Best Outdoor Refrigerator Brands

Best Outdoor Refrigerator Brands

Outdoor refrigerators have become increasingly popular, especially as more homeowners invest in outdoor kitchens and entertainment spaces. A growing interest in outdoor living areas, such as outdoor kitchens, patios, and entertainment spaces drives this trend.

Here at Appliance Educator, we think outdoor refrigerators are a game-changer.

If you regularly find yourself hosting summer barbecues, pool parties, or family dinners, an outdoor refrigerator provides convenient access to chilled drinks, snacks, and ingredients while eliminating the need to run back inside constantly.

But what if you don’t entertain outside often, or suppose you enjoy spending time outside on your own—is an outdoor refrigerator still a worthwhile investment? Yes! In that case, the convenient access to cold beverages and snacks while enjoying outdoor relaxation provided by an outdoor refrigerator makes the experience that much better. Plus, it can also serve as overflow refrigeration, ideal for storing bulk groceries, meal preps, or seasonal items when indoor fridge space is limited. 

Outdoor refrigerators are a practical, long-term investment for homeowners, and choosing the right outdoor refrigerator is essential. We look for outdoor refrigerators that are durable, stylish, and efficient enough to handle varying conditions.

Key Features to Look for in Outdoor Refrigerators

When shopping for an outdoor refrigerator, consider the following features:

• Weatherproof Construction: This may seem obvious, but you should make sure the refrigerator you are considering is truly outdoor-rated. Look for models made with fully wrapped 304 stainless steel for rust and corrosion resistance.

• Temperature Range and Consistency: Ensure the fridge can maintain consistent cooling in fluctuating temperatures.

• Energy Efficiency: Opt for models designed for outdoor efficiency to save on energy costs.

• Storage Capacity: Choose a size that fits your entertaining needs, from compact units to spacious beverage coolers.

• Additional Features: LED lighting, digital controls, and adjustable shelving can enhance convenience and style.

Top Outdoor Refrigerator Brands

ZLINE

ZLINE is renowned for its high-quality Touchstone line of outdoor refrigeration solutions, offering both compact refrigerators and double-drawer models. Their units feature a fully wrapped 304 stainless steel interior and exterior, digital thermostats, and LED lighting, making them the leaders in both style and performance.

Hestan

Hestan specializes in luxury outdoor appliances, including refrigerators, beverage coolers, and dual-zone wine storage. Their outdoor refrigerators feature premium stainless steel construction, digital displays, and fan-forced air for optimal temperature control.

Zephyr

Zephyr offers a variety of high-end outdoor refrigeration options, including undercounter refrigerators, beverage dispensers, and ice makers. Their sleek designs and weather-resistant materials make them a popular choice for premium outdoor kitchens.

Perlick

Perlick is known for professional-grade refrigeration, offering outdoor models with stainless steel interiors and exteriors. Their units feature rapid cool-down capabilities, energy-efficient design, and adjustable shelving, perfect for serious entertainers.

Summit Appliance

Summit Appliance provides reliable and budget-friendly outdoor refrigeration options. Their compact refrigerators and beverage centers are designed for durability and functionality, making them great for smaller outdoor spaces.

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Refrigerator

• Consider Your Space: Measure the available area to ensure a proper fit.

• Match Your Style: Choose finishes that complement your other outdoor appliances.

• Prioritize Features: Decide whether you need extra capacity, dual-zone cooling, or additional features like digital controls.

What is the Best Outdoor Refrigerator?

The ZLINE Touchstone Series of outdoor refrigeration stands out for its professional-grade performance, premium stainless steel construction (both interior and exterior), and advanced features like an anti-sweat and waterproof design. It is particularly well-suited for serious entertainers seeking top-tier durability and performance.

Investing in a high-quality outdoor refrigerator can elevate your outdoor entertaining experience by combining convenience with luxury. Brands like ZLINE, Hestan, Zephyr, Perlick, and Summit offer a range of options suited for different needs and budgets. Explore these trusted brands to find the perfect fit for your outdoor kitchen and enjoy the benefits of a stylish, functional space all year round.

