Black & Decker 1.7 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Refrigerator with Freezer

Why I picked up this mini fridge

I needed a compact, reliable way to keep drinks and snacks cold in a small office without adding much noise or taking up floor space. The Black+Decker mini fridge (model BCRK17V) checked enough boxes on paper—Energy Star certified, a real freezer compartment, a reversible door, and a simple, space-saving design—that I brought one in and put it to work.

After living with it, I’m convinced this is a thoughtful little refrigerator that does the basics well, with a few practical trade-offs to keep in mind.

Setup and first impressions

Unboxing was straightforward. The fridge arrived well-protected, and the flat-back design made it easy to slide under a desk with a bit of breathing room behind it. I used the adjustable leveling legs to stabilize it on a slightly uneven floor, which matters more than you’d think; once leveled, the door seals better and the compressor hum drops to a pleasant background whisper.

Reversing the door was simple—just a few screws and the hinge swaps sides. If you’re tucking this into a tight corner or under a counter, being able to flip the swing direction is a real quality-of-life feature.

Aesthetically, the Black+Decker mini fridge is clean and unfussy. The recessed handle keeps the profile tidy, and the finish looks good in a variety of spaces without calling attention to itself.

Capacity and layout

For a 1.7-cubic-foot unit, the interior layout is well thought out. You get:
- One full-width slide-out glass shelf that’s sturdy and easy to clean
- A full-width freezer compartment with an ice tray
- A full-width door bin and a half-width upper door shelf that fit tall bottles and smaller items

The door storage is more functional than on some similarly sized models, thanks to that tall-bottle accommodation. The main shelf claims most of the interior volume, and the glass surface helps with visibility and spill cleanup. The trade-off is limited height for very tall containers on the main shelf, so the door bins do a lot of heavy lifting for drink storage.

The freezer runs the full width at the top. It’s not a separate, sealed drawer—it shares the cabinet with a cold plate—so think of it as a “real enough” freezer for ice, frozen snacks, and ice packs. It’s not a long-term deep-freeze replacement, but it’s far more useful than the tiny “chill boxes” you find in some compact fridges.

Cooling performance

With an adjustable thermostat, the unit makes it easy to dial in everyday use. After giving it time to stabilize on first power-up, it consistently kept beverages and snacks properly cold on a middle setting. The coldest spots are near the back and under the freezer, while the door bins run a bit warmer—typical behavior for compact fridges. I wouldn’t store highly perishable items like raw meat here, but for dairy, drinks, fruits, and prepared foods, it’s been solid.

Temperature response is predictable, and it recovers nicely after opening the door. If you plan to load it with room-temperature drinks all at once, give it a little time to bring everything down. For best results:
- Pre-chill items when possible
- Avoid blocking the rear air path
- Keep the door seal clean and the unit level

Freezer performance

The full-width freezer compartment is the difference-maker here. It freezes ice reliably and keeps popsicles, frozen fruit, and small meals firm. That said, it’s still a compact, integrated freezer. Don’t expect deep-freeze temperatures suitable for long-term meat storage or temperature-sensitive desserts like premium ice cream in the hottest environments. As with most minis, the freezer’s effectiveness depends on ambient conditions and how often you open the door. Used as intended, it performs well.

Noise and energy use

This fridge is quiet. It has the usual compressor cycle sound, but it fades into the background in an office or bedroom. I’ve taken calls next to it without issue. Energy Star certification is a nice reassurance for long-term use; it’s efficient for its size, and the R600a refrigerant is a modern, effective choice.

If you’re placing this in a bedroom, it’s worth leveling it carefully and giving it an inch or two of ventilation space behind and above. Those two steps reduce vibration and help the compressor run less often.

Maintenance and defrosting

This is a manual defrost unit. Over time, frost will build up around the freezer plate and can creep down into the fridge compartment, especially if you run it cold and open the door frequently. Plan to defrost when you see a noticeable layer of frost—waiting too long reduces cooling efficiency and eats into your usable space.

Defrosting is simple:
1. Unplug the unit and remove food.
2. Leave the door open.
3. Place a towel to catch meltwater and wipe down surfaces as the frost loosens.
4. Dry everything thoroughly before powering back on.

It’s a bit of a chore, but it’s standard for this class of fridge. The glass shelf and removable door bins make cleanup quick, and the smooth interior surfaces don’t harbor grime.

Build quality and usability

The Black+Decker mini fridge feels sturdy for its class. The door gasket seals well, the shelf sits securely, and the bins don’t flex under normal loads. The thermostat dial is accessible and responsive, and the recessed handle resists snagging in tight spaces. The flat-back design is genuinely useful—no exposed coils to ding up—and makes it easier to place.

Small touches add up. The adjustable legs actually adjust enough to matter. The door bins are shaped to grip bottles. The slide-out shelf makes it easy to reorganize without wrestling tall items. It’s a simple appliance that respects the realities of small spaces.

Where it fits best

• Dorm rooms and bedrooms: Quiet, efficient, and compact. The reversible door helps fit tight layouts.
• Home offices and studios: Big enough for a couple of days’ worth of drinks, lunches, and snacks.
• Secondary storage: A dedicated beverage fridge in the living room or garage office, with a freezer that can actually make and keep ice.

I wouldn’t choose it as the only refrigerator in a studio apartment if you cook often or store a lot of perishables. The capacity and manual defrost will feel limiting for that use. But for supplemental cold storage, it’s spot-on.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Level it carefully; it improves sealing and reduces noise.
• Leave ventilation space; it helps maintain consistent temps and reduces compressor cycling.
• Put the coldest items under the freezer and along the back wall.
• Use the door for drinks and condiments, not the most perishable foods.
• Defrost when frost is clearly visible to keep performance efficient.
• Avoid overpacking; a little air circulation goes a long way.

Warranty and support

It ships with a 1-year parts and labor warranty covering manufacturing defects, with the compressor part covered for two years. That’s typical coverage for compact fridges in this price and size class and provides reasonable peace of mind for everyday use.

The bottom line

The Black+Decker mini fridge nails the fundamentals of compact refrigeration: it’s quiet, efficient, thoughtfully organized, and genuinely useful thanks to a full-width freezer. The main compromises—manual defrost and modest freezer expectations—are standard for the category, and neither has been a dealbreaker in daily use.

Recommendation: I recommend this mini fridge for anyone who needs reliable, space-conscious cold storage for drinks, snacks, and light perishables, plus a freezer that’s actually worth having. It’s easy to place, simple to maintain, and efficient to run. If you require no-maintenance defrosting or deep-freeze performance, you’ll need to step up in size and cost. For the rest of us, this is a capable, low-fuss companion for small spaces.