Best Mini Fridge for Breast Milk Storage [2022 Reviews]

For the first four to six months, your baby will wake up multiple times a night, hungry for milk and cuddles. This means two, three, four… five, or even SIX trips to the fridge in the middle of the night. That’s a lot of wasted sleeping time for mommy!

This is why having a mini fridge for breast milk is incredibly convenient. You can just skip all of those walks to the kitchen and back; keep what you need right where you’ll need it!

It’s hard enough being a mom, let alone a working mom, keeping up with your daily feeding and pumping regime. After maternity leave, you will need a place to store your expressed milk while at work. Preferably not in the office fridge, next to everyone’s lunch!

You must keep your breast milk cool, to prevent it from spoiling before you can bring it home. Breast milk will stay fresh at room temperature for 4 hours. After this, it begins to spoil and is no longer safe for your baby. These are just some of the many reasons why you should get a refrigerator for breast milk.

We’re going to start with what to consider when looking for a mini fridge for the nursery, and then get on to the reviews!

What to look for in a Mini Fridge for Breast Milk

1.  Temperature Range – Refridgerator or Freezer?
We all know that breast milk is the best option for your baby, but it has the downside of spoiling very quickly if left at room temperature.

When storing breastmilk, the mini fridge needs to maintain around 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4° Celsius) according to the CDC.

For this reason, it is vitally important to your baby’s health and safety that the fridge you buy can maintain an average temperature of 39°F or lower.

Breast milk cooled to 39° or lower is good for up to 3 days. If you have a freezer that can reach -4°F, the breast milk can last up to 12 months.

You can take a look at our breast milk storage chart to help you understand how long breast milk will last at different temperatures:

Some mini fridges come with a freezer section, and some do not. It’s never a bad idea to have some frozen milk as a backup in case you run low.

A freezer will be more beneficial for working moms and traveling, while a fridge-only option is best for your bedside.

2. Size and Storage Capacity

Mini fridges, as the name implies, are smaller than regular fridges. That said, they do come in a wide range of sizes and storage capacities.

Bigger is NOT always better! A smaller-sized mini-fridge may appeal to you if you plan to take it with you frequently while on the go.

A mini-fridge with a 4L capacity should have enough room to hold 3-4 typical baby bottles. If you need more room, then you’ll need to look at some bigger models.

If you prefer to leave the mini-fridge at home or the office, though, then a larger mini-fridge may make sense. More room for milk, lunch… maybe some wine!

Having enough space to store the mini-fridge can be another consideration – some of the really tall mini-fridges might not fit under your desk!

You should take some time and consider how much breast milk storage space you will really need.

3. Portability

Many moms use an insulated pump bag or an ice cooler to transport their breast milk. A mom’s life can be made much easier if she has a small portable mini fridge for storing and transporting breast milk.

Having good Portability is a factor that you’ll need to consider. Depending on your usage, it may be very important to you… or, it may not be very important at all.

Will you be carrying your breast milk in the mini-fridge, using it as a portable ice-chest cooler, or leaving the fridge where you need it?

If portability IS important to you, then you will need to make sure that your mini-fridge will be easy for you to lift and take with you without much strain or hassle.

Choose a fridge that is lightweight and that you’ll be comfortable carrying. Don’t forget that the listed weight is the EMPTY weight, adding in breast milk will only make it heavier!

In addition, make sure to choose a mini-fridge with a convenient lifting handle. You’ll already have plenty of other things to carry (diaper bag, pumping bag, YOUR BABY), the last thing you need is a large cube without a handle to juggle on top of that.

Also, look for a mini-fridge with a latching or locking door, to prevent spills and accidents.

Finally, some mini-fridges can plug into a car’s cigarette lighter. This can be a life-saver if you are driving for a long period of time and need to keep your breast milk stored at the perfect temperature.

4. Temperature Control

Being able to control and adjust the temperature of your mini-fridge is an important feature. Not all fridges have a temperature gauge, the ability to turn a knob and make it a little cooler, a little warmer.

The last thing you want is a fridge that freezes the milk if you just wanted it kept cool – now you have to wait for the milk to thaw while the baby is awake and hungry!

Look for a mini-fridge with an adjustable temperature setting. The ability to turn the temperature up or down will give you more control and help you eliminate accidental freezing.

Breast Milk Mini Fridge Reviews

We have taken the time and effort to test and review a large number of mini fridges for breast milk storage. We found some that are definitely better than others, but we also realized that their use fell into distinct size categories:

• • Carry Size (4 Liter)
  • Medium Size (1.5 Cubic Feet)
  • Large Size (2.5 Cubic Feet)

We have reviewed and rated these fridges with the following factors in mind: Temperature Range and Control, Size and Storage Capacity, Portability, Reliability.

