Beverage Fridges

A beverage centre is specially designed to get drinks colder than a standard kitchen fridge and keep them that way. They often use fan-forced cooling to ensure the temperature is consistent from top to bottom, so every drink is just as cold as the last. They also feature adjustable shelving specifically made to hold cans and bottles securely, and glass doors to let you see what's inside at a glance.

Yes, choosing a beverage fridge with adjustable shelves is a great idea for flexibility. It means you can easily change the layout to fit a mix of items, from standard 375ml cans and stubbies to taller wine bottles or 1.25L soft drink bottles. It’s a simple feature that makes the fridge much more useful for day-to-day use and for parties.

A model with strong, fully adjustable shelves and a decent capacity is your best bet for storing a mix of cans and bottles. The Artusi 190L Outdoor Beverage Centre (AOF2S) is an excellent choice, earning great feedback with an average 4.3-star rating. Its four interchangeable shelves give you plenty of room to organise different drink types without hassle.

The weight of a beverage fridge depends on its size and build, but most are not designed to be frequently moved. Compact, under-bench models like the Schmick 70L Outdoor Beverage Centre (HUS-SC70L-SS), a favourite among customers with a 4.9-star rating, weighs around 50kg. Larger units like the Rhino 330L Outdoor Beverage Centre (SG3H-B) can weigh over 90kg, so it's best to find a permanent spot for them.

A mini fridge, often called a bar fridge or beverage centre, is typically a smaller, front-opening fridge designed to be installed under a bench or stand alone in an entertainment area. They range from around 70L to over 200L. A truly 'portable' fridge is usually a top-loading chest-style unit designed for camping or travel, which is a different type of appliance altogether.

A double door beverage fridge is worth considering when you need a larger capacity (usually 190L or more) and want to keep your drinks better organised. Models like the Rhino 248L Envy Marine Grade Outdoor Beverage Centre (ENV2H-SS), which has an impressive 4.6-star rating, let you separate drinks by type. It also helps save energy, as you only need to open one small door at a time, letting less cold air escape.

While most beverage fridges designed for home entertaining are vertical, upright models that fit neatly under a bench, horizontal chest-style fridges do exist. These are more commonly used in commercial settings like cafes or for outdoor camping, as upright models with glass doors are generally better for displaying drinks and accessing them easily at home.

Choose a glass door fridge if you want to display your beverage collection and see what's inside without opening it. This is perfect for entertainers. A solid door fridge, like the Schmick 105L Under Bench Bar Fridge (SK116SD), is a better choice if you prefer a streamlined look that matches your cabinetry, want slightly better insulation, or aren't concerned about displaying the contents.

You'll need a dual-zone beverage fridge if you plan on storing different types of drinks that are best served at different temperatures. For example, the Bosston 180L Double Door Beer and Wine Alfresco Fridge (BOS180W2D) lets you set one side for icy-cold beers (0-4°C) and the other for perfectly chilled white wines (8-12°C). If you're just chilling beer and soft drinks, a single-zone model is all you need.

Modern beverage fridges focus on smart performance features rather than Wi-Fi connectivity. Look for handy functions like digital touch controls for precise temperature setting, special modes like 'Party Mode' to handle frequent door opening, and customisable LED lighting. The Rhino 129L Night Club Multi Light Bar Fridge (SG1R-NC) even comes with a remote to change the interior light colour to match the mood.