If you’re thinking about starting a wine collection, or you’ve already got a few special bottles you’d like to store, then you should look into investing in a wine cooler. Our homes are often far too warm to store wine in optimal conditions. The heat generated from day-to-day activities, the local climate, and household heating can all rapidly speed up the aging process of your wine and leave you with a less-enjoyable flavor.

Inexpensive to run, available in a wide range of sizes with different capacities, and requiring no specialist knowledge required, these handy appliances are rapidly becoming a must-have kitchen accessory. In this article we aim to help you to make light work of purchasing the best wine cooler with our impartial reviews, in-depth buying guide, and FAQs.

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1Ivation 18 Bottle Wine Cooler

  • Stores up to 18 bottles
  • 54-64 degree Fahrenheit temperature range
  • Digital temperature display/Temperature lock
  • Interior lighting
  • Thermopane sealed door
  • 1-year warranty

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2Amzchef 52 Bottle Wine Cooler

  • Stores up to 52 standard sized bottles
  • 41-68 degree Fahrenheit temperature range
  • Quiet operation
  • LCD temperature indicator
  • Fits under standard counters or freestanding
  • Door open alarm
  • 2-year warranty

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3Ivation 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

  • Stores 12 bottles
  • 50-64 degree Fahrenheit temperature range
  • Tempered Thermopane door
  • Built-in interior lighting
  • Touch controls
  • LCD display
  • 1-year warranty

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4 NutriChef 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

  • 12 bottle storage
  • 54-64 degree Fahrenheit temperature range
  • Digital touch button controls
  • Vertical space for open bottles
  • Reinforced door & air-tight seal
  • LCD display
  • 1-year warranty

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5NewAir 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

  • Stores up to 12 wine bottles
  • 50-66 degree Fahrenheit temperature range
  • LED Interior lighting
  • Whisper-quiet operation
  • Freestanding countertop unit
  • 1-year warranty


1

Ivation 18 Bottle Wine Cooler

If you are looking to store your collection of both red and white wines in optimal conditions, then you should check out this popular wine cooler by Ivation. With storage for up to 18 bottles, this wine cooler will ensure that your collection is stored at a consistent temperature that you can set between 54 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the exterior touch buttons to alter and lock the temperature setting. You can check the temperature at a glance thanks to the easy-to-read digital temperature display. It also features a Thermopane sealed door to ensure that your wine remains protected from exterior temperature fluctuations, odors and UV rays.

While this 18-bottle model makes an excellent choice for your collection, you should be aware that it will only store 18 standard sized bottles. If you have any different shaped bottles that are wider, then you will not be able to fit quite as many in. In addition, while this wine cooler is suitable for storing both red and white wines, note that it is not a dual temperature model, so you may need to chill your white wine prior to opening.

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Pros

  • 18 bottle capacity
  • Flexible 54-64 degree adjustable range.
  • Convenient temperature lock option.
  • Interior lighting makes it easy to view wines
  • Digital display allows hassle-free monitoring of settings
  • Simple touch button controls
  • Thermopane sealed door keeps interior temperature stable

Cons

  • Doesn’t fit larger style wine bottles
  • No dual temperature option

2

Amzchef 52 Bottle Wine Cooler

This stylish choice by Amzchef has been designed to save space and look good while protecting your large wine collection. You can use this model as a free standing unit or integrate it into your kitchen or lounge for the ultimate convenient and sleek-looking wine storage solution.

Aside from its high storage capabilities, this wine cooler features numerous advantageous features including a customizable temperature with a range from 41 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Operation is whisper quiet thanks to its advanced compressor cooling system, so you won’t have to worry about any extra noise. The LCD temperature indicator makes it easy to tell what temperature it is set to, while the built-in open door alarm helps you to keep your wine collection in optimal conditions, alerting you should you inadvertently leave the double-layer tempered glass door ajar.

While we thoroughly recommend this high capacity wine cooler for your home, you should be aware that due to the narrow spacing between the internal shelves, you may not quite manage to store the full 52 bottle capacity, especially if you have several larger bottles. It is suitable for storing both red and white wines, although it should be noted that is not a dual temperature model. Lastly, there is some home assembly required to get it ready for use.

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Pros

  • Capacity to store 52 standard sized wine bottles
  • Can be used under counter or freestanding
  • Customizable temperature from 41 to 68 degrees
  • Advanced compressor keeps noise levels to a minimum
  • Exterior LCD temperature indicator
  • Built-in door open alarm

Cons

  • Narrow spacing between shelves
  • Some home assembly required
  • No dual temperature

3

Ivation 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

If you are looking for a compact wine cooler that makes for a great value, then check out this 12-bottle model by Ivation. With enough space to store up to 12 standard sized bottles, it is a great choice for storing both red and white wines.