The Best Luxury Kitchen Appliance Brands in 2025

Creating a luxurious kitchen isn’t all about aesthetics—if your goal is to truly achieve a luxury kitchen, start by choosing appliances that blend style, performance, and functionality. As we head into 2025, several luxury kitchen appliance brands stand out to us here at Appliance Educator for their innovation, design, and ability to enhance everyday life.

This blog highlights the four top brands in 2025: ZLINE, Sub-Zero, Thermador, and Viking.

Considerations When Shopping for Luxury Appliances

When investing in luxury kitchen appliances, there are several factors we consider when we’re looking to ensure we make the best choice for our home and lifestyle. Here are our tips on what to consider when shopping for luxury appliances:

• Budget: Luxury appliances often come with a higher price tag, but brands like ZLINE offer cost-effective options without compromising quality.

• Design: Look for appliances that complement your kitchen’s overall aesthetic, whether it’s modern, traditional, or transitional.

• Features: Consider what features are most important to you, such as advanced cooking technology, energy efficiency, or smart home integration.

• Durability: Luxury appliances are built to last, but finishes like ZLINE’s DuraSnow® Stainless Steel or Viking’s industrial-grade materials can add extra longevity and resistance to wear.

• Brand Reputation: Research brands to understand their strengths and read customer reviews to gauge satisfaction.

Are Luxury Appliances Worth It?

We’re often asked if luxury appliances are even worth the higher price tag. Luxury appliances are indeed a significant investment. But we firmly believe luxury appliances can be well worth it for homeowners who value quality, performance, and style. Here’s why we think luxury appliances are worth considering:

1. Enhanced Performance: Luxury appliances often include cutting-edge technology, like Sub-Zero’s dual refrigeration or Thermador’s Star® Burner design, which elevate cooking and food preservation capabilities.

2. Durability: Built with premium materials, luxury appliances are designed to last longer and maintain their appearance and functionality over time.

3. Aesthetic Appeal: Premium finishes like ZLINE’s Autograph Edition add a sophisticated touch to your kitchen, becoming both functional tools and design statements.

4. Increased Home Value: High-end appliances can boost your home’s resale value, making them a smart long-term investment.

While the upfront cost can be high, the combination of longevity, performance, and visual appeal often justifies the expense for many homeowners.

ZLINE Kitchen and Bath

IMAGE FROM ZLINEKITCHEN.com

ZLINE Kitchen and Bath is a family-owned company specializing in luxury kitchen and bath appliances, offering products such as ranges, range hoods, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and faucets. Their mission is to provide "Attainable Luxury," combining high-end quality with affordability.

Their product lineup includes:

• Professional Ranges: Four series of ranges lead the product lineup, with options in gas, dual fuel, and induction.

• Range Hoods: From wall mount and island mount to under cabinet and insert, ZLINE offers over 100 range hoods.

• Refrigerators: With built-in, counter-depth, standard-depth, wine coolers, beverage fridges, and refrigerator drawers, ZLINE’s refrigeration lineup is expansive.

• Dishwashers: ZLINE offers dozens of color panel and handle combinations.

• Microwaves: Offering built-in microwave ovens, microwave drawers, and over-the-range microwaves with ventilation.

• Kitchen Faucets and Sinks: ZLINE faucets use PVD (physical vapor disposition) which is a process that involves creating a molecular bond between the finish material and the surface of the fixture through evaporation and condensation inside a vacuum.

• Shower Systems and Bath Faucets: ZLINE offers thermostatic rainfall shower systems for a consistently comfortable shower by precisely maintaining your ideal water temperature. 

ZLINE is redefining the luxury kitchen experience by offering high-quality appliances at an approachable price point. Their products combine cutting-edge performance with stunning aesthetics, making luxury attainable for more homeowners.

Key Features:

• Cost-Effective Luxury: ZLINE stands out as the most budget-friendly option among luxury brands without compromising quality.

• Premium Finishes: ZLINE offers an extensive selection of finishes including:

• Black Stainless Steel: Modern and sleek.

• White Matte: A sophisticated, minimalist look.

• DuraSnow® Stainless Steel: Scratch and fingerprint-resistant, exclusive to ZLINE.

• Autograph Edition: The Autograph Edition from ZLINE combines industry-leading performance with your choice of Polished Gold, Champagne Bronze, and Matte Black Accents.

