In commercial scenarios, many colas, fruit juices, and other beverages need to be stored refrigerated. Most of them use double-door beverage refrigerators. Although single-door ones are also very popular, the cost has increased the possibilities for selection. For users, it is important to have basic functions that meet their needs and optimal price control. This is especially true when importing thousands of units of equipment. Not only do we need to control cost premiums, but we also have to consider issues related to quality and service.
The price itself is also a factor. In terms of the price difference between single-door and double-door beverage coolers, it is not simply caused by the difference in capacity, but rather a comprehensive reflection of multiple factors such as material costs, technical configurations, and energy efficiency performance.
Distribution of price ranges and brand landscape
Currently, the prices of beverage refrigerators on the market show significant hierarchical distribution characteristics. The price range of single-door beverage refrigerators is relatively large, from the most economical Yangzi model at $71.5 for basic models to the professional models of the high-end brand Williams at $3105, covering all scenario needs from community convenience stores to high-end bars.
Data shows that the prices of mainstream commercial single-door beverage refrigerators are concentrated in the range of $138 to $345. Among them, the Xingxing 230-liter single-door air-cooled model is priced at $168.2, the Aucma 229-liter first-class energy efficiency model is priced at $131.0, and the Midea 223-liter air-cooled frost-free model is $172.4 (1249 yuan × 0.138), forming a clear mid-range price band.
The double-door beverage refrigerators, on the whole, show an upward trend in prices, with the basic price range being 153.2 – 965.9 US dollars. The discounted price of the basic double-door model of Xinfei is 153.2 US dollars, while the 800-liter first-class energy efficiency double-door refrigerator of Aucma is sold at 551.9 US dollars, the 439-liter double-door display cabinet of Midea is priced at 366.9 US dollars, and the high-end customized double-door cabinets can reach 965.9 US dollars.
It is worth noting that the median price of double-door cabinets is approximately $414, which is twice the median price of single-door cabinets ($207). This multiple relationship remains relatively stable across different brand lines.
Brand pricing strategies have further exacerbated price differentiation. Domestic brands such as Xingxing, Xinfei, and Aucma have formed a mainstream market in the range of 138-552 US dollars, while imported brands like Williams have single-door models priced as high as 3,105 US dollars. Their premium is mainly reflected in precise temperature control technology and commercial design. This brand price difference is more pronounced in double-door models. The price of high-end commercial double-door cabinets can be 3-5 times that of similar products from domestic brands, reflecting the difference in value positioning among different market segments.
Price formation mechanism and three-dimensional cost analysis
Capacity and material costs are the fundamental determinants of price differences. The capacity of single-door beverage coolers is usually between 150-350 liters, while double-door ones generally reach 400-800 liters, and some models specially designed for supermarkets even exceed 1000 liters. The difference in capacity directly translates into differences in material costs; double-door coolers require 60%-80% more steel, glass, and refrigeration pipelines than single-door ones.
Take the Xingxing brand as an example. A 230-liter single-door cabinet is priced at $168.2, while an 800-liter double-door cabinet is priced at $551.9. The cost per unit capacity decreases from $0.73 per liter to $0.69 per liter, showing the cost optimization brought about by the scale effect.
Refrigeration technology configurations constitute the second factor affecting prices. Direct cooling technology, due to its simple structure, is widely used in economical single-door cabinets. For example, the Yangzi 120.0 USD single-door cabinet adopts a basic direct cooling system; while air-cooled frost-free technology, with higher costs for fans and evaporators, sees a significant price increase. The Zhigao single-door air-cooled cabinet is priced at 129.4 USD, which is approximately 30% higher than the direct cooling model of the same brand. Double-door cabinets are more inclined to be equipped with a dual-fan independent temperature control system. The Midea 439-liter double-door air-cooled cabinet is priced at 366.9 USD, a 40% premium compared to direct cooling models of the same capacity. This technical price difference is more significant in double-door models.
The impact of energy efficiency ratings on long-term usage costs has prompted merchants to be willing to pay a premium for high-energy-efficiency products. The price of a single-door cabinet with energy efficiency class 1 is 15%-20% higher than that of a class 2 product. For example, Aucma’s 229-liter single-door cabinet with energy efficiency class 1 costs $131.0, while a model of the same capacity with energy efficiency class 2 is approximately $110.4. This premium is more pronounced in double-door cabinets. Due to the fact that the annual power consumption difference of large-capacity equipment can reach several hundred kWh, the premium rate for double-door cabinets with energy efficiency class 1 generally reaches 22%-25%, reflecting merchants’ consideration of long-term operating costs.
