There is a point in life when some people begin to consider buying luxury appliances. A luxury appliance is a symbol of status, of class, and your priorities. If you’re looking to buy a wine cooler you may have many reasons. Perhaps your business is wine. Maybe you have a distinct appreciation for fine wines as a hobby. Or maybe you low-key have an alcohol problem that you would like to class up by calling yourself an amateur sommelier. Whatever your reasons may be for buying a wine cooler, at some point you are going to lean back and wonder, ‘What is the best wine cooler for my needs?’.
To help you decide what your needs actually are I have broken down the best wine coolers available into six categories: dual zone, under $500, best rated, 12-bottle, freestanding, and built-in. I’ve also listed the best wine coolers the year 2018 has to offer. So, what kind of wine cooler consumer are you?
Are you the type of person who lives in the upper crust of wealth in society, but you’re really an imposter, taking out payday loans to buy fancy suits and make lease payments on your Ferrari. Or are you mega-rich but like to spend your money frugally because you remember how you became rich to begin with. If either of these sound like you, then you’re probably looking for the best wine cooler for under $500. And these three are simply the best you can find in that price range.
Contents
Best Wine Coolers Under $500
Last update on 2021-07-20 at 14:03 - Details
#1 EdgeStar CWR181SZ 18 Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler
- Temperature Range: 40-65º F; Digital temperature control w/ blue LED display; Single zone cooling
- Built-in or freestanding installation; Reversible tempered glass door; Ultra-slim, space-efficient design
- Blue internal LED lighting; Black dot matrix protection on glass; Black cabinet and stainless steel trim door
- Carbon filter included; Frost-free; Capacity: 18 standard 750 mL wine bottles
- Dimensions: 34 1/4" H x 11 5/8" W x 22 5/8" D
Last update on 2021-07-20 at 14:03 - Details
This unit comes in the best budget option, but it truly is one of the best you can find. EdgeStar is a well-known name in the appliance world so it’s no surprise they produced a great and affordable wine cooler.
Key Features
- Slim Design: This extra slim unit can fit into some tight areas, such as where a trash compactor used to sit
- Stylish Design: The classic style slide-out wood-trimmed wire wine racks sleek stainless steel trim and create a contemporary look that is sure to look great amongst any decor
- Built-In: Fan-forced front ventilation allows this unit to be installed flush with surrounding cabinetry in an under-counter installation or optionally installed as free-standing
- Even Cooling: Fan-forced inner circulation prevents uneven temperature distribution as is often designed by plate-cooled units, ensuring your all wine reaches your desired temperature and does so quickly
- Reversible Door: Choose a right- or left-swinging door, opening up for options for places where this can installed
- Temperature Range: The temperature range of this unit goes from 40 to 65°F, making it ideal for all types of wine
- Digital Controls: Touch buttons and a digital display make keeping the appropriate setting a breeze
- Carbon Filter: The built-in carbon filter protects your wine by acting as a natural barrier against unpleasant odors
- Tinted Glass: Keep an eye on your collection while protecting it from damaging ultraviolet radiation
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Blue internal LED lighting
- Carbon Filter included
- Built-in or freestanding installation
- Tempered glass door
Cons:
- Not actually able to hold 18 bottles
- Noisy
- Breaks down quick
The cons are pretty bad. But, if you purchase the protection plan the company must fix your unit free of charge. If you are not opposed to working with customer service agents then this cooler could be just right for you.
#2 Westinghouse WWT080MB Thermal Electric 8 Bottle Wine Cellar
- 8 bottle capacity, perfect for red or white wines Bullet feature 2 (optional) : Bullet feature 3 (optional) : Bullet feature 4 (optional) : Bullet feature 5 (optional) :
- Temperature range: 46 - 66 degrees Fahrenheit with ultra quiet thermal electric cooling: 38 dBA
- Grey tinted see-thru glass door and interior light for easy viewing
- Hidden door hinge and recessed door handle for enhanced appearance. Features: mechanical adjustable thermostat control and 4 chrome wire storage shelves
- Ideal for Counter Top Use
Last update on 2021-07-20 at 14:03 - Details
The most attractive thing about the Westinghouse cooler is the price. It is great for your upgraded lifestyle package. The sleek black design will go with ay decor and the fact that you will have perfectly temped wine every time you serve a guest will make you look and feel extremely fancy. At this price, why wouldn’t you buy a wine cooler just to have people think you’re fancier than you actually are?
Key Features
- 8-bottle capacity, excellent for white or red wines
- Temperature: 46 – 66 degrees Fahrenheit with ultra quiet thermal electric cooling: 38 dBA
- Grey tinted see-thru glass door and inner light for easy viewing
- Hidden door hinge and recessed door handle for enhanced appearance.