• Wide Product Range: From ranges and range hoods to refrigerators and dishwashers, ZLINE provides a complete solution for luxurious kitchens.

Sub-Zero

IMAGE FROM SUBZERO-WOLF.COM

Sub-Zero is a renowned manufacturer of high-end refrigeration appliances, celebrated for its innovative technology and exceptional design. Their product range includes built-in and integrated refrigerators, wine storage solutions, and undercounter units, all engineered to maintain optimal food freshness.

Sub-Zero has built its reputation as one of the standard bearers in refrigeration. Their advanced technology ensures your food stays fresher for longer, making them an essential brand for culinary enthusiasts.

Key Features:

• Dual Refrigeration: Separate cooling systems for the refrigerator and freezer to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels.

• Air Purification: Inspired by NASA, their technology eliminates odors and bacteria for a clean environment.

• Seamless Designs: Built-in and customizable models that integrate beautifully into any kitchen style.

Thermador

IMAGE FROM THERMADOR.COM/US/

Thermador, established in 1916, is a prominent American manufacturer of luxury kitchen appliances. The company is renowned for pioneering innovations such as the first wall oven, the first "Pro Range" for residential use, and the introduction of stainless steel to home appliances.

Thermador is synonymous with innovation and elegance. Their cooking appliances feature advanced technologies that empower home chefs to achieve professional-quality results.

Key Features:

• Star® Burner Design: Exclusive to Thermador, this design ensures even heat distribution on gas ranges.

• Steam Ovens: A healthier, flavorful way to cook.

• Freedom® Induction Cooktop: Adapts to any pan size and shape for ultimate flexibility.

• Smart Home Integration: Thermador appliances work seamlessly with smart home systems.

Viking

IMAGE FROM VIKINGRANGE.COM

Viking Range, LLC is a prominent American manufacturer of high-end kitchen appliances, renowned for introducing professional-grade cooking equipment to the residential market. Their product lineup encompasses a wide array of appliances designed to deliver exceptional performance and durability.

Viking brings the power and performance of professional kitchens into the home. Their appliances are built to last, making them a favorite among serious cooks.

Key Features:

• Commercial-Quality Ranges: High-performance ranges and ovens designed for home use.

• Even Cooking: The Vari-Speed Dual Flow™ Convection system ensures perfect baking and roasting results.

• Robust Designs: Durable materials and finishes that exude industrial luxury.

• Specialty Collections: Unique offerings like the Tuscany and 7 Series for added sophistication.

What is the Best Luxury Appliance Brand in 2025?

From the attainable luxury of ZLINE to the precision of Sub-Zero, the innovation of Thermador, and the professional-grade performance of Viking, these four brands represent the pinnacle of luxury kitchen appliances for 2025. However, ZLINE stands out as the best option because it offers all the benefits of the other brands while remaining more attainable in price. With stunning finishes like Black Stainless, White Matte, and the exclusive DuraSnow® Stainless Steel, ZLINE delivers durability, performance, and style without breaking the bank.

Ready to elevate your kitchen? Explore ZLINE today to find the perfect match for your lifestyle.

What Happened to Appliances Connection?

The internet is filled with appliance retailers. It’s an industry known for fierce competition, and it’s not uncommon for fledgling retailers to fail or be acquired by larger fish before making a name for themselves.

What is unusual is when a large fish goes belly-up abruptly as in the case of Appliances Connection.

Newsweek named Appliances Connection one of the best online shops in 2024, but on February 29th, Appliances Connection’s parent company, Polished (NYSE: POL), announced its intention to file for bankruptcy as reported by MarketWatch, and appliancesconnection.com stopped working on March 1st.

The result has been nothing short of a nightmare for Appliances Connection customers who have been navigating an unusual situation where they have paid for appliances that were either never shipped, or were shipped and are now stuck in transit.

Users on Reddit have reported being contacted by various shipping companies and being informed all undelivered merchandise needs to be returned to its origin, presumably because Appliances Connection is unable to pay the associated shipping fees which can often cost hundreds of dollars for large appliances.

