Compare the best wine fridges

Designed to keep your wines in ideal conditions for long-term storage, wine fridges can be a useful investment for any level of wine lover.

Compare top wine fridges

Name	Avg. price (USD)	Bottle capacity	Cooling zones	Installation type	Purchase
Magic Chef MCWC12B	$94	12	1	Countertop	Shop now
Danby DWC93BLSDB	$231	36	1	Free standing	Shop now
Ivation Thermoelectric Wine Cooler	$160	18	1	Free standing	Shop now
Nutrichef Thermoelectric Wine Cooler	$140	12	1	Free standing	Shop now

Why buy a wine fridge?

Why invest in a wine fridge when you’ve got an ordinary fridge that works just fine? One reason might be that you don’t have enough space for all those bottles in the family fridge. But there’s a much more important point to be aware of: your kitchen fridge is set to the wrong temperature.

Red and white wine need to be stored between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while the ideal temperature for storing most foods is right around 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Wine fridges also maintain humidity at around 70% to keep corks in place and stop air from penetrating the bottle. And they protect your bottles from light and UV rays.

What types are available?

When buying a wine fridge, compare fridges from the following:

• Specialist wine cooler manufacturers such as Vintec
• Refrigeration specialists such as Liebherr and Husky
• General appliance manufacturers such as Hisense and DeLonghi

How to compare wine fridges

Not all wine fridges are created equal. Prices range anywhere from $150 for small, entry-level options right up to over $5,000 for state-of-the-art coolers capable of holding more than 200 bottles.

How much you pay will depend on the size of the fridge, the number of temperature zones you want and whether you require advanced or basic features. Of course, the quality and value of the wine you want to store will also play a part.

Here are the key factors you need to consider when comparing your options:

• Compressor or thermoelectric

  Start by considering the cooling technology a fridge uses. Compressor-type fridges can maintain colder temperatures for longer, but they can have higher vibration levels and are usually more expensive.

  Thermoelectric models are cheaper, quieter and use less energy. However, they can be affected by ambient temperature so they may not be the best choice if they’ll be placed in a garage or somewhere with significant temperature fluctuations.

• Temperature zones

  Another factor to consider is the number of temperature zones a fridge has. Basic models only have one zone, which means storing all your bottles at one temperature.

  But if you’re willing to pay more, you can get a dual-zone or multi-zone fridge with different compartments for storing each variety of wine at the optimum temperature. More temperature zones mean more flexibility, but they also mean a higher price tag.

  Think about your storage needs to decide how many cooling zones you want. If you just want somewhere to keep your shiraz in perfect condition, a single-zone fridge may suit. But if you’ve got a varied collection of red and white varieties, you may want the versatility of multiple cooling zones.

  Another advantage of dual-zone coolers is that you can use one zone to store wines and the other to serve them, ensuring that your bottles are at the perfect temperature when you’re ready to pour.

• Controls

  Check how easy it is to set your fridge up exactly how you want.

  For example, are there touch buttons or dials? Is there a digital temperature display so you can program your fridge to the precise level you want? Is there a humidity control system and if so, does it feature a water reservoir you’ll need to fill from time to time? If there are charcoal filters to eliminate unwanted odors, how often will you need to replace them?

• Door

  Most wine fridges feature glass doors so you can check on your collection without opening the fridge. Doors are typically tinted to protect against the negative impact of UV rays, and some are made of tempered glass for extra strength.

  Check whether any unit you’re considering features a reversible door for flexible installation.

  If your wine collection is valuable and you want to protect it from thieves or curious children, look for a model with a lockable door.

• Shelves

  Wood shelving is generally preferred to metal shelving because it means less vibration.

  Sliding shelves ensure easy access to your bottles but can mean sacrificing some storage space. It’s also worth checking whether you can easily remove the shelves to create space for storing larger bottles.

  Finally, some models feature display shelves complete with LED lighting to show off the most prized bottles in your collection to envious dinner guests.

• Size and aesthetic appeal

  Check the spec sheet for the dimensions of any wine fridge to be sure it’ll fit in the space you have available. Also take care when choosing where to put your wine fridge — noise may be a concern in your living area, and you’ll want to keep it away from the oven if placing your fridge in the kitchen.

  Another factor to take into account is where the fridge will actually sit. You can choose from compact countertop models, freestanding appliances or fridges designed to be installed under your countertop or as part of the cabinetry.

  If your wine fridge will be on public display, you’ll obviously want to consider its overall design and aesthetic appeal before buying. For example, will it match the existing decor in your kitchen or living room? Black and stainless-steel finishes are common, as are wooden shelving and LED lighting.

• Warranty

  Check the length of the manufacturer’s warranty — two to three years is common — and exactly what it covers.

Compare popular wine fridges

Bottom line

If you’re an avid wine drinker and collector, investing in a wine fridge could help you preserve your bottles longer and enjoy them once perfectly aged. But because they can be pricey, compare your options before bringing one home.

Frequently asked questions

• How much wine fits in a wine fridge?

  The smallest countertop models hold just 6 or 12 bottles, while fridges at the other end of the spectrum can store more than 200. The quoted bottle capacity for a wine fridge is calculated using the size and shape of a 750-milliliter Bordeaux bottle.

• Can you put food in a wine fridge?

  No, wine fridges have a higher temperature and humidity level than regular fridges made for food storage.

• Can you make a wine fridge cooler?

  Most models don’t include temperature settings that go below around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, since you don’t want to store wine any cooler than this.