We found the best garage refrigerators to keep your food cold and provide plenty of extra space.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
7 Best Garage Refrigerators for Extra Storage, Tested by Editors
Updated on Nov. 21, 2024
Garage refrigerators are a great way to add extra storage for large families, frequent party hosts or any household with a wide receiver who eats enough food to feed a small family. They also give your house some major cool points.
Whatever your reason for wanting one, you can’t just roll out any fridge to your garage and call it a day.
“Garage temperatures fluctuate more drastically, which can affect the appliance’s efficiency and durability,” says Jason Lamprey, who’s worked on home renovation projects that include garages. “For anyone considering a garage fridge, it’s crucial to consider the climate of your garage.”
The best garage refrigerators need temperature control to withstand extreme heat and cold, a well-sealed door to keep noxious car fumes from reaching your food, and—of course—ample space for beverages and that pork shoulder you’ve been marinating for three days.
In addition to speaking with home renovation experts and researching what you need to make a garage fridge work for you, our team of homeowners and expert product testers tried the top-selling models to give you our top picks. These fridges were tested for two to three months in garages in North Carolina, New Jersey and Florida, with all of our participants experiencing humid or hot temperatures during the testing process.
-
-
-
-
Best Convertible Garage Refrigerator
Whytner Upright Convertible Deep Freezer/Refrigerator
Read More -
-
-
Best Overall Garage Refrigerator
GE Garage-Ready Top-Freezer Refrigerator
Pros:
- Performs in temperatures from 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit
- Available in various finishes
- Large inside and adjustable shelves
- Reversible hinges
- Interior LED lighting in fridge section
- Only a small gap at the bottom
Cons:
- No light in the freezer
The GE Top-Freezer Refrigerator will truly complete your garage setup. As tested by Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, senior shopping editor, this best garage refrigerator was designed to keep drinks and food cold in outdoor temperatures ranging from 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Springtime in New Jersey is unpredictable, and we’ve had 50-degree and 85-degree days. Through them all, the GE has performed well and the fridge’s contents have remained at the ideal temperature. No warm hard seltzers here,” says Fitzpatrick.
One big positive of the GE fridge that you probably wouldn’t think about with an appliance in your home is that there isn’t a big gap between the refrigerator and the ground. Since this unit is designed for the garage, it’s nice to know that animals won’t have much of a chance to make a home there.
As far as functionality goes, this refrigerator has adjustable shelves so you can easily fit different platter sizes and holiday trays. Plus, the door has reversible hinges, allowing you to set it up in the direction of your choice. There are also three pull-out drawers to house fruits, vegetables or whatever you want to keep separated. (Side note: Check out our list of things you don’t have to refrigerate.)
“I never thought I’d describe a refrigerator as ‘pretty,’ but you can’t beat the sleek look of this model,” says Fitzpatrick. “I went with the fingerprint-resistant black slate, so I know it’ll continue to look clean even after countless friends touch it to grab a drink during one of our outdoor summer parties.”
While the fridge section is nice and bright, thanks to light-emitting diode (LED) lights, the freezer does not have lighting. It’s certainly not a deal breaker, but it’s something to be conscious of so you’re not surprised.
Best Garage Refrigerator for Extreme Temperatures
Gladiator All Refrigerator
Pros:
- Works in extreme cold and heat
- Step-to-open pedal
- Easy to roll
- Sleek-looking finish
- Adjustable edge-to-edge shelves
Cons:
- No freezer storage
Most garage refrigerators are certified to work between 38 and 110 degrees. The Gladiator All Refrigerator takes it a step further by promising to keep food fresh when it feels like a tundra or a jungle. I’ve had it in my garage for about two months, and I can say that the Gladiator Fridge lives up to its warrior name by keeping my food and drinks cool through some of North Carolina’s most humid days. (That’s good because there’s nothing worse than needing to repair a refrigerator.)
On top of having adjustable edge-to-edge shelves and a considerable amount of storage on the door, the Gladiator comes with casters for easy portability around your garage. It also has a step-to-open silver tread foot pedal that opens the door without you having to drop your party trays.
Learn from me: To use this you’ll have to install the casters first. I set up my Gladiator without putting the wheels on, so now I have to wait for a time when I can empty the fridge to put them and the pedal on.
Back to the shelves: These things are strong. We’ve packed multiple protein shakes, soda cans, and full slabs of meat, and there’s no sign of stress or bending.