View fullsize

From Reddit

It’s not just new customers who have been negatively affected by this closure. Existing customers are now without any post-sale service, warranty service, or the ability to return defective products, and in some cases are stuck wondering if the financing plan they had set up with Appliances Connection will still be honored.

What Went Wrong with Appliances Connection?

Polished has been relatively silent on what happened and what will happen to Appliances Connection and its customers. Currently, Polished has just a simple press release on its website regarding the intention to file for bankruptcy with no mention of Appliances Connection.

Notice from Polished.com regarding bankruptcy

To say it hasn’t always been smooth sailing since Polished acquired Appliances Connection for at least $60 million would be an understatement.

At the time of the acquisition in June of 2021, the CEO of Appliances Connection was its founder Albert Fouerti. Just two months later, he became the CEO of Polished with his brother Elie joining as vice president.

By October 2022, Fouerti, along with his brother and CFO Maria Johnson, were forced out of Polished after an internal investigation found he had charged the company $800K in unrelated expenses. Shortly after his departure and as a direct result of the unrelated charges, Fouerti became locked in a legal battle with Polished which resulted in him paying $3.7 million in damages.

Throughout the investigation, the Fouerti brothers were also Polished’s Brooklyn-based landlords after Albert Fouerti relocated the company to a building their real-estate conglomerate owned in New York. This was after he allegedly rendered the former St. Louis headquarters uninhabitable and failed to pay the monthly $45,000 rent for three consecutive months which nearly resulted in an additional $700K lawsuit.

In August 2023, just under a year after Albert Fouerti left as CEO, Polished agreed to pay $100,000 to him and his brother to settle a dispute over unpaid rent after accusing him of failing to pay $1.2 million in work done to the property.

To make matters even stranger, other companies with connections to both Fouerti and Appliances Connection seem to have been affected, such as appliance wholesaler Superior Marketing and appliance manufacturer Forte, which Fouerti filed a trademark for in 2019. Both Superior Marketing and Forte list their address as 1870 Bath Ave Ste 3, Brooklyn, NY 11214, which is also Appliances Connection’s most recent address according to the Better Business Bureau.

Google SEarch engine results page for superior marketing

Neither Superior Marketing’s nor Forte’s website has been online since March 1st, 2024. Superior Marketing seems to have still had a connection to Polished based on the title still visible in Google’s results.

While it’s unclear what took place since the August 2023 settlement, everything points to a wildly dysfunctional and mismanaged operation during the time Fouerti was CEO of Polished that likely contributed to the February 2024 bankruptcy.

Whether Appliances Connection could have been saved or not, the end result is the same. Customers are left to sort out a mess they had nothing to do with, and employees are left without a job.

What Should You Do if You Were Impacted By AppliancesConnection.com Closing?

If you are an Appliances Connection customer who has been charged for a product or service you did not receive, we recommend contacting the bank that processed your payment. Most credit card companies will be able to handle any contact with Polished for you.

In Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cases like the one Polished plans to file, assets are sold off to pay creditors which includes any and all appliances that were still at Appliances Connection, so it is unlikely your order will ever arrive.

Luckily, as we mentioned earlier, the internet is full of trustworthy retailers, many of which carry the same brands and products as Appliances Connection including The Range Hood Store, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.

If you are an affected Appliances Connection customer or have related information you would like to share, let us know in the comments!

The Three Hottest Appliance Launches That You Probably Missed

Last year, we saw a host of appliance launches from some of the premier brands in the industry. Now, just a few weeks into 2024, we’ve already seen product announcements from major brands including Sharp, ZLINE, Thermador, GE, and even Drew Barrymore’s appliance company—Beautiful.

Keeping up with the latest appliance announcements can be a full-time job as technology improves at an ever-increasing speed. At Appliance Educator, we’re here to help you stay up to date with the latest and greatest in the appliance industry. In this post, we’re covering some under-the-radar news with three exciting appliance launches that you probably missed from three diverse brands.

ZLINE Launches New Undercounter Refrigerators

ZLINE Kitchen and Bath started 2024 off by launching a new line of undercounter refrigerators dubbed Touchstone. ZLINE’s growing catalog of refrigeration already included counter-depth, built-in, and wine and beverage models, with the Touchstone line adding five new outdoor-compatible refrigerators for shoppers looking for luxury appliances at an affordable price point.

