Best Kegerators

The 10 Best Kegerators to Enjoy the Chilled Beer at Home

Gone are the days when barrels of beer were opened using a mallet and the beer poured out due to air pressure and gravity. But now you can easily enjoy the fresh beer at home with the help of a kegerator as it will prevent your beer from losing its flavors and taste. 

Moreover,  a kegerator is an indispensable tool for your restaurant or bar business since the freshness of the drinks that are served will determine how your guests rate your place. A kegerator will ensure top-notch quality of the drinks as well as allowing the drinks to be served swiftly even during busy rush hours. We have compiled some of the best kegerators comparing their features so that you can make a well-informed decision on which kegerator to buy for your home or your restaurant.


Best Pick

EdgeStar Kegerator and Keg Beer Cooler

The EdgeStar Kegerator and Keg Beer Cooler is our best pick on our list as it can fit 15.5 gallons of beer to serve a huge number of people at a time. It has a wide temperature to chill the beer as you prefer. To increase the interior capacity, a CO2 tank is desired to sit at the back of the kegerator. This stainless steel kegerator comes with a drip tray and chrome-plated brass faucet to pour the beer without any mess.

Budget Pick

NutriChef Mini Portable Kegerator

The NutriChef Mini Portable Kegerator is our best budget pick because it is a portable kegerator which you can travel anywhere with it. It is constructed of stainless steel to keep the beer chilled for a long duration. Universal threaded cartilage can be used to the regular to set the pressure as required. Moreover, the hex-designed cap will help to keep the beer fresh for more than 2 months.


Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Kegerators


Product Beer capacity Carbon TankGrade
EdgeStar Kegerator and Keg Beer Cooler¼ and ½ kegs5lbA
NutriChef Mini Portable Kegerator128 ounces16gmA
EdgeStar Kegerator & Draft Beer DispenserFull size kegs5lbA-
EdgeStar Craft Brew Kegerator⅙ th barrel2.5lbA-
Kegco Digital KegeratorFull size kegs5lbA
NutriChef Mini Dispenser Kegerator128 ounces kegs16gmB+
Kegco Keg DispenserFull size kegs5lbA-
Kegco MDK-309SS-01 Keg DispenserFull size kegs5lbA-
TMCRAFT Mini Keg Growler128 ounces16gmA-
Homecraft Kegerator ⅙ , ¼ & ½ barrel2.5lbB+

1. EdgeStar Kegerator and Keg Beer Cooler

Gathering without a beer is not imaginable and this kegerator from EdgeStar has the capacity to hold a full-size keg. A full-size keg holds 124 pints of beer that can remain fresh for more than a week. It is black and has a sleek design that easily blends with your interior. Most of the accessories are not difficult to assemble. 

You can set the temperature as you want as it can go low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit and high as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. To make space to accommodate large kegs, the CO2 tank is designed to place it at the back. The faucet is plated with chrome brass to make it durable. 

You can easily clean it as the drip trays prevent it from creating a mess by spilling beer. The beer line is NSF approved so that you have any health risks. However, there is no digital temperature reading display to easily maintain the temperature.

Pros

  • It can hold ½ and ¼ kegs that is enough to serve a small indoor gathering.
  • You can enjoy chilled beer as it goes down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • A 5 pounds cylinder for CO2 is added with the kegerator.
  • The place for mounting the tank is at the back to give extra internal space in the kegerator.
  • Caster wheels are attached at the bottom of the kegerator to move around easily.
  • A drip tray is given to reduce the mess of drips and spills of beer.

Cons

  • Not suitable for outdoor events as it needs electricity to function.
  • A single faucet that can be used by one person at a time.
  • The thermostat needs to be set manually.

2. NutriChef Mini Portable Kegerator

As you can see from the name, this kegerator is easy enough to carry outdoors for barbeque nights. This stainless steel kegerator keeps the beer cool for a long time and can be stored inside the refrigerator. All the parts are provided and are easy to assemble. However, the CO2 cylinder is not provided and you need to buy it. The universal threaded cartridge is fit to use on the kegerator. 

As mentioned this is a portable kegerator, so you will not get any drip tray and there will be some spilling while pouring the beer. You can easily manipulate the pressure as the regulator has a range of up to 30 PSI. This is very compactly designed so that you can easily store it inside a cupboard.

Pros

  • It is a portable kegerator that has a capacity of 128 ounces.
  • This kegerator keeps beer fresh for 2 months.
  • Food Grade stainless steel is used to construct the entire kegerator for durability.
  • Universal threaded CO2 cartridges are compatible with regulators.
  • The kegerators can be used for outdoor gatherings.
  • This kegerator can be easily stored in the freezer.

Cons

  • The beer will not stay cool for long as there is no temperature regulator.
  • Has no wheels for easy transportation.
  • A CO2 cylinder needs to be bought separately.

3. EdgeStar Kegerator & Draft Beer Dispenser

For indoor parties, this kegerator would be a great option as it has 2 faucets to serve as many people as possible. The entire kegerator is made of stainless steel and also has a floor plate to make it durable. The accessories that are provided are easy to assemble and the wheels help to move it around. After placing the kegs inside, it becomes heavy for portability, the wheels are strong to endure the weight and carry around. 

The CO2 tank is placed at the back of the kegerator and the single gauge regulator helps to maintain the pressure of the gas. The tank has the capacity of 5 pounds but it does not come filled with the kegerator. 

The Vinyl airline and the beer line are 5 feet long that come in 2 numbers for 2 faucets. The handle is strong to get the grip while filling your glass with beer. Moreover, it has a wide range of temperatures. The lowest temperature can be 30 degrees Fahrenheit whereas the highest goes up to mid 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, it has a reversible door that you can change and set the way you like with some screws and bolts.

Pros

  • Kegerator made of stainless steel to hold full-sized kegs.
  • It has two faucets that reduce the time for waiting for the beer.
  • For two faucets two drips are given to reduce the mess.
  • The top of the kegerator has enough space to keep beer mugs after filling.
  • You can easily move the kegerator with the caster wheels.
  • The CO2 cylinder is mounted outside the kegerator to save some interior space.
  • A protective floor plate is attached to make it durable for use.

Cons

  • This kegerator can only be used indoors.
  • Hard to monitor the temperature due to lack of display.
  • The temperature needs to be set manually with the thermostat.

4. EdgeStar Craft Brew Kegerator

This kegerator from Edgestar is different from other models as it has a digital display on it. The control is easy to operate and effortlessly sets the temperature to keep the beer chilled. The interior has blue LED lighting that gives a unique look when you open the door. Moreover, the temperature will be on display on the control panel which makes it easy to monitor in the dark. 

The kegerator has a stylish look that enhances the look of your gathering area and it has a reversible door. For its reversible door feature, both left-handed and right-handed people can easily use it. 

However, it cannot hold large kegs and can be heavy while moving from place to place. Furthermore, the CO2 tank that comes with the kegerator is made of aluminum that makes it light in weight and prevents rust. All the necessary accessories are provided with the package and the NSF-certified beer line 5 feet long.

Pros

  • ⅙th barrel i.e.5.2 gallons of beer can be kept in the kegerator.
  • An empty CO2 tank of 2.5 pounds is provided with it.
  • The entire kegerator and the faucet are made from stainless steel for longevity.
  • The digital control panel is given to maintain and set the temperature of the kegerator.
  • The drip tray is included to prevent spilling the beer on the floor.
  • The current temperature is visible by the LED.
  • The door is reversible that aids in opening the kegerator on any side.

Cons

  • A full-size beer barrel is not capable of fitting in the kegerator.
  • Can only be used for indoor parties.
  • No wheels are attached for easy portability.
  • A single faucet is given that fills one glass at a time.

5. Kegco Digital Kegerator

There are many things about this kegerator that sets it apart from the others on the market. First of all, its sleek design with an elegant black body with a matte finish, stainless steel door and faucets plated with chrome make it a great addition to the aesthetics of your home or bar interiors.

It also has a digital LED display which not only shows the temperature inside the refrigerator but also gives it a sophisticated look. The kegerator also comes with two wire shelves which can be installed if you ever wish to use it as a normal refrigerator to store smaller drinks or food materials. 

This machine comes with a convenient drip tray which prevents the drips from your glass from making a mess and the tray can be easily removed for cleaning purposes. The top of the machine also has a stylish guardrailmade of chrome around its perimeters to prevent the glass from slipping or falling when placed on top of it. The base of the kegerator is designed with casters that will help you to roll the kegerator around from one place to another easily, without having to lift it off the ground or to push it on the floor which might damage both the floor and the base of the machine.

Once the kegerator is in the desired position, you can lock the casters to keep it stably positioned at the designated place. Inside the kegerator, the base has an evenly spread out smooth steel mat, which helps you to roll the kegs in and out of the fridge easily and also distributes the weight of the kegs evenly to prevent damage due to pressure on the machine.

