There are at least fifty-one wine cooler brands available in the market today. Guess how many of those brands are featured on our site?
Only seven brands – why so few? Only good brands we can trust, and product models that have earned at least 9.5 out of our 10-point scoring system – get to be the stars here.
When it comes to voting for the best brands, we took into consideration of our best sellers, product returns, our in-house evaluations and feedback we received from purchasers. Here is our list:
AKDY
If you are looking for a small wine cooler, AKDY brand is a good candidate. Most AKDY units are powered by thermoelectric cooling system – very quiet and with minimum vibration.
Featured capacity: 32, 28, 21, and 18 bottles.
AKDY specialized in small space units using thermoeletric cooling systems.
Allavino
Allavino wins in our 36-bottle, 56-bottle, 172-bottle and 305 capacity – based on the large number of units sold the last three years.
Allavino also wins in our dual-zone cooling units, and commercial grade wine cellars (Allavino Vite series).
Many of their models include both the stainless steel version and the classic blacks. Whether your taste is modern clean-line or timeless classic, we are confident that you will find a premium Allavino model that suits your fancy.
Featured capacity: 305, 172, 128, 112, 99, 56, 36, 34, 30, 29, and 16 bottles.
Allavino brand represents quality built, innovative flexible shelving, advanced vibration dampening system and elegant designs.
EdgeStar
If you are seeking for side-by-side large capacity wine fridge, Edgestar is worth your consideration. Edgestar has been our top seller for 332-bottle capacity the past four years.
Their French-door units in the 30″ and 24″ are among the most popular models with our customers.
Featured capacity: 332, 242, 143, 110, 46, and 26 bottles.
EdgeStar brand represents quality construction, steady temperature with minimum temperature fluctuation, quiet.
Frigidaire
We want to give an honorable shout-out to Frigidaire for building the first self-contained fridge back in 1918. It’s paying respect to the company who invented the home fridge, including wine coolers.
Notable Frigidaire features:
- Reversible door swing option – allows you to configure the door to open to the right or left.
- Precision electronic. They are famous to keep wine fridge cooling system consistent without temperature fluctuation.
- Contemporary handle design – they are one of the three brands in the market that offers top-mounting door handles.
- Natural stained wood shelves.
- Frost free technology.
Featured capacity: 38-bottle and 52-bottle wine coolers.
Haier
Haier is famous for their smoked glass door. This is another good candidate to consider for 12-18 bottle small collection.
Featured capacity: 12, 18 and 44 bottles.
Specialized in small foot-print models for limited space, beautiful smoke-glass doors, and all black exterior finishes (including black door frames).
Kalamera
Kalamera wins in our under-cabinet category including the 12-inch, 15-inch and 24-inch wide wine fridge.
Kalamera also wins in our single-zone cooling units sold including the 30-bottle, 46-bottle, 50-bottle and 157-bottle.
Featured capacity: 157, 50, 46, 40, 30, and 18 bottles.
Kalamera brand offers high-caliber product lines, super quiet compressor, temperature memory function, premium double-layer and triple-layer tempered glass doors and beautiful design.
NewAir
If you like gold interior light and you appreciate the convenience of in-home warranty, go for the Gold Series by NewAir. If you are looking for a mid-size thermoelectric unit, NewAir 28-bottle is a great choice.
Their 116-bottle and 160-bottle models get perfect scores from our customers three years in a row.
The NewAir 46-bottle model is our runner-up in the 40-50 bottle capacity. This model has three versions of kickplates: stainless steel standard, black standard and stainless steel recess plate. You have the option to purchase the version that complements the décor and color scheme you want. It is also one of the most durable coolers – yes, 10-year life expectancy for the compressor!
Featured capacity: 160, 116, 52, 46, 29, 28, 21, 18, and 12 bottles.
NewAir brand is well-known for their beautiful style, energy efficient, reversible doors and excellent warranty.
Vinotemp
If you are one who appreciates history and world famous, then consider Vinotemp. They are in the million plus family worldwide. And, they have been around since the 80’s.
Featured capacity: 165, 155, 154, and 110 bottles.
Vinotemp specialized in Multi-zone cooling, attractive style, long history in the wine fridge and cabinet manufacturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
During our course of design projects, we have installed, on an average, either a wine cooler or a beverage cooler for seven out of ten kitchen floor plans. It is true that not every household needs a wine cooler.
So, do you need one? Here are some of the most frequently-asked questions we get from our clients, along with our answers.
Are wine coolers worth it?
Absolutely for anyone who collects vintages for future enjoyment and investment. You want a temperature-controlled environment for your bottles of wine to age gracefully.
