Wine Coolers 101: Top Picks for Wine Lovers

Are you a wine enthusiast looking for the perfect fridge to store your collection?

We have what you’re looking for. In our review, we’ll be looking at the best wine coolers available.

They’re all great for keeping your bottles in exquisite condition. All of them are also wonderful for either long-term aging or short-term cooling.

Time to clink glasses and read on!

8 Best Wine Coolers for Wine Lovers Available

Let’s dive right into our list of the best wine fridges available.

1. Vinotemp 141-Bottle Single-Zone Freestanding/Built-In Wine Cellar – Best Overall

We’ll start our list with our best overall pick and one of the best wine refrigerator brands;

The Vinotemp 141-Bottle single-zone wine cellar is not only perfect for anybody with a growing wine collection, but it’s also a long-term investment!

It stores your wines in perfect conditions and is sturdier than dual-zone fridges with more moving parts. What’s more, it maintains a high resale value once you decide to get a larger wine fridge.

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 141 bottles
• Dimensions: 73.875 x 23.875 x 28.75 inches
• Temperature Range: 41° – 64°F

Overall Thoughts

This single-zone wine fridge by VinoTemp is an impressive machine. It may not have multiple temperature zones, but it’s actually fine!

In reality, storing all your wines at 55°F is okay. Not only that, but a single-zone wine fridge can outlast dual-zones since they have fewer parts.

Its compressor cooling has impressive performance and can easily maintain ideal temperature levels. Having an adjustable thermostat makes creating the perfect environment for your bottles much easier!

As for its other features, let’s talk about them below.

Features:

• Available in Right Hinge or Left Hinge
• Compressor Cooling Technology
• Digital Control Panel
• Interior LED Side Lighting
• Black Cabinet
• Full Glass Door With Stainless Steel Frame
• Patented Interior Backlit™ Panel: Heliotrope, Amber, and Vinotemp BioBlu™ Back-Lit (U.S. Patent No. D868,849 S)
• Patented Label-Forward, Vinbo™ Racks (U.S. Patent No. D910,089 S)
• Protective Rack Insert
• Bulk Storage at the bottom
• Security Lock
• CEC Compliant

Having the option to select a right-hinge or left-hinge fridge gives you a bit of flexibility in terms of installation. The same could be said for its front-facing vent.

Talking about ease-of-use, setting the temperature is as simple as pressing some buttons. The light switches at the bottom of its control panel allow you to tweak the Backlit™ panel lighting.

One standout feature is its option to use Vinotemp’s BioBlu™ lighting. It helps reduce the growth of bacteria and mold and keeps your wines in perfect condition!

As for its glide-out VinBo™ racks, they offer a full view of your wine bottle labels. The protective rack inserts prevent your bottles from sliding out and provide an extra layer of protection.

If you’re wondering about its bulk storage, you use it for storing oddly shaped bottles. The security lock means others can’t easily access your collection. To top it off, it’s CEC compliant!

Overall, you have a wonderful piece of equipment that even a wine director would appreciate. The only downside is, for its capacity, it’s pretty expensive.

The space it occupies is pretty understandable, so you can disregard that.

Pros

• Stores your wines at perfect conditions
• Maintains a great resale value
• Vinotemp’s BioBlu™ lighting helps to reduce the growth of bacteria and mold

Cons

• Quite pricey for its capacity

2. Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler – Best Value Pick

If you need one of the best wine fridges for long-term aging, then this 32-bottle wine cooler by Wine Enthusiast should be your pick. It even features a smaller upper region for your white wine or rosé!

What’s more, this is the best wine fridge in terms of value for money. What you get for the price is astounding!

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 32 bottles
• Dimensions: 33.4 x 19.5 x 16.9 inches
• Temperature Range: 41-64°F for both zones

Overall Thoughts

The 32-bottle dual-zone fridge by Wine Enthusiast is one of the best options for your wine collection if you’re planning to store it for long-term aging.

If you’re not planning to use two separate zones, it’s no problem either. You can set its dual zones to the same temperature!

