Best overall: NewAir AB-1200 Beverage Refrigerator and CoolerBest undercounter: Aaobosi Beverage and Wine Cooler Dual ZoneBest for beer: Antarctic Star Beverage RefrigeratorBest for wine: Ivation Compressor Wine CoolerBest mini: NewAir Mini-Fridge Beverage Refrigerator and CoolerBest budget: Frigidaire EFMIS129-RED Mini Portable Fridge
How we chose the best beverage coolers
I’ve been writing and recommending gear for over 10 years for publications like CNN Underscored, Gear Patrol, and Popular Science. During that time, I’ve recommended a number of devices for home tech, from the best energy-efficient air conditioners to the best carbon monoxide detectors.
Why do you need a beverage cooler?
The kitchen fridge is fine for storing groceries and stashing leftovers but, unlike most beverage coolers, they don’t allow users to precisely set the temperature. Having greater control over temperature is ideal for a drinks fridge because certain beverages, whether you’re drinking beer or wine, are better if stored at specific temperatures (more on that later). For wine, specifically, a dedicated wine fridge allows you to store your bottles horizontally, so the liquid can hydrate the cork. You don’t want crumbly bits of cork in your special bottles, do you? Space is also a serious consideration. Real estate inside the kitchen fridge is at a premium, and giving all cans and bottles a new home frees up space for that Thanksgiving turkey, a big casserole dish, or that industrial jar of mayonnaise.
Things to look for in the best beverage coolers
A dedicated beverage fridge should be easy to control, easy to access, and small enough to fit in most spaces. Before adding one to your space, you should also have a sense of what you plan to drink, as there are fridges optimized for beer or wine. Knowing what you want to store will also help you navigate the logistical differences between beverage coolers, including their sizes, shapes, and cooling systems. Here’s what you need to know to pick the best beverage cooler for any home.
What are we drinking?
You have a few options when shopping for a beverage fridge, including models designed for wine, beer, or both. Wine coolers–the appliances, not the cocktails, are better at holding bottles and often include specific features for keeping your collection at an optimal 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re looking to all-in on beer, you’ll need something more flexible. The ideal temperature for your fridge will change depending on the type of beer you bring home. Beer connoisseurs will often argue about the right beer temperature but, generally speaking, a can or bottle of beer should be warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and below 55 degrees. Some manufacturers will make a recommendation right on the bottle or can. If you’re thirsty for beer and wine—and maybe some other stuff, like a soda, or a bottle of water—you’ll want a beverage cooler that accommodates all kinds of beverages. These dual-unit fridges tend to be larger, especially those that feature a storage compartment for wine bottles and one for beer (and other things). On the plus side, a high-end dual unit beverage cooler may have separate temperature control for each section.
Size and venting
Most beverage coolers are designed for convenience and can fit into tight spaces. A smaller 18- by 19- by 18-inch cooler (WDH) with 1.5 cubic feet of interior space can comfortably hold 60 cans or 17 bottles of wine. A mid-sized 24-inch beverage cooler can hold 120 cans and more than 30 bottles of wine. Keep in mind, though, that your appliance gets dramatically heavier and harder to move as it gets bigger. Freestanding bar fridges can live anywhere you put them, but there’s a certain appeal to installing a fridge to live under a counter or bar. If you choose to install a beverage cooler, make sure to buy one that’s meant for that purpose. Built-in beverage coolers can slide under bars or into tight cabinetry because they have front-facing vent channels that release heat out the front. By contrast, most freestanding coolers direct their heat to blow out the back. If there’s no room in the back for air circulation, your fridge will overheat and break, so make sure you have an installation plan before bringing a fridge home.
Noise and vibration
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a whisper produces about 30 decibels (dB) of sound. The compressor of a beverage fridge can generate about 40 dB. While that may not sound like a lot, the humming may be distracting if you put a beverage cooler in a quiet office, bedroom, or home theater. By 70 dB, ambient noise starts to actively annoy us. Wine drinkers may also want to pay attention to vibrations caused by a louder than a normal fridge. It may alter the taste if the fridge kicks up enough wiggle and wobble to disturb the sediment in a bottle of wine. While this won’t be a deal breaker for most beverage cooler customers, those looking for a dedicated wine fridge will want a quiet unit that sits still.
