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A proper wine fridge does so much more than house your favorite bottles of red or white. They protect your vintages from extreme temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) light, both of which can damage the delicate flavors that make each bottle unique.
Choosing a wine fridge can feel a little overwhelming, however, thanks to all the sizes, bottle capacity, features, and temperature control options available to the wine connoisseur or casual sipper. We researched several of the top-reviewed favorites and reached out to an appliance expert to help us find out what makes these specialty fridges so special. Keep reading for our favorite picks for the best wine fridges so you can find the right storage option for both your space and taste.
- BEST OVERALL: Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone Max Wine Cooler
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Magic Chef 44-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler
- BEST LARGE-CAPACITY: Whynter 164-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Refrigerator
- BEST SMALL: Ivation 8-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
- BEST SLIM DESIGN: NewAir 15-Inch 29-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Fridge
- BEST SINGLE-ZONE: Bodega Cooler 24-Inch Large-Capacity Wine Cooler
- MOST VERSATILE: Bodega Cooler 24-Inch Wine and Beverage Cooler
How We Chose the Best Wine Fridges
To help us find the best of the best, we spoke with Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company that offers appliance service and repair. He offers advice for comparing models: “Consider capacity, temperature controls, UV protection, and shelving design to accommodate various bottle sizes.”
To that end, we evaluated several top-selling options, noting their specifications and customer reviews. We looked at about 15 of the most popular models, comparing several specs including, capacity, temperature control options, design, shelving, and any unique features that made them particularly noteworthy. We also looked at both freestanding and built-in options to ensure our list was inclusive of a variety of spaces.
Our Top Picks
The following are our top picks for the best wine fridges. Whether you consider yourself a connoisseur or barely know a cabernet from a chardonnay, compare these options to find the right one for your needs.
Best Overall
Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone Max Wine Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Freestanding
- Capacity: 32 bottles
- Dimensions: 33.38 inches tall by 19.5 inches wide by 17 inches deep
Pros
- Compressor technology maintains temperature in fridge even in warmer ambient temps
- Includes a digital touch screen for automatic temperature control
- Removable wine racks make storing and selecting a bottle a breeze
- Runs at just 40 decibels (dB), the sound of light rain
Cons
- Freestanding use only, so it can’t be placed under the counter
The Wine Enthusiast Dual Zone Max is an ideal way to add wine storage to any room. At only 33.38 inches tall by 19.5 inches wide, this freestanding wine fridge fits in a variety of settings, including basements, kitchens, dining rooms, and more.
But this product truly shines because of its temperature-controlling technology. Not only is it dual zone, which means you can set two different temperature settings at the same time, but it also has cooling compressor technology, like a regular full-size refrigerator. This ensures the wine fridge stays at a consistent temperature, even in a warmer room, while operating quietly and more efficiently. The digital touch screen makes selecting the exact temperature super simple and the LED display ensures the temperature is easy to read.
Get the Wine Enthusiast wine fridge at Amazon or Wine Enthusiast.
Best Bang For The Buck
Magic Chef 44-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Freestanding or built-in
- Capacity: 44 bottles
- Dimensions: 34.4 inches tall by 23.4 inches wide by 24.4 inches deep
Pros
- Dual-zone temperature control for reds and whites
- Digital thermostat control makes for convenient temperature adjustments
- 2 interior lights make reading wine labels easier
- Removable wire shelving for more customizable storage
Cons
- Steel wire shelving instead of the more traditional wood shelves
For an impressive amount of storage at a reasonable price, the Magic Chef Dual-Zone wine cooler in stainless steel is a great option. This dual-zone fridge offers storage for 16 bottles in the top compartment and 28 bottles in the lower one.
In addition to its ample storage, the Magic Chef features a digital thermostat for convenient, exact temperature control and ambient LED lighting so you can read the labels with ease. While the shelves are made of chrome wire instead of wood, they are removable for more customizable configuration options.
Get the Magic Chef wine fridge at The Home Depot.
Best Large-Capacity
Whynter 164-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Refrigerator
Product Specs
- Type: Freestanding or built-in
- Capacity: 164 bottles
- Dimensions: 69.75 inches tall 23.5 inches wide by 26.5 inches deep (28.5 inches in depth with handle installed)
Pros
- Holds up to 164 bottles, including a display shelf for showcasing favorites or open bottles
- The active-carbon filter included keeps odors out and the cabinet fresh
- May be installed either freestanding or built-in
- Operating noise is less than 45 dB, about the sound of a library
Cons
- Includes a long, large handle, which may protrude too much to work in all spaces
For the more serious wine enthusiast, a full-size wine fridge like the Whynter has a lot to offer. It offers two zones, where the upper zone holds 86 bottles and the lower zone can hold 78. It even includes a display shelf for showcasing six prized vintages or for accessing open bottles.
The coated tempered double-pane glass not only keeps the UV rays out, but it looks gorgeous and compliments the sleek black cabinet and stainless steel design. Nine luxurious LED soft-white lights illuminate the refrigerator while internal fan-forced circulation ensures consistent temperature in each zone of the wine cabinet.
Get the Whynter wine fridge at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Best Small
Ivation 8-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Freestanding
- Capacity: 8 bottles
- Dimensions: 17.7 inches tall by 9.9 inches wide by 19.7 inches deep
Pros
- Compact size is ideal for small collections
- Stable temperature range of 46 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit
- Built with a thermoelectric energy-efficient cooling system for quiet operation of 36 dB
- Dual-pane smoke-glass doors that block UV light
Cons
- Single temperature zone limits options for storing reds and whites
The Ivation mini wine fridge offers proper storage for those with limited space or small collections. Offering a sleek, contemporary stainless steel design, it still includes features found on larger wine fridges, including dual-paned tempered smoke glass to block out UV rays. It’s also insulated with a heavy foam, which ensures the proper humidity level and odor-free storage, and features a digital interface for selecting the exact temperature. This compact cooler is freestanding but small enough in height and shallow enough in depth for placement just about anywhere.
Get the Ivation wine fridge at Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Ivation.
Best Slim Design
NewAir 15-Inch 29-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Fridge
Product Specs
- Type: Freestanding or built-in
- Capacity: 29 bottles
- Dimensions: 33.75 inches tall by 14.80 inches wide by 22.60 inches deep (24.25 inches with handle)
Pros
- Slim design, which can be used as a freestanding unit or as an undercounter wine fridge
- 2 temperature zones allow storage for both red and white wines
- Digital temperature control with straightforward operation
- Triple-layered glass blocks out harmful UV rays that cause oxidation
Cons
- Some users note that it does not easily fit a full 29 bottles, depending on the shape
The NewAir wine cooler may have a slim design of only 15 inches (compared to the typical 24 inches of numerous wine fridges), but it’s large on features. It holds up to 29 wine bottles on its adjustable beech wood shelving, and its compact design still offers dual-zone temperature control, with a range of 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for white wines in the upper zone and 50 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit in the lower zone for red wines. Other features wine enthusiasts may appreciate include a security lock, digital thermostats for simple temperature control, and triple-layered tempered glass with an anti-UV layer.
Get the NewAir wine fridge at Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Best Buy.
Best Single Zone
Bodega Cooler 24-Inch Large-Capacity Wine Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Freestanding
- Capacity: 154 wine bottles
- Dimensions: 63 inches tall by 23.54 inches wide by 27.17 inches deep
Pros
- Large 154-bottle storage capacity
- Digital interface and double-paned tempered-glass doors
- Quiet operation of less than 45 dBA, quieter than normal conversation
Cons
- Single-zone temperature does not allow for chilling whites if storing reds and whites
This tall wine fridge not only displays an extensive wine collection, but it does so in a sleek, stylish aesthetic and with advanced technology. The Bodega 154-bottle wine refrigerator offers this and more, with its tall cabinet, stainless steel, and blue LED lighting. While it only has single-zone temperature control, it does offer superior temperature adjustability with its digital display and even includes temperature memory. It’s also a quiet unit, operating at less than 45 decibels, so it won’t interrupt conversations, music, or entertainment.
Get the Bodega large-capacity wine fridge at Amazon.
Most versatile
Bodega Cooler 24-Inch Wine and Beverage Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Freestanding or built-in
- Capacity: 19 wine bottles and 57 cans
- Dimensions: 33.4 inches tall by 23.4 inches wide by 22.7 inches deep (excluding handles)
Pros
- Holds both wine bottles and cans to serve a variety of beverages
- Compressor includes a vibration-damping design for quieter operation
- Temperature controls also available on a smartphone app
- Offers freestanding or built-in installation options
Cons
- Holds a limited amount of wine bottles
As both a wine and
, this double-door option from Bodega offers versatility and value. It holds 19 bottles of wine as well as 57 cans, making it incredibly convenient for those who want to store wine at an optimal temperature but need to store other beverages as well. The glass doors are double layered, which keeps UV light rays out and helps maintain a constant and consistent temperature. It also includes a safety lock to keep little hands away and an app for smartphone operation. This unit can be placed under the counter for a built-in look or can sit freestanding in any room.
Get the Bodega wine and beverage fridge at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Bodega Cooler.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Wine Fridge
Investing in proper wine storage with a wine fridge can ensure your collection lasts for years. “Wine fridges add convenience by maintaining optimal storage conditions for wine, ensuring it’s ready to be enjoyed at the perfect temperature—which is not the same temperature your refrigerator needs to be set at,” Shimek says. While all wine fridges provide convenient storage, the right one for you also depends on a variety of factors. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a wine fridge.
Size and Capacity
Wine fridges come in various sizes, from tall, robust options to mini fridges that hold a much smaller collection. The first step is identifying where to put a wine fridge, followed by measuring the space, and, finally, comparing that to a unit’s dimensions so you can select the appropriate size. It’s also essential to look at the capacity and the number of wine bottles it holds. Small wine fridges hold as few as eight bottles while some large wine fridges hold nearly 200. With that extra capacity, of course, comes a larger footprint, so measuring your space is key.
Built-in vs. Freestanding
Another vital consideration when selecting a wine fridge for your home or office is whether or not you want a built-in or freestanding unit. Many units can be placed either freestanding or under a countertop for a built-in look.
Wine fridges that have a front exhaust system can be placed under countertops and between cabinets, provided the space meets the manufacturer’s recommended venting requirements. This type of installation allows the wine fridge to blend in seamlessly with other appliances. Generally, these types of wine fridges can also be freestanding, meaning you can put them anywhere in your home, provided the outlet meets the fridge’s electrical requirements. Whether it’s in a dedicated wine cellar, in an apartment or condo, or in a basement, you can enjoy the optimal wine temperature no matter where your space is.
Models with exhaust vents on the sides or rear should be placed in the open, or freestanding. This allows for optimal airflow and stable cooling.
Single-Zone vs. Dual-Zone
Wine fridges offer either single-zone or dual-zone temperature control. A single-zone wine fridge remains at one consistent temperature throughout; a dual-zone option features two compartments, each of which has its own temperature controls.
If you plan on storing both red and white wine, then a dual-zone wine fridge may make the most sense. However, suppose you have an extensive selection of either white or red. In that case, a single-zone may serve your needs just as well, and you can select one temperature without having to worry about setting temperatures for two compartments. While both reds and whites can be stored together at the same temperature, they should be stored at cellar temperature, or around 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Then whites can be chilled further before serving.
Additional Features
There are a few other features that could impact your decision-making. UV design is an additional feature worth paying attention to. Having tempered, double-paned glass doors can ensure no harmful UV rays come in contact with your wine, which can destroy the flavor. Also consider whether you want wooden shelving, which glides beautifully but typically can’t be reconfigured too much, or wire shelving, which offers more flexible configuration options.
There may be other features important to you too, such as a safety lock or reversible door. Features like these can make a difference in how the wine fridge functions in your space on a daily basis.
FAQs
Still have questions? Keep reading for the answers to some of the most common questions about wine fridges.
Q. Do wine fridges use a lot of electricity?
Average-size wine fridges don’t use a lot of electricity. A small- to medium-size wine fridge, one that holds between 20 and 50 bottles, uses about 100 to 200 kilowatt hours of energy, which is the equivalent of having a 60-watt light bulb on for 4 to 8 hours.
Q. What is the difference between a wine cooler and a wine refrigerator?
Often, the terms “wine cooler” and “wine refrigerator” are used interchangeably, as evidenced in some of the product names above. However, the term “wine cooler” is also often used interchangeably with “wine chiller.” Wine chillers, the small bucketlike bottle holders, bring wine to the optimal serving temperature quickly and maintain a cooler temp for a shorter period of time, such as the length of dinner. Wine refrigerators, on the other hand, are made for storing several wine bottles for extended periods of time.
Q. Is it OK to store red wine in a wine fridge?
Yes, you can store red wine in a wine fridge as long as it is set at an appropriate temperature for red wine, which is between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
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