As you tire out from wrenching your car during a hot summer day, the last thing you want is to have to walk your dirty, oily self to the fridge to pick up a cold drink.

In comes the garage fridge. This specialized fridge is designed to keep your drinks cool, and your food chilled. It can operate in the coldest and hottest temperatures nature can bring. 

We spent some time researching the best garage fridges your money can buy in the market, and may we present to you the 4 best garage fridges for your selection. 

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Our Top Picks

Best ValueBest PriceBest Feature
Great performance, with a great price

Anukis 2-Door Garage Fridge
Most wallet-friendly option

Comfee Single Door Mini Garage Fridge
Best performance, with prices secondary.

Honeywell 2-Door Full-Size Garage Fridge

How Do We Select the Garage Fridges?

When selecting garage fridges, we consider several factors, such as size, storage, energy rating, pricing, and cost. This helps us to recommend the best garage fridges for your specific case without breaking the bank.

Size

In general, homes or small garages often have little space. Home garages usually become the space to place things such as benches, shelves, cabinets, and even things such as your car, bike, children’s things, and more. 

This means when we select garage fridges, we try to pick the smaller ones so that you can use more space to do more important things with your garage. Plus, garage fridges can be small, most of the time. 

This is because there is already a primary regular fridge in the kitchen. However, if you are the kind that likes your fridges big, we include a full-size fridge in the list. 

Storage

In most cases, garage fridges are used to keep drinks and some food to make them easier to reach when you are working outdoors. Rarely would you use a garage fridge to store raw meat or fresh eggs unless you have an outdoor kitchen in mind?

This means when we recommend garage fridges in this list, we look for ones with more specialized storage compartments. This includes bottle and jug holders, drink can holders, and storage spaces measured to fit 6-packs. 

Aside from that, we also add fridges with transparent doors or storage spaces so that you and your guests can easily see what’s inside your fridge. This makes it easier to select and pick drinks before opening the doors.

Energy Rating

Any electric appliance that alters temperature tends to be electricity-consuming. This means garage fridges can be an energy guzzler that could push up your electricity bill. 

However, there are more energy-efficient garage fridges out there. These fridges usually use more modern technology, such as inverters. They may have systems to prevent the cool air from leaking too much. 

These more energy-efficient fridges usually come with the Energy Star label. They may be a bit more expensive, but they typically make up the price difference when you pay less for energy bills. Between garage fridges with and without Energy Star labels, savings may be up to $50-100 annually.

This means when we select your garage fridges here, they come with the Energy Star label to help you avoid spiking your energy bills.

Pricing & Cost

Finally, we understand that garage fridges are meant to keep your drinks and food cool and easier to reach when you hustle out in the garage. Different from your power tools, they may not help you make money. 

Garage fridges also are not essential for your safety while working in your garage, such as your garage lighting. It is, at most, a convenience that you can do without. This means you may be keen to spend less money on a garage fridge. 

As a result, when we recommend garage fridges in this list, we pick mostly affordable fridges that offer the most sensible specifications for a home garage. This ensures that you get the best bang for your buck.

Best Garage Fridges

FridgesProsCons
Comfee Single Door Mini Garage Fridge-Energy Star Rated.
-Reversible Door.
-Drink Can and Bottle Holder.
-Removable Glass Shelves.
-Adjustable Leveling Legs.
-Quiet Operation at 42dB.
-No Jug holder.
-No Freezer.
Check
Prices

Colzer 15 inch Beverage Garage Fridge
-Modern Steel and Glass Construction.
-Quiet Operation at 38dB.
– Adjustable Temperature with Digital Readings.
-Glass Front Panel Makes Looking in Easier.
-Adjustable and Removable Metal Shelves.
-No Energy Star Rating.
-No Holders for Large Bottles.
-No Freezer.
-May Fit a Bar Better Than a Garage.
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Prices
Anukis 2-Door Garage Fridge-Fridge and Freezer Combo.
-Small Bottle Holder.
-Fresh Fruits Holder.
-Adjustable Feet and Shelves.
-Quiet Operation.
-Manual Defrost.
-Do You Need Egg Tray Holders?
-No bottle of jug holders.
Check
Prices
Honeywell 2-Door Full-Size Garage Fridge-Fridge And Freezer Combo.
-Allows Flexible Storage and Use.
-Adjustable Door Hinge.
-Adjustable Legs.
-No Bottle or Jug Holders.
-No Can Holders.
-Slightly Larger Footprint.
Check
Prices

Comfee Single Door Mini Garage Fridge

Heading the list is the Comfee garage fridge. It made it into the list because the unassuming, simple fridge does the job. Nothing too fancy or screams, ‘look at me.’ You may even equate this to the Toyota Camry for your garage fridges. 

