As its name suggests, a wine cooler is used to keep your wine cool, not cold. While a wine cooler may look like a refrigerator, they both serve completely different purposes. For one, a refrigerator is too cold for wine.
Whereas a wine cooler keeps your wine collection at the perfect temperature and humidity to allow it to age correctly. On the whole, they are the next best thing if you don’t have access to a wine cellar.
In addition to positively affecting the taste and longevity of your wine, wine coolers also contain other benefits, too.
They provide a designated space in your home where you can store your wine, some models have child locks so you don’t have to worry about potential breakages, and they also can look very attractive with glass doors and internal lighting, adding a modern flair to a home.
Whether you are a wine connoisseur, a wine lover, or simply appreciate a glass of wine now and again, there are a lot of good reasons to get a wine cooler for your home; however, not all of them are going to suit your requirements.
To make this easier for you, we have compiled a list of all the best 12-bottle wine coolers, so you can enjoy fresh-tasting wine, whatever the occasion!
What is a small wine fridge?
A small wine fridge is a great way to store and serve your favorite wines. It is an essential appliance for wine lovers who don’t have the space or budget for a larger, full-size refrigerator. With its compact size and sleek design, a small wine fridge can be tucked away in any corner of the home or even on the countertop. This type of refrigerator enables you to keep your wines at the perfect temperature so that they can reach their optimum flavor potential.
Small wine fridges come in various sizes and styles, ranging from countertop models to built-in units that are designed to fit under cabinets or into other tight spaces. These refrigerators offer plenty of features such as adjustable shelves, temperature controls, dual zone compartments for reds and whites, humidity control systems to maintain ideal storage conditions for different types of wines, and LED lighting for optimal visibility.
What is a large wine fridge?
A large wine fridge is an increasingly popular way to store and serve your favorite wines in a temperature-controlled environment. Wine fridges come in different sizes, but a large model offers the most storage capacity and versatility when it comes to storing larger quantities of bottles. Large wine fridges are perfect for those who want to keep their wines in optimum conditions, allowing them to enjoy their drinks at their best.
Large wine fridges can typically hold up to forty or fifty bottles of wine, depending on the size and design of the unit. They also feature adjustable shelving that can be used for organizing your collection into reds, whites, sparkling varieties and more. In addition, many models have advanced features such as LED lighting, digital thermostats and even humidity control systems which allow you to customize the interior environment for optimal storage and serving temperatures.
Large wine fridges are a good choice if you want to store oversized bottles like magnums or double magnum bottles. You can keep them in a large wine fridge just by removing a shelf. This will not be possible in small wine coolers.
In case you want to cool just 1 bottle of your favorite wine or champagne to drinking temperature we can recommend single bottle chillers.
NutriChef Bottle Wine Cooler
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This NutriChef 12-bottle countertop wine cooler, with a compact freestanding design, is perfect for storing either red or white wines, or both! Featuring precise temperature control to keep your wines cool while providing the best tastes and results, all without producing any noise.
With a capacity of 12 bottles, it’s ideal for storing all your favorite wines. This NutriChef cooler is designed with an advanced compressor cooling system, LED lights, and a completely adjustable temperature control panel. Moreover, it contains integrated ventilation grills and circulation fans.
Perfect for adding a modern touch to your kitchen, this wine cooler features a sleek reinforced glass with airtight seals.
A compact design allows the wine cooler to be placed in any location with ease, whether this is the kitchen, office, living room, etc. Its freestanding design makes it ideal and easy to use. It`s the perfect countertop sized wine fridge.
Thanks to an integrated advanced cooling system, you don’t have to worry about any loud noises from your wine cooler, with a quiet operation.
This keeps your wine cooler without bothering you. An additional 1-year warranty, allows you to be rest assured that it provides the best quality and safety for your wine.
Pros
- Features a compact design – Will fit seamlessly into any environment.
- Quiet – Doesn’t produce any distracting noises.
- Temperature control – Easily adjust the temperature with a digital thermometer.
Cons
- Lacks humidity control – Can’t adjust the humidity.
- Only fits skinny bottles – Larger wines would have trouble fitting in this wine cooler.
