Whether you’re enjoying a daily glass of Chardonnay or starting to amass a collection of age-worthy Bordeaux, a dedicated wine fridge will ensure the proper, pro-level care of whatever you’re drinking. Sometimes referred to as a wine cooler or wine cellar, it’s different than your standard kitchen refrigerator or mini fridge. In addition to being opened less often, a wine fridge offers a higher temperature range and a more humid environment. Controlling the light, temperature, and humidity allows the wine to thrive, according to Melissa Smith, founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services. “Wine fridges are designed to take all three of those into consideration,” she says.
The best wine fridges accommodate multiple bottle sizes, have a reliable cooling system, and stand up well to ambient temperature fluctuations, according to Smith. We polled our editors about the wine fridges in their homes to write this list of the best brands and current models on the market.
Best Overall
Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler
Amazon
For nearly 40 years, Wine Enthusiast has been a trusted source of information on wine and spirits, as well as the adjacent subjects of travel, hospitality, and food. Its wine fridges are a favorite among editors who value accurate temperatures and a dual-zone design. This freestanding model holds up to 32 standard Bordeaux bottles. It’s ideal for a smaller collection; some editors wish it were taller or deeper for large bottles. Four scalloped wire racks that hold the wines in place. The glass door allows you to see what’s inside, and the LED interior lighting helps illuminate the contents for easier identification.
This quiet, energy-efficient model holds a consistent temperature with minimal vibration, two elements that are crucial to wine storage. It features two temperature zones that can be set between 41 and 64°F, controlled by a touch panel with an LED display. The larger lower section can be used for longer-term aging and the smaller top section can be utilized for bottles that will be served in the near future. Finally, the Wine Enthusiast can handle a higher ambient temperature than many others on the market, keeping bottles cool even when the room it’s in is approaching 90°F.
Dimensions: 33.4 x 19.6 x 16.9 inches | Capacity: 32 bottles | Voltage: 115 V, 60 Hz | Noise Level: 38 dBA | Warranty: One-year parts and labor, three-year sealed system
Runner Up, Best Overall
Vinotemp 28 Bottle Cooler Refrigerator
Williams Sonoma
Many swanky hotels, sports arena suites, and other luxury properties outfit their spaces with Vinotemp refrigerators. Some of our editors entrust their bottles to Vinotemp, too, thanks to its accurate temperatures, user-friendly setup, and sleek design. This single-zone wine cooler has the same high-end quality in a size more suited for a home setup, holding up to 28 bottles at a time. Its stainless steel frame makes it a seamless addition to kitchens with other stainless appliances, while a glass door lets you see what’s inside without having to open it.
Sturdy wire racking holds bottles in place, though some editors wish it were adjustable. Others wish the fridge were bigger – while it’s about the same size as the Wine Enthusiast unit we reviewed, it holds four fewer bottles. Push-button controls allow you to control the unit’s internal lighting, lock, and temperature settings, ranging from 39 to 65°F. Leveling legs ensure the fridge doesn’t lean if it’s on an uneven surface.
Dimensions: 18.5 x 17 x 32.25 inches | Capacity: 28 bottles | Voltage: 115V (60Hz) | Noise Level: Not specified | Warranty: Limited 90-day warranty
Best Splurge
EuroCave Wine Cellar
Wine Enthusiast
A favorite of serious collectors, EuroCave engineers its coolers to mimic the climate of a French wine cave, complete with perfect humidity and temperature. We recommend the Premiere S model to those who want to invest in a professional-grade fridge for their home or small restaurant. Yet, entry-level buyers would also benefit from features that keep bottles clean and secure for short- and long-term aging.
This freestanding cellar has a customizable interior with adjustable main du sommelier (hand of the sommelier) shelves. Their design cradles each bottle and prevents it from rolling, which lessens the chances of breakage or label damage. The Premiere S also has a singular temperature control that ranges from 48 to 59°F, closer to a natural, subterranean cave, allowing age-worthy wines to last longer while bringing ready-to-drink wines closer to serving temperature. Its LED interior lights can detach, and it has UV-resistant glass doors (with an option for solid doors) to keep light exposure to a minimum. One editor, however, reports an issue with the filter light blinking, even after changing the filter.
With the expanded external temperature threshold, this wine refrigerator can keep your wines at the ideal coolness, even in ambient temperatures ranging from 32 to 95°F. Since temperature control is of the utmost importance, an alarm will sound if the door is left open or if the temperature starts to creep out of the desired range. All in all, if you’re collecting bottles valued at hundreds of dollars, this is a smart choice to keep your wines safe and secure (it has a lock). For a larger, more commercial option with the same features, EuroCave also offers the Premiere L Wine Cellar, which holds up to 178 bottles.
Dimensions: 38 x 27 x 27.25 inches | Capacity: 74 bottles | Voltage: 115V (60Hz) | Noise Level: 38 decibels | Warranty: One-year parts and labor, five-year sealed system
Best Value
Frigidaire Freestanding Wine Cooler
Lowe’s
Frigidaire is a respected name in home refrigeration, and editors who have bought wine coolers from the brand say price factored into their decision. This freestanding wine cooler comes with six wire racks that hold five bottles each, while its lower bin can hold an additional four (or a large bottle that doesn’t fit onto the shelving above). In addition to space for larger bottles, our editors say this model would benefit from another light at the bottom. A touchpad controls internal lighting and the temperature setting, which ranges from 46 to 65°F.
The all-black finish and tinted glass door would it a subtly stylish addition to any game room or bar area. This cooler also has with an alarm to alert you if the door is ajar, ensuring your wines don’t accidentally lose their cool. Overall, it’s a great value for a basic wine fridge. If you’re looking for a dual-zone cooler or a larger capacity, Frigidaire models like the 45-Bottle Dual Zone Freestanding Wine Cooler (Lowe’s) also fall on the lower end of the wine fridge price range.
Dimensions: 17.5 x 20 x 33 inches | Capacity: 34 bottles | Voltage: 115V (60Hz) | Noise Level: Not specified | Warranty: Limited one-year warranty
Best Small
Cuisinart CWC-800CEN Private Reserve 8-Bottle Wine Cellar
Amazon
Our editors love Cuisinart’s appliances, from food processors to panini presses. Wine fridges are no exception, especially its smaller options. This compact model is the only thermoelectric option on this list, which means it’s quieter and more energy-efficient than similarly sized coolers that use a compressor. Since thermoelectric cooling doesn’t require as much movement, it generates less heat and vibration, making it ideal for any fridge that is going to sit in plain sight — say, on top of the kitchen counter.
Holding just eight bottles, it’s an excellent choice for a casual wine drinker who likes to keep a few bottles ready but is limited in space. Adjustable feet ensure that your fridge stays level, and it contains three metal racks and a bottom shelf to hold two standard Bordeaux-style bottles each, though it may be a tight squeeze for thicker or taller bottles. The triple-pane glass door helps to keep the temperature steady. Thermoelectric coolers, however, are only able to cool about 25 to 30 degrees below room temperature, so consider this if your home tends to stay above 70°F.
Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 22.5 inches | Capacity: 8 bottles | Voltage: 115V (60Hz) | Noise Level: Not specified | Warranty: Limited three-year warranty
Strong Contenders
NewAir Shadow Series 33-Bottle Wine Cooler Refrigerator (Home Depot)
If you’re looking for an affordable dual-zone option, this NewAir model is a great pick. A frameless, mirrored, double-paned glass door protects your wine from UV light while also giving the fridge an elegant look. The adjustable shelves allow you a bit of customization, while the bottom bin gives you room for larger bottles. Use the touch controls to activate LED illumination or to control the temperature.
KitchenAid 46-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cellar with Wood-Front Racks (Best Buy)
KitchenAid is a popular choice thanks to the efficiency it brings to keeping constant temperatures. This model goes from 42 to 64°F and features dual zones, controlled by a touch panel. Its wood-front racks slide out so you can easily spot and access specific bottles, and are less likely to cause any label damage. Our editors who have KitchenAid wine fridges in their homes say these design features, in addition to the fridge’s overall aesthetic, convinced them to splurge.
MagicChef 44-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler (Home Depot)
Editors who have tested MagicChef wine coolers recommend them for their easy setup and user-friendly controls. This sleek model can function as a freestanding unit or be incorporated as a built-in, and runs pretty quietly. The touch pad makes it easy to control either zone’s temperature (from 41 to 61°F) and LED lighting. With spaces for 16 bottles on top and 28 bottles on the bottom, we really like the generous capacity of this fridge.
Factors to Consider
Purpose
Consider whether you’re storing the wine for everyday drinking and cooking or the investment, according to Smith. “If you are buying wines meant to age, you will want to invest in a quality wine fridge that can accommodate all bottle sizes,” she says. “You can get away with one of the smaller wine fridges that you transfer daily drinkers into if you have a larger unit dedicated to long-term storage.”
Capacity
Most wine fridges base their stated capacity on a standard Bordeaux bottle, which has a 2.75-inch diameter and is 11.75 inches in length. The actual capacity will largely depend on the makeup of your collection — Champagne bottles take up more room with a 3.25-inch diameter and 12.25-inch length, while Burgundy and Pinot Noir bottles measure 3.2 inches in diameter with a length just shy of 12 inches. Depending on the rack spacing, you may find your actual capacity to be bigger or smaller than the bottle count advertised.
Installation
This refers to whether or not the cooler is meant to be used as a freestanding or built-in unit. Some models can do both, but always double-check to be totally sure the wine fridge you choose is compatible with the installation type you desire as some models require extra clearance around the unit to ensure proper airflow and ventilation. And if you have other appliances nearby such as an undercounter ice maker, you’ll want to make sure power is accounted for.
Single Zone vs. Dual Zone
Wine fridges are typically offered with single or dual-zone temperature control. As the name suggests, single-zone refers to one temperature setting for the entire unit; dual-zone has separate controls for either side-by-side or top and bottom sections of the fridge. Single-zone options are fine for those who want to keep all their wine at the same temperature, a typical choice for collectors who are aging their wines. Dual-zone gives you the option to keep whites and sparkling very cold while keeping reds just under room temperature (that is, their ideal serving temperatures), allowing you to have bottles ready to drink at any time.
Noise
Refrigerators emit vibrations, which, if loud enough, can bother some people. Standard “silent” refrigerators have noise levels of around 39 dBA (decibels), whereas quiet rooms average about 40 dBA. All but one of the fridges featured here come in at fewer than 39 dBA, whereas the Smith & Hanks 32 Bottle Wine Refrigerator reaches a mere 40 dBA. In addition to choosing a fridge with fewer decibels, wooden shelves will also help mitigate noise by absorbing vibrations.
Shelving
Wooden shelves are more desirable than most metal shelving, as wood tends to be gentler on labels. Whatever the shelves are made of, ensure they are sturdy and can be pulled out so you have easier access to your bottles.
Doors
“Glass is more likely to break and cause greater susceptibility to temperature fluctuations,” says Smith, who encourages choosing a solid, insulated door for maximum protection. If you must choose a glass door, go for multi-layered tempered glass with a UV coating that helps shield your wines from ambient light, which can degrade your wine.
The Tests
We surveyed editors about the wine fridges in their homes, asking about their decision to buy a particular brand, their favorite features, their complaints, and other insights. We based this list on their most recommended brands. As the makes and models our editors own vary, we chose one popular product per brand to represent what each offers. Our top picks meet our expectations for quality of construction, value, and performance. We also consulted a wine storage expert to learn more about what makes a great wine fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long does wine last in a wine fridge?
Unopened bottles of wine can last anywhere from weeks to decades—it depends on the wine. An opened bottle can typically last for about 24 hours after uncorking, but after that period of time, there will often be a noticeable deterioration of the wine’s taste and aromas.
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How long should you chill wine in a wine fridge?
A bottle can typically go from room temperature to serving temperature in about two and a half hours for reds, and three hours for whites.
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What temperature should a wine fridge be?
For single-zone fridges, keep your wines at close to 56°F (“cellar temperature” according to Smith), which is also suitable for longer-term storage.”If you have a fridge with dual zones, you will want to have your whites and sparkling perfectly chilled — at 45 to 50°F — and your reds closer to cellar temperature,” says Smith. If the wines are kept colder, then it will retard the aging process, but if that is your goal, you can certainly opt for that lower temperature.
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Do wine fridges use a lot of electricity?
It depends on the size of the fridge, but typically a wine fridge will run on less electricity than a standard kitchen refrigerator. The average home refrigerator runs anywhere from 300 to 800 watts, while a wine fridge will run between 90 to 200 watts.
Our Expertise
Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. She has worked in the wine industry since 2009, and uses her expertise to advise clients on how to collect, store, and sell prized vintages. She interviewed Melissa Smith for this piece, the founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services, who specializes in cellar management in addition to wine education and appraisal.