We’ll briefly cover its other features next.

Features:

• MAX Compressor
• Dual Temperature Zones for long-term aging and short-term cooling
• Easy-To-Use Digital Touchscreen
• Chrome Shelves
• Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor, 3-Years Sealed System

Its MAX Compressor cooling not only lasts up to two times longer than typical thermoelectric wine refrigerators, but it’s also three times more energy-efficient. That saves you a lot on your power bill!

Its two temperature zones let you take care of long-term aging and short-term cooling simultaneously, and its user-friendly digital control panel lets you monitor your temperatures with ease!

Scalloped chrome shelves make fitting your bottles easier, and the bottoms rack lets you show off prized bottles from your collection.

To top it off, its warranty minimizes any damage to your bank account if something happens to it!

However, there are a couple of downsides to the wine cooler. It’s only meant for freestanding use, and it has minimal lighting.

Pros

• Superb value for money
• Impressive energy efficiency
• Good storage capacity

Cons

• Only limited to freestanding use
• Minimal lighting

3. NutriChef 15-Bottle Refrigerator – Best Budget Option

Up next, we’ll show you our best budget pick. The NutriChef 15-bottle wine fridge is a compact freestanding unit that comes at an affordable price making it the best countertop wine cooler.

It can be placed on your counter, your floor, and what’s so good about it is it won’t hurt your bank account as much!

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 15 bottles
• Dimensions: 13.6 x 17.7 x 27.2 inches
• Temperature Range: 41-64°F

Overall Thoughts

This wine fridge is perfect for people with only smaller spaces to work with. It’s small, well-made, and holds the perfect number of standard-sized bottles for the amount you pay!

It comes with four chrome wine shelves and one bottom standing rack to perfectly secure up to 15 bottles. Its dimensions and freestanding design allow you to fit into almost any space.

Its temperature range is also perfect for storing your favorite wines. As for its other features, let’s cover them briefly below.

Features:

• Compressor Cooling w/ Adjustable Temperature
• Child Safety Auto-Lock
• Digital Soft-Touch Control
• Ultra-Quiet Operation

This wine fridge from NutriChef is a feature-rich option. It makes use of compressor cooling technology with an adjustable temperature to ensure you store bottles at an ideal temperature.

Its stainless steel door and digital control panel come with an auto-lock feature that triggers 20 seconds after the last time you press it. This prevents your little ones from messing with it.

The touch control also lets you control its interior LED lights. What’s more, this compact option has a vibration-free system allowing it to maintain quiet operation!

The only downside with the NutriChef 15-bottle wine fridge is its limited storage, which may not be ideal for the hardcore wine enthusiast.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Quiet and efficient cooling system
• Space-saving

Cons

• Limited bottle capacity

4. Wine Enthusiast VinoView 155-Bottle Wine Cellar

This next option we’re featuring is for serious wine collectors. The VinoView 155-Bottle Wine Cellar has state-of-the-art cooling, perfect for storing large collections.

Its sleek design and matrix-style display let any die-hard wine enthusiast display their selection proudly!

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 155 bottles
• Dimensions: 72.25 x 23.5 x 26.75 inches
• Temperature Range: 40-72°F

Overall Thoughts

The most obvious aspect of this wine cellar is its large capacity. It’s more than enough to fit anyone’s stockpile of select wines.

Aside from allowing you to store your bottles at perfect temperatures, it also allows you to showcase your favorites!

As for its other features, we’ll cover them below.

Features:

• State-of-the-Art Compressor Cooling Performance
• Matrix-Style Vinoview® Shelving
• Double-Pane Glass Door With UV Protection
• LED Interior Side Lighting
• Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor, 3-Years Sealed System (Parts Only)

Its high-performance compressor stores your red and white wines in ideal conditions. It even creates perfect serving conditions for white wine!

Its matrix-style VinoView shelving displays your wine label forward, allowing you to proudly show off your favorite bottles. Its LED interior lighting enhances the overall display.

