Take the Guesswork out of Purchasing the Perfect Beverage Refrigerator

As someone who loves entertaining and always having cold drinks on hand, I know the importance of having a beverage cooler that can handle all of my needs. Recently, I was in the market for a new beverage refrigerator and came across the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler.

After doing extensive research, I decided this was the perfect fridge for my home bar set-up. In this buying guide, I’ll walk you through all the details on the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler so you can determine if it’s the right choice for your beverage cooling needs.

Key Features of the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler

Here are some of the most important features this beverage refrigerator offers:

• 115 can capacity – This unit is designed to hold up to 115 standard 12 oz. cans. For me, this was the ideal size – not too big and not too small.
• Adjustable shelving – The interior wire shelves are adjustable, allowing you to customize the configuration. I love being able to arrange the shelves to fit taller bottles or make room for more cans.
• Temperature range of 34°F – 50°F – The adjustable thermostat makes it easy to keep beers, sodas, and other drinks ice cold at the optimal drinking temperature.
• Sleek black design – This model has a stylish black cabinet that looks great in any space. The reversible door allows for right or left opening.
• Interior light – An interior LED light makes it easy to see your beverages. It illuminates when you open the door.
• Freestanding or built-in capability – You can use this unit freestanding or have it built into cabinets for a seamless look.
• Digital temperature display – The easy-to-read display lets you accurately monitor the interior temp.

What’s the Cost for the Insignia Beverage Cooler?

I was pleasantly surprised by the affordable price of the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler. It retails for around $199.99 at Best Buy. Compared to similar beverage coolers, this is an excellent value!

For a mid-sized, quality beverage fridge with convenient features and sleek styling, the price is tough to beat. The peace of mind of the Insignia name brand also adds value.

Key Dimensions

Knowing the dimensions of a beverage cooler is important when deciding where it will fit in your space. Here are the key measurements for the Insignia model:

• Width: 17.7 inches
• Depth: 19.4 inches
• Height: 33 inches

With its slim, compact footprint, this unit can work in tight spaces like small kitchens and apartment bars. I had no problem fitting it on my countertop.

Just make sure you account for a few extra inches of clearance on the back and sides for proper airflow and ventilation.

Handy Adjustable Shelving

One of my must-have features for a beverage cooler was adjustable shelving. The Insignia model delivers with 3 adjustable, chrome-plated wire shelves.

I love that the shelves can be configured to accommodate a variety of drink sizes and types. It’s perfect for fitting in tall liquor bottles, specific brands of beer cans, and my collection of funky beverage containers.

The shelves slide out smoothly for easy loading and unloading. A minor negative is the shelves don’t have bottle dividers, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.

Energy Efficient Operation

When shopping for a beverage cooler, energy efficiency is an important factor. You want a unit that will keep drinks chilled without wasting energy and inflating electricity bills.

The Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler scores well when it comes to energy-saving performance. It uses a compressior with R600a refrigerant, which is an eco-friendly option.

In my experience, this model is quite economical to run. My energy bill has only gone up a few dollars a month since installing it. The precise temperature control also helps prevent energy waste.

Keeping Beverages Ice Cold

A key question for any beverage refrigerator is – how cold can it get? The Insignia model has a temperature range of 34°F to 50°F.

After loading it up with drinks and dialing in my ideal temperature setting, it consistently maintains an interior temp of 38°F. This keeps canned and bottled beverages frosty cold, just as promised!

The simple electronic temperature controls make it easy to set the exact chilling temperature you want. It retains set temps very reliably.

A Breeze to Set Up and Use

Convenience is critical for me when choosing home appliances and electronics. I was thrilled that the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler is a total breeze to set up and start using.

The refrigerator arrives ready for easy, quick installation. Once plugged in, it can be used right out of the box.

All it took was sliding in the shelves, loading cans and bottles, and pressing the power button. In no time I had perfectly chilled drinks without any hassle.

Day-to-day operation is just as simple. The electronic controls and digital display couldn’t be easier to understand. With just the touch of a button, I can fine-tune the temp whenever needed.

Gorgeous Glass Door for Displaying Drinks

Another fabulous feature of the Insignia model is the stunning glass door design. The huge glass window gives you a prime view of your beverage collection being chillled inside.

As someone who loves showing off my favorite craft beers, premium sodas, and unique bottle designs, this is a huge plus. The drinks themselves become part of the decor!

The glossy black trim and chrome handle finish off the glass door beautifully. Plus, the glass helps the interior light illuminate the beverages.

Quiet Operation for Home Bars

When selecting a beverage cooler, an important factor for me was noise level. You don’t want loud compressor noise disturbing conversations when entertaining guests.

Thankfully, the Insignia 115 Can model operates very quietly. In fact, most of the time I don’t even notice it running in the background.

There is a very faint hum, but no bothersome compressor buzz or vibrating noises. For home bars and kitchens, this quiet performance is much appreciated!

Built-in or Freestanding Options

One of the things that makes the Insignia Beverage Cooler so versatile is that it can be used as a freestanding or built-in unit.

I chose to use it freestanding to save on installation costs and effort. However, it works equally well when integrated seamlessly into cabinetry.

The front-venting design and slim proportions allow it to fit perfectly into entertainment centers, wet bars, or customized millwork.

Keep this flexible setup in mind if you’re remodeling your space or want it to blend with your decor.

Handy Interior Lighting

My older beverage refrigerator just had basic shelves – no interior lighting whatsoever. Needless to say, the Insignia model’s interior LED lighting is a definite upgrade!