Also available at: nutrichefkitchen.com
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Koolatron Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
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This Koolatron brand is known for its high-quality and reliable wine coolers. This is portrayed in their thermoelectric wine cooler. It features a gorgeous, sophisticated design that will fit seamlessly into any space.
The ability to control your cooler’s temperature will optimize your wine’s flavors and taste. Likewise, the thermoelectric cooling system provides smooth and powerful operation without any vibrations. You can use this thermoelectric wine fridge as a countertop wine fridge.
This wine cooler is the perfect choice for people who like their wine nice and chilled. The door features a strong, tempered glass with UV protection to prevent any harmful rays from affecting your wine, so you can have peace of mind that your wine is safe at all times.
Have the power to choose whatever temperature you enjoy best for your wine with digital temperature control that ranges from 46-degrees Fahrenheit to 66-degrees Fahrenheit.
This is great for optimizing all the different flavors in your wines. Additionally, this cooler features impressive LED lights, with a flick of the switch, to ensure clarity and detail when looking for your next bottle of wine, whatever the time of day.
Something every wine enthusiast will appreciate is the thermoelectric wine fridges` elegant sliding wooden shelves, allowing you easy access to your wine while keeping them cool and organized.
With only a touch of a button and your bottle is chilled to an optimal temperature within minutes. The thermoelectric cooling mechanism is also engineered to save power and reduce the cost of your next power bill – it’s a win-win situation!
Pros
- Elegant design – This wine cooler will add a sophisticated touch to your kitchen.
- Energy-saving – Keeps energy costs low.
- Sliding shelves – This provides easy access and visibility to your wine collection.
Cons
- Defrost manually – You have to defrost this wine cooler manually if need be.
- Shelves aren’t adjustable – You can’t adjust the size of your shelves to accommodate larger wine bottles.
Also available at: Koolatron.com
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Haier 12-Bottle Dual Zone Curved Door with Smoked Glass Wine Cellar
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The Haier 12-Bottle Dual Zone Curved Door with Smoked Glass Wine Cellar is a stylish and functional way to store your favorite wines. With two temperature zones and a sleek, curved door made of smoked glass, this wine cellar provides the perfect environment for storing up to twelve bottles. The left zone has an adjustable temperature range from 44°F to 66°F while the right zone can be set from 50°F to 66°F, allowing you to store both red and white wines at their optimal serving temperatures. Thanks to its quiet thermoelectric cooling system, you won’t even know it’s on!
This wine cellar also features a built-in LED light that illuminates your collection when the door opens, making it easy for you or your guests to select their favorite vintage.
Pros
- stylish design
- vibration free thermoelectric cooler: vibration free
Cons
- Hinges not interchangeable: door opens from the left
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No products found.Whether you enjoy champagne, sparkling wine, red wine, or white wine, this Schmecke compressor wine cooler will accommodate all your preferences. With a chic, modern design, all your friends and family will be wanting one! This countertop sized wine fridge is a good choice to cool red, white wines as well as for sparkling wine storage.
Thanks to its innovative compressor technology, you don’t have to worry about the temperature changing and potentially affecting your wine due to outside heat, as this wine cooler will keep your collection cool and at a stable, controlled temperature. It can be used for sparkling wine storage, too.
The temperature can be easily controlled and adjusted using its digital temperature control panel where temperatures can range from 41-degrees Fahrenheit to 64-degrees Fahrenheit.
The low temperatures are best for keeping your sparkling white wines fresh and chilled without affecting them.
You can make the most out of your wine’s flavors and aromas with instantaneous temperature settings which means all you have to do is change the temperature and the wine cooler will do the rest!
Your wine can be stored for a long time thanks to the cooler’s fans which keep the temperatures consistent throughout.
The door features a double-paned glass with UV protection to prevent any damaging UV rays from affecting your wines, as well as complete insulation inside.
The built-in LED lights are energy-efficient and help display and light up your wine cooler for perfect visibility. As opposed to other traditional bulbs, these LED lights won’t influence or change the flavor of your wines.
