Magic Chef 1.7 cu. ft. Mini Fridge in Black
- Compact Refrigerator
- 1.7 cu ft
- 1.7 cu ft
- 1.7 cu ft
- Better rated than 58%
A reliable basic mini fridge for a dorm, office, or bedroom, with an analog dial that takes some trial and error to dial in.
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How it ranks among the 86 compact refrigerators we track
4.3★ across 116 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
116 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 86 compact refrigerators we track - how the scorecard works · full compact refrigerators data report. Confidence: medium - useful but incomplete evidence.Last refreshed Jun 15, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
The Magic Chef MCR170BE is a 1.7 cu ft Energy Star mini fridge with a small freezer compartment, adjustable dial thermostat, and a reversible door. It suits dorm rooms, offices, and bedrooms needing compact, basic cold storage.
This is a straightforward manual-defrost mini fridge, not a feature-rich one, and that simplicity is part of its appeal to buyers replacing an older unit that lasted decades. The temperature dial is analog rather than digital, which a few buyers found fiddly to dial in precisely. It reads as an entry-level compact fridge rather than one built for heavy daily use across many years, though at least one long-term owner's experience suggests it can last.
- 1.7 cu ft Energy Star capacity
- Reversible door design
- Adjustable leveling legs
- Wire shelf for interior organization
Who it's for
Good for dorm, office, or bedroom use where basic chilled and light frozen storage is enough, and where budget matters more than precise temperature control. Less suited to anyone who needs a fully enclosed back panel look or fine-tuned digital temperature settings.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Buyers using it for dorms, offices, and bedrooms reported it cools quickly and runs quietly, with one noting a prior Magic Chef mini fridge from the same line lasted about 20 years. The main complaints were a touchy temperature dial that's hard to fine-tune, an exposed-looking back with no solid backing panel, and units arriving damaged from shipping rather than from the product itself.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Cools quickly after setup
- Reversible door for placement flexibility
- Energy Star rated for efficiency
- Analog dial is touchy to dial in
- Back panel looks exposed
- Small 0.25 cu ft freezer only
- Manual defrost required
Performance notes
Cooling is controlled by a single analog dial covering the full temperature range, which several buyers described as touchy, meaning small dial adjustments can swing the internal temperature noticeably. The 0.25 cu ft freezer section is small, sized for a few frozen items rather than meal storage. Because it's manual defrost, frost buildup in the freezer section has to be cleared by hand periodically rather than automatically.
Specifications
| Brand | Magic Chef |
|---|---|
| Model | MCR170BE |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 17.3 pounds |
| Size | Small |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 18.9 × 17.3 × 19.5 inches |
| Door Orientation | Reversible |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Capacity | 1.7 cu ft |
| Refrigerator Net Capacity | 1.7 cu ft |
| Fresh Food Capacity | 1.7 cu ft |
| Freezer Capacity | 0.2 cu ft |
| Defrost System Type | Manual |
| Adjustable Temperature Control | Yes |
| Cooling Method | Compressor |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Power Source | Corded electric |
| Power Plug Type | Type A - 2 pin (North American) |
| Voltage | 115 volts |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 245 Kilowatt Hours Per Year |
| Construction & materials | |
| Door Material Type | Steel Plate |
| Shelf Type | Wire |
| Number Of Shelves | 1 |
| Door Shelf Count | 1 |
| Color | Black |
| Finish Types | Black |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | product, manual |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Other details | |
| Compressor Type | rotary |
| Lock Type | Electronic |
| Number of Doors | 1 |
| Is Electric | Yes |
| Has Convertible Freezer | No |
| Is Customizable | No |
| Specification Met | 5 Star Energy Star Rating |
| BEE Star Rating | 5 Star |
| Configuration | Compact Refrigerator |
| Refrigerant | Cubic Feet |
| Form Factor | Compact |
| Pattern | Solid |
| Item Type Name | mini fridge |
Other Magic Chef compact refrigerators
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in compact refrigerators.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Chef 1.7 cu. ft. Mini Fridge in BlackThis product | 4.3 / 5 | 116 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Chefman - Iceman Mini Portable Black Personal Fridge Cools Or Heats and Provides Compact…Chefman | 4.2 / 5 | 16,000 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Iceman Mini Portable Board Personal FridgeIceman | 4.1 / 5 | 5,100 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Galanz GLR46TRDER Retro Compact Refrigerator with Freezer Mini Fridge with Dual DoorGalanz | 4.5 / 5 | 513 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Nostalgia RF6RRAQ Retro 6-Can Personal Cooling And Heating Mini Refrigerator With Display…Nostalgia | 4.2 / 5 | 2,200 | 4.2 / 5 |
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Questions about the Magic Chef MCR170BE
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
How big is the freezer in the Magic Chef MCR170BE?
It has a small 0.25 cu ft freezer compartment, enough for a few frozen items rather than regular meal storage.
Is the Magic Chef MCR170BE mini fridge self-defrosting?
No, it's manual defrost, so any frost buildup in the freezer section needs to be cleared by hand.
Can the door be switched to open the other way?
Yes, the door is reversible, giving flexibility for tight or awkward placement spots.