It has a small footprint, at 17.6 x 18.6 x 34 inches (about 45 x 47 X 86CM). It has a small storage capacity of 3.2 cubic feet (about 90L), but you are not looking for a frat party fridge here, so that should do fine. 

It operates quietly at 42 dB, meaning it will not hum loudly and distract you at work or during a conversation. This means the fridge will do well in a garage or a patio. It also comes with an Energy Star rating, with a low power consumption of 260 kWh per year. This should be easy on your wallet. 

Storage-wise, this fridge comes with a dedicated drink can holder, as well as a bottle holder. You may be able to store a regular soda, champagne, or wine bottle with the holder. The reversible door hinges allow the fridge to be opened from both sides, making it easy to place the refrigerator. The adjustable legs make it easy to balance. 

If we are to nitpick and complain about this fridge, it would be that it does not come with a jug holder. This means you may need to adjust the shelves to accommodate your jug of lemonade. 

Another thing to complain about is the lack of a freezer. This means you cannot make ice for your drinks. But how cold do you really need your drinks to be to think about it?

Why We Like This: It is small, energy-saving, and quiet. Reversible doors and adjustable leveling legs make it easier to position your fridge in your garage. It also has many can and bottle holders, making it easy to store drinks. This perfect garage fridge will work quietly behind the scenes without causing a fuss.

Pros
-Energy Star Rated.
-Reversible Door.
-Drink Can and Bottle Holder.
-Removable Glass Shelves.
-Adjustable Leveling Legs.
-Quiet Operation at 42dB.
Cons
-No Jug holder.
-No Freezer.

Colzer 15-inch Beverage Garage Fridge

If the Comfee is the Toyota Camry, you may see the Colzer fridge as the Mercedes Benz. It has many bells and whistles that may make this fridge appealing to the eyes. 

First, the Colzer is built with metal and glass rather than your usual drab silver plastic and steel. This instantly gives the fridge a modern look and may easily suit a high-end garage or a fancy patio. 

Many guests may need clarification on whether they want to open a fridge at houses. This is because fridges may be storing things hosts may not want to show, such as medications, etc. The glass door also makes it easy to tell guests that it is a garage fridge with drinks. 

Guests can also quickly look at what drink is on offer and decide first before opening the door and picking their drinks. This prevents the cool air from escaping too much, making your fridge work harder. 

The fridge also operates quietly behind the scenes, at 38dB only. This prevents it from humming loudly, distracting your work or any conversation you are having. You can also set the temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius, and the LED temperature indicator flashes in blue.

We are concerned that the fridge does not advertise itself as an Energy Star label, which means it may not be. Another thing to be worried about is the design. It may look too fancy to belong to a home garage, but more for a bar. 

It also lacks holders for large bottles, which means you may lose a lot of space if you want to accommodate larger soda or wine bottles. Finally, it does not have a freezer, so you can’t make ice with the fridge.

Why We Like This: It is high-tech and comes with features that impress. The stainless steel and glass construction gives a modern look to the fridge. The adjustable metal shelves are designed to hold cans and bottles of drinks with ease. The wide opening doors allow easy loading, and the extra quiet 38dB operation does not leave a humming background noise.

Pros
-Modern Steel and Glass Construction.
-Quiet Operation at 38dB.
-Adjustable Temperature with Digital Readings.
-Glass Front Panel Makes Looking in Easier.
-Adjustable and Removable Metal Shelves.
Cons
-No Energy Star Rating.
-No Holders for Large Bottles.
-No Freezer.
-May Fit a Bar Better Than a Garage.

Anukis 2-Door Garage Fridge

If you are looking for a more conventional garage fridge, look at the Anukis. This is because it can function like your regular kitchen fridge. In fact, if you are looking for a garage fridge to store food for your outdoor kitchen, this is the fridge to go for. 

It starts off being a 2-door fridge with a freezer. The freezer is 1.2 cubic feet (about 34L), while the refrigerator is larger, at 2.8 cubic feet (79L). This means you can easily use the fridge to make ice for your drinks. The freezer also can help you keep raw meat that needs to stay frozen.

The fridge is also organized in ways that make it suitable for holding more than just drinks. It has a container designed to help you keep fresh fruits. The small bottle holders can easily double as sauce bottle holders, while the top of the door side comes with egg trays. 

