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Shopping for a Standalone Wine Cooler?
You’ve come to the right place.
Standalone or freestanding wine coolers provide temperature and humidity-controlled storage for wine.
They are cheaper than undercounter wine coolers of similar capacity, require no installation, and you can place the cooler where it’s most convenient for you.
When is a Wine Fridge Worth It?
If you are a regular wine drinker, an avid wine collector, a wine fridge is a must-have.
Even if you have only a few bottles of wine at a time, your kitchen fridge is a terrible place to put it. It’s too cold, too dry, and odors from foods can contaminate the wine’s flavors.
Storing wine in a dedicated wine fridge or cooler ensures it ages properly and retains its flavors.
Another advantage of a wine fridge, especially for wine collectors and enthusiasts, is that you can pack a lot more wine in it than a kitchen fridge.
Wine fridges are designed to hold a lot of wine in a compact space. Even a small cooler can hold as many as 30 bottles, and a decent-sized one can carry around 50 bottles.
What’s in This Buying Guide?
In this buying guide, we recommend the best standalone/freestanding wine coolers.
These wine refrigerators are designed to be set on the floor or on your countertop.
After our picks and reviews, we explain the different types of wine coolers and provide tips for choosing the best standalone wine cooler for your home.
If you prefer an undercounter/built-in wine refrigerator, see our reviews of the best undercounter wine coolers.
Best Wine Coolers
- Best Overall : Ivation 28 Bottle
- Best Dual Zone : Phiestina Wine Cooler
- Best Value : NewAir Dual Zone 43 Bottle
- Best Countertop: Nutrichef PKCWC120 Refrigerator
- Best Thermoelectric : Koolatron WC20
- Best Budget : ROVSUN 16 Bottle Wine Cooler
- Smallest Wine Cooler: Koolatron WC06 6
- Best 50 Bottle: Kalamera Compressor Wine Refrigerator
Disclaimer: All links below go to Amazon.com
| Standalone Wine Coolers | Best For | Capacity | Size | Weight | Temperature | Compressor/Thermoelectric | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ivation | Best overall | 28 bottles | 16.9W x 17.7D x 33.1H in | 49.6lbs | 41-64F | Compressor | 1yr |
Phiestina | Best dual zone | 33 bottles | 15.5W x 22.5D x 33H in | 83.1lbs | 50F/50-66F | Compressor | 1yr |
NewAir | Best value | 43 bottles | 18.9W x 22.2D x 33.4H in | 66lbs | 55F/50-66F | Compressor | 1yr |
Nutrichef | Best countertop | 12 bottles | 17.7W x 9.9D x 31.2H in | 37.5lbs | 41-64F | Compressor | 1yr |
Koolatron WC20 | Best thermoelectric | 20 bottles | 20.3W x 15.8D x 21.2H in | 32lbs | 46-66F | Thermoelectric | 90 days |
ROVSUN WC20 | Best budget | 16 bottles | 17.7W x 16.9D x 22H in | 37.4lbs | 41-64F | Compressor | 1yr |
| Koolatron WC06 | Smallest | 6 bottles | 20W x 10D x 14.5H in | 17.2lbs | 46-66F | Thermoelectric | 90 days |
Kalamera | Best 50 bottle | 50 bottles | 19.5W x 22.8D x 33.1H | 82.7lbs | 40-66F | Compressor | 1yr |
1. Best Overall: Ivation 28 Bottle
The Ivation 28 bottle wine cooler is the best choice for most homes. It’s affordable, has adequate capacity for most wine lovers, has good cooling performance, and looks good as well.
We also like that it comes with a lockable door, a useful feature a surprising number of wine coolers lack.
Pros
- Adequate capacity for most people.
- Wide temperature range.
- Easy to use touch controls.
- Lockable door.
- Beautiful styling.
Cons
- The compressor is a bit loud.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
With a temperature range of 41F to 64F, the Ivation wine cooler can store any kind of wine, from cold-loving sparkling wines to full-bodied reds that need a slightly less cool environment.
