Best buy kegerator: The 7 Best Kegerators of 2023

  • by

The 7 Best Kegerators of 2023

Our top choices for pouring the perfect chilled pint.

By

Kate Dingwall

Kate Dingwall

Kate Dingwall is a freelance writer whose work focuses on food, drinks and travel. She is based in Toronto.

Learn about Liquor.com’s
Editorial Process

Updated 05/17/23

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Learn more.

Liquor / Chloe Jeong

Beer, wine, kombucha, and beyond: A kegerator keeps your favorite kegged beverage chilled in the comfort of your own home. The best ones can hold a keg or two (or even three) and dispense icy brews and beverages with perfectly pressurized ease. 

These systems are far superior to the hand-pump home kegs of your college years—i.e. the ones that produced cups full of foam and stale-tasting brews. Kegerators are designed to pressurize a keg and circulate the suds through a draft line into the tap (and, in turn, your waiting glass), with no hand-pumping required. And given that many are roughly the size of a mini-fridge, kegerators will fit into most homes and bar decor with ease. Whether you’re looking for a portable option for outdoor entertaining or a no-nonsense way to keep your favorite craft brews cool, kegerators are a useful appliance.

The Rundown

Best Overall:

Kegco K309 Keg Dispenser at Amazon

Best Value:

EdgeStar Craft Brew Kegerator at Amazon

Best Compact:

Insignia 1-Tap Beverage Cooler Kegerator at Best Buy

Best Countertop:

HomeCraft Black Stainless Steel Tap Beer Growler Cooling System at Amazon

Best Triple Tap:

Kegco 3-Keg Dispenser at Amazon

Best for Outdoors:

EdgeStar 15-Inch Built-In Outdoor Kegerator at Amazon

Best for Home Brewers:

NutriChef Homebrew Mini Keg at Amazon

Amazon

View On Amazon

Kegco’s full-service kegerator kit (which includes a complete keg tapping kit) will keep beer at just the right temperature for weeks. The small (33 x 24 x 24 inches) fridge accommodates any and all full-sized kegs. It offers practical features like an easy-to-clean, removable drip tray, rolling casters for moving it around your space, and a chrome guard rail, which allows you to rest your mugs and glasses atop the unit without worrying about them sliding off. 

Best of all, you can easily adjust the temperature via a digital screen on the front of the unit—no more pulling the kegerator out from the wall to adjust the back. And if you need to chill a warm beer quickly, the K309 has a deep chill function that drops its temperature rapidly.

Good to Know: Many keg systems come with parts sold separately. This is ideal for the home brewer who wants to customize their keg—but if you’re looking for a kegerator that comes ready-to-go, ensure that you purchase one with all parts included.

What’s included: The Kegco K309 features a single faucet dispense system with all parts included: a 5-pound aluminum CO2 tank with a glossy red epoxy finish, a dual gauge CO2 regulator, and a D system keg coupler that allows easy tappings. (Keep in mind that the CO2 tank ships empty but can be filled locally.)

Finish: Chrome | Capacity: 5.6 cubic feet | Dimensions (LxWxH): 23.69 x 23.69 x 33 inches | Installation: Freestanding

Price at the time of publish: $877

Amazon

View On Amazon
View On Wayfair
View On Build.com

Pros

  • Accommodates 1/6-barrel and Cornelius kegs

  • Centralized location for all lines

  • Has a temperature display

If you’re looking for a kegerator without a sky-high price tag, EdgeStar’s KC1000SS unit provides excellent value. Standing at 33 x 17 x 18 inches, it’s big enough to fit either a one-sixth barrel or a Cornelius keg—or, with the additional purchase of a home brew conversion kit, a home brew keg. Even with a keg inside, the unit provides plenty of room for all lines, couplers, and gas. In the interior, blue LED lighting and a digital thermostat allow you to moderate the temperature levels with ease.

The setup is relatively easy, and the unit comes with extra parts just in case. Considering its price, it’s an excellent, cost-effective choice.