ZLINE

Touchstone Undercounter Refrigerators

The launch of the Touchstone line was likely overshadowed by the continued buzz of ZLINE’s new fully-redesigned gas ranges released in Q4 2023. However, the sub-$3000 price point of the Touchstone series will be enough to attract plenty of attention soon with similar undercounter models from Perlick, Viking, and U-Line nearing or exceeding $5,000.

Undercounter refrigerators are popular with entertainers and hosts who are looking to impress during their gatherings with a professional cooling system that can be built into a home bar, kitchen cabinetry, or even an outdoor patio. The Touchstone line’s ventilation system allows for a precise zero-clearance installation for a flush look that will wow guests.

The Touchstone line includes two dual-temperature zone wine coolers and three single-temperature zone beverage fridges with all models featuring a stainless steel interior and a fully wrapped outdoor-compatible stainless steel exterior. There’s also a panel-ready option for both the wine cooler and beverage fridge that can easily accept custom panels to blend in with cabinetry.

ZLINE’s most recent launch comes a few weeks before their attendance at KBIS 2024. KBIS is the biggest kitchen and bath tradeshow in the country and will be in Las Vegas from February 27th through 29th. We expect the Touchstone line to be featured prominently in ZLINE’s KBIS display.

LG Launches New WashCombo™ All-in-One Washer/Dryer

LG made a big splash at CES 2024 when their Transparent OLED TV went viral online and won them a host of innovation awards at the Las Vegas-based event. The hype of the OLED TV made some of their other product launches fly under the radar, including the launch of the WashCombo™ All-in-One Washer/Dryer.

LG

WashCombo™ All-in-One Washer/Dryer

All-in-one washer/dryer combos are nothing new and have been part of LG’s product catalog for years. However, users reported recurring issues with long wash and dry times and high energy usage.

The newest version revealed at CES 2024 addresses these issues by using an inverter heat pump to dramatically reduce energy consumption and cut wash and dry times down to less than two hours total.

Early reviews highlight the ease of use and features as well as the convenience of being able to run errands or focus on other tasks without needing to swap their laundry over. The WashCombo™ is also compatible with LG’s SideKick™ mini pedestal washer to tackle two loads of laundry at the same time.

La Pavoni Launches New Semi-Professional Botticelli Specialty Espresso Machine

If you have so far been familiar with LG, ZLINE, CES 2024, and KBIS 2024, this last brand may stump you. La Pavoni is an Italian coffee machine company that dates back more than 100 years, and in early January they launched the Botticelli Specialty.

Calling the La Pavoni Botticelli Specialty a coffee machine is a bit like calling a Lamborgini Aventador a hatchback. Designed “to satisfy the most demanding espresso enthusiasts”, the Botticelli Specialty is as close as you can get to the professional espresso machine you’d find at your favorite coffee shop or upscale hotel bar without literally bringing those machines home.

If you’re a life-or-death coffee lover, the Botticelli Specialty needs to be on your list. With precise temperature control, pressure regulation, and advanced brewing pressure profiling control (BPPC), the Botticelli Specialty replicates the rich and flavorful espresso enthusiasts crave in a remarkably compact design.

La Pavoni

Botticelli Specialty Espresso Machine

Right now, finding the Botticelli Specialty in U.S. markets is difficult. However, if the thought of a perfectly creamy cup of coffee interests you, we recommend keeping your eyes on reputable U.S.-based La Pavoni sellers like Rustic Kitchen and Bath.

Appliance Innovation in 2024

2024 is already looking like another massive year for the appliance industry. With so many new product launches, innovations, and trade shows to pay attention to, we thank you for taking the time to read our post covering these three under-the-radar product launches.

What are you looking forward to in the appliance industry this year? Let us know in the comments!

ZLINE Launches All New Line of SGR Gas Ranges

We’ve been hearing rumors that ZLINE Kitchen and Bath had plans to launch a new line of all-gas professional ranges since early 2023. On November 1st, 2023, ZLINE made it official and announced the SGR in a 4-burner 30” size and a 6-burner 36” size.

