Popular Commercial Upright Bar Fridges Compared: Size, Price and Best Use
If you are choosing a commercial upright bar fridge for your cafe, pub, restaurant or bottle shop, the sheer number of models can make the decision tricky. Capacity, door count, brand and price all play a part in finding the right fit. At Ben’s Hospitality Equipment, we stock a wide range of commercial upright bar fridges, so we have put together this comparison to make the choice easier. Below we break down what we sell by size, price and the venues each model suits best.
Quick Comparison Table
| Model | Capacity | Doors | Price (ex GST) | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polar G-Series DM075-A | 218L | 1 | From $1,369 | Small cafes, tight spaces, low volume drink storage |
| CDS Single Door Display Fridge | 380L | 1 | From $1,012 | Budget-friendly option for small bars and takeaway shops |
| Thermaster SDC-343B | 377L | 1 | From $1,359 | Energy-conscious venues wanting a compact footprint |
| Thermaster LG-540P / LG-540BP | 540L | 1 | From $1,436 | Cafes and small restaurants needing more shelf space |
| Thermaster LG-1000BP | 885L | 2 | From $2,201 | Busy bars and pubs with steady drink turnover |
| Thermaster LG-1200P / LG-1203P | 1200L | 2 or 3 | From $2,541 | High-volume venues, supermarkets and convenience stores |
| Bromic GM1100LB-NR | Large capacity | 2 | From $4,182 | Premium fit-outs wanting a long warranty and strong build |
| Skope ActiveCore / SKT Series | 650L to 1497L | 1 to 3 | From $3,712 up to $7,764 | Large venues after top-tier energy efficiency and presentation |
Compact Upright Bar Fridges (Under 400 Litres)
If floor space is tight, a compact upright bar fridge is worth a look. Models like the Polar G-Series DM075-A at 218 litres and the CDS single door fridge at 380 litres are built for small venues that do not need a huge amount of chilled storage. These units are a good match for a small cafe counter, a takeaway shop, or a bar that only needs to keep a modest stock of bottles and cans cold. Prices for this size range generally start from around $1,000 and climb to about $1,400, making them the most affordable way into commercial drink storage.
Single Door Upright Fridges (400 to 600 Litres)
Stepping up in size, the Thermaster SDC-343B and the Thermaster LG-540 range sit in the 370 to 540 litre bracket. These fridges suit cafes and small restaurants that go through more stock but still only need a single door setup. The extra internal space means more room for adjustable shelving, so you can fit a wider range of bottles, cans and cartons without overcrowding. Pricing typically falls between $1,350 and $1,450, offering a solid step up in capacity without a big jump in cost.
Double and Triple Door Upright Fridges (800 to 1200 Litres)
For busy bars, pubs and supermarkets, a double or triple door upright fridge like the Thermaster LG-1000BP, LG-1200P or LG-1203P gives you serious capacity. These models hold between 885 and 1200 litres, so staff can restock less often during peak service. With two or three doors, you also get better organisation, since different drink types can be kept in separate sections. Prices for this range generally sit between $2,200 and $2,900, which is fair value considering the extra storage and door count.
Premium Display Fridges
If presentation matters as much as capacity, brands like Skope and Bromic offer premium upright bar fridges with features such as curved glass, ActiveCore refrigeration technology and Colourbond exteriors. The Skope SKT and ActiveCore ranges cover 650 to 1497 litres, while the Bromic GM1100LB-NR offers strong build quality with a longer warranty. These fridges suit larger venues, bottle shops and high-turnover bars where the fridge doubles as a marketing tool for drink sales. Expect to pay from around $3,700 up to $7,800 depending on size and features.
What to Consider Before You Buy
Beyond size and price, a few other factors are worth thinking about. Warranty coverage varies by brand, with Skope and Bromic offering up to 5 years on selected models, Turbo Air backed by a 3 year warranty, and Thermaster providing 2 years labour plus an extra 4 years on parts. Energy efficiency is another point of difference. All the fridges we stock are GEMS rated, though Skope models are generally known for slightly better energy performance. Finally, think about door type. Glass doors are ideal for front-of-house display, while solid doors suit back-of-house cold storage where visibility is not a priority.
Find the Right Upright Bar Fridge for Your Business
Whether you need a compact single door fridge for a small cafe or a large capacity display fridge for a busy bar, Ben’s Hospitality Equipment has a commercial upright bar fridge to suit your space and budget. Browse our full range of upright drink fridges online, or get in touch with our team on 1300 434 125 for advice on the best model for your venue. We deliver Australia wide and offer weekly rental options if you would rather spread the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prices generally start from around $1,000 for a compact single door model and can go up to $7,800 or more for large premium display fridges with advanced cooling technology and bigger capacities.
For a small cafe, a single door fridge between 218 and 540 litres is usually enough. This gives you room for daily stock without taking up too much floor space.
Upright fridges offer far more storage for the same floor space. A single door upright at 700mm wide can hold up to 540 litres, compared to around 130 litres for a similar sized under bench unit, so upright models suit venues with higher drink volumes.
Skope and Bromic offer up to 5 years warranty on selected models, which is the longest cover among the brands we stock.