There's a wide selection of iconic craft beers and tasty cheap beers available to drink in cans and bottles. But nothing beats a good, heady draft pint served right from a tap or kegerator. As the name implies, a kegerator is a refrigerator that keeps a keg of beer cold and fresh while allowing you to dispense the contents from a built-in pressurized tap system on top.
However, it is a costly appliance, so it’s recommended to do your homework and invest your hard-earned money in a top-notch quality unit that will surely keep your beer fresh. To help you save time on researching the best ones, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best kegerators of 2023, with our selections ranging from on-the-go options to the most innovative dual-tap kegerators.
EdgeStar KC2000 Full-Size Kegerator
Best Kegerator Overall
If you’re on a hunt for the best no-nonsense, high-value kegerator out there right now, the EdgeStar KC2000 is your man. It also pleases the most Amazon customers, as it's the etailer's top-rated kegerator. This sturdy unit comes with all the hardware you need right out of the box, including a 5-pound CO2 canister (although you’ll need to get that filled yourself). It can keep your beer cooled to as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The fridge compartment itself is just over 20 inches wide and fits standard U.S. half-barrel (and smaller) kegs, but it doesn't support oversized or rubberized kegs. At around $600, this is also one of the best value kegerators you'll find.
EdgeStar Dual-Tap Kegerator
Best Dual-Tap Kegerator
No, you ain’t seeing double. This model is the dual-top version of the above-mentioned EdgeStar model. EdgeStar’s Dual Tap Kegerator’s versatility is praiseworthy since it can accommodate a variety of keg types– from full-size kegs (half-barrel) to slim pony kegs (quarter-barrel) — all while keeping them ice-cold for your fellow beer enthusiasts. The product is also easy to assemble, which makes it the perfect entry-level kegerator for those who plan to set up and stock their first home bar.
Kegco Tower Kegerator Conversion Kit
Best Do-it-Yourself Kegerator Kit
You might be wondering, “Why couldn’t I just convert a mini-fridge into a kegerator?” Well, you can actually do just that with a good conversion kit like this one from Kegco. This setup is a solid alternative to a pre-built kegerator for dedicated DIY-ers or other handy drinkers building a custom keg dispenser setup. The Kegco Tower conversion kit is essentially the same pressurized dispenser system used in the company’s pre-built kegerators. It includes a 5-pound CO2 tank, a draft tower, a pressure regulator, a D-system coupler for use with American kegs, and all the piping and hardware needed to hook everything together.
Naturally, you’ll have to do the cutting, drilling, and other handiwork yourself to turn a refrigerator into a kegerator. But with complete single- and dual-tap kits available starting at around $270, the Kegco Tower conversion system is a superb DIY solution for building a custom kegerator for a home bar.
NutriChef Pressurized Mini Keg Dispenser
Best Mini-Kegerator
Kegerators are great for hosting parties at home with your beer-loving friends, but most aren't really built for portability. When you want to drink beer from the tap during camping trips, tailgating parties, and other on-the-go get-togethers, the Pyle NutriChef jockey box is what you need. The NutriChef isn’t technically a “kegerator” in that it doesn’t feature a refrigeration unit to cool the keg itself, but its purpose is similar — it lets you enjoy cold, carbonated draft beer away from the bar.
What sets Pyle’s NutriChef apart from a simple mini-keg is that this little unit packs a proper tap with an adjustable CO2-powered pressure regulator. Rather than a refillable CO2 tank, this system relies on a small disposable canister that provides enough carbonation for its 128-ounce capacity (eight U.S. pints). And, unlike a standard growler in which beer will go flat relatively quickly, the NutriChef mini-keg is great for keeping your beer fizzy and fresh for weeks or even a couple of months.
Coldbreak Jockey Box
Best On-the-Go Kegerator
If you want to bring the party wherever you go, this portable kegerator is the best option. Requiring no batteries or electricity, the Coldbreak Jockey Box is convenient to pack for any event. Whether you’re going camping or on any other outdoor adventure, this is is the kegerator to have. The Jockey Box has an innovative keg system with built-in insulated coolers to keep your beer cold and refreshing.
The main features, such as the coils, shank plates, and faucets, are all made of high-quality stainless steel. All you need to keep this kegerator going is a CO2 tank and lots of ice. The set already comes with the Jockey Box itself, a dispensing kit, and a 5-pound CO2 tank for your convenience. This compact kegerator also has a durable exterior build that can withstand harsh or wet environments.
Kegco K199B-1 Keg Dispenser
Kegerator with the Widest Temperature Range
The Kegco K199B-1 kegerator has wide temperature range options. It can be set as low as 34 degrees (to get your beer as close to freezing as possible) up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Just keep an eye out for frost buildup over longer periods of time. For beers best served a bit warmer (porters and stouts), you can set the temperature on the higher end.
GrowlerWerks 64-oz Carbonated Growler
Best Personal Kegerator
Maybe you’re the type of person who needs forced moderation when it comes to your beer consumption. Or perhaps you just don’t like to share. Either way, this GrowlerWerks uKeg 64-ounce Carbonated Growler is for you. Just add your favorite cold beer, and the vacuum insulation will keep it cold all day. Disposable CO2 cartridges keep your beer carbonated and fresh for weeks. And, if you are the sharing type, this comes in a , too. This personal kegerator is a more practical solution for more intimate, on-the-go gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions
The important thing here is the CO2. If your kegerator is properly pressurized, pasteurized beer will last about three to four months. Unpasteurized beer (that's most homebrews) will last around a month and a half to two months.
The upfront cost of a kegerator may seem steep, but you definitely save money on beer in the long run. Just do the math. Let's use Bud Light (a cheap beer by any metric) as an example. A standard half-sized keg holds 15.5 gallons (1,984 ounces), which is 165 12-ounce beers (13.75 cases). The average cost of a keg of Bud Light is around $185, depending on where you live. The average cost of a case of the same beer is around $16 to $20. Buying the same amount per bottle/can would work out to be $220 to $302.50. That works out to around $35 to $117.50 every time you refill.
Yup! You can keep a kegerator anywhere that has a power supply and is protected from the elements.
Most of us would agree that beer makes any get-together, dinner soiree, or all-out party better. And the best beer is cold, fresh, and straight from the tap. Unless you own your own bar (lucky dog), the best option is a legit kegerator, so your favorite brew is always just a draft pull away.
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