What Size Beverage Fridge Do I Need?
Where to Start: Choosing the Right Beverage Fridge Size
If you’re shopping for a beverage fridge, one of the first questions you’ll likely ask is, “What size do I need?” With so many sizes and dimensions available, the options can feel overwhelming.
Here’s a guide to help you select the best size beverage fridge for your needs. We’ll walk you through:
- How the location of your fridge influences the size you’ll need
- Why your beverage fridge’s intended use should guide your choice
- How planning for future needs can help you choose a fridge that grows with you
By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of the best beverage fridge size to fit your lifestyle, your space, and your plans for the future.
Where Will You Put Your Beverage Fridge?
The first step in choosing the right size beverage fridge is deciding where it will live. Your location and lifestyle play a big role in the size and type of fridge you’ll need.
If you’re a renter, a snowbird, or someone who wants to take their fridge on the road in an RV, a freestanding beverage fridge is your best bet. You’ll likely want something small to medium-sized, like a 100-can mini fridge, that can be moved with one or two people.
Apartment dwellers, RV travelers, and students in dorms also benefit from compact, portable options. A countertop model or one that can easily slide under a table is ideal for small-space living.
Maybe you want your fridge on the patio in summer and in the rec room in winter. If portability is important, choose a model that’s not too heavy to move around. You don’t need the tiniest option available, but it should be manageable for seasonal or occasional relocation.
If you’re doing a remodel, buying a built-in beverage fridge gives you more options in terms of size. Larger under-counter fridges can be installed beneath a kitchen island or become the centerpiece of a beverage center.
There are also sizable beverage fridges meant for permanent outdoor use. These compact appliances are designed to go in barbecue kitchens or poolside refreshment areas. Many people go with larger outdoor fridges to avoid frequent trips inside to stock the fridge. A spacious outdoor fridge can even double as snack storage, keeping fruit, veggies, cheese, deli meats, or yogurt chilled and ready to serve.
What Is the Purpose of Your Fridge?
Before choosing a size, think about how you’ll use your beverage fridge and who it’s for. Is it just for you and a partner, or will it serve your family, friends, and guests? Do you entertain often, or will it mainly stock everyday favorites?
If your fridge is only for a couple of people, chilling a few bottles of wine, a six-pack, and some soda, a countertop model or small freestanding fridge will be more than enough.
On the other hand, if you want to invite a crowd over to watch a big game, or if you often host holiday parties, you’ll need the space afforded by a larger beverage fridge. Bigger models offer the flexibility to store drinks of different sizes and keep everyone’s favorites cold at once.
Beverage fridges aren’t limited to homes. Some models are designed for light commercial use too. Spas, salons, cafés, and small businesses often use them to offer guests or employees quick access to cold drinks. In restaurants and bars, they’re also a convenient way to separate beverage storage from the main kitchen fridge. (Pro tip: add a portable ice maker in these scenarios to improve efficiency and service speed.)
Fridge size often goes hand-in-hand with extra features. Depending on how you’ll use it, you may want to look for:
- Locks to keep kids and pets safely out of the fridge
- Interior lighting to make drinks easy to find and display
- UV-resistant doors to minimize damaging sun exposure
- Adjustable shelving to suit different drinks of various sizes
- Pull-out racks for easy stocking and access
- Quick cooling/frosting modes for icy cold drinks in minutes
- Exterior LED temperature displays for precision control
- Bottom caster wheels for portability
- Built-in vs. freestanding designs for more flexible installation
Another popular feature is dual zone capability. This divides the fridge into two compartments with different temperatures. This is ideal for households with both beer and wine drinkers, or for separating white and red wines at their optimal serving temps.
Do You Want to “Grow Into” Your Beverage Fridge?
It might seem practical to buy a beverage fridge that only meets your needs today. But in many cases, it pays to choose a model that can also grow with you in the future.
Right now, your kids may be preschoolers. But before long, they’ll be coming home from school with friends in tow. A larger fridge makes it easy for them to grab their own drinks and snacks — perfect for after-school hangouts, slumber parties, and sports practices.
By the time they reach high school, you’ll appreciate the extra space even more. A roomy beverage fridge can hold bottled water, sports drinks, and snacks for teams, classmates, and busy schedules.
Your needs may grow on the adult side, too. Maybe you’re developing a taste for craft beer, starting a wine collection, or experimenting with cocktails and mocktails for neighbors and friends. A small fridge fills up quickly when hobbies and hosting start to expand.
A large beverage fridge or dual zone wine fridge gives you the flexibility to enjoy it all. You can brew to your heart’s delight, collect cases of cabernet, and stock up on home bar basics with a bigger model.With more room for air circulation and future purchases, you’ll never feel limited by space.
Choosing a bigger model now means you won’t outgrow your fridge later, and you’ll always be ready to stock, sip, and share.
Newair Has Great Beverage Fridges for Everyone!
No matter what or style you’re looking for, Newair has a beverage fridge that fits your needs. Explore a wide selection of built-in, freestanding, patio, and wine fridge models, and get your beverage fridge delivered quickly to your home.
Once your new fridge arrives, don’t forget to register it. Registration activates your one-year warranty and gives you access to Newair’s exceptional customer service team, here to support you every step of the way.
