The Best Wine Coolers on the Market in 2021 Reviewed
If you have a few bottles of wine in your home, you’ve most likely thought about a storage solution. Many people opt to use a wine rack to store their bottles of wine; however, a wine cooler or refrigerator can take your storage to the next level. So how do you know if you’re ready to invest in a wine cooler? There are several things to take into consideration before buying a wine refrigerator.
Before Purchasing a Wine Cooler
We’ve all heard that drinking wine, specifically red, is good for your heart health. So what better reason do you need than to enjoy a nice glass every night with dinner? Wine is easily one of the most popular alcoholic beverages around, and now, with more and more people staying indoors, it’s an easy one to pour yourself at night (or any time of day).
If you’re a regular wine drinker, it’s a good idea to consider buying a wine cooler. Here’s what you should think about before making the big purchase.
Cost
There’s no reason to break the bank simply to enjoy chilled wine. You can find a wide variety of wine coolers—all at different price ranges. I recommend spending some time pricing your favorite coolers before you start narrowing down your final choices. You’ll find a number of factors can impact the cost of the cooler, including its size, the brand and how much wine it can hold. Before you get swept up in the buying process, try to set a budget for yourself.
Size
It’s important to think about how much wine you actually plan to store at one time. Once a bottle of wine has been opened, it has a new shelf life, so it can’t be stored for a long time. That means you will only be storing wine bottles in your cooler for short periods of time. Really think through how much chilled wine you will need at any given time. When in doubt, decide how much wine you will actually need and double that quantity so you have enough space to store whatever you might need.
Temperature
Before impulsively buying the prettiest or most affordable wine cooler, you should consider what types of wine you will need to cool. Some wines require different temperatures when storing, so you may need to consider a cooler that specifically allows you to use multiple temperature controlled functions so the cooler can be set to varying temperatures.
Location
If possible, it’s a good idea to plan out in advance where you intend to keep your cooler. If you lack a large space for it, you’ll most likely want to stick with something a bit smaller. However, if space allows, you can size up if needed. As you search, you’ll find that there are a number of different shapes and sizes available so you can find what best fits your needs.
Design
Freestanding wine coolers are the most popular as they offer plenty of room for storage; however, this style is also the very space-consuming. Most freestanding wine coolers are similar in size to a traditional refrigerator, so you’ll want to decide if this is something you have room for.
Countertop is another commom place people will store their wine coolers. This is a great option if you have only a small amount of space. Most countertop wine refrigerators are also energy-efficient and affordable, making them perfect for a beginner wine collector.
The most costly option is the built-in wine cooler. These typically live underneath counters and can be expensive to get installed. However, many people like that the cooler is hidden away and out of sight.
Best Wine Coolers on the Market in 2021
If you’re in the market for a wine cooler, no matter how extensive your collection, you’ll want to check out these coolers. There’s something for everyone—even the single bottle collector!
Best Overall Wine Cooler: Kalamera 24”
With a dual-zone compressor, this freestanding Kalamera wine cooler (Amazon) promises to deliver the perfect chilling temperature for any wine. The 24-inch refrigerator features a silent compressor that will do its job without making any noise. It’s also vibration-free, so your wine won’t be messed with either.
With the ability to hold 45 bottles of wine each cradled perfectly in its own spot, this cooler makes it easy to check the temperatures with a push button display. You can also easily adjust each zone from 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 66 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the bottles you’re wanting to cool. This is easily one of the best wine coolers on the market right now, especially if you’re looking for something that won’t take up much space and that will allow you to cool different bottles at different temperatures.
Most Valuable Wine Cooler: Antarctic Star
If you’re wanting to stay on a budget but still enjoy nicely chilled wines, the Antarctic Star Wine Cooler is a great option for you. Coming in at just 19”, this freestanding wine refrigerator (Amazon) does not take up much space; however, it can still hold plenty of wine. Soft purple LED lights make this cooler a statement piece for your room too.
It’s important to find a cooler that will not disturb the sediment in your wine, and this one includes an energy-efficient cool system that makes it low noise and vibration. The dual-pane glass door is anothet great feature that will keep your wine at a consistent temperature by protecting it against room temperature and light. All in all, this is a great option for someone on a budget. It includes most of the highlights that more expensive versions do at a fraction of the price.
Best Countertop Wine Cooler: Nutrichef Compact Fridge
For anyone low on space, the Nutrichef Compact Mini Fridge is a great wine storage solution (Amazon). This cooler can hold up to 12 bottles of wine and includes accurate precision compressor cooling technology to keep your bottles perfectly chilled. The compact size and decorative design of this cooler make it a fan favorite, with more than 2,000 reviews on Amazon.
The cooler comes in different sizes, so you can cater it to the exact space where it will live. It is also available in both black and stainless steel, depending on your style preference. In my opinion, this is one of the best options on the market based on its convenient size and affordable price.
Best Splurge Wine Cooler: Lambo Compressor Fridge
If size and price aren’t a concern, the Lambo Built-in Compressor Wine Chiller is a great choice. This wine cooler holds a whopping 149 bottles—perfect for the experienced collector. It does come in smaller sizes (133 and 139 bottles); however, the 149 bottle size is the best value by far.
One nice thing about this cooler in particular is that it’s bottom shelf can hold large bottles such as Champagne and Burgundy. You also have the ability to remove shelves to allow for larger bottles. The product description claims that the fridge comes with a carbon filter, which absorbs the smell of the new machine so that the cooler smell betters.
Best Single Bottle Wine Cooler: Vacu Vin Rapid Ice Wine Cooler
If a big cooler isn’t what you need, but you still want to enjoy a nice bottle of chilled wine, you may want to consider a single bottle cooler like this one from Vacu Vin. It will chill your favorite bottle within five minutes and keep it cold for hours. I love the sleek black look of this style too.
Instead of using ice, this cooler gets stored in the freezer so it can work efficiently when needed. The lack of ice allows you to place your bottle inside without worrying about the label getting wet. This is a big perk compared to some similar styles. For just $25, this cooler would make a great gift for a wine lover in your life—or a small treat for yourself.
Not ready to invest in a wine cooler but still need a way to store your favorite bottles? Check out my review of the best five wooden wine racks on the market.