This machine has a powerful cooling technology called fan-forced cooling, which not only provides a uniform cooling inside the kegerator but also enables it to offer you the broadest range of temperatures that you could expect from a kegerator. You can set the temperature as low as 32 degrees F if you want your beer to be ice-cold, or as high as 72 degrees F if you want to use the kegerator to ferment your very own home-crafted beer. The temperature is very easy to control, using the push buttons and the clear LED display. If you want to cool down a warm keg rapidly, you can use the deep chill feature of this machine which will quickly cool it down by making the compressor work without stopping for as long as 24 hours.

This kegerator also offers you an impressively large capacity for holding your kegs. You can store any keg with a full-size from different kinds of brands and also store rubber kegs if you want to. Since the kegerator has a double faucet, you can store two different kinds of beer inside the kegerator and dispense two different kinds of beer at a time, which gives you versatility in its use.

Not only is this a great tool for keeping your beer chilled and fresh, but it also helps you to dispense it in the proper way with the right amount and consistency of creamy froth on the top layer of your beer when it is tapped into your glass, thanks to the complete kit for dispensing your beer that comes with the machine, including a CO2 tank made of aluminum, a dispensing tower with a smooth, sleek finish, a regulator for controlling the pressure of CO2, etc.

Pros

  • Elegant and sleek design including a stainless steel door, black sides and a chrome plated dispensing tower
  • The forced-fan cooling technology allows it to cool the interior of the machine uniformly and offers a broad range of temperature from 32 to 72 degree F.
  • The interior is very spacious giving you a large capacity for storing your kegs
  • You can store different sizes and types of kegs in this kegerator
  • The top has a guardrail for preventing your glasses from slipping and a tray for holding the drips from the tapping process
  • The kegerator comes with a complete kit for dispensing your beer
  • It has an LED display which shows the temperature and buttons for controlling the temperature
  • It has a dedicated button and a system for cooling your warm kegs rapidly
  • It has casters at the base, which allows you to move the kegerator easily from one place to another and also to lock it down stably at your desired position
  • There is a steel mat at the inner base of the kegerator to spread the weight evenly allow the kegs to be moved in and out of the fridge easily
  • When it is not being used a kegerator, it can be used as a normal fridge by fitting in the wire racks that come with it

Cons

  • It can create a significant amount of noise when the internal fan is in use

6. NutriChef Mini Dispenser Kegerator

This stainless steel keg dispenser will let you enjoy craft beer, draft, and homebrew. This is a portable beer keg that you can easily travel with. You can easily place it at any kitchen countertop to pour the beer out of the dispenser. But the CO2 cylinder occupies an extra space as the kegerator has no built-in space for it. 

As it has no temperature controller, you need to keep the keg in the freezer for chilling. It will keep your beer fresh for 2 months with its hex cap. You can easily regulate pressure with its 30 PSI CO2 system.

Pros

  • The capacity to hold the beer in this mini kegerator is 64 ounces.
  • The whole kegerator is a construction of stainless steel to provide durable and long use.
  • its compact size makes it suitable for outdoor use.
  • The beer will not go flat as the kegerator will have enough pressure to keep it fresh.
  • A universal screw-threaded cartridge is fit for the kegerator.
  • The size of the kegerator is small enough to fit in the freezer.

Cons

  • As it is a non-electrical kegerator, beer might not stay chilled for long.
  • The cylinder for the CO2 needs to be bought separately.
  • Fills up one glass at a time as it has a single faucet.

7. Kegco Keg Dispenser

This keg dispenser from Kegco is very efficient as it can hold 2 kegs of 5 gallons at a time. With this kegerator, you will never run out of beer as long as you have plenty of kegs. It is compatible with most of the kegs as it has a voluminous interior. On the inside of the kegerator, a fan-forced cooling system is given to evenly cool the kegs.  

The best feature about this kegerator is that it can be turned into a mini freezer. If you prefer canned beer in place of kegs, you can easily store them in the kegerator. Just put shelves to divide the portions and you can easily use it as a mini freeze. 

This feature is useful for those who want to keep a mini freeze in their bedroom. However, it cannot be used for outdoor parties as a long wire connection will be needed to power the kegerator. 

Moreover, it has a smart control panel that is easy to operate. You can set the temperature by tapping the up or down arrow and the temperature is visible on the display. The temperature can be set in celsius as well as Fahrenheit. It also has a deep chill feature that cools your beer quickly when needed.

Pros

  • The interior is spacious enough to hold 2 full-size kegs at a time.
  • You can digitally control the temperature of the kegerator with a simple control panel.
  • It has a fan-forced cooling feature to cool the keg evenly.
  • It comes with a 5 pounds cylinder for CO2.
  • All the airlines and beer are NSF certified.
  • It has a built-in and removable drip tray to reduce the spilling of beer on the floor.
  • The kegerator can be transformed into a 2 shelf refrigerator.

