Whether needing to free up some space in your main fridge or simply want to bring the bar into your very own living room, a compact, large-capacity beer fridge is the answer!
Advertisement
Beer fridges, like wine fridges, come in all sizes, with different capacities and several different features, and all at varying price points. They all aim to keep your cans and bottles neatly stored and cold, ready for that perfect chilled brew. Whether a lager, ale, IPA, pilsner or stout fan, beer fridges will have you covered, chilling them to the right temperature, ready to drink.
The Recommended has scoured the web and rounded up some of our top favourite beer fridges on the market – there are plenty to choose from! Read on for some inspiration.
The best beer fridges at-a-glance:
- Best low-energy beer fridge: Subcold Super85 LED Beer Fridge
- Best large beer fridge: Comfee Beer Fridge
- Best quiet beer fridge: Baridi 85L Beer and Wine Cooler Fridge
- Best compact beer fridge: Subcold Super50 LED Beer Fridge
- Best countertop beer fridge: Russell Hobbs Table Top Drinks Cooler
- Best smart beer fridge: Kalamera Beer Fridge
- Best under-counter beer fridge: Cookology Table Top Beverage Cooler
- Best lightweight beer fridge: Husky Stella Artois Drinks Cooler
The best beer fridges
Best low-energy beer fridge: Subcold Super85 LED Beer Fridge
Complete with a handy security lock

Wattage: 70kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £1.98
Fill up this 85-litre fridge with your favourite beers, ales and lagers, and chill them down with the advanced compressor cooling technology, functioning with economical energy consumption.
This beer fridge has four strong wire shelves, which are adjustable and removable, providing the optimum space for beer cans and bottles, as well as wine bottles, soft drinks and snacks. It features an internal LED light to illuminate your drinks, operates at low noise, and has adjustable feet to fit anywhere hassle-free.
Best large beer fridge: Comfee Beer Fridge
Compact and convenient

Wattage: 100 kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £2.83
Adjust the temperature between 2-15°C in this beer fridge and load up its 93-litre capacity with your beer bottles and cans. There are three wire shelves for easy, organised storage.
This beer fridge has a transparent glass door, so you can keep a check of your stock and features a handy LED light inside, making it convenient to see in low-lit settings. It also has adjustable front legs for all surface types and a reversible door hinge for the ultimate flexibility in your space.
Best quiet beer fridge: Baridi 85L Beer and Wine Cooler Fridge
Smart and efficient

Wattage: 70kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £1.98
This beer fridge has a built-in thermostat so you can take control of its temperature, ranging between 3-10°C. It is efficient to run, easy to use and produces minimal noise.
With its 85-litre capacity, fill this fridge with cans and bottles and keep your beverages cold and fresh throughout the day. It features removable metal shelves and a warm-glow light inside for simple storage and access. It also has a handy security lock for added safety.
Best compact beer fridge: Subcold Super50 LED Beer Fridge
Universally practical

Wattage: 66kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £1.87
Suitable for beer cans and bottles, plus wine, soft drinks and snacks, this mini beer fridge is super versatile. Its compact size has a capacity of 50 litres and a wide temperature range of 3-18°C.
Designed with high-density foam insulation to preserve the internal temperature, this beer fridge has a powerful cooling system using Advanced Compressor Cooling technology to keep items icy cold. Additional features included a dual-glazed glass door for extra safety, three strong removable shelves, an internal LED light, and a security lock and key.
Best countertop beer fridge: Russell Hobbs Table Top Drinks Cooler
Slick and sleek

Wattage: 147kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £4.17
Free up space in your main fridge with this handy drinks fridge, ready-to-cool beer bottles and cans. Its compact size fits easily onto most countertops, providing a convenient solution.
This beer fridge has multiple storage arrangements with two removable shelves and one rack, with a capacity of up to 46 litres. It features a reversible door for versatility, adjustable feet for easy manoeuvring and positioning, and a chrome front with a glass door for a contemporary design.
Best smart beer fridge: Kalamera Beer Fridge
With an 86-litre capacity

Wattage: 97kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £2.74
Easy to set up, this freestanding beer fridge is ideal for kitchens and dining rooms, giving you extra space for your beers. It operates with a quiet cooling system for minimal disturbance.
Inside, this beer fridge has several removable wire shelves for simple storage and soft blue LED lighting for added ambience. The stainless steel exterior will bring style to your home, featuring smart digital controls for a modern option. Use the touch screen controls to adjust the temperature, ranging from 3 to 18°C.
