Best Cheap Bar Coolers: Designer’s Top Picks in 2025

Thumbnail image showing two budget-friendly bar coolers side by side, used to promote an article on the best cheap bar coolers for bars and restaurants.

Why Bar Coolers Can Make or Break Your Budget

When I presented one of my clients with a premium Krowne bar equipment quote, his face turned pale. He feared his entire project was doomed. And I understood why — the bar coolers alone represented 41% of his equipment costs. That’s the silent budget killer no one warns you about.

The solution? Offshore bar coolers. By carefully selecting alternatives, I shaved nearly $15,000 off his equipment bill — without compromising on the Krowne underbar stainless system he had his heart set on. That single decision kept his dream alive.

To see just how much impact bar coolers can have on your bottom line, consider this snapshot from real-world projects:

Infographic titled ‘Bar Coolers: The Hidden Budget Buster’ showing that bar coolers can account for up to 40% of equipment costs. Highlights three key points: premium brands cost more but last longer, budget brands cut upfront costs but may sacrifice durability, and smart choices can save $15,000 or more on a single project.
Bar coolers often represent the single largest share of your bar equipment costs — sometimes up to 41%. Choosing wisely can mean the difference between blowing the budget or saving $15,000 or more without sacrificing performance.

In one recent project, that insight alone allowed me to rework the cooler package and save my client nearly $15,000 — proof that smart substitutions can keep a dream bar within reach.

How to Choose the Right Bar Coolers

The world of bar coolers is riddled with confusing nomenclature. Here’s how to separate marketing fluff from reality:

  • Depth: The true industry standard for built-in bar coolers is 24 inches deep. Don’t be fooled by suppliers who mislabel deeper cabinets as “standard.”
  • Door Styles: Glass doors are ideal for visibility; solid doors save money but hide inventory. Choose based on your service style.
  • 72″ Narrow Door Units: At this size, all major U.S. players — Krowne, Glastender, Perlick have reduced (narrow) door widths on their standard bar coolers because of their larger compressors. This means U.S. half-barrels won’t fit (sixtels and slim quarter barrels are compatible). To get around this, each of these companies offers a 72″ direct draw cooler designed with doors that can facilitate half-barrels. While Avantco also offers kegerators, their “narrow” coolers have been designed with smaller compressor cabinets, and therefore, their door openings can accommodate half-barrel kegs.  

Depth matters: In professional back bar design, the true industry standard cabinet depth is 24 inches (nominal). Any spec calling a deeper case “standard” is misleading — it does not match the built-in format used by Krowne, Glastender, or Perlick.

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Avantco Bar Coolers: The Professional Budget Leader

If you’re serious about value without losing professional credibility, Avantco is the name to know. Owned by Webstaurantstore, Avantco offers the most complete lineup of bar coolers on the market:

  • Models: 36″, 48″, 60″ and 72″.
  • Finishes: Black vinyl with glass or solid doors, stainless with glass or solid doors.
  • Depth: Avantco’s so-called “narrow” models are in fact the correct 24″ built-in standard. Those are the ones you want.

Webstaurantstore sweetens the deal with its exclusive Plus Member Pricing, which unlocks discounts, free shipping, extended warranties, and even financing — a rarity in the foodservice world. For independent operators and start-ups, that flexibility can be the difference between shelving the dream or opening on schedule.

With those advantages in mind, let’s take a closer look at a few standout Avantco back bar coolers that deliver real value without compromising professional standards:

For operators weighing every dollar, that combination of breadth, price transparency, and member perks makes Avantco hard to ignore. It’s the kind of lineup that quietly outmuscles higher-priced competitors by offering the right depths, finishes, and financing flexibility in one place.

With those advantages in mind, here are four standout Avantco back bar coolers that deliver real value without compromising professional standards.

Avantco UBB-36G-HC 36-inch back bar cooler with glass door, shown under a bar counter stocked with beer bottles and spirits.

Avantco UBB-36G-HC

Compact 36″ back bar cooler with black vinyl finish and glass hinged door. A smart choice for smaller layouts — priced at just $1,469.00.

AVANTCO UBB-48G-HC

48″ back bar cooler with dual glass hinged doors and black vinyl exterior. Extra capacity without breaking the budget — only $1,569.00.
Avantco 60-inch back bar cooler with two hinged glass doors, fully stocked with beverages, installed in a professional bar setting.

AVANTCO UBB-60G-HC

60″ back bar cooler with sleek black vinyl finish and dual glass hinged doors. Ideal for busy bars needing extra storage — priced competitively at $1,569.00.
Avantco 72-inch back bar cooler with three glass hinged doors, designed for high-capacity storage in a busy commercial bar.

AVANTCO UBB-72GT-G

72″ back bar cooler with three glass hinged doors and glavanized top. Maximum capacity for high-volume venues, still affordable at $2,199.00.

These four models show how Avantco delivers professional-grade capacity at approachable price points — a reminder that smart equipment choices can stretch a bar budget further than most owners imagine.

Amazon Value-Engineered Bar Coolers

Not every operator is sourcing through foodservice distributors. More and more small bar and restaurant owners are looking at Amazon-sold imports as a way to stretch their budgets. While these don’t offer the breadth of Avantco’s lineup, they can be smart gap-fillers when space or budget are tight.

Not every operator has the budget for Avantco. That’s where Amazon-sold imports come in — compact, affordable, and sometimes offering sizes the big players ignore.

Euhomy 15-inch bar cooler with glass hinged door and stainless trim, compact beverage refrigerator.

EUHOMY 15"

14.9″ W × 22.5″ D × 34.3″ H
⭐ 4.2 (75 reviews) — $329.99
Ultra-slim and ultra-affordable. Best used to fill tight gaps or secondary storage — not a workhorse unit.
Euhomy 24-inch bar cooler with stainless steel frame and glass hinged door, compact back bar refrigerator.

