How to Choose the Perfect Beverage Cooler for Your Needs

Your Guide to buying the best Beverage cooler

Overview

A beverage cooler is a must-have appliance for anyone who loves to entertain or always has a variety of drinks on hand. Whether you’re a beer aficionado or a fan of wine and spirits, having a beverage cooler can help you keep your drinks cold and ready for guests or family at any time. It’s important to consider all the features available when selecting a cooler so you can choose the one that’s right for your needs. This buying guide will help you find the perfect cooler for your needs and budget.

Key features

  1. Size: Consider the size of the beverage cooler that is appropriate for the space and the amount of beverages you plan to store inside.
  2. Temperature controls: Look for beverage coolers that have adjustable temperature settings and digital temperature displays.
  3. Insulation: Make sure the beverage cooler has ample insulation to keep your beverages chilled.
  4. Aesthetics: Check for beverage coolers that have an appealing design and color that matches your home's decor.
  5. Door type: Look for coolers with a glass door, which will allow you to check the beverage without having to open the cooler.
  6. Shelving: Look for coolers with adjustable shelving or dividers so you can customize the interior of the cooler.
  7. Noise level: Check if the beverage cooler is noisy or quiet and whether it has vibration-reducing features.
  8. Energy efficiency: Consider the energy efficiency ratings of the beverage cooler before purchasing it.
  9. Lighting: Look for beverage coolers that have interior lighting, so you can easily find any beverage.
  10. Price: Compare prices of different beverage coolers to find the best one for your budget.
  11. Warranty: Determine if the beverage cooler comes with a warranty and for how long.

See the most popular Beverage cooler on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Increased Capacity: Beverage coolers offer increased capacity for drinks and beverages when compared to traditional fridges, saving space for other items.
  • Efficient Cooling: Beverage coolers are designed to quickly cool and keep drinks and beverages cool for a longer period of time than regular refrigerators.
  • Temperature Control: Most beverage coolers come with adjustable temperature controls, allowing for more precise cooling of items.
  • Energy Efficiency: Beverage coolers typically use less energy than regular refrigerators, helping to reduce your energy bills.
  • Low Noise Level: Beverage coolers are designed to operate quietly, making them perfect for offices, bedrooms, and other areas that require less noise.

Cons

  • Size - Beverage coolers come in a variety of sizes, so it's important to consider how much space you have for the cooler and how much you need to store.
  • Cost - Beverage coolers can be expensive depending on their sizes and features. It's important to determine your budget and stick to it.
  • Energy Efficiency - Many beverage coolers require more energy to operate than a regular refrigerator, so it's important to consider the energy efficiency of the cooler before purchasing.
  • Noise Levels - Beverage coolers, especially those that are not energy efficient, can be quite noisy. It's important to consider the noise levels of the cooler before purchasing.
  • Maintenance - Beverage coolers require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure that they continue to operate properly.

Best alternatives

  1. Mini Fridge - A small, compact refrigerator typically used in dorm rooms, offices, and other small settings.
  2. Portable Cooler - An insulated cooler that typically plugs into a car’s 12v outlet. It can keep food and drinks cold for hours.
  3. Thermoelectric Cooler - A type of cooler that uses an electrical current to maintain a consistent temperature. It is silent and efficient.
  4. Keg Fridge - A type of fridge specifically designed to store and cool a keg of beer.
  5. Wine Fridge - A type of refrigerator specifically designed to store and cool several bottles of wine at once.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Insulated Jugs or Containers - Insulated jugs or containers are ideal for keeping drinks cold or hot for extended periods of time.
  • Cocktail Shaker - A cocktail shaker is used to mix drinks, and can also be used to chill drinks quickly.
  • Ice Scoop - An ice scoop is used to transfer ice from a cooler to a glass or serving vessel.
  • Pourers - Pourers are used to control the flow of liquid out of a bottle and can help prevent spills.
  • Bottle Openers - Bottle openers are used to open bottles of drinks, such as beer or soda.
  • Corkscrews - Corkscrews are used to open bottles of wine.
  • Cocktail Muddlers - Cocktail muddlers are used to muddle fruit, herbs, and other ingredients in mixed drinks.
  • Cocktail Strainers - Cocktail strainers are used to strain out ice and other solid ingredients from mixed drinks.
  • Ice Crushers - Ice crushers are used to crush ice into smaller pieces for use in mixed drinks.
  • Cocktail Picks - Cocktail picks are used to garnish drinks with olives, fruit, and other ingredients.

Common questions

  1. What types of beverage coolers are available? Beverage coolers are typically available as freestanding, built-in, and undercounter models. Freestanding coolers typically have a smaller capacity, while built-in and undercounter coolers have larger capacities.
  2. What size beverage cooler should I buy? The size of beverage cooler you should buy depends on the number of people who will be using it, as well as the types of beverages you plan to store. For larger gatherings, a large capacity beverage cooler is recommended, whereas a smaller capacity cooler may be sufficient for smaller gatherings.
  3. What features should I look for in a beverage cooler? When choosing a beverage cooler, you should look for features such as adjustable temperature settings, adjustable shelving, an interior light, a reversible door, and a digital control panel.
  4. What should I consider when buying a beverage cooler? When buying a beverage cooler, you should consider factors such as the size and capacity of the cooler, the type of cooling system (e.g. compressor or thermoelectric), the type of door (e.g. glass or stainless steel), and the energy efficiency rating of the cooler.
  5. How much does a beverage cooler cost? The cost of a beverage cooler varies depending on the size, features, and energy efficiency rating of the model. Generally, small freestanding coolers cost less than $200, while larger, energy-efficient coolers can cost up to $1000 or more.

Trivia

A funny fact about beverage coolers is that they were once commonly used by movie theaters to keep moviegoers' drinks cool while they watched their films. This practice was especially popular in the 1950s, when the novelty of air-conditioned theaters had not yet taken off. In fact, in some older theaters, you can still find the old-style beverage coolers tucked away in the corners. This fun fact was reported by Mental Floss in 2018. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.