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    The Best Outdoor Fridges to Keep Your Beverages Cold All Summer

    by Don's Appliances

    The Perlick Signature Series outdoor refrigerator with wine, beer, and beverages  

    At a Glance:

    Outdoor Fridge Styles

    5 Best Outdoor Refrigerator Brands + Recommended Models

    FAQs

    Why Trust Us?

    As the weather warms up, the backyard is the place to be. And what’s better for cooling off than a perfectly chilled drink? Having an outdoor fridge saves you the trouble, the mess, and the wasted AC of going in and out of your house. Instead, you can keep your favorite drinks close at hand. These weather-resistant fridges can seamlessly integrate into an outdoor kitchen or move around the yard when you’re throwing a party. For these reasons, outdoor fridges are ideal for entertaining, making room in your indoor refrigerator, and creating a dedicated storage spot for your barbecue ingredients, condiments, and favorite beverages.

    Here, we’ll discuss the different outdoor fridge styles you can choose from as well as the top refrigerator brands and our favorite models from Don’s Appliances.

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    Outdoor Fridge Styles

    The Coyote Outdoor Living refrigerator featured in an outdoor kitchen

    Outdoor fridges are built to last in the summer sun or even through Pittsburgh winters (just keep an eye on your compressor during the coldest months and consider powering off your fridge). There are several styles and brands to choose from, and typically, finding the best outdoor refrigerators will cost anywhere between $1,200 and $5,000. 

    The question is, what kind of fridge do you need? Well, if you have a full outdoor kitchen setup, then you’ll probably want a built-in outdoor fridge while a freestanding fridge is perfect for flexible arrangement or placing your refrigerator for outdoors in the garage.

    Here’s an overview of the most common outdoor fridge options.

    Outdoor Fridge Type Details
    Built-In Outdoor Fridges Undercounter Refrigerators: Designed to fit seamlessly into outdoor kitchen cabinetry, these outdoor kitchen refrigerators install under counters for a sleek presentation.
    Freestanding Outdoor Fridges These all-weather fridges are typically larger with enough space for additional items such as deli snacks and platters. If you’re big on entertaining, these are the ideal setups.
    Outdoor Beverage Centers Specifically designed for storing beverages, these fridges often feature glass doors and shelving optimized for cans and bottles. In most cases, beverage centers have shelves, unlike wine coolers, which have wine racks.
    Outdoor Wine Coolers As mentioned, outdoor wine refrigerators feature racks to store bottles at the proper angle to avoid disturbance from sediments. Wine coolers come in single zone options ideal for single wine variants, dual-zone wine coolers to store two varieties at different temperatures, and mult-zone coolers.
    Outdoor Refrigerator Drawers Featuring pull-out drawers instead of doors, these are ideal for spaces where a traditional refrigerator door might be cumbersome. Outdoor drawer fridges are also great installed into an outdoor kitchen island for a sleek, modern take on the outdoor cooking setup.

    Each style offers different features and benefits, so the choice depends on the available space you have, how you intend to use your outdoor refrigerator, and what aesthetic you prefer.

    Learn more: Answering Your Common Outdoor Refrigerator Questions [FAQ]

    5 Best Outdoor Refrigerator Brands + Recommended Models

    The options can seem overwhelming, so we’ve narrowed down our list of the top outdoor fridge brands with excellent outdoor fridge reviews and a variety of fridge styles to choose from. Check them out!

    Aristan Outdoor Fridges

    Artisan by Alfresco produces well-crafted outdoor kitchen appliances, including refrigerators that are designed for durability and performance. Outdoor fridges from the Artisan line offer modern features and are built to handle outdoor environments effectively.

    Recommended Outdoor Fridge: Artisan 5.5 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Outdoor Undercounter Refrigerator

     Front view of the Artisan ART-BC24 outdoor refrigerator

    Shop This Artisan Outdoor Refrigerator

    This undercounter fridge is outdoor rated and ready to withstand even the harshest weather conditions. Best of all, you can choose whether to use it as a built-in or freestanding fridge. On the inside, this outdoor mini refrigerator features a graphite interior, stainless steel shelving, and bright LED lighting create a modern aesthetic, and there’s 5.5 cubic feet of capacity for your favorite drinks.

    Coyote Outdoor Fridges

    Coyote Outdoor Living offers a range of high-quality outdoor refrigerators designed with luxury in mind. Models from Coyote are built with durable stainless steel, providing excellent performance and sleek aesthetics suitable for various outdoor settings.

