In a typical fridge, you can store perishables like fresh produce…
…leftovers, and drinks like milk and orange juice;
…however, many times the volume is occupied by fresh veggies…
…leftovers, and drinks such as milk and orange juice…
…leaving little room for canned drinks.
Even worse, pouring a drink over ice waters down the flavor…
…leaving it cold, but diluted and unsatisfying.
A beverage fridge dedicated solely to chilling canned and bottled drinks is the solution.
Choosing a beverage fridge depends on a number of factors…
…including the space available, the number of drinks it needs to hold…
…and whether it’s a freestanding, built-in, or portable model.
Find out what to look for when choosing a beverage fridge…
…and why the following choices are the best.
Tom’s story will pave the way for our discussion…
My beverage fridge has been with me for over 4 months and I haven’t had any problems.
I can conveniently store it in my man cave, keeps my drinks cold.
Although it is loud, it is not bothersome.
It would be great if it were just a soft purr, but a little grumble doesn’t bother me.
And it doesn’t do it on stop. This product is great
for those who don’t want to climb stairs or leave their man cave.
We can now begin…
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Beverage Fridges
As a general rule, err towards having too muc…
…rather than too little, storage space when selecting a beverage fridge.
In addition to capacity, consider the type of beverages you wish to store…
…(different drinks taste better at different temperatures)…
…and whether the fridge should come with a lock…
…to prevent underage access to alcohol.
Many consumers will also take into account the fridge’s design…
…when choosing their room’s decor.
Capacity/Size
In contrast to standard refrigerators…
…beverage fridges are usually marketed based on the number…
…of cans or bottles they can hold.
Generally, if you’re planning to entertain or host an event…
…consider investing in a beverage fridge…
…that holds enough cans to allow three drinks per person.
People drink different amounts, so there is no right answer.
This is only a general guide, as everyone’s needs will vary.
- 12-can capacity: Ideally suited for a home office where a worker consumes one or two cans of soda a day.
- 20-60 cans: The size is suitable for a couple or a small family who drink one or two beverages daily on average.
- 60-120 cans: With a fridge of this size, you will have plenty of storage space for a small office or frequent entertaining at home.
- 120 cans or more: Such large beverage fridges are great for large offices or frequent entertaining of large groups.
- Bottles: There is no indication of how many cans in refrigerators designed to store wine. Unlike cans, bottle capacity is a matter of personal preference, as many wine connoisseurs store chilled wine but only drink it occasionally. Consider how many bottles of wine you typically keep on hand when choosing a wine cooler.
Temperature Range
It is true that chilled drinks are chilled…
…but not all cool drinks work well at a given temperature.
Consider the temperature best suited to the drinks…
…you will be storing in a beverage fridge when shopping.
Many of the larger beverage fridges list a temperature range.
- Soft drinks: Soda pop is oh-so-refreshing when it’s between 34 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Beer: The best way to enjoy this malt brew is between 45 and 50 degrees for beer with a reduced alcohol content (3.2 percent) and between 55 and 60 degrees for beer with a higher alcohol content (6 percent and above).
- Wine: Different types of wine require different temperatures. In general, white wines should be stored between 45 and 55 degrees, champagne and sparkling wines are best when stored between 55 and 60 degrees, and red wines should be slightly warmer, between 60 and 68 degrees.
Keep reading…
Security Lock
A lock may make sense if you share an apartment…
…and don’t want your roommates to help themselves to your drinks.
It’s also a smart feature if children are at home when storing alcoholic beverages.
Child-proof locks are some of the most common safety locks…
…but combination locks and keypad locks can also be used.
They may also come with a latch that enables the user to attach a separate lock.
Versatile Shelves
Cans and bottles are organized on shelving to keep them separate…
…but close enough together to store as many drinks as possible.
Consider the type of cans or bottles you wish to store…
…as some beverage fridges designed to hold cans…
…will only hold standard 12-ounce cans, not larger 18-, 20-, or 36-ounce cans.
Wine coolers store standard-sized bottles (750 ml)…
…but some will also hold liter-sized bottles.
There are also some that will accommodate smaller half-liter (500 ml)…
…demi-liter (375 ml), and piccolo (187.5 ml) wine bottles.
LED Lighting
Beverage fridges that can hold multiple cans in deep rows…
…will benefit from interior LED lighting…
…that either illuminates the refrigerator’s contents when the door opens…
…or, better yet, makes those contents visible through the doors’ glass windows.
When the user is able to see what’s inside…
…before opening the refrigerator door, the refrigerator loses less cool air…
…and, therefore, conserves energy.
