Best Mini Fridge for Kegerator (2023) – Top 5 Compared
Recently, I decided I wanted to build a kegerator – I think I could use a cold draft beer from time to time.
They’re perfect for storing and serving my home-brewed craft beer and wine and can be bought pre-made or done DIY style by purchasing a mini-fridge and a kegerator conversion kit.
After doing a lot of research on the best mini refrigerators to build my kegerator out of, I found that personal preference has a lot to do with it.
Because I want to save you some time, I did an exhaustive research on the best mini fridges to build a kegerator.
Before diving more deeply into the topic, I’m gonna share a table with my final findings.
Top 5 Mini Fridge For Kegerator Compared
The following table shows our top picks with the estimated price range and our final rating. There is also a link placed on each option so it will be easier for you to find the product (Amazon links).
The table is ranked from the most affordable product first to the most premium choice at the bottom.
| Name | Price Range |
Homebrew Rating |
| 1. RCA RFR320-B-Black-COM RFR321 | $ | 4,5/5 |
| 2. BLACK+DECKER BCRK43B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door | $$ | 3,5/5 |
| 3. Danby Designer DAR044A4BDD-6 4.4 Cu. | $$ | 4,5/5 |
| 4. Magic Chef MCAR320B2 All Refrigerator, 3.2 cu.ft 4 | $$ | 4/5 |
| 5. EdgeStar BR2001BL Ultra Low Temp Refrigerator for Kegerator Conversion | $$$ | 4,5/5 |
My #1 Pick
- Compact Mini Fridge: This Danby Designer counter high mini fridge is the ideal mini fridge for additional refrigerator space in the...
- 4.4 Cubic Feet (124 Liters) Capacity: The All refrigerator unit is roomy with 4.4 cu. ft. of fridge space
- Integrated Door Shelving: Tall bottle storage is ideal for large pop, water, juice, or other drink bottles
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Now, we are going to explain what is a kegerator, and what factors should be considered before choosing your own mini fridge. You can also skip it and jump to the products review at the end of the post.
Cheers!
What is a kegerator?
As I mentioned before, a kegerator is part mini-fridge, part keg.
It’s a piece of equipment that brewers use to store kegs and serve their contents (in my case, beer) through an installed tap.
It keeps the contents (usually draft beers or wine, or even cold-brew coffee!) nice and cold. At the same time, the keg maintains the pressure, keeping it carbonated for more extended periods of time.
With a kegerator, you’ll have ready to drink beer any time, on your own personal at-home tap.
We all know beer from a tap tastes better than in the bottle, even though bottles and cans are super convenient. There’s just something about the taste of a foamy, fresh-poured, ice-cold beer that you can’t beat.
You can buy pre-made kegerators, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for them.
For a much smaller investment, you can buy a mini-fridge and a kegerator conversion kit (Amazon link) and create one yourself.
So how do you pick the right mini fridge for a kegerator?
There are quite a few things to consider when picking out your mini fridge for kegerator purposes.
Find out what your size needs are, what features you’d like for it to have, what isn’t completely necessary, and finding one that fits your budget!
The choice is entirely yours, but there are a few things I’ll talk about that are important to keep in mind while shopping around.
I’m going to break them down to you, so hopefully you won’t have to use as much time as me into researching. You are welcome!
Price
This one might be obvious, but it’s a good place to start when researching mini fridges.
Look at items that are within your budget so that you know what your options are. If you are on a strict budget, sticking with only looking at those within your price range will keep you from falling in love with a much more expensive version.
Luckily, mini fridges are relatively inexpensive, considering that you can easily find a quality unit for under $200. So, it shouldn’t be too hard to find one that fits your budget and the rest of your needs as well!
TIP: Make a budget and stick to it
Read Also: 7 Best Moonshine Kits Compared
Size
First of all, you will definitely want to compare the dimensions of the kegs you use to the dimensions of the mini fridges you’re looking at.
It would be a shame to get it home and your kegs not fit, so double-checking this on the front end can save you time and trouble later on.
This might seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many people fail here – yes, that includes me, too.
The type of keg you use will heavily determine what kind of mini fridge you can get.
Secondly, try to find a unit that fits into your brewing room. I warn you, when start looking at kegs, you will probably be inclined to fall in love with the biggest and the fanciest ones.
I went with something that was big enough to hold my kegs but small enough to fit into my little basement that I have full of brewing supplies . My homebrewing equipment already takes up enough room, so I really wanted as little of a footprint as possible.
Remember that you have to put it somewhere when you get home!
TIP: Although in this article I will be focusing on small units, it is always good practice to measure the space the fridge will be placed.
Functionality
Mini fridges often come with other features, such as built-in freezers. In some cases, a freezer at the top of the unit can get in the way of your conversion kit, especially if the cooling lines run through the top of the fridge.
NOTE: If you want to keep it simple, opt for a unit that doesn’t have a freezer.
On the other hand, there are home brewers out there who enjoy having a freezer and run their conversion kit through the door instead of the top of the mini fridge. They use the freezer to store things like hops.
REMEMBER: If this sounds like the build you want to try, make sure that there are no cooling lines in the door.
To sum this up: make sure that wherever you are wanting to place the tap, there are no cooling lines in that area. Those will keep you from being able to drill through and install the kegerator conversion kit (Amazon link).
List of 5 Best Mini Fridges for Kegerator
After days of research,I could come up with a list of 5 mini fridges that I think can do the job pretty decently.
NOTE: All units are between 3 and 4,4 cubic feet capacity
#1 MOST POPULAR
Price Range: $
Homebrew Rating: 4,5/5
Main features:
- Black glossy color
- Dimensions 20 x 18 x 32 inches
- Fridge dimensions: F17-1/2” W x 18.5/8” D x 31.5/8” H | 84 L
- Freezer capacity: 0.2 Cubic Feet
- Capacity 3.2 Cubic Feet
- Shelf material: wire
- Number of shelves: 2
- Adjustable thermostat
- Compressor cooling
- Reversible door
Overall, this is a solid unit, you get exactly what you are paying for.
This spacious mini fridge has 2 shelves and they easily come out to create room for taller items if needed, like the keg. The freezer comes ice cube tray, which I personally appreciate.
The inside also has temperature adjustment just like a normal sized fridge. I haven’t moved the door yet, but it looks pretty simple. There are three threaded holes on the top opposite of where the door is mounted now to move it to open the other way.
The unit is not too noisy, and that is highly valued, especially if you want to have it in your room instead of in the basement.
I do have one minor heads-up on a poor design choice. The fragile innards (compressors and fine copper tubing) are completely exposed on the lower back. So you have to be VERY careful unpacking and installing it. One careless move and yours could irreparably damage it. Most refrigerators have some kind of protection, like a sheet of metal screwed on, or even heavy cardboard.
I’d consider this option if you are on a budget and want to be practical.
| PROS | CONS |
| Price | Fragile parts exposed -beware shipping |
| Simplicity | |
| Reversible door | |
| Not noisy |
- Your purchase includes One RCA RFR321 Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer in Black color.Freezer Capacity:0.5 cubic_feet.Fresh Food...
- Fridge dimensions: 17-1/2” W x 18.5/8” D x 31.5/8” H | 84 L - 3.2 cu. Ft. inner space | Product weight: 50.7 lbs. | Freezer...
- Reversible Door makes it easy to fit this in any spot of your room
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#2 GOOD VALUE FOR THE PRICE
Price Range: $$
Homebrew Rating: 4/5
Main features:
- Dimensions: 17.5″ x 19.3″ x 32.7″
- Capacity: 4.3 Cubic Feet
- Available in black, stainless steel, and white
- 2 removable, adjustable glass shelves
- Vegetable drawer with glass.