The hammered granite cabinet and matte black finish help the fridge blend seamlessly into my garage. I am a little worried about the customer reviews that state the compressors tend to break in less than five years after purchase, but for now I have no complaints about having this fridge in my garage.
Best Budget Garage Refrigerator
Samsung Counter-Depth Top-Freezer Refrigerator
Pros:
- Affordable
- Uses little power and is Energy Star-certified
- Multi-vent technology for even cooling
- Can be used as an indoor or outdoor fridge
- LED lighting
Cons:
- Smaller than most garage fridges
The Energy Star-certified Samsung Counter-Depth Top-Freezer Refrigerator uses about 345 kilowatts per hour yearly, about half as much as the standard kitchen fridge. It’s an affordable option for quality, energy-efficient garage fridges. Plus, it has multi-vent technology that evenly cools all your food no matter what shelf it’s on.
Family Handyman writer and product tester Caroline Stanko likes this counter-depth refrigerator because it allows for easy access in and out of her garage. “The depth meant that there is enough room for people to enter/exit the garage to/from the yard without having to skirt around the fridge, even when the doors are open,” Stanko says.
That’s not the fridge’s only space-saving feature. It has an interchangeable door, which means you can switch the direction it opens.
At 15.6 cubic feet, it’s smaller than most garage fridges. However, Stanko says it feels spacious and her only challenge is fitting tall bottles. “You will likely have to play with the spacing between the shelves if you plan on storing tall bottles,” she says. “Or, you can be comfortable laying them on their side, which I am.”
Like any good garage fridge, it’s certified to work in temperatures ranging from 38 to 110 degrees.
“I feel the fridge keeps food/beverages cold and at a good temperature,” Stanko says. “The ice trays froze, and the frozen desserts stayed solid.”
Best Convertible Garage Refrigerator
Whytner Upright Convertible Deep Freezer/Refrigerator
Pros:
- Can be used as a fridge or freezer
- Doesn't block entryways
- Digital controls
- Wheeled base
Cons:
- Many complaints of dented door panels
Sometimes, you need a fridge, and other times, you need a freezer. If buying both is out of your budget, then the Whynter Upright Convertible Deep Freezer/Refrigerator is the choice for you. Changing it is as easy as pushing a button—literally. “You set it to either the refrigerator or freezer mode using the digital controls on the front of the fridge,” says Family Handyman writer Pamela Bondurant. It was very easy to use.”
Bondurant says it does a great job of both, even when placed directly outside. She doesn’t have a garage but says it would be hot and humid (she lives in Florida).
“The fridge is protected from direct sunlight and, in 80-degree weather, got the entire interior down to 41 degrees in less than an hour,” she says. ” In the time I had it converted to a freezer, it did not appear to be building up frost but I suppose with heavy usage, that could occur and would happen with any freezer.”
There are four wire-grid shelves, a bottom basket, and four door shelves to help you organize your fridge mess. If you need to move it to another room, it has a wheeled base and easily moves. “It’s really easy to move, plus it’s light,” Bondurant says.
Best Garage Refrigerator for Beverages
HomeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
Pros:
- Can fit up to 120 cans
- Low energy usage
- Adjustable shelves
- Works in extreme heat
Cons:
- No freezer section or ice tray
The HomeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler can fit up to 120 standard-sized cans for the garage craftsman who doesn’t want to walk into their house for a cold one. Don’t like beer or soda? The adjustable shelves make it easy to fit wine bottles or anything else you need chilled to 34 degrees. At 17.8 inches deep, you’d be surprised how much you could fit in this fridge.
Among the nearly 4,900 5-star Amazon customer reviews were hundreds of people who said it holds up well in their garage throughout the year. “It resides in a hot garage here in North Central Texas,” wrote Amazon reviewer Guy Hawkins. “It performs quite well keeping about 80-100 beverages chilled to 38 degrees. I’m happy that I bought this refrigerator.”
Best Freezer Storage for Garage
Kismile Chest Freezer
Pros:
- Adjustable thermostat goes below 0 degrees
- Three available sizes
- Keeps food frozen even with hot outside temperatures
- Convenient water drain
Cons:
- May be difficult to ship to some locations
A garage freezer can be a great addition for preppers or barbecue fanatics looking to store meat for long periods, and there’s no better option than the Kismile Chest Freezer. My girlfriend and I have been using this for two months to freeze snacks and meal-prepped breakfast sandwiches, and it’s quickly become one of our favorite appliances.
