If you’re a wine enthusiast but aren’t ready to invest in a walk-in wine cellar for long-term storage, a wine cooler is a great alternative. Sales of these appliances, which are also known as wine refrigerators or wine chillers, have been growing as Americans drink more reds, whites, and rosés. A dedicated wine fridge is specifically designed to control light, temperature, and humidity, ensuring optimal storage conditions for your wine collection.
We put several under-counter and freestanding wine coolers to test, ranging in capacity from 12-bottle wine coolers to 50-bottle wine coolers. We were able to discover the most important factors to look for when deciding how to pick a wine cooler fridge that works excellently for wine storage and we are going to share them in this wine cooler buying guide.
What is a Wine Cooler?
A wine cooler, also known as a wine refrigerator or wine fridge, is a specialized appliance designed to store and chill wine bottles. Unlike standard refrigerators, wine coolers maintain a consistent temperature range between 45°F to 65°F (7°C to 18°C), which is ideal for storing and aging wine. These appliances come in various sizes, from compact units perfect for a few bottles to large models capable of storing hundreds of bottles. Wine coolers are designed to provide the perfect blend of sophistication and functionality, making them a must-have for any wine enthusiast looking to preserve their collection in optimal conditions.
Benefits of Owning a Wine Fridge
Owning a wine fridge offers several benefits for wine enthusiasts. Firstly, it creates an ideal environment for wine, unlike standard food refrigerators, which can have fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels. Wine coolers are generally less expensive than wine cabinets, cellars, or standard refrigerators, making them a cost-effective solution for proper wine storage. Additionally, wine fridges come in various sizes, types, and colors, making them a versatile addition to any space, whether it’s a kitchen, dining room, or dedicated wine cellar. By investing in a wine fridge, you can ensure that your wine collection is stored and aged to perfection, allowing you to enjoy your favorite wines at their best.
What We Found
Despite their small size—under counter wine coolers are generally 34 inches high by 24 inches wide; While freestanding wine coolers and built-in wine coolers are narrower—some cost roughly the same as a full-sized refrigerator.
The majority succeeded at maintaining consistent serving temperatures, which is essential for keeping your favorite tipples in tip-top condition. More companies are producing wine cooler dual zones, which offer greater flexibility in storing sparkling, rosés, red and white wines at different wine cooler temperature zones and storage space. Additionally, a professional grade wine fridge offers superior features such as precise temperature control, dual zones for different types of wine, and ample storage capacity, making it ideal for serious wine connoisseurs and collectors.
“You wouldn’t buy an antique car and leave it out in the driveway,” Gary Vaynerchuk of the Wine Library, one of the biggest online wine retailers in the country, said. “People are investing more and more money in wine and having the ability to store that wine properly is massively important.”
What to Look for in a Wine Refrigerator
Whether you’ve been a wine lover for quite a long time or just starting to hone your palate, the best way to get the most enjoyment out of each bottle of wine is to store and serve it properly to ensure that they stay fresh and age perfectly.
With so many options available today, how can you decide which wine cooler is right for you? To help you choose from the best wine fridges, there are essential features to consider, which is why we’ve broken them all down in this wine refrigerator buying guide.
Capacity and Footprint
When selecting a wine cooler, it’s essential to consider the number of bottles you plan to store and the available space in your home. Measure your space and consider the dimensions of the wine cooler before making a purchase. Think about your current collection and potential future additions when selecting the capacity of the wine cooler. A general rule of thumb is to choose a wine cooler that is slightly larger than you think you need to accommodate future growth. This way, you can ensure that your wine cooler will serve your needs as your collection expands.
Cooling Technology
Wine coolers use either compressor or thermoelectric technology to cool and maintain the temperature. Compressor units are more common, providing powerful cooling and are suitable for larger collections. They are similar to traditional refrigerators in terms of cooling efficiency. Thermoelectric units, on the other hand, are generally quieter, have fewer moving parts, and are preferred for smaller collections. They use a different cooling mechanism that is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. When choosing a wine cooler, consider the type of cooling technology that suits your needs and the size of your collection.
Pay Attention to Uniformity
Temperature uniformity is vital for wine storage—wine, including sparkling wine, can get spoiled when stored in a spot with frequent temperature swings. The ideal temperature is determined by the wine’s density. Sparkling wines, white wines, and red wines are best stored between 45° F and 65° F (the temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit is frequently cited as being close to perfect)
Single-compartment wine cooling fridges allow cool air to seep into the container, creating different temperature zones, but many manufacturers are opting for separate compartments within the units, allowing you to store your wine at various temperatures.
