The 10 Best Can Fridges
Editor's Notes
January 24, 2021:
After careful review of the various models on the market, we continue to standby our previous recommendations. As you might imagine, can fridges don't see a lot of technological breakthroughs from year to year, and there weren't any new models we found that offered features that weren't available in our current selection. We also have enough variety to suit every type of user, from someone who just needs something small enough to keep at their desk, to somebody who runs a business and needs a commercial beverage fridge.
March 21, 2019:
At first glance, one might want to assume that a fridge is just a fridge, right? What I tried to prove in this wiki is that nothing could be further from the truth, meaning that there are options to suit all environments and requirements. While a majority of these items are dedicated to storing sodas and beer cans, I also wanted to branch out a bit and include options that could accommodate larger beverages, such as wine bottles. The Lanbo LW3370B, for example, represents the best of both worlds in this context, thanks to its use of 2 independently-chilled zones that can be used to cool both beer and wine at different temperatures. I also added the HomeLabs Mini, thanks to its quiet operation and use of a convection fan for dependable air circulation. This cooler also maintains a memory of a preset temperature after a power outage. I thought the Avallon Cooler was pretty nifty due to its blue-and-white internal light alternations and use of argon gas between the glass panes for improved insulation. Included the NewAir Dual Zone for the reversible door and SplitShelf feature, which helps to maximize the internal storage space. I maintained the EdgeStar VBR240, as I think it's quite relevant due to its internal alarm that activates if the door is left open. The unit's leveling legs also keep it stable on most types of floor surfaces. The Kalamera KRC-90BV is ideal for businesses, thanks to its use of removable racks that facilitate easy filling from case deliveries. The Whynter BR-128WS is one of few options with a recessed handle, and while that's really more of an aesthetic appeal, it does streamline the fridge's design. That may be important to those who are concerned about fashionable appliances that don't intrude upon personal space. Also kept the Cooluli Classic as a compact desktop option. In addition, this little powerhouse can be used to keep food warm, so it's a great option to take with you to the office. Finally, the tempered glass door on the Danby DBC120BLS is great for use in sunny rooms.
Why A Can Fridge Trumps A Regular Or Mini One For Beer And Soda
Fortunately, can fridges are compact and easy to plug in right between the couch and the coffee table, so you don't need to take your eyes off the screen to grab a beer.
If you already have a really great refrigerator or even a mini fridge, you may wonder why you need a dedicated can fridge. But there are some times you'll be especially happy you have a little cooling cabinet, just for your carbonated beverages. Let's start with a day like Super Bowl Sunday. If the social media discussion of beer is any indicator of how much people are drinking the stuff, you probably bring home more of this fizzy alcoholic drink than your regular refrigerator can handle.
Your regular fridge isn't just filled with beer, though. Let's not forget that your friends brought three-layered bean dip, a cake shaped like a football, and enough chicken wings to last through the Apocalypse. So your refrigerator is pretty stacked. You could slowly load cans in as room opens up (you'd better take down that bean dip fast in that case), but then you have to wait for those to become cold. What's more is that you'll have to get up and walk to the kitchen every time you need a refresher. You could miss a very important moment in the game if you do that. Fortunately, can fridges are compact and easy to plug in right between the couch and the coffee table, so you don't need to take your eyes off the screen to grab a beer.
Now, you may be thinking that your mini fridge is compact, too, and can sit near the couch with you. Sure, but your mini fridge isn't designed to perfectly hold cans. Can fridges feature shelves and slots designed to pack your soda and beer cans tightly so they don't roll around. A mini fridge has tall shelves, and maybe a couple of slots in the door, but it isn't made to keep your cans in place. And since we know that a shaken can means a drink that is too fizzy, when your friend gets too enthusiastic about a touchdown and nudges your mini fridge in the process, he could send your beer tumbling all over the place inside.
The Can Fridge As An Anti-Theft Device
You'd like to think that your belongings are safe in your office, but that may not be the case. Research has found that one in three professionals steal food from their coworkers. If you work in marketing, you could really be in trouble since potentially 50 percent of the individuals in this field steal food or drink from their colleagues. And remember that those are only the individuals who were bold enough to confess – there are likely many more sticky-fingered professionals who didn't speak up. What's even more frightening, perhaps, is that some people happily admitted to stealing their colleagues' food.
It's quickly becoming apparent that if a colleague takes your liquid pick-me-up, you may not be able to do anything about it.
Maybe you can let it slide if a coworker eats your carrots and ranch dip, but what if he takes your precious diet soda? You were relying on that for your caffeine fix, as many Americans do. You might walk down to the vending machine to replace it, but you know the custodial staff rarely restocks that thing. So that would mean you have to leave your office and walk to the nearest convenience store to buy a new soda. But are you really going to have time to do that? Considering that office lunch breaks are getting shorter and shorter, with many professionals not taking one at all, or taking them at their desk, it's highly unlikely.
It's quickly becoming apparent that if a colleague takes your liquid pick-me-up, you may not be able to do anything about it. That could affect your productivity for the rest of day. You just can't afford to let that happen. Fortunately, if you have a can fridge, you can keep your highly valuable carbonated drinks beneath your desk. A can fridge can mean that you are no longer the victim of office break room theft.
What To Look For In A Can Fridge
As mentioned before, there are a few things that differentiate a can fridge from a mini fridge. Here are some features that make for the best container for your soda and beer. Look for a model with a self-latching door, especially if you may be taking your can fridge on a boating trip or in your RV. You don't want turbulence to cause your fridge to bust open, and your cans to roll everywhere. If you are buying a can fridge to keep in a cramped space, like a vehicle, you'll want a compact model. But if you're an avid soda drinker and have space, you can find models with over a 100-can capacity.
You don't want to come home after a storm to find that all of your sodas have become warm and have developed a funky flavor.
Reaching in and checking to see if your recently plugged-in fridge is cold yet can be a bit of a nuisance. Fortunately, some can fridges have built-in temperature indicators that let you know when its time to load them up with drinks. You might also want a fridge with a transparent door and internal light, so you can easily glance at it and know when it's time to restock it. Opening your fridge to check how much soda you have left lets out important cold air. If your can fridge will be a vital appliance on movie night, make sure it runs quietly. You don't want it drowning out the sound of your speakers during the climactic moment of the film.
A few other features will make using your can fridge a breeze, like an alarm that notifies you when it's been left open, and the ability to display the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. Some even have a memory function that will help the fridge restore your desired temperature after a power outage. You don't want to come home after a storm to find that all of your sodas have become warm and have developed a funky flavor.