    Recommended Outdoor Fridge: Coyote Outdoor Living 24” Stainless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator

     Front view of the Coyote C1BIR24-R outdoor refrigerator

    Shop This Coyote Outdoor Refrigerator

    This fridge features a pro style handle and an exterior made with 304 stainless steel, meaning it can handle chilly temperatures throughout the year. The front bottom installation allows you to use it as a built-in or freestanding fridge, and you can adjust the door hinges so that they’re on the left or right. In terms of keeping things perfectly cool, a digital thermostat ensures precise temperature control along with an auto defrost function for easy maintenance.

    Napoleon Outdoor Fridges

    The Napoleon brand crafts reliable and durable outdoor refrigerators that integrate seamlessly with their other outdoor cooking products. Laid-back and casual in design, fridges from the  Napoleon series offer a beautiful complement to the robust grills from the line.

    Recommended Outdoor Fridge: Napoleon Stainless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator

     Front view of the Napoleon NFR055OUSS outdoor refrigerator

    Shop This Napoleon Outdoor Refrigerator

    This sleek and seamless freestanding outdoor fridge is spacious and easy to install. It’s durable and perfect for outdoor use thanks to its premium stainless steel construction and outdoor-rated build. The temperature memory function allows you to easily set the temperature that best serves you, whether you need cool drinks by the pool or a place to store your ingredients for a cookout.

    Perlick Outdoor Fridges

    Perlick offers commercial-grade refrigeration solutions tailored for outdoor use. Their outdoor refrigerators are praised for their robust construction, energy efficiency, and precise temperature control, making them a favorite among homeowners who want professional-level appliances.

    Recommended Outdoor Fridge: Perlick Signature Series 5.2 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Frame Outdoor Beverage Center

     Front view of the Perlick Signature Series HP24BO-4-3LL outdoor refrigerator

    Shop This Perlick Outdoor Refrigerator

    This glass-front outdoor beverage refrigerator allows you to easily check your stock or choose your drink without opening the door. It’s an undercounter fridge perfect for an outdoor kitchen, and it’s incredibly durable, meeting commercial standards required for bars and restaurants. It features wine and refrigerator shelves, so you have suitable storage for all your favorites. And it can hold an impressive 16 bottles of wine and 62 cans. When you refill it with all new drinks, it will cool 70% faster than its competitors, which is ideal when you’re restocking at the last minute before guests arrive.

    Sub-Zero Outdoor Fridges

    Known for high-end food preservation for indoor kitchens, Sub-Zero also offers outdoor fridges that are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions while maintaining consistent cooling performance. Like indoor models, outdoor fridges from Sub-Zero are designed with luxury appeal, featuring top-grade materials built to last.  

    Recommended Outdoor Fridge: Sub-Zero 24” Panel Ready Outdoor Refrigerator Drawers

     Front view of the Sub-Zero ID-24RO outdoor drawer refrigerators

    Shop This Sub-Zero Outdoor Refrigerator Drawer

    This double drawer refrigerator is perfect for a luxury outdoor kitchen. It’s panel ready with sleek pro handles, and its ENERGY STAR certified rating ensures eco-friendly performance for any weather. Two drawers and adjustable drawer dividers allow you to stay organized, and there’s more room to store your favorites whether that’s wine, can, or food. A Sub-Zero fridge is built to last a minimum of 20 years, so they’re worth the investment, and you can enjoy them for many seasons to come.

    Outdoor fridges offer quality, modern style, and a reason to gather your people. Whether you want to prep for a big barbecue or grab a drink so you can sit and read, you can access your chilled drinks and an ice maker without leaving your outdoor paradise. With a wide selection of freestanding and built-in outdoor fridges from top brands, Don’s Appliances is the best place to shop for outdoor fridges in the Pittsburgh area. Stop by one of our appliance showroom to check out outdoor fridges in person today.

    FAQs

    Can you use a normal fridge outdoors?

    Only refrigerators labeled for outdoor are suitable for outdoor kitchens. Outdoor fridge models have safeguards in place to withstand weather conditions and temperature fluctuations.

    Are outdoor refrigerators worth it?

    Outdoor refrigerators can be expensive, but their durable construction is impressive, and if you love to spend time outside and host friends and families, it’s hard to beat the convenience of an outdoor fridge.

    Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor refrigerators?

    Yes, outdoor refrigerators are specifically designed with durable materials and enhanced insulation to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions, whereas indoor refrigerators can’t handle these environmental factors.

    Why Trust Don’s Appliances?

    Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.

    When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.

    Shop Outdoor Fridges at Don’s

    Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop outdoor appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help pair you with the perfect outdoor fridge for your home — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!

    Learn More: 4 Reasons You Need an Outdoor Pizza Oven