Whether you are looking for the best breast milk fridge, the best mini milk fridge, or the best mini fridge for storing breast milk, we are sure that you will be able to find what you are looking for in our guide to the best mini fridges for breast milk!

Now that we’ve laid out what to look for in a mini fridge for breast milk and finding the best mini fridge for baby bottles, let’s jump into the reviews!

Best Mini Fridges for Breast Milk: Carry Size

#1 – Cooluli Mini Fridge and Warmer, 4L

This is one of our favorite mini-fridges – very useful to have at work or next to your bed at night. It will store and keep whatever you put in it cold for a few hours before completely freezing it. You will no longer need to run up or downstairs to get to the fridge. For convenience, you can carry it with you wherever you go outside or in the house.

What makes this mini fridge so special is its unique feature that allows you to warm the milk or food. There is a switch in the back that allows you to switch from “cool” to “warm”. It also comes with AC/DC and USB power adapters that allow it to be used in the car using the cigarette adapter, or USB, or even with a 2A power bank battery. This makes it quite versatile!

Pros

• It is energy efficient
• Easy to switch from cooler to warmer
• Very portable and lightweight – it’s only 4lbs!
• It is super quiet, so it can be kept in the baby’s nursery, bedroom, or in your office.
• It’s 100% safe to use and free of Freon.
• It has seven color options to choose from!
• 1-year warranty

 Cons

• It has a slot to help carry it with your fingers, but a real handle would be an improvement.

#2 – AstrolAI Mini Fridge and Warmer, 4L

This mini fridge will keep everything you put in it cold or warm according to your needs. It can cool the contents down to freezing (zero degrees Celsius) within an hour, or warm it up to 150° Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius). It is very useful and handy to store up to six 12oz cans, small yogurt containers, fruits, or tall baby bottles.

What makes it so portable is its design and handle. You can bring it anywhere with you. This mini-fridge comes with two plugs for standard walls and outlets, but you can also plug it into a 12V cigarette adapter for use when traveling. It is well insulated so that even without power, it will keep the contents cool or otherwise will keep already warm items warm for at least a few hours as long as its door is closed.

Pros

• Lightweight at 5lbs, so it’s quite portable – it also has a handle!
• Keeps milk cold even on a hot day
• This mini fridge can be plugged into a cigarette adapter when traveling to keep the milk cold
• It does not make any loud noises when powered on, so you can keep it in the office, bedroom, or nursery.
• It comes with a 3-year warranty.
• Comes in four color options

Cons

• It does not have a temperature gauge. You can either turn the switch to cold or warm.

#3 – Gourmia Thermoelectric Mini Fridge and Warmer, with Bluetooth Speaker 4L

This is another handy mini-fridge to transport breast milk wherever you go. This one, too, can both cool and warm your items according to your needs. This mini fridge does not freeze the items you put in it, so bear in mind that you will need to freeze the milk as soon as you get home.

The Gourmia has a very UNIQUE option – one model has an integrated Bluetooth speaker that connects to any compatible smart device. You can use it to listen to music while enjoying a cold drink – ideal for outdoor activities. The second model does not have an integrated speaker.

Pros

• UNIQUE Bluetooth Speaker for Lullabies or fun songs with your baby
• It comes with two detachable power chords; 1 for AC and the other for DC
• It is compact, lightweight, and portable
• Can use the cigarette adapter outlet in the car
• It has a self-locking latch to ensure the door is tightly locked when carrying it.
• It has a built-in fan for heat dissipation.
• Very quiet when running despite having a fan

Cons

• If you want something frozen, this mini fridge is known for not being able to get to the freezing point. However, it makes items cold very quickly.

#4 – NXONE Mini Fridge and Warmer, 6L

While most mini-fridges in this category settle for 4L, the NXONE gives us 6 liters of storage space! That’s an extra 50% of space for breast milk bags, bottles, or even a wine cooler! The tall, rounded form factor is unique and makes this option a more stylish pick.

The NXONE advertizes a temperature range of 32°F to 150°F, providing the ability to heat or cool on demand. That said, it lacks temperature control – and some reviewers complain of unwanted freezing.

Pros

• Features 6L of storage
• Includes a removable shelf,
• Includes a nice carrying handle!
• AC/DC adapter included – can be powered by a cigarette lighter!
• Comes in two color options – Black and White

Cons

• On the heavier side, but still portable – listed at 6 lbs!
• Does not have a door latch or locking mechanism.
• Some reports of unwanted freezing, this model lacks a temperature control knob.

