What is the Difference Between a Beverage Cooler and a Refrigerator?

When summer comes around and the temperatures outside soar, there’s nothing more refreshing than a perfectly-chilled beverage. Whether you fancy a glass of rosé, a can of beer or a cup of freshly squeezed fruit juice, getting the temperature right is all-important: a lukewarm drink doesn’t exactly hit the spot, does it?

The obvious solution would be to put all of your drinks in the fridge, but this isn’t always possible. If your fridge is stacked with ingredients and leftovers, you’ll need somewhere else to store your drinks – something like a beverage cooler or a mini fridge.

These two terms are often used interchangeably, so is there any real difference between these two types of appliance? We’re going to answer that question once and for all in this blog, covering everything you need to know about both mini fridges and beverage coolers. Not only that, but we’ll offer a selection of top tips to help you find the right fridge or cooler for you. 

Is a beverage cooler the same as a mini fridge?

So, the big question: are beverage coolers and mini fridges the same? In a word, no. There are a number of significant differences between the two appliances, both in terms of their design and construction and the way they look. To help you understand which appliance is right for you, we’ve outlined the key differences below… 

What is the difference between a beverage chiller and a refrigerator?

• Temperature: Perhaps the biggest difference between these two types of appliance is their internal temperature. A mini fridge is exactly that, a more compact version of a regular freestanding or built-in refrigerator. That means it’s designed primarily to store food – and that means it needs to maintain a lower temperature internally than a drinks cooler does. Mini fridges tend to maintain an internal temperature of no more than 4°C, while drinks coolers often operate at temperatures of up to 18°C. This is a deliberate design decision, as some beverages (like wine) are best stored at a slightly higher temperature.

• Size: Generally speaking, mini fridges are smaller than beverage coolers. Some beverage coolers offer more than 110 litres of storage space, while most mini fridges tend to top out at around 65 litres.

• Internal Design: Because mini fridges are designed primarily to house food, their internal design is much closer to that of a regular fridge, featuring a mixture of compartments and shelves. Beverage coolers are built purely to house drinks, so you won’t find any compartments inside them – just shelves that are sized perfectly to accommodate bottles of wine or drinks cans.

Exterior Design: Mini fridges and beverage coolers are every bit as different on the outside as they are on the inside. Most mini fridges look just like you’d expect – scaled-down versions of regular refrigerators. Beverage coolers, on the other hand, tend to feature more stylish, design-led elements like glass doors and elegant internal lights, showcasing your drinks beautifully.

So, which one should I buy?

Now you understand the differences between each type of appliance, let’s recap the pros and cons of each.

• Mini fridges are a great way to store a small amount of food and drink. Their compact, space-saving design and affordable price tags make them a worthy addition to any home, although their lower internal temperature means they’re not well-suited to storing wine.

Beverage coolers can’t be used to store food, simply because of their slightly higher internal temperature. If you just need somewhere to store drinks, though, a beverage cooler is the appliance to go for. Not only do they look the part, they offer far more storage space and can accommodate any beverage of your choice, from fruit juice to wine.