Extras
While we primarily value features like storage capacity, noise, and defrost type, we also appreciate beverage coolers that offer additional features like reversible doors and safety locks. You can install a reversible door to open to the left or right, giving you more flexibility when finding a place to put it. A safety lock, or child lock, allows you to lock your beverage fridge, so nobody raids the beer and wine fridge when you aren’t around. Finally, beverage coolers feature different defrosting options. A self-defrosting unit requires less maintenance and will occasionally heat coils within the fridge to melt away the icy buildup. A manual model needs to be defrosted when buildup becomes about 1/4-inch thick. You must either chip away at the ice with a tool or let it sit until it melts. We don’t consider automatic defrosting a must-have feature, but it’s definitely convenient. Be aware, however, that models that offer it are more expensive.
The best beverage coolers: Reviews & Recommendations
Pick your beverage of choice and find the cooler that fits your home and budget. Wine drinkers will want to pay close attention to temperature controls and vibrations. Beer and non-alcoholic beverage fans can be a little less picky.
Best overall: NewAir AB-1200 Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: With a modern stainless steel design and the ability to store up to 126 cans, the NewAir AB-1200 is the perfect beverage fridge for hosting neighborhood gatherings. Specs
Dimensions: 18.9 x 18.4 x 32.4 inches inches (WDH)Weight: 65.9 lbsStorage: 126 cans (12 oz)Reversible door: YesDefrost type: ManualCooler type: FreestandingTemperature range (Fahrenheit): 37 – 64 degrees
Pros
Ample storage for cansReversible doorStainless steel design
Cons
Door can be difficult to reverse
With excellent interior capacity, seven custom temperature settings, and adjustable shelves, NewAir’s freestanding AB-1200 can chill a lot of drinks. It features a classic glass door design, so you can see what drinks you have stored and is capable of chilling up to 126 12 oz cans of beer, soda, or whatever combination works best for you. The door is also reversible, giving you a bit more flexibility when choosing where to put it.
Best undercounter: Aaobosi Beverage and Wine Cooler Dual Zone
Why it made the cut: With dual climate zones and a front-facing vent, Aaobosi’s beverage fridge fits in nicely under any bar or counter. Specs
Dimensions: 24.4 x 22.6 x 34.2 inches (WDH)Weight: 134.5 poundsStorage: 18 wine bottles, 57 cans (12 oz)Reversible door: NoDefrost type: AutomaticCooler type: Built-inTemperature range (Fahrenheit): 35.6 – 50 degrees (left zone), 41 – 64.4 degrees (right zone)
Pros
Dual-zone design with separate storage for cans and bottlesSeparate temperature controls for each sectionStores 18 wine bottles and 57 cans
Cons
Expensive
This dual-temperature cooler is more expensive than your average bar fridge but it’s tough to beat a two-chamber design if you love beer and wine. Keep your 18 bottles of wine a little warmer, and the 57 cans of beer and beverages a little colder, with intuitive, programmable temp controls. It features a front-facing vent so it’s ready for in-counter installation. For basement bars and garage lounges, this is the perfect chilly bartender-in-a-box.
Best for beer: Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator
Why it made the cut: With removable shelves, LED lighting, and a temperature display, the Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator makes it easy to chill your favorite beer at the right temperature. Specs
Dimensions: 17.7 x 16.9 x 29.1 inches (WDH)Weight: 44.1 poundsStorage: 100 cans (12 oz)Reversible door: NoDefrost type: ManualCooler type: Built-inTemperature range (Fahrenheit): 40 – 61 degrees
Pros
Adjustable feetTemperature displayRemovable shelves
Cons:
Door isn’t reversible
A step up from the teeny-tiny micro-fridges you see in college dorms, the Antarctic Star beverage cooler looks cool and keeps your beer cold. Storing about 100 cans or 24 wine bottles, it features adjustable temperature controls with an easy-to-read display. The shelves are removable, making it easy to convert it from a beer fridge to a wine fridge if you want (or make room for 2-liter bottles of soda). It’s also surprisingly quiet and doesn’t rattle. Throw in a lock and some blue LED lighting for ambiance and you’ve got yourself a swanky little bar fridge.
