By Brittany Rowland

Wine coolers allow collectors to store bottles at just the right temperature so they last longer and are perfectly chilled when served. As we compiled the top 10 wine coolers, we considered several factors that set the top models apart from the rest.. The best models have:
1. Dual-temperature zones to accommodate red and white wines
2. Precise temperatures
3. User-friendly controls with a clear display
4. Interior LED light
5. Adjustable racks
6. Noise and vibration control
7. Stylish design
Whether you want a slim countertop model to hold a dozen or so bottles or a behemoth cooler capable of storing 48, you can find a high-quality wine cooler that makes storing and serving wine an enjoyable experience. See the wine cooler comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each.

Wine Cooler Buying Guide

The Best Features to Have in a Wine Cooler

As you shop for a wine cooler, you should consider more than just the number of bottles it will hold. Whether you drink wine casually or have several fine wines you want to preserve, there are wine coolers that will protect your bottles over time and those that won’t. Look for these features to find the wine cooler that’s best for you and your collecting needs.

Capacity

You don’t want to spend a great deal of money on a wine cooler and later wish that you had bought one with a greater capacity. Consider how many bottles you’re saving for a long period of time and how many you have for regular consumption. Whatever that number is, allow for an increase in your collection.

Racks

Since many wine coolers’ racks are spaced tightly together, adjustable shelves make it incredibly easier to store large or unusually shaped bottles. Vinyl-coated racks are better than chrome wire ones, and wooden shelves offer extra sturdiness. Find out if the racks are fixed or adjustable, and whether you can slide out the shelves to view your selections.

Door

While most wine coolers feature a glass door because it’s attractive in style, exposing your bottles to light can having damaging effects. If you select a cooler with a glass door, look for models with double-paned glass for extra insulation and UV protection. Don’t leave the interior light on full-time, either. It looks pretty to have your wine collection lit up, but your bottles don’t need the extra heat.

Locks

You may not even think about the security of your wine unless you have nosy guests or teenagers frequenting the house. A good lock on the cooler door can keep someone from accidentally opening that priceless bottle you had saved for retirement.

Vibrations

If your wine cooler vibrates, even a little, it can cause the sediment in the bottle to interfere with the wine’s aging process. Many wine coolers claim to solve this problem with thermoelectric technology, in which the only moving part is the fan. Short of that solution, coolers with padded racks will help protect your wines from vibrations.

Durability

A wine cooler’s durability is perhaps the greatest consideration you should make, along with price. A cooler may look snazzy and be low in price, but if it’s not a reliable model you could end up with a broken machine and damaged wine. Better to invest in a more expensive, reliable cooler and set your mind at rest knowing your collection is safe than to save a bit on the initial price and risk a disaster.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Wine Coolers Articles

Tips for Wine Glass Care

Regular wine glasses are designed to stand up to a lot of use. Typically possessing thick glass, they’re easy to throw in the dishwasher with all your other dishware. If you have some fine wine glasses, however, then you want to protect them and keep … [more]

Storing and Serving Red and White Wines

Wine connoisseurs are careful to store wines at specific temperatures depending on the type. Whites are generally chilled more than reds. Here’s a guide for the optimal storage temperatures for various wines … [more]

Proper Storage Temperatures for Wine

Many people buy and serve wine for social occasions: parties, holiday get-togethers, and nice dinners. They’re content just to have a handful of bottles at a time. Other people, though, are serious collectors who enjoy holding onto special bottles … [more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Wine Glasses

You may think that there’s not much to consider when it comes to wine glasses, just as long as they hold wine, but you’d be surprised. We looked at a number of factors as we compiled our list of best 10 wine glasses: 1. Durability, 2. Ease of … [more]

Regular wine glasses are designed to stand up to a lot of use. Typically possessing thick glass, they’re easy to throw in the dishwasher with all your other dishware.

If you have some fine wine glasses, however, then you want to protect them and keep them looking their brilliant best. Special cleaning and maintenance tips will help your glassware stay clear and prevent them from damage.

• Avoid direct sunlight and exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Do not use hard or metal utensils to stir the drinks.
• Don’t place glassware in the microwave or freezer. Wash in the dishwasher only if the glasses are designated as dishwasher safe.
• For long-term storage, use bubble wrap or soft cloth rather than paper.
• Always use non-abrasive cleaners. To get rid of a stain on the glass, clean it with a lemon half or vinegar. Distilled water, rather than hard water, is better at preventing stains.