A built-in fan circulates cool air around the interior, ensuring all bottles are at a consistent temperature. It also prevents frost build-up from uneven cold spots.
The touch controls are easy to use. A couple of up/down buttons let you adjust the temperature to your liking, while a light button turns the interior light on or off.
Capacity
The Ivation wine cooler holds up to 28 bottles of standard size 750ml wine. That’s plenty enough for most wine lovers.
This capacity applies only to standard size 750ml wine bottles. You can fit larger wine bottles (by removing some of the shelves), but this will reduce capacity.
Build Quality & Style
The Ivation wine cooler has a sleek modern style that blends easily in any room, whether it’s the kitchen, living room, or home bar.
It’s one of the few wine coolers that lacks a stainless-steel door frame. Instead, the glass door curves smoothly around the sides, creating a minimalist style.
The door is double-paned for insulation (prevents temperature fluctuations) and has anti-UV tinting to prevent damage to the wine.
And as we mentioned, the door is lockable.
We also love the racks. They are wire racks and feel strong and sturdy. They are not as good-looking as the wooden shelves in some wine coolers, but they are practical and durable.
You can set up the Ivation cooler wherever you want. It’s compact enough to fit in the corner of any room. You just need to plug it in and set the right temperature.
Issues and Limitations
Customers say the cooler is a bit loud when the compressor kicks on. It’s about as noisy as a kitchen refrigerator, so it’s not too bad.
Bottom Line
The Ivation 28 bottle wine cooler is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable wine fridge that has decent capacity, looks good, offers a wide temperature range, and is well built.
2. Best Dual Zone: Phiestina Wine Cooler
Looking for a standalone wine cooler with dual zones to store different types of wine? We recommend the Phiestina dual zone freestanding wine cooler.
It has a 33-bottle capacity, split into two zones, each with its own temperature controls.
Pros
- Dual zone – great for storing different types of wines.
- Large capacity.
- Sturdy wooden racks.
- Easy to use touch controls.
Cons
- Pricier than single zone wine coolers.
- Not lockable.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
The upper zone is the colder section with a temperature range between 40F and 50F. The lower zone goes from 50F to 66F.
The upper zone is ideal for white and sparkling wines. They love colder temperatures. The lower, less cold zone is suited to most red wines.
Each zone has individual temperature touch controls.
Capacity
The 33-bottle capacity of the Phiestina dual zone cooler is adequate for most families and wine enthusiasts.
The actual capacity may be slightly lowersince you likely have different bottle sizes. But you should still be able to fit at least 30 750ml bottles in the cooler.
You can remove and readjust the wooden racks to fit bigger wine bottles (such as champagne) or to display wine sitting upright.
Note that the two zones are not equal in capacity.The upper zone is smaller.
Build Quality & Style
The beechwood racks not only look good, but they are also sturdy. They do not bow under the weight of the wine.
The soft blue LED lighting completes the beautiful interior of the Phiestina cooler.
As for the exterior, the Phiestina wine cooler has the usual steel frame and glass door construction. It matches other kitchen appliances well.
Issues and Limitations
If you are shopping for a budget wine cooler, this is not it. It’s significantly more expensive compared to a single zone cooler with a similar capacity.
For the price, it would have been nice to get a lockable door. If you have kids or teens around, just know that your expensive wine may be within their reach.
Bottom Line
Though a bit pricey, the Phiestina dual zone wine cooler is the best choice if you collect both red and white wines, and need to store them at different temperatures.
3. Best Value: NewAir Dual Zone 43 Bottle
Looking for a good bargain on a standalone wine cooler? The best one we found is the NewAir dual zone 43 bottle wine cooler.
It has an extra-large capacity and dual temperature zones for a surprisingly affordable price.
Pros
- Good value for money.
- Large capacity.
- Dual temperature zones for whites and reds.
- Easy to use digital controls.
- Adjustable racks.
Cons
- The interior is a tight fit if you want the full capacity.
- A bit loud.
