Mini kegerators and beer dispensers provide a convenient and affordable way of enjoying your favorite draft beer on tap from the comfort of your home.
Often, drinking the contents of a full-size keg can be a challenge, especially if you are drinking alone. Rather than seeing it go to waste, why not invest in a mini kegerator or a beer dispenser?
A mini kegerator is designed to store and dispense your beer. As implied they are compactly sized, easy to store, can be kept outdoors, and very much in demand.
As there are so many models available on the market, narrowing the selection down can seem like a difficult task.
This is where we come in, we have reviewed our top picks of the best mini kegerators and beer dispensers that are suitable for home use below.
We have also provided you with a lot of all the factors that you should consider before making your pick.
OUR TOP PICK
No products found.
Nutrichef Stainless Steel Mini Keg Dispenser (Amazon)
EDITORS CHOICE
No products found.
SPT BD – 0538 Mini Kegerator and Dispenser (Amazon)
BEST VALUE
No products found.
Krups and Heineken BeerTender Keg (Amazon)
OUR TOP PICK
Nutrichef Stainless Steel Mini Keg Dispenser (Amazon)
No products found.
The Nutrichef Pressurized Stainless Steel Mini Keg Dispenser will keep your beer fresh for up to 2 months, so you are not pressured to finish consuming it within a restricted time frame.
This is thanks to the addition of the CO2 cartridge which has the power to pump approximately 128 Oz of beer before needing to be replenished.
Using the regulator gauge you can monitor the PSI and you can also tune the pressure accordingly. This will allow you to pour the perfect beer. The hexagonal-shaped cap is easy to grip and remove.
Compactly sized, this keg will fit inside your refrigerator with ease as it measures 7.5” x 6.9” x 19.5” when fully assembled.
As for durability, it has been constructed from food-grade stainless steel which is rust-proof, so you needn’t worry about it deteriorating in quality.
Pros
- Assembly – You are provided with all of the components and hardware that are required to set up this keg dispenser.
- Portable – as this is a conveniently sized keg, it can be transported to other locations if needed.
- Freshness – thanks to the stainless steel construction, your beer is going to stay fresher for longer.
Cons
- CO2 cartridges – these are not included with the keg dispenser and will therefore need to be purchased separately.
EDITORS CHOICE
SPT BD – 0538 Mini Kegerator and Dispenser (Amazon)
No products found.
Boasting a modern and sleek design, the SPT BD – 0538 Mini Kegerator and Dispenser will sit nicely on your counters in your kitchen or bar.
The temperature is displayed via the LED display and this can be adjusted if needed, though it will retain an optimal temperature within the range of 36 to 39 degrees.
As this dispenser is equipped with a CO2 cartridge pressure system, it can chill your beer within 19 to 21 hours and it will keep it chilled for a total of 30 days.
Although it is a little bulkier than our previous pick, it isn’t overly substantial and is fairly easy to store.
You are provided with 3 CO2 cartridges which save you from the initial expense of having to purchase them as extras.
In regards to compatibility, this kegerator works with standard 5 liter kegs and 5L Heineken mini kegs. It is worth noting that CO2 cartridges are not required when using this product to dispense Heineken.
Pros
- Design – this keg has been designed with a removable water drip tray which will minimize the mess, making it easier to clean.
- Construction – the housing has been constructed from stainless steel which is tough and durable.
- Using the keg – Setting up and using this keg dispenser is a pretty straightforward task.
Cons
- Noise – According to the reports of several customers, this dispenser produces quite a lot of noise which some may find distracting.
BEST VALUE
Krups and Heineken BeerTender Keg (Amazon)
No products found.
Specifically designed to work with Newcastle Brown Ale, Heineken Premium Light, and Heineken, the Krups BeerTender Keg is the perfect entry-level option for those that are still familiarizing themselves with the world of craft beer.
This Keg functions by using a carbonator pressure device (internally) that releases CO2 every time the tap is opened and maintains a temperature of 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Because of this, your beer will preserve its quality and remain fresh for 30 days.
Many customers are likely to appreciate the usability of this kegerator. You can fit a new keg in as little as 15 seconds.
Apply pressure to the authentic tap to begin pouring a beer with the perfect head. The LED display also indicates the temperature of the dispenser and the Peltier silent cooling system provides consistent coolness.
Pros
- Noise – As an ultra-quiet keg dispenser, you don’t need to worry about it producing a lot of noise.
- Warranty – This product is backed by a 2 year worldwide warranty so you are covered should you happen to encounter any problems with it.
- Cleaning the keg – thanks to the removable drip tray, this keg is easy to clean. The housing can be wiped over when required too.
Cons
- Size – this keg is a little bulky so it may consume more room than you would expect when placed on your countertops.
RUNNER UP
Homecraft Easy Dispensing Mini Kegerator (Amazon)
No products found.
The Homecraft Mini Kegerator makes it easier to enjoy a fresh, cold beer from home. Impressively, it is compatible with all pressurized and non-pressurized 5L kegs.
If you often find yourself hosting parties and get togethers, this keg will ensure that you have plenty of beer on hand.
It works with CO2 and N2O cartridges which will help to maintain the quality of your beer for 30 days and potentially longer once it has been tapped.
The easy pull handle makes the task of dispensing your beer super easy. It is also designed with a removable tray that catches any drips to minimize the volume of mess.
This dispenser will keep your beer chilled at a temperature of 36 degrees. It will also chill it within a 24 hour period thanks to the thermoelectric cooling system.
You can then monitor the temperature via the LED. The lack of a compressor means that this dispenser does not vibrate or produce a lot of noise.
