The Best Garage Refrigerators for Keeping Extra Food and Drink Chilled

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Bring extra food and drink storage to the garage or workshop with garage-ready refrigerators that protect their contents even in extreme temperatures.

Whether you have a large family or just love to entertain, sometimes one fridge simply doesn’t provide enough extra space. Since many homes don’t have room for another refrigerator inside, the garage is often a logical place for a second one.

Just as the location and intended use may differ, a refrigerator for the garage is evaluated differently than one for the kitchen. For example, a standard refrigerator works in a climate-controlled space where temperatures never dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or rise into triple digits. But garages can reach extreme temperatures on both ends of the spectrum, so garage-ready refrigerators are designed to function in near-freezing conditions and in scorching hot temperatures that can be more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Having purchased a few garage refrigerators to serve as a backup for our main fridge, I understand how these specialty appliances differ from their kitchen counterparts and why it’s important to get one rated for garage use. Through my own experiences, I’ve found that home appliances giant GE makes some of the most long-lasting and spacious garage refrigerators out there. I leveraged my own experiences with GE models and other brands while researching 20 different appliances to produce our list of the best garage refrigerators, ranging in size from small 4-cubic-foot mini-fridges to full-size 21-cubic-foot models.

1. BEST OVERALL: GE 19.2-Cubic-Foot Top Freezer Refrigerator
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Frigidaire Apartment-Size Refrigerator With Freezer
3. BEST LARGE-CAPACITY: GE 21.9-Cubic-Foot Top Freezer Refrigerator
4. BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Gladiator GarageWorks 17.8-Cubic-Foot Refrigerator
5. BEST MINI FRIDGE: Black+Decker Compact Mini Fridge With Freezer
6. BEST FRIDGE ONLY: Danby 11-Cubic-Foot All Refrigerator
7. ALSO CONSIDER: Danby Classic Retro 4.4-Cubic-Foot Mini Fridge

How We Chose the Best Garage Refrigerators

Several important criteria figured into our list of the best garage-ready refrigerators. Except for one selection for finished climate-controlled garages, I chose “garage-ready” refrigerators that can endure hotter and colder ambient temperatures than a standard refrigerator can endure to ensure they would operate properly year-round.

I also considered storage flexibility. Extra refrigerators often hold bulk items, so it’s crucial that the refrigerator’s drawers and shelving can handle large platters of fresh food, cases of cans, tall wine bottles, and gallon-size jugs. Where possible, I leaned toward garage fridges with glass shelves, LED lighting, and adjustable shelving.

Finally, I selected refrigerators that cover a broad range of sizes to suit a variety of needs, including mini fridges with a capacity of 4 to 5 cubic feet up to full-size garage-ready refrigerators that have more than 21 cubic feet of space.

Our Top Picks

The list below includes some of the best refrigerators for a garage. Each is rated for garage use, and the options range from small mini fridges to full-size refrigerator-freezers.

Best Overall

GE 19.2-Cubic-Foot Top Freezer Refrigerator

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Product Specs

• Capacity: 19.2 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
• Finish: Black, slate, stainless steel, or white

Pros

• Broad temperature range for garage use; temperature drops from 110 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit
• Ample size with modular bins; provides plenty of storage space and great versatility
• Useful additional features include edge-to-edge glass shelves and LED lighting

Cons

• Smaller capacity than some full-size models; may not be big enough for some users’ needs

With its ability to handle extreme temperatures coupled with its reasonable price, this garage-ready refrigerator freezer from appliance giant GE makes a great choice for bringing additional cold food storage into the garage. This garage-ready model handles temperatures ranging from 38 degrees to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower refrigerator and top freezer section combined offer an ample 19.2 cubic feet of food-storage capacity.

Easy-to-access temperature controls allow the user to fine-tune the temperature in both the

freezer

section and fridge. Modular bins in the doors offer versatile storage space that one can rearrange for large platters of hors d’oeuvres, tall bottles of wine, or cases of soda. Other useful features include adjustable edge-to-edge glass shelves and LED lighting.

Get the GE 19.2-cubic-foot garage refrigerator freezer at The Home Depot, AJ Madison, Best Buy, or Wayfair.

Best Bang For The Buck

Frigidaire Apartment-Size Refrigerator With Freezer

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Product Specs 

• Capacity: 3.2, 4.6, or 7.5 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 32 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit
• Finish: Stainless steel

Pros

• Affordable option for a second food- and beverage-storage space
• Stylish retro appearance makes it a good choice for a garage or game room
• 3 size options to meet the needs of different spaces

Cons

• Smaller than some garage fridges; may not be suitable for some users
• Not as versatile as comparable options; can only be used in a climate-controlled garage

The compact size of this garage fridge, which is designed for finished, climate-controlled garages, makes this garage-ready refrigerator freezer a great companion for a garage workshop. It comes in three size options—3.2 cubic feet, 4.6 cubic feet, and 7.5 cubic feet—which includes the freezer section—each at an affordable price.

