The Frigidaire EFR840 Retro 2-Door meets
the Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double Door
The retro 2-door that nails fridge and freezer temperatures at a mainstream price. We tested it head-to-head against the Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double Door across 6 key dimensions.
Frigidaire EFR840 Retro 2-Door
“The retro 2-door that nails fridge and freezer temperatures at a mainstream price”
Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double Door
“A true two-door freezer and fridge from a reliability-first brand for around two hundred dollars”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Frigidaire EFR840 Retro 2-Door
- Family Handyman rated it the best overall of nine tested fridges, with spot-on fridge and freezer temperatures
- True separate freezer with its own door, unlike the internal ice boxes on many mini fridges
- Superior can and door storage plus a built-in side bottle opener, per Family Handyman
- Uses slightly more energy per year than some rivals and is not Energy Star certified
- Reviewed found the plastic fixtures on retro Frigidaire units feel a little cheap
- Cabinet will not fit a 2-liter bottle, a limit Family Handyman called out
Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double Door
- True separate freezer with its own door, the top feature dorm buyers ask for, at around two hundred dollars
- Energy Star certified at 270 kWh per year, inside the range NBC Select's experts recommend
- Reversible doors and adjustable glass shelves make it flexible in tight spaces, per NBC Select
- Finish and hardware feel a step below premium retro units
- Manual defrost freezer needs occasional attention
- At 3.1 cubic feet it holds less than the largest single-door compacts
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The Frigidaire EFR840 Retro earned the top spot the hard way: in Family Handyman's four-week test of nine mini fridges, reviewer Annamarie Higley recorded the highest overall score of the whole group, noting that the fridge and freezer temperatures were spot-on and the storage systems were smart. Reviewed independently named it an Editor's Choice for steady temperatures, and NBC Select ranked a Frigidaire retro model its most stylish pick. Three independent tested reviews landing on the same product is the strongest consensus in this category.
Frigidaire EFR840 Retro 2-Door
The Frigidaire EFR840 Retro earned the top spot the hard way: in Family Handyman's four-week test of nine mini fridges, reviewer Annamarie Higley recorded the highest overall score of the whole group, noting that the fridge and freezer temperatures were spot-on and the storage systems were smart. Reviewed independently named it an Editor's Choice for steady temperatures, and NBC Select ranked a Frigidaire retro model its most stylish pick. Three independent tested reviews landing on the same product is the strongest consensus in this category.
- Dorm, office, or bedroom buyers who want one fridge that keeps food and a real freezer cold
- Anyone who values retro styling and a built-in bottle opener
- Shoppers who want the pick with the strongest cross-source test record
- People who care more about reliable temperatures than the electricity bill
Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double Door
The Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double Door does the most important thing the Frigidaire does, a true separate freezer with its own door, while costing less and running more efficiently. NBC Select and Good Housekeeping both recommend a Midea double-door for its consistent cooling, reversible doors, and adjustable glass shelves, backed by thousands of positive owner reports. Consumer Reports lists Midea among the top mini fridge brands.
- Budget-conscious buyers who still want a true two-door freezer
- Anyone who wants the lowest running cost with an Energy Star rating
- Renters and students who value a long brand reliability record
- Tight corners where reversible doors help placement