Pros
- The design – the sleek and sophisticated black housing will complement the majority of interiors well.
- Reusable growler – along with the kegerator you are provided with a reusable growler that will keep your beer fresh for longer.
- Cleaning the kegerator – you are provided with a squeeze bottle cleaning kit which can be used to keep your machine looking clean in between uses.
Cons
- Using the kegerator – Unfortunately, some customers have reported that this kegerator is a little difficult to use as the instructions aren’t very clear.
RUNNER UP
Fizzics Original Portable Beer System (Amazon)
No products found.
Last but not least we have the Fizzics Original Portable Beer System. It may be big enough to hold a growler but it remains compact and portable enough for you to take with you on the go.
To use this system, you simply need to insert your beer of choice, pull the tap forward when you are ready to pour, and push it back to the top once you are finished.
The patent pending sound wave technology improves the taste, texture, and aroma of your beer. Thanks to the Fizzics Micro-foam feature which divides the bubbles you can enjoy the best beer drinking experience.
The design also aims to pour the perfect beer and it is compatible with all bottles and cans as well as a 64Oz growler.
This is a lightweight beer system that is also very durable thanks to its tough outer shell construction, housing, and high-performing components.
Because of this, you don’t have to worry about it becoming easily damaged or breaking when subject to frequent use.
Pros
- Ease of use – many customers who have purchased this machine have stated that it is super easy to use which is great for those who have never used one before.
- Power Source – this beer system is battery powered which means that you are not tied down to a power source.
- Quality – as this system has been made from high-quality materials it is going to deliver long-lasting use.
Cons
- Difficult to clean – Several customers have reported that cleaning this machine after use can be a little bit of a challenge.
Best Mini Kegerators and Beer Dispensers Buying Guide
To find the best mini kegerator dispenser for your needs, there are several factors that we would advise you to consider before making your purchase. We have listed the following criteria to aid you in choosing your product.
BEER DROP: Boxes of beer from Award-winning microbreweries → Join The Club
Ease of Assembly
Ideally, your kegerator should be easy to assemble.
You don’t want to spend hours trying to put together a product that is made up of multiple overly complicated components as this is going to take a considerable amount of time.
Unlike standard kegerators, those of a mini variety tend to be pretty easy to put together because they have a more basic design.
The quality of the instructions that you are provided with will also influence how easy the unit is to assemble.
Cleaning and maintaining the kegerator
If you are likely to use your kegerator regularly, you will need to clean it more often. Many are equipped with a removable tray that catches the drips from the tap.
This helps to minimize the mess and contain it in one area. Most models simply need to be rinsed following use and the housing can be wiped over.
Depending on the size of your kegerator you may also need to defrost it occasionally to ensure that it remains in optimal working order.
Using the Kegerator
Your kegerator should be easy to use. If you have never used one before, you will benefit from investing in a more basic option.
In most cases, you will simply need to pull the tap to pour the desired amount of beer into your drinking glass.
Remember to refer to the instructions if you need any guidance when trying to use your kegerator.
If you consider yourself to be a beer drinking connoisseur,then you are likely already familiar with the concept of a kegerator and how it should be used.
Quality and Durability
The quality of the kegerator is going to determine its durability. You will find that the housing of most models is constructed from stainless steel and this is then complemented by good quality, high-performing components.
You don’t want to purchase a machine that struggles to withstand frequent use without breaking.
The Size
The purpose of a mini kegerator is to provide you with a more compact and convenient alternative to a standard model.
There are many benefits associated with mini kegerators because they do not tend to be very bulky; they can easily be stored on your kitchen countertop or in your bar.
The Design
A great thing about many mini kegerators is that they have an appealing design. For this reason, it can sit on the counters in your home and will complement the aesthetics of your interiors very well.
Some may find those that are bold and bulky a little obtrusive, and this is another benefit of investing in a mini kegerator because they will blend in with the rest of your appliances much better than those that are larger.
The Noise
For many, the noise that is produced by a mini kegerator can be rather distracting and off-putting. This is especially an issue with those that are equipped with a compressor that is prone to vibrating.
It is worth paying attention to existing customer reviews to check whether they have expressed any issues with the volume of noise that the model of interest produces.
Some of the kegerators that we have listed above have been praised for their ability to function quietly, making them a desirable option for those who are deterred by a noisy system.
Features
Almost all mini kegerator dispensers will be designed with an LCD display that indicates the temperature. This will allow you to monitor it.
Again, many models will have a pressure regulator that can be adjusted to create the perfect pint of beer.
If you are likely to be using your kegerator in different locations, you will likely appreciate the addition of carry handles which will make this task significantly easier.
Freshness
It is important to consider the duration of time that your kegerator is expected to keep your beer fresh.
This will generally be stated in the product specifications and will usually be around 30 days, in some cases, it may be longer and it can differ depending on the unit that you choose.
If you are likely to finish drinking the beer in one sitting, you may not be hugely concerned about shelf life and freshness, however, if you are likely to have some leftover, the shelf life and freshness is going to be important.
The Cost
The cost of mini kegerators can vary quite considerably. Whilst there are many options that cost just over $100, others cost a lot more than this.
Do not be put off if you are on a budget because there are more than enough options available that are not going to break the bank.
You must make sure that your chosen product is equipped with the desired features and remains within the price range that accommodates your budget.
The Warranty
Several brands will cover their products with a warranty. This means that you are covered against any defects with the unit or issues that you may be confronted with when trying to use it.
The length of this policy can differ and some brands will not offer a warranty at all. This is something to bear in mind if the provision of a warranty is going to be influential upon the product that you are likely to choose.
