Buying guide
Kegging Starter Kit
Updated How we research
Skip bottles and pour from a keg. The page is split into five sections (Fill A Corny Keg; Supply Your CO2; Set The Pressure; Pour A Test Pint; Run The Beer Lines), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:VEVOR Aluminum CO2 Tank, 5 lb, CGA320. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Cornelius Keg, 5 Gallon, 2 Pcs, Ball Lock. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:TMCraft Aluminum CO2 Tank, 5 lb, CGA-320. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:5 Gallon Cornelius Keg with CO2 Regulator and Tap. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.1/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Fill A Corny Keg
- Cornelius Keg, 5 Gallon, 2 Pcs, Ball LockOur score8.4/10
- AMCYL 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg with Rubber HandleOur score8.3/10
- Cornelius Keg, 5 Gallon, Ball Lock, NEWOur score8.1/10
- 5 Gallon Cornelius Keg with CO2 Regulator and TapOur score8.1/10
Supply Your CO2
- VEVOR Aluminum CO2 Tank, 5 lb, CGA320Our score8.6/10
- TMCraft Aluminum CO2 Tank, 5 lb, CGA-320Our score8.4/10
- TMCRAFT CO2 Tank with CGA-320 Valve, 2.5 lbOur score8.0/10
- Aluminum CO2 Tank for Kegerator, 5 lbOur score7.0/10
Set The Pressure
- FERRODAY Dual Gauge CO2 Regulator, CGA-320Our score8.4/10
- MRbrew CO2 Regulator, Dual Output, CGA-320Our score7.8/10
- VEVOR Dual Gauge CO2 Regulator, 0-60 PSIOur score7.6/10
- HGKEKE Dual Gauge CO2 Keg Regulator, 0-120 PSIOur score7.3/10
Pour A Test Pint
- Picnic Tap 2.1 Ball Lock Low ProfileOur score8.4/10
- Dbgogo Ball Lock Picnic Tap Beer FaucetOur score8.4/10
- PERA 3/16 in Ball Lock Picnic Tap, 3 ft Beer LineOur score8.4/10
- LUCKEG Ball Lock Picnic Tap, Pack of 6Our score7.6/10
Run The Beer Lines
- Beer Line Vinyl Tubing Kit, 3/16 in ID, 10 ftOur score8.4/10
- MRbrew Beer Tubing with Clamps, 15 ftOur score8.4/10
- Beer Hose Keg Line, 10 ft, 3/16 in IDOur score7.6/10
- 3/16" ID Beer Line (per foot)Our score7.3/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
VEVOR 5 lbs CO2 tank, a new aluminum alloy cylinder with CGA320 valve and DOT approval for kegerators.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 5 lbs size carbonates and serves many kegs per fill
- + Aluminum cylinder is lighter and resists rust
- + DOT approved tank is accepted at most refill and exchange shops
- - Tank ships empty and must be filled before use
- - Some exchange programs swap tanks, so you may not keep the new one
A 2Pcs set of new 5 Gallon stainless steel Corny kegs with Ball Lock fittings and dual rubber handles.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2Pcs set lets you keep one keg serving while another conditions
- + Dual rubber handles make carrying full kegs more comfortable
- + Ball Lock fittings match common homebrew disconnects
- - Check the gaskets seal tightly before the first use
- - Two full kegs demand plenty of fridge space
TMCRAFT 5lb CO2 tank, a high strength aluminum alloy cylinder with CGA-320 valve and DOT approval.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 5lb capacity fits in most kegerators alongside kegs
- + High strength aluminum alloy keeps weight manageable
- + CGA-320 valve fits standard homebrew regulators
- - Delivered empty, so the first fill adds to the cost
- - Lesser-known brand compared with established cylinder makers
FERRODAY dual gauge dual-stage CO2 regulator with CGA-320 inlet for beer kegerators.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Dual-stage design keeps output pressure steadier as the tank empties
- + Two gauges show tank and serving pressure at a glance
- + CGA-320 fitting matches standard CO2 cylinders
- - Dual-stage regulators are usually bulkier than single stage
- - Check the outlet barb size fits your beer line before ordering
Picnic Tap 2.1, a low profile Ball Lock tap that pours straight from a keg or growler with no separate beer line.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Low profile design clips right onto the Ball Lock post with no hose to manage
- + Pours from both kegs and pressurized growlers for flexible serving
- + Updated 2.1 version aims to reduce foaming compared with basic cobra taps
- - Short flow path can foam if serving pressure is set too high
- - Only fits Ball Lock posts, not Pin Lock or commercial Sankey kegs
Dbgogo stainless core self-closing Ball Lock picnic tap with QD, a cleaner-pouring upgrade over plastic cobra taps.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Self-closing faucet shuts off on release, so fewer drips on the floor
- + Stainless steel core resists wear and flavor carryover
- + QD fitting makes swapping lines between kegs quick
- - Check the beer line length before ordering, since extra tubing may be needed
- - Lesser-known brand with limited track record for seal life
PERA 3/16" Ball Lock line assembly with picnic tap and 3ft beer line, a ready-made serving line for Corny kegs.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Pre-assembled line with disconnect, tubing and tap is ready to pour
- + 3/16" line helps control foaming at typical serving pressures
- + 3ft length is handy for kegs sitting in a cooler or jockey box
- - Short 3ft line may foam if kegs are carbonated on the high side
- - Plastic picnic tap is less durable than stainless faucets
A 10 Feet 3/16" ID 7/16" OD vinyl beer line keg replacement kit with 4 hose clamps.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 3/16" ID is the standard size for balanced homebrew draft lines
- + 4 hose clamps included to secure line to barbs
- + 10 Feet gives enough for two serving lines or one long line
- - Vinyl can pick up flavors from strongly flavored beers over time
- - Needs regular line cleaning to prevent buildup
MRbrew 15 Feet PVC beer hose with hose clamps, 3/16" ID food grade line for kegerators.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 15 Feet allows longer lines to reduce foaming
- + Food grade PVC tubing is safe for beer contact
- + Hose clamps included for secure connections
- - PVC can stiffen in cold kegerators, making fittings harder to push on
- - Longer lines take up more space inside the fridge