- Door storage + dispenser that holds 6 -12 oz. cans
- Compartment for 2 liter beverages
- 2 shelves for smaller containers
- Reversible door
- Recessed door handle
- Leveling legs
- Adjustable temperature control (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting)
- The small, full-width freezer fits ice packs, ice pops, most frozen dinners, and the included ice tray
- Low sound operation
- 1 year warranty for parts and labor, and 2 year warranty for compressor part
Spacious mini fridge perfect for larger set ups.
Black & Decker’s mini-fridge has a freezer but would make an excellent unit for an in-door conversion kit. The bottom of the refrigerator is flat, making it easier to store a keg inside without having to worry about it falling out when you open the door.
I’d consider this option if you want a bigger unit and you don’t want to spend much money.
| PROS | CONS |
| Price | Many users reported problems with shipping |
| Capacity | Built in freezer might be a complication to install the keg kit |
| Easy set up | |
| Leveling legs |
- Compact & stylish - This space saving, single door small refrigerator (17.5" x 19.3" x 32.7") stores food, soda, beer, water, milk and...
- Large capacity - Two removable, adjustable glass shelves expand the storage space and make the fridge easy to clean. A vegetable drawer...
- Convenient features - A reversible door, recessed door handle, leveling legs, and adjustable temperature control (33.8 degrees...
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#3 MY PICK
Price Range: $$
Homebrew Rating: 4,5/5
Main features:
- Roomy Compact Mini Fridge
- Dimensions: 20.16 x 20.16 x 33.16 inches
- Capacity 4.4 Cubic Feet (124 Liters)
- Integrated Door Shelving
- Can storage system integrated into the mini refrigerator door
- Bright interior lighting
- Wire shelves
- Integrated door handle
- Functional scratch resistant worktop
- Back design with no bulky exposed components
- Reversible door hinges, and 2 full width and 1 – 1/2 width adjustable wire shelves for undisrupted air circulation
- Automatic defrost and mechanical thermostat
- Environmentally Friendly
The best one I found for my budget.
I like the modern style, and I really appreciate that there’s almost nothing on the backside – makes it easier to fit anywhere.
This mini-fridge offers a scratch-resistant worktop and a decently spacious 4.4 cubic feet of room inside. There’s no freezer, leaving you with more space inside for your keg. With an interior height of over 28 inches, it’s plenty tall to house a 23-inch tall Cornelius keg.
On top of that, is environmentally friendly, which is a no-brainer for me.
I’d consider this option if you don’t mind spending a bit more for a long lasting unit.
| PROS | CONS |
| Long lasting unit | Nothing relevant |
| Capacity | |
| No freezer | |
| Environmentally friendly |
- Compact Mini Fridge: This Danby Designer counter high mini fridge is the ideal mini fridge for additional refrigerator space in the...
- 4.4 Cubic Feet (124 Liters) Capacity: The All refrigerator unit is roomy with 4.4 cu. ft. of fridge space
- Integrated Door Shelving: Tall bottle storage is ideal for large pop, water, juice, or other drink bottles
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#4 MINIMALISTIC STYLE
Price Range: $$
Homebrew Rating: 4/5
Main features:
- Weight46.7 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 18.7 x 33.4 inches
- Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet
- Color: Black
- Connector Type: water Line and Drain
- Crispers/Drawers: 3
- Frost Free
- Door Hinges: Reversible
- Shelf Type: Glass
- Shelves: 4
- Material: Steel
- No freezer
- Adjustable temperature thermostat control
Overall, very solid option if you don’t mind the noise – it can be fixed though.
This unit doesn’t have a freezer and has no cooling lines running through the top, leaving you plenty of space above for your conversion kit. The bottom is also nice and flat, keeping your keg secure and not slipping when the door is opened. This unit is broadly popular among brewers, mentioned often when speaking about turning a fridge into a kegerator, which is a good sign!
The main drawback I have found is the noise. If not leveled properly, this fridge can be quite noisy.
