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True vs. Marvel Undercounter Beverage Centers (Reviews/Ratings/Prices)

August 31st, 2015 | 2 min. read

By Danny Nguyen

Beverage centers are the most popular type of under counter refrigerator. A beverage center is a combination of refrigerator space and wine storage. Generally they have one or two wine racks on the top or bottom and a single temperature zone.

True and Marvel are two manufacturers with extensive refrigeration manufacturing backgrounds. True Professional Series is a division of True Manufacturing Company which has been an industry leader for over 65 years. You may recognize their logo from convenience stores and supermarkets beverage and food coolers. True has just recently jumped into the residential undercounter refrigeration segment with some pretty impressive products.

Marvel was formed in 1932 when they started manufacturing undercounter ice boxes. Their wine cooler are consistently among the highest rated. Both brands manufacture their products here in the U.S.

True vs. Marvel Undercounter Beverage Centers

True TBC-24-L-SG-A - $2,999

true refrigeration 24 inch beverage center TBC24RSGA

  • Industry exclusive, 300-series stainless steel interior/exterior
  • Zero-clearance hinging allows integrated installation
  • TriLumina® LED lighting -3 different lighting schemes(white, amber, blue)
  • Double pane UV tinted glass
  • Balanced, forced-air refrigeration system enables rapid product pull down/even temp
  • 2 adjustable/removable stainless shelves and 2 wine shelves (holds 13 bottles)
  • TrueFlex® allows convertibility to fridge or wine cabinet
  • Standard door lock
  • UL rated for outdoor use
  • Temperature gets down to 33° degrees
  • Star K compliant
  • 3 year full warranty/6 year sealed system warranty

Marvel 6BARM-BS-G - $1,550

marvel under counter beverage center stainless 6BARMBSGR

  • Incandescent interior lighting
  • 1 metal shelf, 1 glass shelf, 1 slide-out wine rack, 1 half-shelf
  • Door available in glass or full overlay
  • “Close Door Assist” hinging system
  • Temp range of 39° to 65° F
  • Audible and visual alarms for door ajar and high/low temperature
  • Blue LED temperature display
  • 1 year full warranty/5 year limited sealed system warranty
 
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We have both brands on display in our showroom and personally I like True better. The overall quality with a commercial stainless interior and shelving. The adjustable color schemes are also cool (my favorite is the blue). The best feature of the True unit is the rapid chill feature for when you need a rapid cool for beer, wine or any other items. True is also the only beverage center completely convertible to a wine cooler, if needed. The warranty is also better at 3 years versus 1 for Marvel.

Before you decide completely against Marvel: Marvel is a proven commodity whereas True is new to the residential market and is more than twice the price.- @YaleCEO

Additional Resources

Download the Yale Undercounter Refrigeration Guide with features, specs and inside buying tips to under counter refrigerators as well as ice makers. Over 45,000 people have read a Yale Guide.

Undercounter Refrigerator Buying Guide

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Danny Nguyen

Danny Nguyen has over 20 years of experience at Yale Appliance. He takes pride in helping customers complete their dream kitchens. Danny enjoys eating, running, and competing in Spartan races. If he's not competing in a race, he is often traveling with his family.

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