- Not lockable.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
The two zones of the NewAir wine cooler have varying temperature ranges. The upper colder zone goes from 40 to 55 degrees.
It’s perfect for white wine and sparkling wine. You can also sneak in some beer or soda cans in there if there’s space.
The lower zone ranges between 50 to 66 degrees and is great for red wine.
Each zone has its own temperature controls and display.
Capacity
The overall capacity of the NewAir dual zone wine cooler is 43 bottles. These are standard-size 750ml bottles.
You can fit bigger bottles, but you’ll have to make do with less capacity. You can also stand some bottles upright by removing some of the shelves.
Similar to other dual zone wine coolers, the capacity is not evenly split between the two zones. The upper zone is smaller.
Build Quality & Style
The metal racks are utilitarian looking, but they are sturdy and durable. They won’t start bowing after some time.
On the exterior, the NewAir dual zone wine cooler has a see-through glass door, with a double-pane construction for insulation and tinting for UV protection.
The door frame is stainless steel.
Issues and Limitations
You can fit 43 standard-size bottles in the NewAir wine cooler, but it’ll be a tight fit. Too tight that it’ll be hard to remove the bottles without scraping the labels.
A more realistic capacity, especially if you have bottles of different sizes, is around 37-40.
Several customers also say the cooler is loud. Keep this in mind when choosing where to set it up. An out-of-the-way location such as the kitchen, garage, or basement bar will ensure it’s not disruptive.
Bottom Line
The NewAir dual zone wine cooler is a great choice if you are looking for a large capacity and good quality standalone wine cooler without spending a lot of money.
The dual-zone design is a nice bonus that makes the NewAir cooler an even better bargain.
4. Best Countertop: Nutrichef PKCWC120 Refrigerator
One of our favorite types of standalone wine coolers are countertop coolers like the Nutrichef PKCWC120. They are conveniently compact, making them perfect for small kitchens, home bars, RVs, and boats.
Though they are smaller than floor coolers, they can hold a decent number of wine bottles. The Nutrichef cooler has space for 12 bottles.
Pros
- Compact countertop design – perfect for small spaces.
- Wide temperature range and Easy touch temperature controls.
- Adjustable racks.
Cons
- Works best with skinny wine bottles.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
The Nutrichef PKCWC120 is a single zone wine cooler with a temperature range between 41 and 65- degrees Fahrenheit. This is versatile enough to accommodate different types of wines.
A fan provides cool air circulation, ensuring the cooler maintains a consistent temperature throughout.
Temperature controls are easy to use. They are digital, so you can set a precise temperature. There’s also a button to turn the interior LED light on/off, and change temperature units between C and F.
Capacity
The Nutrichef PKCWC120 stores up to 12 bottles of standard size 750ml wine. It’s perfect for people who keep only a few bottles of wine around at a time.
The cooler combines horizontal storage racks and a wider bottom rack that accommodates upright storage.
The removable racks are contoured to hold each wine bottle in a secure nook. This ensures wine bottles do not hit against each other or have their labels scrapped off.
The downside of the contoured racks is that you cannot store bottles upright in the upper racks.
Build Quality & Style
The countertop design of the Nutrichef PKCWC120 allows you to use it practically anywhere. You can put it on the kitchen counter, on a table, or even on the floor.
Styling is modern and looks good. You can choose a standard version with a glass door and plastic frame, or the upgraded version with a glass door and stainless-steel frame.
As for build quality, it’s pretty good considering the price. The metal racks are strong, the compressor runs quietly, and the door is sufficiently thick to keep the interior insulated. The only thing missing is a door lock.
Issues and Limitations
Similar to most wine coolers, the capacity is measured using skinny bottles. If you have some wine bottles with a wide bottomor an unusual design, you can’t fit 12 bottles in the Nutrichef cooler.
Customers have found that capacity can drop to as low as 8 bottles depending on what kind of wine bottles you put in the cooler.
Bottom Line
If you only have a few bottles of wine in your home at a time, a compact wine cooler like the Nutrichef PKCWC120 is perfect. It takes up less space, is more energy efficient, and you can easily move it around whenever you want.
