For many breastfeeding mothers, a mini fridge is the answer to breast milk storage woes. Being the curious father that I am, I decided to check out the different models on the market. The BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B Compact Refrigerator was my best mini fridge for breast milk, but you’ll find many other options on this list to consider too.
Storing expressed breast milk correctly is essential for your baby’s wellbeing. It needs to be kept cool if being consumed on the same day or frozen if you’re storing it for future use. Being able to store breast milk safely while keeping it fresh, gives mom the opportunity to hand over the feeding of the baby to the father or a caregiver. And I’ve had a lot of such days as a father when I was the sole caretaker of our daughter.
- My Top Picks
- Buying a Mini Fridge for Breast Milk
- Best Overall – BLACK+DECKER Compact Mini Fridge with Freezer
- Best for Travel – Cooluli Mini Fridge Electric Cooler and Warmer
- Best for Small Spaces – Midea Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator
- Best Value – AstroAl Mini Fridge
- Best for Storage – New Air Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator
- FAQs
- Conclusion
My Top Picks
- Best Overall – BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator
- Best for Travel – Cooluli Mini Fridge
- Best for Small Spaces – Midea Reversible Refrigerator
- Best Value – AstroAI Mini Fridge
- Best for Storage – New Air NBC060SS00 Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator
Buying a Mini Fridge for Breast Milk
When you’re done expressing your breast milk with a breast pump such as Willow, Elvie or Freemie wearable pump, it needs to be kept cool. And, this is where a mini fridge can be useful. It gives you the flexibility of keeping your breast milk on hand – whether in your office, bedroom, or your baby’s nursery. Instead of popping down to the kitchen all the time, keeping your mini fridge close-by makes your life a whole lot easier.
Whenever parents are in the market for a baby product, it’s always a good idea to do some research. Use my buying guide to save you the hassles of spending hours on the Internet. My article includes five different mini fridges with features ranging from freezers to portability.
Freezing vs Refrigerating your Breast Milk – Differences
If you’re wondering whether you should be freezing or simply refrigerating your breast milk, it’s important to know the difference. While freshly expressed breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours, it’s advisable to use a cooler if you want to keep the milk stored for a day – like while you’re at work or while you’re little one is at daycare. Breast milk can be kept at the back of a refrigerator for up to 5 days while frozen milk can be kept in a freezer for up to 12 months!
It’s also important to know that the longer expressed breast milk is kept frozen, the higher the loss of Vitamin C in the milk. And newborn baby’s breast milk is different to an older baby’s breast milk so keep this in mind when choosing to store breast milk for long periods of time. It’s useful to know the ideal temperature for refrigerating breast milk is 4C or lower. A freezer should be below -18C. This will give you peace of mind that your milk is still safe for your baby to consume 6 months down the line. Breast milk cooled in the refrigerator can be carried in a cooler for up to 24 hours.
Where to place a mini fridge
Wondering where you can set up your device? There are a few places you might want to consider: in your kitchen, in your own bedroom or the mini fridge could go in the nursery. The latter might be the best solution for many, since anyway most of the baby stuff are stored there. You can read about other benfits (and concerns) in the article I wrote..
What to Look for in a Mini Fridge
It’s always a good idea to know exactly what you want to achieve from your mini fridge. Whether it’s for keeping your breast milk cool for a few days or to be frozen for future use, these features to look out for will help you make your final decision:
- Dimensions: Despite being “mini”, these small fridges do come in a range of sizes. If you’re looking to keep your mini fridge in one place, it’s good to measure the space before purchasing. The BLACK+DECKER, Midea Reversible Refrigerator and New Air Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator are of similar sizes. Both the AstroAI and Cooluli models are way smaller comparably but note they are coolers and meant for portability.
- Cooling and freezing options: Mini fridges offer different cooling options. Some operate purely for keeping items cool such as the AstroAI and Cooluli Mini Fridges (and they are warmers). The New Air Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator does not have a freezer while both the BLACK+DECKER and Midea Reversible Refrigerator do.
- Thermostat control: It’s important to check the temperature control to determine the temperature range of your mini fridge. Both the BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator and the Midea Reversible Refrigerator have adjustable temperature controls with a decent range in temperatures. The New Air Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator has a thermostat control with 5 settings but it’s placed at the back of the fridge which makes access difficult. The AstroAI and Cooluli Mini Fridges are coolers and warmers. They have limited thermostat settings but can convert from cool to warm temperatures by selecting the option.
- Functionality: This is very important if you’re traveling with the mini fridge. Both the AstroAl and Cooluli Mini Fridges have AC/DC adapters which means they can be plugged into the standard wall socket and the cigarette lighter socket in your car. The BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator, New Air Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator and Midea Reversible Refrigerator are plugged into standard wall sockets.
- Storage space: Depending on how much storage space you need, you want to check out the interior of the mini fridge to see that it’s not cluttered with equipment or bulky sides. The storage space of the freezer compartment is also an important consideration. As expected, the AstroAI and Cooluli Mini Fridges are not big on storage space. The New Air Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator boasts the largest storage capacity although there are no shelves in the door. Both the BLACK+DECKER Compact and Midea Reversible Refrigerators have good storage capacity with additional shelving in the doors.
- Pricing: Purchasing a mini fridge can be an expensive outlay. If you’re sticking to a strict budget, AstroAI and Cooluli Mini Fridges are the cheaper options. The BLACK+DECKER Compact Refrigerator is the most expensive while Midea Reversible and New Air Beverage Refrigerators are comparably similar in prices.
Best Overall – BLACK+DECKER Compact Mini Fridge with Freezer
While being the most expensive of the 5 models I reviewed, this product was my top pick. It ticks all the features you’re looking for in a mini fridge. It’s compact, has a decent icebox and large storage space. I felt it was worth the price tag and offered both refrigeration and freezing options for storing breast milk. The adjustable temperature control gives you peace of mind your breast milk is being stored at the correct temperature, whether in the refrigerator or freezer compartment. Another bonus is the ultra-quiet sound operation. Perfect when you don’t want to be disturbed by a noisy appliance!
Who It’s For
It’s eprfect for the parent looking to keep stored breast milk refrigerated or frozen.
Why You Should Consider It
As a father always looking for energy-saving appliances for our home, this product can keep cold with minimal energy (70 watts). Its removable glass shelf expands the existing large storage space. There is additional storage in the door side. This is ideal for when you’re feeding your baby from your office and you need somewhere to keep your lunch and cool drinks.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 17.52 x 19.72″
- Weight: 33.1 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year for parts & labor/2 years for compressor part
- Color: Black
Pros
- Premium quality
- Easy to clean
- Freezes perfectly every time
Cons
- Fan can be noisy when switches on
- Not all water bottle sizes fit neatly in the unit
- Clips on the door tend to fall off
Best for Travel – Cooluli Mini Fridge Electric Cooler and Warmer
Great for portability, if that’s what you want out of your mini-fridge. It works perfectly using the car’s cigarette lighter socket so ideal for those trips in the car. You can even power it with a 2A power bank so if you’re looking for a product to take camping with you, here’s the one for you. Its sleek and durable design means it will fit in most small spaces while the carrying handle on the top makes for convenient transportation. Simply wipe it down when it needs cleaning, inside and outside.
Who It’s For
A perfect product for families who like to camp or those who enjoy taking a long road trip.
Why You Should Consider It
It’s important to point out that this mini-fridge is a cooler so don’t expect ice-cold temperatures. With its food warmer feature, you can switch from keeping your breast milk cool to warming it up all in one appliance. This can be particularly nifty when you camping in a tent.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.7 x 10.5″
- Weight: 4.84 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
- Color: White
Pros
- AC/DC and USB adapters included
- Environmentally friendly
- Small enough to fit on a desk
Cons
- Has no freezer compartment
- Cannot store breast milk for long periods
- Limited storage capacity
Best for Small Spaces – Midea Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator
Of all the products I reviewed, this one had most of the features while keeping it small in size. It is compact with a reversible door which can open either from the left or right. It’s environmentally friendly with its energy-saving features. Its whisper-quiet technology means the compression cycles off and on silently. You won’t have to worry about your baby waking up if you’re keeping this product in their nursery.
Who It’s For
This is perfect for parents short on space at home or in the office.
Why You Should Consider It
The large storage capacity of this product means you can store more than breast milk. You could even store your baby’s cooked meals in it. While it recommends not storing frozen foods or making ice cubes, it does have a separate chiller compartment. The temperature control button can adjust the temperature from -2 degrees to 2 degrees Celsius.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 17.72 x 18.58 x 19.37″
- Weight: 35.27 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
- Color: Black
Pros
- Well-priced
- Stylish, streamlined appearance
- Keeps food perfectly chilled
Cons
- Not ideal for long term use
- Machinery at the back of the fridge limits storage capacity
- Not portable
Best Value – AstroAl Mini Fridge
If you’re not looking for a product with a freezer and trying to save on your budget, this product will serve you well. It does offer a “cool to warm” feature which can be useful if you want to keep your breast milk at either temperature. I also the convenience of AC/DC adapters included. This cooler can be used plugged into a cigarette lighter socket. Word of caution: the car engine must be running or else you risk draining your car battery.
Who It’s For
This is perfect for moms looking for portability and easy day-to-day storage of their breast milk.
Why You Should Consider It
Offering 4 liters of capacity, you can store your make-up, medicines or a few cans together with your breast milk. A great gift for the mom on the go. The removable shelf can expand the existing storage space or separate your breast milk from any other items being kept inside.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 9.45 x 6.89 x 10″
- Weight: 4.65 lbs
- Warranty: 3 years
- Color: White
Pros
- Eco-friendly engineering
- Quiet technology
- Adjustable temperature control with large LCD screen
Cons
- Cannot be used for storing breast milk for more than a day
- Can overheat quickly when used as a warmer
- Contains flammable liquids
Best for Storage – New Air Beverage Cooler and Refrigerator
When a product tells you it can hold 60 cans you know you’ve got a mini-fridge with lots of storage space! If you’re looking to store more than your baby’s breast milk (or LOTS of milk for things like milk drives) this product could be the one to buy. Its compact size doesn’t take up too much space either. You can choose from 5 custom thermostat settings. With two removable glass shelves, you can create even more space by removing one of them.
Who It’s For
It’s perfect if you’re looking for a mini-fridge to store your breast milk and other food and drink items.
Why You Should Consider It
Besides its large storage capacity, this product features a powerful cooling system. Its double-paned glass door doesn’t only keep the cold in but it adds to the timeless stainless-steel look.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 18.9 x 16.75 x 21.1″
- Weight: 45 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
- Color: Stainless Steel
Pros
- Manual defrost feature
- Aesthetically appealing
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No light installed in the fridge
- Temperature control mechanism at the back making access difficult
- Negative customer reviews
FAQs
What are the best containers for storing expressed breast milk?
Sterilized clean bottles with screw caps work well. You can use plastic cups with tight lids but make sure the plastic is of high-grade quality. Pre-sterilized nursing bags designed to hold breast milk can be used.
How do I thaw frozen milk?
Remove the container from the freezer and hold it under warm running water. Otherwise, take it out the day before – it takes 24 hours for frozen milk to thaw completely. Never refreeze the milk.
What quantities should I store my milk in the freezer?
It’s best to store milk in 2 to 4 oz portions so you don’t waste any. A clever way to store milk is in ice trays. Once frozen, store the cubes in freezer bags. Remember to clearly label the containers with the date.
What’s the maximum room temperature for storing breast milk outside of a fridge?
Your room temperature should be no more than 25 degrees Celsius. Do not leave the milk out for more than 6 hours. Watch this educational video to find out more about how to store breast milk.
Conclusion
With so many mini-fridges being available on the market, it is a tough choice to find the best mini fridge for breast milk. In the end, I used my list of features to help me find the most suitable one for storing breast milk. Without a doubt, the BLACK+DECKER Compact Mini Fridge with Freezer did it for me.
All of the options I introduced you to today deserve their spots on my list, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide which one will work best for your needs. Which one will it be?
Last update on 2024-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API