AMCYL new 5 gallon ball lock keg in 304 stainless steel with dual rubber handles and a rubber boot bottom. The listing calls it NSF approved, and it is one of the lower priced new kegs here.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 304 stainless steel body with dual rubber handles and a rubber boot bottom
- + Pull ring pressure relief built into the lid and ball lock connections, per the listing
- + Listing describes it as NSF approved and gives the size: 8.75 inch diameter by 25.5 inch height
- - Listing highlights do not mention disconnects or spare O-rings, so budget for those separately
- - At 25.5 inches tall, check clearance in a mini fridge or keezer before ordering
A new Cornelius Keg, 5 Gallon with Ball Lock posts, the standard vessel for kegging homebrew.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Ball Lock posts are the most common homebrew fitting, so parts are easy to find
- + 5 Gallon size matches standard batch volumes perfectly
- + New keg avoids the worn seals and dents of used soda kegs
- - Needs a CO2 tank, regulator and disconnects to actually serve beer
- - Tall keg may not fit shorter kegerators or mini fridges
A 5 Gallon Cornelius keg bundled with CO2 regulator, Ball Lock tap and self-closing faucet for a starter kegging setup.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Bundle includes regulator and tap, so fewer parts to source
- + Self-closing faucet reduces drips and waste
- + Good starting point for moving from bottles to kegs
- - CO2 tank is not included, so a cylinder is still needed
- - Bundled regulators may be less durable than stand-alone name brands
TMCRAFT 2.5lb CO2 tank, a compact aluminum alloy cylinder with CGA-320 valve and DOT approval.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 2.5lb size fits tight kegerators and portable setups
- + DOT approved for refilling at gas suppliers
- + Lightweight enough to take to parties with a keg
- - Smaller tank needs refilling more often when serving several kegs
- - Refill cost per pound is higher than larger tanks
MRbrew dual output CGA-320 CO2 regulator in forged brass with two adjustment knobs and gauges, built for homebrewers who serve from two kegs at different pressures.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Two separate knobs and output gauges let you set a different pressure for each gas line, from 0 to 60 PSI.
- + The listing describes forged brass construction with a sintered brass inlet filter and a safety relief valve.
- + Comes with two swivel nut barbs so it works with 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch gas line hoses.
- - Costs noticeably more than a single-output regulator, which is wasted money if you only serve one keg at a time.
- - Two gauges and two knobs add setup steps for a beginner who just wants to carbonate and serve one keg.
VEVOR double gauge CO2 regulator with a CGA-320 inlet, 0-60 PSI adjustable output, a check valve and a relief valve listed at 65 PSI. A low-cost single-keg regulator from a known tool brand.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Output adjustable from 0 to 60 PSI, the range used for serving and force carbonating beer
- + Check valve on the outlet to keep beer from flowing back into the regulator, per the listing
- + Comes with gaskets and clamps, and the product page states compatibility with 8 mm hose
- - Hose size is given only as 8 mm, and barb options for 1/4 inch gas line are not mentioned in the highlights
- - Listing highlights do not state the body material, and a single outlet means two kegs need a splitter
LUCKEG picnic taps in a Pack of 6 for Cornelius Ball Lock homebrew kegs, a cheap dispenser for parties.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Pack of 6 lets you serve several kegs or keep spares
- + Simple picnic taps are perfect for tapping kegs in a cooler
- + Low cost per tap makes them ideal for casual serving
- - Beer line and Ball Lock disconnects may not be included
- - Picnic taps drip and foam more than proper faucets
A 10FT transparent beer hose keg line with 3/16 ID and hose clamps for kegerator setups.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Transparent tubing lets you spot buildup or foam in the line
- + 3/16 ID matches most homebrew draft system barbs
- + Hose clamps included for leak-free fittings
- - Check the outer diameter fits your disconnects before ordering
- - Clear line needs frequent cleaning to stay looking clean
HGKEKE dual gauge CO2 regulator with a CGA-320 inlet and a 0-120 PSI output range, plus 1/4 and 5/16 inch barbs. The higher range suits brewers who also carbonate soda or seltzer.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Output is listed as adjustable up to 120 PSI, with a tank gauge reading 0 to 3000 PSI
- + Welded 7/16-20 UNF threaded outlet, with 1/4 and 5/16 inch barbs included for common gas lines
- + Outlet check valve against backflow and a relief valve that can also be pulled by hand, per the listing
- - A 0-120 PSI gauge has coarser markings in the low range used for serving beer than a 0-60 PSI gauge
- - Single outlet, so running two kegs at different pressures needs a second regulator
3/16" ID beer line sold per foot, letting you buy exactly the length your draft system needs.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Per foot sales let you cut lines to precise balanced lengths
- + 3/16" ID is the common homebrew serving line size
- + Cheap replacement for old or stained lines
- - No hose clamps or fittings included, so order those alongside
- - Check the wall thickness and material before ordering this tubing
A 5lb aluminum CO2 tank cylinder for kegerators, regulator-compatible for homebrew draft systems.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 5lb tank is a practical size for home kegerator use
- + Aluminum build is lightweight and corrosion resistant
- + Works with common kegerator regulators used by homebrewers
- - Check for DOT approval before taking this tank to a refill shop
- - Check the valve type before ordering to confirm it suits your regulator
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Home Brew Craft curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.