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The Spruce / Kristin Kempa
If you like to stock cold beer, soda, or other carbonated beverages at home, you know it can be a challenge to keep bottles and cans efficiently organized and chilled. “Storing large amounts of bottled or canned drinks can take up a lot of space in the main kitchen refrigerator, leading to decisions on what should be refrigerated and what can be taken out,” says Jessica Randhawa, owner and head chef at The Forked Spoon. At a time when at-home brewing, craft beer, seltzer, and soft drinks are popular, it stands to reason that one could benefit from a kegerator to keep the beverages flowing—without them taking over the space in your existing appliances.
To help you find the best kegerator for your home, we conducted hours of research, evaluating the top models on the market for performance, capacity, and portability. Our best overall pick is the EdgeStar Built-In Stainless Steel Kegerator because it has extra handy features, including interior lighting and a digital display. Plus, it has a slim profile and front ventilation, which means it can squeeze in a variety of areas.
But if you’re still browsing, check out our full list of the best kegerators to keep beer and other carbonated beverages on tap.
Best Overall
EdgeStar Built-in Stainless Steel Kegerator
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Amazon
Sleek, slim design
Built-in or freestanding installation
LED lighting and digital display
Wheels for portability
Small capacity
Expensive
The EdgeStar Built-In Kegerator provides a great happy medium for practically anyone who wants to add a keg system to their home, occasional beer drinkers and enthusiasts alike. In addition to its stainless steel finish, the single-tap unit has some helpful features. According to Michael Seitz, co-founder of Barebottle Brewing Company, "Once you've narrowed your selection based on size and finish, having an interior light and thermometer are good 'nice to haves' which can either be built-in or added after the fact." This model boasts both on its interior—open the reversible door of the kegerator, and you’ll find LED lighting and a digital thermostat that makes it easy to adjust the temperature settings. It also has front ventilation and wheels, so it can be installed as a built-in or freestanding unit.
If there’s any sacrifice to be made, it’s in the appliance’s relatively small capacity. While many homeowners will love that it performs well without taking up much space, frequent hosts may find they need to stock extra kegs to make this particular unit work for them. It’s compatible with a variety of kegs, including quarter slim kegs, sixth barrel kegs, and Cornelius kegs—but, notably, not half barrel kegs.
Price at time of publish: $1,339
Exterior Dimensions: 24.06 x 14.94 x 33.44 inches | Keg Capacity: 1/4 slim keg, 1/6 barrel keg, Cornelius keg | Temperature Range: 32-60 degrees Fahrenheit | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Built-in or freestanding | CO2 Tank Included: Yes
Best Budget
NutriChef Beer Mini Keg System 128-Ounce PKBRTP100.5
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Amazon
Perfect for individual use
Can be placed on countertop or in fridge
Beer stays fresh for up to two months
Small capacity
No cooling system
CO2 tank not included
No room for a built-in kegerator? You can still get great results with a smaller model like this NutriChef Beer Mini Keg System. Of course, the size is much smaller, so you can’t necessarily serve a full party, but you can have draft beer on hand at all times. This particular kegerator can keep your beer from going flat for up to two months after it has been tapped. It doesn’t have a cooling system, so you’ll need to pop it in the fridge or a cooler to chill your brew.
While the model doesn’t come with any CO2 cartridges, it doesn’t take specialty cartridges, so you can easily find replacements. Each cartridge pumps approximately 128 ounces of beer before it needs to be replaced. It doesn’t have a temperature gauge, but the compact size means you can conveniently keep the unit in your refrigerator as long as you have the shelf space.
Price at time of publish: $130
Exterior Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.9 x 19.5 inches | Keg Capacity: 128-ounce growler keg | Temperature Range: N/A | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Portable | CO2 Tank Included: No
Best Countertop
Koolatron KTB05BN 5L Mini Beer Cooler with Dual Taps
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Amazon
Compatible with most mini kegs
Portable design
Two ways to dispense the beverage
Two ways to power the kegerator
Expensive for small size
No temperature control
CO2 tank not included
For home bars that lack the space for a built-in kegerator, the Koolatron Mini Beer Cooler is a stylish, portable choice that works in both indoor kitchens and outdoor settings. It comes with both AC and DC adapters, so you can plug it into a standard outlet or a 12-volt port.
It may not have the same stainless steel exterior of other picks, but the shape mimics that of a traditional keg, which makes it stand out on a bar top—in a good way. It also has two available spots from which to dispense your beverages. Use the tap up top for pressurized mini kegs or the lower spigot for gravity-dispensing mini kegs.
No matter how you use the countertop kegerator, know that it's only designed to fit 5-liter mini kegs. This is a bit small, especially given its capacity, but it’s a fun option for someone who wants something spiffy to serve drinks at a party.