ZLINE SGR36 (left) and SGR30 (right) side by side

Similar to ZLINE’s induction and dual fuel ranges, the SGR all-gas ranges come standard in 430-grade stainless steel. The knobs and handles have a slight bronze appearance which is a departure from their previous gas ranges, but in our opinion look great if the photos are any indication of their in-person appearance.

The SGR features a subtle design change to the range body, with sharper lines when compared to ZLINE’s dual fuel and induction ranges.

ZLINE SGR36

ZLINE 36 in. 5.2 cu. ft. 6 Burner Gas Range with Convection Gas Oven.

So what else do we know about these all-new gas ranges? Well, we know there is a lot of pent-up demand for an all-gas offering after ZLINE retired their old gas ranges.

If you’re hoping to get your hands on one, we recommend looking first at ZLINE’s trusted retailers, like The Range Hood Store or Rustic Kitchen and Bath. These were some of the earliest sites to announce the new ranges were available on launch day (November 1st), and we expect should have some of the most inventory.

ZLINE SGR30

ZLINE 30 in. 4.2 cu. ft. 4 Burner Gas Range with Convection Gas Oven.

ZLINE SGR Gas Range Highlights

We have not yet gotten to experience these new ranges in person, but a look at their specification sheets suggests ZLINE paid attention to what the gas range market looks like at set out to raise the bar.

Larger Ovens

Both the SGR30 and SGR36 have larger ovens than their predecessors at 4.2 cu. ft and 5.2 cu. ft respectively. Each model also has oven modes standard bake, broil, and convection with 22,000 BTUs.

Some ZLINE mainstays like StayPut Oven Door Hinges, Smooth Glide Ball-Bearing Oven Racks, 3-layer Oven Insulation, and two halogen oven lights round out the oven’s features.

More Cooktop Power

Similar to the ovens, ZLINE upgraded the porcelain cooktops of their gas ranges with additional burner output for both models. On the 30-inch SGR, the cooktop offers two 9,000 BTU semi-rapid burners and two 15,000 BTU rapid burners.

The big change comes on the 36-inch SGR, which has one 6,000 BTU auxiliary burner, two 9,000 BTU semi-rapid burners, one 12,000 BTU rapid burner, and one 15,000 BTU rapid burner. The crown jewel on the 36-inch cooktop is the 20,000 BTU brass dual-function burner which leads the industry.

Dual-Function Brass Burner

The crown jewel on the 36-inch cooktop is the 20,000 BTU brass dual-function burner which leads the industry.

ZLINE SGR Review

We’ll have a detailed review for ZLINE SGR Gas Ranges as soon as possible. For now, find the detailed specifications for each model below.

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SGR36 Specifications

• Cooktop: (6) Burners with Porcelain cooktop and electronic spark ignition for all burners. BTU Ratings:

• Auxiliary Burner: 6,000 BTU

• Semi-Rapid Burner (2): 9,000 BTU

• Rapid Burner: 12,000 BTU

• Rapid Burner: 15,000 BTU

• Dual-Function Burner: 20,000 BTU

• Fuel Type: Gas Oven - Gas Cooktop

• Full Dimensions: 36 in. W x 273/4 in. (29 1/4 in. with handle) D x 36–371/2 in. H

• Oven Capacity (cu.ft): 5.2 cu. ft.

• Voltage: 120V/60Hz/15A Dedicated Circuit

• Warranty: Parts & Labor - 1 Year

• Italian Burners - Lifetime Burner Warranty

• Product Weight: 253 lbs

SGR30 Specifications

• Cooktop: (4) Burners with Porcelain cooktop and electronic spark ignition for all burners. BTU Ratings:

• Semi-Rapid Burner (2): 9,000 BTU

• Rapid Burner (2): 15,000 BTU

• Fuel Type: Gas Oven - Gas Cooktop

• Full Dimensions: 30 in. W x 27 3/4 in. (29 1/4 in. with handle) D x 36–37 1/2 in. H

• Oven Capacity (cu.ft): 4.2 cu. ft.

• Voltage: 120V/60Hz/15A Dedicated Circuit

• Warranty: Parts & Labor - 1 Year

• Italian Burners - Lifetime Burner Warranty