No need for big wine cellars if you love wine. With the built-in wine cooler added to your kitchen, you should be able to store the wine you like at its best.
Wine coolers are the modern way of storing wines for drinking. However, the competition in the market is tough, and it can be hard to figure out which one to buy, which is why this article can help narrow down the choices.
There are a lot of built-in wine coolers to choose from, so let’s narrow it down to some of the top five in the market right now:
| Wine Coolers | Bottle Capacity | Installation Type | Zone | Cooling system | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kalamera Wine Cooler (Built-in or Freestanding)  | 18 | Built-in / Freestanding | Single | Compressor | |
Allavino FlexCount Wine Refrigerator (VSWR56-2BWRN)  | 56 | Built-in | Dual | Compressor | |
Danby Wine Cooler (DWC276BLS)  | 27 | Built-in | Single | Compressor | |
NewAir Wine Cooler (AWR-460DB)  | 46 | Built-in | Dual | Compressor | |
Whynter Wine Refrigerator (BWR-461DZ)  | 46 | Built-in | Dual | Compressor |
Best Built In Wine Cooler Reviews 2022
1. Kalamera Wine Refrigerator – Affordable Price For 18 Bottles And One Temperature
This single zone wine cooler is ideal for the beginning wine lover.
Just the right size and at an affordable price, the 18 bottle capacity is a welcome addition to anyone’s kitchen.
First is its bottle capacity. With 18 bottles, anyone can have a good selection of wine. For those who drink at least once a week, this gives them four and a half months of consumption.
That should be enough for one-third of a year if you stock up. This means that you can save on your wine purchases.
The second interesting feature is its use of compressor technology. A lot of people dislike the use of compressors because they vibrate a lot and have higher energy costs. However, thanks to the refinements used by Kalamera, there’s not much vibration and is not as noisy as a normal fridge.
It also helps that the temperature range for this refrigerator is pretty wide. Starting from 40 degrees Fahrenheit, its warmest is around 66 degrees. This means it can reasonably store everything from blushing wines to red wines in top condition.
All of this is maintained via digital temperature control. It can automatically restore your previous temp settings in case of power failure. This ensures that your wine collection is always protected, even if you forget to reset the temperature.
Third, there’s the fact that this wine fridge is only around a foot wide and nearly three feet high. That is a good size for a built-in wine cooler, allowing it to be inserted easily into most kitchen settings. In fact, you only need to clear out a cupboard and find a way to pug it in to get it ready.
Another interesting thing about this wine cooler is that it can protect your wine very well. For one, there’s a safety lock so no one can open the wine cooler easily. This keeps the cold in and ensures that your wine will stay at its best.
Finally, the wine cooler looks nice. The interior has a beechwood shelf that keeps your wine steady. The exterior has a good solid stainless steel look that can work with a lot of styles.
Pros
- Solid range of temperatures allows you to store a wide variety of wines.
- Revolutionary cooling technology allows quite compressor cooling.
- Small and compact enough to fit seamlessly into most current kitchen layouts.
Cons
- High power consumption is still a problem because of compressor use.
- Not a good choice for those who like to consume their wine more regularly.
- Takes several days to prepare fully.
2. Allavino FlexCount (VSWR56-2BWRN) Wine Refrigerator – One Bottle of Wine a Week
For the dedicated wine lover, this black beast is ready to accept more than a year’s worth of wine. Drink a bottle a week and you won’t empty it.
With its dual zone feature and advanced cooling system, it will keep you well-supplied.
Allavino’s FlexCount VSWR56-2BWRN is your wine cooler for the year. It has enough space for you to reserve a bottle of wine for each week of the year. This is enough to be worth its price tag not to mention its special features.
First, it is a dual zone wine cooler. This means that you can segregate your wine types into two and store them at their optimal temperatures. This gives you a bit more flexibility when it comes to spreading out the win you have.
For example, red wines need to stay just below room temperature to be at their best. Blushing and white wines need to be a bit colder. Keeping both types of wine in a single zone wine cooler would be impossible.
Secondly, it has an advanced compressor cooling unit. Using the latest technology is manages to consume 25% less than the standard power consumption of such a unit. It also reduces the noise and vibration of the unit.
Third, thanks to the FlexCount storage system of this wine cooler, you will be able to store 56 bottles in such a small space. With a width of two feet, it should fit in a lot of empty cupboards easily.
The FlexCount system is very solid. You will have no worries that it will sag in the middle or something similar. It also allows for bottles of different size to be stored properly.
A fourth reason that you might want to pick this up is that is very versatile. You can set it up as an individual freestanding unit or something built-in to your counter. Having these choices makes it easy to add it to your existing kitchen.
Finally, the wine cooler has an easy-to-use interface. There’s a push-button temperature control, and the digital display fully shows the current temperature settings. The wood slats were you lay your bottles also provide additional protection to them.
Pros
- The large bottle count and dual zone design allow you to store a wide variety of wine that can last you for over a year.
- The FlexCount system accommodates different bottle sizes easily.
- Advanced compressor technology reduces power consumption and the noise of the compressor.
Cons
- It can be too many bottles for a starting wine collector.
- The temperature difference between two zones must be within five degrees of each other, which can limit your options.
- It can be hard to get rid of its initial smell.
3. Danby Wine Cooler (DWC276BLS) – Wine Fridge For Every Kitchen
Fitting perfectly into any counter-top, this wine cooler is an easy addition to any style of kitchen.
Easy to operate and protective of your wines, this is a good investment.
This Danby wine cooler is another small-form product. At only twelve inches wide and two foot tall, kitchen owners would be able to slot this into your current kitchen without any trouble. It helps that it has a reasonable price point.