- Mechanical adjustable thermostat control and 4 chrome wire storage shelves
- Ideal for Counter Top Use
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Countertop compatible
- Adjustable thermostat
- Quiet
Cons:
- Only holds 8 bottles
- Breaks easily
If you just want a tiny countertop unit to hold your after-hours bottle of wine then this is the cooler for you. If you’re more into showing off your wine collection then you will definitely need something bigger.
#3 Avanti EWC1201 – 12 Bottle Thermoelectric Counter Top Wine Cooler
- 12 bottles total
- Thermoelectric Cooling System
- Curved Glass Door. Defrost System: Auto
- Compact and Lightweight. No Vibration - Bottle Sediment is not Disturbed
Last update on 2021-07-20 at 14:03 - Details
This unit is a no-nonsense wine cooler. If you need wine chilled, no fancy buttons and features, then this is the cooler for you. It holds 12 bottles, doesn’t vibrate, is super compact and very lightweight. This is the wine cooler for your man-cave or for your femme-den. Pop a few bottle of chardonnay into it in the morning and watch the game with the girls (or your fave soaps with the boys) after work with the perfect temped glass after work.
Key Features
- Stores up to 12 Wine Bottles
- 8 Bottles Horizontal
- 4 Bottles Vertical
- Thermoelectric Cooling System
- Innovative Design Provides the Standing or Vertical Storage of up to 4 Open Bottles
- No Vibration – Bottle Sediment is not Disturbed
- Curved Glass Door for a Modern and Stylish Appearance
- Classic Black Cabinet with Platinum Finished Accents Compliment Any Decor
- Compact and Lightweight Design
- Integrated Soft Touch Digital Display
- Automatic Defrost System
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Small
- Standing area for bottles
- Automatic shut-off for lights
- Quiet
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit non-American bottles well due to different bottle tapering
- Unlock requires for on/off light
- Doesn’t fit larger than normal bottles
If you drink the same bottle of wine every time you drink wine and just need a countertop unit to keep 12 bottles of it cool all the time, and those bottles happen to be of a standard American winery design, then this is the perfect cooler for you!
But, if you’re not into drinking the same wine every time you pop open a bottle, then you will want to by a dual zone wine cooler. A dual zone cooler has two separate spaces keeping different temperatures. This kind of cooler is best for someone who enjoys a white and a red wine. With the ability to keep your red a little warmer than your whites or rosé you can entertain company with a beautiful sea bass and sauvignon blanc or a delicious steak and merlot combination. If you have no idea what kind of wine you want to keep, then this is also the best type of unit to buy due to its versatility.
Best Dual Zone Wine Coolers
Last update on 2021-07-25 at 03:50 - Details
#1 Allavino FlexCount VSWR56-2SSRN 56 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Refrigerator
- The lower zone must be set at least 4 degrees and no more than 12 degrees higher than the upper zone
Last update on 2021-07-25 at 03:50 - Details
This wine cooler is a lot more pricey than the ones we discussed before, but when you know what you want it’s best to spend a bit more for quality. The unit itself holds 56 bottles, has the versatility for built-in or freestanding installation, and it’s energy efficient!
Key Features
- Large Holding Capacity
- Multiple Temperature Zones
- New Shelf Design
- Digital Control
- Efficient Cooling Technology (25% more efficient)
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Has additional cosmetic options
- Easy set up
- Quiet
- Holds temperature constant
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit champagne bottles easily
- Dual zone cooling is only a few degrees in difference
- Sometimes has issue with keeping temperature low enough
#2 NewAir AWR-290DB Compact 29 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
- Attractive blue lighting brightens the interior
- Dual temperature zones
- Keeps 29 bottles of wine readily accessible on sliding, adjustable beech wood shelves
- Measures only 15 inches in width to fit easily
- Minimal vibrations ensure quiet operation and protect sediment
Last update on 2021-07-25 at 03:50 - Details
While this unit supposedly holds 29 bottles, I find that a bit of a stretch. It’s pretty small, so maybe only 18 bottles at best. However, if you don’t have a large collection then this unit isn’t so bad. The better part of this unit is that it holds two separate temperatures extremely well.
Key Features
- Black stainless steel resists smudges and fingerprints
- 29 Bottle Capacity: Compact, 29 bottle storage, ideal for white and red wines.
- Cooling System: The dual zone compressor cooler lets you set the temperature as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Digital Display: Instantly monitor and set temperatures in both temperature zones with ease using the push-button controls just inside the door.
