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The Spruce Eats / Sabrina Jiang
A refrigerator gets the job done when it comes to chilling drinks, but if you’re serious about your wines, beers, and sodas, you know all too well that the precious real estate inside your fridge can quickly disappear—that’s where a dedicated beverage fridge comes in.
Not only does having a small, drinks-only refrigerator make you look like you truly have your life together, but it can also be key in terms of temperature control, especially where wines are concerned. So, if you don’t have a wine cellar at your disposal and are running out of room in the family fridge, a cooler is the solution.
Best Overall
Euhomy Beverage Refrigerator
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Affordable
Adjustable shelves
Reversible door
Large capacity
Compressor is loud when it runs
For a straightforward, versatile beverage cooler that won’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with the Euhomy. This fridge is relatively inexpensive compared to similar products, and it performs at a similar level. It gives the user a variety of important options, like a reversible door and adjustable shelves, and when it comes to placement, this model is the perfect size to fit beneath most counters and can easily be freestanding, as well. The only downside is that the compressor is a bit loud and has the potential to be disruptive, so this may be best for a garage or workshop instead of a bedroom or office.
Dimensions: 31.5 x 18.9 x 17.5 inches | Storage: Up to 126 cans | Temperature Range: 34-50 degrees | Reversible Door: Yes | Defrost Type: Manual | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Best Budget
Ivation Freestanding Wine Refrigerator
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Wide temperature range
Thin dimensions
LED lighting
Best for wine, not other beverages
Compact and budget-friendly, this 12-bottle freestanding wine cooler is a straightforward solution for smaller collections looking to live harmoniously in a single temperature zone. It's perfect if you’re passionate about having a variety of chilled wines on hand at any given time or have a small collection of special cellar-worthy vino. This cooler features a temperature range of 41 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, a double-paned glass door, LED lighting, touchscreen controls, a built-in fan for cooling consistency, and removable racks.
Dimensions: 9.92 x 17.72 x 31.18 inches | Bottle Storage: 12 bottles | Temperature Range: 41-64 degrees | Reversible Door: No | Defrost Type: Automatic | Cooler Type: Freestanding
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Ultra low temperatures (great for cold beer!)
Chic design
Touchscreen controls
Small temperature range
Give your beer and soda cans a functional and aesthetically pleasing home in the form of this freestanding drink cooler, which holds an astonishing 121 standard 12-ounce cans behind tempered double-pane glass for enhanced UV protection. The temperature within its single zone is nice and even thanks to fan circulation, which works in tandem with the machine’s powerful compressor to keep things perfectly cool inside. The temperature can be set between 34 and 43 degrees Fahrenheit using touchscreen controls (which is certainly a small range, but it is cool), and you can even lock the door to keep others out.
Dimensions: 33 x 19 x 18.25 inches | Bottle Storage: 121 standard cans | Temperature Range: 34-43 degrees | Reversible Door: Yes | Defrost Type: Automatic | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Best for Professionals
Transtherm Loft Wine Cabinet
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Excellent for wine preservation
Constant circulation
Cooling and heating technology
Just for wine
Wine experts don’t mess around with their bottles, and neither does Transtherm, a cult-favorite storage and preservation brand within the wine community. The company's catalog is mostly made up of larger wine fridges, but this cabinet is perfect for home use, especially if your collection needs care that’s a cut above the consumer standard.
These appliances, all of which are made in France, feature both cooling and heating technology to suit a variety of climates, humidity management, automatic temperature control, ventilation, constant circulation, digital temperature display, and more. The Loft Wine Cabinet holds up to 72 Bordeaux-style bottles on six sliding shelves behind a reversible door.
Dimensions: 37 x 26.7 x 27 inches | Bottle Storage: 72 bottles | Temperature Range: 42-64 degrees | Reversible Door: Yes | Defrost Type: Automatic | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Best Splurge
EuroCave Pure S Wine Cellar
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Customizable
Sensitive temperature and humidity controls
High capacity
Can be difficult to fit unusually sized bottles
Widely regarded for its durability and efficacy, EuroCave wine cellars are worth the investment if you'll use yours often. This brand has been around since 1976 and is right up there with Transtherm as far as industry favorites and innovation goes. The Pure S wine cellar, available exclusively through Wine Enthusiast, comes with either a glass or opaque door that can be opened from the left or right side. It's energy-efficient and incredibly quiet, too. Touchscreen controls, a humidity alarm system, LED lighting, and a customizable interior help seal the deal. This is best for regularly-sized wine bottles, though, as some report spacing issues with other options.