Generally, fine glasses are not meant to be put in the dishwasher. It’s best to hand wash them, and not only because they’re fragile. A dishwasher can erode the fine luster, or brilliance, of the glass. Use a non-abrasive cleaner and warm water to clean the glassware, and dry them with a lint-free cloth.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

More Wine Articles

Storing and Serving Red and White Wines

Wine connoisseurs are careful to store wines at specific temperatures depending on the type. Whites are generally chilled more than reds. Here’s a guide for the optimal storage temperatures for various wines … [more]

Proper Storage Temperatures for Wine

Many people buy and serve wine for social occasions: parties, holiday get-togethers, and nice dinners. They’re content just to have a handful of bottles at a time. Other people, though, are serious collectors who enjoy holding onto special bottles … [more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Wine Glasses

You may think that there’s not much to consider when it comes to wine glasses, just as long as they hold wine, but you’d be surprised. We looked at a number of factors as we compiled our list of best 10 wine glasses: 1. Durability, 2. Ease of … [more]

Top 10 Wine Coolers

Wine coolers allow collectors to store bottles at just the right temperature so they last longer and are perfectly chilled when served. As we compiled the top 10 wine coolers, we considered several factors that set the top models apart from the … [more]

Wine connoisseurs are careful to store wines at specific temperatures depending on the type. Whites are generally chilled more than reds. Here’s a guide for the optimal storage temperatures for various wines.

If you own a wine cooler, there’s a helpful tip for serving reds and whites. For red wines, put them in to chill 20 minutes before serving. For white wines, keep them chilled and pull them out 20 minutes before serving. As a rule of thumb, no wine should be consumed warmer than 68°F.

Chart information found at Better Tasting Wine.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

More Wine Articles

Tips for Wine Glass Care

Regular wine glasses are designed to stand up to a lot of use. Typically possessing thick glass, they’re easy to throw in the dishwasher with all your other dishware. If you have some fine wine glasses, however, then you want to protect them and keep … [more]

Proper Storage Temperatures for Wine

Many people buy and serve wine for social occasions: parties, holiday get-togethers, and nice dinners. They’re content just to have a handful of bottles at a time. Other people, though, are serious collectors who enjoy holding onto special bottles … [more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Wine Glasses

You may think that there’s not much to consider when it comes to wine glasses, just as long as they hold wine, but you’d be surprised. We looked at a number of factors as we compiled our list of best 10 wine glasses: 1. Durability, 2. Ease of … [more]

Top 10 Wine Coolers

Wine coolers allow collectors to store bottles at just the right temperature so they last longer and are perfectly chilled when served. As we compiled the top 10 wine coolers, we considered several factors that set the top models apart from the … [more]

Many people buy and serve wine for social occasions: parties, holiday get-togethers, and nice dinners. They’re content just to have a handful of bottles at a time. Other people, though, are serious collectors who enjoy holding onto special bottles for years, letting them age over time, and saving them for that very special occasion. Wine connoisseurs know that there are proper and improper ways to store wine, and factors like temperature and light can affect how well the wine holds up over a long period of time.

Temperature

The generally accepted temperature for storing wine is around 55 to 60°F, with fluctuations in temperature of only a degree or so. According to a French wine expert, the practice of storing wines at 55°F goes back hundreds of years in Europe, when people kept wines in underground caverns, which naturally maintain that temperature. It just so happens that those environmental conditions were just right for allowing the wine’s properties to develop harmoniously.

Keeping wine at room temperature or higher significantly speeds up the aging process and can cause undesirable chemical reactions. Even wine stored in very hot conditions, say 90°F or higher, for just a short time can have adverse effects on wine. Overheating wine can give it an off taste and unpleasant odor. Chilling it too much, however, can be just as bad, eliminating the flavors and smells that make wine so appealing.

Opened bottles of wine should be stored in a refrigerator or wine cooler, which will slow down the spoiling process. Vacuum seals are available that can pull out excess air in the bottle and minimize oxidation.

Light

You’ve probably encountered a wine collector who keeps wine in a dark, cool cellar. Wines are preserved longer in dark conditions, safe from damaging ultraviolet rays. UV light degrades the organic compounds in wine that control its flavor, aroma, and essence. Even fluorescent lights give off UV rays. If you’re buying a wine cooler, look for a model that has UV-resistant glass so your wine won’t lose its finer properties.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

More Wine Articles

Tips for Wine Glass Care

Regular wine glasses are designed to stand up to a lot of use. Typically possessing thick glass, they’re easy to throw in the dishwasher with all your other dishware. If you have some fine wine glasses, however, then you want to protect them and keep … [more]

Storing and Serving Red and White Wines

Wine connoisseurs are careful to store wines at specific temperatures depending on the type. Whites are generally chilled more than reds. Here’s a guide for the optimal storage temperatures for various wines … [more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Wine Glasses

