The 7 Best Garage Refrigerators for Extra Storage [2024]

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.

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.