I’d consider this option if you make sure the unit is completely leveled, as the material and the finishings deliver a very good quality.
| PROS | CONS |
| Minimalistic style | Little noisy if not leveled |
| No freezer | Capacity |
| Quality material | |
| No frost |
- 3.2 Cu. Ft. capacity. Dimensions Width 18.7 inches ,Height 33.4 inches ,Depth 17.5 inches
- Black door / Black cabinet/ Glass Shelves
- All Refrigerator
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#5 PREMIUM CHOICE, READY TO CONVERT
Price Range: $$$
Homebrew Rating: 4,5/5
Main features:
- Dimensions: 25.69 x 20.19 x 35.06 inches
- Color: black
- Temp Range: Low 30’s to Mid 40’s
- Casters for easy mobility
- Store up to a full sized half shell Sankey standard keg.
- Does not support use of Coors, Miller rubberized or other oversized kegs.
- Reversible door
- UL listed
- Protective floor plate for added durability
- Freestanding use only
- Weight: 81.6 pounds
- 115 Volts / 60 Hertz, 105 Watts, 1.5 Amps
- Can be converted to a fridge only with the included tower hole cap
If it weren’t for the price, I would have chosen this fridge. If money is no object, i would highly recommend this unit.
This mini-fridge from EdgeStar comes ready to convert to a kegerator. It already has a hole in the unit’s top to install your conversion kit but can also be turned into a plain old mini-fridge with an included plug.
The interior is plenty spacious for a half shell Sankey standard keg or two five-gallon Cornelius kegs. It’s a little more on the higher side of the budget but comes ready to install with no drilling needed.
If you want to go simple, you don’t mind the price and high quality is important for you, this is your unit
| PROS | CONS |
| Convenience: ready to convert unit | Price |
| Roomy | Doesn’t support oversized kegs – fx. Coors and Millers – |
| Reinforced floor plate | |
| Reversible door |
- Temp Range: Low 30's to Mid 40's; Casters for easy mobility;
- Store up to a full sized half shell Sankey standard keg.*Does not support use of Coors, Miller rubberized or other oversized kegs.
- Reversible door; UL listed; Protective floor plate for added durability
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Do I Build a Kegerator? 6 Easy Steps
Building your own kegerator takes some work but is really an easy project to complete. As I said before, you can find plenty of different kegerator conversion kits on Amazon for any need and budget.
This is the kegerator conversion kit (link to Amazon) I ended up buying myself, in case you want to check it out.
Once you’ve got your mini fridge, your conversion kit, and all of your tools, it’s just a matter of taking some components apart and drilling a few holes.
This is a quick and easy how-to guide on building a DIY kegerator. We have tried to break it down easily and not too overwhelming:
#1 Select a refrigerator.
As we’ve talked about, picking out the right unit for you is essential.
#2 Choose a kegerator conversion kit
#3 Gather your tools.
You might need a drill, both flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, one and three-inch hole saw bits, and inch drill bits.
#4 Modify the refrigerator as needed.
You may need to remove plastic from the door, take out unneeded shelving, and other modifications to fit your keg and conversion kit.
REMEMBER: Make sure you’re aware of where the cooling lines are
#5 Install the conversion kit.
Almost all kits will come with detailed instructions on how to install them in your mini-fridge. Just follow them and you will be good to go.
#6 Tap the keg and drink!
Once you’ve got everything hooked up and given your brew time to cool down, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Bottom Line
Building your own kegerator is a fun and cost-effective way to store your home brewed beer and have it always ready on tap.
It can be a good way to get exactly what you want without compromise or spending a fortune. In my case, I was in doubt between the RCA RFR320-B-Black-COM RFR321 (Amazon link) and the Danby Designer DAR044A4BDD-6 4.4 Cu. (Amazon link). In the end, it was more important to me the quality of the materials and the absence of freezer than a lower price.
Therefore, I strongly recommend you to assess your needs, set a budget, and then decide upon them.
Just remember: three things to keep in mind when looking for mini-refrigerators to turn into kegerators are the price, the size, and the features/functionality. Making sure you find the right unit for your needs and budget is essential to ensure you’re pleased with the end result.
I hope you found this quick guide on how to pick the best mini-fridge helpful! Now it’s time to go enjoy a cold one.
I will see you next time!
