I have some elderly relatives who need something like a bar fridge, which will only hold fruit and maybe sodas. It has to be free standing. They don't care much about noise, but knowing how annoying some can be, I'd say that it doesn't have to be anywhere near Perlick silent, but shouldn't be obtrusively loud or ringy dingy.

It does need to be mechanically sound. The prior holder of that spot had been a 30+ year old, ac/dc freezing to fridge temperature (by a dial) unit that had been used as a freezer for RVing and Costco runs, and for the last couple of decades was sitting in the corner chilling oranges and other overflow produce, plus the occasional soda.

What they've decided on for the purpose now is a 32"(-ish) tall fridge, in the 4+ cubic foot range.

By low end, I don't mean the kind that's supposed to make it through one year in a dorm room. Their budget could handle Perlick, but it's way overkill. I'm thinking more around $500.

Any recommendations?