Best for wine: Ivation Compressor Wine Cooler
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Ivation Wine Cooler features a UV-resistant glass door and a lock to protect your collection. Specs
Dimensions: 13.5 x 17.7 x 30.3 inches (WDH)Weight: 43 poundsStorage: 18 bottlesReversible door: NoDefrost type: AutomaticCooler type: FreestandingTemperature range (Fahrenheit): 41 – 64 degrees
Pros
UV-resistant glass doorDoor lockSleek design
Cons
Door isn’t reversible
For storing wine, the Ivation wine cooler is the next best thing to having your own wine cellar. The 31-inch chest stores up to 12 bottles of wine in an easy-to-control cooler that you can set to the perfect temperature. Its tinted glass door protects aging bottles against UV light, and its quiet, vibration-free operation won’t disturb them. The lock keeps your prized bottles safe and secure. When it’s time to drink, the soft interior light won’t blind you when you open the door like a kitchen fridge. It’s the best wine cooler for both sophisticated drinkers and those who toss back glasses of grocery-store wine.
Best mini: NewAir Mini-Fridge Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The NewAir Mini-Fridge can store up to 60 cans and features adjustable shelves for the ultimate dorm-room accessory. Specs
Dimensions: 18.9 x 16.7 x 19.7 inches (WDH)Weight: 45 poundsStorage: 60 cans (12 oz)Reversible door: NoDefrost type: ManualCooler type: FreestandingTemperature range (Fahrenheit): 37 – 64 degrees
Pros
Compact sizeSleek designGreat storage capacity for its size
Cons
No light in the fridge
NewAir’s mini-fridge is the perfect beverage cooler for dorm rooms and offices. It features a glass door (so you can easily admire your collection), enough space for 60 (12-ounce) cans, and an adjustable temperature from 37 degrees to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The fridge’s shelves are also adjustable, so you can chill any combination of tallboys (16-ounce cans) and regular 12-ounce cans. If you want the “true” college experience, you have to have a mini-fridge in your dorm, and the NewAir is tough to beat.
Best budget: Frigidaire EFMIS129-Red Mini Portable Fridge
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Frigidaire EFMIS129-RED Mini Portable Fridge is small, affordable, and the perfect option for an office or dorm room. Specs
Dimensions: 7 x 10 x 10 inches (WDH)Weight: 3 poundsStorage: 6 cans (12 oz)Reversible door: NoDefrost type: AutomaticCooler type: FreestandingTemperature range (Fahrenheit): Up to 32 degrees below ambient temperature
Pros
AffordableVintage designSmall but can still chill six cans
Cons
Won’t make your drinks super cold
The personal Frigidaire is more mini-fridge than “beverage cooler.” It doesn’t offer precise temperature controls and, in fact, only chills its six-can compartment by 20 degrees. For less than $40, it’s a compact, stylish little fridge to make sure you always have a soda handy at work or in a dorm room. If you don’t need to blast-chill your beverage, this is a handy and eye-catching little cooler that will do an adequate job.
Final thoughts on the best beverage coolers
There are multiple ways to keep your drinks cold. Wine coolers ensure your reds and whites never get too cold or too warm. A beer cooler provides quick access to well-chilled cans and bottles. And dual-temperature coolers give you the best of both worlds. Be aware of the noise level and keep an eye on your budget. And if you plan to place the cooler under a cabinet or against a wall, make sure the compressor has room to breathe. With that in mind, you’re ready to transform your kitchen, den, or garage into the neighborhood’s hot (and cold) spot.