Now, if you don’t plan to keep any wine in your house. Or, you intend to occasionally buy just one bottle of wine, and enjoy it at dinner that evening, then a wine cooler is not a necessity for you. In this case, you want to chill your champagne and white wine in an ice-bucket before serving.
For most of us, our wine collection justifies owning a wine cooler. From a design perspective, a beautiful wine cooler adds both form and function to an entertaining space as well.
How do I choose the best wine cooler?
We believe there isn’t one cooler fits all. It depends on the size of your wine collection, the installation space (and dimension) available, and what kind of style looks best to you. Here are some general guidelines to use in your evaluation:
- If you plan to have a collection between 18-bottle to 56-bottle, an under-counter unit is a great choice. You can also install a built-in as a free-standing appliance if all sides are finished.
- If you plan to have a small collection of 4-bottle to a dozen, then consider a compact counter-top wine cooler.
- If you are planning for 100+ bottles, note that a large capacity cooler is typically 56 inches or taller in height. If you prefer a shorter height, consider a side-by-side 33-inch tall with a 56-bottle capacity in each side.
- Installation location. Do you have the space available for a medium or large cellar? Always measure twice to confirm the height, width and depth of your space. Do you have enough clearing space when the door is opened?
- Right or left hinge. Do you prefer to open your door to the right or left? Order the model with the correct hinge or look for a reversible-door unit.
- Do you need a dual-zone? The answer depends on the type of vintages you collect. Do your assortments consist of both red and white? Then you want a cellar with dual temperature zones. If you collect just red or just white, then opt for a single-zone.
- Easy to use. First check the temperature control panel – is it inside the door or outside the door? How easy it is to set or change the interior temperature? Are there other control features you need, for example, door alarm, or Sabbath mode? Do you need adjustable shelves?
- Noise level. Do you plan to have gatherings and conversations in front of the fridge? If so, you want a quiet cooler at 36-38 dBA (decibel).
- Style is equally as important as functionalities. Consider the color and material of other appliances in your space. Do you prefer a seamless stainless steel door frame or one with seams? Clear glass or smoke glass door? Do you prefer a single door or French doors? What about the door handle (s) – side, top or recess? Wooden shelves or metal racks? Blue or gold or white interior light?
- Budget. In general, a bigger capacity cooler costs more than a small size cooler. A built-in (front-vent facing) typically costs more than a free-standing-only unit. A French-doors unit usually costs more than a single-door. Plan for $200-$400 for a small counter-top unit, $1000 for an under-counter 40-50 bottle, and $1500 for a 100-bottle, $2500 for a 200+ bottle model.
How do you measure a wine fridge?
Let’s go and measure a built-in installation here, including the suggested built-in dimension, and the cooler’s measurement spec.
We are using a Kalamera 15-inch wide 30-bottle wine cooler in this illustration. Assuming that you have an old-trash compacter space under your kitchen counter. And, you are wondering whether you can adopt this design layout:
These are the measuring steps to take:
- Measure the width, depth and height of your space available. In this case, you get 15.3” W x 22.4” D x 34.1” H for the space dimension available for your built-in.
- Next check out the width, depth and height of the 30-bottle fridge. In this example, you see 14.9” W x 22.4” D x 33.9” H for the 15-inch unit.
- Excellent! You have the perfect suggested built-in measurement for this unit. You have 0.4” (15.3” – 14.9”) space to use 0.2”on the left and 0.2” on the right side of this unit. You also get 0.2” (34.1” – 33.9”) to level the height. And, your cooler can be flush-mount (22.4” – 22.4”) with the exact depth dimension!
- Installation Tip: Before you choose your installation location, check out the location of your power outlet, and the length of the power cord.
Where should I place my wine cooler?
If it is a free-standing unit only, and it has a rear vent, you want to house it in an open area where there is 2 to 3 inches around the sides, 5 inches at the back for proper ventilation. You can place it in your home bar, dining room, kitchen or any entertaining space as you see fit.
If it is a built-in, and it has front-facing vent, then you can install it either as an under counter or a free-standing appliance. A built-in requires less space (sides and back) to ventilate – why? Because it has a front-vent.
Design Tip: Take into consideration of the appearance and color finishes of other appliances in your kitchen. You may prefer a stainless-steel frame unit versus a classic black or vice versa.
Typically you would install a built-in under a counter in your home bar or kitchen. If the unit is beautifully finished on all sides, you go ahead and house it indoors anywhere you like.
Different wine fridge brands for different requirements and preference. The best choice is the one that meets your needs and sense of styles. Yes, always get the best money can buy.