- Inner LED Lighting: Cool blue LED lighting is included to illuminate your collection better.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quiet
- Holds temperature well
- Attractive
Cons:
- Trays look cheap and sound horrible when taking them out
- Some units degrade quickly
- NewAir customer service is a joke
If you’re okay with taking a gamble on this unit you could end up with a fantastic wine cooler, but you could also end up with a $560 brick after a few months. When it works it’s really amazing, but when it doesn’t……
#3 Kalamera 24” Wine refrigerator 46 Bottle Dual Zone Built-in
- Kalamera 24'' Wine refrigerator 40 Bottle Dual Zone Built-in or Freestanding with Stainless Steel & Triple-Layer Tempered Glass Door and Temperature Memory Function
Last update on 2021-07-25 at 03:50 - Details
This unit, like the Allavino mentioned before, holds a lot of wine (46 bottles). It’s super sleek and sexy exterior will definitely make your guests ooh and ahh over your new fancy space-age wine cooler, the internal blue LEDs will help with that too.
Key Features
- Stainless Steel & Black: Designed with a sophisticated look for display in the kitchen, home bar or entertainment area.
- Temperature memory function will restore the set temperature in the cooler after it is back on from power loss, which keeps your wine collection from going wrong with increasing temperature.
- 46 Bottle Capacity: Cooler has five beech wood shelves to hold each bottle securely and has spaces for 46 standard 750ml Bordeaux wine bottles.
- Dual zone control: Upper zone 40-50°F, lower Zone 50-66°F. So your wine is perfectly chilled in different temperature as you desired.
- Quiet & Low Vibration: Runs virtually silent with low vibration, so wine sediments are not disturbed, and the flavor is crisp and delicious
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sexy design
- Lighting is bright
- Fits a variety of bottle sizes
- Quiet
Cons:
- Some noise problems that could be fixed by better quality control
- Likely the product will arrive damaged and need to be returned
Overall, it seems like the major problems with the Kalamera have to do with poor quality control back in the factories in China. If your unit arrives in good condition, then it will stay in good condition. It might just take a few tries to get one delivered to you that isn’t broken.
A lot of these wine coolers have a capacity that just a bit too much for the average consumer. Honestly, do you have 46 bottles of wine lying around that need to be housed in a cooler? IF the answer is no, then maybe you need the best 12 bottle wine cooler. 12 bottles is just enough for one person to carry out of a beverage store in two six-pack slings. So why not just stop at all the wine you can carry?
Best 12 Bottle Wine Coolers
Last update on 2021-08-10 at 17:35 - Details
#1 Haier HVTM12DABB 12-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cellar
- Up to 12 bottle capacity, dual zone
- Vibration-free, ultra quiet thermal electric cooling
- Perfect for both red and white wine
- Double pane amber-tinted glass door with black trim/black cabinet
- Dual touch screen controls with 2 led displays; independently adjust temperature 45-54 degrees fahrenheit upper compartment, 52-64 degrees fahrenheit lower
Last update on 2021-09-08 at 11:46 - Details
Initially, this cooler looks super cool. With its sleek black design and awesome smoked glass door, this unit looks like it hopped out of the TRON world and into your kitchen. If you’re working for Tesla, SpaceX, or any Silicon Valley start up and have a hankering for a bottle of wine of two when the weekend comes, then this is the wine cooler for you.
Key Features
- Dual zone wine cellar for red and white wine
- Double pane amber-tinted glass door
- Sleek black design
- Store up to 12 bottles of wine
- Dual touchscreen controls and LED displays
- Temperature can adjust from 45-54 degrees F. and 52-64 degrees F. for upper and lower compartments
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Dual Zone for both reds and whites
- Quiet
- Energy efficient
- Holds temperature well
Cons:
- Company is unresponsive when there are problems
- Some units break down quickly
Most of the problems with this unit come from poor quality control at the factory in China, like most appliances sold online (the gamble of online shopping). But, if you want your bar to look like it came from a SciFi movie then you should purchase this one.
#2 AKDY 12 Bottles Dual Zone
Last update on 2021-08-10 at 17:35 - Details
This wine cooler isn’t as attractive as the Haier model, but it does the job. It holds 12 bottles, makes little noise, and cools your wine to the desired temperature. What more do you want?
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- LED temperature light
- Quick set up
- Great price
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit all bottle types
- Temperature control begins to give after a few months
This is a cheap wine cooler, it won’t last very long but it will do its job while it does last. You get what you pay for, eh?
Okay so maybe you’ve gotten to the point where you’re skeptical of my expertise. Maybe you are the type of person who looks up every restaurant they go to on Yelp before deciding to eat out. Maybe you’re skeptical of paid advertisements. Maybe you just want to know what the people think. You want to know what the best rated wine coolers are, but you’re not looking to do all the leg work to find out what those products are. Lucky for you, I’ve already done the work
Best-Rated Wine Coolers
Last update on 2021-08-10 at 23:36 - Details
#1 Costway Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
- 🍷【Modern and Classic Wine Cooler】-----With a capacity of 6 bottles and a free-standing design, this refrigerator cabinet is ideal for use on the floor, table or under the counter. 【This product is not for sale in california.】
- 🍷【Digital Display】-----The wine cooler door frame is equipped with a LED display, it can easy to turn the LED lights on or off and adjust the wine cooler temperature at a simple touch of a button.
- 🍷【Unique Design】-----The glass see-through door makes it easy to see what drinks are being chilled. The recessed handle is easy to get the drinks in and out.
- 🍷【Adjustable Shelves】-----The unit comes complete with 5 steel shelves ,which can provide a sturdy and solid holder for the wine. And the steel shelves can be taken out to clean.
- 🍷【Indoor LED Lighting】-----Compared to other wine cooler, our wine coolers are equipped with cool blue LED lights that illuminate the beverage selection and make it easier to find drinks.
Last update on 2021-08-10 at 17:43 - Details
This wine cooler is perfect if you’re on a budget and you only want to chill the double-fisted six-pack worth of wine I talked about before. It’s freestanding, so don’t try to build it into your kitchen since it’s not designed to ventilate that way, but it’s small enough it won’t be cumbersome in your kitchen design.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cools effectively
- Doesn’t break down
- Everyone loves it
- Compact
Cons:
- Only holds 12 bottles
- Single zone cooling
Apparently, this is the best wine cooler to buy as a gift for your children according to the reviews. It stands up to use and doesn’t seem to break down quickly, which is why its one of the best rated wine coolers in the online marketplace.
#2 Ivation 8 Bottle Counter Top Wine Cellar
- WINE COOLER (wine Cellar / Wine Chiller) A MUST HAVE: The only way to protect the quality and taste of your wines long or short term, and ensure it AGES at a consistent level, the wine has to be stored in the correct environment and CONSISTENT TEMPERATURE, (ideally in the range of 55° F) This free standing innovative wine cooler will protect your red or white wine, preserving its quality and rich flavors, so you could enjoy its real taste to the fullest.
- PERFECT Stable TEMPERATURE: The Ivation cooler enables you to store your wines short & long term in a consistent stable temp environment, and allows you to customize the temp to one that creates an ideal climate for your wines ageing process (Range 46° – 64°F (8° – 18°C), therefore bringing out the true characteristics and full flavor of your wines in the long-term.
- HUMIDITY, MINIMAL LIGHT: Insulated with Solid polyurethane heavy foam (CFC-free) & Closed with Thermopane doors that are tempered smoked, to ensure an interior odor-free environment that maintains constant humidity, keeping the cork from drying out, thus preventing more air to come into contact with the wine, also to ensure darkness, blocking out sunlight and harmful UV rays that breaks down the complex molecules that create the special flavors in properly aged wines.
- NO VIBRATION & SUPER QUIET: Specially built with an Energy-efficient thermoelectric cooling system with no compressor, to minimize the vibration effect and noise, allowing your wine to age and settle properly, with no disturbance to its natural occurring sediments.
Last update on 2021-08-10 at 17:43 - Details
Another super affordable wine cooler, only holding 8 bottles. If you’re not too worried about rotating wines in and out of the fridge then it’s not a problem to only hold 8 bottles at a time. 8 bottles is the perfect amount for a small party!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compact
- Display is bright
- Cools well
- Good value
Cons:
- Hums loudly
- Only holds 8 bottles
- No temperature control
If you don’t know much about wine other than you like it cold then this is perfect for you. Since theres no temperature control feature you won’t have to waste time researching ideal temperatures for different wine types. It’s basically a tiny fancy refrigerator for wine bottles.
#3 Smad 35 Bottle Freestanding Compressor Wine Cooler
- Single zone, 33 Bottles, 95 Liters
- 5pcs full wire shelves +2 half wire shelves
- LED display and light switch
- No frost cooling system
- Normal S.S door frame and recessed handle
Last update on 2021-08-10 at 23:36 - Details
This unit doesn’t have any reviews below 3 stars, and those 3 star reviews are about the controls being on the outside of the unit rather than the inside. It’s fairly solid, holding about 30 bottles rather than the target 35. Delivery always seems to be early which could be good or bad depending on your situation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Works well
- Fast Delivery
- Great customer service
- Quiet
Cons:
- Poor design for display placement
- Temperature is warmer near the top
- Shelves are too close together
This seems like the most solid out of the three in the category of best rate wine coolers. Most of the problems are minor annoyances and the unit itself is pretty attractive.
Buying a wine cooler doesn’t have to be a pain. But buying anything online always comes with problems. From factory f-ups in China to delivery service catastrophes and customer services representatives who would rather just hang up than talk to you, purchasing appliances online is a hassle. Hopefully by doing your research to find the best product for your needs will help to eliminate some of the annoyances that come with modern consumerism.