Best under-counter beer fridge: Cookology Table Top Beverage Cooler
Ideal for small spaces

Estimated wattage: 94kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £2.66
Pack up to 43 litres into this small beer fridge and always have ice-cold beers at the ready. Position under counters, on top, or in small alcoves for a space-saving solution.
This mini beer fridge has a double-glazed door and high-quality insulation for the ultimate cooling experience and features a removable shelf to adjust the storage set-up. It has a large glass window for a stylish design and operates at a low-noise and low cost, making it a great energy-efficient investment.
Best lightweight beer fridge: Husky Stella Artois Drinks Cooler
Ideal for big beer fans

Wattage: 94kWh per year
Estimated monthly running cost: £2.66
Impress your guests with this Stella Artois beer fridge. Its silver colour with branding on the sides and door will bring the bar to you, as well as being functional and practical storage.
Light in weight to move around and position anywhere thanks to its compact size and fill with up to 40 cans. The double-glazed door provides efficient cooling, and its clear window enables visibility of the fridge’s content. You can control the temperature using the adjustable five-setting thermostat very easily.
How much does it cost to run a beer fridge?
According to Ofgem, from 1st October, the current electricity price cap for households with typical consumption on a dual electricity and gas bill and paying by direct debit is £0.34 per kWh. Using the energy price cap figure, we’ve calculated the running costs for all the beer fridges in our list and detailed them above, with costs ranging from £1.87-4.17 per month. The amount you will pay may vary from the current price cap, depending on your energy tariff. To find out how much you pay, see your electricity bill.
How to calculate the monthly running cost of a beer fridge
To work out the monthly cost of each appliance, multiply the annual kWh by the price of electricity per kWh (you can find this on your electricity bill). Then divide this figure by 12 to calculate the appliance’s monthly operating cost.
What features to look for when choosing a beer fridge?
- Size and capacity: Decide where your beer fridge will be positioned in your home and the space you have to work with. Also, consider how much storage you require – do you need a large fridge to store a lot of bottles and cans, or a more compact, small fridge for a smaller amount? Look at how many litres capacity the fridge has.
- Interior layout: Choose a fridge with several shelves and racks so you can store away your beers with ease. Most beer fridges feature removable and adjustable shelves, so you can customise the interior to fit your bottles and cans appropriately.
- Lighting: Most beer fridges have LED lighting inside to light up the contents. Not only does this facilitate seeing what’s in the fridge in all low-light/dark conditions, but it also adds some ambience to your setting.
- Temperature control: Most fridges will have a temperature control to set the fridge to your desired cooling temperature. This usually ranges from about 2-18°C.
- Door: Some fridges feature reversible doors for easy access wherever positioned, and most have transparent glass doors so you can see inside the fridge.
- Safety lock: Many fridges will have a lock and key for extra security. This is ideal if you have kids in the house.
Advertisement
What temperature should your beer fridge be?
As mentioned above, most beer fridges have temperature controls ranging from around 2-18°C. Different ales, lagers, IPAs and pilsners are best enjoyed at different drinking temperatures – depending on the type of beer you are storing and then drinking, you can alter the control on your beer fridge for the ideal temperature. Lagers are best served between 2-4°C, pilsners 4-6°C, pale ales about 6°C, IPAs 8-10°C, and dark ales and stouts around 12-14°C.
FAQs
What is the best fridge setting for beer? ›
Beer. If you are dedicating your beverage cooler to beer only, you will want to set the temperature within an ideal range. In general, most beer can be stored in a dark space with a consistent room temperature. However, to maximize the shelf life, the recommended storage temperature is between 45 and 55° F.
What temperature should a beer cooler fridge be? ›Store your beer at 34°F when possible. As references, high-quality beverage fridges and beverage coolers can keep beverages at a steady 34°F. Your kitchen refrigerator maintains an average temperature of between 35 and 37 degrees.
What is the best temperature for a drink fridge? ›However, the industry standard typically dictates that the optimal temperatures should be between 35 and 38 degrees for commercial refrigerators and as low as -15 degrees for freezers. There are many other factors that might dictate the appropriate temperature for commercial beverage refrigerators.
What is the difference between bottle cooler and refrigerator? ›A beverage cooler and refrigerator are similar to each other, but beverage coolers frequently do not offer the adjustable shelves or door storage that a refrigerator often does, and they often have glass doors to display the contents.
What is the preferred refrigerator setting? ›What Is the Best Temperature for My Refrigerator? The ideal refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These temperatures inhibit the growth of microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella, listeria, and E.
