smart investment for anyone needing a practical compact refrigerator. While not the cheapest mini fridge on the market, it compensates with its thoughtful design and added features like the freezer compartment and reversible door. For those shopping on a budget but unwilling to compromise on quality, this fridge ticks all the right boxes.
Posted Oct 2, 2025, 1:49 PM UTC