Cons

  • The door of the kegerator is not reversible.
  • The single faucet on the kegerator serves only one person at a time.
  • It is suitable for indoor use only.

8. Kegco MDK-309SS-01 Keg Dispenser

The Kegco Homebrew kegerator has 2 chrome-plated faucets to serve beer without keeping any customers waiting. To begin with, it has a big capacity for holding kegs and is compatible with most of the kegs. All the lines that are required to connect kegs are NSF certified and you can use them without any fear. 

You can easily enjoy a chilled beer in a very less time as it has a button of deep chill in the control panel. Moreover, the fan-forced cooling helps to evenly cool the kegs so that you enjoy the chilled beer. You can set the temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit as it provides both options. 

Furthermore, it has a built-in drip tray that keeps the top of the kegerator clean and prevents spilling the beer on the floor. The drip tray can be dismounted and taken out for cleaning.

Pros

  • 1 full-sized beer or 2 sixth barrel kegs are capable to fit the kegerator.
  • Stainless steel is used in the construction of the kegerator that has a glossy finish look.
  • A 5 pounds CO2 tank is provided with the kegerator.
  • It is a dual faucet kegerator with stainless steel polished draft tower.
  • It has a commercial-grade dual gauge regulator to control the pressure.
  • The CO2 tank is made of aluminum and is coated with red epoxy to prevent rust.

Cons

  • The homebrew kegerator can not be used to serve in outdoor events.
  • The door of the kegerator is not reversible to use it widely by people.

9. TMCRAFT Mini Keg Growler

This mini keg growler has all the upgraded accessories that give a smooth experience in pouring the beer. First of all, this keg is small enough to put on any countertop without wasting enough space. As it is not an electric kegerator, you can easily keep it in the freezer to cool down the beer. Food-grade stainless steel is used in the manufacturing of this mini keg growler. 

All the parts of it are highly polished and give a shiny look. The lid has an anti-slip feature that will keep the pressure intact and will serve the perfect beer after a month. 

As it is a portable growler, a CO2 tank need s to be bought separately with it. However, universal threaded cartridges will not fit properly. It is mentioned that ⅜ inches of the cartridge will help to keep the beer fresh for a long time.

Pros

  • 128 ounces of beer can be served from this mini kegerator.
  • This stainless steel mini keg is specifically designed for transportation.
  • The CO2 regulator is great to provide carbonated beer.
  • It is 18 inches long and can easily be stored in the freezer for chilling.
  • Upgraded regular that control PSI and water flow precisely.

Cons

  • Only ⅜ inches of thread can be used for the CO2 cartridge.
  • The CO2 tank is not provided with the mini keg growler.

10. Homecraft Kegerator

The Homecraft Kegerator can be used as a mini freezer as 2 removable shelves come with it. You can divide it into three parts where the upper two parts are for canned beer and the lower part is for placing the kegs. As a result, people can enjoy the beer according to their preferences. The beer line is long enough to attach the keg to the lower rack of the kegerator. 

Moreover, the door has a recessed handle and insulated rubber gasket to keep the interior cold for a long time. All the parts are easy to assemble and keep the beer fresh while serving. 

It has a drip tray to refrain from spilling the beer on the floor. Though it has a 7 temperature sitting option the control panel is not digital. You need to open the door every time to change or monitor the temperature.

Pros

  • ½ barrels of beer and some canned beer can easily be stored in the kegerator.
  • It is made of black stainless steel that easily blends with the environment.
  • It has caster wheels for easy portability from room to room.
  • Flexible drip tray that can be removed for cleaning.
  • Includes 2 removable shelves to turn the refrigerator into a mini freezer.
  • The thermostat has 7 options to chill the beer in different temperatures.
  • A CO2 tank comes along with the kegerator to create pressure for bringing the beer out of the beer line.

Cons

  • This kegerator is only for indoor use.
  • Have to manually set the temperature with the thermostat.
  • Does not have a temperature display on the kegerator.
  • The capacity of the carbon tank is lower compared to other brands.

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Kegerators

When you’re attempting to choose the perfect kegerator for your home, determining what the most essential features are can be challenging. You want to be sure that the one you go for has enough room for your beverages, that it fits the style of the space you are placing it in and whether it fits in with your budget. We’ll discuss all of these factors and any others you’ll want to consider down below.

Kegerator Size and Capacity

One of the most important decisions you need to make when buying a kegerator is whether you want one that is full-sized or a bit smaller. Many factors go into this choice, including how much beer you’re going to be working with on a regular basis, the amount of money you’re willing to spend, and how much free space you have for the kegerator.