EUHOMY 24"

23.4″ W × 22.6″ D × 34.3″ H
⭐ 4.4 (244 reviews) — $589.99 Compact and budget-friendly. Perfect for small bars or satellite service stations where every inch counts.

EUHOMY 36" BAR COOLER

35.4″ W × 19.4″ D × 35.4″ H
⭐ 4.7 (715 reviews) — $799.99
A crowd favorite with over 700 reviews. Ideal for shallow-depth installs, this cooler saves space without breaking the bank.

COOLSKI 36" BAR COOLER

36″ W × 21″ D × 33″ H
⭐ 4.4 (51 reviews) — $899.99
A mid-size option with a professional look at half the price of premium brands. Great for startups or light-duty applications.

Final Thought on Amazon Bar Coolers
While these offshore models can’t match Avantco or the premium U.S. brands for durability, they shine in specific use cases: ultra-tight spaces, startup budgets, or as secondary coolers that keep a project affordable. For operators who need to stretch every dollar, Amazon picks like Euhomy and Coolski can make the difference between compromise and completion.

Bar Cooler Comparison Chart: Avantco vs Amazon Picks

If your budget’s tight but you still want reliable gear, these four Amazon bar coolers — all under $900 — are the ones worth a serious look:

Brand / Model Size (W×D×H) Capacity Price* Rating Best For Trade-Offs
Avantco UBB-48G-HC 48″×24″×35″ ~13 cu. ft. ~$1,469 N/A Professional installs; modular fit Higher cost; distributor only
Avantco UBB-60G-HC 60″×24″×35″ ~17 cu. ft. ~$1,569 N/A Mid/large bars; 24″ alignment Same as above
Euhomy 15″ Cooler 14.9″×22.5″×34.3″ ~3 cu. ft. $329.99 ⭐ 4.2 (75) Tight gaps; micro-bars Very limited capacity
Euhomy 24″ Cooler 23.4″×22.6″×34.3″ ~4.5 cu. ft. $589.99 ⭐ 4.4 (244) Small bars; satellite stations Limited warranty
Euhomy 36" Cooler 35.4″×19.4″×35.4″ ~7.4 cu. ft. $799.99 ⭐ 4.7 (715) Shallow backbars Light-duty build
Coolski 36″ Cooler 36″×21″×33″ ~8 cu. ft. $899.99 ⭐ 4.4 (51) Mid-size startups; pro look cheap Warranty/service limits

*Prices from Webstaurantstore (Avantco) and Amazon (Euhomy, Coolski).

Designer’s Take: Budget-friendly bar coolers from Amazon can’t compete with premium brands on durability, but they shine in the right role — satellite stations, tight installs, or projects where every dollar counts. Think of them as smart support players that help keep your dream bar within budget.
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Final Thoughts: Stretching Your Bar Design Budget

Bar coolers aren’t glamorous. Guests will never compliment your choice of back bar fridge. But they will notice if you’ve blown the budget and cut corners elsewhere.

The lesson? Spend smart. Use Avantco for backbone refrigeration that lines up with premium underbar stainless. Use Amazon picks like Euhomy or Coolski when space or dollars are tight. And remember — these choices can make or break your project.

As I tell my clients: the right bar coolers don’t just keep product cold. They keep dreams alive.

The bottom line? Choosing the right bar coolers isn’t just about saving a few dollars — it can mean the difference between shelving your dream project or making it a reality. I’ve seen clients save tens of thousands simply by knowing where to compromise and where not to.

❓ FAQ: Bar Coolers

Q: What’s the standard depth for commercial bar coolers?
A: The true built-in standard is about 24 inches deep. Some suppliers mislabel deeper cabinets as “standard,” but 24″ ensures your back bar equipment lines up neatly.

Q: Can a 6′ bar cooler hold a U.S. half-keg?
A: No. On 6′ models, the doors are narrower, preventing half-kegs from fitting. These units are best used for bottles and cans.

Q: Are cheaper Amazon bar coolers worth it?
A: They can be — especially for light-duty use or tight spaces. Euhomy and Coolski offer budget-friendly models with solid reviews, though they don’t match Avantco for durability.

Q: Which brand offers the best balance of price and performance?
A: Avantco’s 24″ standard depth models offer the best professional balance. For ultra-budget cases, the Euhomy 7.4 cu. ft. cooler (⭐4.7 from 700+ reviews) is a standout value.

Q: How much should I budget for bar coolers?
A: Expect $1,400–$1,800 for Avantco’s professional units versus $329–$899 for

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RICK UZUBELL

President of Cabaret Design Group, Rick holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, and is a F&B consultant and well-known bar design expert with years of experience serving hotels, restaurants, sports bars and destination bars. He has developed a command of bar design solutions involving ergonomics, equipment, systems and finishes that bridges the "Gray Zone" between interior designers and architects. He's also a champion of ADA design in commercial bar applications. Through his unique architectural engineering approach he calls "Integrated Bar Design," Rick solves complex bar design challenges beyond the expertise of typical design professionals. His proudest achievements include curved bar design solutions using the modular bar die system and steel as a core design element. As a commercial bar design specialist, Rick has cutting-edge knowledge of draft beer systems, liquor systems, keg room design and batch cocktail systems. He will add significant value to any commercial bar design project. Rick is a proud member of the F&B consortium known as the "Magnificent 7". Additionally, he has authored nearly 100 articles and 80 YouTube videos on the topic of bar design, and these can be found on his Cabaret Design Group website and @bardesigners YouTube channel. Today, Rick's influence extends across the U.S., Canada, and various offshore applications.
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