Wine enthusiast 32 bottle dual zone max compressor wine cooler

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If your wine stash regularly includes a half-dozen bottles or more, consider investing in a wine fridge. Sometimes referred to as a wine cooler or wine cellar, it's different than your standard kitchen refrigerator. This appliance has a higher temperature range, is higher in humidity, and isn't usually opened as often, keeping your precious bottles away from damaging light.

"Wine is a living consumable that needs a light-, temperature-, and humidity-controlled environment to thrive," says Melissa Smith, founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services. "Wine fridges are designed to take all three of those into consideration."

Whether you're enjoying a daily glass of Chardonnay or starting to amass a collection of age-worthy Bordeaux, a dedicated wine cooler will ensure the proper, pro-level care of whatever you're drinking. The best wine fridges accommodate multiple bottle sizes, have a reliable cooling system, and stand up well to ambient temperature fluctuations, according to Smith. With these criteria in mind, we selected Wine Enthusiast's 32-Bottle Dual Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler as our Best Overall. Read on for a list of the best wine fridges for your home.

Pros: It has excellent capacity, accurate temperatures, and removable shelving.

Cons: It's made for freestanding use only. The LED lighting seems dim.

For nearly 40 years, Wine Enthusiast has provided information on wine and spirits, as well as the adjacent subjects of travel, hospitality, and food, so it's no surprise that our top pick comes from this trusted brand. Designed with wine aficionados in mind, this freestanding model is ideal for a smaller collection.

This quiet, energy-efficient wine cooler holds up to 32 standard Bordeaux bottles and is equipped with four scalloped wire racks that hold the wines in place. It features two temperature zones that can be set between 41 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit, controlled by a touch panel with an LED display. The larger lower section can be used for longer-term aging and the smaller top section can be utilized for bottles that will be served in the near future. The glass door allows you to see what's inside, and the LED interior lighting helps illuminate the contents for easier identification.

Most importantly, this model performs brilliantly — it holds a fairly constant, steady temperature with minimal vibration, two elements that are crucial to wine storage. The compressor unit on this fridge also works well in a larger range of ambient temperature than many other models on the market, keeping bottles cool even when the room it's in is approaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Dimensions: 33.4 x 19.6 x 16.9 inches
• Capacity: 32 bottles
• Available finishes: Black
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Wattage: 138

Pros: It has a sleek silhouette, removable shelving, and good capacity.

Cons: The compressor turning on and off may seem noisy to some.

If you want a wine refrigerator that offers fantastic features for a more palatable price, this model by Ivation may fit the bill. Sleek in design with its black finish and tinted UV-resistant glass door, it has a fairly small footprint that won't overwhelm your space.

This wine cooler features removable wire racks that hold up bottles measuring up to about 3 inches in diameter and 13 inches in length. The compressor and fan give this wine fridge a temperature range of 41 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, low enough for sparkling white wines and just under room temperature for ready-to-drink reds. Available in both single and dual zone versions, you have options with this affordable cooler — and both models come equipped with a lock to keep your wines safe.

While less expensive wine fridges tend to have issues with noise, this one has a fairly quiet motor, rated at 36 decibels (the average 'silent' standard refrigerator has a noise level of about 39 decibels). All in all, it's a nice choice for performance and value.

• Dimensions: 17.7 x 16.9 x 33.1 inches
• Capacity: 28 bottles
• Available finishes: Stainless steel
• Energy Star Certified: Yes
• Wattage: 95

Pros: With a compact design, it works as a freestanding or built-in cooler. It features reversible door hinges.

Cons: It may seem small to some, and storing larger bottles will cut the number it fits nearly in half.

Dual zone wine coolers are fantastic for those who like to keep ready-to-drink wines on hand at all times. This version from Smith & Hanks offers enough space for 32 standard Bordeaux bottles laid out on the wood-accented metal racks.

The temperature display can be set to either Celsius or Fahrenheit and can be adjusted with a touch of the buttons on the control panel. Set one zone to chill white wine and Champagne and the other to keep reds at their ideal serving temperature. The thermostat is wonderfully reactive and keeps the internal temperature stable as you open and close the fridge door.

This model is essentially ready to use out of the box. It functions as a freestanding fridge, but it can also be used as an under-counter model for those looking for a built-in version for their kitchen.

• Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 34 inches
• Capacity: 32 bottles
• Available finishes: Stainless steel
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Wattage: 160

Pros: This well-built fridge operates quietly and offers a streamlined look that goes with just about any kitchen decor.

Cons: The wooden shelves are bulky and may impact how many bottles you are actually able to store.

The Kalamera 46-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Refrigerator is a top-selling built-in wine cooler, featuring dual temperature zones and a capacity of 46 standard Bordeaux bottles. With a few clicks of the touchpad, set the upper zone between 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit for whites and rosés, and the lower zone between 50 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit for reds.

Five beechwood shelves slide in and out for easy access to your wines. The interior is gently lit by an LED light, which is strong enough to illuminate the labels to read but won't cause damage to your wines. Further protection is provided by the door's double layer of tinted, tempered glass, which keeps out ambient light and also helps to further insulate the cooler. The hexagon bolt lock ensures your collection will be safe, and the entire unit is very quiet with minimal vibration from the compressor.

• Dimensions: 22.4 x 23.4 x 33 inches
• Capacity: 46 bottles
• Available finishes: Stainless steel
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Wattage: 160

Pros: This mini wine cooler is quiet and a great value.

Cons: It's not suited for warm ambient temperatures, and it may not fit larger bottles.

This compact wine cooler by Cuisinart is the only thermoelectric option on this list; it's quieter and more energy-efficient than similarly sized coolers that use a compressor. Since thermoelectric cooling doesn't require as much movement, it generates less heat and vibration, making it ideal for any fridge that is going to sit in plain sight — say, on top of the kitchen counter.

Holding just eight bottles, it's an excellent choice for a casual wine drinker who likes to keep a few bottles ready but is limited on space. Adjustable feet ensure that your fridge stays level, and it contains three metal racks and a bottom shelf to hold two standard Bordeaux-style bottles each, though it may be a tight squeeze for thicker or taller bottles.

The triple pane glass door helps to keep the temperature steady. Thermoelectric coolers, however, are only able to cool about 25 to 30 degrees below room temperature, so consider this if your home tends to stay above 70 degrees.

• Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 22.5 inches
• Capacity: 8 bottles
• Available finishes: Black
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Wattage: 115

Pros: This model offers plenty of storage and has an embedded carbon filter.

Cons: It's expensive and takes up a lot of space.

For households that like to keep an array of drinks cold, a combination beverage and wine cooler is a thoughtful addition. This stainless steel beauty from Titan can be a freestanding fridge or a built-in under a countertop. Door stoppers keep this fridge's lockable tempered glass doors from swinging out past 135 degrees, and the hinges lay completely flat for installation.

The features of this Titan cooler ensure convenience and versatility. Three adjustable shelves in the beverage zone hold up to 64 individual cans, and the six stainless steel wire shelves in the wine zone can hold about 20 bottles of wine. Each zone has its own temperature control, adjustable from 38 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. In the event that the cooler loses power, the Smart Memory feature helps it return to temperature after a restart, protecting your wine from heat. As an added bonus, an alarm will alert you to an abnormal rise in temperature or if the door is left ajar.

• Dimensions: 28.8 x 34.8 x 23.4 inches
• Capacity: 64 cans and 20 bottles
• Available finishes: Stainless steel
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Wattage: 172

Pros: Each feature is designed with wine collectors in mind. It remains cold even in ambient temperatures up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cons: It's a hefty initial investment, even with its 72-bottle capacity.

Known as a premier brand for serious collectors, EuroCave models its coolers to mimic the climate of a French wine cave, complete with perfect humidity and temperature. The Premier S model is the entry-level option for those who want to start investing in wine, as the features of this wine cellar keep bottles clean and secure for short- and long-term aging.

This freestanding cellar features Main du Sommelier (hand of the sommelier) shelving, a design that cradles each bottle and prevents it from rolling, lessening the chances of breakage or label damage. It has a singular temperature control that ranges from 48 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, closer to a natural, subterranean cave, allowing age-worthy wines to last longer while bringing ready-to-drink wines closer to serving temperature. This model is quiet, its LED interior lights can detach, and it has UV-resistant glass doors (with an option for solid doors) to keep light exposure to a minimum.

Since temperature control is of the utmost importance, an alarm will sound if the door is left open or if the temperature starts to creep out of the desired range. With the expanded external temperature threshold, this wine refrigerator can keep your wines at the ideal coolness, even in ambient temperatures ranging from 32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. All in all, if you're collecting bottles valued at hundreds of dollars, this is a smart choice to keep your wines safe and secure.

