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Best Kegerators

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Pros
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Best of the Best
Kegco MDK-309SS-01 Keg Dispenser
Kegco
MDK-309SS-01 Keg Dispenser
Expert Recommended

A top-of-the-line kegerator that will constantly hold beer to an ice-cold temperature.

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Expert Recommended
Bottom Line

A top-of-the-line kegerator that will constantly hold beer to an ice-cold temperature.

Pros

Features 2 gas and beer lines. Compatible with 2 sixth-barrel kegs, 1 quarter-barrel keg, or 1 full-size keg. Adjust temperature via digital display. Adjust temperature control between 32 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Easy to clean stainless steel hardware, chrome faucets, and removable flush-mounted drip tray.

Cons

Some users recommended upgrading the taps on this model.

NutriChef Pressurized Mini Keg System, 128oz
NutriChef
Pressurized Mini Keg System, 128oz
Simple Yet Solid

This stainless-steel keg has a large capacity and a CO2 regulator to keep your homebrew fresh.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This stainless-steel keg has a large capacity and a CO2 regulator to keep your homebrew fresh.

Pros

Build quality is great and ensures that it will not rust or corrode. The keg can keep your beer fresh for over 2 months thanks to the CO2 regulator that provides carbonation. The regulator can also monitor and adjust the pressure on the fly.

Cons

CO2 is not sold with the keg.

Ivation Full Size Kegerator
Ivation
Full Size Kegerator
Easiest to Use

This kegerator can be used to dispense tap beer, or installed with shelves as a mini-fridge.

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Easiest to Use
Bottom Line

This kegerator can be used to dispense tap beer, or installed with shelves as a mini-fridge.

Pros

Outfitted with a reversible door to fit the needs of the space, and adjustable shelves for use as a mini-fridge. Two tap lines are compatible with 2 sixtel barrel kegs, 1 full-size keg, or one 1/4 barrel keg. Adjust temperature with a 7 level temperature control.

Cons

Does not have features that a commercial model would require.

Kegco K309B-2 Kegerator
Kegco
K309B-2 Kegerator
Customer Favorite

Commercial-quality kegerator is great for a bar or beer enthusiast looking to upgrade their home setup.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Commercial-quality kegerator is great for a bar or beer enthusiast looking to upgrade their home setup.

Pros

Large enough to hold a full-sized keg. Outfitted with 2 taps, and spacious enough to fit 2 sixth barrel kegs. Removable drip tray makes cleaning up spills a breeze. Professional-level cooling technology allows users to control temperature via digital display. Can hold temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cons

Some noted the cooling fan is quite loud.

Kegco HBK209S-2 Keg Dispenser
Kegco
HBK209S-2 Keg Dispenser
Simple Yet Solid

This comprehensive kegerator setup is perfect for optimizing your home bar.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This comprehensive kegerator setup is perfect for optimizing your home bar.

Pros

Remarkable temperature control. Easily convertible into a mini-fridge with removable interior shelves. Great for home brewers or tap beer enthusiasts. Features 2 taps with cooling space for 2 sixth barrels. Large enough interior space for 1 full barrel keg. Easy to clean, commercial-grade fixtures.

Cons

For the price, dial temperature not as precise as some would have liked.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
September 03, 2021
57
Models
considered
30
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for Best kegerators

Peter McPherson
Written by Peter McPherson

Updated October 2024

A kegerator, or beer dispenser, offers a way to keep beer fresh and serve it with style and ease. If you are a frequent beer drinker, this is one of the most convenient and environmentally friendly ways to enjoy a mug of your favorite beverage.

Kegerators may be designed for indoor or outdoor use, and they may be freestanding or built-in in design. In addition to being a classy way to serve beer, a kegerator gives you more control over the temperature of your beer so you can enjoy it at its best and keep it fresh longer. Kegerators vary in size, which determines the keg size — and therefore the variety of beers — you’re able to store. As long as your kegerator is kept at the proper temperature, you can expect it to preserve a keg of beer for several months.

Any kegerator is an investment, but you’re likely to save money by purchasing beer in kegs (or brewing it yourself) and reducing the energy and space needed to keep beer cold. To learn more about kegerators and their features, read our buying guide.

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If you are looking to start home brewing beer, a kegerator is a great way to keep your latest brew cold and serve it with class.

Key considerations

When you’re looking for a kegerator for your home or business, you should decide how much beer you plan to store and where you plan to store it. Kegerators are, as the name implies, refrigerators designed to hold one or more kegs and dispense beer with a tap. Rather than pressurizing the beverage with air, which can alter the flavor, a CO2 tank creates pressure and serves up beer in a true draft style.

Size

The interior size of a kegerator determines the size and number of kegs it is capable of storing.

