Are you a vino connoisseur who regularly collects various bottles from around the world – only to find you need somewhere to store your wines? If you need more than just a rack on a kitchen counter, but a nice, temperature-controlled space just for your bottles, consider adding a wine fridge to your home. Whether this appliance lives in the kitchen or in its own wine cellar, the addition will keep the wine shelf-stable and safe.
Most rooms – kitchen, bar rooms, cabanas, entertainment rooms, and cellar – can easily allow you to add a wine fridge. But which type is right for your new home? Here’s our detailed guide to the perfect wine fridge for the robust, at-home sommelier.
How to Find the Best Wine Fridge for You
It may be tempting to buy the first wine cooler you stumble across, but that might not be the best decision. Check off a few key boxes first and you’ll be able to circle back with your builder to incorporate the right wine fridge:
- Decide where the wine fridge will live: in a kitchen, an entertainment area, a bar nook, or inside a custom-made wine cellar? It’s essential to pin down exactly how much space you have and need. Take measurements so you know exactly what your limits are when you go shopping.
- Lock in a budget. Be sure it’s realistic with what you want in your wine cooler – you aren’t going to get a state-of-the-art fridge for the price of a basic one.
- Determine any must-haves such as smart tech features, finishes, and other specs.
Built-in Fridge
Like any other appliance in the kitchen or in a cabana, a built-in fridge can fit in seamlessly under the counter. Just like a dishwasher, oven, or mini-fridge, built-in coolers are often designed with air flow in mind. You can build any of the following types of wine fridges into your design.
Best Wine Fridges Available
Check out our list of preferred wine fridges below:
Compressor Cooler
Want some tech with that glass of wine? This type of cooler compresses the air, which regulates the wine, which further lowers the temperature. This process is similar to that of standard refrigerators. The air is then ventilated through the device, creating cycles of lower temps. The regulated air blows heat to the back of the device, which is why compressor coolers also require some space behind the appliance to allow heat to dissipate (something to keep in mind, particularly if you go the built-in route). The compressor cooler works well as a stand-alone appliance in any kitchen, wine cellar, or home bar. However, the compressor is a motor so when it kicks on, you can expect some noise during each cycle.
Searching for a compressor color fridge? Check out this 12 bottle fridge or this 28 capacity unit.
Countertop Fridge
The perfect appliance for a casual collector, minimalist, or new enthusiast. Compact, sturdy countertop fridges sit on free counter space and come in various sizes. They are generally designed to contain as little as four bottles, but larger ones can store up to 24 bottles.
This cooler doesn’t require much in the way of installation, but be sure to measure appropriately so it will have proper ventilation.
Want to add a wine fridge to your countertop? Consider the NutriChef countertop 12 bottle fridge.
Dual Zone Cooler
Like a variety of wines? Dual zone cooling is the ultimate for wine connoisseurs and folks with depth of taste. This means that much of the wine stock will need to be stored at varying temperatures based on the type.
Need a dual zone cooler to keep your collection fresh? The Allavino wine fridge holds 99 bottles.
Free-Standing Fridge
Just like the name indicates, this fridge is free-standing. A free-standing wine cooler comes in an array of sizes – small, medium, or large – making it perfect for custom-built wine cellars and home bars. The appliance can be placed anywhere, so homeowners don’t need to deal with the stress of limited counter space. Plus, since it is free-standing, it’s easy to design proper ventilation around it as well. With dual temperatures, both whites and reds can live happily in the same place without going sour.
Discover these free-standing fridge options: Whytner free-standing fridge and the Kalamera free-standing cooler. Want something smaller? The Ivation holds 33 bottles.
Single Zone Cooler
Do you prefer just whites, or only reds? If your wine tastes lean towards one type, then a single zone cooler is for you. The single zone fridge stores wine at the same temperature. Plus, this appliance is less expensive and it’s a good steppingstone for new collectors.
Looking for a single zone cooler? Black and Decker’s wine cellar holds 6 or 8 bottles.
Thermoelectric Cooler
Looking to infuse new tech with grapes? Well, the thermoelectric wine cooler utilizes an electric current. The appliance contains an electrolyzed metal rod, which then lowers the air temperature via a fan. The end of the metal rod collects heat which is then pushed out through the back of the device. Similar to the compressor cooler, the thermoelectric cooler also needs sufficient space behind it to allow hot air to flow out the vent.
A major perk for this appliance is that it’s practically silent. Chilling wine can take longer with this fridge option, but it is quieter and uses less electricity – and it’s still attractive. Like other stand-alone coolers, the thermoelectric cooler can also fit anywhere that you have available space.
Browse leading thermoelectric coolers: Koolatron, High Life, and Whytner.
Stephanie Valente is a Content Director and Editor in Brooklyn, NY. She’s previously held writing and social media positions at Barkbox, Men’s Journal, and currently works at a full-service advertising agency. She’s a self-confessed home and design enthusiast. Stephanie is an award-winning poet and fiction writer. When she’s offline, you can find her taking a yoga class, running, hanging out with her rescue dog Pepper. Find her on stephanievalente.com.
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