Properly storing wine can be a tricky business even if you’re a wine enthusiast or a casual drinker. You need to keep your favorite wines in a way that their flavors and aromas are preserved. Wine coolers are just the right tools for that.
With so many wine coolers on the market today, it may be difficult and time-consuming to check all of them when choosing. There’s a lot to consider to determine which fridge is the right one for you.
We made this article to help you easily choose the right cooler for you. We’ll discuss what you need to focus on when looking and we’ll provide you with our top picks that you may consider.
How to Choose the Right Wine Cooler?
Here is a short step-by-step guide you can follow in choosing the right cooler for your place:
1. Know Your Needs: How Much Are You Storing
The first thing to do is to decide what exactly you need. Do you need a cooler to showcase your collection? Or are you simply looking for a more personal storage type? How many bottles will you be keeping in the cooler fridge?
Wine coolers have different sizes and capacities. By answering these questions, you can gauge how big or small your cooler should be. By realizing your needs, you narrow down your options.
One common rule of thumb when estimating your storage and capacity needs is to add an extra 20% to your usual bottle count. The extra room will allow you to store more bottles in unprecedented instances, like having guests over.
Here are the common capacity categories:
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Small: This can hold up to 40 bottles of wine. Small wine coolers are ideal for casual wine drinkers that want a fancy way to store their drinks.
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Medium: This can hold 40 to 100 bottles of wine.
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Large: This has the storage capacity for at least 100 bottles and up to 200 bottles. This is perfect for avid wine collectors or people who run businesses like bars, restaurants, and hotels.
2. Think About Temperature: What Types of Wine Are You Storing
Many people assume that different types of wine need to be stored at different temperatures. This isn’t the case. Wines have ideal storage temperatures between 45°F to 55°F. It’s the serving temperatures that should be different.
This is why it’s important to consider what types of wine you will store in your refrigerator. White wines are best served when chilled (50-60°F), sparkling wines as cold as possible (40°F), and red wines are best served at room temperature.
In terms of temperature, here are some wine cooler features or specifications that you should look out for:
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Number of Zones: Determine if you need multiple zones for the types of wine you have. Coolers can offer single-zone cooling or dual-zone cooling. If there’s not much variety in your collection, single-zone would be enough. But, dual-zone is better especially if you like to keep multiple types of wine.
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Temperature Range: Make sure that the cooler has a temperature range suitable for your wine collection.
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Type of Cooling System: Coolers come with two types of cooling systems: compressor and thermoelectric. Thermoelectrics are known to be quieter than compressors, but compressors are the most commonly used. The type you choose depends on how much noise you can tolerate and how much you’re willing to spend.
3. Study Your Space: Where Will You Place It
Consider where you want to install or place your wine cooler. The location and space will affect the exact size and the type of cooler you should get.
Here are the types of wine coolers you can get depending on where you want to place them:
- Freestanding: This is designed as a standalone appliance that has rear or side vents for adequate ventilation. You can place freestanding wine coolers in almost any room. Just make sure that it has enough space around it for the hot air from the vent to escape safely.
- Built-In or Undercounter: This can be installed in spaces between or under other furniture, like under the kitchen counter or between cabinets. A built-in cooler has a front vent so you can install it or use it as a freestanding unit.
You might also want to consider here the design and look of the wine cooler. Consider if it will complement the style or theme in the space you’ll place it.
4. Explore Extra Features
Aside from the basics, check what other features the wine cooler offers. Here are some features that will help you determine what you need:
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Reversible Doors: This feature allows you to install the fridge door to open from either the left or right side. This lets you enjoy flexible installation options.
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UV Protection: UV-protected glass blocks out the light and heat and prevents discoloration and off-flavors of your wine. If you want a fridge with a glass door, get one with UV protection.
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LED Interior Lighting: Interior lighting will help you see better, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. It also adds an aesthetic look to your cooler and highlights your wine displays.
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Security Lock: If you don’t want any unauthorized access to your wine collection, a cooler with a lock is the key. It will help you keep away curious minors and small children from your alcoholic drinks.
Our Top 3 Wine Cooler Picks
1. Kalamera KRC-46DZB 24'' Dual-Zone Wine Cooler Refrigerator
This is a good choice for medium wine collections since it features dual-zone cooling. It also comes in a seamless stainless steel design that may add some aesthetic appeal to your home.
Features
- Blue LED light
- Reversible door
- Sliding wooden shelves
- Temperature memory function
Specifications;
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 23.4 x 33 x 22.4 inches
- Temperature Range: 40-50°F (Upper Zone), 50-66°F (Lower Zone)
- Capacity: 46 bottles
- Installation: Freestanding, Built-in
Pros
- Cooling zone for different types of wine
- Versatile installation option
- Small to medium storage capacity
Cons
- Blue interior lights may not complement some home design
2. Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler
This also offers dual-zoning for your wine collection and would be ideal for small collections. The cooling system also holds a steady temperature with minimal vibration.
Features
- Adjustable wire shelves
- Compressor cooling
- Tinted glass door
Specifications
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 19.5 x 33.5 x 17 inches
- Temperature Range: 41-64°F in both zones
- Capacity: 32 bottles
- Installation: Freestanding
Pros
- Consistent temperatures
- Removable shelves
- Stylish design
Cons
- Freestanding unit only
3. Lanbo LW28D 28-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler
This compact cooler comes with smart digital temperature control that lets you easily control the dual cooling zones. It offers compressor fan cooling to prevent hot spots inside.
Features
- Front venting
- Carbon filter system
- Removable wooden shelves
- Crystal-clear glass door
Specifications
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 15 x 34.4 x 23.6 inches
- Temperature Range: 41-54°F (Upper Zone), 54-64°F (Lower Zone)
- Capacity: 28 bottles
- Installation: Freestanding, Built-in
Conclusion
Choosing the best wine cooler for your home is a long process. For quicker decision-making, here’s what you need to do again:
- Know how much storage capacity you need.
- Consider optimal temperature conditions for your wine collection.
- Determine where you’ll place or install the cooler.
- Consider additional features the cooler may have.
We’ve recommended our top 3 picks, but if you’d like to check more options, you can visit our wine cooler collection. Take your time choosing and finding the perfect one for you.