What is the best temperature for beer bottles? ›What's The Best Way To Store Beer? To prevent flavor loss and make sure your beer tastes exactly like it should, you should keep the bottles at a steady 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This is known as the “cellar temperature,” though you don't need to have a cave in your basement to make this work.
How long can beer stay in a cooler? ›Most beers last beyond the printed expiration date on the package. When stored at room temperature, you can expect beer to last for six to nine months beyond the use-by date. Refrigeration increases this time period to up to two years.
Is 5 degrees cold enough for a beer fridge? ›Storing your beer for its recommended shelf life in a cool, dark place between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius will help it to stay fresh and keep all the flavour and aromas you bought it for. The best beer fridges will be adapted to help you achieve this easily.
How long does it take to chill a bottle of beer in the fridge? ›Chuck your room temperature beer bottles or beer cans immediately into the refrigerator if you're fortunate enough to have planned ahead. You'll have to wait 7-8 hours before you can enjoy perfectly chilled beer.
What is the best temperature for drinking? ›The best temperature for drinking water is room temperature (20°C / 68°F) for maximum flavour, or chilled cold (6°C / 43°F) for maximum refreshment.
What is the coldest temperature you can drink? ›
Chilling reduces the taste of alcohol and brings out sweetness. All 80-proof spirits start to freeze at around minus 10 Fahrenheit, but, warns Dave Arnold, director of culinary technology at the French Culinary Institute, in New York, trying to imbibe anything colder than minus 4 will burn your tongue.
What temperature do you look for in chilled storage? ›Your fridge should be 5°C or below. Don't overfill your fridge. Leaving space allows air to circulate and maintains the set temperature. If your fridge is looking full, take out items that don't need to be chilled, such as unopened soft drinks or bread.
What are the different types of can coolers? ›TYPES OF CAN COOLERS
Choose from scuba foam, neoprene, polyester, and knitted acrylic materials.
You want to keep perishable items cold, but not so cold that vegetables lose their freshness. The ideal refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below in the main part of the fridge. The optimal temperature for keeping foods cold is 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is cooler better than fridge? ›Powered coolers can usually cool 30º below ambient temperature, while a fridge can cool up to 90º below ambient temps. The fridge is by far the better choice here for any travel in hot climates.
Which fridge setting is higher colder? ›The numbers on the fridge's temperature dial indicate the refrigerating power. Therefore, the higher the setting, the cooler the fridge will be. Choosing setting 5 will make your fridge the coldest.
Where is the coldest place in the fridge? ›Even with a superior airflow system, a refrigerator or freezer will be colder at the bottom. Warm air rises, so the upper shelves will always be slightly warmer than the lower portion of the unit.
What is the coldest setting in a fridge? ›If you have a numbered dial setting instead of a temperature reading, the highest number is the coldest (usually 5). Appliance brands recommend keeping it on the coldest setting, but if your food is freezing, try turning it down to 4.
Does beer stay colder in cans or glass bottles? ›Our experiments have shown that the fluid in the aluminum bottle cools much faster than the glass bottle, and once removed from a cold source and exposed to room temperature, the glass bottle remained cooler longer than the aluminum bottle.
What temperature should canned beer be? ›General Serving Temperature Rules:
All beers should be served between 38-55° F. Lagers are served colder than ales. Stronger beers are served warmer than weaker beers.
Is beer colder in cans or bottles? ›
Though most brewers suggest pouring beer into a glass to get the maximum taste regardless of what container it comes in. Cans cool down faster than bottles, but bottles keep cooler for longer. So even though cans are portable, unless you have a fridge with you, you could be looking at drinking warm beer.
Can you drink beer that expired 2 years ago? ›Yes—but its flavor will degrade over time. Beer is a perishable product that stales when it's exposed to light, oxygen, and heat, which degrade the organic compounds that make beer smell and taste great. But even when its flavor is declining, it can be perfectly safe to drink.
Does beer go bad faster in the fridge? ›You can prolong the shelf life of beer in cans and bottles if you keep them just above room temperature and just below freezing, but if there's no way to establish that, storing unopened cans and bottles in the fridge or at room temperature is acceptable.
Can canned beer go bad? ›A question we get often: does beer expire? Short answer, no. Beer isn't like milk. With age, it doesn't actually expire or become unsafe to drink.
Is 32 degrees too cold for beer? ›When beer is too cold—around 32–35°F—Solarte says, it becomes hard for the drinker to taste or smell the full range of flavors in the glass. At lower temperatures, carbon dioxide becomes much more soluble—you'll know this if you've ever accidentally frozen and then thawed a beer and opened it to find very little fizz.
Is room temperature beer better than cold beer? ›Warmth usually makes a flavor more perceptible, while cold tends to suppress it. Choosing just the right temperature ensures that these constituent chemicals remain properly in balance as you enjoy your craft beer or homebrew. Take sweetness, for example.
Is 45 degrees a safe temperature for a refrigerator? ›To ensure that your refrigerator is doing its job, it's important to keep its temperature at 40 °F or below; the freezer should be at 0 °F.
Does beer go bad if refrigerated then warm? ›The truth is that temperature cycling has little to no effect on beer freshness. Think of it this way, if cold beer warming and then cooling again a single time ruined it, then all beer imported from Europe would be destroyed before you bought it.
Is it better to store beer in fridge? ›Refrigerated storage is best for all beers at all times. Required for draft beer and many craft beers. Non-refrigerated storage accelerates aging and development of off flavors. In a study conducted by one of the large breweries on flavor loss in bottled and canned products resulted in the 3-30-300 Rule.
How do you chill beer bottles faster? ›Submerge the beer in ice water and salt.
Submerge the beer bottle or can in a bucket or large pot filled with ice water and salt. The salt lowers the freezing temperature of the mixture of ice and water, causing the ice to melt, which lowers the water's temperature and chills the beer faster.
What water is best to drink? ›
Without a doubt, spring water is the winner. It is considered the best water to drink, providing vital nutrients as it moves through the body. This is, of course, spring water that is bottled at the source and proven to be actual living spring water.
What should I drink in 100 degree weather? ›When working in the heat, drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15–20 minutes. This translates to ¾–1 quart (24–32 ounces) per hour. Drinking at shorter intervals is more effective than drinking large amounts infrequently.
Is alcohol OK to drink in extremely hot weather? ›Drinking in the heat also increases your risk of heat illness. “Being in the heat and drinking alcohol makes it hard for your body to regulate its temperature effectively,” she says. “This can lead to heat cramps from the loss of water and salt and even heat stroke, which can lead to organ failure.”
What temperature is too hot for humans to drink? ›Hot beverages such as tea, hot chocolate, and coffee are frequently served at temperatures between 160 degrees F (71.1 degrees C) and 185 degrees F (85 degrees C). Brief exposures to liquids in this temperature range can cause significant scald burns.
What is the hottest temperature a human can drink? ›The research, published last Wednesday in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Cancer, comes after the World Health Organization recommends warning against drinking any beverage hotter than 149 degrees.
What temperature is hot but drinkable? ›Concluding Remarks. Here, a review of the scientific literature has been made to assess the consumer-preferred temperatures for hot beverages. In order to balance both safety and consumer preference, temperatures in the range of 130 to 160 °F are recommended.
Which food should not be frozen? ›Foods | Usual Use | Condition After Thawing |
---|---|---|
Cream or custard fillings | Pies, baked goods | Separates, watery, lumpy |
Milk sauces | For casseroles or gravies | May curdle or separate |
Sour cream | As topping, in salads | Separates, watery |
Cheese or crumb toppings | On casseroles | Soggy |
Food poisoning bacteria grow best at temperatures between 5°C and 60°C. This is called the Temperature Danger Zone. Keeping potentially hazardous foods cold (below 5°C) or hot (above 60°C) stops the bacteria from growing.
What should be stored on top shelf of fridge? ›Ready-to-eat foods are stored at the top of the fridge, away from raw foods so that harmful bacteria cannot transfer from the raw food to the cooked food. Raw meat, poultry and fish in sealed containers to stop them touching or dripping onto other foods.
What size cooler for 24 cans? ›17-quart capacity can hold up to 24 soda cans, and can even hold 2 liter bottles upright.
Do beer can coolers work? ›
There are a few misconceptions about how koozies work. Some people believe they are used to prevent hands from warming up beer. Others think the koozie is used to keep hands from getting too cold. In reality, koozies keep beer cold by protecting against condensation.
How do I choose a cooler? ›cooler should be sufficient to store all the food and drinks you'll need. For day trips, consider a cooler smaller than 40 qts. It is best to keep the size of the cooler to a minimum as dictated by your needs. If you pack the cooler tightly, it will stay colder.
Is 37 degrees too cold for a refrigerator? ›Yep: A fridge temperature of 37° F will keep fresh food good for as long as possible—with no ice crystals on lettuce or bacteria breeding in raw meats. As for the freezer, a temperature of 0° F will keep foods thoroughly frozen.
Which cooler brand is best? ›- Symphony Sumo 75 XL Powerful Desert Air Cooler. ...
- Crompton Optimus 65-Litre Desert Cooler. ...
- Orient Electric Ultimo 50L Desert Air Cooler. ...
- Symphony Diet 3D 30i Portable Tower Air Cooler. ...
- Crompton Ozone Desert Air Cooler. ...
- Bajaj Platini PX97 Torque 36-Litres Personal Air Cooler. ...
- Bajaj DMH 90 Neo 90L Desert Air Cooler.
In the energy efficiency battle of bottom-mount freezer vs. side-by-side fridges or top-mount freezer vs. side-by-side fridges — yes, it does matter where that freezer sits: The most energy efficient refrigerator style is a top-mount freezer refrigerator.
Are air coolers better than liquid? ›Air coolers are quite good at relocating heat away from the CPU, but keep in mind that heat is then dispersed into the case. This can raise the ambient temperature of the system overall. Liquid coolers do a better job of relocating that heat outside of the system via the fans on the radiator.
What is the purpose of a bottle cooler? ›Bottle coolers can horizontally store and organize a large number of beverage containers. These units provide top, as opposed to front, access, and dividers take the place of wire shelves. Most also have built-in bottle openers and catchers.
Can a cooler act as a fridge? ›Build a fridge with dry ice
If you need to keep food/drinks cold (but not frozen) for an extended period, like for camping or a road trip, dry ice can be used to convert a cooler into a refrigerator! Dry ice is a no-mess, clean way to refrigerate goods.
A wine cooler can be used as a refrigerator, but it is not recommended. Wine coolers are designed to store wine at a consistent temperature, whereas refrigerators fluctuate in temperature.
Is a wine cooler better than a fridge? ›For wine lovers, the optimal way to store wine is within a cellar or wine cooler, not in the fridge. With changing temperatures, noisy vibration, a lack of features, and pesky odors, your wine will be much better off in a dedicated wine refrigerator.
How do you keep a bottle cold without a cooler? ›
Take a paper towel, napkin or even newspaper and soak it with water. Wrap the wet paper around the bottle or can as if you were making papier-mâché. Once the bottle is wrapped, simply leave it in a shady spot for 20 to 30 minutes for a chilled drink.
How do you pack a cooler with bottles and cans? ›Create a layer of cans and bottles on the bottom of the cooler and add a thin layer of ice. They stack nicely as a base and will stay colder longer underneath everything.
How long can things stay in a cooler? ›Premium hard coolers will last the longest at up to 7 days (or more). Some soft and styrofoam coolers will keep ice for less than 24 hours. Ice will keep in most hard coolers for 2 to 6 days.
What is the difference between a refrigerator and a fridge? ›Fridge is just a smaller name for a refrigerator that is a cooling device used in households all over the world. Though fridge can be referred to as slang and a casual word, it has become so popular that more people make use of this word than those who take pains to call out refrigerator which is a rather long word.
Can I keep beer in a wine fridge? ›A wine fridge is perfect for chilling bottled water, soda, sparkling water, juice, energy drinks, lemonade, and even other alcoholic beverages like beer and wine coolers.
Can you store food in a beer fridge? ›If you intend to store any food in your bar fridge then ensure that the economy mode is not in use, and that the temperature remains below 5 degrees Celsius throughout each cycle. Commercial glass door fridges do however have a few factors in their favour that will actually make food last longer than domestic fridges.
Can I cool beer in wine cooler? ›Beer, either cellared beer or caned beer, can also be stored in your wine cooler. Just like wine, different types of beer have specific ranges of ideal serving temperatures, ranging from 35 to 60°F, and specific storage temperatures.
Which is stronger beer or wine cooler? ›The average alcohol content of a cooler is about 6 percent. Beer averages about 4 percent. Wine has a higher alcohol content -- about 10 to 14 percent -- but it is normally served in much smaller portions than beer or wine coolers.
Are wine coolers better than beer? ›Having a beer sounds like a far more alcoholic activity than having a wine cooler, but Hannah Simpson, Clinical Dietitian at KEMH said she believes having a light beer is better than having a wine cooler. Wine coolers, while having lower alcohol content than regular beer, have more sugar.
What is the difference between a wine cooler and a bottle cooler? ›Typically, wine coolers will maintain a temperature range between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for both red and white wines. Beverage coolers, on the other hand, are designed to store a variety of different drinks, including soda, beer, and other non-alcoholic beverages.