One of the most important decisions you have to make if you are running a business that serves or sells drinks is: What is the best beverage refrigerator I can get?
The right beverage fridge helps you show off your drinks in a way that catches customers’ eyes and boosts impulse buys, which is how most stores make a good chunk of their money.
The best beverage refrigerator for any beverage business is one that meets the specific needs of that business, is efficient at keeping the goods cold and fresh, and runs at the lowest possible cost.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the commercial beverage fridge options out there, explain what to look for, and help you choose the best unit for your business needs.
1. It Has to Match the Type of Beverage Business
The most common types of commercial beverage refrigerators are glass door display refrigerators, undercounter beverage coolers, and open-air merchandiser coolers, and they are specially designed to meet the needs of different kinds of businesses.
To make the right choice, you must first understand your options.
- For a convenience store, cafe, or grocery store, consider commercial display refrigerators or open-air refrigerator merchandisers.
- For a bar, pub, or restaurant, the best commercial beverage refrigerator is a back bar cooler.
- For a coffee shop, food truck, or small bar, the best commercial beverage refrigerators are under-counter beverage refrigerators and Deli fridges.
- For a supermarket or high-traffic retail store, consider an open-air cooler or a commercial display refrigerator, or a larger display refrigerator.
- For a wine bar, upscale restaurant, the best commercial beverage fridge you can choose is a wine cooler.
Best Commercial Beverage Refrigerator by Business Type
| Business Type | Recommended Refrigerator Type | Why It’s Best |
| Convenience Store / Café / Grocery Store | Commercial Glass Door Display Refrigerator/open-air merchandisers | - Upright with transparent doors for high visibility - LED lights to highlight products, even at night |
| Bar / Pub / Restaurant | Back Bar Cooler | - Designed to fit behind a bar - Sliding glass doors for easy access and product display |
| Coffee Shop / Food Truck / Small Bar | Undercounter Beverage Refrigerator/Deli Cases | - Space-saving design fits small setups - Maintains cooling efficiency in compact form |
| Supermarket / High-Traffic Retail Store | Open-Air Cooler Commercial Display Refrigerator | - Open-air: Doorless for easy grab-and-go access - Display fridge: Energy-efficient, safe, and visually appealing |
| Wine Bar / Upscale Restaurant | Wine Cooler | - Maintains ideal temperature and humidity - Adds a luxurious feel for high-end customers |
2. It Must Match the Type of Beverages You Sell
Because different kinds of drinks have different cooling requirements, it is important to choose a beverage refrigerator that can maintain the ideal temperature for your most important beverages.
In other words, the best beverage cooler for your business is the one that best matches the cooling requirements of the beverages you intend to sell.
Here are the different temperature requirements for different types of beverages:
| Beverage | Ideal Temperature |
| Soft drinks and water | 35°F to 40°F |
| Wine | 45°F to 65°F (depending on red or white) |
| Beer | 33°F to 38°F |
When buying a commercial beverage cooler, one of the most important information to look for is the temperature range of the cooler.
A commercial beverage cooler should stay between 33°F and 38°F to keep all kinds of drinks cold and ready to go.
For ultimate temperature versatility, you want something like the 52.4-inch Commercial Merchandiser Refrigerator.
With two sliding doors, 37 cu. ft. capacity, adjustable temperature range of 32-50℉, this display refrigerator for displaying soda cans, yogurt, packaged salad, and fruit cups in bars, offices, convenience stores, and more!
3. It Must Match the Size of Your Business
Choosing a commercial beverage cooler that matches the size of your business is important because it prevents you from running out of storage space during peak hours.
You might want to check a refrigerator size chart to pick one that best matches your needs.
- Measure the size of the beverage refrigerator and the number of cans it can hold.
- Plan 20-25% more space than your current volume to account for growth
For a small-to-medium-sized business, you want a smaller refrigerator that holds up a lot of items without taking up too much space.
This 39" Vertical Open Air Merchandiser Refrigerator offers 13.4 cu. ft. capacity for soda cans, beer bottles, fruit juice cans, and even yogurts and more.
It even comes with captivating built-in LED lights for a better attractive display
4. Consider Location and Space Constraints
Where you intend to place your commercial beverage cooler is also another important consideration when making the purchase.
- For the front of your store, you want a commercial beverage fridge that is aesthetically pleasing.
- For the back of the house, you want a more functional beverage refrigerator.
| Use Case | What to Look For |
| Front-of-house | Sleek and stylish design (glass door, LED lighting) |
| Back-of-house | Focus on capacity and durability |
| Small footprint | Choose under-counter or narrow upright units |
Deli cases are perfect for small spaces and can even fit on tabletops. This 35" Countertop Display Refrigerator has a curved glass display case to increase the appeal of the items you have on sale.
It comes with two adjustable shelves and 5.1 cu. ft., perfect not just for drinks and cans, but also for pastries, desserts, beverages, and other chilled delicacies in different sizes!
Ideal for bakery, cafe, deli, and more.
5. Temperature Control
The best commercial beverage refrigerators have different components to ensure accurate and efficient temperature control. Look for the following temperature control features:
- Digital thermostats for accurate reading of internal temperature.
- Dual-zone cooling- if you intend to store a variety of different beverages
- An auto-defrost feature to avoid having to manually defrost the refrigerator.
6. Energy Efficiency
An energy-efficient commercial beverage refrigerator helps save costs, especially in the long run. The following features indicate that a beverage cooler is energy efficient:
- ENERGY Star Certification
- Eco-mode settings
- LED interior light
- A high-efficiency compressor.
Another important feature for energy efficiency on a commercial display refrigerator is self-closing doors. Wilprep’s Commercial 3-Door Merchandiser Refrigerator features 3 smart doors that automatically close when opened to 90°, enabling the unit to remain energy efficient even with a 78.1" size and a considerable 72.4 cubic ft. capacity.
7. Look for Durability and Build Quality
A durable beverage cooler will serve your business for longer, without constant breakdowns and temperature fluctuations. Here are 3 signs that a commercial beverage cooler is durable and of good quality.
- It is built of stainless steel, both interior and exterior.
- In addition to a high-grade compressor, it has a fan for cooling and even air circulation
- It has anti-fog glass, self-closing doors, and sturdy shelving.
Bonus Features to Look For
Consider these features to get more value and efficiency:
✅ Lockable doors for security
✅ Adjustable shelving for flexibility
✅ Digital displays for temperature monitoring
✅ Door alarms for energy-saving
✅ Casters or leveling legs for mobility and stability
Choosing the right beverage cooler can make a big difference in your daily operations, customer satisfaction, and energy bills. Make a smart investment that fits your business, and you'll serve cold drinks without a hassle.
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