A beer fridge serves the primary purpose of keeping your brews fresh and frosty. If you are someone who is an ardent fan of beers, a beer fridge is a perfect addition to your kitchen or home bar.
A beer fridge ensures that your beers are kept at a perfect temperature.
Although they are smaller in size as compared to the conventional refrigerator, beer fridges provide easier access to your cans and bottles.
A beer fridge is a worthwhile investment for any person who is a fan of beers or other similar beverages and could be a logical addition to your kitchen space.
If you have a fridge for storing your beers, you can easily entertain your guests as well as keep your brews chilled.
Just like the variety found in refrigerators, you have a myriad of choices when it comes to beer fridges. You can easily look for an option that coincides with your lifestyle and needs.
To find the perfect fit for you, make sure you consider how many beers you plan on storing and what other beverages you plan on storing.
While some beer fridges might be small, there are larger options available in the market as well. Some models also require built-in installation.
Using a beer fridge can ensure a longer lifespan on your beers if you use it correctly. Thus, owning a beer fridge comes with a host of advantages.
With a wide variety of options available, however, it can be confusing for you to find the best beer fridge for yourself.
In the article that follows, I will try to analyse the factors that you could consider before buying a beer fridge.
The 8 Best Beer Fridges In 2023
Contents
Best Overall: NewAir Beverage Refrigerator
With its 18.4″D x 18.9″W x 33.13″H dimensions and 65.9 pounds weight, it’s easy to find a spot for this fridge. And with a 3.4 cubic feet capacity, you’ll have plenty of space to store all your favorite drinks. The fridge features a black cabinet with a stainless steel door, and the interior is lit by an LED light for easy visibility. The unit comes with removable wire shelves, so you can customize the storage to fit your needs.
It can hold up to 126 cans and has 7 different temperature settings, so you can find the perfect setting for whatever type of drink you’re storing. The temperature range is from 37°F to 64°F, so you can store both beer and wine in this fridge. The best part about this fridge is that it’s very easy to use; you can just set the temperature and forget about it.
Pros
- Offers 7 Different Temperature Settings
- Hold 126 Cans Easily
- Includes LED Light and Removable Shelves
- Equipped With “Set-It-And-Forget-It” Function
Cons
- Works A Little Louder
Best Budget: Kismile Beverage Refrigerator
The dimensions of this fridge are 23.2 x 20.9 x 19.9 inches and it weighs only 47.1 pounds. Despite its small size, it has a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet, which is enough for most people’s needs. This fridge has a sleek and modern design, and it comes in two colors: black and transparent.
It provides temperatures ranging from 39°F to 61°F, which is perfect for chilling any drink. The powerful compressor-based cooling system ensures that your drinks will be cooled quickly and with no noise. The soft blue LED light makes it easier to find your favorite chilled drinks. The double-pane glass doors can block out harmful UV rays and help to maintain an ideal humidity level.
Pros
- Door Protects From Harmful UV Rays
- Equipped With An Advanced Cooling System
- Features Reversible Door
Cons
- Doesn’t Maintain the Temperature For a Long
Best Freezerless: Danby Beverage Refrigerator
This fridge has plenty of room to store your favorite drinks, with a capacity of 3.1 cubic feet. The dimensions are 19.68 x 17.5 x 33.18 inches, and it weighs 60 pounds. This fridge has a black finish with a stainless steel frame, and the door is glass with black trim. The interior lights up when the door is opened, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. There is also a see-through window in the door so you can check on your drinks without opening the door and letting all the cold air out.
It can hold up to 117 beverage cans, making it perfect for large parties or family gatherings. The fridge also features fan-forced cooling, which maintains a consistent and even internal temperature throughout the cabinet. This ensures that your drinks are always cold and refreshing. In addition, the fridge includes 3 adjustable shelves and a reversible door hinge, making it easy to customize the storage space to your needs.
Pros
- Features Fan Forced Cooling System
- Includes 3 Adjustable Shelves
- Sleek Black Design And Door Lock
Cons
- Doesn’t Get Cold Well
Best Value: Lanbo Beverage Cooler
Its dimensions of 29.5 x 23.6 x 34.5 inches, 136.7 pounds weight, and 5.93 cubic feet capacity. These dimensions make it able to hold up to 70 soda cans or 33 bottles of beer, which is perfect for large gatherings or parties. Additionally, the temperature display makes it easy to monitor the temperature inside the cooler.
The cooler has two zones that can be set to different temperatures, allowing you to store drinks at the perfect temperature. The double doors with a large front vent provide easy access to your wine collection, and the stainless steel construction ensures durability. In addition, the cooler has a built-in fan that circulates air for evenly chilled drinks.
Pros
- Holds Up to 70 Cans Or 33 Bottles
- Dual Zone Have Independent Temperature Control
- Durable Stainless Steel Construction
Cons
- Compressor Is Not Long Lasting
Best Touch temperature control Option: EdgeStar Beverage Refrigerator
It includes 23.5 x 30 x 32 inches dimensions and 166 pounds weight. The fridge can hold up to 80 cans and 26 bottles of your favorite beverages, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of cold drinks. The fridge also has a digital temperature display, so you can always see what the internal temperature is.
The refrigerator has tinted glass doors to help protect your drinks from harmful UV rays as well as dual-zone temperature control for both beer and wine. The security lock keeps your drinks safe and the touch temperature controls make it easy to get the perfect chill every time.
Pros
- Includes Reversal Door
- Features Security Lock
- Provide Fan-forced Ventilation
Cons
- A Bit Heavy
Best For Car and Home Use: ICECO VL45 Portable Refrigerator
The fridge has 25.94 x 14.72 x 18.78 inches dimensions and 49.2 pounds weight, making it easy to transport. It has a capacity of 47.5 quarts, making it perfect for small apartments or dorm rooms. It has a cooling range of 0°F to 50°F, making it perfect for keeping food and drinks chilled while on the go.
With a cooling rate that can be selected between MAX mode for fast cooling or MIN mode for more energy efficiency, it’s easy to customize the temperature to your needs. Additionally, the convenient interior lights make it easy to access in the dark, and the two removable wired baskets make it quick and easy to empty and restock. Plus, with a 5-year warranty on the compressor and a 1-year warranty on all other parts, you can be confident in the quality and durability of this fridge.
Pros
- Includes Max and Min Mode
- Features Removable Wired Baskets
- Provide LED Light
Cons
- Temperature Varieties
Best Reversible door: Frigidaire EFMIS155 Beverage Center
With a space-saving design that is 20 x 22 x 31 inches, this unit can fit easily into any kitchen or break room. The unit has a weight of 50 pounds and a capacity of 4.4 Cubic Feet, making it perfect for larger families or groups. The interior light makes it easy to see what you need. It also features an adjustable thermostat so you can set it to the perfect temperature for your drinks.
One great feature is the fully adjustable shelves which provide plenty of space to store all different types and sizes of beverages. The transparent glass front door not only looks great, but it also allows you to see what is inside without having to open the door and let all the cold air out. Another great feature is the heavy-duty locking latch and door hinge which provide added security and peace of mind.
Pros
- Offers Adjustable Thermostat
- Shelves Are Adjustable
- Includes Heavy Locking Latch
Cons
- Built Quality Is Weak
Best Digital Thermostat: hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator
It has 17.3 x 18.9 x 33.3 inches dimensions and 68.3 pounds weight with 3.2 cubic feet capacity. This product has removable glass shelves that can be adjusted to make space for taller bottles. The interior LED light makes it easy to see what you need without having to open the door and let out all the cold air. The unit also keeps a consistent temperature, so your drinks are always perfectly chilled.
It can hold up to 120 standard-sized cans of soda or beer and comes equipped with 3 adjustable and removable chrome shelves. The easy touch temperature control cools down to 34°F, and the large digital display makes it quick and easy to monitor and set the temperature.
This refrigerator is designed with an additional temperature sensor for auto defrost mode and features energy-efficient advanced technology.
Pros
- Features Automatic Memory Function
- Includes Auto Defrost Mode
- Energy Efficient And Space Saver
Cons
- Parts Missing Complaints
Freestanding Vs Under Counter Fridges
As the name suggests, a freestanding counter fridge is designed to stand by itself. It doesn’t require any additional construction.
Thus, not only are they easy to place but also portable enough for you to move around the house according to your needs.
Although a freestanding model offers increased mobility, they do come with certain drawbacks. These models require more space because they need plenty of ventilation.
Typically, you need at least two inches on the sides as well as at least three inches or more in the back.
So, if you wish to put the fridge inside the cabinet or under your kitchen counter, make sure you exercise extra caution.
In the absence of proper ventilation, your fridge won’t function properly and you might end up cutting down its lifespan.
Although they are on the budget friendly side, they require more space.
An under counter fridge is a variant of a freestanding beer fridge. These models are also known as built-in fridges.
These models have been introduced with the aim of providing maximum space that fits with today’s household requirements.