First, let’s go over keg sizes:

Mini kegs are the smallest size and hold five liters.

Cornelius kegs are a common choice among home brewers and hold five gallons.

Slim barrel kegs are narrow in design and can often be used with multiple-tap kegerators. They hold 5.16 gallons.

Quarter barrel kegs and slim quarter kegs hold 7.75 gallons. Quarter barrel kegs are commonly called “pony kegs.”

Half barrel kegs are the largest commonly available size and hold 15.5 gallons.

Manufacturers generally list exactly which kegs can fit in their kegerators, so there is no need to measure the interior dimensions. In most cases, a kegerator that can hold a large keg can also hold smaller kegs. If you like to get kegs from your local craft brewery, consider which size kegs they offer when choosing which size of kegerator you want.

Indoor or outdoor

To keep your beer at the right temperature, you need a kegerator that is equipped for the job.

An indoor kegerator is designed to operate at room temperature. While you can use some indoor kegerators outdoors if the climate in your area permits, you run the risk of pouring a glass that is on the warm side.

An outdoor kegerator can handle temperature swings within a certain range. If you want to enjoy draft beer on your back porch whether it’s summer or winter, you need an outdoor kegerator that can keep beer at the perfect 38℉ no matter the temperature.

Kegerator styles

Kegerators can be broken down into three types: freestanding, built-in, and mini (or countertop) kegerators. Each has its advantages and should be placed in a different location in your home.

Freestanding kegerators: These models are the most common design and can be placed anywhere indoors or outdoors. Their only limitation is that they require proper ventilation. Many freestanding kegerators have vents on the rear that need a few inches of space to operate efficiently.

Built-in kegerators: If you want a tap right on your countertop or bar top, you need a built-in kegerator. These slightly more expensive kegerators are more challenging to install, but the result is a sleek tap that blends in with your décor.

Mini kegerators: These compact kegerators are designed to sit right on your countertop and are often cylindrical in design. Only mini kegs are compatible with this size.

Features

Appearance

Just like refrigerators, kegerators come in a range of styles. They may be a classic black or white, or they may be made of stainless steel. Consider your preferences and décor when choosing a kegerator. Many companies offer a few different styles.

Casters

If you don’t plan to park your kegerator in one spot, casters allow you to easily relocate it. These things can be quite heavy, so having a convenient way to move them is a plus.

Display and controls

Some kegerators have an analog dial, while others have buttons and a digital display. In general, digital control systems are far more accurate and reliable.

Taps

While most kegerators only have one tap, they may have two or three to connect to multiple kegs. When storing multiple kegs at different pressures, you need a secondary regulator to control the two pressures individually.

Kegerator prices

Inexpensive

Kegerators for $150 to $500 are usually mini kegerators or small single-tap models designed for home use. These may have small interior capacity, but some models can store up to half barrel kegs. Kegerators in this price range are usually freestanding and rarely have digital controls.

Mid-range

For $500 to $1,000 are a variety of freestanding and built-in models that may have one, two, or three taps. Digital controls are more common in this price range.

Expensive

Kegerators for $1,000 and above are extremely precise and are the top choice for beer enthusiasts and businesses.

Tips

Most kegerators simply need an outlet and a canister of CO2, but there are a few tricks that can improve your beer storing and sipping experience.

  • Before you buy, have a space in mind. Take into consideration not only the dimensions of a kegerator but also the additional space needed for ventilation.
  • If you plan to keep your kegerator in your garage, you want an outdoor model to take changing temperatures into account.
  • Cleaning the lines is no joke. There are kegerator cleaning kits available that help you remove debris from the line and keep your beer tasting exactly as it should. This should be done every two to three weeks.
  • If your beer is coming out too quickly or has an unusually cloudy appearance, the problem is likely the pressure. Check the manual of your kegerator to find out how to adjust the pressure of the CO2 tank appropriately.
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Beer is far less expensive by the keg than it is by the six-pack or case. Though a kegerator is an investment, it is easy to save money on this appliance that may last you for decades.

FAQ

Q. How often do I have to refill my CO2 tank?

A. Check the indicator gauge to determine how much is left. On average, a five-pound CO2 tank should last about eight half-barrels.

Q.  My beer is too foamy. How do I fix this?

A. This is generally because your CO2 pressure is too high or the beer is too cold — or a combination of the two. Getting this just right may take a bit of experimenting, but the result should be a perfectly carbonated beer with a solid head.

Q. Do kegerators come assembled?

A. Not usually. There are many components to a kegerator, from the draft tower to the CO2 tank to the beer line, and you probably need to put them all together. Treat this as a learning experience, as you have to partially disassemble your kegerator in order to clean it properly.

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