Wine can actually degrade if exposed to ultraviolet light…
…so wine coolers have soft blue lighting…
…that illuminates the interior but does not damage the wine.
Durability
It is true that you get what you pay for when it comes to beverage fridges.
Cheap models made from cheap materials will not maintain…
…a constant temperature and will have shorter useful lives…
…and may need to be repaired or replaced, so choose quality.
Here are the main points…
Our Top Picks
Image | Title | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|
Antarctic Star 36 Bottle Wine Cooler/Cabinet BeverageRefrigerator Small Mini Red & White Wine Cellar Beer Soda Counter Top Bar Fridge Quiet Operation Compressor Adjust Temperature Freestanding Black. | Prime | Check Price on Amazon | |
hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler - 120 Can Mini Fridge with Glass Door for Soda Beer or Wine - Small Drink Dispenser Machine for Office or Bar with Adjustable Removable Shelves | Prime | Check Price on Amazon | |
Alpicool C40 Portable Refrigerator 12 Volt Car Freezer 42 Quart(40 Liter) Vehicle,Truck, RV, Boat, Compact Freezer for Travel, Outdoor -12/24V DC and 110-240V AC (Black and Silver) | Prime | Check Pice on Amazon | |
Phiestina Wine and Beverage Refrigerator | 24 Inch Built-In Dual Zone Wine Beer Cooler Refrigerator | Free Standing French Door Drink Fridge with Digital Memory Temperature Control | PrimeEligible | Check Pice on Amazon | |
Bull Outdoor Products 11001 Stainless Steel Front Panel Refrigerator | Prime | Check Pice on Amazon |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Antarctic Star 36-Bottle Wine Beverage Refrigerator
- KEEP WINE COOL: Heat is enemy number one for wine. The Wine Cooler enables you to store your wine in optimal conditions for long-term aging. Working temperature range is 40°F- 61°F, and allows you to customize the temp (55°F is often cited as close to perfect).
The Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator is the perfect choice…
…for apartment dwellers and wine aficionados…
…since it holds up to 36 standard bottle of wine…
…and allows you to control the temperature inside…
…from 40 to 61 degrees to suit your own tastes.
Keeping the temperature inside this freestanding unit constant is made possible…
…by an airtight seal and reinforced glass door.
It features a soft blue interior light that highlights the wine collection.
This beverage fridge can also store cans if desired.
Antarctic Star wine cooler measures 20.5 inches deep, 21.3 inches wide…
…and stands 31.4 inches tall, making it ideal for placement on a counter or table.
A sleek, glossy black finish complements most recreation room decor.
“In general, but especially during very hot weather, you’ll want a place for your wines where the temperature remains stable and offers good humidity control”
Brice Eymard – Managing Director of the CIVP
hOmeLabs 120 Can Mini Fridge with Glass Door
- MODERN ELECTRIC BEVERAGE COOLER - This 3.2 cubic feet, free standing beverage refrigerator features an elegant see through, left hinge glass front door with a stainless steel frame for you to view your wine, beer or soda at a glance. Its white LED interior light illuminates for easy, nighttime selection of your favorite chilled drink
For those who entertain frequently or want to keep workers happy…
…in break rooms at work…
…the hOmeLabs beverage fridge is just what the doctor ordered.
It can store up to 120 standard 12-ounce drink cans.
The fridge features an interior white LED light that lets users see what’s inside…
…before opening the door.
Additionally, the refrigerator has an LED digital display…
…and the temperature can be adjusted as low as 34 degrees…
…for refreshingly cold soft drinks or as high as 60 degrees for beer and wine.
With a width of 18.9 inches, a depth of 17.30 inches…
…and a height of 33.3 inches, this freestanding unit can be placed…
…on the floor, a counter, or a low table.
There are three adjustable (or removable) chrome shelves…
…to customize the interior to hold different cans or bottles.
Alpicool C40 Portable Refrigerator 12 Volt for Travel
- FREEZES WITHOUT ICE: -4°F(-20°C) deep chilling down performance ,can be a frigde and freezer. Run great with your small solar system as well.
Alpicool’s beverage refrigerator, which holds up to 50 12-ounce cans…
…will keep drinks cold when you’re on a camping trip.
The case-type refrigerator resembles a standard portable cooler…
…but it does not require ice.
The device is powered by an auxiliary DC power port on a truck…
…ATV, or recreational vehicle.
For indoor use, it can be plugged into an AC outlet (AC cord not included).
It has an LED touch screen, temperature memory…
…and battery protection to prevent the battery of a vehicle or ATV from draining.
It features a wide temperature range, from as cold as -4 degrees Fahrenheit…
…to as high as 50 degrees, which keeps perishables frozen and drinks refreshingly cold.
