by Kelvin Teo | Last Updated: May 19, 2021It’s no secret that we are fans of wine. Wine is great for relaxing after work, celebrating with friends and family, or just getting through an extra long day… but it has one major flaw. It doesn’t stay cold for very long!
We all know how bad warm wine tastes — it can ruin the flavor and really put a damper on your evening. Unfortunately, opening another bottle isn’t always feasible due to cost or availability (let’s be honest). That’s where built-in wine coolers come in!
If you’re in the market for a wine fridge, there are many options to choose from. The best ones are those that keep your wine at a perfect temperature, no matter where you put them. That’s why we’ve created a list of 12 of our favorite models on the market today to help you find just what you need. Read on!
Our Picks
- STAIGIS 46-Bottle Wine Refrigerator (Top Pick)
- Aobosi 46-Bottle Freestanding and Built-in Wine Refrigerator
- NewAir Wine Cooler with 46-Bottle Capacity
- NewAir 29-Bottle Stainless Steel Wine Cooler
- EdgeStar 38-Bottle Wine Cooler
- EdgeStar 53-Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler
- Schmecke 12-Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
- Antarctic Star 15-inch Wine Cooler Beverage Refrigerator
- BODEGA 15-Inch Wine Cooler, Upgrade Wine Refrigerator
- Avallon 23-Bottle 15-inch Dual-Zone Built-In Wine Cooler
- MOOSOO 15-Inch Built-in Wine Cooler
- Lanbo 44-Bottle Built-in Wine Cooler
Buying Guide: What To Look For in a Built-in Wine Cooler
Below are some factors to look out for before purchasing your cooler.
Size
Consider the size of your wine collection and how much space you have available for a wine cooler.
Next, check the models you are keen on purchasing — How many bottles can each model hold. Some may only hold 12 bottles while others may hold up to 53.
Lastly, check if you have enough room in your home for both the appliance and all its contents; or will you need to find an alternate location?
Insulation
Look at the insulation in the unit — does it keep your wines at an optimal temperature range, or will they be too warm or cold when you open them up to drink them later?
A good way to understand the quality of insulation is to look at reviews for the appliance you are interested in — real customers often help you paint a better overall picture of the unit’s function.
Design
Do you want something that matches your decor or would you prefer a more modern option?
We understand that there can be many wine coolers to choose from, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you — that is why, we’ve narrowed down to a few which cater to both style and function.
Lighting
You’ll want to make sure that there’s plenty of light within the fridge because otherwise, everything will get lost in the dark!
If you want to enjoy your glass of wine to the fullest, proper storage is a must. This detailed guide reveals how you can store your prized bottles optimally.
Best Built-in Wine Coolers on The Market – Our Favorites
After considering the above factors, have a look at our list of top picks to see which model best suit your home and vintage.
STAIGIS 46-Bottle Wine Refrigerator
Unlike an ‘ordinary compact wine cooler,’ the STAIGIS wine cooler packs a punch!
This sleek cabinet is wide enough for 46 bottles of wine (or whatever you decide). It stands just over 30 inches high and is 23.4 inches wide, in case you need to take measurements.
The fridge also has an easy-access handle that is discreet yet accessible for you to open whenever you crave a bottle. Its intelligent temperature memory function protects your precious vintages from being affected by temperature fluctuations when opening the fridge’s doors.
A simple LED-lighting within serves to illuminate each bottle display so you will have no trouble finding the one that fits the occasion. If you have curious children or pets eager to get into your bottles of wine, there’s no worries! This chiller has a safety lock so nobody can get close to your previous vintages while you are away.
The STAIGIS 46-bottle wine fridge is Amazon’s choice (at the time of writing this) for a reason — reviews are overwhelmingly-positive with little complaints. Many users are impressed with how quiet the unit is after setting it up. Coupled with its design, function and price point, this cabinet definitely earns our top spot.
Aobosi 46-Bottle Freestanding and Built-in Wine Refrigerator
Do you often have trouble figuring out where to store your wine? This Aobosi 24-inch built-in wine fridge can be a solution for storing all of your various wines.
