A good outdoor fridge is a must-have in order to create the perfect backyard experience when BBQ’ing. With summer just around the corner, you will want a good outdoor fridge to keep cool beverages handy while you spend time in your backyard or patio.
And there are some pretty impressive options available in the market.
Our Top 3 Picks for Best Outdoor Fridges:
- EdgeStar 24 Inch Wide Built-In Outdoor Beverage Cooler
- Danby 4.4 Cu.Ft. Outdoor Mini Fridge
- VBENLEM 24” Built-in Stainless Steel 5.5 cu.ft.
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For an outdoor fridge with auto-defrost and digital controls, go with the EdgeStar CBR1501SSOD 24 Inch Outdoor Fridge. Danby & VBENLEM also have some great options.
In this article, we will be reviewing four of the best outdoor BBQ fridges on the market in 2020. We also will look at their pros and cons. In the end, we will share a brief buyer’s guide on outdoor refrigerators.
Related Reading: Do I Need an Outdoor Fridge? [IT DEPENDS]
The Best Fridges for the Outdoors
1. EdgeStar CBR1501SSOD 24 Inch Outdoor Fridge
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The EdgeStar CBR1501SSOD 24 Inch Outdoor Fridge is another great outdoor fridge which has plenty of cool features like a built-in carbon filter, auto-defrost, advanced compressor powered cooling and large storage space.
This outdoor fridge is capable of holding up to 142 standard 12 oz. beverage cans. Its temperature range varies between 38°F (3.33°C) and 50°F (10°C).
One of the cooler features of the EdgeStar CBR1501SSOD 24 Inch Outdoor Fridge is its auto-defrost feature. It also has digital temperature controls, making it a lot easier to operate.
Design-wise, this fridge has a reversible door, and the interior has glass shelves, a classy look for those evening BBQ get-togethers.
Let us now look at some of the pros and cons of this outdoor fridge:
Pros:
- It has a large size and can hold a large amount of food and beverages
- It has a powerful and advanced compressor and can maintain even temperatures
- It has an auto-defrost feature
Cons:
- It is heavier than the other options in the market
- Uses butane, which few repair companies will rebuild if it breaks
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2. Danby Spotless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator
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The Danby Spotless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator is one of the more affordable options when it comes to outdoor fridges. This 4.4 cubic feet fridge comes with four castors, each with stainless steel ball bearings.
This fridge has been tested for cooling in tropical weather, with an average temperature of 43°C (109°F). The main body is made of UV resistant plastic, perfect for the middle of the day BBQs.
The best thing about the Danby Spotless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator is that it is waterproof. It has an IPX4 waterproof rating. At just 68 pounds, it is also lighter than the other outdoor fridges in the market.
On the inside, it comes with a CanStor beverage dispenser and bright LED indicator lights.
Design-wise, the Danby Spotless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator has a cool looking retro style curved door design.
Let us now look at some of the pros and cons of this outdoor fridge:
Pros:
- It is incredibly light, making it easier to move around
- It is waterproof
- Made for outdoor tropical climates
Cons:
- At just 4.4 cu-ft, this isn’t the biggest fridge in the market
- Reversible door not as good on left side
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3. VBENLEM 24-Inch Stainless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator
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The VBENLEM 24-Inch Stainless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator comes in a stainless steel build, to prevent rusting. It’s 5.3 cubic feet storage space is more than enough to store all the food and beverages you will need on a hot summer day spent outdoors.
It features a reversible door and digital temperature control, making it easier to control the temperature, so you can keep your eye on the BBQ and the medium-rare steak instead.
The VBENLEM 24-Inch Stainless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator has a 304 SUS body, which can insulate extreme outdoor heat. This fridge will keep your food and beverages cool even when the outside temperature reaches as high as 40°C (104°F).
On the inside, it features fan circulated air, and its famous Embraco compressor is able to maintain the temperature with the range of 34-50°F (1-10°C).
This fridge has a power rating of 100W and is great at saving electricity. Design-wise, it has a sleek modern look on the exterior.
Let us now look at some of the pros and cons of this outdoor fridge:
Pros:
- It doesn’t consume a lot of electricity.
- It works great, even in extremely hot weather.
- It has sufficient storage space for your food and beverages.
- It has a rust-proof stainless steel build
Cons:
- This is the heaviest outdoor fridge featured on this list. As such, it can be difficult to move
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4. Avallon AFR241SSRH 5.5 Cu Ft Built-In Refrigerator
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The Avallon 5.5 cu. ft 24-Inch Outdoor Built-in Refrigerator is our pick for the best outdoor fridge in the market in 2020. This fridge is built with a powerful and advanced compressor so that the temperature range is kept consistent.
This means that all your food and drinks are kept at the right temperature at all times, no matter when you decide to BBQ. It comes with a single zone cooling unit where the temperature can be set between the ranges of 34°F (1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
The Avallon AFR241SSRH Outdoor Fridge also comes with internal LED lights. You can change the colours between blue and white.
Let us now look at some of the pros and cons of the Avallon AFR241SSRH 5.5 Cu Ft Built-In Refrigerator:
Pros:
- It comes with a carbon filter and an advanced compressor system.
- It can keep the temperature within a consistent range.
- It has Internal LED light with two different colour choices.
Cons:
- The control panel might be a bit too advanced for some newer users
- Reports of below average customer service for warranty
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Best Outdoor BBQ Fridge: Buyer’s Guide
We just looked at four of the best outdoor fridges in the market in 2020. But if you’re in the market for an outdoor fridge, there are a few things you need to be aware of in order to make an informed purchase.
Capacity & Size
One of the first things you need to consider when buying an outdoor fridge is its size and capacity. The capacity is usually measured in cubic feet.
This lets you know how much food and beverages you will be able to store in the fridge. Depending on how many people you expect to serve, this size might vary.
Material Used
The material used on the build of the fridge determines its overall weight and durability. Stainless steel is by far the most popular choice, and it is what makes most of these fridges heavier.
It is also important to consider the material used on the inner trays and shelves to ensure long term durability.
Temperature Range
Another thing you need to consider is the range of temperature supported by the fridge. The most important factor to consider here is whether or not this fridge is able to hold its internal temperature steady when the outer temperatures are unsteady.
Weight
The weight of a fridge mostly depends on its capacity, size, and the material used. But for an outdoor fridge, this is an important factor to consider in its own right. Unlike an indoor fridge, you can expect to move an outdoor fridge around more. A lighter fridge will be easier to move around.
On a different note, fridges with castors are also easier to roll around.
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Conclusion
An outdoor fridge is a must-have for your summertime BBQ in the backyard. One of the best all-round outdoor fridge on the market is the Avallon AFR241SSRH 5.5 cu. ft 24-Inch Outdoor Refrigerator.
Another great choice that comes with digital temperature controls and the auto-defrost feature is the EdgeStar CBR1501SSOD 24 Inch Outdoor Fridge.
The Danby Spotless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator and the VBENLEM 24-Inch Stainless Steel Outdoor Refrigerator are both great for places where the outdoor temperature can reach the extremes.
Of the two, Danby’s fridge is waterproof and is also the smallest featured on our list. VBENLEM’s fridge is the heaviest on our list.