The adjustable thermostat ranges from -7.6 to 6.8 degrees. The freezer has a balanced hinge-style door that can remain open, so you don’t have to prop it open like it’s the hood of your car while grabbing or storing food.
The noise level tops out at 40 decibels, which is about as loud as a closely monitored library. It is available in four sizes and two colors (black or white). I went with the 7-cubic-foot black freezer, which is super-quiet. I can’t hear it even when I’m working in the garage, and on top of that we haven’t seen a significant increase in our energy costs since getting it.
If you’ve never owned a chest freezer, you should know that routine defrosting is required every four to six months. Luckily, this garage freezer has a handy water drain, so you don’t have to tip the freezer to get the water out. I haven’t gotten to that stage yet, but I can see the freezer slightly frosting up.
Best Compact Garage Refrigerator
RCA Single Mini Refrigerator With Freezer Compartment
Pros:
- Included freezer compartment
- Keeps drinks cold even in hot temperatures
- Available in six colors
- Standalone freezer model available
Cons:
- Prone to dents
The RCA Single Mini Refrigerator With Freezer Compartment is perfect for garage gym owners who want to store their protein shakes or anyone who just doesn’t need a large garage fridge.
What separates this from other mini-fridges is its freezer compartment—yes, it’s small, but it’s more than what you’d get on other models. If you need a little more storage, you could also purchase the dual garage fridge and freezer set.
I’ve been using this mini-fridge for about two months, and I’m impressed at how well it works despite its small stature. I mainly use it to chill homemade cold brew concentrates and my protein shakes, and they’ve been very cold each time I take them out of the fridge.
Honestly, I haven’t been using this in a garage. It’s in a spare bedroom, but to be fair that room tends to be more humid than the rest of the house. And this mini-fridge still works just fine. Also, I can barely hear the compressor when it’s running at night.
With nearly 12,000 5-star customer reviews, it’s one of the highest-rated fridges on Amazon. “We keep it in our very hot garage and it keeps our drinks ice-cold,” wrote Amazon reviewer A. Wigfield. It’s also available in six fun colors so that you can match it with your garage’s decor.
What to Look for When Buying a Garage Refrigerator
Temperature rating: The most important thing to look for when buying a garage refrigerator is its temperature rating. Most garage fridges will be certified for temperatures ranging from 38 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which should hold up for most climates, but some models go beyond that range.
Storage: Another important feature would be adjustable shelving or modular bins. Since you’re most likely using this for things that can’t fit in your kitchen fridge, it’s important to know that you’ll have enough space for your second (or third) Thanksgiving turkey and the many drinks you want to keep on hand at all times.
Durability: The fridge should withstand everyday use and any temperature changes your garage may experience.
Energy efficiency: Running a second fridge doesn’t have to be expensive. Many garage fridges come with Energy Star ratings and, depending on usage, may only cost up to $50 per year to run.
Why You Should Trust Us
Family Handyman knows a lot about fridges. We’ve researched and tested mini-fridges, smart fridges, portable fridges and many more. We’ve also spoken to experts to find the most reliable fridge brands and written many articles on how to care for and repair your fridge. In other words, we know fridges inside and out.
We’ve also used and looked at the inside and outside of the fridges we write about. Three Family Handyman writers tested these garage fridges in North Carolina, New Jersey and Florida. Each tester placed beverages and food inside the fridges or freezers for two to three months, checking it regularly to ensure everything inside was being kept cold. We also noted how loud they were, how easy it was to store food and whether it increased our energy costs.
How We Found the Best Garage Refrigerators
In addition to speaking with Jason Lamprey, a 30-year construction veteran who’s searched for garage appliances as part of his company’s garage renovations, we actually tested many of the top-selling garage fridges.
Before using the fridges, we researched more than a dozen models to find garage fridges with durable compressors that can withstand temperature fluctuations, enough space to hold our food and other features such as easy portability. We’re not looking for fridge water dispensers, as those are not found on most garage-ready fridges.
We then tested the fridges in garages for two to three months, checking them to ensure the food stayed cool. We also noted their noise levels and how much space they occupied in our garages.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a garage-ready refrigerator and a regular refrigerator?
Most kitchen fridge compressors, the part that keeps cold air moving, are only certified to work in rooms that are warmer than 60 degrees. Garages are often colder than that, and most “garage-ready” fridges are certified to work at 38 to 110 degrees to account for fluctuating temperatures throughout the day.
How cold is too cold for a refrigerator in a garage?
Most companies certify their garage fridges for temperatures as low as 38 degrees, though some can work in below-freezing conditions.