TCO Model and Selection Strategy
When selecting different commercial beverage refrigerators, the concept of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) should be established, rather than simply comparing the initial prices. The average daily beverage sales of convenience stores in European and American communities are about 80-120 bottles, and a single-door refrigerator with a capacity of 150-250 liters can meet the demand. Taking the Xingxing 230-liter single-door refrigerator at $168.2 as an example, coupled with a first-level energy efficiency rating, the annual electricity cost is approximately $41.4, and the three-year TCO is about $292.4. For chain supermarkets with an average daily sales of more than 300 bottles, a double-door refrigerator with a capacity of over 400 liters is required. The Aucma 800-liter double-door refrigerator costs $551.9, with an annual electricity cost of about $89.7 and a three-year TCO of approximately $799.9, but the unit storage cost is instead lower.
In terms of office meeting scenarios, for small and medium-sized offices (with 20-50 people), a single-door cabinet of about 150 liters is sufficient. For example, the Yangzi 71.5 USD economy single-door cabinet, plus an annual electricity fee of 27.6 USD, results in a total cost of only 154.3 USD over three years. For pantries or reception areas in large enterprises, a 300-liter double-door cabinet can be considered. The Midea 310-liter double-door cabinet costs approximately 291.2 USD, with a three-year TCO of about 374.0 USD, reducing the unit usage cost through its capacity advantage.
High-end bars tend to choose professional brands such as Williams. Although its single-door cabinet priced at 3105 US dollars has a high initial investment, its precise temperature control (temperature difference ±0.5℃) and silent design (≤40 decibels) can ensure the quality of high-end drinks. For humid environments such as restaurant kitchens, special models with stainless steel liners are required. The price of such double-door cabinets is about 30% higher than that of ordinary models. For example, the price of Xinfei stainless steel double-door cabinet is 227.7 US dollars (1650 yuan × 0.138), which is 55.2 US dollars higher than the ordinary model with the same capacity.
Market Trends and Purchase Decisions
In 2025, the beverage cooler market shows a trend where technological upgrading and price differentiation go hand in hand. Fluctuations in raw material prices have a significant impact on costs; a 5% increase in stainless steel prices has led to an approximate $20.7 increase in the cost of double-door coolers, while the popularization of inverter compressors has caused the prices of high-end models to rise by 10%-15%. Meanwhile, the application of new technologies such as photovoltaic auxiliary power supply has resulted in a 30% premium for energy-efficient double-door coolers, which, however, can reduce electricity expenses by more than 40% and are suitable for stores with good lighting conditions.
Purchase decisions need to comprehensively consider three factors:
（1）Average daily sales volume
First, determine the capacity requirement based on the average daily sales volume. A single-door cabinet is suitable for scenarios with an average daily sales volume of ≤ 150 bottles, while a double-door cabinet corresponds to the requirement of ≥ 200 bottles.
（2）Usage duration
Secondly, evaluate the usage duration. For scenarios where the operation runs for more than 12 hours a day, priority should be given to models with first-level energy efficiency. Although their unit price is higher, the price difference can be recovered within two years.
（3）Special needs
Pay attention to special needs. For example, the frost-free function is suitable for humid areas, and the lock design is suitable for unattended scenarios. These functions will cause a 10%-20% fluctuation in price.
In addition, transportation costs also account for a portion. The transportation and installation costs of double-door cabinets are 50%-80% higher than those of single-door cabinets. Some large double-door cabinets require professional hoisting, with an additional expenditure of approximately 41.4-69.0 US dollars.
In terms of maintenance costs, the complex structure of double-door cabinets makes their maintenance costs 40% higher than those of single-door cabinets. Therefore, it is recommended to choose brands with a comprehensive after-sales service network. Although the initial price may be 10% higher, they offer more guarantees for long-term use.
Every year, there are upgrades to different devices. Many suppliers say that they cannot export their products. The key reason is that without innovation, there will be no elimination. Most of the products on the market are still old models, and users have no reason to upgrade their own devices at all.
A comprehensive analysis of market data reveals that the price difference between double-door and single-door beverage refrigerators is the result of the combined effects of capacity, technology, and energy efficiency. In actual selection, one should move beyond the simple mindset of comparing prices and establish a TCO evaluation system based on usage scenarios to make the optimal equipment investment decision.
Post time: Sep-16-2025 Views: