Small wine coolers with compact dimensions are often installed as counter-top wine coolers. Typically the height is one foot to two feet tall, the width runs between 10 inches to 20 inches wide, and less than 20 inches deep (long). You want your table top wine coolers to have small foot-print, not too heavy, not too tall.
They run on thermoelectric or compressor-based technology, although solid-state thermoelectric cooling is often favored for these smaller units where silent operation is important.
These sleek units have various options of doors: clear glass or smoke black glass are the most popular models.
Here are some important considerations in selecting a countertop small wine cooler:
- Capacity. Do countertop wine coolers come in different sizes? Yes, compact size of 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, or 20-bottle is appropriate size for table top.
- Type. Compact free-standing unit fits the best on a countertop.
- Dimension. Counter space is always a premium in any kitchens. Check exterior dimensions of the unit to ensure proper fit in your environment
- Cooling temperature zone. Do you want a single-zone or a dual-zone
- Temperature range. The settable temperature range available in the cooler. In general, red wine carries a range of 50°-65°F; white at a range of 40°-50°F.
- Easy to operate. The convenience and ease-of-use of the temperature control panel.
- Consider additional features that may be of value to you, such as interior lighting, type of shelves, door lock, etc.
- Warranty. It is a peace of mind to have at least a one-year parts warranty by the manufacturer.
Style and material. These small wine coolers will be sitting on your counter top, it will likely be viewable from any angle. It is important that the cabinet be finished from all four sides and the top. You want it to look pleasing with the other appliances in your space.
Tips:
- For proper ventilation, make sure you have five inches clearance between the back of the cooler to the adjacent walls.
- Do not use extension cord with any of the featured wine coolers below.
So first pick the small wine cooler you desire, make sure it’s dimensions are compatible with your space, and then prepare to enjoy your fine wines.
Here are our top choices for the best countertop small wine coolers:
1. NewAir AW-121E 12-bottle thermoelectric small wine cooler
- Compact, freestanding design is ideal for countertop display.
- Vibration-free, thermoelectric cooling provides an optimized storage environment.
- Digital temperature display lets you see current cooling conditions at a glance.
- Removable metal shelves allow easy access and customized storage options.
Model and Capacity: NewAir AW-121E 12-bottle thermoelectric small wine cooler
Type: Free-Standing only, counter-top Thermoelectric system
Temperature Zone: Single-zone cooling
Dimension: 14.00″W x 19.50″D x 17.50″H
Weight: 26 lbs.
Read our review for NewAir AW-121E 12-bottle thermoelectric wine cooler.
2. Wine Enthusiast 12-Bottle Compact Wine Cooler
- THE PERFECT SIZE - Holds up to 12 Bordeaux bottles and is ideal for small collections with...
- EASY USE – An easy-to-use digital touchscreen on the front provides easy access to...
- ENERGY EFFICIENT COOLING – State-of-the-art solid-state cooling technology, meets the...
- SLEEK & EFFICIENT - An affordable form-and-function solution in a convenient space-saving...
Model and Capacity: Wine Enthusiast 12-Bottle Wine Cooler
Installation Type: Counter-top, free-standing only
Cooling Type: Thermoelectric system
Temperature Zone: Single-zone 46°F – 66°F
Dimension: 14″ W x 20″ L x 19″ H
Weight: 29 lbs.
Power Cord location: Rear bottom left.
Notable Features:
- Sleek and stylish. All black finished exterior including a black glass door. No clear glass – means no visibility of your inventory when the door is closed.
- Easy to use touchscreen control panel located on the exterior of the door. The temperature display lights up in blue LED.
- The interior lighting is white LED.
- Three full-length wavy chrome wire shelves.
- Two leveling legs are included.
- Limited 1-year parts and labor warranty by the manufacturer Wine Enthusiast.
Wine Enthusiast has been making wine coolers for more than four decades. If you prefer a dark glass door, this new solid-state unit is energy-efficient and sleek looking.
Tip: This thermoelectric cooler requires ambient temperature range between 60°F – 80°F.
3. Antarctic Star 1.6 cu.ft small wine fridge
- KEEP WINE COOL: Heat is enemy number one for wine. The Wine Cooler enables you to store...
- IDEAL LIGHT and HUMIDITY: With its reinforced glass door with air tight seal and help to...
- PERFECT WINE STORAGE: 1.6cu.ft red or white wine bottles capacity, also perfect for canned...
- NO VIBRATION and QUIET: Equipped with an advanced cooling system that will keep your...
Model: Antarctic Star 1.6 cu.ft small wine cooler
Installation Type: Free-standing, counter-top
Dimension: 19 “H x 17.7 “W x 17.5″D
Temperature Zone: Single-zone 40°F to 61°F, powered by compressor-cooling system
Noise Level: 38 dB
Notable Features:
- Big capacity of 60 cans (standard size of 220 ml. store vertically) in a compact 1.6 cu.ft.