The fridge operates quietly, under 40 dB. This means the fridge will not be humming along loud or disturbing your work or conversations. The adjustable legs make it easier to level and fit into unique placement surfaces. 

The Anukis, however, do come with their own issues. It requires manual, not automatic, defrosting, which means you need to do that on and off when you have the time. It also does not come with holders for jugs or large bottles. This means you will need to allocate spaces for it at the steel racks. 

Why We Like This: It is a freezer and fridge combo with features that make it much more conventional. It comes with holding areas for fresh fruits, bottles, and even eggs. This makes it suitable for an outdoor kitchen or BBQ area. The freezer also allows you to make ice easily. The quiet operation under 40dB makes it ideal for many spaces.

Pros
-Fridge and Freezer Combo.
-Small Bottle Holder.
-Fresh Fruits Holder.
-Adjustable Feet and Shelves.
-Quiet Operation.
Cons
-Manual Defrost.
-Do You Need Egg Tray Holders?
-No bottle of jug holders.

Honeywell 2-Door Full-Size Garage Fridge

If the Comfee is the Camry, the Holzer the Mercedes, then the Honeywell, here is your Tacoma Truck. It is a larger fridge but can offer a much more versatile solution to your cold storage needs. 

As a result, the Honeywell fridge can easily become a drinks holder in your garage, your secondary fridge, or your outdoor kitchen fridge to hold all your BBQ meats and sauces.

The Honeywell fridge is made to be very similar to your typical regular fridge. It comes in a fridge and freezer combination and a flexible storage design. Feel free to use the freezer to make ice or keep your nicely marinated meat, and burger patties are frozen until it’s time to fire up the grill again.

The door hinges are adjustable, meaning you can change the fridge door to swing left or right. This makes it easier to fit the fridge into spaces or adjust to your preferences, especially if you are a Southpaw. The adjustable legs also make it easy to balance the refrigerator, no matter what surface you place it on. 

The storage capacity for the fridge is 7.4 cubic feet (210 L), while the freezer holds about 2.68 cubic feet (76 L). It is a little larger than the other fridges here, measuring ‎27.3 x 21.5 x 60 inches (about 70 x 55 x 152 CM). However, it is not too big to the point that it rivals full-sized regular kitchen fridges. This is why we call it the Tacoma, not the F150.

If we are to complain about this fridge, we may think about its larger footprint. However, the larger footprint may be necessary since the fridge is larger anyway. 

This fridge is a jack of all trades, but unfortunately, also a master of none. If you are looking for a versatile fridge, the Honeywell may work. But if you have a specific use in mind (such as storing only cold drinks), you may be better off with other fridges in this list.

Why We Like This: This full-size garage cold storage solution should cover all outdoor storage needs. Comes with both a freezer and fridge and a crisper for fruits and vegetables. Adjustable door hinges and legs allow easy placement and balance. Operates quietly and does not consume too much energy.

Pros
-Fridge And Freezer Combo.
-Allows Flexible Storage and Use.
-Adjustable Door Hinge.
-Adjustable Legs.
Cons
-No Bottle or Jug Holders.
-No Can Holders.
-Slightly Larger Footprint.

What To Look for When Selecting Garage Fridges

When shopping for garage fridges, some aspects you may want to consider include size, storage capacity, fridge type, garage temperature, temperature control, and energy efficiency. Depending on what you need for your fridge, you make different decisions when you shop to get the best bang for your buck.

When shopping for products, you often have several significant aspects you need to think about. As you think about these aspects, you then make decisions, which will eventually help you to decide on what you need. 

When shopping for garage fridges, you want to look at significant aspects such as size, storage capacity, and fridge type. It would help if you also take note of your garage temperature, temperature control, and energy efficiency.

Size

Garage fridges usually come in a smaller size compared to kitchen fridges. This is because garage fridges play second fiddle to the main fridges in your kitchen. Plus, garages may be smaller than a kitchen. 

As a result, most garage fridges have storage spaces of around 18 cubic feet (about 500L). Looking across the range of full-sized garage fridges on offer, you may see between 14 to 21 cubic feet (about 396L – 594L). For garage-ready mini-fridges, the storage capacity may be around 4 cubic feet (113L).

If you need a better reference for the size of your fridges, you are interested in a 19 cubic feet fridge. In that case, chances are you are looking at a fridge measuring 33 inches (82CM) wide by 34 inches (86CM) deep. 

For a smaller 4 cubic feet (113L) mini garage fridge, you may be looking at a dimension of 17.5 inches (about 44CM) wide by 16.7 inches deep (42CM).