And because it’s a compressor cooler, it cools wine just as well as larger and pricier wine refrigerators.
5. Best Thermoelectric: Koolatron WC20
Thermoelectric wine coolers don’t have a compressor. They rely on heat transfer technology. They are cheaper, lighter, and more reliable.
Our favorite thermoelectric freestanding wine cooler is the compact Koolatron WC20. It holds 20 bottles of wine and is small enough to place on the counter.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Compact countertop design.
- Easy to use digital temperature controls.
- Quiet.
Cons
- Cooling performance is dependent on ambient temperature.
- Limited capacity.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
As we mentioned, the Koolatron WC20 uses thermoelectric cooling. A small component transfers heat from inside the cooler to the outside without using a compressor or refrigerant.
Unlike a compressor cooler, the WC20’s cooling performance is based on ambient temperature. It can cool up to 22 degrees below the temperature of the room.
In most homes, it should have no problem maintaining the proper temperature range for different types of wines.
Using the digital touch controls, you can set the temperature anywhere between 46 and 66-degrees Fahrenheit depending on the kind of wine you put inside the cooler.
One thing we love about the controls is that they are on the outside. You don’t have to open the door to adjust the temperature, ensuring the inside stays at a consistent temperature.
Capacity
The Koolatron WC20 is designed to be a compact countertop wine cooler. Thus, it has a limited capacity of 20 bottles. But that should be adequate for most homes.
Keep in mind this capacity is based on skinny 750ml bottles. Large bottles and wide-bottomed bottles will reduce the capacity.
You can remove and adjust the shelves to accommodate different bottle sizes.
Build Quality & Style
One advantage of getting the Koolatron WC20 thermoelectric cooler is that it is very reliable. With only one moving part – the fan – it is unlikely to break down any time soon.
Overall build quality is good, though a longer warranty than the 90 days provided would be good for peace of mind.
The metal wire racks are sturdy and the glass door is thick to provide insulation. The door is also tinted to protect wine from UV radiation.
Unlike most coolers, the WC20 doesn’t have a stainless-steel frame. But we think it still looks great with a beautiful mirrored finish.
Issues and Limitations
Being a thermoelectric cooler that depends on ambient temperature, you are limited on where you can set up the Koolatron WC20 wine cooler.
It’s best in your kitchen, basement bar, living room, or any other place that stays at a comfortable temperature.
Do not put it in your garage, patio, or anywhere with extreme temperatures. It’ll struggle to maintain the right temperature range for the wine.
Bottom Line
As long as you don’t mind the limited capacity, the Koolatron WC20 is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable thermoelectric wine cooler.
6. Best Budget: ROVSUN 16 Bottle Wine Cooler
Shopping on a budget? We recommend the ROVSUN 16 Bottle compressor wine cooler. You do have to make do with its limited capacity, but it’s one of the cheapest freestanding compressor wine refrigerators.
Pros
- Affordable and good value for the price.
- Compact.
- Easy to use external control panel.
- Quiet.
Cons
- Limited capacity.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
What makes the ROVSUN wine cooler a good value for money is that it’s a compressor cooler. Normally, only thermoelectric coolers are this affordable.
Being a compressor cooler, it can keep the wine at a precise temperature no matter how hot or cold it is outside the cooler.
The temperature settings are versatile enough to accommodate all types of wine storage needs. You can set a temperature between 41F and 64F.
The temperature control pad is located on the outside of the door, allowing you to adjust the temperature without disturbing the wine.
In addition to changing temperature, the touchpad also lets you turn the interior light on/off, change the temperature display from F to C, and lock/unlock the control panel.
Capacity
The ROVSUN wine cooler holds up to 16 bottles of wine. That’s less than most freestanding wine coolers, but it should suffice for casual wine lovers and small families.
The cooler consists of three contoured wire racks that hold four bottles apiece, and a bigger flat rack at the bottom that can hold larger bottles of wine.
The racks are removable, allowing you to reorganize the interior to fit larger bottles or place bottles upright.
