Whether it is a can of soda or a bottle of your go-to beer, among others, you will enjoy it more if it is cold. With this, you will greatly benefit from investing in the best beverage cooler. The latter is a compact fridge that will keep the ideal temperature of your favorite drinks, making them more refreshing.
With too many options that are available in the market, you might end up with confusion. This guide will make things a lot easier for you. We’ll let you know how to find the right product and review five of the best options that can provide the best bang for the buck.
Types of Beverage Coolers
One of the best ways to categorize beverage refrigerators is depending on where they will be used. In this case, the following are two of the options that are available:
- Outdoor Beverage Cooler: Because it is meant to be used outdoors, you have to make sure that it will withstand extreme weather. This means that it should have rugged construction to withstand external elements, including the possibility of getting wet when it rains.
- Indoor Beverage Cooler: This is the more common type of beverage cooler. It is more forgiving since it is not exposed to external elements. Many of them can be space-efficient, which will fit even below the counter.
It is also possible to categorize the options on the basis of their overall construction. In this case, these are the options that you will have:
- Free-standing Beverage Cooler: As the name implies, this is meant to be fitted in a fixed space, often under an existing counter. This is a good choice if you want the cooler to be in a permanent position.
- Built-in Beverage Cooler: With this type, on the other hand, you can install the beverage cooler anywhere you want. It offers more flexibility. You can keep it in the game room, bar, at the top of the counter, or in your bedroom, among other places.
Choosing the Best Beverage Cooler
As you try to weigh the pros and cons of the different models that are available in the market, below are some of the most important factors that you should take into consideration.
- Size: How much space is available in the place where you want to install the beverage cooler? How many drinks do you plan to keep inside? If you often host parties at home or if it is to be used for a small business, choose one that can accommodate at least 100 cans.
- Durability: It is also important to consider how long lasting is the beverage cooler. For sure, you would not want to invest in a product that will be easily prone to wear and tear. If you want the best value for money, choose one that is durable enough to withstand the test of time.
- Door: A better choice is one that comes with a reversible door. This is excellent in terms of versatility as you can setup the door to open on the right or left depending on your personal preferences.
- Temperature Control: There are some beverage coolers that will allow you to set the temperature through a manual knob. In the case of others, there is a push button. It will also be good if there is a digital temperature readout for ease of monitoring.
- Cooling Zone: If you store different drinks in the beverage cooler, it will be good if it comes with dual cooling zone. This simply means that there are two temperature zones in one cooler. You can keep wines and sodas in the same place. The temperature will vary in the different portions of the cooler.
- Lighting: There are some people who would prefer a unit that comes with LED lighting. This does not only make it easy for you to see the contents of the cooler, but it also makes it better in terms of aesthetics.
- Design: You should also consider the style of the beverage cooler. This is especially true if the unit will be exposed, such as in the kitchen or in the bar. Some units have metal accents to make it look more appealing.
- Lock: This is a good feature if you want to keep your beverages secured. This is especially true for a restaurant or for a large house. With the lock, no one will access the contents of the cooler without your permission. This especially works best if the cooler is used for storing expensive wines.
- Energy-efficiency: In today’s time, many manufacturers were able to take advantage of the latest technologies to improve cooling without consuming too much energy. This means that the cooler won’t be a reason for your utility bills to shoot up.
- Racks: The material used and the configuration of the racks is also an important consideration. Most would have chrome racks. It will be good if they can be removed and customized depending on the size of the drinks that you plan to keep.
If you want to be more creative, here is a short video that shows how you can make a DIY beverage cooler, which will surely impress your guests the next time you host a party at home:
Top Picks for the Best Beverage Cooler
If you are still finding it hard to decide which one to purchase, in this section, we will list down brands and models, as well as their most notable features.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-11-30 at 20:36 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- 3.3 cubic feet capacity beverage center (up to 120 cans)
- Mechanical thermostat with temperature range of 43F - 57F
- 3 black wire shelves and interior light.
- Recessed side mount door handle and integrated lock with key. Tempered glass door with stainless steel trim and black body
- Energy efficient and long lasting blue LED light illuminates the interior. Energy consumption is 368kWh/year
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-11-30 at 18:59 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Powerful refrigeration chills drinks all the way down to 37 degrees.
- Roomy design holds 126 cans in an attractive, stainless steel design.
- Removable storage racks create space for cans, bottles and more.
- Set-and-forget-it thermostat comes with 7 custom settings.
- Quiet 35dB compressor is ideal for homes, offices, dorm rooms and more.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-11-30 at 19:46 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Capacity: 62 - 12 oz. standard cans, 32 - 20 oz. bottles (VitaminWater/Gatorade style), 51 - 12 oz. slim cans (Red Bull style), 40 - 16 oz. "tall boy" cans
- Manual temperature control knob on back of unit, Approximate temperature range: High 30s - Mid 50sºF , Approval: ETL, Warranty: 90 days labor, 1 year parts; Mail-in
- Powerful compressor based cooling, Color: Black cabinet with stainless steel trimmed glass door
- Reversible double paned glass door, Removable slide-out chrome shelf, Freestanding application, Manual defrost
- 115 Volts - 60 Hertz - 85 Watts - 1.3 Amps, Weight: 40 pounds, Dimensions: 20" H x 17" W x 18½ " D
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-11-30 at 20:36 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- 18 Bottle Capacity: Compact, 18 bottle storage, perfect for red or white wines.
- Cooling System: The quiet and vibration free thermoelectric cooling system allows you to set the temperature as low as 54 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 66 degrees Fahrenheit while protecting sediment.
- Digital Display: Quickly monitor and set temperatures with ease using the push button controls mounted on the door frame.
- Interior LED Lighting: Cool blue LED lighting is included to better illuminate your collection.
- Adjustable Shelves: 5 chrome plated wire shelves pull out to make for easy bottle loading when needed and convenient accessibility.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-11-30 at 20:36 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Product dimensions: 33″ H x 17″ W x 18.5″ D (20.5″ D with handle installed)
- Capacity: 120 standard 12 oz. can
- Mechanical temperature control with temperature range from high 30ºF – mid 60ºF
- Stainless steel trimmed glass door with sleek black cabinet
- Internal fan-forced circulation for even temperature distribution throughout the cabinet
- Voltage: 115V /60Hz || Power: 85 watts / 1.3 Amps
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 2020-11-30 at 20:36 PST - Details/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
The best beverage cooler is a must-have for every home. If you have a restaurant, hotel, or any other business that requires the need to have easy access to cold drinks, it is also an excellent investment. From size to style, price to functionality, there are several factors that should be taken into account to increase the likelihood of making the right choice.
If there is one product that will be worth your money, it is Danby Beverage Center. It can fit up to 120 cans, has a reversible door, comes with a security lock, and has interior light to make it look more stylish.