You may think that there’s not much to consider when it comes to wine glasses, just as long as they hold wine, but you’d be surprised. We looked at a number of factors as we compiled our list of best 10 wine glasses: 1. Durability, 2. Ease of … [more]

Top 10 Wine Coolers

Wine coolers allow collectors to store bottles at just the right temperature so they last longer and are perfectly chilled when served. As we compiled the top 10 wine coolers, we considered several factors that set the top models apart from the … [more]

By Brittany Rowland

If you have a large collection of wine to store, then you should consider the Danby DWC040A1BDB, which holds up to thirty-eight bottles at 39 to 64 degrees F. This sleek model comes in stainless steel with a black cabinet; the shelves are tipped in stainless steel to match the front. A blue LED light illuminates the interior with a soft glow, making your wine collection stand out nicely. Even better, the door is reversible for right- or left-handed people, and it can be locked. This Danby model is available for $399.81.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

With a capacity for eight bottles, the Haier HVTEC08ABS looks classy and sleek on a countertop. We were pleased to note that it is ready to work straight out of the box with no assembly required; it cools quickly from 46 to 66 degrees F and doesn’t create condensation on the outside like some other models. Furthermore, the wine cooler holds an assortment of bottles easily, even open ones with rubber stoppers. The LED controls are self explanatory, and the interior light gives off a pleasant glow, illuminating your prized collection.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

The double-door design of this Whynter wine cooler is especially sleek and sophisticated, with gleaming stainless steel trim. The interior lights fully illuminate your selection, and the thermoelectric cooling system has a minimum of moving parts, reducing noise and vibrations. The racks are spaced in a tight formation, and there’s a small ledge at the edge of the shelf that requires you to slide it out a bit to pull out the bottles. However, the overall design and the ease of use makes this 32-bottle dual-temperature wine cooler at $432 a great value.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

For $138.13, the Haier HVTEC12DABS with its dual temperature zones and space for up to twelve bottles is a solid choice. Programming the temperatures for the upper and lower compartments is simple thanks to the LED displays. The upper compartment ranges from 46-66 degrees F while the lower compartment goes from 54-66 degrees F, so you can keep reds and whites at their ideal temperatures. An elegant black with a curved, smoke glass door, this Haier wine cooler also adds class to a bar or kitchen.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

The slim build of this Sunpentown wine cooler makes it easier to set up anywhere in the house or bar. The shelves are spaced tightly together, so only the smallest bottles will fit, but they slide in and out easily. A double-paned glass door keeps the cooler well insulated, and the recessed handle adds to the clean, simple look. Thanks to the thermoelectric technology, there’s less vibrations, which preserves wine better and lets it age naturally. It’s a small but satisfying package at just $131.97, a reasonable price.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

The stylish design of this NewAir wine cooler goes well with nearly any home décor. The interior LED light casts a soft blue glow on your wine collection. Five chrome racks hold 18 small bottles; bigger bottles and those with the corks sticking out too far won’t fit as comfortably, however. The digital readout gives the temperature at all times, making it easy to keep your wines at just the right setting. For $187, this NewAir wine cooler will satisfy with its sleek build and capacious interior.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A quiet, large capacity wine cooler, this New EdgeStar model holds 46 bottles by reversing the direction the bottles with each rack. Note that storing larger bottles will decrease the overall bottle capacity. With a dual-zone design, you can set the perfect temperatures for reds and whites. The soft blue LED light illuminates your wine collection nicely. At $725, it’s an expensive cooler but it offers great capacity and perfect controls for the wine connoisseur.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A single-zone wine cooler, this Avanti model does a good job at keeping bottles chilled, although you’ll have to find a temperature that works for both reds and whites. Stylistically, it’s an attractive piece with a curved door and chrome accents over its black finish. We like that there’s the option to store four bottles vertically. For an inexpensive wine cooler, only $114, this Avanti model does a satisfactory job and is relatively quiet and easy to program.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

With a dual temperature system, you can store whites on top at one temperature and reds on the bottom at another. Both zones have adjustable thermostats and LCD screens to monitor the temperatures. This wine cooler from Whynter has enough space for 21 traditional size bottles; as with some other models, it’s hard to fit in larger or unusual shaped bottles without adjusting or taking out racks. Despite these considerations, this model has an attractive, user-friendly design and great capacity for $278.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

For $269.95, the Wine Enthusiast 272 02 13 is a valid choice: it has an 18-bottle capacity and with its slim build can fit in narrow spaces in your kitchen, den, or bar. We were pleased to discover that this wine cooler is virtually silent. Provided you keep the cooler in an air-conditioned area, it maintains its temperatures easily. The upper compartment ranges from 54 to 66 degrees F while the lower compartment goes cooler at 46 to 66. Touchscreen controls allow you to manage these temperatures easily.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices