Smaller than upright refrigerators and less frosty than mini fridges, a beverage refrigerator keeps drinks of all types at a precise temperature. You can use one in your kitchen, man cave, basement, game room, home bar garage, or any other space where you like to relax and enjoy a cold drink.
In this review, I took a close look at the best beverage refrigerators currently on the market. Here are my top recommendations.
Top 5 Beverage Refrigerators
- Home Labs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler: Best Beverage Refrigerator Overall
- NewAir Beverage Refrigerator Cooler: Quietest Refrigerator
- Antarctic Star Mini Fridge Cooler: Best Small Beverage Refrigerator
- Kalamera Beverage Refrigerator: Best Undercounter Beverage Refrigerator
- Ivation Beverage Refrigerator: Best Outdoor Beverage Refrigerator
Compare Top Beverage Refrigerators
| Product | Dimensions | Capacity | Temperature | Power | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Home Labs Beverage Refrigerator and CoolerCheck Price | 18.9 x 17.3 x 33.1 inches | 120 cans | Down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit | 115 volts | Three adjustable shelves |
NewAir Beverage Refrigerator CoolerCheck Price | 18.9 x 19.3 x 32.9 inches | 126 cans | Down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit | 110 volts | Five adjustable shelves |
Antarctic Star Mini Fridge CoolerCheck Price | 17.4 x 17.8 x 19 inches | 60 cans | 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit | 80 volts | Two adjustable shelves |
Kalamera Beverage RefrigeratorCheck Price | 23.4 x 22.4 x 33 inches | 154 cans | 38-50 degrees Fahrenheit | 120 volts | Four adjustable shelves |
Ivation Beverage RefrigeratorCheck Price | 18.7 x 17.3 x 33.1 inches | 126 cans | Down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit | 120 volts | Three adjustable shelves |
Best Beverage Refrigerator Overall
Home Labs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
I was impressed that the control panel inside this 120-can beverage cooler lets you choose your perfect temperature between 34°F and 50°F, and it includes a digital temperature read-out. It also has a button for a built-in light that illuminates the interior cans while you peruse the options.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 18.9 x 17.3 x 33.1 inches
- Capacity: 120 cans
- Temperature: Down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit
- Power: 115 volts
- Storage: Three adjustable shelves
- Warranty: Two years
What People Are Saying About The Home Labs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
I found that this refrigerator earned rave reviews for its low noise output, adjustable temperature control, and sleek design. However, I also did see some users who were upset when the fridge leaked water on their floor.
Quietest Refrigerator
NewAir Beverage Refrigerator Cooler
This freestanding beverage cooler has a reversible glass door, so you can position it to open on the left or right. For more customization, I liked that it has five removable shelves and seven temperature settings. Between the six tiers, it can hold up to 126 cans.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 18.9 x 19.3 x 32.9 inches
- Capacity: 126 cans
- Temperature: Down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit
- Power: 110 volts
- Storage: Five adjustable shelves
- Warranty: 1 year
What People Are Saying About The NewAir Beverage Refrigerator Cooler
Customer reviews I read were impressed with this beverage and beer fridge for its ability to hold so many cans and bottles. Several also mentioned its stylish design and blue LED lighting. On the other hand, some users struggled to get it to sit level on their floor.
Best Small Beverage Refrigerator
Antarctic Star Mini Fridge Cooler
This countertop beverage center is my top pick for small spaces: at less than 20 inches tall, it can fit both on and under counters. It features adjustable legs and shelves as well as an adjustable door and thermostat for maximum flexibility and a three-dimensional cooling system that chills every corner of its compact single-zone interior.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 17.4 x 17.8 x 19 inches
- Capacity: 60 cans
- Temperature: 40–60 degrees Fahrenheit
- Power: 80 volts
- Storage: Two adjustable shelves
- Warranty: 1 year
What People Are Saying About The Antarctic Star Mini Fridge Cooler
I noticed that several customers who left positive reviews for this beverage refrigerator liked that it ran quietly and had a long-lasting light. They also said that its compact size made it easy to move or transport as needed. On the other hand, I did see some users who felt that it didn’t get cool enough. The shelves couldn’t support heavy glass bottles, either.
Best Undercounter Beverage Refrigerator
Kalamera Beverage Refrigerator
For large households, this freestanding beverage refrigerator can cool up to 154 cans at once. It has several useful features including an LED light, a temperature display, and a security lock. The display shows your selected temperature, with options between 38 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 23.4 x 22.4 x 33 inches
- Capacity: 154 cans
- Temperature: 38–50 degrees Fahrenheit
- Power: 120 volts
- Storage: Four adjustable wire shelves
- Warranty: 1 year
What People Are Saying About The Kalamera Beverage Refrigerator
According to my research, reviewers liked this fridge’s large capacity, adjustable temperature, and modern design. However, some buyers indicated that the fridge did not drop down to the advertised 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best Outdoor Beverage Refrigerator
Ivation Beverage Refrigerator
This high-end fridge is available in stainless steel and black finish in 62-, 101-, and 126-can capacities. The model shown here boasts the maximum capacity and has a UV-blocking exterior for energy efficiency and protection from the elements. I also like that it features a light bar along the top that you can control with the touch of a button.
Key Features
- Dimensions: 18.7 x 17.3 x 33.1 inches
- Capacity: 126 cans
- Temperature: Down to 34 degrees Fahrenheit
- Power: 120 volts
- Shelves: Three adjustable shelves
- Warranty: 1 year
What People Are Saying About The Ivation Beverage Refrigerator
Positive reviews mentioned this fridge’s low noise output, large can capacity, and cold temperature settings. I did see some users who had a negative experience with this fridge, though, mentioning that it sometimes got so cold that it froze their drinks.
Beverage Refrigerator Buying Guide
Beverage refrigerators can act as great wine fridges or as high-end coolers for canned drinks. However, before you make a purchase, I recommend that you learn about how each model’s specifications impact its performance and user experience.
The following four factors should simplify and improve your selection process.
Fridge Capacity
Most beverage refrigerators express their capacity in terms of the number of drink cans that they can hold. Most beverage-specific fridges hold somewhere between 50 and 150 12-ounce cans. You may also see the capacity listed in cubic feet. Small fridges are under 2 cubic feet, while larger models are between 4 and 5 cubic feet.
Fridge Shelving
Your beverage refrigerator should have adjustable shelves to help you customize its interior to fit your beverages of choice. For example, you can remove the lower shelf to fit beer bottles in an upright position.
Temperature Range
Most beverage refrigerators have an adjustable thermostat to chill various drinks at optimal temperatures. Some models come with a set number of temperature settings, while others have a thermostat that adjusts in one-degree increments.
Additional Features
Though less common than shelves and temperature settings, a select few beverage fridges have additional features. For example, some have a child safety lock, while others have interior LED lights to help you make a drink selection without opening the door and letting the cold air escape.
What’s the Best Temperature for Serving Beer?
If you’re using your beverage refrigerator to store beer, you need to know at what temperature that specific beer is best enjoyed. Here’s a list of common beers and their optimal temperatures according to the Homebrewer’s Association:
- Amber: 45–50 degrees Fahrenheit
- American lager: 33–40 degrees Fahrenheit
- BeDubbeldubbel: 50–55 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cream ale: 40–45 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dark lager: 45–50 degrees Fahrenheit
- India pale ale: 38–40 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lambic: 40–50 degrees Fahrenheit
- Nitro stout: 40–45 degrees Fahrenheit
- Pale ale: 40–45 degrees Fahrenheit
- Pilsner: 38–45 degrees Fahrenheit
- Sour: 42–45 degrees Fahrenheit
- Stout: 45–55 degrees Fahrenheit
- Strong lager: 50–55 degrees Fahrenheit
- Wheat beer: 40–50 degrees Fahrenheit
Beverage Refrigerator FAQs
Can I use my beverage refrigerator for food?
Maybe. Beverage refrigerators don’t get as cold as traditional refrigerators. If you want to use your beverage fridge to store food, make sure it gets cold enough for your particular item. For example, cheese, milk, and other dairy products must be stored below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temperature should I set my beverage refrigerator to?
The right temperature to set your beverage refrigerator to depends on the type of drink you’re storing. However, most beverage refrigerators have a temperature range between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit to accommodate various drinks.
What types of drinks can my beverage refrigerator hold?
Beverage refrigerators can hold almost any drink, including:
- Bottled beer
- Canned beer
- Hard seltzer
- Soda
- White wine
How We Selected the Best Beverage Fridges
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of beverage refrigerators with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.