Small Bar Freezers: Mini, Under Counter and Upright Options Compared

A small bar freezer gives a home bar, kitchen or cafe somewhere to keep ice, frozen mixers, ice cream and food. If you only need drinks cold, a bar fridge is the right tool; our bar fridge vs bar freezer guide explains the difference. If you need to freeze, here is how the options compare.

Mini freezers

Mini freezers are the most compact option, ideal for ice and small items:

  • Schmick BD36: a 36 litre mini solid door freezer, 440 x 470 x 520 mm, listed for indoor or alfresco use.
  • Schmick SD36: a 36 litre mini glass door freezer, 440 x 470 x 520 mm, listed for indoor use.
  • Dellware DW-SD50: a 50 litre mini glass door freezer, 570 x 530 x 520 mm.

Under counter and built in

The Schmick MSF90 is a 96 litre integrated under counter built in freezer, 595 x 540 x 820 mm. Check the ventilation and fitting guidance before building it into cabinetry.

Upright freezers

For more storage in a small footprint, upright freezers go up instead of out. The Schmick MSLF241 is a 241 litre upright, and the Schmick MSF230 is a 214 litre upright, both 540 x 550 x 1,770 mm.

Portable camping freezers

The Cub BDC60-GNBC is a 60 litre portable camping fridge freezer that runs on 12 to 24V or 240V power. If you only need a rugged portable cooler, our heavy duty roto mould ice boxes, the Schmick YF-NL35 at 35 litres and the Schmick YF-NL42 at 42 litres, are listed for indoor or outdoor use.

What temperature does a bar freezer run at?

The freezers listed above run at -15°C to -18°C according to their specifications. Check the temperature range on the product page for the model you choose.

Ratings at a glance

Across the seven freezers above, sound ratings run from 43 to 46 dB and energy ratings from 2 to 9 stars. Only the BD36 and the Cub BDC60-GNBC are listed as tropical rated, so choose one of those for a warm garage or alfresco area and keep the others indoors.

How to choose

  • Capacity: how much do you need to freeze?
  • Door style: a glass door shows the contents, a solid door keeps things out of sight.
  • Size: check the dimensions against your space and the ventilation clearance.
  • Climate: choose a tropical rated model if it will sit somewhere warm.

Small bar freezer FAQs

Can I use a bar fridge as a freezer?

No. A bar fridge only chills. Use a freezer for frozen storage.

Can a mini freezer go under a bench?

Only models designed for it. Check the listing and the ventilation guidance.

Is there a quiet bar freezer?

Compare the sound ratings on each product page.

Browse all our bar freezers.

More guides