Best Mini Fridges for Breast Milk: Medium Size

#1 – Midea Compact Mini Fridge, 1.6 Cu. Ft.

This is a much larger mini-fridge than the other options, with 1.6 cubic feet of space, and it is manufactured by a widely known company that offers only high-quality freezers and refrigerators. But it is still compact enough that you can place it anywhere you would need it – bedrooms, nurseries, offices, etc. It works so silently that no one will notice it’s around.

So far, this mini fridge can store the largest amount of items, and there are four size and color options to choose from – they have even larger options as well! If you are looking for something with a large capacity, you are in the right place. Its huge compartment is enough to hold tall milk bottles, cans, fruits, etc. It can even freeze ice cubes in the top compartment!

Pros

• It runs very quietly; you hardly notice it is there
• Keeps breast milk and food perfectly chilled
• Adjustable temperature gauge
• Perfect for small spaces
• Removable wire shelf
• Can make your own ice
• 1-year full warranty

Cons

• Less portable, it’s 35 lbs!

#2 – BLACK+DECKER Mini Fridge with Freezer, 1.7 Cu. Ft.

The Black+Decker is a solid option for storing baby bottles and breast milk bags, featuring 1.7 cubic feet of space. Similar to the Midea model, this mini fridge is very quiet and boasts a large storage capacity for breast milk and otherwise. It comes in three color options, and this model boasts impressive energy efficiency, winning the Energy Star 2020 Most Efficient award.

The main difference that sets this fridge apart from the Midea, is the expanded freezer section, which can properly hold many breast milk bags or bottles and keep them frozen until desired. If keeping a small supply of frozen breast milk is important to you, then this option is my recommendation.

Pros

• It has a freezer section
• Ultra-quiet
• Adjustable temperature gauge
• It has a temperature gauge
• Perfect for small spaces
• Removable glass shelf, easy to clean
• 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and 2-year warranty for the compressor

Cons

• Less portable, it weighs 33 lbs!

#3 – Danby Designer Mini Fridge, 1.7 Cu. Ft.

The Danby Designer Mini Fridge features 1.7 cubic feet of space. This mini fridge does away with the freezer section entirely, giving you more fridge space instead. It has essentially three levels for storage. The door compartment includes soda-can holsters, which are perfect for small baby bottles.

There are a couple of color options, as well as different sizes available with this brand. Danby offers an 18-month warranty for their mini fridges, which is better than the 12 months standard that you see elsewhere.

Pros

• Super-quiet
• Adjustable temperature gauge, on the backside of the unit
• It has a temperature gauge
• Perfect for small spaces
• Removable steel wire shelf
• 18-month warranty

Cons

• Less portable, it weighs 33.1 lbs!

#4 – TECCPO Mini Fridge, 1.7 Cu. Ft.

The TECCPO Mini Fridge features 1.7 cubic feet of space. This mini fridge provides a small freezer compartment, which also features a One-touch Easy Defrosting System. It has two levels for fridge storage and a freezer section. The door compartment can hold bottles and other drinks as well.

TECCPO offers a 2-year warranty for their mini fridges, which is better than the 12 months standard that you see elsewhere. This is an up-and-coming brand that is seeking to prove itself with reliability and quality. Beyond that, they offer an incredibly quiet mini fridge, with noise levels as low as 37dB!

They are even ENERGY STAR rated. This fridge measures 17.83″ W x 18.05″ D x 19.8″ H.

Pros

• Ultra-quiet noise level, as low as 37dB
• Adjustable temperature gauge – 6 temperature settings from 28.4°F to 50°F
• Perfect for small spaces
• One removable steel-wire shelf
• A GREAT 2-year warranty

Cons

• It weighs 32 lbs!

#5 – NewAir Glass Door Mini Fridge, 1.6 Cu. Ft.

The NewAir Mini Fridge features 1.6 cubic feet of space and an attractive glass door. It has two levels for fridge storage and a removable wire tray. The glass door provides nice visibility into the fridge, which can help you remember if you forgot to re-stock before bedtime!

The glass door is reversible, in case you need to open it from the other direction. The temperature is adjustable using a knob inside of the fridge. This fridge measures ‎18.9″ W x 16.75″ D x 21.1.

A bit of storage capacity is lost from not being able to use any door compartments. But if you want a glass door, that’s probably the price you are willing to pay!

Pros

• Reasonably Quiet
• Adjustable temperature gauge – adjustable from 37°F-64°F
• Perfect for small spaces
• One removable steel-wire shelf
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• It weighs 45 lbs! Don’t drop it!
• A bit expensive, but look at that glass!

