If you find yourself buying wine very often and not finding enough space to store it, then a wine cooler is something you need. Wine Enthusiasts who want to start building a nice collection need a dedicated storage space. However, with so many options available it becomes very difficult to find the best wine cooler.

A wine cooler is the most efficient way for you to preserve your wine collection. Be it whites or reds, a wine cooler is an essential fit for storing your wine collection. Keeping a few different types of wine at home ready for any occasion requires maintenance and space.

A chic looking well-designed space to place your wines in an organized manner is a wine enthusiast’s dream come true. Let’s not forget the wonders a good wine cooler does for wine preservation, maintaining an optimal temperature.

Lets the wine age well for future use. Though wine coolers are not meant to store your wine forever, they do chill your wine out to an optimal temperature for consumption.

Figuring out the perfect wine cooler can be a task. That’s why we’ve simplified the work that goes into picking the best wine cooler that is well suited for your needs. You can check our beginner’s guide to buying wine cooler to find out the factors we’ve considered before adding every cooler in this list.

Why do you need a dedicated wine cooler?

Before we begin with the list, we’ll take the opportunity to share the reasons why you might need a dedicated wine cooler. If you know why you need one, you can jump that section and find the best wine coolers selected by experts and user opinions.

A wine cooler can be a very niche product to invest in, but for those who are wine enthusiasts, this is but a stepping stone.

Owning a dry wine cellar can be much more expensive, it takes up a lot of space and requires maintenance. Unlike wine coolers which have a clean design to accommodate your needs and preserve your wine.

Even if you are starting off with your wine collection, there are units that hold about 12 bottles. If you have a larger more grand wine collection, there are units with 60 bottle capacity.

With a wine cooler you can free up all the space your wine bottles take up in your regular fridge. You can arrange your wines based on type, taste, and temperatures required for its storage.

If your wines are not stored properly and at the right temperature, their color, taste, smell, texture, and blend can get affected.

#1 Danby 36 Bottle Freestanding Wine Chiller



Danby 36 Bottle

Freestanding Wine Cooler

The Danby 36 Bottle Wine Chiller has a 36 bottle capacity. It is a well constructed standalone wine cooler with black wire shelves. With a temperature range of 43°F to 57°F, this product is energy efficient.

Unlike most other wine coolers, this model runs on a compressor and is quite powerful just like your fridge. It comes with a UV-protected glass door with a stainless steel metallic frame.

The LED lights are blue and give a soothing effect, unlike incandescent bulbs that would emit heat affecting the interior temperatures. This Danby unit is a single zone fridge but since the cooling effect is higher towards the bottom and warmer towards the top, you can separate your wines accordingly.

You do not have to pay more for a dual zone wine cooler and can take advantage of this system instead. The temperature control has a dial that needs to be turned around like in the case of a mini-fridge.

This particular size and design could comfortably sit in your dining space or below your kitchen counter, comfortably blending into the surroundings. There is also a 75 Bottle model for a more professional home mini-bar.

Pros Great price for the capacity and functions.

Maintains the inner temperature.

Compressor based wine fridge makes it a more powerful machine. Cons The function is louder than most counterparts.

The temperature control is a manual dial.

#2 NewAir AW-280E 28 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler



NewAir AW-280E 28 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

This thermoelectric wine cooler with a 28 bottle capacity is one of the best wine coolers under 300 dollars. It has a temperature range of 54°F to 66°F. Since it is a compressor free gadget, it is much lighter and functions quietly with lower vibrations.

It has 6 sets of chrome wire shelves that are removable. The NewAir AW-280E has a metallic black finish with a metal frame glass door. The LED lights do not affect the wine or the interior cooling in any way.

It comes with a digital thermostat with push buttons There is a digital LCD display on the outside of the model, which makes it very user-friendly. You can make temperature changes without having to open the cooler very often and letting the cold air escape.

This model requires only about 4 inches of clearing around it externally and can comfortably fit into the space available in your kitchen. This wine cooler can be standalone or be built-in to blend with your other kitchen cabinets. Gives the look of a high-end wine cooler at a much more cost-effective price.

It is one of the best wine coolers as a gift for wine lovers!

Pros Lower noise and vibrations.

Digital thermostat and external display. Cons Issues with internal capacity, cannot fit larger bottles.

Limited temperature range.

#3 Kalamera 15″ Freestanding Wine Cooler



Kalamera 15″ Freestanding Wine Cooler

The Kalamera 15-inch Wine Cooler has a capacity of holding 30 bottles at a time. Unless there are larger bottles of champagne or magnums. It has a clear stainless steel frame with a stainless steel door handle.

The frame holds a double layered tempered glass that protects the wine and also keeps the temperature stable. The Kalamera KRC-30SZB-TGD can be standalone but they are one of the best brands amongst other wine coolers for a built-in model.

They would fit right under the kitchen counter or a bar area for wine collectors looking for a sturdy built-in unit. The reversible door hinges with the unique beech wood shelves make for a great design. It is a single zone wine cooler with an LED display and touch controls.

The wide temperature range of 40°F to 66°F is essential for the preservation of various types of wine. The temperature memory function retains the earlier set temperature without you having to set it every time you switch it on.

This Kalamera model comes with a hexagonal bolt lock. The compressor unit comes with a vibration reduction gear making it quieter with reduced vibrations but a powerful cooling.

Pros Simplistic yet good-looking design, optimal for built-in styles.

Energy efficiency, utilizing less than 1 KWh. Cons More expensive than some other models.

Has only one chill zone.

#4 NutriChef 12 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

NutriChef 12 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

The NutriChef Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is on the smaller and more compact range of the wine coolers, it can fit up to 12 wine bottles. The thermoelectric cooling system provides a quiet function and efficient chilling.

With a temperature range of 50°F to 64°F, it offers single zone cooling, which makes it a better fit for the ones that drink just one type of wine. It has a digital display with touch operations on the outside, that helps in changing temperatures without having to open the cooler every time.

The integrated LED lights add to the quality design of the unit, alongside the polished chrome wire racks. It includes a space in the bottom to keep your wine bottles upright as well. The reinforced glass doors come with air-tight sealing, preventing the unit from getting affected by ambient temperatures.

Requires slightly more clearance of 6 inches around the area that you will be placing it. The free-standing unit can be placed in kitchens, dining spaces or in limited office spaces too.

Pros An ultra-quiet functioning.

The best buy for small capacity wine coolers. Cons Needs more clearance space for the vents.

Problems with maintaining the temperature.

#5 NutriChef 18 Stainless Steel Wine Chiller



Another NutriChef Stainless Steel Wine Chiller has a capacity of holding 18 bottles. It is the perfect pick for a growing wine enthusiast. The temperature range is from 54°F to 64°F and it maintains the temperature for long periods.

The thermoelectric wine cooler has a low vibrational functional and fits right into your kitchen or dining space. The single cooling zone maintains the temperature throughout the unit.

This is a standalone model with reinforced glass doors with an air-tight seal to make sure the cold air does not leak. You can turn the LED lights on or off without having to open and close the door.

The thermostat has digital controls making the product easier to use and understand. The design makes space for open bottles too, that can be placed upright. The built-in circulation fan and ventilation grill make for a well-designed wine cooler.

Pros An ultra-quiet functioning.

The best buy for small capacity wine coolers. Cons Side vents require ventilation space.

Cannot be placed in areas with no temperature control, such as a garage or a patio.

#6 NewAir Dual Zone Built-In Wine Cooler and Refrigerator

The NewAir Dual Zone Wine Cooler has a capacity of 29 wine bottles with slidable beech wood shelves. The dual temperature zones are perfect for a wine collector with a variety of wines. The glass door is insulated and is reversible, it even comes with a lock system.

The upper zone has a temperature range of 40°F to 50°F which is great for whites, and the reds can be placed in the lower shelves with a temperature range of 50°F to 66°F. The digital thermostat is easy to adjust which makes it very user-friendly.

The design can comfortably fit in with your kitchen cabinets. The LED lighting is a soft blue and does not affect the structure of your expensive wines in any way. The glass has double panels and is lightly tinted to avoid UV rays or sunlight from affecting the wine composition.

Each of the five shelves is deep enough to hold at least 5 regular sized bottles each. The NewAir AWR-290DB is compressor powered. This wine fridge has a sturdy yet sleek build that is deep and compact.

Pros Dual zone wine cooler.

Quiet functioning in spite of a compressor. Cons Not a budget cooler

#7 Koldfront TWR187ESS 18 Dual Zone Wine Cooler



Koldfront TWR187ESS 18 Bottle

Free Standing Dual Zone Wine Cooler

Koldfront Dual Zone Wine Cooler has a capacity of holding 18 bottles of wine and features one of the best dual zones in the market. Each zone of the Koldfront TWR187ESS has a temperature range of 45°F to 60°F, the lower zone has a slightly wider temperature range.

The tempered glass helps keep your precious wine collection remain safe even when under direct sunlight. This freestanding wine cooler functions on a thermoelectric cooling system.

The Koldfront 7 series is a very stylish model that works well for budding wine enthusiasts with a flair for style and decor. There is a control panel located between the two zones, the temperatures can be controlled using this LCD touch panel. Your wine collection can be kept safe using the lock system available.

Pros Hi-tech, low noise cooling system.

Energy efficient dual zone cooling. Cons The sliding wood shelves can be tricky.

The unit can be too small for certain types of wine bottles.

#8 Ivation IV-FWCT181B Thermoelectric Wine Cooler



Ivation 18 Bottle Thermoelectric Red And White Wine Cooler Chiller

With the capacity of 18 standard wine bottles, this Ivation Wine Cooler runs on a thermo-electric cooling system. A single zone wine cooler, it has a temperature range of 54ºF – 64ºF.

The thick glass door has a smoked finish, protecting the wines from harmful UV rays that can easily affect the composition. The chrome finish wire shelves are removable and hold up to 3 bottles on each shelf. The interior has soft LED lights for better viewing.

The tight seal on the unit preserves and maintains the inner temperature. The digital touch control and LCD display are placed outside the unit and will not require the constant opening and closing. The design is very sturdy with a black metal finish and is a stand-alone wine cooler.

Pros Accurate temperature performance.

Sleek design with a simple four-button control panel.

The door can be locked with a door lock model.

Ranked #1 on Amazon for small wine coolers. Cons The ambient temperature needs to be below 72ºF for optimum performance.

The sliding shelves can be difficult to remove and replace.

#9 Haier Dual Zone Curved Door with Smoked Glass



Haier 12-Bottle Dual Zone Curved Door

with Smoked Glass Wine Cellar

The Haier HVTEC12DABS Wine Cooler has dual cooling zones and a capacity of 12 wine bottles. The glass door is smoked and curved which a unique design feature. The upper compartment is good for red wines with a temperature range of 54ºF – 66ºF.

The lower compartment chills white wines to perfection with a temperature range of 46ºF – 66ºF. There are 4 chrome racks provided inside this wine cooler with all black interior and exterior giving it a nice aesthetic finish.

It has soft interior lighting with the control panel placed centrally between the two zones. The LED display with the simple touch program is easy to use and set temperatures.

Pros Great pricing for a dual zone fridge.

Very quiet and low vibration process. Cons Difficulties maintaining a constant temperature.

#10 Wine Enthusiast Silent 18 Bottle Wine Refrigerator



Wine Enthusiast Silent

18 Bottle Wine Refrigerator

This slim and tall model from Wine Enthusiast is a dual-zone wine cooler with an 18 bottle capacity. Since it is a thermoelectric wine cooler, it is noise and vibration-free leaving the wine sediments untouched.

The lower compartment has three removable metal wire shelves with a temperature range of 46ºF – 66ºF and is great for storing white wines. The upper compartment has space for 8 bottles including space for opened bottles to be placed upright, the temperature range here is 54ºF – 66ºF which is perfect for red wines.

It has a digital touchscreen for temperature control on the door of the unit. The smoked glass thermo-pane covers the upper half of the door with a metal frame that extends and covers the lower half of the door.

Pros Energy efficient.

Takes less space and can be built-in to the kitchen shelves.

Cost effective wine cooler. Cons Cannot be placed in an enclosed area.

Ambient temperature needs to be stable.

Verdict



The best wine coolers need to have certain features that cannot be compromised with. It is up to the customer regarding what their priority amongst the features are.

Some would want a unit that needs to be built-in to their kitchen or want a wine cooler that can sit in the dining room and be moved to a wet bar when necessary. The models listed have been chosen based on ratings and customer reviews. If you’re looking for small-sized refrigerators , consider checking our list of best mini-refrigerators.

This list of the best wine coolers has something for both, an amateur wine enthusiast and a wine connoisseur. With this list, you are now empowered with the option of making the best choice you can when it comes to buying wine coolers.

