How to Buy the Best Beverage Refrigerator for Your Home

If you’re shopping for a beverage refrigerator, you might be overwhelmed by all of the brands, features, and capacities available to choose from. Thankfully, making your purchase doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, the vast array of options for drink cooling and storage can actually make it easier to find the right unit. It’s simply a matter of knowing exactly what will best suit your personal needs. Once you’ve decided which features are important to you, shopping for a beverage refrigerator becomes much simpler. Consider these useful tips to buying a beverage refrigerator for your home or office.

1. Decide What Kinds of Drinks You’ll Be Storing

First, determine what types of beverages you plan on storing. Will you be primarily storing canned products? Or will you need an appliance that can hold bottles of wine in addition to soda, beer, or other drinks? Depending on your diet and preferences, you need to pick the right beverage cooler accordingly.

Some models are designed to contain only cans, while dual-zone beverage coolers accommodate both wine and canned cold beverages. These coolers store each kind of drink in separate compartments inside. And, of course, there are also dedicated wine refrigerators if you are looking to solely store your wine collection in a temperature-controlled environment.

2. Know How Many Beverages You Want to Store

Beverage centers come in a wide range of sizes. Most small-capacity beverage refrigerators will work for the average home or office. If you only plan on regularly keeping drinks for one or two people or restocking regularly, you can safely go with one that holds 60 cans or less. These units are also great for fitting in smaller office spaces or sitting out of the way on your counter.

For a small family or group, a mid-capacity beverage refrigerator that stores between 80 to 100 cans is best. These units need more room to sit, but you can also install a built-in unit to save floor space if so desired.

Finally, if you frequently entertain large groups of people or own a larger office, a large-capacity beverage refrigerator with a capacity of around 150 cans will enable you to keep several items cold at once and save you from running out of product.

3. Figure Out Where to Locate the Beverage Refrigerator

The available room in your home or office is also essential in deciding what beverage refrigerator to purchase. Typically, small to medium appliances can fit in tight spots, such as underneath tables or on countertops with limited surface area. Larger units can require more space, but the majority of these currently on the market can still work easily in your home or office. With some exceptions, bigger models stand anywhere between two and a half to three feet high.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

You’ll also want to determine whether the fridge will be housed indoors or outdoors. Outdoor models are generally sturdier, with their exteriors constructed from stainless steel. Some outdoor units also have doors with triple-pane glass. These are wonderful if you entertain guests outdoors and make wonderful additions to any patio, backyard, pool, or hot tub area.

Freestanding vs. Built-In

Finally, you’ll need to know whether you want a freestanding or built-in unit. Freestanding beverage refrigerators offer flexibility because they can be installed nearly any place with an electrical outlet. Built-in refrigerators are intended to be installed under already existing counters, which is helpful for space-challenged areas such as small kitchens or apartments.

4. Consider Energy Usage

There are many energy-efficient beverage centers available for the discerning buyer. As you’re shopping, look for products that are Energy Star certified. Energy Star, a standard created in 1992 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy, identifies and promotes energy-efficient appliances and electronic goods. Items displaying the Energy Star emblem typically use between 20% and 30% less energy than specified by government standards. Additionally, you may opt to compare the average energy use, displayed in kilowatt hours per year (kWh/yr), listed with each model.

5. Know What Options You Need

If you just need to stockpile a few cans of soda on a regular basis, a small basic model might be sufficient for you. However, you may want to take advantage of the extensive selection of features now available with many higher-end models. Here are some options that you may find useful:

• Dual-Zone Temperature:

  Machines with this feature have separate temperature zones in either side-by-side or top and bottom compartments. These are excellent for both storing wine and canned items, as wine is often chilled at higher temperatures than beer, soda, or other canned beverages.

• Safety Locks:

  Refrigerators with a locking door are usually only opened with a key. This is useful for keeping minors away from alcohol or for preventing expensive items from disappearing.

• Digital Temperature Controls:

  Digital readouts and easily-adjustable temperature settings help you store your products at the optimal temperature.

• Adjustable Shelving:

  Inside shelves are movable, allowing you to customize shelf height to better allow your liquids to fit.

• LED Lighting:

  In these fridges, interior LED lighting proves to be more energy-efficient and longer-lasting than standard lighting.

• Reversible Doors:

  Units with this capability allow you to change the side on which the door is installed and opens.

6. Look at Your Budget

Prices on beverage refrigerators vary from inexpensive for basic models up to high-priced units that boast a plethora of features. Knowing what you need in a fridge, as well as researching features and costs, should help you determine a price range for your purchase. Usually, models appropriate for home or office use can cost anywhere from $170 to $1,800, with some premium items pricing between $3,000 and $4,000. Be sure to understand your needs and set a realistic budget before you begin shopping to avoid any unnecessary purchases.

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Popular Brands for Beverage Fridges

With so many companies offering beverage refrigerators, consumers have plenty of choices. Several brands dominate the market with a variety of units, price points, and options. They are:

• Avallon

  Avallon is a true example that innovation, luxury, and convenience can all be found at a reasonable price. Avallon beverage refrigerators and wine coolers have a sleek design without sacrificing reliable operation.

• Danby

  Danby is a family-owned business and market leader in North America, giving buyers plenty of affordable, versatile options in liquid storage.

• EdgeStar

  Edgestar specializes in functionality and portability, crafting sleekly designed beverage coolers at a wide assortment of price points.

• Summit

  Summit is an industry leader in small and large appliances, offering durable beverage centers for both home and commercial use.

• U-Line

  U-Line is an award-winning company, manufacturing advanced refrigeration systems in the United States for over fifty years.

Shop Smart for Your Beverage Refrigerator

Your investment in a beverage center is money well spent, affording you many years of convenience. These tips to buying a beverage refrigerator for your home kitchen or office should prove helpful as you shop around. Knowing what you need, what you want to spend, and information about popular brands gives you a guide to making an informed, wise purchasing decision.