With a customizable temperature range between 50 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit, though, it will store your wine at optimal conditions. Simply use the exterior touch controls to adjust the temperature to your requirements. Thanks to its tempered Thermopane door, this model will keep your wine collection protected from outside elements and temperature fluctuations. The highly visible LCD temperature reading lets you know at a glance what temperature your wine collection is being stored at, while the handy interior light allows you to select your required vintage with precision.

As for disadvantages, this model’s compact is fairly small and really only designed to accommodate standard, narrow bottles. You should also note that the LCD display is rather bright and could be a little annoying in smaller, darker spaces. In addition, in order to adjust the temperature or to turn on the internal light, you will first need to unlock the controls. This is easy enough to do, but you may find it a little frustrating if you need to do so often.

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Pros

  • Large storage capacity
  • Adjustable temperature settings between 50-64 degrees
  • Tempered Thermopane door keeps interior temperature stable
  • Interior lighting for easy viewing
  • Simple to use exterior touch controls
  • Easy-to-read LCD display

Cons

  • May struggle to fit wider bottles
  • LCD display is very bright in dark rooms
  • Needs unlocking to alter temperature or to turn on the light

4

NutriChef 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

If you’re short on space and need a compact wine cooler for your wine collection, then you should take a look at this 12-bottle option by NutriChef. Its narrow width makes it a great choice for apartments or any room where space is of a premium.

You can set the temperature to anywhere within the 54-64 degree Fahrenheit range using the easy to set digital touch control buttons. The door is made from reinforced glass and features an air-tight seal to ensure that your wine remains protected from external elements. The bright LCD temperature display ensures that you’ll always know at exactly what temperature your collection is being stored.

Unlike many other compact, budget wine coolers, this model also has a vertical storage space as well as shelves. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to open the occasional bottle without finishing it in one evening as you can store it upright without worrying about it leaking. The upright storage space also allows greater flexibility in storing a wider range of differently shaped bottles; however, given it’s compact nature, you will find that it is a tight fit for all but standard slim sized wine bottles.

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Pros

  • Wide temperature range
  • Controls are simple to use
  • Convenient vertical space enables you to store open bottles
  • Air-tight seal keeps internal temperature stable
  • LCD display enables simple monitoring of temperature

Cons

  • One temperature zone
  • Tight fit for larger bottles


5

NewAir 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

This 12-bottle model from NewAir is a great choice if you are looking for a low priced countertop wine cooler. It can store up to 12 standard sized wine bottles at a temperature range of 50-66 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for both red, white, and mixed wine collections. The perfect complement to modern decor, it features internal blue LED lighting that really makes this model stand out. It is also handy for checking on which bottle you’re about to open.

One of the main advantages of this compact model is its whisper quiet operation. At just 25dB, you won’t have to worry about installing it in smaller spaces and homes as it is almost silent. If you are looking for a small and subtle countertop cooler, then this model makes an excellent choice. Note, though, that you may struggle to get thicker, rounded shaped bottles to fit comfortably inside. Furthermore, the shelves are placed rather closely together which can make removing bottles from and adding new ones to your collection a little more difficult than it could be.

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Pros

  • Large capacity for 12 wine bottles
  • Generous temperature range of 50-66 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Suitable for mixed wine collections
  • Interior blue LED lighting
  • Quiet operation at 25dB
  • Fits easily on countertops

Cons

  • Does not fit large shaped bottles
  • Shelves too close together

Comparison Chart

Ivation 18 BottleAmzchef 52 BottleIvation 12 BottleNutriChef 12 BottleNewAir 12 Bottle
Dimensions (in)26.8 x 22.2 x 15.237.8 x 27.2 x 26.626 x 20.9 x 11.619.7 x 9.9 x 2514 x 19.5 x 19
Capacity (bottles)1852121212
Temperature Range (F)50-6441-6850-6450-6454-66
Temperature Indicator✓✓✓✓✓
LCD Display✓✓✓✓✓
Open Door AlarmX✓XXX
Interior Lighting✓✓✓✓✓
Price Range$$$$$$$$$$$
Weight (lbs)38.5123.530.528.226
Warranty1-year2-year1-year1-year1-year

Buyer’s Guide:

Wine Coolers

Still confused about wine coolers? Check out our in-depth buying guide to find out all you need to know about these convenient appliances and which key features you should seek.