The upper zone ranges from 41°F to 54°F while the lower zone is between 54°F and 68°F. Along with a low operating noise of 42dB, this unit will run quietly and efficiently without disrupting any sediments or vibrations.
This innovative model also features six beech wooden shelves that purportedly allow storage of up to 46 bottles. Reviews are mixed however, with some users claiming that the storage space is less than the stated amount. You may want to keep in mind that wine bottles come in different sizes — this may or may not be a good choice depending on your collection.
Additionally, there is also an added lock-screen function on this appliance — preventing set program from been disrupted due to accidental operation.
NewAir Wine Cooler with 46-Bottle Capacity
NewAir is an industry leader and innovator in wine storage for more than 15 years. That is why, you can trust that they are serious when it comes to the quality of their products.
This NewAir wine cooler offers two compartments with ample cooling and storage space for a selection of your favorite drinks. With a sleek, stylish design that includes 24-inch dimensions and ultra-quiet operation, the wine cooler looks good in any kitchen and has a LED-temperature display to let you monitor both compartments easily.
Radiant cooling provides optimum temperatures throughout the cabinet so your bottles are always chilled evenly, top to bottom and side to side. The unit’s compressor also vents out the front, so you can actually use it as both a built-in or freestanding chiller.
While most reviews seem positive, we found out that some users have issues with the delivery process of this unit. Thankfully, problems were solved by their customer service in time.
NewAir 29-Bottle Stainless Steel Wine Cooler
The NewAir 29-bottle stainless steel wine cooler is perfect for a wine drinker with modest means and space requirements. Imagine opening this top-rated, breathable unit to find 29 bottles of your favorite Cabernet right next to you on adjustable stainless steel shelves!
Also, this unit boasts an attractive blue LED lighting so you can see inside without opening it all the way up if you prefer not to disturb your expensive liquid investment. This sleek wine cooler is easy enough even for a novice when it comes to use, measuring only 15 inches wide.
The stainless steel shelves are made of beech wood that’s sleek and quiet for an essence of elegance; keeping sediment intact by minimizing vibrations from movement.
EdgeStar 38-Bottle Wine Cooler
If you were fortunate enough to score a rare bottle of top shelf red or white (or both), now you have an elegant place to store them so they don’t take up too much valuable real estate in the kitchen.
The EdgeStar wine cooler’s forward-thinking design allows this space-saving selection to house 38 bottles (34 standard wine bottles to be exact) and also offers two climate zones that let you make sure that even if your friends bring back champagne rather than something like Cabernet Sauvignon, its stay will be cool until ladies night retribution is unleashed.
With a stainless steel-trimmed door, slide-out wooden trimmed wire wine racks and LED lighting, this stylish space is perfect for your favorite reds or whites. The top zone has a temperature range of 40 to 54°F while the lower zone has a temperature range of 54°F to 65°F.
Powerful circulation fans work in conjunction with the powerful compressor so that cool air is continuously pumped throughout each side of the unit to keep all your bottles at an optimal tasting level.
Lastly, this unit also offers a reversible door hinge — simply hinge the door on either side, depending on whichever location you prefer it!
EdgeStar 53-Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler
The EdgeStar built-in wine cooler is elegant and designed to blend seamlessly into a variety of home decor.
Features include:
- 6 slide-out removable wood trimmed wire shelves that allow you to achieve the maximum bottle capacity based on a ‘typical Bordeaux’ bottle
- An elegant solid rubber bushing that will absorb any unnecessary vibrations from the compressor
- Auto-defrost
- A reversible double-paned tempered glass door which seals smoothly.
This 24-inch model also fits perfectly in standard undercounter areas and allows you to store up to 53 bottles (as its name suggests) of your favorite wines.
Functionality-wise, we read that a few users got frustrated with its drawers — they don’t pull out far enough for one user to see her wine labels. We see this as a minor issue though — as long as our wine tastes great, that’s all that matters, right?
Schmecke 12-Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
The Schmecke 12-bottle compressor wine cooler is versatile, chic, and innovative. Why do we say so?