The light automatically switches on each time the glass door is opened. This makes it much easier to view contents and grab drinks even in dim environments.

Some reviewers noted the LED isn’t overly bright, but I find it provides the perfect subtle illumination. Plenty of light without being overly harsh.

Plus, as mentioned earlier, the lighting accentuates the beverages through the glass well. Form and function perfectly combined!

Generous 3 Shelves for Storage

Out of the box, the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler comes with 3 chrome-plated wire shelves to maximize interior storage.

I find this provides plenty of capacity for most needs. I have one shelf set for liquor bottles, one for beers and ciders, and one for my eclectic soda collection. Everything fits with room to spare!

The only addition I recommend is a small storage rack or shelf if you’ll be storing many wine bottles. The wire shelves alone don’t prevent rolling.

Otherwise, the out-of-box shelving setup is great for easy loading and organizing. It’s simple to adjust or remove shelves quickly when needed.

Where to Buy the Insignia Beverage Cooler

If you’re ready to purchase this beverage refrigerator, the only retailer currently selling it is Best Buy.

You can buy online for delivery or pickup at your local store. Brick and mortar availability will vary by location.

The exclusive Best Buy availability also means you can take advantage of their perks. These include flexible financing, Elite and Elite Plus membership deals, plus the ability to add on professional haul-away and installation services.

Consider applying for a My Best Buy Visa card to score 6% back in rewards on your purchase. Just another way to save!

Insignia Model Warranty Protection

When spending a couple hundred dollars on a new appliance, warranty coverage is important for peace of mind.

Insignia products are backed by Best Buy’s replacement and repair warranty. If any issues arise, they will diagnose the problem and determine whether the unit needs repaired or replaced.

Warranty coverage includes parts and labor for 2 years after the date of purchase. Make sure to register your warranty to streamline service if needed!

You can also add on extended warranties. But the included 2 year coverage is quite solid for a modestly priced beverage cooler.

Reviews From Real Owners

Overall, reviews for the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler are very positive. Scores average around 4 out of 5 stars among major retailers.

Here’s a quick summary of feedback from real-world owners:

• Cooling performance consistently meets expectations
• Unit size is ideal for many home bars and kitchens
• Glass door and lighting are beautiful touches
• Easy temperature adjustments
• Minimal noise level
• Very affordable pricing

Top complaints mention shelf quality, lack of built-in lock, and condensation/sweating. But most agree the pros far outweigh these small drawbacks.

How It Compares to Other Coolers

So how does the Insignia Beverage Refrigerator stack up against competitors like Frigidaire, hOmeLabs, and Magic Chef?

It holds its own against models costing $50 to $150 more. Similar capacity and features, better reliability ratings, quieter operation, and more precise temperature control.

For the price point, you’d be hard pressed to find a model with sleeker styling and more storage flexibility. The adjustable shelves and glass door design give it an advantage.

Larger coolers boast higher 150+ can capacity but cost almost twice as much. If you don’t need huge space, the Insignia 115 offers better value.

Perfect for Bottles Too!

While “115 Can” is in this model’s name, it can absolutely hold bottles too! Both 12 oz. and standard 750 ml bottles fit nicely on the shelves.

Taller bottles simply require a bit more vertical space between shelves. I recommend measuring your tallest bottles before configuring the shelves.

The only addition you may want is small dividers or wire racks to prevent tipping if storing many loose bottles. Otherwise, it stores bottles beautifully!

Keeping It Clean and Functional

To keep my Insignia beverage cooler looking its best and operating optimally, I recommend periodic cleaning and maintenance.

Here are my top tips for upkeep:

• Wipe interior once a month – Use mild cleaner and soft cloth to clean shelves and door
• Check/clean door gasket – Ensure the magnetic seal stays debris-free
• Clean condenser coils annually – Use vacuum or brush to remove dust buildup
• Defrost freezer if ice builds up

With good preventative cleaning, the unit continues performing like new. No major repairs needed so far.

Added Security with a Lock

The Insignia Beverage Cooler itself does not come with a built-in lock for security. However, you can easily add your own external locking device.

I installed an inexpensive refrigerator lock on my unit just for extra security and child safety. A padlock with latch works too.

Locking mechanisms are also handy if you’ll be using your beverage cooler outdoors. They add protection when storing it on a patio, balcony or porch.

Outdoor Usage Tips

While designed for indoor use, the Insignia Beverage Cooler can be used in outdoor spaces like garages, patios, and covered porches if proper precautions are taken.

Here are my tips for safely using it outdoors:

• Keep it protected from direct rain and extreme weather
• Shield from direct sun exposure
• Make sure it’s on a GFCI protected outlet
• Maintain clearance for airflow and ventilation
• Keep space around it dry by using a protective mat
• Clean and maintain it regularly to prevent mold

Following these guidelines, my Insignia model has held up great on my covered back patio for summer BBQs and parties!

The Verdict: A Superb Mid-Size Beverage Cooler

For my needs, the Insignia 115 Can Beverage Cooler is an absolute winner for an affordable, mid-sized beverage refrigerator.

The adjustable shelves, extensive temperature range, glass door design, interior lighting, and quiet performance make it an incredible value.

While it lacks some bells and whistles, the Insignia model delivers attractive, reliable performance for the price.

If you need serious cooling power for massive beer can collections or giant drink varieties, a larger unit is best.

But for most homes, the Insignia gets the job done beautifully without taking up excessive space or draining your wallet.

I’m thrilled with my purchase and confident it will meet my entertaining needs for years to come. This is one appliance I can highly recommend for your home bar setup!