Wine coolers can ensure greater longevity and a better taste for your wines. Not only do they keep your wine at the optimal temperature and protected from natural light (which is well-known to break down and decrease the flavor over time), but they also offer a lower-vibration environment to a standard refrigerator. Vibrations disturb the sediments within the wine, which accelerates the aging process.

Even if you are not a huge wine drinker or connoisseur, installing one of these appliances in your kitchen can free up your refrigerator and ensure that your wine is stored in the correct conditions. Below, we break down some of the most common types and styles you may want to consider when choosing the best one for your home:

Compressor Wine Coolers

Compressor wine coolers are not too dissimilar from your household refrigerator. Consisting of a fan, compressor and evaporator, compressor models have more powerful cooling capabilities. They are generally better at coping with varying external temperature fluctuations and will cycle on and off to save energy while also keeping your wine collection in prime condition.

Thermoelectric Wine Coolers

Thermoelectric wine coolers remove hot air from the interior of the unit. They require very small amounts of electricity and generate very little noise with hardly any vibrations. This makes them ideal for storing small wine collections in homes that do not have large temperature variations.

Freestanding Wine Coolers

If you have enough space and are considering starting a serious wine collection, then a freestanding cooler may be just what you need. Freestanding coolers generally have larger capacities and are designed to be placed on the floor like your regular home refrigerator.

Built-in Wine Coolers

Purchasing a built-in wine cooler allows you to integrate it into your kitchen for a streamlined, modern look. Install your built-in cooler under a counter or in a cabinet in your lounge or kitchen for a modern, sleek finish. When installing a built-in model, pay careful attention that the unit will have sufficient ventilation to be able to keep temperatures down.

Countertop Wine Coolers

A practical solution to small spaces and small wine collections, countertop coolers are suitable for small homes and a great appliance for apartments. They will restrict your counter space, though, so you should make sure that your kitchen will still be fully functional after installing a countertop model. In general, they are designed to provide more of a decorative element than larger freestanding or built-in units.

When you’re looking for the best wine cooler, there are certain features that you will need to consider.

Capacity

If you’re just starting out your wine collection, you may want to purchase one with a greater capacity than your current needs. On the other hand, if you tend to go through a regular supply of wine, you may prefer a smaller capacity model that you can empty and refill without taking up too much space in your home. Whatever your needs, be sure to plan for the future as well as taking into account the dimensions of your wine cooler and the area where you are thinking of installing it.

Temperature Range

Before you purchase your new wine cooler, make sure that the temperature cooling range is compatible with the temperature at which you want to store your favorite wines. If you are using it uniquely for storage purposes, then you may want to chill your white wine just prior to serving or to open and leave your red wine at room temperature. If you want to use it to keep your white wine at a serving temperature, then you will need to keep an eye out for a wine cooler that has a low temperature range.

Location

Where you are thinking of installing your wine cooler will have a direct impact upon which model you choose. Measure the area carefully to ensure that it will fit and that there will be enough space for ventilation. Don’t forget to check the height of your cooler too, especially if you are planning on using it under a counter or as a countertop itself.

Type

The type of wine cooler that you choose will also depend upon its location within your home. Small thermoelectric models often make great countertop options, whereas built-in coolers are usually compressor type models. Be certain that you will have sufficient space around counter top models

Control System

While you won’t have to spend a lot of time programming your cooler, it makes things easier when the controls are simple to understand and easy to use. A lot of modern models benefit from digital touch buttons that allow you to quickly adjust the temperature as needed.

Door

You’ll want to make sure that your wine cooler has a robust door with an air-tight seal. For safety, as well as insulation purposes, glass doors should be tempered and double layered. You should also check on the opening style and see if any handles require mounting, as well as any other door-related features such as a lock.

Display

An LCD display area that shows the current temperature is an important feature because it allows you to see at a glance how well your wine cooler is working.

Interior lighting

While not essential, interior lighting is a convenient feature that allows you to find the bottle that you are looking for with ease. If your wine cooler does not have interior lighting then you may struggle to find the bottle that you want to serve without removing them all.

Pros

  • Easy to install – while some wine coolers may require a little home assembly, for the main part you simply plug them in and they’re ready to use.
  • Convenient – wine coolers are a convenient way to store your wine, keeping your collection safe and stored in optimal conditions.
  • Improve your wine’s longevity – using a wine cooler to store your wine collection can significantly slow down your wine’s aging.
  • Inexpensive – while prices do vary, compared to a full wine cellar, wine coolers offer an extremely affordable way to store your wine.
  • Stylish home appliance – even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, a wine cooler certainly looks the part in any kitchen.
  • Compact – with their compact design, wine coolers tend to have a small footprint and provides you with a compact, space-saving solution to your wine storage requirements.
  • Energy efficient – wine coolers are generally extremely energy efficient and provide a cost effective way for you to keep your wine stored in optimal conditions.