When it comes to size, the key is to select slightly larger than your needs, especially if your budget allows it. This is to ensure you also consider future needs, ensuring your garage fridge can serve you for a long time. This means you do not need to consider upgrading too soon.

Storage 

Storage here refers to how the fridges organize the storage space inside. When possible, always opt for the garage fridge that can offer you the most versatile and flexible storage options. 

This ensures you can store everything inside and utilize the storage space to the maximum. Consider budgeting a little more unused space to ensure you have future space to store more things. 

This prevents you from considering upgrading to another garage fridge too soon and losing money from depreciation.

When shopping for a garage fridge, look for those with adjustable main shelves and door shelves. Also, look for fridges that contain transparent or translucent doors and walls. This helps you to see what is inside the refrigerator quickly.

As you look around for a garage fridge, chances are you will see main shelves, wire racks, and smaller storage cubicles inside. You may also see special compartments to store wine glasses, tall bottles, or jugs. 

It may help to first have a clear-cut idea of what you intend to keep inside your garage fridge and imagine how you will utilize these storage organizers. If you can see yourself using the storage space very well, then that fridge may be what you need.

Fridge Type

Garage fridges may come in several types and configurations. At its most basic, you will be looking at either a fridge and freezer combo or a fridge-only design. Depending on what you need, you can start by deciding between these two.

Once you have decided, choose the fridge and freezer combo. In this case, your next decision is to consider whether to have a top or bottom refrigerator freezer. 

The difference between the two styles is the position of the freezer. The top refrigerator freezer has a smaller one at the top and a larger one at the bottom. You may assume the reverse for the bottom refrigerator freezer. 

On top of these garage fridge types, you may also look at mini or compact mini-fridges. These tend to be in a smaller capacity and may be suitable for use in your garage or outdoor patio. Some even may be small enough to be powered by car batteries. 

Garage Temperature

This is the area that separates the need to have a garage fridge. This is because even if you can use a regular kitchen fridge in your garage, it may not perform optimally. This may not necessarily be the case if you live in an area with a more stable temperature year-round. 

Generally, most kitchen fridges can handle temperatures between 50 – 85°F (10 – 29°C). In most homes, you may not see indoor kitchen air temperature vary that widely since many houses have air conditioners installed. This cools the air during the hot summer and warms the cold air during winter. 

Check out the best garage coolers here and heaters here.

However, the temperatures in garages may fluctuate a lot more since garages may not be insulated and not have air conditioning. As such, during warm temperatures, your regular fridge may struggle to keep the items inside cool. 

During winter, when the air is freezing, your fridge thermostat may do wrong readings and stop. The things inside your fridge or freezer may thaw because of this. 

As a result, garage fridges usually have a wide operating temperature range. It is normal to see garage fridges with a temperature range below freezing to the hundreds of Fahrenheits.

When shopping for a garage fridge, always check for the temperature range it can comfortably operate in and compare that to the possible temperature your garage may be in. If the operating temperature of the fridge is suitable for your garage, you may have found what you need. 

Temperature Control

All fridges come with thermostats. It is a simple mechanism to allow the user to fine-tune the internal temperature inside the refrigerator. Basically, the fridge will then run to maintain the temperature as set by the thermostat.

Thermostats usually look like a knob or pull switches and should be easily located inside the fridge. 

Now with garage refrigerators, you may see two thermostats. One monitors the inside temperature, and the other monitors the outside temperature. This allows the fridge to better regulate the temperature inside the fridge.

This means when shopping for a garage fridge, ensure the fridge contains two thermostats. Monitor the temperature range of the thermostat and see if it can work with your storage needs. 

If the thermostat does not come with a temperature reading but shows only ‘cool’ and ‘warm,’ confirm with the salesperson the actual temperature or move to another garage fridge.

Energy Efficiency

Appliances that alter temperatures consume more energy – think ovens, iron, air-conditioners, etc. Adding a fridge into your house means introducing another appliance that alters temperature and may be an electricity guzzler. This means you may pay more for electricity in the future.

One good thing is that with technology such as inverters, appliance makers can reduce the energy consumption of fridges. However, this technology is not widespread, with many fridges retaining the old system. 

When shopping for garage fridges, check for the fridge’s energy efficiency. The most energy-efficient garage fridges usually carry the Energy Star rating. Fridges with an Energy Star rating consume up to 40% less energy than a standard garage fridge. 

