Whirlpool WH40S1E 4 cu. ft. Compact
Quick verdict
The Whirlpool WH40S1E 4 cu. ft. Compact is a 4.0 cu. ft. compact from Whirlpool in the budget tier. At 325 kWh/year it draws roughly 19% more than the class median — expect a higher monthly operating cost. Our reviewers rate it 3.8/5 — best for compact households.
Best for
- Apartments and dorms
- Offices and bars
Key specs
- Capacity
- 4.0 cu. ft.
- Dimensions
- 19.1" × 42.8" × 22.0"
- Annual energy
- 325 kWh/year
- Ice / Water
- No ice · No water
- Wi-Fi
- No
Our Review
The Whirlpool WH40S1E 4 cu. ft. Compact is a 4.0 cu. ft. compact refrigerator from Whirlpool, sitting in the sub-$1,000 range. With a 3.4 cu. ft. fresh-food compartment and 0.6 cu. ft. of freezer space, it's positioned for apartments and dorms.
What stands out
This is squarely a mainstream model — Whirlpool optimizes for value, parts availability, and a feature set that covers what most households actually use. You won't find exotic materials, but everything that ships works as advertised.
Layout and capacity
Exterior dimensions are 19.1" W × 42.8" H × 22.0" D — check your opening, especially the depth with handles extended. Total useable capacity is 4.0 cu. ft., split 3.4 fresh / 0.6 freezer.
Bottom line
The Whirlpool WH40S1E 4 cu. ft. Compact is a strong mainstream choice — most of what people actually use a fridge for, at a price that makes sense. Service parts are widely available.
Full Specs
Capacity Total capacity | 4.0 cu. ft. |
|---|---|
| Fresh-food | 3.4 cu. ft. |
| Freezer | 0.6 cu. ft. |
Dimensions Width | 19.1" |
| Height | 42.8" |
| Depth | 22.0" |
| Depth (with handles) | 24.5" |
Energy ENERGY STAR | Yes |
| Annual energy use | 325 kWh/year |
| Est. annual cost | $52 |
Features Ice maker | No |
| Water dispenser | No |
| Wi-Fi connected | No |
| Smart features | No |
| Door style | Single Door |
| Finishes available | Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel, Fingerprint-Resistant Stainless, White, Black |
| Noise level | — |
Pros & Cons
+Pros
- ✓Compact footprint fits dorms, bars, and offices
- ✓ENERGY STAR certified for lower annual operating cost
–Cons
- ✕No built-in ice maker on this configuration
Rating Breakdown
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Current Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | See retailer | Shop at Home Depot |
| Best Buy | See retailer | Shop at Best Buy |
| Lowe's | See retailer | Shop at Lowe's |
Prices and availability vary by region. We may earn a commission on purchases at no cost to you — see our disclosure & methodology. Affiliate relationships do not influence ratings.