Price at time of publish: $206
Exterior Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 17.75 inches | Keg Capacity: 5-liter mini keg | Temperature Range: 45 degrees Fahrenheit below exterior temperature | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Freestanding countertop | CO2 Tank Included: No
Best Outdoor
Summit Appliance Outdoor Dual Tap Kegerator
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Wayfair
Weather-proof construction
Dual kegs
Wheels for portability
Quality material
Expensive
Constructed with superior stainless steel materials, the Summit Appliance Outdoor Dual Tap Kegerator is designed for use outdoors. Its features and specialty design can keep a tapped keg cold no matter the outside temperature, making it a worthy investment for someone looking to build an outdoor bar for a pool or patio area. It’s also waterproof for longevity.
Most at-home taps only have one tap, but part of this kegerator’s claim to fame is that it has two, so you can pour more than one type of drink at once—a real luxury, especially when entertaining. The unit also has additional features that up its overall performance, including a reinforced steel floor and an easy-to-read digital thermostat display on the outside the kegerator itself. It comes with a CO2 tank and a beer tapping kit so you can hit the ground running when it arrives.
This model is expensive, yes, but you get what you pay for—and in this case, you’re paying for a premium product.
Price at time of publish: $2,331
Exterior Dimensions: 24 x 25.88 x 49 inches | Keg Capacity: Full-size 1/2 barrel keg, 1/4 barrel keg, mini keg | Temperature Range: 33-50 degrees Fahrenheit | Number of Taps: 2 | Installation Type: Freestanding | CO2 Tank Included: Yes
Best Portable
Coldbreak Jockey Box
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Amazon
Works with any keg
Doesn’t require electricity
Easy to transport
Can’t control temperature well
Ice needs to be monitored and replenished
Dispensing kit and CO2 tank cost extra
It turns out, you can have cold beer on tap anywhere—even at a campsite or a tailgate. The roto-molded Coldbreak Jockey box doesn’t need any electricity to operate, just CO2 and plenty of ice. They’re both vital components—the CO2 is what keeps the line pressurized and the beer flowing, and the ice is what keeps the beer chilled and tasting great.
Even though it’s portable, you can use a wide range of kegs with this stainless steel device. The reinforced coil-to-shank assembly is designed to prevent blowouts. It also has 50 feet of stainless steel coil to make sure that each pint of beer is chilled once you’ve added adequate ice. Just note: The dispensing kit and CO2 tank aren’t included unless you upgrade to a more expensive kit.
Price at time of publish: $300
Exterior Dimensions: 18.5 x 21.5 x 17 inches | Keg Capacity: Any | Temperature Range: N/A | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Portable | CO2 Tank Included: No
Best Mini
GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler
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Amazon
Comes in two compact sizes
Can be placed on countertop or in fridge
Easy-to-replace cartridges
Sleek, portable design
Small capacity
No cooling system
If you foresee using your keg infrequently, this GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler is worth a look. It strikes a great balance between a basic growler and an expensive kegerator, since it affords you the ability to enjoy pressurized beer without the cost and maintenance of a built-in or freestanding unit.
The pressurized stainless steel growler looks a lot like a growler, but it comes with two CO2 cartridges to regulate pressure to optimally carbonate beer. You can set the PSI gauge from zero, which is off, to up to 15 to customize your beverage to your liking. The pressure gauge is right at the base of the unit and easy to read. Pouring is just as simple, since there’s no cap to remove. Still, you can lock it to prevent dispensing. If you want to personalize it, the handle is easily interchangeable.
This carbonated growler does not have a cooling system, so you’ll need to chill it in a fridge or cooler to serve cold beverages. But with two compact sizes to choose from, it seems like a great option for occasional use.
Price at time of publish: $198
Exterior Dimensions: 7 x 5.25 x 10.8 inches | Keg Capacity: 64-ounce growler keg, 128-ounce growler keg | Temperature Range: N/A | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Portable | CO2 Tank Included: Yes
Best Kegerator-Fridge Combo
Insignia 1-Tap Beverage Cooler Kegerator
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Bestbuy
Can be used as a beer fridge
Adjustable temperature
Two removable shelves
Wheels for portability
Doesn’t hold certain brands of kegs
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a dedicated kegerator, you’ll love the versatility of this unit. The interior has two removable wire shelves, so you can use the machine as a beer fridge, kegerator, or both, based on your needs at the time. You can also use it to chill something entirely different, such as other beverages or even food. The adjustable temperature lets you customize the environment inside for whatever you’re storing. Just keep in mind: It isn’t compatible with Coors or Miller brand kegs.
The freestanding appliance's wheels make it easier to move into place. The door hinge is reversible, so you can situate it in whichever direction makes more sense for your home. We read reports that the kegerator can be a bit loud, so it might not be ideal to place it somewhere the noise could bother you. On the plus side, it comes with a CO2 tank.