- Store your bottles of wine horizontally on the upper rack.
- Well-built with tight-seal and dual-pane glass door.
- A internal fan with effective air-cooling system.
- Durable stainless steel racks.
- Interior soft blue light.
Installation tip: This unit has two leveling legs in the front. Extend them slightly to get the best position – both for leveling the unit, and the ease of opening and closing the door.
Even though this fridge is capable to store both wine and soda, you can only set a single temperature. If you choose 55°F, it will work for both red and white wine, but it will not be an optimum temperature, 40°F, for your beer or soda.
4. Cuisinart CWC-800CE 8 Bottle Private Reserve Wine Cooler
- Efficient thermoelectric cooling system – for less noise and Energy consumption that...
- Touchscreen controls easily adjust temperature and soft interior light
- Designer stainless steel trim on exterior
- 3 contoured chrome racks designed to hold up to 8, 750ml or 1500ml bottles triple-pane...
Model and Capacity: Cuisinart CWC-800CE 8 Bottle Private Reserve Wine Cooler
Installation Type: Free-Standing only, verticle profile, counter-top
Cooling Type: Thermoelectric system
Temperature Zone: Single-zone with wide temperature range 39°F -68°F
Dimension: 12″ W x 22.5″ L x 19″ H
Weight: 26 lbs.
Notable Features:
- Stainless steel trim on black exterior – a designer style of sophisticated binding.
- Classic black interior housing with soft LED lights.
- You manage the temperature setting, interior light via a touch-screen control panel.
- Three-tier removable chrome shelving – to accommodate 8 wine bottles.
- Well-insulated triple-pane glass door.
- Limited 3-year warranty by the famous kitchen appliance manufacturer Cuisinart.
- Place this cooler on a dry and level surface, away from direct sunlight or hot appliances.
- This is a thermoelectric unit – it operates best with proper air circulation and the ambient temperature is less than 70°F.
5. Ivation Premium 12-Bottle Wine Cooler (Right Hinge)
- TEMPERATURE STABILITY - Ivation wine coolers’ compressor technology ensures temperature...
- PRESERVE WINE’S FULLEST FLAVOR & AROMA - Set the temperature and let the wine cooler do...
- UV-RESISTANT DOUBLE-PANED THERMOPANE GLASS - A double-paned glass door not only keeps the...
- SOFT INTERIOR LIGHTING - Turn on the energy-efficient LED light to gently illuminate your...
Model and Capacity: Ivation Premium IVFWCC125LB 12-Bottle Wine Cooler
Installation Type: Free-Standing only, horizonal counter-top
Cooling Type: Compressor system
Temperature Zone: Single-zone cooling, 41°F to 64°F
Dimension: 17.32″ W x 18.5″ L x 20.87″ H
Weight: 39.7 lbs.
Notable Features:
- An exceptional compressor cooling system – noise level at 36 dB and low vibration.
- Temperature range: 41°-64°F – suitable to store red or white or sparkling wine.
- Pull-out metal shelves – strong shelving material. These are removable racks to accommodate larger size bottles.
- Touch-control – easy to operate. You can easily adjust the temperature even in a dark room. Yes, it is a LCD display.
- Double-pane smoked glass door – beautiful and a good feature to block UV light.
- The door is manufactured with a tight seal around its perimeters which helps to lock out external moisture.
- Built-in fan helps to maintain internal temperature with minimum fluctuation.
- Warranty: 1 year limited warranty by the manufacturer Ivation
6. Koolatron WC08 8-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
- DIGITAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL : Temperature control buttons and clear digital display lets...
- UNIQUE AND STYLISH : Soft interior lights and an attractive mirrored glass door suits any...
- ECO FRIENDLY COOLING: This thermoelectric cooler has efficient and quiet cooling power...
- COMPACT AND CONVENIENT : Flush back design saves space while four removable wire racks...
Model and Capacity: Koolatron WC08 8-Bottle Wine Cooler
Installation Type: Counter-top, free-Standing only
Cooling system: Thermoelectric system
Temperature Zone: Single-zone with temperature range 48°F -64°F
Dimension: 12″ W x 21.5″ L x 19″ H
Weight: 20 lbs.
Notable Features:
- Well-insulated double-pane glass door.
- The sleek mirror conveys an urban sense of style.
- Easy to use electronic touch screen temperature control.
- Removable metal shelves – to accommodate larger non-standard wine bottles.
- Soft interior light to gently illuminate your collection.
- Compact design with a flush-back and groove-type door handle.
- Manufactured by a quality refrigeration manufacturer Koolatron.
The tempered mirror-glass-door on this thermoelectric unit reminds me of the first Koolatron brand appliance I saw at Grandpa Jack’s office in Ontario years ago. Did you know Koolatron is a top-quality refrigeration manufacturer and distributor since the 80’s? Koolatron headquarters in Ontario, Canada.
7. Avanti 6-bottle thermoelectric wine cooler
- SPACE FOR 6 BOTTLES: Compact countertop cooler with space for up to (6) standard-size...
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE: LED control panel allows you to adjust the temperature between 46...
- 2 SHELVES: 2 wire rack shelves are removable and adjustable, letting you store larger wine...
- NO MECHANICAL NOISE: Thermoelectric cooling system is fast and efficient without humming...
Model and Capacity: Avanti 6-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Installation Type: Free-Standing only, counter-top in a kitchen or a home bar.
Cooling system: Thermoelectric system
Temperature Zone: One single-zone cooling system
Dimension: 9.75″ W x 20.25″ D x 15″ H
Weight: 22 lbs.
Notable Features:
At 10-inch wide, 15-inch tall, this is one of the most compact coolers in the market.
- Simple design with black exterior.
- Soft touch digital control panel is located on the door. You don’t have to open the door to set the temperature or turn on/off the LED light.
- Temperature range: 46°-65°F – suitable to store sparkling, white or red wine.
- Save energy – thermoelectric has lower energy consumption than compressor-type cooling.
- Transparent glass door – you can see your vintage inventory easily, especially when your collection is illuminated by the soft interior LED light.
- Removable metal shelves – durable shelving material and easy access to your wine.
- Door handle is a groove-type design on the side of the door – the result is a smooth and seamless front door.
- Magnetic seal on the door helps to keep interior temperature constant.
8. Allavino CDWR16-1SR Cascina Series 16-bottle small wine cooler
Model and Capacity: Allavino CDWR16-1SR Cascina Series 16-bottle wine cooler
Type: Free-standing only, counter-top thermoelectric wine cooler
Temperature Zone: Single-zone cooling
Dimension: 20 1/4″ H x 17″ W x 19″D
Weight: 31 lbs.
Read our review for Allavino CDWR16-1SR Cascina Series 16-bottle wine cooler.
9. NewAir AW-181E 18-bottle Thermoelectric small wine cooler
- Vibration-free, low-noise thermoelectric cooling creates the ideal environment for your...
- Sleek, compact design allows for convenient countertop display.
- Digital temperature display lets you monitor current cooling conditions at a glance.
- Removable metal shelves allow a variety of wine storage options.
Model and Capacity: NewAir AW-181E 18-bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Type: Free-Standing only, countertop Thermoelectric system
Temperature Zone: Single-zone cooling
Dimension: 14.00″L x 19.38″W x 25.75″H
Weight: 33.9 lbs.
Read our detailed wine cooler review for NewAir AW-181E 18-bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler.
10. Whynter WC-201TD 20-bottle thermoelectric small wine cooler
- Measures: 20.5" Long x 15.79" Wide x 22" High
- Capacity: 20 standard wine bottles
- Black tinted mirror glass door with sleek black cabinet and space saving recessed handle...
- Adjustable Thermostat, 46°F - 65°F, with soft-touch digital control panel.
Model and Capacity: Whynter WC-201TD 20-bottle small wine cooler
Type: Free-Standing only, countertop Thermoelectric system
Temperature Zone: Single-zone cooling
Dimension: 16″ W x 20.5″D x 22”H
Weight: 33 lbs.
Read our detailed wine cooler review for Whynter WC-201TD 20-bottle wine cooler.
11. EuroCave Wine Art 2-bottle Preservation System
- QUIET, COMPACT AND COUNTERTOP-FRIENDLY - With a whisper-quiet design and a height under 19...
- PRESERVE YOUR HAPPINESS - EuroCave Wine Art enables you to perfectly preserve the flavors...
- DUAL COMPARTMENTS - Store either red, white, or both at the optimal serving temperature....
- FINE WINE BY THE GLASS, ALL WEEK LONG - Wine Art's two compartments operate independently,...
Model: and capacity: Eurocave wine art 2-bottle preservation system and wine cooler
Type: Counter-top, Free-standing
Temperature zone: Dual Zone
Dimension: 9.8 x 9.6 x 18.6 inches
Weight: 14 pounds
Read our review for EuroCave Wine Art 2-bottle Preservation System.
Summary:
The best countertop wine cooler is the one that meets your requirements. Consider the capacity and style you like. Measure your countertop space allocated for your compact wine cooler. Consider some of our top-rated units in your evaluation. We hope you will find the one for you. Enjoy!
Check out our Wine Cooler Buying Guide for helpful check list to aid you with your buying decision.