In most cases, a full-sized kegerator is the best option, since far more companies make kegs that fit them. There’s nothing worse than investing in a mini-kegerator only to bring it inside and set it up, just to find out that your brewery of choice doesn’t make kegs that fit it.

Level of Functionality with a Kegerator

A good quality kegerator will hold pressure well and maintain a consistent temperature. In order to keep your beer at the best temperature, the interior should be around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the serving and storage temperature of different brews can vary based on the type of beverages you want to store.

The best kegerators will also offer an easy to read digital display. This makes it simple to see what the temperature inside is and lets you make adjustments with ease to get the serving temperature that you prefer. You’ll also want a regulator for non-pressurized beer to keep it carbonated without having too much foam.

To ensure you have all the parts you need for the kegerator, look for these items:

  • Beer Tower
  • CO2 Tank
  • Coupler
  • Hoses for Beer and Air
  • Spanner Wrench

Configuration Options for the Tap

To decide on this factor, you’ll need to determine the number of beers you want to keep on tap at one time. There are home kegerators for various purposes, and while most come with a dual tap configuration, some of them go above and beyond by offering three taps. However, for those who have a single beer they prefer to drink, even a single tap choice is going to do the job and will usually be less expensive.

However, the exact number of taps you start out with doesn’t matter too much, as you can add to or upgrade them later on.

Concerns Around Ventilation and Placement

Even if you choose a mini kegerator, you’ll need a reasonable amount of space to situate it. It’s a good idea to know what room you have available before you make a purchase. Many people go with freestanding kegerators because they can easily be moved around when needed. But keep in mind that this dispenser type also requires at least a couple of inches behind it for ventilation.

If you’re looking for a kegerator that can back up against the wall, a built-in kegerator with ventilation in the front is your best option. This is going to cost more than a regular kegerator, but it can give a seamless look and make the most of the space you have.

The Simplicity of Cleaning and Use

After you’ve assembled the kegerator and connected the lines, it will be relatively simple to use. However, it’s a good idea to clean the device regularly, including the beer lines and any other components in contact the brew. Keeping the kegerator clean is the best way to maintain it and ensure your beer’s flavor is as it should be.

Thankfully, there are several cleaning kits and supplies that can help ensure your kegerator is properly maintained. Keep an alkaline-based cleaner around to help avoid mold, mineral deposits and bacteria. It’s also a good idea to clean the beer lines out in between every keg.

Temperature Display and Controls

While looking at your options, consider the temperature range of each model you’re interested in through the product specifications. While the temperature best for your beer comes down to personal preference, the average temperature used is around 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Most kegerators are designed to reach these temperatures.

There are also many kegerators that have a digital display that shows the current inside temperature at all times. There will also be controls you can use to adjust the temperature so you can keep things to your preferred taste. Keeping an eye on the temperature from time to time is crucial since it can tell you if there’s a problem that needs to be dealt with.

FAQ

Beer stays fresh in the kegerator for many days? 

Kegerators are built in a way to keep the beer last longer and no air can enter or leave from it. Usually, beer stays good in the kegerator for more than 2 months. We advise you not to drink the beer if it was stored for more than 4 months. 

How long should I give to settle the kegs before using them?

After placing the kegs inside the kegerator, allow it to settle for 3 to 4 hours. At this time, the beer will also get chilled.  

Why is a CO2 tank used in kegerators?

The regulator and CO2 work simultaneously to pour out the beer from the keg. When the beer is taken out, that space is taken by the CO2 gas to keep the remaining beer fresh for longer. 

5 pounds of CO2 can last for how long?

5 pounds of CO2 usually lasts until a full keg of beer is finished.   

How to prevent beer from being foamy?

Incorrect temperature leads to pouring foam while pouring beer. Not too hot, not too cold is good for beer. Always monitor the temperature of the beer while using the kegerator.

The Bottom Line

The kegerators mostly look like a mini freezer. With the kegerators, you can enjoy the draft beer at home with friends. Kegerators come in many sizes but you need to find one that can fit all types of kegs. Accommodating kegs in the kegerator is an important factor as not all kegs are appropriate for all kegerators. Also, a CO2 tank is necessary to keep the beer fresh and carbonated for days.    

Moreover, buying the kegerator is not the only thing to keep the beer fresh. You need to regulate the pressure and clean the kegerator from time to time. We have mentioned portable kegerators in our article that are easy to use in outdoor events but they do not come with a CO2 tank. With our detailed discussion, you will be able to find the best kegerator for your regular use.

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Anne Ramirez

Annie loves nothing more than testing out kitchen tech that can be controlled from a tablet! Not onl...

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