Wine fridges, also known as wine coolers, may seem extravagant, but anyone who enjoys drinking wine should consider having one. They’re designed to replicate a wine cellar’s dark, cool and moderately humid conditions, which help wine last longer. Plus, when they’re set to the right temperature, your wine will always be at the perfect drinking temperature — about 45º to 55º F for white wines and 54º to 65ºF for red wines.
Wine fridges range from built-in wine fridges as tall as your refrigerator to under-counter wine fridges and freestanding wine fridges; a few can even fit on your counter. The best wine fridges offer versatile temperature control, have a quality cooling system and can accommodate various-sized bottles.
1
Best Overall
Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler
Pros
- Uses compressor cooling technology
- Dual-zone cooling with easy controls
- Simple, stylish design
Cons
- Racks and depth don’t fit odd-shaped bottles
Wine Enthusiast makes a wide variety of wine fridges that are popular with professionals and hobbyists — and this mid-range option, which uses compressor cooling technology, is no exception. This type of technology is known for maintaining temperatures well, which is important for long-term aging and helpful in warmer climates where fridges need to work harder. For about $500, it’s perfect for small to medium collections.
It features dual-zone cooling (controlled by a straight-forward LED digital display), the ability to sync the upper and lower zones, a 32-bottle capacity and a stylish, black-and-tinted-glass design. Wavy chrome shelves add to the aesthetic and help keep wine bottles in place; plus, the display offers an opportunity to show off your favorites. Some online reviewers note that the racks aren’t accommodating of large or odd-shaped bottles.
This fridge can’t be installed into shelving or under a countertop. But if you have a collection of Bordeaux-type bottles and want to age some while keeping others ready for serving at a moment’s notice, this fridge has your back. As with most fridges, you’ll need to allow at least 2 inches of space on both sides of the cooler and 4 inches in the back and on top to ensure proper air circulation and cooling.
Dimensions: 16.9″ x 19.5″ x 33.4″ | Bottle capacity: 32 | Zone type: Dual | Temperature range: 41°F to 64°F
2
Best Value
Ivation 28-Bottle Wine Cooler
Pros
- Dark tinted glass
- Simple design
- Generous interior sizing for odd-shaped bottles
Cons
- Single-zone cooling
- Potentially loud compressor and fan
Popular with shoppers on Amazon, this 28-bottle capacity wine fridge from Ivation has a sleek design, removable shelves and generous interior sizing for non-standard bottle shapes. At under $350, this model is also one of the most affordable wine fridges of its size on the market.
The double-paned glass door is designed to protect your bottles from UV light, which could create off odors in the wine. There is also the option to turn on an LED light that will illuminate the interior — what better way to showcase your collection? Given all of the cooler’s features and prices, we aren’t surprised it has an average 4.2 rating from nearly 800 reviews on Amazon.
This Ivation is only single-zone, meaning you can’t keep different wines at different temperatures, and some reviewers complain of the fridge’s loud compressor and fan (and the empty space needed on either side to make sure the fridge is venting properly). While this model can’t handle a large collection, it’s ideal for beginner collectors with under 30 bottles who want to keep all their wine at one safe temperature and humidity without breaking the bank.
Dimensions: 17.7″ x 16.9″ x 33.1″ | Bottle capacity: 28 | Zone type: Single | Temperature range: 41°F to 64°F
3
Best for All Beverages
Rocco The Super Smart Fridge
Pros
- Can hold a combination of wine bottles and drink cans
- Modern design
- Works with an app
Cons
- Pricey
- Orders are processed in batches and delivery may not be immediate
A TikTok darling, The Super Smart Fridge is a new entry in the category that’s perhaps the first wine fridge to go viral. It may be expensive, but it’s not strictly a wine cooler. It’s designed to chill and store all kinds of beverages: The shelves can hold 27 Bordeaux-shape bottles or 88 cans (or some combo of the two), with the mechanics to get as cold as your kitchen fridge.
It can be connected to an app — one of the features lets you see inside the fridge unit from your phone. You’ll never need to wonder if you’re low on sparkling wine or water again.
The retro-modern design in color options, like white, graphite and yellow (pictured), also distinguishes the Rocco from the other wine fridges on this list, which tend to be more low-key and traditional. We think it can double as a piece of furniture.
Keep in mind that orders are processed in batches and delivery may not be immediate.
Dimensions: 34.5″ x 24″ x 16″ | Bottle capacity: 27 bottles, 88 cans | Zone type: Dual | Temperature range: 37°F to 64ºF
4
Best Small
BLACK+DECKER 8-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Fridge
Pros
- Adjustable legs
- LED display
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Fewer advanced features than others on the list
Perfect for a starter wine collection or a compact kitchen, this small wine fridge by Black+Decker holds eight wine bottles and looks as sleek as the pricier models on this list, due to its black trim and triple-pane glass door. The fridge includes an LED display, three chrome racks and an interior light so you can discern each bottle’s label. This wine fridge easily adapts to your needs: Adjustable legs allow you to change the height and the full-length shelves are removable if you have a larger bottle you want to chill.
Our Lab experts have been impressed with Black+Decker’s appliances throughout the years and feel confident recommending this wine cooler as a reliable pick that’s gentle on the wallet. An average 4.6 rating from over 500 reviews on Amazon suggests customers agree (nearly 400 of those are five-star reviews).
In particular, many reviewers said how quiet the fridge operates, with one who noted, “I was looking for a small countertop wine cooler for my small condo. This is perfect. Easy to set up and makes no noise. The temperature has stayed just as I set it.”
Obviously, this fridge is on the smaller side and can’t hold medium or large wine collections without you having to purchase multiple. That said, you are getting the amount of space you’re paying for (remarkably under $200), which equates to a minimal footprint and fewer advanced features than others on the list.
Dimensions: 20.1″ x 10.24″ x 18.5″ | Bottle capacity: 8 | Zone type: Single | Temperature range: 46°F to 65°F
5
Best Built-In
Kalamera 46-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler
Pros
- 46-bottle capacity for medium collections and serving
- Reversible door, sliding racks and multiple finish options
- Dual-zone cooling, built-in and under-counter compatible
Cons
- Potential customer service issues
This 46-bottle capacity wine fridge from Kalamera is loaded with special features from dual-zone cooling and sliding wooden racks to a reversible door. This model can be built into cabinets or tucked under a countertop. It’s ideal for those with medium-size collections who want to flaunt their bottles and keep some at serving temperature for whenever guests come over.
A carbon filter helps purify air inside the fridge, which is designed to keep bottles better preserved. Another unique feature is a memory function that will restore the set temperature after a power outage. Both of these extras mean your collection will remain in great condition.
Many reviewers praised the fridge’s design and quiet performance, while some noted they’ve had trouble with the customer service from Kalamera. Keep in mind that the fridge’s interior lights are exceptionally blue — great for some kitchens, but they won’t match every aesthetic.
Dimensions: 22.4″ x 23.4″ x 33″ | Bottle capacity: 46 | Zone type: Dual | Temperature range: 40°F to 50°F (lower zone), 50°F to 66°F (wine cooler)
6
Best Thermoelectric
Koolatron 20-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Pros
- 20-bottle capacity for small collections or serving
- Thermoelectric design means less vibration, fewer moving parts, less likely to break and more energy efficient
- Touch screen controls
- Affordable
Cons
- Shelves can bend, according to reviews
- Potentially loud fan
Looking for a quiet and compact thermoelectric wine fridge? This standard 20-bottle wine fridge from Koolatron has excellent reviews and is one of the most affordable models we’ve found.
Thermoelectric fridges also have fewer moving parts so they’re less likely to break than a traditional compressor, which requires several fans and lengthy coils through which refrigerant must pass, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
With five metal wire racks and a single temperature zone, the Koolatron WC20 is a no-nonsense standalone cooler ideal for aging small wine collections. You can also remove each rack if you have a larger or non-standard shaped bottle.
The digital touchscreen allows you to adjust the internal temperature and lighting without having to open the door, which is helpful if you are concerned about the ambient temperature impacting your bottles on a hot day. One online customer said they appreciated the interior LED lighting as you can scope out which bottle you want without even opening the door.
However, the same customer noted that they found the shelves to be cheap as they bent under the weight of a full rack of bottles. While this model doesn’t have a compressor, other reviewers complained about noise from the interior fan.
Dimensions: 15.75″ x 20.25″ x 21.25″ | Bottle capacity: 20 | Zone type: Single | Temperature range: 46°F to 66°F
7
Best Luxury
Miele 80-Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler
Pros
- 80-bottle capacity for large collections or serving
- Luxury design with specialty adjustable shelving and magnetic labels
- Smart home compatibility
- Dual-zone cooling and built-in compatible
Cons
- Very pricey
- Large dimensions for its capacity
With completely adjustable beechwood racks, magnetic labels, smart home compatibility and a special central shelf for decanting and tasting, this built-in, 80-bottle unit has all the bells and whistles to impress even the most particular home sommelier. It boasts three temperature zones to keep each type of wine (red, white and sparkling) at its optimal temperature and there’s enough space to accommodate serious collectors.
Miele is a GH Seal holder and we are impressed by this gorgeous wine cooler. It will look sleek amidst your kitchen or serving area and can be operated without a handle, thanks to Push2Open technology.
The fridge also provides optimal storage with robust flexibility. From a fan on the back wall that circulates air to three temperature zones and strong hinges so you can open the door extra wide, the Miele will upgrade a wine connoisseur’s current storage. All these special features do come at a price that’s more than what you’d pay for some others that have twice the capacity.
Dimensions: 21.8″ x 69.7″ x 22″ | Bottle capacity: 80 | Zone type: Triple | Temperature range: Not listed