Build Quality & Style
The ROVSUN wine cooler is well built. The metal racks are strong and sturdy, and the glass door features double layers for added insulation.
It doesn’t have a stainless-steel door frame, but it still looks great.
The compressor runs very quietly, so you are free to set up the cooler wherever you want. It’s small enough that you can even place it on a table or counter.
Issues and Limitations
If you plan to start a large wine collection, ROVSUN is not the cooler for you. It holds only 16 bottles of wine, and this figure goes down if you have some large wine bottles such as champagne.
We recommend a larger cooler that can hold at least 30 bottles of wine.
Bottom Line
The ROVSUN wine cooler is a great choice if you are looking for an affordable compressor wine cooler, and don’t mind getting a smaller capacity cooler.
7. Smallest Wine Cooler: Koolatron WC06 6
If you are looking for the smallest and cheapest freestanding wine cooler you can find, we recommend the Koolatron WC06 thermoelectric wine cooler.
It holds just six bottles of wine, making it one of the smallest wine refrigerators in the market. This also means it’s small enough to fit on any countertop.
Pros
- Ultra-compact – great for small kitchens, RVs, and boats.
- Holds a steady temperature.
- Low price.
- Silent and vibration-free thermoelectric cooling.
- Easy to use digital controls.
Cons
- Limited capacity.
- Not suitable for places with extreme temperatures.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
As long as you don’t expose the Koolatron WC06 thermoelectric wine cooler to extreme temperatures, it’ll have no problem maintaining the proper temperature for wine.
Using the external digital controls, you can set the cooler’s temperature anywhere between 46F and 66F.
Because it’s small, it cools rapidly to the set temperature and uses much less power compared to a compressor cooler.
Without the loud hum of a compressor, the Koolatron WC06 thermoelectric cooler is also much quieter.
A button on the control panel turns the interior light on and off. You can also long press it to change the temperature display between F and C.
Capacity
The Koolatron WC06 is one of the smallest standalone wine coolers we’ve come across. Holding only six bottles of wine, it’s ideal for only one or two people.
The cooler has two removable wire racks. You can remove them to fit bigger bottles of wine or place wine bottles upright.
Build Quality & Style
Thermoelectric wine coolers like the Koolatron WC06 can last for years without an issue. The lack of complicated compressor cooling makes them extremely reliable.
On top of that, the WC06 is well built with sturdy racks and a thick glass door that provides insulation and keeps out UV rays.
Remember to provide adequate clearance around the WC06 cooler. Thermoelectric coolers need unrestricted airflow around them to function properly.
Issues and Limitations
The Koolatron WC06 is only suitable for people who keep only a few bottles of wine around at a time. It’s not suitable for large families, or wine collectors.
Another limitation of the Koolatron WC06 is that you can only use it in places with controlled temperatures such as the living room or kitchen. Extreme temperatures in the garage, patio, or outside can limit its cooling performance.
Bottom Line
The Koolatron WC06 thermoelectric cooler is a great choice if you are looking for a small and affordable wine fridge that can hold just a few bottles of wine.
8. Best 50 Bottle : Kalamera Compressor Wine Refrigerator
If you want a wine refrigerator big enough to house your large wine collection, we recommend the Kalamera 50 bottle wine cooler.
It’s one of the biggest home wine coolers you’ll come across. It’s pricier than our other smaller recommendations in this guide but still cheaper than buying a built-in wine cooler of similar capacity.
Pros
- Large capacity.
- Beautiful style.
- Wide temperature range.
- Easy to use temperature controls.
Cons
- The wooden racks are not very sturdy.
- The advertised capacity is a tight fit.
Our Review
Cooling Performance
The Kalamera 50 bottle compressor cooler has a temperature range between 40 and 66-degrees Fahrenheit, wide enough to suit any wine storage needs.
Note, however, that it’s a single zone cooler. So, you have to store all your wine at the same temperature.
A built-in fan and slatted racks provide good air circulation, ensuring each bottle of wine stays at the right temperature. This eliminates cold spots and prevents frost build-up.