Go on…
Phiestina 24-Inch Built-In Dual Zone Wine Beer Cooler
- ✓ HOLDS ANY DRINK IMAGINABLE: Stock up your favorite drinks in the ultimate wine and beverage cooler machine. The Phiestina has 12 removable shelves that allow you to store up to 20 bottles of wine and 78 cans (sodas, fancy water, beer and others). Pure perfection, right? More drinks, more pleasure, more lovely moments to share with your loved ones.
If you want to create a seamless look in your kitchen or wet bar…
…the Phiestina built-in wine and beverage fridge fits…
…within a standard 24-inch cabinet space.
The stainless steel finish of this high-end beverage fridge…
…complements stainless steel appliances.
A carpenter or DIYer can trim around the unit to make it blend in..
…with the room and give it a professional look.
The fridge has individual touch screens on each side.
It features removable racks, bottom front venting…
…and a soft blue LED light to illuminate contents without opening the doors.
In the Phiestina fridge, 78 12-ounce cans can be stored or up to twenty bottles of wine.
The interior temperature can be adjusted from 40 to 66 degrees…
…on the left half of the unit and from 38 to 50 degrees on the right half…
…and this is a dual-zone refrigerator that can keep more…
…than one type of beverage at the right temperature for drinking.
This piece measures 23.4 inches wide by 22.4 inches deep and stands 33.9 inches tall.
BULL Outdoor 11001 Stainless Steel Refrigerator
- Stainless steel exterior door panel
You will no longer have to run in and out of the house…
…to fetch drinks for guests or backyard swimmers.
With the Bull Outdoor Products refrigerator, outdoor entertaining…
…can be taken to a whole new level.
While providing ample room for storing drinks…
…it will withstand temperature and humidity fluctuations.
It can store up to 70 cans on average.
Door is solid (no window), and it can be installed to open…
…on either the right or left side depending on individual patio kitchen configurations.
Although the interior temperature can be adjusted…
…it ultimately depends on the outdoor temperature.
Temperature dials allow the user to decrease or increase the temperature…
….to keep drinks cold and delicious.
In northern climates, the Bull fridge should be stored indoors during the winter.
What Does a Wine Cooler Do
They keep out harmful or undesirable odors. Wine might be harmed…
…by odors in your regular refrigerator. The lack of humidity in a conventional…
…refrigerator can lead your wine to absorb odors from the environment…
…(and tastes). When the cork in your wine bottle shrinks and becomes porous…
…this happens. To us, that doesn’t sound very tasty!
Wine can be harmed by humidity in a conventional refrigerator…
Humidity, like temperature, may make your wines taste bad. Refrigerators…
…are designed to eliminate humidity from the air within the refrigerator.
Your wine will last longer and taste better. “The primary differences between…
…normal refrigerators and wine refrigerators are temperature, humidity…
…and vibration,” says the manufacturer. Wines are temperature sensitive…
…so if you live in a house that is extremely cold or extremely hot…
…your wine is at a higher risk of losing its flavor than typical.
Refrigerators are designed to quickly cool and dehumidify a room…
Wine cellar (and wine fridge) contents are handled differently….
A wine fridge progressively lowers the temperature of its contents…
…while maintaining a suitable humidity level for wine.
When it comes to wine serving temperature, there’s a common rule of thumb…
…among casual wine drinkers: Chill it in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes…
…before serving if it’s red. Remove it from the refrigerator 10 to 15 minutes…
…before serving if it’s white. Excessively cold a white wine can taste too acidic…
…while too warm a red wine can taste barren and unstructured.
Wine loses all of its enticing smells when served at the incorrect temperature…
Temperature, on the other hand, does more than only change the appearance…
…of a wine. Too much heat and light will “cook” your wine…
…converting vibrant fruit tastes into sour stewed prune flavors.
The faster the wine ages, the warmer the air. And, unlike the bottle…
…of Champagne I consumed, the lovely flavors aren’t going to come back.
And finally…
Sum Up!
Wine and beer refrigerators, soda refrigerators…
…and bottled water fridges are all specialty appliances…
…that are designed to chill beverages.
Since more and more of us are spending more time at home…
…and preparing meals, these beverage fridges can also store meals…
…groceries, fruits, and vegetables alongside our beverages.
Conclusion
In order to qualify as a top pick, the best beverage fridges…
…should be well-designed, maintain a consistent temperature…
…and hold enough beverages to suit your needs.
The reasons for buying coolers of this type vary…
…but we hope all of the choices listed above met…
…or exceeded expectations in their respective classes.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.