Easily rearrange the rack shelves to accommodate any size of wine you may have, ensuring your collection ages comfortably. The temperature and lighting can be controlled by lightly tapping the digital display, with the option to lock in settings using the lock button.
An additional exterior lock provides you with peace of mind that your wine collection is safe and secure.
Pros
- Adjustable rack – Change the positions of the racks to fit larger wine bottles.
- Touch controls – Easily adjust the temperature of your wine cooler.
- Locking systems – Lock both your settings and wine cooler to prevent anyone from changing or breaking anything.
Cons
- Condensation may build up on glass – Over time, you may notice a build-up of condensation.
Also available at: schmecke.com
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Wine Enthusiast 12-Bottle Compact Wine Cooler
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This Wine Enthusiast 12-bottle compact wine cooler is equipped with innovative, complex solid-state cooling technology for even the most impressive wine collections. This less than 12 inch wide wine cooler is a good choice for sparkling wine storage as well as for red and white wine.
Due to its compact design, it makes a great space-saving wine storage cooler. It should fit nicely into most kitchens with 19” high x 14” wide x 20” deep dimensions. At 29 lbs, you will be able to move and arrange it with ease. You can use this solid state wine chiller as a countertop sized wine fridge with a wine bottle capacity of up to 12 bottles.
For convenient access and storage, this wine cooler features durable chrome wire shelves that cradle your wine bottles, holding up to 12 standard-size Bordeaux bottles. With easy display and readability, you can choose the best wine for whatever occasion.
User-friendly digital touchscreens integrated into the front of the wine cooler ensures the easiest access to internal temperature controls, with an LED temperature indicator that allows you to check the temperature at first glance.
It is engineered with state-of-the-art technology such as solid-state cooling. This provides energy-efficient levels that meet the U.S. Department of Energy standards.
All of this allows your cooler smooth performance while maintaining a steady temperature, with no distracting noises. With over 40-years of experience, you can trust that Wine Enthusiast provides high-quality wine coolers.
An additional 1-year warranty allows peace of mind if anything were to happen to your wine cooler.
Pros
- Wire shelves – These protect and cradle your wine bottles, preventing them from moving around.
- Energy-efficient – Helps keep energy costs down.
- Cooling technology – Keeps your wine cooler at a stable, consistent temperature.
Cons
- The door isn’t see-through – You can’t view your wine collection from the door.
Also available at: wineenthusiast.com
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Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
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This Ivation 12-bottle compressor wine cooler doesn’t just cool your wine but also ensures the wine’s quality and taste. Whether using it for a short-term or long-term wine cooling option, you are guaranteed that your wine will age comfortably.
Manage the temperature of your wine cooler with adjustable settings, ranging from 41-degrees Fahrenheit to 64-degrees Fahrenheit – the lowest temperatures are perfect for your sparkling wines. The thermoelectric wine fridge is available in wine bottle capacities of 12 to 18 bottles. The different versions of these 12 inch wide wine coolers only vary in height.
Without changing the temperature settings, your wine cooler will stay at a steady temperature of 55-degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for ensuring your wine’s genuine taste.
With a steady temperature climate that allows you to choose the best temperatures for the wine’s maturing cycle. In addition, this wine cooler offers moistness control, which is a feature commonly missing in some wine coolers.
A bright LED temperature allows you to see the temperature of your wine cooler even in the dark. Moreover, the inside is protected with polyurethane froth and Thermopanes entryways ensuring that your door remains sealed shut.
Soft lighting can be found on the inside of the wine cooler, this prevents any damaging UV rays that could influence the uncommon taste in your wines.
Built with thermoelectric cooling reduces any vibrations that are sometimes found in other models of wine coolers. Likewise, this also saves money on your energy bills.
Removable shelves allow you to rearrange and organize your wine collection to fit perfectly in your wine cooler. Whether this is champagne or pinot noir, you are sure to fit all your bottles comfortably.
A secure lock is fastened to the outside of your wine cooler, providing you with peace of mind that your wine is secure.
Pros
- Humidity control – Control the humidity of your wine cooler.
- Bright LED lights – Ensures you can see your wine and temperatures easily, even at night.
- Thermoelectric cooling – Provides consistent cooling technology.
Cons
- Light doesn’t time out – The light will remain indefinitely on until you switch it off again.
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Buyer’s Guide
Before you purchase a wine cooler, these are a few factors to consider to buy the best cooler, you’ll find some below. Most of these wine refrigerators are below 500 USD. If you want to know more about wine fridges below 500 USD take a look here. In case you just want to store a few bottles these countertop sized wine fridge are a good choice.
UV Rays
The most damaging threat to wine is UV rays. It can affect the wine’s flavors, aroma, and quality. Over time, the UV rays will spoil the wine, making the taste unpleasant when stored long term.
Therefore, to prevent this from happening, make sure the wine cooler provides UV protection in the form of tapered glass and tight seals. This will guarantee no harmful UV rays will affect your wine.
Size
The next important factor in choosing the right wine cooler for you is the size. Depending on your requirements, you can get wine coolers of all shapes and sizes to fit seamlessly into a space.
Therefore, before purchasing and installing, make sure to perform some preliminary measurements to get the perfect size wine cooler for you.
Control The Temperature
One of the most important functions of a wine cooler is the ability to control the temperature of your wine. You will need a wine cooler that can maintain a steady cool temperature.
Most wine coolers allow you to adjust the temperature based on your wine requirements. Therefore, understanding your wine temperature needs before purchasing a wine cooler will help you decide which one is right for you.
Adjustable Shelves
Adjustable and removable shelves are a great perk already included in some wine coolers. It allows you to adjust the height of your shelves to help accommodate a wide variety of wine sizes.
These keep them perfectly organized and secure, whatever the size. Additionally, this also provides easy access and visibility to your wine as all you have to do is slide out a shelf and choose your wine.
Energy-Efficiency
If you intend to use your wine cooler over a long period of time, investing in an energy-efficient wine cooler would be the best option for you. Not only does it help your cooler operation run smoothly, but it will also save you money on your energy bill.
In addition, most energy-efficient coolers produce little to no noise, making them great for offices, living rooms, or kitchens, where you won’t be distracted by any vibrating or loud noises from your wine cooler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions in regards to 12-bottle wine coolers.
What Is A 12-Bottle Wine Cooler?
Essentially, a 12-bottle wine cooler is exactly what it sounds like: a wine cooler. It helps to keep your wine cool over a short or long period of time. A 12-bottle cooler can hold 12 standard Bordeaux sizes of wine.
However, the amount of bottles it can contain is dependent on the size of the wine bottles.
Generally, wine coolers will keep your wine at a constant temperature ranging from 45-degrees Fahrenheit to 65-degrees Fahrenheit. Any other temperatures outside of this range will, ultimately, negatively affect the quality and taste of your wine.
Wine coolers will, also, prevent any pollutants in the air from reaching your wine collection. This helps to prolong the wines’ shelf life. 12-Bottle wine coolers are great for any occasion, whether this is a party or a place to store your wine collection, they will suit all your needs.
How Do 12-Bottle Wine Coolers Work?
A 12-bottle wine cooler provides you with two separate chambers to store your white wines on one side with your red wines on another side. Typically, red wines require more time in a cooler to reach a suitable consumption temperature.
Many wine coolers have an integrated LED thermostat which helps you to monitor and assess your wine temperature easily, ensuring that your whites stay fresh and crisp, while your reds are warming or cooling at the best temperature for you.
What’s The Difference Between A Wine Cooler And Refrigerator?
Wine coolers allow you to store your wine bottles at a specific temperature based on your different wine requirements. However, refrigerators tend to be set at one temperature that is ideal for preserving foods.
Therefore, refrigerators won’t provide you with an optimum wine taste and aroma, making them unsuitable for long-term wine storage.
Final Thoughts
Investing in a wine cooler is a great option for all kinds of wine enthusiasts, especially those with a large wine collection. Not only does it keep your wine fresh and chilled, but, at the right temperature, it will enhance your wine’s flavors and aromas.
Hopefully, this guide has informed you of all the best 12-bottle wine coolers.