Capacity
This is one of the larger capacity wine refrigerators you’ll come across. It holds 50 standard size wine bottles in seven removable racks.
It can also accommodate wider bottles, but you’ll have to remove some of the shelves and make do with reduced capacity.
Build Quality
The Kalamera wine cooler’s build quality is good, but the racks could be better. We love the style of all-wood racks, but the ones used in the Kalamera cooler are too thin and not sturdy enough.
The rest of the cooler is well made. The compressor is not too loud, the glass door is double layered and has anti-UV tinting, and the cooler has a stainless-steel frame.
Note that the cooler is significantly bigger because of its added capacity. Make sure you have the space for it before you order it. It measures 19.5in wide, 22.8in deep, and 33.1in high.
Issues and Limitations
The most common complaint from customers is that the racks are not strong enough. They break easily if you are not careful.
Also, they are too close together, which risks scraping labels off wine bottles. It also makes the interior a tight fit if you want to fit the full 50 bottles.
Several customers also say the racks could use a smoother sliding system.
Overall, it seems the racks are the biggest weak point of the Kalamera 50 bottle wine cooler. Most people have managed to make do with them, though. Just be careful when handling them, and don’t fill the cooler to the max capacity.
Bottom Line
The Kalamera 50 bottle wine cooler is a great choice for wine collectors and anyone who wants an affordable wine cooler that can hold plenty of wine.
Wine Cooler Buying Guide
What is a Standalone Wine Cooler?
A standalone wine cooler is a wine refrigerator designed to be set up freestanding on the floor or countertop.
The standalone part is important. If you install a wine cooler that’s meant for standalone installation only in a cabinet or under the counter, the lack of proper airflow on the sides and rear can damage it or keep it from working properly.
Types of Wine Coolers
Wine coolers can be categorized in different ways. Here are the different categories.
Standalone vs. Built-in Wine Coolers
We’ve already discussed standalone wine coolers.
As built-in wine coolers, these are designed to be built into a cabinet, usually under the counter. Because their vents are at the front, they don’t need any clearance for air circulation at the rear or sides.
While built-in coolers have a cleaner look and tend to be quieter, they are expensive and it can be hard to get certain capacities (they come in a few standard sizes/capacities).
Standalone wine coolers may not blend into the room as well as a built-in cooler, but they are much more affordable and are available in a wider range of sizes/capacities.
Thermoelectric vs. Compressor Wine Coolers
Based on the cooling system, there are two types of wine coolers: compressor and thermoelectric.
Compressor coolers are the most common. They have a compressor and refrigerant, similar to your kitchen refrigerator. These two components carry heat away from the interior to the outside.
Compressor coolers produce a humming sound, which can be loud in some coolers. They are also more expensive, require expensive repairs when they fail, and they are bigger and heavier.
On the upside, compressor wine coolers have excellent cooling performance. They easily maintain the set temperature regardless of their environment. They can also achieve lower temperatures compared to thermoelectric coolers, with most having a min temperature of 40F or 41F.
Thermoelectric Wine Coolers work based on the Peltier effect. It does the same thing as a compressor cooler – taking heat from the inside to the outside.
However, a thermoelectric cooler uses a small non-moving component. In fact, the only major moving part of thermoelectric coolers is the fan. This makes thermoelectric wine coolers reliable, lower maintenance, and durable.
They are also cheaper, lighter, and smaller.
On the downside, thermoelectric wine coolers struggle if used in extreme temperatures such as the garage, a hot attic, or a cold basement. That’s because their cooling performance depends on ambient temperature.
But in your kitchen, a thermoelectric wine cooler will cool wine just as well as a compressor cooler.
Single Zone vs. Dual Zone Wine Coolers
The final category is based on the number of components in the wine cooler.
Most wine coolers are single zone, meaning they have one compartment that stays at the same temperature from top to bottom.
If you buy the same type of wines (either whites or reds), a single zone wine cooler is adequate since all the wines can be stored at the same temperature.
If you buy different types of wines (a mixture of reds, whites, sparkling, and so on), consider getting a dual zone wine cooler.
A dual zone cooler has two separate compartments with individual temperature controls. This lets you set the right temperature for the type of wine in each compartment.
What to Look for in a Standalone Wine Cooler
1. Capacity
How much wine do you want to store? If you only keep a few bottles around at a time, you can get a small freestanding wine cooler with a capacity as low as 6 bottles. 12, 16, and 18 bottle coolers are also easy to find.
For most homes, a 30 or 33 bottle wine cooler is more ideal.
If you are a wine collector, you can get a 50-bottle wine cooler or bigger. Just make sure you have the space for it.
2. Temperature Range
Wines don’t like extreme temperatures, so a moderate temperature range between 40F and around 66F is adequate.
Note that thermoelectric wine coolers tend to have a higher minimum temperature, usually 46-50F, but they can easily go up to 66F.
If the type of wine you want to store needs to be chilled in the low 40s, get a compressor wine cooler.
3. Size
The size of a wine cooler goes hand in hand with its capacity. A low-capacity cooler will be smaller, and vice versa.
Check the dimensions of the cooler before you order to make sure it’ll fit in the space you have.
But unlike built-in/undercounter wine coolers, you don’t need super accurate dimensions to the point.
Also, check the shape of the cooler especially if you have a very narrow space. Some wine coolers have a convenient slim and tall design. You can get a cooler that fits without sacrificing capacity.
4. Type of Cooler
See our explanation above on the different types of wine coolers, and when to get which.
5. Build Quality
Finally, assess the build quality of the wine cooler.
Start with the wine racks. Metal racks are the sturdiest and least likely to bow. Metal racks with wood accents are strong and look great as well.
All-wood racks look great, but some can be too thin and bow over time.
The racks should slide in and out easily.
Other interior features to look for include soft LED lighting, a fan to distribute cool air, and a quiet vibration-free compressor.
As for the exterior, make sure the glass door is a double layer for insulation and strength. It should also have a tint to keep out UV rays.
A lockable door is a nice bonus, but it’s hard to find a freestanding wine cooler with one.
Also, check the warranty. It should run for at least 1 year. If you can, get a wine cooler with an extended warranty on the compressor.
Pros and Cons
The Good
- Cheaper than built-in coolers.
- Wide temperature range.
- Easy to move from place to place.
- No installation needed.
- Versatile sizes available.
The Not so Good
- Noisier than built-in coolers.
- Not ideal for those who want a clean installation.
Cleaning and Maintaining
Beyond occasionally wiping the racks and door, there’s nothing you need to do to maintain your wine cooler. Issues that may arise are usually not fixable at home; you need to call a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Wine Coolers Use a Lot of Electricity?
No, they do not. The average power consumption of wine coolers is 95W. It’s even lower for smaller and thermoelectric wine coolers.
What is the Ideal Temperature For a Wine Fridge?
If you have different types of wine in a single zone cooler, set it at 55F. It’s the best temperature for most types of wines.
If you have white wine or sparkling wine, keep it at between 45F and 50F. If you have red wine, keep it at between 50F and 65F.
Can You Use a Wine Cooler As a Refrigerator?
No, you cannot. The storage temperature for wine is not cold enough to keep food properly preserved.
Also, putting food in your wine refrigerator can transfer unwanted odors to the wine.
Can You Use a Wine Refrigerator as a Beverage Cooler?
Yes, you certainly can. Feel free to mix your wine bottles with beer or soda cans. Wine coolers have removable shelves so that you can reorganize the cooler to your needs.
But note that wine coolers don’t get as cold as beverage coolers. If you like your beer really cold (under 40F), get a beverage cooler instead. Read our reviews of the best beverage coolers.
Verdict: Which is the Best Standalone Wine Cooler?
In our opinion, the Ivation 28 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler is the best overall standalone wine cooler.
It has adequate capacity for most wine lovers, it’s affordable, it has excellent cooling performance, and it looks great in any room.
