5 Best Garage Refrigerators with Low Energy Usage And Great Capacity

Written by Shebna V, Health & Fitness Coach
Updated on Feb 19, 2024
garage refrigerators
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The best garage refrigerators are engineered to resist extreme temperature changes, provide ample space, and effectively prevent food and beverages from spoiling or losing taste — in some cases, they are also able to run without electricity! Also, garage freezers are an effective way to grab a bottle of chilled beer while fixing the engine of your vehicle without going up to your house to treat yourself and if you live at an exorbitant distance from the local market, garage fridges can serve as a storehouse for essentials during the hour of need. 

Although a garage freezer refrigerator may resemble standard refrigerators in many ways, they are quite differently built. Garage freezers tend to have an in-built heater and a separate thermostat that helps to keep the temperature within its interiors stable and blows out cold air during cold temperatures, thus maintaining a consistent range of internal temperature within the device. The best garage fridges often have higher resistance to fluctuations than most of their kitchen counterparts. 

However, procuring a garage refrigerator freezer should not come with repeated maintenance issues and interrupted cooling capacity.  Thus, after carefully examining the advantages and features of all products in the market, we have curated a list of the best garage-ready fridges with robust cooling capacity and the most pleasing aesthetics. 

Scroll on for our carefully curated recommendations.

5 Best Garage Refrigerators

An ideal companion for motorhomes, outdoor dorms, and caravans, and way better than standard fridges is the SMETA propane garage refrigerator. It has great storage capacity that provides ample space to keep food fresh for a long time. In tandem, it also has flip-up bottom shelves and a three cubic ft large storage area that make it suitable for storing jugs and bottles of all shapes and sizes.  To add on, it occupies meager garage space and does not emit any toxic CFCs into the environment.

Product Highlights 

Dimensions - 20.6 x 23.2 x 32.2 inches

Item Weight - 76 pounds 

Number of Doors -1

Pros
  • Suitable for outdoor use
  • Can run on propane and electricity both
  • Automatic defrosting
  • Potent cooling
  • Adjustable shelves
  • Good customer service from the brand
Cons
  • Slightly on the pricier side
  • Best Overall

    Anukis Compact Refrigerator

    Anukis Compact Refrigerator
  • Whether it is for perishables, fresh goods, or meat, the compact garage refrigerator from Anukis is an impeccable choice. It has a remarkable adjustable temperature range from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, it offers plenty of space for storing a week’s supplies. To add on, this free-standing mini fridge offers lightning-fast freezing to provide instant cooling and is best suited for storing frozen food and your fresh veggies without shriveling them. Lastly, it is adjustable up to 7 levels of temperature and comes with an anti-rodent plate at the back that prevents the intrusion of pests. 

    Product Highlights 

    Dimensions - ‎16.5 x 15.8 x 34.2 inches

    Item Weight - ‎2.4 pounds

    Number of Doors - 2

    Pros
    • Removable door seals to prevent friction
    • Scratch resistant surface
    • Adjustable shelves
    • The freezer section has a separate door
    • Retro aesthetic
    • Value for money
    Cons
    • None
  • Best for Beverage Cooler

    hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler

    hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
  • The Homelabs garage beverage refrigerator comes with an elegant stainless steel finish and a crack-proof glass which makes it aesthetically pleasing and hardy, both. In addition, it also comes with an LED lighting system and an easy-touch temperature control system that helps keep a check on its cooling. Furthermore, it comes with three adjustable chrome shelves that can hold 120 standard-size soda cans and has a robust small convection fan that keeps the air circulation within its interiors uniform. Addedly, it comes with a digital thermostat that makes it easy to monitor its functioning. Lastly, it has a reversible door which makes its operation a breeze. 

    Product Highlights 

    Dimensions - ‎‎17.3 x 18.9 x 33.3 inches

    Item Weight - ‎6.8 pounds 

    Number of Doors - 1

    Pros
    • Durable built
    • Great capacity for storing beverages
    • In-built auto-defrosting system
    • Also suitable for offices and dorms
    • Consistent cooling
    • Aesthetically appealing
    Cons
    • Not suited for storing food items
  • Best on Budget

    RCA RFR321-B-Black-COM RFR321 Single Mini Refrigerator

    RCA RFR321-B-Black-COM RFR321 Single Mini Refrigerator
  • Aesthetically appealing and integrated with the most advanced features is the RCA garage fridge. It is one of the most affordable refrigerators that have an adjustable thermostat that makes it suitable to adjust the interiors of the fridge as per the intensity of the ambient temperatures outside. To add on it offers extra fridge space of 3.2 cubic feet and an adjustable lever feet which makes it suitable to transfer the object from one place to another. We tried this one out for our office space and we can vouch for how much it holds and how well it cools! For the price, it is a great pick! 