The majority of the units did great in maintaining uniform temperatures, based on the thermometers we installed inside.
Take a Close Look at Shelving
We loved how the coated-wire racks on one model lifted fast and effortlessly in comparison to the wooden-faced shelves when fully extended.
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As with many other top scorers, they come with adjustable shelves to easily create storage compartments for larger bottles. Additionally, the bottle dual zone feature offers separate temperature controls for different shelf sections, ensuring optimal storage for both reds and whites.
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Some shelves were not removable or entirely extendable, but they did include oval openings and an extra plastic insert to fit wider wine bottles snugly and protect their labels.
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Other coolers feature tightly spaced slats on the shelves, limiting bottle capacities, allowing them to slide and bump into one other and slant upward, blocking the drawer opening.
Factor in the Noise
A noisy wine fridge can be a concern if installed within living areas as it might cause sound vibrations. The level of vibration was nearly too low for our tests to detect. However, louder models did generate more vibration. It’s still debatable whether that level is damaging.
Wine is a liquid and vibration can disrupt sediment in the bottle. It can create complex chemical reactions that aren't evident, lowering tartaric and succinic acids, which can dull the flavor of your wines.
Don't Disregard Energy Use
Wine cooler refrigerators are not particularly energy efficient and they're not included in the Energy Star program run by the federal government. While the temperature setting you select will affect how much energy you consume, some models in our tests utilized nearly as much as an 18-cubic-foot refrigerator.
Types of Wine to Store
Single Zone Wine Cooler
A Single Zone Cooler has only one temperature setting. It's ideal for those with one type of wine collection (red or white).
Dual Zone Wine Cooler
If you enjoy both red and white wines equally, a dual zone wine fridge like a Dual Zone Cooler will benefit you because one zone can be set at a lower temperature than the other. Additionally, dual zone coolers provide you the option of setting one zone to cool wines for storage and the other for serving.
Multi Zone Wine Cooler
If you have a wide range and different types of wine collections that need multiple temperature zones, the best option for you is the Multi Zone Wine Cooler.
Consider These Other Features
Some models include:
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Digital temperature settings that can be accessed without opening the door, making it easier to maintain consistent temperatures for storing wine.
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Water bins to keep the humidity level high enough to prevent corks and labels from drying out.
- Integrated locks to keep visitors from pilfering your prize vintages and tilt-up shelves to exhibit your precious bottles.
- Tinted glass doors that have UV protection to protect your wines from ageing prematurely. Because fluorescent lights generate a limited amount of UV light, the safest alternative is to use adjustable indoor LED lighting instead.
- Wooden shelf edges that you can personalize to match your cabinets, while other models can take a custom cabinet frame.
- Glass door with strips of molding to match your cabinetry.
Freestanding vs. Built-In Wine Cellar
Wine coolers can be installed as freestanding or built-in units. Freestanding wine coolers are designed to sit on the floor and require a few inches of clearance around them for proper ventilation. They are versatile and can be placed anywhere in your home. Built-in wine coolers, on the other hand, are designed to fit under countertops or between cabinets, offering a seamless look. They can be customized with door openings and installed flush against a wall, making them an excellent choice for integrated kitchen designs. Consider the location and available space in your home when deciding between a freestanding or built-in wine cellar to ensure you choose the best option for your needs.
Buy Wine Coolers at Wine Coolers Empire!
Wine Coolers Empire offers a wide selection of wine coolers on sale, from commercial wine coolers to beverage and wine coolers for home. Serious wine collectors will find options that cater to their needs, such as precise temperature control and humidity management. Wine coolers come in a variety of sizes including mini wine coolers, portable wine coolers, small wine coolers, and large wine refrigerator coolers. For those with a varied wine collection, dual-zone coolers are particularly beneficial as they allow for separate temperature control for red and white wines.
The best wine coolers for sale are always made by the top-selling brands of wine coolers:
- Allavino Wine Coolers
- Avanti Wine Coolers
- Cavavin Wine Coolers
- Danby Wine Coolers
- Lanbo Wine Coolers
- Liebherr Wine Coolers
- Smith & Hanks Wine Coolers
- Summit Wine Coolers
- Sunpentown Wine Coolers
- U-Line Wine Coolers
- Whynter Wine Coolers
Check out these types of wine coolers according to the number of zones:
If you need our help or have any questions/queries, feel free to contact us or call us at +1-888-407-7770. Our Sales Experts will gladly assist you in selecting the best wine coolers and designing the ideal wine cabinet or cellar.
If you already have a wine cellar and want to enhance your cooling system, check out our Wine Cellar Cooling Units and Wine Racks.
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