Across most LSE halls you'll pay £20 per term to keep one in your room, which works out to £60 over a full academic year. It's a standalone charge added to your account for having a personal fridge. 

If you have a medical need for a fridge and can provide evidence, you're exempt from the charge. And remember you'll need to take the fridge with you at the end of your contract; if you leave it behind, they'll charge you for removing and disposing of it. 

Two things always catch people out. First, not every hall allows them: personal fridges are not allowed at High Holborn, Robeson House, Sidney Webb House, or Lillian Knowles House. Check your own hall before you spend anything. 

Second, your mini fridge must be within a certain size. Across all LSE halls that allow mini fridges, a mini fridge cannot be larger than 58 x 55 x 60 cm. The fridge also must be "frost free" and still under warranty. Anything bigger or outside the rules can be refused or seized during room checks, so check the dimensions and details on the listing before ordering. 

First, it depends on the size of your kitchen. In catered halls, there can be up to 25 people assigned to one kitchen leaving fridge and freezer space in demand. Also, make sure you get a mini fridge that is large enough. If you get one that's too small to be useful you end up relying on the main fridge for most of your food anyway which defeats the point of paying for it. 

Keep in mind that mini fridges are convenient. You don't need to trek to a shared kitchen every time you want a yoghurt or drink, and not leaving food somewhere it might get eaten, moved, or binned by accident. 

Finally, food in a communal fridge is out of sight, meaning that food can be lost to forgetfullness. Having it in your room instead means you see it everytime you're back, so far less goes off or expires. 

This one depends on your preference. Some people prefer to buy it after they've moved in or their room is confirmed so that they can be sure of the dimensions and placement of the fridge. Sizes vary a lot, so the fridge that can slot under a desk in one room, might not in another. 

For a better price, the big drops are around Amazon Prime Day (usually mid-July) and Black Friday (late November). Buying during Freshers' Week means paying full price, so ordering a little bit earlier can save you some money. 

The cheapest and most sustainable option is secondhand. Facebook Marketplace, hall WhatsApp group chats, and second-year students who have moved out sell their fridges for much less than Amazon.

Mini fridges roughly spit into three tiers (all within the 58 x 55 x 60cm cap):

• Budget (£30-£50): Small cube fridges, 15-20 liters, no freezer. Fine for drinks, yoghurts, and a bit of cheese but not much else. This is the size I wouldn't recommend unless you barely cook or your room is tiny.
• Mid-range (£70-£100): Around 40-50 liters with a small top freezer. Typically the most popular among students since there is room for milk, leftovers, a few days of meal prep, and space to freeze bread or rice. 
• Premium (£100+): This is a larger capacity mini fridge that includes quieter compressors and a better build so that it survives house moves. Worth it if you are able to store over the summer and use all three years, or if noise in your room bothers you.