    Product Highlights 

    Dimensions - ‎‎‎18.5 x 17.68 x 32.8 inches

    Item Weight - ‎16 ounces 

    Number of Doors - 1

    Pros
    • Very low noise
    • Affordable
    • Efficient cooling
    • Easy-to-use temperature control
    • Lightweight and portable
    Cons
    • May need occasional defrosting if the temperature is kept too low
  • Most Energy-Efficient Refrigerator

    BLACK+DECKER BCRK43B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge

    BLACK+DECKER BCRK43B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge
  • The Black Decker garage fridge is a true gem in the field of electronics. The product contains a reversible door, adjustable temperature control, and a consistent cooling capacity that helps retain freshness for a long time. In tandem, it has removable glass shelves that make its maintenance a breeze. It has a storage capacity of twelve cans of 12 oz and provides remarkable refrigeration to perishables and beverages without consuming too much energy. To add on, it has reversible doors that make its operation easy. The best part is that it is available in varied pastel colors like stainless steel, black, and grey to complement and personify your kitchen interiors.

    Product Highlights 

    Dimensions - ‎‎20.9 x 20.6 x 32.7 inches

    Item Weight - ‎‎63.9 pounds

    Number of Doors - 1 

    Pros
    • Easy to Clean
    • Low noise
    • Easy sliding shelves
    • Occupies minimal space
    Cons
    • Freezer space is limited

    Choosing the best garage fridge that helps you store what you require without taking up a ton of space and in the right budget out of the many refrigerator options can be tough. Hence after carefully analyzing all the features of the most saleable products we have enlisted a few factors you can consider while making your next purchase.

    How to Choose the Best Garage Refrigerator?

    1. Storage Capacity: One of the key factors to consider while buying a garage freezer is that it should have the required storage capacity. While shopping for a garage fridge, look for the size of the refrigerator compartments, freezer, and vegetable basket (if available) to ensure that it can meet your storage needs.  
    2. Energy Consumption:  One should always look for garage fridges that have low energy with an efficient cooling capacity. As electricity consumed by garage freezers in addition to your daily electrical appliances can be an expensive affair, always one should opt for propane-run refrigerators to minimize energy consumption and look for products with an Energy Star logo to limit overall consumption. 
    3. Durability: The garage fridge should be durable enough to resist mechanical jerks, scratches wear, and tear and prevent its outer appearance from being aesthetically maligned. Check for the warranty that the manufacturer provides — a minimum of 2 years of warranty on the compressor is a good indicator that the fridge is built to last. 

    The best garage refrigerators occupy menial space, consume meager energy, and also come with easy portability. They also resist temperature fluctuations and help retain the shelf life of food, perishables, and packaged foods. 

    From our list of the best mini fridges suited for garage spaces, offices, and media rooms, we loved the SMETA propane refrigerator for its ample storage space, hassle-free maintenance, and minimal energy consumption. If all you need is a great cooler for storing cans and bottles of your favorite beverages, we recommend you look no further than the Homelabs garage freezer. With regards to more factors to understand which mini-fridge for your garage you should pick, do check out our buying guide before making a purchase.

    FAQ's

    Does a refrigerator in the garage use more electricity?
    A refrigerator in a garage does not use more electricity than a regular fridge. Being smaller in size, it often consumes less energy. Having said that, you can expect your refrigerator to consume energy in accordance with its star rating.
    Can you keep a refrigerator in an uninsulated garage or a hot garage?
    A regular refrigerator has a limited resistance to changes in temperature whereas a garage refrigerator is usually built to sustain temperature variations. So, you may be able to keep a fridge built with insulation in your garage.
    Should you unplug your garage refrigerator in the winter?
    A garage refrigerator has an automated ability to adjust as per the changes outside and an auto defrost technology, hence there is no need to unplug them in winter. However, if you don't need to use it over winter for storing anything, it is a good idea to keep it unplugged.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Shebna, our in-house lifestyle writer,  believes that there is the perfect thing for every need and requirement and is an advocate of using the right tools for the right purpose. Keeping in mind the storage and cooling capacity of garage fridges, she carefully analyzed the features of all the most popular options in the market and curated a list of the most durable and efficient options. Out of all the recommendations on the list, the Smeta Propane Freezer refrigerator is her personal favorite.

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness on board to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons. Happy shopping!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Shebna V
    Health & Fitness Coach

    Shebna is a content creator with an experience of over 6 years and likes to delve into all things health and fit More