What’s included: Stainless steel beer tower with stainless steel faucet, 2.5-pound CO2 tank, single gauge regulator, stainless steel D coupler, beer line, gas line

Finish: Stainless steel | Capacity: 2.5 liters | Dimensions (LxWxH): 17.5 x 18.25 x 33.25 inches | Installation: Freestanding

Price at the time of publish: $539

Bestbuy

View On Best Buy

If you’re looking for a kegerator that won’t blow your budget, look no further than this Insignia option. Think of it as an entry-level kegerator for those just dipping their toes in the water. This small kegerator (33 x 24 inches) holds either a petite half keg or one-fourth of a slim keg (though note that it cannot hold a Miller or Coors keg).

It can also chill kegs in an impressive range of temperatures, from 32 to 45 degrees F. Locking wheels will keep the keg fridge in place, or you can roll it wherever you please. If beer isn’t on the menu, this keg can convert into a regular refrigerator with two removable wire shelves: pull out the keg, slip in the shelves, and store groceries.

What’s included: Fridge, tap, C02 tank, hose, and reversible door opening

Finish: Stainless steel | Capacity: 5.6 cubic feet | Dimensions (LxWxH): 23.625 x 23.625 x 33.75 inches | Installation: Freestanding

Price at the time of publish: $570

Amazon

View On Amazon
View On Walmart
View On Home Depot

Pros

  • Ideal for small spaces

  • Generous temperature range

  • Includes a reusable growler

For those who don’t want to commit to a full keg, this mini kegerator takes beer from regular 5-liter growlers and turns it into frothy, ice-cold draft beer—keeping drinks chilled up to 36 degrees. Alternatively, you can connect either a pressurized or non-pressurized keg to the HomeCraft and run its beer through a small keg system. After tapping, the kegerator will keep beer fresh for up to 30 days. 

Unlike most kegerators on the market, this keg system is perfect for small spaces (think tiny bars or studio apartments). The 5 x 5 x 13-inch system easily sits on a counter but packs the punch of a full bar system. To cool down the kegs, add 3 cups of water to the system and screw in one of the small CO2 tanks (the kit comes with three). Head to your local craft brewery, fill up the reusable growler with your favorite brew, and the system will pour a pub-perfect pint every time—right from your kitchen.

What’s included: Kegerator unit, reusable clear plastic growler keg, three 16-gram CO2 cartridges, drip tray, and squeeze bottle cleaning kit

Finish: Black stainless steel | Capacity: 5 liters | Dimensions (LxWxH): 5. 12 x 5.12 x 12.99 inches | Installation: Freestanding

Price at the time of publish: $200

Related: The Best Beer Growlers

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

  • Accommodates three Cornelius kegs

  • Can function as a normal fridge

  • Easy to adjust temperature

  • Easy to move around

If you’re a homebrew fan who needs multiple beer options, opt for Kegco’s three-keg dispenser (33 x 24 x 24 inches). This kegerator has space for three Cornelius (or “Pepsi”) kegs, complete with the faucet and tap equipment (including ball lock keg couplers, washers, and fittings), and it even converts into a refrigerator for more storage. Ingeniously, if you’re planning to fill the fridge with all three kegs, an external tank mount lets you store the CO2 on the rear of the unit to save space.

This upgraded model on Kegco’s classic dispenser includes a corrosion-resistant CO2 tank, a premium dual-gauge regulator, and a stainless steel draft beer tower with three taps. If you’re into sustainable drinking, this model is also environmentally friendly, with a 25 percent more energy-efficient design. For added versatility, you can tweak the temperature from 35 to 42 degrees F via a control on the back of the unit. Designed to withstand years of use, the stainless steel plate at the base of the dispenser distributes the weight of the kegs to keep the lining from getting damaged—and locking caster wheels allow you to transport the kegerator to wherever the party is.

What’s included: Fridge, polished stainless steel draft tower, three chrome standard beer faucets, three complete ball lock home brew keg tap sets, dual gauge CO2 regulator, and 5-pound aluminum CO2 tank

Finish: Stainless steel | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions (LxWxH): 23.69 x 23.69 x 33 inches | Installation: Freestanding

Price at the time of publish: $1,247

Amazon

View On Amazon
View On Home Depot
View On Lowe’s

This built-in kegerator from EdgeStar is perfect for cracking a cold one in the great outdoors, and it looks fantastic as a component of a backyard bar. Made for sun, sleet, snow, and beyond, the beer dispenser is completely reinforced with a durable, stainless steel-wrapped cabinet. To keep the suds flowing in all seasons, the kegerator is electrically rated and safety-approved for outdoor applications. 