You see, its UV-resistant double-paned thermopane glass, will protect your collection from harmful UV-light that can damage the tannins and overall flavor of your wine. On top of that, its energy-efficient LED lights are carefully placed such that your beautiful collection will be gently illuminated without any disturbance or interference — perfect for those who seek a combination of function and aesthetics.
An easily removable rack will accommodate varying bottle sizes or keep favorites in easy reach. However, you may need more than that if you’re saving a large collection because this model only holds up to 12 standard 750ml bottles.
Antarctic Star 15-inch Wine Cooler Beverage Refrigerator
Meet the Antarctic Star, a wine cooler that will help your wines age and settle perfectly.
This cabinet’s door is made with stainless steel, to ensure durability, and a UV-protected double-paned tempered glass to protect against unnecessary light exposure. It also includes a sensor for humidity inside the cabinet and ensures that an optimum temperature is maintained so that your wines can age and settle properly.
Further protection is offered by its active charcoal filtration system which maintains air purity, cooling efficiency, as well as eliminates any odor inside the cabinet.
Although most users are satisfied, the common issue is it can get a little noisy at times. This can be solved easily if you place the chiller away from a location that is essential for your quiet periods.
BODEGA 15-Inch Wine Cooler, Upgrade Wine Refrigerator
Bodega’s 15-inch wide wine refrigerator provides storage for up to 31 standard size 750ml wine bottles and has a shelf that is designed for large wine-by the bottle items like champagne or Pinot noir. It even utilizes an advanced compressor cooling system which reduces vibration better than conventional models, making it quieter too!
The wide-area temperature control combined with exceptional electronic management step ensures that it maintains its 41°F to 68°F range temperature smoothly to keep your perfect bottle of red or white at just the right temp all year round.
The stand-out feature of this fridge however, is its built-in carbon filtration system, which eliminates unpleasant smells, helping you avoid an embarrassed situation when treating some friends with a showpiece like your new refrigerator.
Avallon 23-Bottle 15-inch Dual-Zone Built-In Wine Cooler
For wine enthusiasts with a discerning palate, the Avallon 23-bottle 15″ dual-zone built-in wine cooler offers incomparable storage and preservation.
The white LED, blue LED alternating lights make finding a particular bottle easy while you’re entertaining guests or looking for something to pair with dinner. It also comes equipped with five sturdy wood shelves, with stainless steel trim that smoothly roll out as far as 95 percent.
Lastly, you can maximize each drop with this cooler’s true-key lock that ensures only authorized household members are able to access your prized collection. Truly, a wine cabinet in its own class!
Do take note that the model is single-hinged (left or right door). Do select the side you prefer before you make your purchase.
MOOSOO 15-Inch Built-in Wine Cooler
The MOOSOO 15-inch built-in wine cooler is probably one of the most unique coolers in this list.
The wine cooler can automatically restore set temperatures if it loses power suddenly even when outside temperature changes or when it resumes after the refrigerator starts back up.
This design also offers an ancient wine cellar environment simulation by sensing shifts in outdoor temperatures to match those set on the storage space inside, as well as stainless steel edging for durability to provide years of use without concern about quality. Did we also mention that it meets international consumption standards?
With the MOOSOO 15-inch built-in wine cooler, you’re not just buying a fridge — you are also buying the convenience and comfort of knowing that you never have to worry about your savory vino again.
Lanbo 44-Bottle Built-in Wine Cooler
The Lanbo wine chiller is a practical space saver. The digital display on top of the door alerts you with what temperatures to set for your grapes, so that wine tasting goes smoothly.
Inside, it features 6 sliding wooden shelves that can be used to organize wines by type. This state-of-the-art cooling system also features an interior fan that circulates cool, humid air throughout the unit — ensuring you consistent temperature and preventing the corks from drying out.
While you’ll have a clear view of your collection with this glass door, rest assured knowing that UV rays won’t penetrate as its double-paned tempered glass.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying a wine fridge, there are tons of options and features. We hope this list of 12 will make your purchase decision better.
Keep in mind that not all wine coolers are created equal, and it’s important to find one with the features you need — and a price tag that fits within your budget. That way, when you’re ready for another glass or bottle of vino, you can pop open something nice without worrying about how long ago it was opened!
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