The Best Kegerators for Tap-Quality Suds at Home

While there is nothing like enjoying a fresh beer from a bar tap, as there is really no matching the taste of beer poured from a pressurized keg, taking that experience home really cranks the party up to 11. Having a kegerator at home is an easy way to plug yourself into the good life of having heady drafts available at arm’s reach.

Though at its core a kegerator is something that can feasible created in a DIY scenario, there really is no reason to go through the hassle when there are so many great options widely available for every budget. Each pick from our list is specifically designed to dispense frosty cold suds and will come as complete kits ready to get your adventures in freshly tapped beer started – all you will need is to have your CO2 canister filled, then you’ll be ready to pick up a keg, and you can let the good times roll. From countertop units to commercial-sized rigs ready to serve the masses, this list has it all, so take a look and find your next beer dispensing buddy from our picks of the best kegerators for your personal use.

What to Look For

To begin thinking about which kegerator is right for you, there are a couple of key factors to keep in mind when doing your shopping to make sure you bring home the best option. There is nothing worse than selecting a product that won’t work, so be sure to study up on these picks to find the right option.

Unit Size: First, begin with considering the volume of the space you intend to place your new kegerator, as these mini-refrigerator units are just like their full-sized siblings and will be available in a multitude of different sizes. Measure out where you plan on placing your new kegerator, leaving a couple of inches on all sides for consideration to let the unit expel hot air, and make sure the style you like will fit the bill. A lot of the listed products will also happily fit into a built-in cabinet or countertop, so if you are planning on executing a custom look, make sure to keep that factor in mind to avoid any unnecessary features.

Keg Size: Secondly, try to contemplate what sizes of kegs you may be interested in purchasing for your home consumption, as not all kegerators will be able to accept all sizes of kegs, and some will specialize in dispensing certain sizes. If you are looking to host large parties or just want to keep an ample amount of brew on hand, look for models that will accept up to a half-barrel. For those concerned with quality over quantity, a unit that accepts quarter- or sixth-barrel kegs will provide plenty of capacity to keep those beers ready to serve.

Spouts: Most units only have one spout, as that’s likely all you’ll need for most occasions. However, for larger gatherings with different palates, you’ll want to be able to serve two or more beers at once, so a multi-tap unit might be better for you.

What’s the Best CO2 Level for Kegerators?

While you can go as low as 4 PSI or as high as 14 PSI, the regulator settings on your kegerator should be somewhere between 5 and 12 PSI for the best results, and the best beer.

Insignia Single Tap Beverage Cooler

Best Overall: One of the best parts about beer is the variety, and with the huge waves of craft brewers, the world has seen over the past few decades, a slew of innovative ales and lagers hit store shelves regularly, giving the adventurous sud sipper a lot of opportunities to broaden their horizons. The Insignia Single Tap Beverage Cooler is an adaptable kegerator that is the perfect design for anyone whose taste change regularly, as the versatile layout accepts half- or quarter-barrel kegs and has 2 wire shelves for keeping cans or bottles cool, perfect for those brews purchased in smaller containers. Keeping the rig agile is a set of locking caster wheels and a reversible stainless-steel door, so transport is easy around the house, while the versatile set-up allows this kegerator to look beautiful anywhere that you have room for it.

EdgeStar KC2000

Best Runner-Up: Having a simple design is great for many reasons, as it can make the product easier to operate and maintain, as fewer parts usually equate to fewer components to learn about and repair. As the overall idea of a kegerator is basic in itself, the EdgeStar KC2000 is an elementary unit with all that you will need to get the job done and start serving draft beer at home. This single-tap unit is built with a slightly slimmer width, allowing for a better fit into narrower areas while still having the capacity to accept full-sized half-barrel kegs, making the kegerator a great fit in smaller homes or apartments. With all of the necessary hardware included, this package is ready to use and is simply operated by an analog temperature switch and a single gauge regulator. Giving you a few options, the KC2000 also includes caster wheels and the ability to mount your CO2 canister either inside or outside of the fridge, so this versatile assemblage will transform easily into the perfect draft station for your needs.

HomeCraft Growler Beer System

Best Countertop: Not all beer comes in a large keg, and therefore, not ever kegerator comes in a full standing size. For those small 5-liter mini-kegs, the HomeCraft’s Growler Beer System Kegerator & Dispenser has all of the bases converted for amplifying your fresh beer experience over going straight from the factory-supplied plastic tap. Just pop in a mini-keg of your choice, let the liquid cool for a day, then get your pint glass ready for bar-style draft beer served up right from your countertop. It will keep your beer fresh for up at least 30 days. For those kegs that require pressurization to keep the flow going, the unit comes with three 16g CO2 cartridges but will work with any standard threaded CO2 or N2O cartridges. Alternitavely, if the mini-keg has built-in pressurization system, this kegerator will accept and pour without any modification necessary. Other features include the LED adjustable temperature gauge, the stainless steel drip tray, and the silent operation for indoor use. If you are looking for a light-weight way to tap your small batch homebrew concoctions at your next party, give this mini kegerator a look for easily had good times.

Kegco Multi-Tap Dispensers

Best Multi-Tap: For those that take their beer consumption to the next level know that brewing your own beer at home is a great way to learn more about what makes the taste profile of every beer unique, and allows the inner chemist to run wild in the experimentation process of the brew. So if you ever end up taking this journey, keep in mind that you’ll want to serve up the beer you’ve worked so hard on through a worthy kegerator, and Kegco’s Double or Triple Tap systems are the perfect answer for that need. Specifically designed with the home-brewer in mind, this kit is made to work specifically with the “ball-lock” style kegs for home brewing, meaning you won’t have to rig any special contraptions to serve the beer right from the storage vessel. The digital temperature controls even allow for temps as high as 75ºF, creating the perfect conditions for the fermentation process of your home-brew operation.

EdgeStar KC1500OD

Best Outdoor: While kegerators are perfect additions to kitchens, game rooms, and man caves, the ubiquity of beer appreciation has grown so much that an on-tap unit can be the perfect touch for your patio or backyard bar. EdgeStar’s range of products extends to the outdoors as well, as you’ll find with the KC1500OD model. Electrically rated and safety- approved for the outdoors, the compact refrigerated tap system is just under 15″ wide and is built to withstand the elements with its stainless steel-wrapped exterior, and comes with an integrated door lock. Likewise, your beer will stay temperature controlled no matter what the weather is like outside, with the front ventilation making this optimal for building into deck cabinetry. To make it easier to manage, you can control temperature and interior LED lighting right from the digital control panel on the outside.

Hestan 24-Inch Single Tap

Best High-End: Long gone are the days when beer drinkers were only blue-collar workers looking for a filling way to drown their sorrows, and with that change in consumers, there is nothing that says your kegerator can’t match the rest of your home decor. Unlikely to ever be spotted in a frat house kitchen, the Hestan 24-Inch Single Tap is an outdoor rated kegerator that will have your favorite draft kegs feeling like a king. Constructed fully from stainless steel and featuring a hefty amount of insulation, the forced-air refrigerator also features the ability to have the face panel customized with a wood overlay, allowing for a seamless appearance once built into your countertop. As final touches, Hesten added an LED interior light for those late-night keg swaps and a lock to the door, making sure that prying hands will have a tough time gaining unwanted access to your prized pints.

The Best Beer Growlers

Not in the market for a full-sized keg-tapping device, but still looking to wet your whistle? Check out our picks for the best beer growlers to find a smaller container that may better match your beer-drinking needs.