Its door protects your wine from UV damage. It’s also available in a free-standing or built-in design, making it suitable for any area of your home.

Not to mention, overall, this wine cellar has a wonderful aesthetic making it a decorative addition to any area you decide to put it.

The only downside is, due to its humongous capacity and size, it needs considerable space.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Ideal for displaying your collection
• Great aesthetics

Cons

• Eats up ample space

5. Wine Enthusiast Classic 70 Dual-Zone Wine Cellar

If you’re a collector looking for a mid-range option, this next option is for you. The Classic 70 is a medium-capacity dual-zone wine fridge by Wine Enthusiast.

It’s perfect for storing a collection you’re still building up, and it adds some nice touches to enhance your display’s overall aesthetics!

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 70 bottles
• Dimensions: 40.87 x 23.5 x 25 inches
• Temperature Range: 41° – 68°F for both zones

Overall Thoughts

We found this mid-sized option by Wine Enthusiast to be perfect for collectors in the midst of expanding their wine stockpile.

It has the right capacity, a cooling system that’s quick and effective, and some features that enhance the overall vibe of your wine showcase.

Let’s go through the Classic 70’s other features below.

Features:

• Adjustable Thermostat
• Blue LED Lighting
• Blue LED Temperature Display
• Tinted Triple-Pane Glass Door
• Sliding Stainless Steel Shelves With Natural Wood Trim
• Textured Liner Surface
• Standard Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor, 3-Years Sealed System (Parts Only)

Its 70-bottle dual-zone storage has an adjustable thermostat allowing you to create the perfect cellar temperature. Its blue LED temperature display makes it easier to monitor.

As for its blue LED lighting, it helps showcase your wine bottles. Its glass door is built to protect your wines against UV rays and improve your cooler’s thermal performance and energy efficiency.

Its sliding shelves give you easier access to your wine, and its natural wood trim adds to the overall look.

Meanwhile, the textured liner surface maintains the right moisture levels inside your wine fridge. Overall, this mid-range dual-zone cellar is perfect for any collector.

The downside, however, is it’s only available as a standalone wine fridge. Although, given its size and capacity, it’s totally understandable.

Pros

• Perfect for collectors still building up their collection
• Features nice touches that enhance the overall display
• Maintains perfect internal moisture levels

Cons

• Only available as a free-standing wine cooler

6. EdgeStar Built-In Wine Cooler

If you’re working with an unbelievably limited amount of space, we have the best wine fridge for you.

The EdgeStar 7-bottle built-in cooler screams sleek and slim. It’s so compact that you can fit it almost anywhere in your house!

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 7 bottles
• Dimensions: 34.3 x 20.4 x 5.8 inches
• Temperature Range: 40-65°F

Overall Thoughts

The EdgeStar seven-bottle single-zone wine fridge is the embodiment of compact but powerful. It’s a sleek and streamlined option perfect for a wine lover working with extremely limited space.

It may have limited storage, but it’s perfect for storing only your favorites. You won’t have to worry about the cooling conditions of your little collection either!

Its highly-efficient compressor and circulation fan ensure uniform single-zone cooling throughout your fridge. This means it’s free of any hot spots!

You’ll always have a bottle available at an ideal serving temperature. Also, talking about its other features, let’s go through them below.

Features:

• Slim-Fit Installation
• High-Efficiency Compressor
• Internal Circulation Fan
• Stainless Steel Door Frame and Handle
• Tinted UV-Resistant Glass
• Digital Control Panel
• Blue LED Interior Lighting

You already know how it can easily fit in any nook and cranny. We’ve also briefly covered its cooling system, but we’ll expound a bit more.

Its stylish aesthetic will add a sophisticated touch to any room. Its front-facing ventilation system means you can use it as a built-in or under-counter fridge, leaving you room for flexibility!

What’s more, its reversible door adds to that flexible aspect. Also, having a stainless steel door adds a bit of shine to your display.

You get to play around with where you decide to put it. With UV-resistant glass, your wines are protected from any damage. Its sliding shelves/racks also give you easy access.

