Home » Product Reviews » Refrigerators » Fridges » Fridgemaster MUR4894E Compact 84cm Fridge with Ice Box review
The Fridgemaster MUR4894E is a compact undercounter fridge with a small 4-star ice box, aimed squarely at homes and spaces where every centimetre counts. At 84cm tall and just 47.5cm wide, it slides neatly under most worktops or into a corner of a bedsit, office or utility room.
Fridgemaster is known as a budget-friendly brand, and this model fits that mould: simple rotary controls, basic styling and a focus on practicality rather than bells and whistles. With an 82-litre total capacity (75 litres fridge, 7 litres ice box), it’s designed for one or two people rather than a family shop.
Owners rate it highly, with a strong 4.6 out of 5 from nearly 700 reviews, which is impressive for such an affordable appliance. That suggests it does the basics reliably and keeps everyday food and a few frozen essentials nicely chilled without drama.
This fridge is ideal for singles, students and couples who don’t need a full-sized fridge-freezer but still want proper shelving and door storage. If you mainly keep fresh bits, drinks and a few staples and rely on regular top-up shops, the 75-litre fridge space will be enough.
It’s also a good fit for home offices, annexes, studios and guest rooms where you want cold drinks and snacks on hand without giving up much floor space. The narrow 47.5cm width and 45cm depth make it easier to slot into awkward gaps than many standard undercounter fridges.
Budget-conscious buyers will appreciate that it keeps the price down by sticking to the essentials. There’s no digital display or fancy cooling tech, but you do get adjustable shelves, a salad crisper and a 4-star ice box that’s capable of storing frozen food safely for longer than a basic chiller compartment.
If you’re looking for a main fridge for a busy family kitchen, or you freeze a lot of food, this will be too small. But as a primary fridge for light users or a secondary appliance alongside a larger freezer, it makes a lot of sense.
The compact footprint is a major plus. At H84 x W47.5 x D45cm, it’s genuinely easy to fit under a worktop or into narrow alcoves where a standard 60cm-wide fridge simply won’t go.
Storage is sensibly laid out for the size. Two tempered glass shelves and a salad crisper help you separate meat, dairy and veg, while three door balconies handle bottles, jars and condiments. Being able to adjust the shelves is handy when you need to stand up taller bottles or fit a big jug.
The 4-star ice box is more capable than a simple chiller compartment. With 7 litres to play with, it’s enough for a bag of chips, some frozen veg or a few ice cream tubs, plus the included ice cube tray.
The reversible door and adjustable feet make placement flexible, so you can hinge it left or right to suit your kitchen layout and level it on slightly uneven floors. An LED interior light and simple rotary temperature dial keep everyday use straightforward.
Noise is modest at 38dB, which should be quiet enough for small flats or open-plan spaces without constant humming becoming annoying. The strong user rating and one-year manufacturer warranty round off a solid, low-cost package.
The total capacity is limited at 82 litres, so it’s not suitable as the only fridge in a busy household. You’ll outgrow it quickly if you like doing big weekly shops.
Energy efficiency is only E-rated, which is fairly typical for cheap compact fridges but not the most economical over the very long term. Heavier users may want to look for a higher-rated model if running costs are a top priority.
The feature set is basic. There’s no fast freeze, holiday mode, temperature display or door alarm, and the static cooling system means you’ll need to defrost the ice box periodically.
The one-year manufacturer warranty is on the short side compared with some brands that offer two years or more, which may matter if you like longer peace of mind.
Living with the Fridgemaster MUR4894E is very straightforward. Installation is simple: plug it in, level it using the adjustable feet, set the rotary dial and let it cool down before loading your food. The reversible door means you can swap the hinge if your space demands it, which is particularly useful in tight kitchens or bedsits.
Inside, the layout feels practical for the size. The two glass shelves are stable and easy to wipe clean, and because they’re adjustable, it’s not hard to make room for a taller bottle or a big leftovers container. The salad crisper keeps fruit and veg separate and stops them getting crushed by heavier items above.
Door storage is well thought out, with three balconies allowing you to keep milk, juice, sauces and smaller jars organised. The LED light illuminates the cavity clearly so you can see what’s lurking at the back, even at night.
Noise-wise, the 38dB rating means you’ll hear the compressor kick in occasionally, but it’s generally unobtrusive in a small flat or studio. Maintenance is mostly limited to occasionally wiping down the interior and defrosting the ice box when ice builds up, as there’s no frost-free system.
The simple rotary control and lack of a digital display actually work in its favour for ease of use. There’s very little to go wrong, and anyone can quickly understand how to set it up and adjust the temperature.
For a compact fridge, the MUR4894E does a solid job of temperature control. The static cooling system is conventional but reliable, and the adjustable temperature dial lets you fine-tune settings for both the fridge and the integrated ice box. The climate class N–ST means it’s designed to work properly in typical UK indoor temperatures.
The 75-litre fridge cavity is enough for several days’ worth of essentials: milk, spreads, some meat or plant-based alternatives, and a good selection of fruit and veg in the crisper drawer. The tempered glass shelves are strong enough to handle heavier items like casserole dishes or drinks bottles without flexing.
The 7-litre, 4-star ice box is a key feature. Unlike a basic one- or two-star chiller, a 4-star compartment can store frozen food safely over longer periods and freeze small quantities from fresh, making it genuinely useful if you don’t have a separate freezer. You also get an ice cube tray included, handy for drinks.
Lighting and visibility are good thanks to the LED interior light, which is more energy efficient and longer lasting than older bulb-style lighting. The integrated handle keeps the exterior clean and minimalist, and it’s less likely to catch on clothing in a tight space.
What you don’t get are premium extras such as frost-free technology, digital temperature readouts, alarms or flexible door racks that move up and down. In a busy, crowded category with many feature-rich options, this Fridgemaster stands out more for doing the basics well at a low price than for advanced technology.
As a compact undercounter fridge with an integrated 4-star ice box, the Fridgemaster MUR4894E represents strong value for money. Its modest price undercuts many branded rivals while still offering the essentials most small households or secondary spaces need.
You’re paying for practicality rather than extras: adjustable shelves, a salad crisper, door storage and a functional freezer compartment. There’s no digital display or clever modes, but at this level they’re not expected, and cutting them keeps the cost down.
Running costs are reasonable but not class-leading due to the E energy rating, so ultra-frugal buyers might prefer a more efficient model. However, for light to moderate use the difference in annual energy spend is unlikely to be huge.
The stand-out factor is owner satisfaction. A 4.6/5 score from nearly 700 reviews suggests most buyers feel they’ve had their money’s worth, which is a reassuring sign if you’re picking a fridge on a budget.
The Fridgemaster MUR4894E is a sensible, no-frills choice for anyone who needs a small, affordable fridge with a proper ice box. It’s compact, easy to live with and thoughtfully laid out inside, making it ideal for singles, students, offices and annexes.
Its strengths lie in its small footprint, practical storage and genuinely useful 4-star ice box, all backed by a strong track record with real owners. You do compromise on advanced features, ultimate energy efficiency and warranty length, but those trade-offs are understandable at this price.
If you want a simple undercounter fridge that just gets on with the job and doesn’t take up much room, this Fridgemaster is well worth shortlisting. Heavy users or families, however, should look at larger, more feature-rich models instead.