Cons

  • Not suitable for long term storage – while many people store their wines quite happily for long periods in their wine coolers, strictly speaking over longer periods you are best advised to store your wine in a dedicated wine cellar.
  • Cannot control humidity levels – wine coolers do an excellent job of keeping your wine at the correct temperature. They cannot, however, control humidity levels, which is important to ensure that the corks do not dry out.
Wine Coolers

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Improves wine longevity
  • Adjustable temperature settings
  • Compact
  • Energy efficient
  • Stylish design

Cons

  • Not suitable for long-term storage
  • No humidity controls

  • Are wine coolers economical to run?

  • Yes, wine coolers are extremely economical to run. If you purchase a small model, that is one with a capacity of under 30 bottles, you shouldn’t really see much of an increase on your monthly electricity consumption. Wine coolers are designed to keep your wine at a stable temperature as efficiently as possible and, aside from their cooling mechanisms, they are also designed to maintain a steady temperature thanks to insulation and air-seals. Even thermoelectric coolers that run continuously only require a very small amount of electricity for small, compact models.

  • Are wine coolers noisy?

  • While some older or larger models may not run very quietly, today’s modern, compact wine coolers are often virtually silent. Although some models run quieter than others, in general they are all fairly quiet. If you have limited space and are worried that your cooler may disrupt you, you may want to opt for a thermo-electric model over a slightly noisier compressor cooler. Check any noise ratings or contact the manufacturer for more information if a low-noise cooler is important to you.

  • What is the best temperature at which to serve wine?

  • The best temperature to serve wine depends upon what kind of wine you are serving. Always check the recommended serving temperature for your particular bottle. Remember too that you are also entitled to your own personal preferences, even though they may not fit into the general accepted recommendations. To provide you with a quick rundown, light whites are generally recommended to be served between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, with 50-60 for full-bodied whites and light reds, followed by 60-65 for full-bodied reds.

  • Why is it important to keep wine chilled?

  • Our average home room temperature is just too warm to keep wine at its best, either for storage or serving. Keeping wine chilled prolongs its lifespan and also makes it taste better. When you store wine at room temperature over a long period of time, you run the serious risk of accelerating its ageing process.

    White wine should be served chilled, however, household refrigerators are often too cold. Conversely, red wine should be served warm, however, our household room temperatures are generally too warm. Keeping wine chilled at the correct temperature in a wine cooler ensures greater longevity and a better tasting wine.

  • Can I store wine long-term in a wine cooler?

  • Yes, you can store wine long-term in a wine cooler. Although some purists will advise against doing so, if it’s a question of storing wine on your kitchen counter or in a cooler, then the wine cooler is always going to be the best option, over any amount of time. While it is true that a dedicated wine cellar is the best way to store your wine collection for the long-term, not everyone has the space, dedication, or the available finances for such a project.

Final Thoughts

Enhance your enjoyment of your wine collection and prolong its life with an at-home wine cooler. Stylish and functional, wine coolers are not just for wine connoisseurs. If you enjoy a glass of wine and are thinking about stocking up on a few decent vintages, then you should seriously consider purchasing one.

If you’re still undecided and are looking for the best wine cooler, we recommend the Ivation 18 Bottle Wine Cooler. This model has plenty of space and features a double layer Thermopane door to keep your wine thoroughly protected from external temperature fluctuations, odors and UV light. This model also features a handy temperature reading display and an interior light to help you to find the vintage you’re looking for. Adjustable between 54-64 degrees Fahrenheit, it is ideal for storing both your red and white wine collection.

Alternatively, if you are short on space and don’t want to spend a lot, check out the compact, space-saving NewAir 12 Bottle Wine Cooler. This countertop model is perfect even in small homes and makes a great focal point thanks to its LED blue interior lighting. Its whisper quiet operation at just 25dB is ideal for use where space is at a premium and every sound can be heard. With a 50-66 degree Fahrenheit temperature range, this freestanding countertop cooler is excellent value for money and a great choice for smaller homes.

We’re sure you’ll agree that, while a wine cooler is not the ideal option for long-term wine storage, it is, for most of us, a highly practical and inexpensive way to store wine for any duration of time.

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