As for its control panel, it adds some ease of use. The blue LED interior lighting adds a bit of drama to your showcase of favorite wine bottles.

DISCLAIMER: Capacity is based on standard Bordeaux bottles (2.75 inches in diameter). You’ll have to remove some shelves to accommodate larger bottles, thus decreasing the capacity.

Pros

• Perfect for tight spaces
• Great for storing and displaying only your favorite wines
• Impressive cooling for its size

Cons

• Extremely limited storage

7. Vinothèque Café Undercounter Dual-Zone Wine Cellar By Wine Enthusiast

If you’re looking for the perfect wine cellar for your kitchen, then the Vinothèque Café undercounter wine cellar is exactly what you’re looking for.

With a more-than-decent capacity, this option combines both a luxurious design and unmatched quality. It will easily spruce up the kitchen of any wine enthusiast!

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 46 bottles
• Dimensions: 34.25 x 24 x 24 inches
• Temperature Range: 54-68°F and 41-54°F

Overall Thoughts

The Vinothèque Café is a surprisingly compact dual-zone wine cellar. It can easily fit under any kitchen counter with ease and, despite its compact size, it can actually fit a large number of bottles!

Its sleek design makes it a great wine fridge for sprucing up anybody’s kitchen. Its two temperature zones also make it ideal for storing both red and white wines.

Let’s cover its other features below.

Features:

• Energy-Efficient Steady-Temp™ Cooling Technology w/ Adjustable Temperature
• Library Quiet
• Commercial-Grade Stainless Steel Trim Glass Door with Anti-UV Protection
• Sliding Beechwood Shelving with Stainless Steel Trim
• Charcoal Filter
• Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor, 3-Years Sealed System (Parts Only)

Its energy-efficient cooling and adjustable temperature make storing wine at perfect temperatures simple and lighter on your electric bill. Its build protects against vibration, making it operate silently.

Its reversible door features the latest in shielding against heat and light. Its stylish beechwood sliding shelves make storing your bottles convenient.

Its filter ensures the elimination of any odors and the circulation of fresh air. It even has a security lock to ensure your white and red wines are protected!

What’s more, its warranty ensures that any defects or damage won’t hurt you as much. The only downside we saw was that the Vinothèque Café only has one control panel for both temperature zones.

Pros

• Stylish design
• Great bottle capacity
• Energy-efficient

Cons

• Only one control panel for both temperature zones

8. EuroCave Premiere Double L Wine Cellar With Display Presentation Shelf

This EXTREMELY large wine cellar is for the HARDCORE wine enthusiast. If you’re boasting a huge collection, then the EuroCave Premiere Double L Wine Cellar should be your pick.

With a capacity of more than 350 bottles, this is the largest of all the dual-zone fridges we’ve reviewed. Not only does it boast an unbelievable capacity, but it’s rich in features too! It’s simply the best 200+ bottle wine refrigerator.

Specifications:

• Bottle Capacity: 356 bottles
• Dimensions: 71.26 x 53.5 x 28.46 inches
• Temperature Range: 48-59°F for both zones

Overall Thoughts

This option from EuroCave’s Premiere line is for a wine enthusiast with a gigantic collection that’s meant to be kept in perfect condition. Also, given its size, it’s obvious that it’s a freestanding fridge.

It has a modern design and is filled with high-end features. It also comes with a single Presentation Shelf per cabinet, which provides you easy access and allows an inclined bottle presentation!

Its sophisticated control panel offers sensitive touch buttons for a better feel. It even has a visual and audible alarm system allowing you to keep your collection secure!

As for the rest of what it has to offer, let’s briefly cover them below.

Features:

• Digital Control Panel w/ Alarm Notifications
• Improved Energy Consumption and Acoustic Levels
• Stylish Door w/ Integrated Handle and Locking System
• High Quality/Low Emission Glass Doors (Improved UV Protection)
• Detachable Cellar Lighting System
• Main du Sommelier (MDS) Adjustable Shelving System
• Standard Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor, 5-Years Sealed System (Parts Only)

In terms of energy consumption and acoustic levels, the Premiere Double L consumes over 60% less energy than other cellars and has a decibel rating of 37. It’s easy on your electric bill and your hearing!