Price at time of publish: $570
Exterior Dimensions: 23.63 x 23.63 x 33.75 inches | Keg Capacity: Full-size 1/2 barrel keg, 1/4 slim keg | Temperature Range: 32-45 degrees Fahrenheit | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Freestanding | CO2 Tank Included: Yes
Best Splurge
Wine Enthusiast Concierge 30-Inch Wine Cooler and Single Tap Kegerator
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Wine Enthusiast
Stores both beer and wine
Dual temperature zones
Can be freestanding or built-in
Small capacity for kegs
To really complete a full bar, you’ll want to have both a kegerator and a wine fridge. If your budget or space constraints don’t allow for two separate appliances, this two-in-one unit from Wine Enthusiast is a crowd-pleasing option. It not only has a dedicated space for kegs, but it also has a wine fridge that accommodates 26 bottles of wine on five beechwood shelves. The two areas are completely separate from one another, so you can adjust the temperatures to suit their contents. This appliance can keep wine at temperatures between 39 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and the beer side has a slightly cooler range of between 32 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, the capacity may be on the small side for beer. But if you tend to keep both beverages stocked at all times, it’s a sleek, effective storage solution. Just make sure to stock extra kegs—and fill up the CO2 tank it comes with—if you’re having a party.
Price at time of publish: $1,699
Exterior Dimensions: 30 x 24 x 34 inches | Keg Capacity: 1/6 barrel keg | Temperature Range: 39-72 degrees Fahrenheit | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Freestanding or built-in | CO2 Tank Included: Yes
Best for Home
Kegco Kegerator Full-Size Keg Refrigerator
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Amazon
Large interior capacity
Can be used as a beer fridge
Wheels for portability
Quiet operation
Can be used outdoors
Manual temperature control
Constructed with home environments in mind, the Kegco Kegerator is a beverage fridge combo worth considering. The unit has expansive interior space, so it’s compatible with a full-size half-barrel keg. Alternatively, it can fit one pony or quarter slim keg, two 5-gallon commercial kegs and one 5-gallon home brew keg, or up to three 5-gallon home brew kegs. It’s also designed to operate quietly—and users have confirmed it is indeed quieter than some other models. Though, if you’d like to place it outside, it’s designed for that, too.
The unit includes a tapping kit and two removable wire shelves, which you can slide into the appliance to use it as a fridge for cans and bottles of other types of drinks (or snacks). We wish it had digital temperature controls, but you can use the temperature dial to manually tailor the internal environment between 35 and 42 degrees. The whole thing is also outfitted with wheels, so you can easily slide it where you want it.
Price at time of publish: $730
Exterior Dimensions: 23.69 x 23.69 x 33 inches | Keg Capacity: Full-size 1/2 barrel keg, 1/4 barrel pony keg, 1/4 barrel slim keg, 1/6 barrel keg, 5-gallon ball/pin lock keg | Temperature Range: 35-42 degrees Fahrenheit | Number of Taps: 1 | Installation Type: Freestanding | CO2 Tank Included: Yes
Our top pick is the EdgeStar Built-in Stainless Steel Kegerator which features a powerful refrigeration system, a slim profile, and helpful features. For something smaller, consider the Koolatron Mini Beer Cooler, which boasts a remarkable cooling capacity for its value. You can use this more budget-friendly kegerator on a countertop, but it's also portable enough to take with you elsewhere.
What to Look for in a Kegerator
Dimensions and Installation Type
Freestanding kegerators tend to be relatively simple to set up and move, but they often require some clearance to properly ventilate and keep your beer cold. Built-in kegerators have front ventilation but aren't always designed to be moved. For the best of both, look for a front-ventilated kegerator with caster wheels, which will come in handy should you want to move it later. Alternatively, if you are looking for something small and portable, you can opt for a portable kegerator that doesn’t have a cooling system—these don’t need a power source and therefore don’t require ventilation.
Always make sure to check the kegerator's dimensions, too. Freestanding and built-in kegerators tend to be pretty bulky appliances, so you’ll want to make sure you have ample space wherever you plan to set it up. Plus, the interior dimensions can vary a lot, even if the exterior dimensions appear similar. With that in mind, it’s important to read specifications closely to make sure your kegerator can hold the type of keg you want it to.
Keg Capacity and Number of Taps
Before choosing a kegerator, make sure that it works with the size of the keg you intend to buy. Some specific brands, such as Coors and Miller, have specific keg sizes that may not work with all kegerators. Keg size indicates both the base and height of the keg, not just the capacity.
"Even our highest-consuming customers always ordered beer in 5.1-gallon keg sizes (also called a ‘sixtel’ because it is one-sixth of a barrel (common unit of volume measurement in the brewing world)," says Michael Seitz, co-founder of Barebottle Brewing Company.
According to Seitz, "The reason why these super-fans always order in 5.1-gallon keg sizes is because they know that fresh beer (especially hoppy beer) always tastes better fresh than old stale beer that has been sitting in a keg for too long." He adds that ideally, you want to be turning over a keg once a month, so pick the smallest container size you feel comfortable with, turn your kegs over often, and support your local brewery when you can.
Most kegerators can have between one and three taps, with the dual (like the Summit Appliance Outdoor Dual Tap Kegerator) and triple options often costing quite a bit more. This means that you can have multiple types of beer or other beverages available at once, depending on the size and capacity of your kegerator. Single tap kegerators are generally easier to find and more affordable.
Temperature Control
Not all kegerators have adjustable temperature control, but this feature allows you the flexibility to tweak the temperature of your drink to your liking. It’s also a great feature to have in a kegerator you might use for other purposes, like storing other kinds of drinks or even food between uses as a dedicated kegerator. Our “best overall” pick, the EdgeStar Built-in Stainless Steel Kegerator, has a digital thermostat with easy-to-use buttons.
It’s not all about how you like your beer, though. The right temperature also helps prevent excessive foaming, one of the biggest challenges with at-home kegerators. This typically happens from either a change in temperature or a change in pressure, says Seitz. "This is slightly counterintuitive, but gas (like CO2) dissolves into liquid more easily when that liquid is cold, so keeping your beer cold is of paramount importance, and having a thermometer will help guide you," says Seitz. He adds that setting the pressure between 5-10 PSI is usually a best practice. In general, the longer and more narrow the tubing is between the keg and faucet, the less foaming you'll have. You also want to check that your beer stays cold as it moves through the tubing.
Sitz explains, "You want to make sure cooling from the refrigeration basically ‘hits’ the tubing all the way to the faucet if possible. Inevitably in the life of a kegerator/refrigerator, the cooling mechanism will become dirty and dusty, and reduce the cooling effectiveness. If you are handy and can get to the cooling coils, you can lightly dust off the coils with a soft painter's brush.”
Maintenance Requirements
"Once you've got your kegerator working and foaming under control, the biggest factor to successfully keeping your setup pouring excellent-tasting beer is routinely cleaning your beer lines, which is surprisingly fun and easy to do if you have a few simple tools,” says Seitz. “We clean all 60-plus beer lines at our brewery taprooms every week. Doing this once a month for your home kegerator system would be sufficient...a little maintenance (less than 10 minutes per month) is all it takes to confidently serve beer in your home kegerator."
You will also need to refill or replace your CO2 tank once in a while—typically every two to four kegs, depending on the size of your canister and kegs used. You can do it yourself using an air compressor or have them refilled at a welding shop or homebrew or beverage supply store. This can be one of the most costly and inconvenient aspects of using a kegerator, so make sure that you find a reputable place nearby or learn to DIY it before you decide on a kegerator.
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How big should a kegerator be?
This largely depends on personal preferences. A smaller kegerator will be the best option if you need something compact to suit your space. It also can be ideal if you don’t drink much, or if you prefer a kegerator that holds less so you can change it out more frequently without much waste. On the other hand, if you frequently entertain, you might want a larger kegerator—one that holds as much as a full-size half-barrel keg, such as the Kegco Kegerator Full-Size Keg Refrigerator. Consider your personal preferences, as well as your space, then make an informed decision that’s right for you.
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How much does a kegerator typically cost?
As with other appliances, cost depends on a lot of factors, including the size of the appliance and additional bells and whistles like adjustable temperature. That said, a standard kegerator will likely run anywhere between $500 and $2,000 or more, with the more basic models on the lower end and the more advanced models on the higher end. For portable kegerators, you can expect to spend anywhere from close to $100 to $400 or so.
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Do kegerators need plumbing and electricity?
Most freestanding and built-in kegerators do require electricity, but most do not require plumbing. Some built-in models do have plumbing lines for drainage, but it typically isn’t required. Portable models, like the GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler, do not require electricity.
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What is the best kegerator brand?
There are many quality kegerators out there, but some of the most highly rated models come from brands like EdgeStar and Kegco.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience writing about consumer products, including home appliances like kegerators. To curate this list, Earley scoured all of the most popular retailers to find the best, most highly rated kegerators. She also interviewed experts like Jessica Randhawa, owner and head chef at The Forked Spoon, and consulted her husband, Stephen Earley, a contractor with experience installing built-in kegerators in high-end home bars. Then, she vetted the kegerators on her list, reading all of the specifications and hundreds of reviews to ensure her final selection contained the most reliable, quality options on the market today.
Additional research and reporting was conducted by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Additional insight was provided by Michael Seitz, co-founder of Barebottle Brewing Company.
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