Like most appliances, buying a wine cooler will involve, at one point or the other, asking the timeless question – “Where are we going to put it?”. A freestanding model can go anywhere so long as the space isn’t too confined, whereas an in-built model will tuck in under your counter, but two features we’re constantly juggling around for a compromise are space-saving and capacity – preferably healthy doses of both without an unfortunate trade-off. This often becomes difficult when considering that many compact wine coolers, while functional for holding your standard 750 ml bottles, might not cut it for a bottle of Pinot Noir or Magnum. And as much as giant capacity coolers are a solution, they’re less so considering had we had all that space, we may as well have invested in a cellar. But not all hope is lost – there are space-friendly coolers out there with generous enough capacity to hold large bottles, and we’ve shortlisted our favorites.
KEN’S PICK
FOVOMI 20″ Wine Cooler Fridge 52 Bottles
This cooler ticks all the right boxes to earn its spot at the top of this list – with the foremost of things it gets right being its 52 standard Bordeaux bottle capacity with sliding, removable wooden racks that let you make way for larger or irregularly shaped bottles. To that, add that this cooler is dual zone – allowing you to control the temperatures of two sections of the cooler so you can keep your red and white wines in their respective ideal temperature ranges for serving. The top section has a range between 41 to 54°F, perfect for your reds, while your whites will be ready to serve at any time while stored in the lower section programmed for a range of 54 to 68°F.
The unit combines rustic and contemporary chic into one good-looking cooler that can hold your bottles for ages, with minimal vibration (as movement can hurt how well your wine ages) and noise, giving them the right chilled and steady environment they need to mature. The interior also comes decked with LED lighting to let you pick out your choice of poison, without emitting so much harsh heat or light as to damage the wine. The cooler is also lockable, so you can rest assured that your valuable aged wines and collectors’ editions are safe.
KEN’S BUDGET PICK
Schmecke 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator
Perfect for wine enthusiasts, this budget-friendly 12-Bottle Wine cooler is ideal for large champagne or magnum wine bottles. It maintains a stable temperature range of 41°F to 64°F, ensuring your sparkling white wines are kept just right. With a built-in fan for consistent temperature, UV-resistant double-paned glass for protection, soft interior lighting, and adjustable racks, this cooler provides an optimal environment for your collection. It’s easy to control with a bright LCD display, and it’s a must-have for preserving your wine’s flavors and aromas. Whether it’s a quiet evening at home or a grand celebration, this cooler has you covered.
RUNNER-UP
Whynter 20 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler
This beverage and wine refrigerator has a 60-can capacity for the left zone and a 20-bottle capacity for the right zone. It can be installed as a built-in or freestanding unit and has a cylinder lock with two keys and an open-door warning system for added security. The powerful compressor cooling and internal fan-forced circulation ensure even temperature distribution throughout the cabinet. You can adjust the thermostat for both zones to your preferred temperature range, with the left zone having a range of 36ºF – 43ºF / 2ºC – 6ºC and the right zone having a range of 40ºF – 72ºF / 5ºC – 22ºC. The product dimensions are 22.25L x 23.5W x 34H. Cheers to perfectly chilled drinks every time!
RUNNER-UP
Kalamera 12” Wine Refrigerator
The slender design makes this a great space-saving option without neglecting capacity, capable of holding 18 average Bordeaux bottles in classic, sliding beech racks you remove to make space for bigger or irregularly sized bottles. The versatile design makes this both ideal for freestanding and built-in installation, the compact construct letting it slide right in under a floating counter.
Though single zone, the digital controls let you set a constant temperature anywhere between 40 and 66°F, letting you store both red and white wines by maintaining a steady 55°F at all times. The unit is built to minimize noise and is all but vibration-free, meaning your wine won’t get shaken around and frothed up. The dark, double-paned glass and blue non-heat-emitting LED lighting also help protect your wine’s integrity, keeping it safe from elements that might otherwise alter its composition.