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Undercounter refrigerators have changed over the years. You can buy a refrigerator, a wine cooler, freezer, or a combination set including an icemaker. Then you can buy them with a glass door or with drawers. Many options exist in the refrigerator industry to fit your lifestyle.

The most popular style is a beverage center because it allows you storage for wine and refrigerated items. The glass door is a nice showcase in any kitchen or bar.

So we will look at the 4 best products to consider. But first, let us answer why they are way more expensive than a freestanding unit.

Wine storage is different than any other product.

Beverage centers are the most popular undercounter refrigerator on the market. Unlike a wine unit or traditional refrigerator, a beverage center is designed to store wine as well as soda, water and beer.

Because beverage centers are designed for various drinks the internal temperature on average can range from 35 to 65 degrees.

When choosing an undercounter refrigerator, there are many configurations available ranging from wine units to beverage centers, drawers and all refrigerators.

They are also available in various sizes from 24 wide to 15 inches wide, in stainless or ready to accept custom panels.

Download our Undercounter Refrigerator Guide for more on refrigerators and ice makers »

Undercounter units add a sense of ambiance as well as functionality to any space. They are great for large families, or households that like to entertain. There are a lot of ways to integrate them into the kitchen, bar areas or in even outdoor kitchens.

True and Perlick represent two of the top under cabinet refrigerators in the market. In many ways both companies are mirror images of each other. However, I think there are big differences.

Beverage centers are the most popular choice for under cabinet refrigeration.

If you have a need for extra refrigeration and a few wine bottles, then the beverage center is designed for you.

In today’s design of new kitchens, great rooms and basement playrooms, the homeowners are looking for alternative ways to store different types of drinks and food without running to the main refrigerator.

Undercounter refrigerators can store cans and food, but not wine. Wine units are meant to store just wine in their custom shelving. Beverage centers, on the other hand, can store every item.

A beverage center can store up to 16 bottles of wine for short term storage. You can place cans or bottles of beer and drinks for the kids. Plus you can hold deli platters and other types of food in there. Beverage centers have a multi-purpose use in a home. It can also be used in an outdoor application for certain brands.

Wine might be the hardest item to store because it reacts to such factors like temperature, light, humidity and vibration. Too much of any of the above will alter the taste of wine. Frigidaire and True represent the polar opposites of wine units and are completely different in almost every way.

Often times, customers come in asking for the differences between a Frigidaire under counter Wine unit priced at $500 vs. a True Under counter wine unit price at $3,000. Seems like a HUGE difference, but once they learn more about each one, based, on their specific needs, price point and what’s important, the choice becomes quite clear, pretty quickly.