• Dimensions: 38 x 27 x 27.25 inches
• Capacity: 74 bottles
• Available finishes: Black
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Wattage: 90

Our Favorites

Wine fridges are available in just about every price range and size, from lightweight countertop models to heavy-duty cellars with locking doors and temperature alarms. We found that the Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler offers a nice balance of function and value for those who regularly enjoy wine. For a value purchase, the Ivation 28 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator performs well.

Factors to Consider

Purpose

According to Smith, one of the foremost things to consider when buying a wine refrigerator is whether or not you're storing the wine for everyday drinking or for investment. "If you are buying wines meant to age you will want to invest in a quality wine fridge that can accommodate all bottle sizes," says Smith. "You can get away with one of the smaller wine fridges that you transfer daily drinkers into if you have a larger unit dedicated to long-term storage."

Capacity

Most wine fridges base their stated capacity on a standard Bordeaux bottle, which has a 2.75-inch diameter and is 11.75 inches in length. The actual capacity will largely depend on the makeup of your collection — Champagne bottles take up more room with a 3.25-inch diameter and 12.25-inch length, while Burgundy and Pinot Noir bottles measure 3.2 inches in diameter with a length just shy of 12 inches. Depending on the rack spacing, you may find your actual capacity to be bigger or smaller than the bottle count advertised.

Installation

This refers to whether or not the cooler is meant to be used as a freestanding or built-in unit. Some models can do both, but always double-check to be totally sure the wine fridge you choose is compatible with the installation type you desire as some models require extra clearance around the unit to ensure proper airflow and ventilation.

Single Zone vs. Dual Zone

Wine fridges are typically offered with single or dual zone temperature control. As the name suggests, single zone refers to one temperature setting for the entire unit; dual zone has separate controls for either side-by-side or top and bottom sections of the fridge. Single-zone options are fine for those who want to keep all their wine at the same temperature, a typical choice for collectors who are aging their wines. Dual zone gives you the option to keep whites and sparkling very cold while keeping reds just under room temperature (a.k.a. their ideal serving temperatures), allowing you to have ready-to-drink wines at your fingertips.

Shelving

Wooden shelves are more desirable than most metal shelving, as wood tends to be gentler on labels. Whatever the shelves are made of, ensure they are sturdy and can be pulled out so you have easier access to your bottles.

Doors

"Glass is more likely to break and cause greater susceptibility to temperature fluctuations," says Smith, who encourages choosing a solid, insulated door for maximum protection. If you must choose a glass door, go for multi-layered tempered glass with a UV coating that helps shield your wines from ambient light, which can degrade your wine.

The Research

Our writer both drew on her own experience and consulted a wine storage expert to determine what makes a great wine fridge, then selected several options that were among the most popular brands in this field. After reading through existing online reviews of these products, she selected those that met or exceeded expectations for quality of construction, value, and performance.

Pro Panel Q+A

Q: How long does wine last in a wine fridge?

A: Unopened bottles of wine can last anywhere from weeks to decades—it depends on the wine. An opened bottle can typically last for about 24 hours after uncorking, but after that period of time, there will often be a noticeable deterioration of the wine's taste and aromas.

Q: How long should you chill wine in a wine fridge?

A: A bottle can typically go from room temperature to serving temperature in about two and a half hours for reds, and three hours for whites.

Q: What temperature should a wine fridge be?

A: For single-zone fridges, keep your wines at close to 56 degrees Fahrenheit ("cellar temperature" according to Smith), which is also suitable for longer-term storage."If you have a fridge with dual zones, you will want to have your whites and sparkling perfectly chilled—at 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit—and your reds closer to cellar temperature," says Smith. If the wines are kept colder, then it will retard the aging process, but if that is your goal, you can certainly opt for that lower temperature.

Q: Do wine fridges use a lot of electricity?

A: It depends on the size of the fridge, but typically a wine fridge will run on less electricity than a standard kitchen refrigerator. The average home refrigerator runs anywhere from 300 to 800 watts, while a wine fridge will run between 90 to 200 watts.

Our Expertise

Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. She has worked in the wine industry since 2009, and uses her expertise to advise clients on how to collect, store, and sell prized vintages. She interviewed Melissa Smith for this piece, the founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services, who specializes in cellar management in addition to wine education and appraisal.

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