For these units, you must have front ventilation of the fridge for proper dissipation of heat. These units are slightly on the expensive side, but offer more freedom of placement.
In addition, they produce more noise than their freestanding counterparts.
They are also a much more recent invention than the free standing models that have been in the market since late 1920s.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Beer Fridges
Given below are a list of factors you should take into account before you purchase a beer fridge-
Size
Evidently, the first factor that you have to consider is the size of the refrigerator.
You should evaluate the spacial area you are willing to give up for your beer fridge as well as the number of beers you plan on storing in the fridge.
It is suggested that you should calculate the total space that you require and that opt for a model that offers some additional space for any future additions.
If you are someone who likes a wide range of beverages including wine, tall cans, craft beer, champagne, the above mentioned suggestion is viable for you.
Note that any tall item will necessitate you to move your racks outside the fridge which will lead to less space for your 12 oz beer cans.
If you are planning on storing as many as 50 standard cans of beer in your fridge, you should opt for a fridge with an internal capacity of over 2.8 cubic feet.
If you are not planning on storing as many cans, you can purchase a fridge with an internal capacity of 2.6 cubic feet to 0.7 cubic feet.
While the higher limit model will fit around 50 cans, the lower limit model will accommodate approximately 18 cans.
For small spaces or dorms, there are compact beer refrigerators. Additionally, there are several massive beer fridges if you have a spacious house or apartment.
If you are someone who chooses cans, you can choose a shelving situation for the storage of your beers.
In contrast, for anyone who loves large bottles of bubbly water, bottles of wine or lambic, you should opt for a beer fridge which has removable shelves for accommodating all your bottles.
Temperature Range
The temperature range of your fridge is an important feature which is often ignored in the first place. Nonetheless, analyzing the temperature range that fits your needs is extremely crucial.
Many customers who didn’t consider this factor before purchasing their fridge ended up complaining about their beers getting colder.
Consider, for instance, the fact that lagers are best enjoyed when they are icy-cold whereas stouts are enjoyed at a temperature slightly below the room temperature.
You ought to store your red wine at stellar temperature while barrel-aged beers are enjoyed at a slightly chiller temperature.
Consider the temperature range required by your favourite beer before you purchase a beer fridge. Opt for a beer fridge that goes as high as 0 degree Celsius or 32 degree Fahrenheit.
Although it might be a little too cold for many of us, it is ideal for people who drink Coors, Miller, and Budweiser.
You might know that beers are meant to be served warmer because they taste way better than beers which have to be consumed colder.
In addition, if your beer has to be served at a warmer temperature, you can simply take it out of the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for sometime before it is fit for consumption.
While this can be fixed easily, the opposite is not a feasible possibility.
Therefore, make sure you analyse the temperature range offered by different models to find the right fit for you.
Note that what might be the ideal temperature range for someone else might not work for you. So, you must consider your preferences and choose accordingly.
Dual Temperature Zones
Having a beer fridge with dual temperature zones is a merit for several reasons. With a dual temperature zone, you can store your beverages at different temperature thresholds at the same time.
If you are a craft beer enthusiast, this is actually the best option for you. Although many of us might believe that all beers should be stored at a max coldest setting, it is actually a myth.
Many beer enthusiasts and brewers would in fact argue otherwise. For any specific style of beer, the ideal temperature setting can go as low as 34 F and as high as 55 F.
Based on personal preferences, the range can be widened even more.
However, if your fridge has the dual temperature zone, it adds to the risk of another component that can stop functioning at any instance.
For anyone who sticks to a specific kind of beer, owning a beer fridge with dual temperature zones is an unnecessary investment.
Thus, make sure you consider the nooks and crooks of this feature before you plan on buying a model which is equipped with it.
Conclusion
Therefore, the size, temperature range, as well as dual temperature zone are important features that you need to consider when on the hunt for the best beer fridge.
The price of the beer fridge is an unspoken feature that you need to take into account. You wouldn’t want to exceed your budget for purchasing the fridge of your choice.
Additionally, your budget will help you to narrow down the options that you have, thereby making it easier for you to choose.
You can make a choice between the freestanding and the under counter models which are available for you.
While an under-counter model might be slightly on the expensive side, the freestanding model is difficult to adjust.
Depending on the area you have, you can opt for either of the two.
You can also consider features like reversible doors, safety locks, and glass shelves. A reversible door can either be opened to the left or right depending on you.
Safety locks ensure that you can easily secure your favourite beer or keep it at a distance from your children.
On a concluding note, there are a wide variety of options available for you. Make sure you conduct an analysis of your requirements before you make a purchase decision.