Vintage chrome handles, a stainless steel front, and the Frigidaire logo emblazoned on its front give this refrigerator freezer a retro look, making it ideal for game rooms or home mechanics who enjoy a throwback vibe. The lower fridge section includes three slide-out adjustable glass shelves along with a vegetable crisper and four-door shelves. The upper freezer section is large enough to hold ice and frozen desserts.

Get the Frigidaire garage refrigerator freezer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.

Best Large-Capacity

GE 21.9-Cubic-Foot Top Freezer Refrigerator

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Product Specs

• Capacity: 21.9 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
• Finish: Stainless steel, black, white, slate, black slate

Pros

• Large capacity exceeds that of many other garage fridge options
• Classic and timeless stainless steel finish is durable for use in garages; easy to clean
• Plentiful storage space in doors and large produce bins can hold a multitude of items when needed

Cons

• May have a loud operating volume; could cause some noise pollution in the garage

With its nearly 22 cubic feet of capacity, GE’s stainless steel fridge ranks as one of the larger garage-ready fridges on the market. Its ample size includes large bins for produce as well as deep in-door storage bins for large drink containers, including full gallon jugs and tall wine bottles.

Noteworthy features on this GE refrigerator include LED lighting, glass shelves with spill-proof edges, and a rating for ambient temperatures ranging from 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Just keep in mind that this garage fridge does consume more space than other garage-ready models at 66.375 inches tall by 32.75 inches wide by 34.5 inches deep.

Get the GE 21.9-cubic-foot garage refrigerator freezer at The Home Depot, Best Buy, or AJ Madison.

Best Heavy-Duty

Gladiator GarageWorks 17.8-Cubic-Foot Refrigerator

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Product Specs

• Capacity: 17.8 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
• Finish: Black

Pros

• Rugged construction lets fridge withstand the conditions of workshops and garages
• Large casters allow for easy movement or relocation if needed
• Hands-free access simplifies opening when hands are full

Cons

• Some users have reported difficulty or malfunction with the evaporator system

With its rugged design and thoughtful storage options, this aptly named refrigerator from Gladiator thrives in the garage. Large casters allow the user to wheel the refrigerator around with ease, and a hands-free step opening makes putting away groceries and bulk items a breeze.

Inside, metal trays and large door shelves hold bulk food items and large jugs. Thick glass shelves stand up to heavy loads of multiple 12-packs. A black matte finish with a diamond-tread pattern on the door gives the fridge an industrial look that suits a garage space.

Get the Gladiator garage refrigerator at The Home Depot, Appliances Connection, or Garage Organization.

Best Mini-Fridge

Black+Decker Compact Mini Fridge With Freezer

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Product Specs

• Capacity: 4.3 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
• Finish: Black, white, or silver

Pros

• Versatile storage options for both food and drinks; door storage and main storage provided
• Built-in can dispenser is a unique feature among garage refrigerators
• Wide temperature range allows fridge to withstand harsh environmental conditions; can be set from 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit

Cons

• Very small freezer section; won’t be able to store much

Complete the garage workshop or man cave with a reliable mini fridge. This garage-ready model from tool company Black+Decker withstands the potentially harsh garage environment with a temperature range of 38 degrees to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Its smaller capacity of 4.3 cubic feet, handy six-can dispenser, and door shelves that support a 2-liter bottle work well for storing plenty of drinks and snacks. Measuring just 34 inches tall by 21 inches wide by 20 inches deep, this compact fridge fits nicely into a workshop without hogging precious work space. The Black+Decker mini fridge comes in white, black, and silver.

Get the Black+Decker garage refrigerator at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Wayfair.

Best Fridge Only

Danby 11-Cubic-Foot All Refrigerator

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Product Specs

• Capacity: 11 cubic feet
• Temperature range: 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
• Finish: Stainless steel or white

Pros

• Ideal for drink storage, including larger bottles; shelving can be adjusted to accommodate multiple bottle heights
• Small footprint fully devoted to refrigerator space; can be tucked into corners if desired
• Attractive stainless steel finish looks great in rooms where aesthetics are important
• Energy Star rating means this fridge will save on long-term energy costs

Cons

• May have a loud operating volume; may cause some noise pollution in the garage

Danby’s 11-cubic-foot refrigerator is 59 inches tall by 24 inches wide by 26 inches deep, and features wide-open shelves for plenty of food and drinks. A vegetable-crisper drawer offers a great spot for produce, and adjustable door shelves provide plenty of room for larger bottles.

An Energy Star certification means powering this fridge won’t break the bank. With its stainless steel finish, it makes a great choice for garage workshops or rooms where modern aesthetics matter.

Get the Danby 11-cubic-foot garage refrigerator at Amazon,