Its integrated handle is concealed and has a full locking mechanism for added security. Its doors are also equipped with improved UV protection to prevent damage to your wines.

As for the detachable lighting system, you have two options. You can either showcase your entire collection or read the label of a special bottle on display!

Main du Sommelier means “Hand of the Sommelier,” which is what the shelving system is named after. It has 12 adjustable “hands” that can cradle your bottles individually and securely!

To describe it, each hand is a slightly concave bottle-holder lined with rubber insets. This prevents any form of movement from your bottles!

As for downsides, since it’s a top-of-the-line option, the price level is obviously through the roof. It also requires a ton of space!

Pros

• Equipped tons of security features
• Extremely energy-efficient and silent
• Bottles are always kept securely in place

Cons

• Extremely expensive
• Occupies a lot of room

Choosing the Right Wine Cooler: Key Considerations

We’ve gone through our list of best wine coolers. Now, it’s time to show you key characteristics you should look at when trying to find the perfect wine fridge for you.

#1 Cooling Technology

In terms of cooling, we highly recommend getting a wine fridge with compressor cooling technology.

Here are the key reasons for it:

• It can cool down quicker
• A wine fridge with compressor cooling technology can maintain a wider range of temperatures
• It also isn’t affected by external temperatures

However, if you’re after something energy-efficient, we recommend looking at thermoelectric wine coolers. Sadly, a downside to them is that the temperature of the room can influence how cold they get.

#2 Single or Dual Temperature Zones

We’ll first differentiate the two:

• A fridge with a single temperature zone simply means that you can store your wine at only one temperature.
• As for a dual-zone wine cooler, it’s divided into two sections with two different temperatures.

So for our recommendations, a single-zone fridge is fine. But if you want to keep some bottles at a perfect serving temperature and the rest at a consistent aging temperature, get a dual-zone fridge.

Wine Education 101: Storing all your wines at about 55°F is actually fine. When in doubt, go for a single-zone fridge!

#3 Built-In or Freestanding Wine Fridges

Deciding between the two styles of wine fridges all boils down to where you’re using it. Here’s the gist of it.

Why Get a Built-In Wine Cooler?

It’s pretty simple. Go for a built-in wine cooler if you’re installing it under a cabinet in your bar or kitchen.

A built-in fridge has its ventilation systems in FRONT, typically at the bottom. This way, your fridge can expel the warm air it emits and avoid heating up.

Just a friendly tip, try to find a built-in wine cooler that gives you the option to open its door from either side. This makes it easier to fit in your space.

Why Get a Freestanding Wine Cooler?

For anywhere else in your home — like your living room, for example — get a freestanding wine fridge. You’ll typically find its ventilation around its side or back.

Just take note, don’t let the side with the vent sit too close to any wall. It won’t be able to expel heat properly.

If you can’t decide between the two, don’t worry. Most built-in fridges can be used as freestanding units!

#4 Bottle Sizes and Storage Capacities

Wine bottle shapes and sizes differ according to what wine it contains. So when a wine cellar maker claims their unit can hold a certain number of bottles, it’s based on storing those of the same size.

Wine Education 101: Standard wine bottles hold 750 milliliters of liquid, but that doesn’t determine its shape.

So if a wine cellar says it can hold 16, it may hold more or less depending on your wine collection. Various regions, producers, and styles of wine also have differently shaped bottles!

Here are some examples:

• Burgundy bottles have long necks, soft shoulders, and circular mid-area.
• Bordeaux bottles have shorter necks, high-structured shoulders, and less-round midsection.
• As for other bottles, like for Riesling or Champagne, they could be taller or wider!

As a friendly tip, try to find a wine cellar with adjustable shelves and removable racks. They’ll make it easier to store wine bottles of different sizes!

Bonus Section: Tidbits for Choosing the Right Wine Fridge

We only have a couple of tips for wine collectors and enthusiasts.

You’ll Always Need Something Larger

You may think you need a specific size at first. But once you get it, you’ll usually end up wanting something bigger.

Say you want an 18-bottle wine cooler. Once you start using it, you’ll likely want a 24-bottle wine fridge.

So, as a rule of thumb, just go one size larger to be sure. Want a 12-bottle wine fridge? Get the one that holds 18!

Always Check the Retailer

If you’re a hardcore wine enthusiast, whichever wine fridge you get may never feel sufficient. However, an upside is you have a lot of options.

A wine cellar is usually made in multiple sizes. So if you see a fridge you like and it doesn’t come in the right size, it’s okay.

Just make sure to check the retailer! And don’t forget, prices also vary according to size!

Wine Cooler FAQs

You probably know everything about picking the right wine cooler to fit your needs. In this section, we’ll try to answer any possible leftover questions you might still have.

1. Are Wine Fridges Good?

Yes, they are. Wine refrigerators aren’t only great for long-term wine storage, but they’re also superb for allowing your wine to age properly!

However, there are scenarios where they aren’t needed. If you’re planning to finish one or two wine bottles soon after buying them, then a regular fridge will do.

Wine Education 101: If you like to drink your white wine colder, place it in an ice bucket for half an hour before opening it. See also: Single Bottle Wine Chillers

2. Why Are Wine Fridges So Expensive?

The answer is simple.

It’s because the best wine fridges use highly specialized temperature control technologies. They also use a combination of UV-blocking glass, humidity control units, and perfectly designed racks!

Aside from the above features, many wine fridges are also built to fit into cabinets. However, they’re custom-made, so the prices are a bit steeper.

3. Are Wine Coolers Expensive to Run?

Actually, they’re cheaper to run than your typical refrigerator. Wine coolers, on average, only use 90 to 100 watts of electricity.

As for your usual fridges, they use about 350 to 800 watts. To be honest, the difference is huge!

And if you consider thermoelectric fridges that are huge, they’ll consume twice as much!

4. How Much Should I Spend on a Wine Fridge?

We’ll just sum it up into three points:

1. Most built-in wine fridges roughly have a minimum capacity of 18 bottles. For something like that, you can expect a price of at least $400.
2. For a wine fridge that can store 30 or more bottles and could maybe have double doors, you’ll probably have to pay $1,000 or higher.
3. For the average built-in wine fridge you’ll use at home, a good estimate would be $600.

Wrapping Things Up: Our Winners

We’ve gone through our top picks and taught you pretty much everything you need to know about choosing the right wine refrigerator.

To wrap things up, we’ll reiterate why our top picks earned their spots.

Best Overall – Vinotemp 141-Bottle Single-Zone Freestanding/Built-In Wine Cellar

This 141-bottle wine cooler by Vinotemp is a no-brainer. You can easily consider it to be a long-term investment!

Except for a larger fridge, you won’t be needing anything else! We’ll just sum it up in a few points:

• It keeps your wines intact and even has functions that can extend your collection’s shelf life.
• It can outlast a fridge with dual-zone cooling.
• This wine refrigerator can maintain a high resale value!

Best Value Pick – Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler

This 32-bottle dual-zone cellar by Wine Enthusiast delivers all the features you need at an astounding price:

• A decent capacity
• Impressive cooling
• A great option for long-term aging and short-term cooling

It easily hits a sweet spot in terms of value for money!

Best Budget Option – NutriChef 15-Bottle Refrigerator

You get all of these at a price that won’t hurt your bank account:

• The right capacity for a small collection
• A compact build that gives you installation flexibility
• Effective and silent cooling

What more could you ask for in a budget wine refrigerator?

Final Words

We hope this list helped you pick the best wine cooler for all your needs and preferences.

Keep your wine cool, have enough space for your collection, and drink to your heart’s content!

Cheers!