Best Mini Fridges for Breast Milk: Large Size

#1 – BLACK+DECKER Mini Fridge with Freezer, 2.5 Cu. Ft.

The first of the BIG mini fridges! The Black+Decker 2.5 cubic foot option provides a big boost in new storage capacity. It has plenty of expanded room for bottles, bags, everything, between three adjustable shelves, an 8″ x 2″ freezer section, and an 0.82L of door storage space.

This mini-fridge is ENERGY STAR certified and comes with adjustable leveling feet. It’s rated at 45dB, this is a pleasantly quiet mini-fridge. Definitely too bulky to be called portable, measuring 17.5″ W x 18.5″ D x 26.6″ H but that’s what you get in this size range.

It’s perfect for bedside breast milk storage. And if 2.5 cubic feet of storage isn’t enough, they also offer a taller option that comes in at 3.2 Cu. Ft. Check it out here!

Pros

• Three shelves and a freezer section
• Ultra-quiet – low sound operation (45dB)
• Adjustable temperature control (32 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting)
• Reversible door (open to left or right as desired)
• Removable glass shelf, easy to clean
• 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and 2-year warranty for the compressor
• Priced well below the competition!

Cons

• Leave this one in place, it weighs 46.3 lbs!

#2 – RCA Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cu. Ft.

The RCA Single Door mini fridge boasts 3.2 Cu. Ft. of storage capacity at a stunningly low price. It comes with 2 removable shelves and a freezer section. The fridge itself is TALL – measuring 17-1/2” W x 18.5/8” D x 31.5/8” H.

This mini fridge is ENERGY STAR certified, and it offers NINE different stainless steel color options, so you can choose the one that you find most appealing! The door compartment also includes a can dispenser.

Pros

• Two shelves and a freezer section
• Adjustable temperature control (32 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting)
• Reversible door (open to left or right as desired)
• Priced well below the competition!
• 1 year limited warranty

Cons

• Heavy! 50.7 lbs!
• The compressor is a bit loud.

#3 – Midea Two-Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.1 Cu. Ft.

The Midea Two-Door Mini Fridge includes 3.1 cubic feet of storage capacity, with two separate compartments. The Freezer section does NOT include an ice maker or tray, which leaves more space for breast milk bags! Alternatively, you could add in your own ice cube tray if that is important to you.

This mini fridge allows you to adjust the temperature of each compartment, both the fridge and freezer sections have their own temperature knob on the inside. The fridge itself ‎measures 18 1/2″W x 19 3/8″D x 33″ H. It’s tall enough to work as a small table! A can dispenser is also present in the door of the fridge.

Pros

• Two shelves and a drawer in the fridge section, and a spacious freezer section.
• Adjustable Temperature Ranges: Refrigerator Compartment 32′ to 50′ F/ Freezer Compartment -11. 2′ to 5’F
• Both doors are reversible (open to left or right as desired)
• 1-year warranty for parts and labor, and 5-year warranty for the compressor

Cons

• This fridge weighs 52.2 lbs!

#4 – RCA Two-Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cu. Ft.

The RCA Two-Door Mini Fridge includes 3.2 cubic feet. of storage capacity, with two doors for the fridge and freezer compartments. The Freezer section again does not include an ice maker, leaving extra room for your breast milk and other items (midnight ice cream!). The fridge is made with stainless steel faceplates.

This RCA model allows you to adjust the temperature of each compartment, with temperature knobs inside the fridge compartment. The fridge itself ‎measures 19 1/8″ W x 20″ D x 33″ H. The fridge door also has a can dispenser.

Pros

• Two shelves and a drawer in the fridge section, and a spacious freezer section.
• Very Quiet
• Adjustable Temperature Control knobs
• Removable glass shelves, easy to clean
• Both doors are reversible (open to left or right as desired)
• Three Color Options: Black, Silver, White
• 1 year limited warranty

Cons

• This fridge weighs 57 lbs!

 See also: Best Breast Pump Bags

Tips for Storing Breast Milk, and Using Breast Milk

Here are some tips on how to properly store your breast milk!

• To prevent any germs from getting into the milk, be sure you’ve washed all of the containers, utensils, and your hands with a safe antibacterial cleaner and water.
• Consider using glass bottles to store your breast milk. Glass bottles are super easy to clean, you can read more about the pros and cons of glass bottles here!
• Label your breast milk bags or bottles, to help you keep track of how long it has been in the mini-fridge. If your baby stays at a daycare with other babies, be sure to add your baby’s name to the breast milk container as well!
• Pump in moderation! Breast milk spoils very quickly, many moms make the mistake of keeping too much in the fridge, more than their baby will consume. Move extra milk to the freezer! Here’s an article with some tips on managing Freezing and Refrigerating Breast Milk. 
• You can warm up refrigerated breast milk in a cup of hot water. This takes some time, though- some moms prefer holding the breast milk bag or bottle under running water.
• Many moms use a microwave to thaw and heat breast milk. Be careful not to overheat! Not only does overheating risk burning your baby, but valuable nutrients can be destroyed by boiling.
• Always TEST the milk temperature! You can put a dab on your wrist (under your palm) where your skin is more sensitive to temperature. If it feels HOT to you, then it’s too hot for your baby.
• After your baby finishes drinking, promptly return any excess milk to the refrigerator. It can be tempting, but do NOT mix old milk with new milk – this is a bad habit that can lead to contaminating good milk and getting your baby sick.
• Always dispose of “expired” breast milk as soon as you’re aware of it. Don’t let an accident happen because you left it in the fridge to deal with later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I store my Breast Milk in the Fridge?

Breast milk can be stored in a refrigerator running at 39°F (4°C) for up to 72 hours, or 3 days.

Keep in mind, when you have the breast milk outside of the fridge, the milk is actively spoiling, and your timeline is reduced!

How long can I store my Breast Milk in the Freezer?

Breast milk can be stored in a freezer running at 0°F (-18°C) for 3-6 months.

Breast milk can be stored in a freezer running at -4°F (-20°C) for 6-12 months.

One item to note – Vitamin C is slowly destroyed by freezing temperatures. Try to cycle your frozen breast milk into the refrigerator, use a first-in-first-out (FIFO) strategy to get rid of old breast milk first!

What if I leave out the Breast Milk on accident?

It’s OK, this happens to all of us, nursing moms. This too shall pass.

You can still use the breast milk within 6 hours of being left at room temperature, without risk to your baby. Keep in mind that if you put it into the fridge after having left it out for a few hours, that it will spoil much more quickly.

Why did my Breast Milk change color? Is this Milk BAD?

This is a common observation! The color of your breast milk is mostly affected by the foods that you eat. This is normal, the breast milk should be perfectly fine.

Many moms happen to notice that their milk is a different color when they see the different breast milk bags side by side in the refrigerator. We only notice the color difference because we’re pumping and keeping the milk stored in this way!

How should I clean and sterilize my bottles, containers, and breast pump parts?

Breast milk bottles, containers, and breast pump parts need to be sterilized after every use, in order to prevent the growth of bacteria that could contaminate good milk and cause harm to your baby.

Whether before each use or after each use, we recommend rinsing and running the bottles and containers through the dishwasher. Alternatively, you can boil water, or use a bottle sterilization appliance.

Why should I use a Mini Fridge for breast milk?

You can pump when you want to!

The primary purpose of having a mini-fridge for bottles of breast milk is that it allows you to prepare more than one bottle at a time.

Instead of rushing in the middle of the day because your baby is hungry, you’ll be able to feed them quickly and easily by having a bottle of breast milk already pumped in advance.

Your Breast Milk is separated from the Food in your Refridgerator

One benefit of a mini-fridge is that you don’t have to store your breast milk with anyone else’s food.

This lessens the risk that anyone else accidentally drinks from or contaminates the baby’s bottle.

This also removes your baby’s food from potential molds and fungi found in a typical family or office refrigerator.

A Mini Fridge is super convenient

Mini fridges for storing breast milk can be placed virtually anywhere, such as in the baby’s room, or under your desk at work. They are also convenient because they can often go with you when you travel and will fit easily inside your car.

Furthermore, a mini fridge for breast milk is still a mini fridge for everything else! After your baby out-grows bottle feeding, you can still use your mini fridge to store food, drinks, wine, makeup… anything that needs to be kept cool!

Wrap Up

Mini fridges are perfect for nursing moms. They are compact, convenient, and extremely useful. You will be able to feed your little one and store breast milk, food, drinks, and many more wherever you go.

Mini fridges will give you the freedom to choose when to come back home after a long day at work without worrying about where and how to store the milk.

Taking all of the above into consideration, the Cooluli Mini Fridge and Warmer is our favorite pick for the best mix of features and portability. And the cow-print option is just adorable!

Here’s a Nursing Mammy tip: you can buy one for home, and one for the office!

Now that you’ve settled on a mini-fridge, next you might want to consider what to use as the best bottle warmer!

 See also: Best Bottle Warmers for Frozen Breast Milk

What do YOU use to keep your baby’s milk chilled?

Let us know in the comments below!