Depending on the fridge size and the energy prices at your location, that may easily translate into $50 – $100 annual savings in power bills. Fridges with an Energy Star rating may cost slightly more than regular fridges (up to 15%). Still, with energy bill savings, you may easily make up for the price difference.

How Are Garage and Regular Fridges Different?

Garage and regular fridges differ in price, the number of thermostats, size, and storage. These differences eventually made garage fridges more suitable for outdoor use. They may be more efficient in holding bottles, cans, and jugs.

AspectsRegular FridgeGarage Fridge
UsageKeeping raw food, medications, beverages, or food coolKeeping beverages or food cool
LocationUsually placed in the kitchenUsually placed in the garage or outdoors.
ThermostatsA single internal thermostatTwo thermostats, one internal and one external
StorageFocuses on storing more types of itemsFocuses on storing drink cans, bottles, jugs
SizeLargerSmaller
PriceCheaperMore expensive than regular fridges

When you look into the difference between a garage and regular fridges, you may realize how different they are. There are reasons why there are such things as garage fridges. This is because it fulfills a specific usage case for fridges that regular fridges may fail to cater to.

Use

Generally, regular fridges keep much food and drink stuff at home cool or frozen. These may include food items such as raw meat, fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and eggs. Aside from that, regular fridges also may keep ice, drink cans, bottles, and jugs. Standard fridges may also store larger items such as cakes, casseroles, etc.

As a result, regular fridges may be much more flexible in storage, with a freezer compartment and fresh food compartment. Regular fridges also usually come with egg trays and ice makers. 

Garage fridges have a more specific use case. Generally, they are used to keep hold of drinks and some food to keep them cool and chilled. As a result, Garage fridges may have more specific storage compartments focusing on drink cans, jugs, and bottles. You may not generally see egg trays or fresh food drawers in garage fridges.

Thermostats

Regular fridges usually come with a single thermostat inside the fridge. The thermostat detects the inner temperature inside the fridge and tells the cooler whether it needs to work to cool down the fridge. 

The thermostat is usually adjustable, meaning we can decide how cool we want the fridge to be inside. You adjust it by twisting a knob or pulling a sliding switch. 

With garage fridges, you may see two thermostats, one inside and one outside the fridge. This is because garage fridges may operate at a more extreme temperature since it is usually kept in uninsulated, non-conditioned space.

An additional thermostat is needed to better tell the outside temperature. This prevents the outside temperature from accidentally cooling the fridge’s inside, causing the fridge to stop working. 

This is the biggest reason garage fridges exist: regular fridges do not work well in garages or outdoors. 

Consider installing a heater kit if you still intend to use regular fridges in garages. It is usually a pad that you install close to the thermostat of your fridge.

The heater kit will help to warm up the inside of your fridge, ‘tricking’ your thermostat inside into thinking it is warm, and the fridge needs to work. It also prevents your thermostat from becoming confused with the outside temperature. 

Fridge heater kits at Amazon

This ensures your fridge will continue to work and not stop, preventing things from thawing.

Size

Regular fridges tend to be larger than garage fridges. This points back to its original usage case and these fridges’ possible space. 

Generally, regular fridges are placed in the kitchen and are used as a general chilled storage space for the family. Raw food, fresh fruits and vegetables, cakes, leftover food, drinks, ice, medications, and almost anything that requires chilling goes into the fridge. 

As a result, regular fridges tend to be large, with some even coming in two, three door configurations. This is also possible since kitchens have larger space to accommodate huge fridges. 

Garage fridges tend to be smaller since they have a more specific usage case. Usually, garage fridges keep drinks and some food cool. This means garage fridges can be small. 

Another reason garage fridges tend to be smaller is because of where they may be placed. Garages or patios may be smaller in size than kitchens, meaning space is more premium. This means smaller garage fridges may make more sense.

Price

Generally, when you compare a garage with regular fridges of similar size, garage fridges may be more expensive. Several reasons contribute to the price difference.

One is the technology inside. You may assume that garage fridges usually have more parts and are a bit more complicated than regular fridges. This is because garage fridges need to consider the extreme outdoor temperatures it needs to operate in.

This means garage fridges need an additional thermostat to detect the outside temperature to prevent the inner thermostat from being confused. In freezing temperatures, the thermostat may detect a cool temperature and stop the fridge from working, causing the things inside to thaw. 

Garage fridges also need to work harder to keep things cool during hot days, when they may even need to operate under the sun. This means it requires a more powerful cooling system to perform well. This also means a higher cost for the appliance maker, which is passed to you as a higher price tag.