Dimensions: 44.2 x 27.75 x 32.52 inches | Bottle Storage: 74 bottles | Temperature Range: 41-68 degrees | Reversible Door: No, but you choose which side door hinge is on when ordering | Defrost Type: Automatic | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Best Compact
Antarctic Star 1.6 cu.ft Wine Cooler
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Compact size is perfect for tight spaces
Good capacity for its size
Louder than expected
Prone to frost build-up
In many situations, space is at a premium—that’s where the Antarctic Star Mini Fridge comes in. Its compact design with a reversible door makes it perfect for the office, small apartments, or any tight space. A couple of things to keep in mind: This cooler is known for getting a bit loud and may have noticed frost buildup. This fridge can hold 70 standard soda cans or 12 wine bottles, but a larger version is also available if a little more capacity is needed.
Dimensions: 19.69 x 17.52 x 17.99 | Bottle Storage: 70 standard-size drink cans or 12 standard wine bottles | Temperature Range: 40-61 degrees | Reversible Door: Yes | Defrost Type: Manual | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Best Dual-Zone
Kalamera Dual Zone Wine Fridge
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Fits easily under counter
High capacity
Versatile
Expensive
For those who want the best of both worlds, we recommend the Kalamera Dual Zone. To ensure freshness, wine needs to be stored at a warmer temperature than other beverages, and this fridge has two compartments with independent temperature settings, so you can keep your wines at the proper temperature in one compartment and your beers ice-cold in the other. The Kalamera Dual Zone has a spacious interior but is compact enough to fit under a counter if that’s where you want it. It is a bit pricey, but the build quality and versatility are worth it.
Dimensions: 33.9 x 23.4 x 22.4 inches | Bottle Storage: 20 wine bottles and 78 cans | Temperature Range: 40-66 degrees for wine and 38-50 degrees for cans | Reversible Door: No | Defrost Type: Automatic | Cooler Type: Freestanding or built-in
Best Portable
Cooluli Classic Mini Fridge
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Extremely portable
Can charge via USB port
No temperature control
This micro-fridge from Cooluli is designed with portability in mind. Because of that, there is a bit of a sacrifice when it comes to capacity and features. Most notably, it lacks temperature control and a thermostat. In instances when you just need to keep a few things cold, though, it does the job—just don’t expect it to keep your wines stored at the proper temperature. This is better suited for soda cans, yogurt cups, and other small items. Conveniently, the Cooluli can also plug into a USB port for its power source, which means it’s perfect for road trips.
Dimensions: 14 x 12 x 10 inches | Storage: 18 cans | Temperature Range: 35-40 degrees (can also warm up to 149 degrees) | Reversible Door: No | Defrost Type: Manual | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Best Under-Counter
Kalamera 24 inch Beverage Refrigerator
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Large capacity
Front-facing ventilation
Expensive
It doesn’t get much more convenient than having a fridge right under the counter of your home bar, and the Kalamera under-counter beverage cooler fits right into that role. The 38- to 50-degree Fahrenheit temperature range is perfect for keeping drinks ice-cold, and the automatic defrost function keeps ice from building up inside. One of the most important considerations when choosing an under-counter fridge is ventilation, and with a front-facing vent, the Kalamera is exactly what you need. The only thing that might give you pause is the cost—it’s a bit pricey, but you won’t find a more reliable under-counter cooler.
Dimensions: 33.9 x 23.4 x 22.4 inches | Storage: 154 cans | Temperature Range: 38-50 degrees | Reversible Door: No | Defrost Type: Automatic | Cooler Type: Freestanding or built-in
Best for Wine
Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler
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Two zones with independent temperature controls
Racks designed specifically for wine bottles
Tends to have ice buildup
Every serious wine enthusiast would love to have a full-size wine cellar in their home. For those without the space (or a basement), this dual-zone wine cooler by Wine Enthusiast exists to fill that need. It has two separate cooling zones, so you can separate your reds and whites and store each at the proper temperature. Some reviewers have noted that ice can build up at lower temperatures, so keep an eye on the bottles as the fridge does not have an automatic defrost feature. The shelves are specifically designed to fit wine bottles and store them on their side. At a 32-bottle capacity, it likely has more than enough space to safely store any bottles you might be saving for a special occasion.
Dimensions: 33.4 x 19.5 x 16.9 inches | Bottle Storage: 32 bottles | Temperature Range: 41-64 degrees | Reversible Door: No | Defrost Type: Manual | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Best Mini
Frigidaire Portable Retro Mini Fridge
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Includes a speaker
Portable
Cute retro design
Short life
If you’re just looking to keep a few cans of soda or beer cold, this is really all you need. The Frigidaire Portable Retro Fridge is amazing for small spaces begging for a pop of color, like studio apartments and dorm rooms. You can even plug it into a car adapter to keep drinks cold on your next beach outing or road trip. With space for just six cans, it’s tiny yet mighty, operating on a thermoelectric system with cooling temperatures up to 20 degrees below ambient temperature. Though certainly affordable and portable, the fridge tends to have a shorter lifespan than other models, with reviewers reporting they needed a replacement after one to five years.
Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 11 inches | Bottle Storage: 6 standard cans | Temperature Range: 32 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit | Reversible Door: No | Defrost Type: Automatic | Cooler Type: Freestanding
Final Verdict
For a straightforward, full-featured cooler that does it all, look no further than the Euhomy Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler. If you're short on space and need something compact, the Antarctic Star Mini Fridge can fit 12 wine bottles and 48 standard cans at just 1.3 cubic feet.
What to Look for When Buying a Beverage Cooler
Use
Beverage coolers can store different types of beverages, from sodas and beer to wine and more. If your goal is to store bottles of wine, then look for a cooler that is geared toward providing the perfect conditions and temperatures needed for wine (45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit for white and rosé, 50 to 65 degrees for red). Some coolers can accommodate wine bottles on one side and cans on the other, offering separate temperature zones for each side.
Cooling System
The two primary ways of cooling down a refrigerator are compressors and thermo-electric systems. Fridges with compressors are able to cool down more quickly and maintain lower temperatures but can make a lot of noise while the compressor is running. Thermo-electric systems don’t reach the same low temperatures as fridges with a compressor but run at a significantly lower volume.
Capacity
Think about how many bottles or cans you want a beverage cooler to be able to hold, and make sure you get one large enough to accommodate your needs. Adjustable shelves come in handy to fit different-sized cans or bottles, too.
Placement
Some beverage fridges with compressors can vibrate when they’re running. To avoid unwanted noise, make sure there’s enough space between the refrigerator and other cabinets to ensure it doesn’t rattle. Fridges also often make a humming sound that might be a nuisance in certain situations, so keep that in mind when deciding where to put your cooler.
Venting
Proper ventilation is crucial to making sure your fridge operates correctly. Depending on which style of beverage fridge you opt for, the vent may be on either the front or back of the appliance. There must be enough space to provide proper ventilation to ensure the unit doesn’t overheat and break. If you don’t have enough space behind your fridge, you should opt for a model that has ventilation in the front.
Additional Features
Many beverage fridges come with a variety of additional features that provide added functionality. This could include lights, door locks, reversible doors, digital displays, auto-defrost, and UV coating on glass doors.
FAQs
Is it worth having a beverage cooler?
If you like having your beverages—whether it be wine, beer, sodas, or all of the above—at the proper temperature, then having one of these coolers in your home can be beneficial. Beverage coolers also provide a committed space for your choice of drinks, freeing up refrigerator space for your food items.
Are beverage coolers noisy?
Every beverage cooler is different, and yes, some are noisier than others. You will most likely hear the compressor kick in or the fan running, just like you would with a refrigerator. Compare models and look for noise levels, energy efficiency, and warranty.
What is the best temperature for wine?
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, says Brice Eymard, managing director of the CIVP, an organization representing the wines and appellations of France’s Provence region. This is doubly important for wines that you plan on storing long-term, though having a dedicated environment for something you’d like to drink right away is important, too.
White and rosé wines are best kept between 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, while red wine should be stored at 50 to 65 degrees. Use a fridge thermometer to make sure your beverage cooler is at the appropriate temperature.
Why do you need a beverage cooler?
Some beverages, especially wine, need to be kept within a specific range of temperatures to maintain freshness. Most kitchen refrigerators need to be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, which is too cold to properly store wine.
When should you defrost your beverage cooler if it’s a manual unit, and how do you do that?
In certain situations, frost can build up inside your cooler. When that happens, it needs to be manually defrosted. Most refrigerators will contain instructions for defrosting in their manual, but the process generally works the same for most units. To defrost, remove everything from the fridge and unplug it. Prop the door open and let it come up to room temperature and allow the frost to melt. When all of the moisture inside the fridge has evaporated or cleaned up, plug the unit back in and allow it to operate until it reaches the desired temperature.
Why are beverage coolers so expensive?
Beverage coolers are complex appliances. They have all the same basic components as full-size kitchen refrigerators and are often made of high-quality materials. It’s also common for beverage coolers to have special features tailored to specific styles of beverages, such as dual compartments and humidity control, which can also significantly raise the price of the unit.
Can you put food in a beverage cooler?
It depends on which temperature the cooler is set to. According to the FDA’s food safety standards, food must be stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Many beverage coolers don’t quite get that cold, or in the case of wine storage, need to be kept at a higher temperature than recommended for food safety.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Wine writer Céline Bossart doesn’t have the kind of willpower it takes to store wine longer than a few months, but she does try. As someone who has picked up a seltzer habit during quarantine, she knows the importance of keeping drinks at the correct temperature, as you never know when the need for another round will strike.
Dylan Ettinger is a Los Angeles-based writer who specializes in spirits, cocktails, and coffee with hands-on experience visiting distilleries and bars all through the U.S., Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He is also a long-time hospitality professional with experience tending bar, opening cafes, and working in specialty coffee.
Sources
- Brice Eymard, managing director of the CIVP, an organization representing the wines and appellations of France’s Provence region
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