The 8 Best Kegerators
Updated by · How we research
Eight kegerators, keg fridges, a conversion kit and a jockey box compared on keg fit, taps and cooling. The EdgeStar KC2000 is the dependable all-round pick. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A full-size keg holds about 165 cans' worth of beer, and once it's tapped, the Brewers Association says the flavor can start to drift after about 45 days. A home kegerator keeps that keg between 34 and 38 degrees under steady gas pressure. It suits anyone who pours draft often, from weekend hosts to homebrewers filling their own kegs.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The EdgeStar KC2000 leads this list again, and for a plain reason: it has been sold since 2007, it's still in stock, and owners keep reporting cold beer from it year after year. The old entry pointed to a stainless two-tap version. We now point to the single-tap model most people need; anyone who wants two taps gets more from the Kegco K309SS-2, which also fits the wider Coors and Miller kegs.
Six earlier entries are gone. The Kuppet Full Size and Danby Keg Cooler can't be bought, the EdgeStar KC1500 and KegCo KC7000 links now sell different outdoor units, and the EdgeStar KC1000 and Kitma 90 have dropped out of sale. The Kegco STCK-5T, the Coldbreak 2-Tap Jockey Box and the Kegco HBK309S-2 stay. New picks cover a do-it-yourself build with the EdgeStar BR2001BL, a patio with the HCK Outdoor 3-Tap Kegerator and a tighter budget with the VEVOR BF152-1.
We checked keg fit, included parts and warranty terms against each maker's published specs, took serving temperature, gas pressure and cleaning advice from the Brewers Association's draught manual, and looked for patterns in owner reports, mostly foamy pours and units that run warm.
April 07, 2021:
Kegerators are typically used to chill and dispense draught beer, but they can be used with equally good effect for wine and soft drinks, too. The most enticing aspect of owning a kegerator is the ability to enjoy bar-quality draught ales from the comfort of your own home. The primary function of a kegerator is to keep drinks at the ideal temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit, as too many temperature changes affect the beer's flavor dramatically. Beyond this, the capacity of the fridge and the additional accessories it comes with are other important considerations. During this update, we added a number of new models to the list to cover most home use requirements.
The largest model in the ranking was the KegCo 2472B, however, due to availability concerns we elected to switch it for the similar-sized Kitma 90, which can hold up to 3 full-size or 12 homebrew kegs, making it a good choice for commercial use, or for those who prefer to have a variety of beverages on hand. Also included was the Danby Keg Cooler, which is available with a single or double-tap and features a scratch-resistant countertop and optional casters. The Kuppet Full Size is notable for its dual stainless steel taps and drip tray and eye-catching chrome guardrail. It has a 6 cubic feet capacity and can hold one half-size keg or two 1/6 kegs at the same time, making it a good choice for home brewers. however, it is only supplied with a single keg coupler, so an additional one will need to be purchased to make use of both taps. Finally, we included the Coldbreak Jockey Box, which is a portable, 54-quart cooler that simply needs to be filled with ice. It has two separate lines and taps, meaning you can enjoy your favorite brew at barbeques or festivals, while the kids get cold soft drinks, too.
February 05, 2020:
When looking for a good kegerator, you can expect prices to range substantially depending on the capacity. On the low end of that spectrum is the Frigidaire EFRB200, which is a perfectly functional single-tap model that includes a dual-gauge regulator, actually a somewhat rare feature that helps you avoid running out of gas in the middle of a party. The EdgeStar KC2000 is a similarly priced dual-tap model. If you're willing to spend a bit more, you might prefer the KegCo HBK309, which is extremely well made -- outside of the taps, which some users decide to replace almost as soon as they set up the unit. The EdgeStar KC1000 and EdgeStar KC1500 are both slimmer than the full-size options; the difference between the two is that the KC1500 is designed for safe outdoor use, although you still won't want to leave it completely exposed to the elements. Also intended for patio bars is the KegCo KC7000, which is definitely a premium unit at a premium price. If you're looking for something for your new commercial bar, or you're intent on having several different types of beer on tap in your basement, check out the KegCo 2472B, which is incredibly expensive and doesn't come with a direct draw system, but can accommodate more kegs and varieties than most others.
If you really want to save money and you're handy with tools, you might be interested in the KegCo STCK-5T Conversion Kit. It calls for the cannibalization of a standard mini fridge, but if you have some DIY experience, you can make something every bit as effective as a store-bought unit. We've also spent some time researching dual-tap kegerators, which can be slightly more tricky due to the increased number of pressurized parts they use. Speaking of which, some users find that a high-quality and dual-dial CO2 regulator makes a big difference, and not all kegerators come with the best available. While you're at it, a good set of pint glasses is a must-have for any beer drinking experience, and if you want to try your own hand at brewing, we can point you toward some great homebrew kits.
Special Honors
True Residential True Manufacturing is best known for commercial refrigeration, and its residential line includes undercounter beverage dispensers built into a home bar. They cost several times what a freestanding kegerator does, but they're made for daily use and long service lives. true-residential.com
Perlick The Milwaukee company Perlick makes bar equipment for restaurants and a residential line that includes undercounter beer dispensers. Its faucets are also a popular upgrade for a kit kegerator, since they seal at the front and are less prone to sticking between pours. perlick.com
Which Kegs Fit, And Which Coupler You Need
A quarter barrel holds 7.75 gallons, a slim sixth barrel about 5.2, and the soda-style Cornelius kegs that homebrewers fill hold 5.
Start with the keg you plan to buy. A US half barrel holds 15.5 gallons, about 165 twelve-ounce pours, and weighs roughly 140 to 170 pounds when full (Wikipedia: Keg). A quarter barrel holds 7.75 gallons, a slim sixth barrel about 5.2, and the soda-style Cornelius kegs that homebrewers fill hold 5. Most home kegerators take one half barrel or two sixths. The catch is width: Coors, Miller and other rubber-sided kegs are fatter, and EdgeStar says its cabinets won't take them, while Kegco says the K309SS-2 will.
The coupler is the fitting that locks onto the keg. Most American beers use the D system, which is what nearly every kegerator kit includes. Many European beers need an S, U, G, A or M coupler instead (Wikipedia: Kegerator), so check before you order an import. Homebrew Cornelius kegs use ball-lock or pin-lock connectors, not a coupler at all.
A conversion kit turns a fridge you already own into a kegerator, through the door or up through the top into a tower. A chest freezer with an add-on thermostat, often called a keezer, is another route that holds more kegs.
Temperature, Pressure And Why Beer Foams
The Brewers Association's Draught Beer Quality Manual says beer should stay between 34 and 38 degrees from keg to glass. At 38 degrees, a typical beer needs about 11 psi of CO2 to hold its carbonation, and most direct-draw kegerators pour well with 4 to 5 feet of thin vinyl beer line. That setup fills a pint in about eight seconds.
Foam almost always traces back to heat or pressure. A keg that just came home warm will foam until it's fully chilled, which can take a day or more. A tower that sits above the cold cabinet warms the first pour, so the first glass is often mostly head. Pressure set too high over-carbonates the beer over a few days; set too low, the beer goes flat. Change one thing at a time.
Freshness has limits even under gas. The same manual warns that a keg on tap for more than 45 days may have drifted from the flavor the brewer intended, so a half barrel suits a busy household or frequent guests better than a slow drinker, who may be happier with a sixth.
Gas Safety, Cleaning And Placement
Carbon dioxide has no color or smell, is heavier than air and collects in low, closed spaces. The Brewers Association notes that high concentrations can cause unconsciousness, and OSHA sets workplace exposure limits for it. Keep the tank upright and secured, close the valve when you're away for a while, and don't keep a leaking tank in a closet or a basement corner. Tanks ship empty; welding suppliers, homebrew shops and beverage distributors fill or swap them. Each cylinder carries a stamped test date and needs periodic pressure testing, so check it before a refill.
Clean the beer line at least every two weeks, the schedule the Brewers Association sets for bars, using a line-cleaning kit and a cleaner made for draft systems. Rinse the faucet and coupler too, since that's where sour bacteria tend to start.
Most kegerators are freestanding indoor appliances that need open space around the back and sides to shed heat. A hot garage or a sunny patio makes them work harder and run warm; for outdoor use, buy a model rated for it. A full keg is heavy, so lift it with two people and slide it in at floor level.
How we researched this
We compared 18 kegerators, keg fridges, conversion kits and jockey boxes, read the makers' published specs and warranty terms for the eight picks, used the Brewers Association's Draught Beer Quality Manual for serving temperature, pressure, line care and gas safety, read homebrewer forum discussions, analyzed owner feedback, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.
Sources (11)
Frequently asked questions
What is a kegerator?
A kegerator is a refrigerator built or converted to hold a keg and pour from it. A CO2 tank pushes the beer from the keg through a line to a faucet on top, and the fridge keeps it between about 34 and 38 degrees.
Which kegerator brands are worth a look?
EdgeStar and Kegco have the longest records in home kegerators and the most owner feedback. VEVOR and HCK cost less or add features like outdoor ratings but have shorter histories. True, Perlick and Beverage-Air make commercial-grade units that cost much more.
How many beers are in a keg?
A US half barrel holds about 165 twelve-ounce pours, a quarter barrel about 82 and a sixth barrel about 55. A five-gallon homebrew keg holds about 53.
Can a kegerator go outside?
Only if it's rated for outdoor use. Indoor units can run warm and wear out faster in a hot garage or on a patio. Outdoor models use stainless bodies and are built to handle heat and humidity.
Why does my kegerator pour mostly foam?
Usually the keg isn't fully chilled yet, the pressure is set too high, or the tower is warmer than the cabinet. Give a new keg a day to settle, then check the regulator setting before changing anything else.
How long does a tapped keg stay fresh?
With CO2 on it and the cold held steady, weeks rather than days. The Brewers Association warns that beer on tap longer than 45 days may taste different from what the brewer intended.
