Dual Tap vs Triple Tap Kegerator: Which Is More?

What dual tap and triple tap mean on a listing

The words dual tap and triple tap are title words on kegerator listings. They tell you how many faucets the unit has. A dual tap listing has two faucets, usually mounted in a tower that sits on top of the cabinet. A triple tap listing has three faucets in the same arrangement.

The tap count sets the shape of the rest of the decision: how many beers you can plan to serve at once, how wide the cabinet is likely to be, and which dispensing parts the listing needs to include.

• The tap count tells you the number of faucets.
• It does not tell you the barrel size that fits.
• It does not tell you the cabinet depth.
• It does not tell you which parts are sold separately.

Tap count, cabinet width, and footprint

On listings, tap count usually tracks with cabinet width. A dual tap unit is commonly the narrower option, often carrying a 15 inch or 18 inch size name. A triple tap unit usually needs a wider cabinet, commonly a 24 inch size name or one of the wider commercial names.

The reason is straightforward: more faucets need a wider tower, and a wider tower needs a cabinet wide enough to support it. Compare 15 inch kegerators and 24 inch kegerators to see how the size names line up with tap counts.

So the dual versus triple question is, in practical terms, a footprint question first. If the space beside your bar is tight, dual tap keeps the cabinet slim. If you have room for a wider cabinet, the third tap becomes a real option.

How many beers you can plan for

The tap count is the planning number for variety. Two taps means you can plan for two beers on draft at once; three taps means three. The extra tap does not change the cabinet; it only adds another option at the bar.

For a home bar, two beers is often enough. For a shared house, an apartment with housemates, or a small venue, a third option gives variety without adding a second cabinet. The dual tap kegerators guide covers the two-tap choice, and the triple tap kegerators guide covers the three-tap choice.

• Choose triple tap when several people will use the bar.
• Choose triple tap when you want one steady beer plus two rotating options.
• Choose triple tap when the cabinet width is available.
• Choose dual tap when the space is tight.
• Choose dual tap when you mostly serve one or two beers.
• Choose dual tap when you want the simplest setup.

What the listing says about draft lines

A three-faucet unit needs three lines running from the kegs to the faucets; a two-faucet unit needs two. The listing usually states the faucets and the tower, and sometimes states whether a coupler or a dispense kit is included. Read the bullet list for what is included versus sold separately.

The image set is the quick check for tap count: a tower with two openings is a dual tap, three openings is a triple tap. The bullet list gives the dimensions and the box contents. For a general view of what a listing should state, start with the best kegerator guide.

What the title cannot say: it cannot tell you the barrel size that fits, the depth of the cabinet, or whether the unit is a conversion refrigerator. Those details belong in the bullet list. For how the tower openings relate to the rest of the setup, see tower hole count and number of taps.

Reading tap counts in titles and bullets

Some titles say dual tap or triple tap directly. Others say double tap tower, three faucets, or 2 faucets. The words faucet and tap are used interchangeably on listings, so read both as the same thing.

When the tap count is missing from the title, check the bullet list and the images. If the listing still does not state a tap count, treat it as a missing detail and either ask the seller or move to a listing that states it.

Making the call

The decision comes down to two questions: how many beers do you want on draft, and how much cabinet width can you give up? Answer the space question first, then the variety question, then check which parts are included.

For most home bars, a dual tap listing is the balanced pick: two beers on tap, a slimmer cabinet, fewer parts to compare. For a shared space or a bar that gets regular use, a triple tap listing adds one more option while keeping everything in a single cabinet. If you want to go beyond three, see the 4 tap kegerators guide, and for a venue check the commercial kegerators guide.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

What is a dual tap kegerator?

A dual tap kegerator is a listing that states two faucets, usually in a tower. It lets you plan for two beers on draft at once.

What is a triple tap kegerator?

A triple tap kegerator is a listing that states three faucets in a tower, letting you plan for three beers on draft from one cabinet.

Does more taps always mean a wider cabinet?

Not always. Listings usually pair tap count with cabinet width, but you should read the dimensions in the bullet list rather than assuming from the tap count.

Is a triple tap better than a dual tap?

Not always. Triple tap gives more variety but usually needs more width and more included parts. Dual tap keeps the cabinet slimmer and the setup simpler.

What else should I check besides the tap count?

Check the cabinet width, the included parts such as the tower, faucets, drip tray and coupler, and what is sold separately. The title tells the tap count; the bullet list tells the rest.

Can a dual tap unit hold three kegs?

The tap count tells you the number of faucets, not the number of kegs the cabinet is described to hold. Read the bullet list for how many kegs the listing says fit.