Best Wine Refrigerator and Cooler Brands

Zone control

The types of wine you choose to store in your wine refrigerator or cooler will guide your decision when it comes to zone control.

• Single temperature zone: If you only store red or white bottles of wine in your wine refrigerator, then a single temperature zone cool will work well for you. These refrigerators can be set to your preferred temperature, ensuring all of your whites or reds are the perfect temperature when you open them.
• Dual temperature zones: Dual temperature zone refrigerators are a must for those who store a mix of red and white wine bottles. These types of refrigerators allow you to set one temperature for reds and one for whites, so you can store the wines together and have them the correct temperature when you are ready to drink them. Some wine coolers even have three zone controls.

Size

The amount of space you have for a wine cooler will be a major factor when deciding which one to buy.

• Countertop: Countertop units are lightweight and hold 6-18 bottles of wine. These units are made for small spaces and are portable, which can be handy if you anticipate moving your wine refrigerator.
• Built-in undercounter: Built-in undercounter units are designed to be built-in underneath your kitchen or bar counter. These are generally compact and can hold anywhere from 12-50 wine bottles.
• Full-size: Full-size wine chillers can hold over 100 wine bottles. These units can be either standalone or built-in, and they are designed for businesses and wine enthusiasts.

Cost

Your budget will play a role in which wine refrigerator you choose to buy. While wine refrigerators are, in general, not a cheap purchase, there are ways to reduce your overall cost and still get a good quality wine refrigerator.

• Promotions: Many brands run special promotions for their products on their websites, in retail stores and/or through their social media pages. Check frequently to see if your purchase qualifies for a discount or rebate.
• Refurbished units: Some retailers refurbish wine refrigerators that have been returned, giving consumers a discounted price on a product that works as good as new but might have a few scratches or dents. If you’re budget-conscious, this can be an easy way to save up to a few hundred dollars on a brand new wine refrigerator.

Additional features

There is a wide array of additional features that wine refrigerators can have. Many features are included in certain models, and other features can be custom-ordered.

• UV-light protection: If your wine chiller is in a room that frequently receives natural sunlight, then you will want to buy one that has UV-protective glass. UV-rays can cause certain chemicals to breakdown, and it can induce oxidation of other chemicals. This adds up to poor quality wine.
• Open door alarms: Some wine chillers and cellars include an alarm that sounds when the door is left open. This can help you save on energy costs and also preserve the integrity of your wine by ensuring it is kept at the appropriate temperature rather than overheating.
• Security lock: Those with an extensive wine collection, including businesses, will want a wine cellar with a security lock that prevents intruders from opening your wine cellar.
• Anti-vibration system: Compressor units should have some form of anti-vibration system in place to ensure your wine ages correctly. This is especially important for winemakers and wine enthusiasts who purposely buy wine before it has had enough time to age.

Type of wine stored

The type of wine you store will impact the temperature you set your wine refrigerator to. If you frequently drink whites, reds and/or sparkling wines, you will want to invest in a dual-temperature controlled wine chiller.

• Reds: Many people mistakenly believe red wine should be served at room temperature, but the fact is that reds should be served slightly chilled, at 60-70 degrees.
• Whites and rosés: White wines and rosés should be served cold, at 45-60 degrees.
• Sparkling/bubbly wine: Sparkling wine should be served ice cold, at 40-50 degrees. However, the high pressure that sparkling wines are under can lead to a messy explosion in your wine chiller. Make sure to only chill your sparkling wine for a few hours before your event, and store it unopened at room temperature until the day of your event.

Cooling system

The electrical unit that cools the air inside wine coolers will affect the size of the cooler and the amount of noise it makes. This feature may be especially important for those who want a larger unit and/or make their own wine.

• Thermoelectric units: Thermoelectric units are quieter than compressor units, which can be a plus for homeowners who live in a small space. They are also more energy-efficient, and they don’t vibrate naturally. However, they are only available as small units since thermoelectric cooling is not nearly as powerful as compressor cooling. This type of cooling is also not ideal in warm environments.
• Compressor units: Most wine refrigerators use compressor cooling, which is more powerful than thermoelectric cooling. Larger units can stay cool with compressor cooling, even when the air outside of the unit is warm or even hot. One drawback to compressor cooling is that it is louder than thermoelectric cooling. It can also vibrate, so you may want to look for a unit with an anti-vibration gasket.

Wine chillers

Wine chillers are designed exclusively to hold wine bottles. Their temperature range is made for wine, and they might even have automatic temperature controls for white or red wine. These units generally accommodate wine bottles that are laying on their side, although some have capacity for standing wine bottles.

Wine cellars

Wine cellars can range in size from cabinet-size to an entire room. They are not automatically cooled, so you will need to install the right cooling unit into your wine cellar to ensure that your wine is always at the right temperature. Wine cellars are found in hotels, casinos, restaurants, bars and homes.

Wine kegs

Wine kegs are ideal for bars and restaurants, although homeowners who frequently entertain, make wine and/or are avid wine drinkers may find them to be an acceptable alternative to traditional wine refrigerators. These units are available with one or two taps, and they are eco-friendly since they eliminate the need for bottles and corks.

Beverage centers

Unlike wine cellars, beverage centers are made for holding a variety of drinks, not just wine. Consumers can use beverage centers to store cans, beer bottles and wine bottles.

Wine enthusiasts

Wine enthusiasts are people who enjoy collecting, drinking and sharing wine. They likely have established favorites when it comes to white or red wines, and they will want a full-size unit that can hold all of the wine they collect.

Small home dwellers

Those who live in a small home, including an apartment or condo, will appreciate the space-saving features of a countertop or built-in under-the-counter unit.

Restaurants/bars

Restaurants and bars that want an attractive presentation for their wine collection will want a customized wine cellar. They may also find that they can save money by investing in a wine keg rather than buying their wine by the bottle.

Offices

Offices that host events and/or allow their employees to enjoy a glass of wine now and then can benefit from a wine refrigerator that will keep the wine separate from employee lunches. Depending on the size of the office, they may want anywhere from a small countertop unit to a full-size wine cellar.

Frequent entertainers

People who frequently have guests over will want a wine chiller that is large enough to accommodate their wine selection. They will likely want a dual-temperature controlled unit so they can have both whites and reds on-hand at all times.

Wine makers (anti-vibration)

Hobbyists who make wine will want a wine refrigerator to store their wine while it ages. They will want to find a wine chiller that has an anti-vibration mechanism to ensure their wine isn’t disrupted as it ages.