The Best Wine Fridges of 2021
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Whether you're aging bottles in a wine cellar, want easy access in a kitchen, or only have space in the corner of a small apartment, a wine refrigerator will chill, store, and protect your favorite red or white (or rosé or sparkling, too!). But deciding which to buy can be just as tricky as pairing the perfect bottle with dinner.
Top wine connoisseurs, sommeliers, and high-end restaurants often gravitate to fridges from brands like EuroCave to keep their wines at ideal aging and serving temperatures, spending thousands of dollars to get the precise temperature and humidity controls. Fortunately, for the average wine drinker or budding collector, finding a more affordable option is possible. Sacrificing on budget may mean these cooling boxes are never quite perfect, however, they will still keep your wine at an optimal temperature range and will fit well into any living space.
After recording wine temperatures, assessing build quality, and storage capacity, we found that the best wine fridge for wine drinkers is the Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler (available at Wine Enthusiast for $449.00). However, if you're more finicky about storing and serving temperatures, we discovered the Vinotemp 42-Bottle Touchscreen Wine Cooler (avilable at Amazon) offers better temperature precision and a unique interior design.
Here are the best wine fridges we tested ranked, in order:
Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone MAX Compressor
Vinotemp 42-Bottle Touchscreen
Magic Chef 44-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler
Frigidaire FGWC5233TS 52-Bottle Wine Cooler
NewAir 46-Bottle Dual Zone Compressor Wine Fridge
GE GWS04HAESS Wine Center (30 Bottles)
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
The Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone MAX is the best wine fridge we tested.
Best Overall Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual-Zone MAX
The Wine Enthusiast 32-bottle Dual-Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler does a lot with a small space, it's well-crafted, keeps wine at its appropriate temperatures, and thanks to its tinted glass door easily fits into any decor. This freestanding fridge includes two temperature zones and removable sturdy chrome wine racks. There's an easy-to-use temperature control panel with LED display, and during our bottle stuffing tests, we were actually able to fit a few more than its promised 32 bottles.
While most of the shelving racks are set up to store bottles in a traditional way, the bottom shelf is shaped like a bin so you can show off a few of your favorite labels or stack a few daily drinkers for easier access. A few of the shelves can also be removed if you prefer to stack more of your bottles (this can be especially helpful if you have Champagne bottles made from thicker glass or larger format bottles).
We were pleasantly surprised with the temperature performance of this fridge. Both zones can be set between 41 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. With one temperature zone set at 60 degrees and the other set at 55, we found that the temperature of the wine in the 60-degree zone was spot on. However, the temperature variations registered plus or minus 2 to 3 degrees in the cooler 55-degree zone.
Aesthetically, this is a sleek-looking fridge. The tinted glass door appears mirrored from the outside.
Using compressor cooling technology, the fridge is energy efficient and only made the slightest bit of noise only heard if the door was opened. There's interior LED lighting mounted at the top of the fridge, but it doesn't provide much light when the fridge is stuffed with wine.
Pros
Good storage capacity
Accurate temperatures
Cons
Minimal lighting
$449.00 from Wine Enthusiast
Buy now at Amazon
How We Tested
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
The Vinotemp and Wine Enthusiast wine refrigerators rose to the top of our list after testing for temperature, capacity and build.
To find our top picks we compared six models from top brands from the perspective of a certified wine geek who for years has relied on these coolers to protect her wine collection, as well as from Reviewed's senior scientist who designs and oversees home-appliance testing in our Cambridge, Mass., laboratories.
The Testers
Hi! I'm Alicia Cypress, a managing editor at Reviewed responsible for overseeing all our Best Right Now product guides. But my true passion is wine. I'm WSET (Wine and Spirits Educational Trust) certified, which means I've formally studied the subject, and when I'm not focused on my day job, I keep up with wine industry trends. As an apartment dweller, most of my wine collection relies on using a wine fridge to ensure the bottles stay in tip-top condition.
I worked closely with Reviewed Senior Scientist Julia MacDougall, who's tested a wide variety of products, including rakes, paper shredders, and coding toys for kids. She also oversees all of Reviewed home appliance testing and has become an expert at what makes for a good refrigerator. She devised the testing for this guide and was responsible for evaluating the fridges from a temperature and build perspective.
The Tests
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
We tested up to four fridges at a time in our refrigerator lab.
After unpacking and installing each wine fridge, we set the temperatures in the unit and then let each unit run and calibrate for more than 24 hours prior to further testing. This is similar to the way we test regular refrigerators; this gives the coolant time to circulate and ensure that the wine fridges are working properly.
For the dual-zone wine fridges, we set the two zones to either 60 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 55 and 50 Fahrenheit, depending on the temperature limits in each fridge. For single-zone wine fridges, we set the temperature to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
To measure the temperature inside wine bottles, we placed wireless temperature sensors in tiny plastic baggies, suspended them inside screwtop Chardonnay bottles, and then placed four wine bottles at four different locations in each wine fridge. After three days, we pulled the temperature data from the wine bottles and then assessed each wine fridge with respect to its temperature accuracy (ability to hit a specific temperature) and its temperature consistency (ability to maintain similar temperatures throughout the fridge cavity).
Credit: Reviewed / Julia MacDougall
During our testing, a temperature probe was lowered into wine bottles with screw-top closures to measure wine temperatures.
If a wine fridge is both accurate and consistent, it would have wine temperatures throughout the entire wine fridge that were close to that setting and then stay that way as long as the wine fridge is running.
With a wine fridge that is accurate but not consistent, the wine temperatures in one or more parts of the fridge might have an average value that matches the set temperature, but it could have more extreme temperature swings; furthermore, other places in the wine fridge might have temperatures that are very different from the original set temperature.
We also assessed each wine fridge with respect to more user-focused criteria such as ease of use, build quality, and wine bottle capacity.
What to Know About Buying a Wine Fridge
The first rule of wine fridge buying is you'll always need something larger than you think. Considering a small 12-bottle countertop wine fridge? Go for a model that holds 18 bottles. Spy something that's 24 bottles? Chances are, once you start using it, you'll wish you bought the 32-bottle version. And for budding collectors, whatever you chose won't ever feel like enough. Most wine fridges are created in multiple sizes. For this guide, we chose models to test based on which were the best value, as prices will fluctuate depending on their size. So if you find a fridge you like, but it's not in the size you want, be sure to check the retailer for more options.
There are a few other details to consider when deciding which wine fridge to buy:
Cooling Technology
Most of the wine fridges we evaluated include compressor technology. As Vinotemp—a brand that makes entry-level fridges to high-end cellar-worthy models—explains in this well-detailed wine refrigerator buying guide, the technology is recommended for midsize fridges because it can quickly cool down the unit, maintain a wide temperature range, and the fridge won't be impacted by the temperature of the room where it's placed. Unlike thermoelectric wine coolers—which may be more energy-efficient—where the external temperature can influence how cold the fridge will get.
Dual or Single Temperature Zone
In my early wine-buying experience, I thought having two temperature zones was the smart move so I could keep my whites and rosés colder than my reds, but as time went on, I wound up setting both sides of my 48-bottle cooler to the same 55-degree temperature. So do you need two zones? Maybe not, but dual-zone fridges can be helpful if you're eager to keep some bottles at a perfect serving temperature while keeping others at a more consistent aging temperature.
Freestanding or Built-In Wine Fridges
Depending on where you're using your wine fridge, should help you decide which style to buy. If you're installing it under a cabinet in your kitchen or bar area, a built-in wine fridge is best. These models will have ventilation systems in front (usually at the bottom of the unit), so that the warm air it emits doesn't get trapped and heat up the fridge. Look for fridges that allow you to switch the door to open from either side, so you can find what works best for your space.
Freestanding fridges are best for those who plan to place them in a living room, office, bedroom (no judgment!), or really anywhere else! The ventilation areas will often be found on the side or the back. Just be careful to not push the side with the vent too close to a wall.
Still not sure? Fortunately, many built-in models can also be used as freestanding fridges. The format won't impact the cooling systems, it's mostly an aesthetic choice.
Bottle Sizes and Storage Capacities
Credit: Getty Images
Wine bottle shapes can vary depending on what kind of wine is inside.
When wine fridge manufacturers market their cellars and claim a fridge can hold a set number of bottles, it's usually doing so based on it only storing all of the same-sized bottles (usually Bordeaux-syle bottles). So a 32-bottle claim may actually hold less if you—like many wine drinkers—have a collection of different styles and producers.
While a standard bottle of wine holds 750 milliliters of liquid, bottle shapes and sizes vary across wine. In some cases, it's traditional (and sometimes required by a wine region's laws) for certain wines that are made from specific grapes to be bottled in specific-shaped bottles. The next region over will then stipulate something completely different.
For example, a Bordeaux bottle has high structured shoulders, while a Burgundy bottle has a longer neck with softer shoulders and a rounder midsection. Riesling bottles have even longer necks and are taller and more slender, while Champagne bottles may be similar to a Burgundy bottle but have a slightly wider base and thicker glass used to protect it from exploding. Trust me, that glass thickness will matter if shelves in a fridge are too close together.
In our testing for this guide, we purposely used a random assortment of 750-milliliter bottles to test storage capacity. We found wine fridges with removable racks are generally more helpful to fit different-sized bottles. They're also helpful if you want to store a Magnum or other large-format bottles.
Other Wine Fridges We Tested
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
The Vinotemp 42-Bottle Touchscreen Wine Cooler is a great choice for those who want temperature precision.
Vinotemp 42-Bottle Touchscreen Wine Cooler
If maintaining accurate temperatures for your wine is your top priority, the Vinotemp 42-bottle Touchscreen is the most reliable fridge for you.
During our testing, we found that the Vinotemp did the best job cooling the wine to the set temperature. More specifically, the temperatures of the wine bottles located in the middle of the wine fridge were a very close match to our set temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit; the bottles stored in the top and bottom racks were only off by a few degrees. The single-zone Vinotemp also has a great temperature range, allowing you to set it from anywhere between 41 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
But another reason you may enjoy this fridge is if you prefer to store wine bottles horizontally front-to-back so that the labels are front and center (or at least the first bottle's label).
If you drink a lot of the same wine, this storage method is great, but if you prefer drinking a mix of producers and styles, it's a little cumbersome to find and reach a bottle that may be tucked four bottles deep on a shelf. While the metal wire shelves easily slide in and out, it felt a little precarious when the shelf was extended and stocked with bottles. During testing, we feared some bottles might fall to the floor if we didn't help support the extended shelf.
Using our random assortment of sparkling, red, and white wine bottles, the fridge held 41 of the stated 42 bottles. Remember, wine bottle counts often refer to storing the same shape and style of bottle.
This freestanding nearly silent fridge also includes a lock, which is a nice addition to keep little ones (or perhaps roommates) from accessing your stash.
Pros
Wide temperature setting
Accurate temperatures
Lock
Cons
Shelving needs support while extended
$604.61 from Amazon
$606.38 from Walmart
$606.38 from Home Depot
Magic Chef 44-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler
This Magic Chef 44-bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler is a Home Depot best seller and can be used as both a freestanding or built-in wine fridge. Although aesthetically, with its more industrial look, this fridge is most likely used as a built-in under a bar, island or kitchen counter. This is a very sturdy wine fridge with quite a bit of heft.
For its price, we're impressed with the number of bottles it can hold, too. While filled with a mix of bottle shapes and sizes, the bottles didn't feel like they were jammed inside, however, it took some maneuvering to ensure the different size bottles would fit.
The stainless-steel shelves are not adjustable, but for its layout, it didn't seem like it needed to be. During testing, we never doubted whether the shelves would support the wine.
The control panel, located inside the fridge, took a few minutes to understand how to use, but the dual-zones provide separate storage areas. Unlike some of the more silent fridges we tested, we noted a small hum coming from inside the cavity.
In our temperature tests, we discovered the Magic Chef runs a little warm. We set the two zones to 60 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit; but the wine in those two zones registered average temperatures of 61 to 62 degrees and 58 to 59 degrees, respectively.
Pros
Great sturdy build
Good storage capacity
Industrial look and feel
Cons
Temperature runs a few degrees warm
$690.33 from Amazon
$506.24 from Home Depot
Frigidaire FGWC5233TS 52-Bottle Wine Cooler
The Frigidaire is a really nice choice if you're in the market for a built-in fridge (it can work as a freestanding cooler, too). It's a beautiful, sturdy, and well-built appliance and we love its 52-bottle storage capacity (in wine storage, more is more, right?!). With a mix of different size bottles, this fridge comfortably held 50 bottles during our testing.
The Frigidaire features a reversible door and a single-temperature zone that can be set between 41 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, one of the shelves can be converted to hold 12-oz cans if you're a fan of canned wine or other-kind-of-beverage lover in the house.
The wire with wood-trimmed racks were very easy to pull in and out and were among my favorites of all the appliances we tested. There was never a worry with the shelf extended whether it would support wine. Plus, there was no fighting or struggling with the shelves to pull or push them in and out of the fridge.
During temperature testing, we found this fridge also runs a bit warm. When set to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the wine temperatures typically ranged from 59 to 62 degrees. The temperatures are largely consistent with one another, though, so to get your wine to match your preferred temperature, you'll need to turn the Frigidaire down a few degrees.
Pros
Reversible front door
Great shelving
Good storage capacity
Well built
Cons
Temperatures run warm
$967.18 from Amazon
$602.99 from Best Buy
$703.36 from Walmart
$669.00 from Home Depot
NewAir 46-Bottle Dual Zone Compressor Wine Fridge
When we first started researching this guide, NewAir came quickly to mind thanks to its savvy social media presence, which marketed stylish wine fridges and beverage centers. The brand was new to me, and it left a big impression. But when we set up the fridge in Reviewed's lab, my excitement faded a little.
While still very good-looking, the outer shell materials didn't feel as solid as the other wine fridges we evaluated, and during testing, it nearly tipped over while the door was open. Inside, however, is a different story. The wooden shelves are beautiful, sturdy, and easy to pull in and out. In fact, it had me wondering if wood might be a preferable material for wine fridge shelving.
It includes blue LED lighting throughout the cavity, rather than just installed at the top of the fridge. Finding bottles in the dark is never fun, and while the lighting still feels mostly decorative, it was more helpful than many of the other fridges we tested.
In our temperature testing, we found that this NewAir runs a bit warm, much like other wine fridges. We set its two zones to 55 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the wine inside those two zones had average temperatures of 60 degrees and 55 to 56 degrees, respectively.
Pros
Easy-to-use wood shelves
Good lighting
Includes lock
Cons
Not sturdy
Temperatures ran a bit warm.
$799.99 from Amazon
$829.99 from Best Buy
$799.99 from Walmart
$799.99 from Home Depot
GE Wine Center (30 Bottles)
Product testing can sometimes make you feel a bit like Goldilocks. One product is a little too big, another is a little too small, and finding the perfect item feels elusive. With the GE Wine Center, we felt exactly like the curly-haired fairy-tale character before she found what she wanted.
This single-zone wine fridge, which could be set between 41 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit, was a little small—the 19-inch wide cavity felt tight and crowded inside—plus we couldn't quite fit a mix of 30 different-sized bottles. Pulling out the shelves felt a little precarious at times. It was a little noisier than the other fridges we tested, and its inside temperature control panel took an extra second to respond.
However, its exterior is well built, and aesthetically its modern look would fit nicely in a wet bar or a small kitchen. It also had very good interior lighting. As an added touch, inside the cavity, GE has kindly posted the suggested wine storage and serving temperatures for everything from sparkling wines to full-bodied whites, as well as for light-, medium-, and full-bodied reds; plus the instructions on how to adjust the temperature of the fridge.
During our temperature tests, the bottles inside the GE Wine Center were a bit warmer than the 55-degree temperature we set. The recorded wine temperatures ranged from 58 to 61 degrees.
Pros
Well-built exterior
Posted serving temperatures and instructions
Cons
Tight storage capacity
Noisy
$599.00 from Amazon
$439.99 from Best Buy
$883.09 from Walmart
$679.00 from Home Depot
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