This EdgeStar model is 15 inches wide (24 inches deep x 34 inches high), but it’s one of the only kegerators available that can hold one-fourth of a slim barrel-sized keg and one-sixth of a barrel keg (the keg of choice for most craft breweries). Complete with an electronic control panel and forced-air refrigeration technology, this kegerator will ensure your favorite brew stays cool (down to 32 degrees F) from keg to glass—even on sunny days or in heat waves. The panel also makes it easy to adjust temperatures as the weather changes.

What’s included: Kegerator, stainless steel guardrail & surface-mount drip tray, four casters, reinforced stainless steel exterior, professional door handle, low profile “D coupler, draft components

Finish: Matte stainless steel | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions (LxWxH): 24 x 15 x 34. 13 inches | Installation: Built-in

Price at the time of publish: $1,749

Related: The Best Beer Glasses

Amazon

View On Amazon
View On Nutrichefkitchen.com

If home brewing is your hobby, NutriChef’s portable kegerator kit allows for optimal carbonation from your home brew keg. While a traditional growler will lose bubbles quickly, this dispensing system keeps beer vacuum pressured for up to two months. Slip the growler or home brew keg in the barrel, attach the tubes, and you’re ready to start pouring. If you’re sipping on the go, a lid screws on for easy transportation. The unit is set up to work with disposable threaded 16-gram Co2 cartridges of any brand.

Or, if you’re not a home brewer, but you like the idea of a simple design and a compact orientation, fill the growler at your favorite local brewery and enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor instead of your own.

What’s included: Stainless steel 64-ounce keg, brass tap, assembly hardware, and a neoprene koozie

Finish: Stainless steel | Capacity: 64 ounce | Dimensions (LxWxH): 6. 89 x 7.49 x 13.39 inches | Installation: Freestanding

Price at the time of publish: $135

Final Verdict

What’s the best kegerator for you? Kegco’s K309 Kegerator is the best all-over kegerator, with a single faucet dispense system and the ability to hold any size of keg. If you’re short on space, EdgeStar’s KC1500SSOD Kegerator is slimmer in size and outfitted with weather-proof detailing for the great outdoors.

What to Look For in a Kegerator

First and foremost, any iteration of a home keg system needs to do one important thing: keep your beer cold! Beyond that, other considerations include the dimensions (will it fit in your space?), where the temperature control is located, and what types of keg coupler systems it works with.

FAQs

How do you clean a kegerator? 

Experts recommend you clean out your lines after every single keg. If you don’t, your lines will end up with a slightly stale taste from the yeast and malt residue that builds up over time. Start by cleaning the inside and the outside of the kegerator, then flush the beer lines with cleaner. For a full deep clean, disassemble the unit and clean the faucets and couplers.

How long does a keg last in a kegerator? 

When you crack open a beer, you have to sip it to the last drop in a matter of hours. In a kegerator, however, you have roughly eight weeks to drink a pasteurized beer. Keep in mind, however, that time will shift from brewery to brewery. Smaller craft brews will run around six weeks, while larger-scale breweries will have a shelf life of up to four months. Ask your favorite brew vendor for full details.

Where do I fill a Co2 tank for a kegerator?

While filling a Co2 tank may seem daunting, many stores offer refills. Most sporting goods stores, welding shops, scuba or snorkel shops, and general home hardware shops will all refill your Co2.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

This roundup was edited by Jesse Porter, who tends to still be grumpy about the frustration and exertion of changing a keg after his first sip of delicious draft beer but is feeling great again after the second.

Kate Dingwall is an experienced spirits writer. She has been writing about the bar and spirits world for five years and, thanks to a decade of bartending experience, has changed many kegs in her life.

Read Next: The Best Beer Fridges

Anyone have the Insignia 2-tap kegerator from best buy? | Homebrew Talk

JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.