Using a compressor system, it manages to drop the interior temperature to the level that you need it. However, it does seem to be a bit noisy compared to the competition. However, it does use a frost-free system that limits the temperature changes inside the wine cooler, which ensures that your wine remains in an excellent state.
The single zone of the wine refrigerator does limit your options. You’ll only be able to stock a single type of wine, though there are still individual varieties among reds and whites to give you a good selection. The humidity reservoir of the wine fridge does make up for it, ensuring ideal levels of moisture in the air for your wine.
The internal rack is large enough to handle around 27 bottles. It uses seven black wire shelves, so you can just pull out the bottles easily. The bottle capacity is enough for half a year’s worth of bottles if you limit yourself to a bottle a week.
Finally, the wine cooler has some solid features. One of them is the UV-proof tempered glass that protects your bottles of wine from UV exposure. That ensures a longer lifespan for your wine.
Another protective feature is the safety lock that keeps the bottles inside the wine fridge. Thanks to that, curious toddlers won’t be opening this wine cooler accidentally. Add to this a digital LCD display, LED lights, and more. This has a lot of value in a single package.
Pros
- Compact design allows it to be put anywhere in your kitchen.
- The affordable price point is combined with a lot of features.
- This is a good starter wine cooler for beginning wine collectors.
- Internal racks allow for non-standard bottles to be stored.
Cons
- The compressor-based cooling system can be loud.
- Single zone wine cooler limits you to a single type of wine.
- It is not Energy-star rated so expect it to consume higher electrical costs.
4. NewAir Built-in Wine Cooler (AWR-460DB) – For More Serious Wine Collectors
Using radiant cooling, this wine fridge ensures that the cooler will have a steady temperature in each zone.
With its classic design and large capacity, this is a good option for those who are more confident in their wine-drinking abilities.
The NewAir AWR-460DB is something I would recommend to those who want to start becoming serious with their wine collection.
This is a serious investment in both space and money. With a capacity for 46 bottles, this should keep your wine collection for most of the year.
The main features that will catch people’s eyes is its size. It is nearly two feet wide and three feet tall.
The interior is divided into two zones to accommodate all of the bottles that you plant to store.
A dual zone wine cooler, the upper portion can be set to a different temperature than the lower four shelves. It helps that the design is a front-venting one, allowing bottles to be taken and put in easily like it was a cabinet.
Wooden shelves and LED lights ensure that your wine is in prime condition when stored.
Compressor cooling takes the internal temperatures of the wine cooler from 40 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a good range that allows for storage of all types of wines. Radiant cooling further ensures that your wine gets an equal amount of cooling for all of its wines.
The compressor has also been designed to operate more quietly than normal. It is not completely silent, but it is not as noisy as your fridge. However, it still consumes a lot of electricity.
Besides these basics, this wine cooler has some pretty impressive additional features. One of these is the LCD temperature display. Check on this regularly to see what temperature each zone has.
The controls are pretty easy to manipulate. Just push the up and down buttons to set it to the appropriate temperature. The double-paned and tinted window also helps in ensuring your wine is safe.
The design is also pretty nice-looking, with the stainless steel ensuring that this will fit in most kitchen styles.
Pros
- Quiet operation ensures that there are not many vibrations to disturb your wine.
- Simple to operate, it will work with a push of a button.
- Large space allows for over 46 individual bottles of different types to be stored.
Cons
- Inconsistent temperature problems can cause your wine to age at times.
- High power consumption can put a dent in your electrical bill.
- Expensive price puts it beyond the reach of the newcomer.
5. Whynter Wine Fridge (BWR-461DZ) – An Attractive Price That Can Deliver a Lot of Wine Storage
This 28 bottle wine cooler features dual temperature zones and personalized shelves so that your bottles can fit properly.
This stainless steel storage option is the best around for you.
The Whynter BWR-461DZ is a 46-bottle wine cooler that can deliver a lot of space to your kitchen for wine. Similar to the NewAir wine cooler, the main difference is their price difference. This model is noticeably cheaper.
Using a compressor cooling system, it has a temperature range from 41 degrees to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is equally spread out over your wine refrigerator by a fan-powered circulation system. Thanks to precise temperature control, you can be ensured of proper cold distribution.
Besides that, the two feet wide and three feet tall wine fridge is a sleek addition to any kitchen. Stainless steel casing gives it a solid look that first with most modern kitchen styles. It also helps that the smoked tempered glass lets you see your wine collection from outside.
The capacity of the wine cooler is pretty big. Divided into two zones, it can accommodate over 46 bottles.
In the upper area, which has a temperature range of 41 to 50 degrees, you can place around 16 bottles. The lower area, which is a bit hotter and ranges from 50 degrees to 72 degrees, can hold around 30 bottles.
Each zone has wood-faced shelving for your bottles that is wide enough to handle most bottle types. Just slide them out and lay down your bottles or get one. Slide them back in when you want to store your wine bottles back.
Besides the interior, this wine cooler works very smoothly. In the divider between zones, there’s a digital thermostat that sets the temperature of each zone. Just push the up and down buttons to confirm your setting.
Plus, for additional safety, you can lock the door. This ensures that your curious children won’t be able to get an early taste of wine.
Pros
- Wider temperature range thanks to the compressor cooling system.
- Fan-powered circulation ensures that all areas have equal coolness.
- Security lock ensures your wine is safe from grasping hands.
Cons
- High power consumption is to be expected.
- The compressor can get pretty noisy and may spread vibrations among your bottles.
- Filling it to the full 46 can result in a tight fit.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Built in Wine Cooler
When you’re reading the best built-in wine cooler reviews out there, you’ll want to look at the particular elements that should influence your choice of purchase. Here are a few things you should look at when you’re in the market for a built-in wine cooler.
#1. Thermoelectric vs. Compressor
There are two main ways to keep your wine cool. One uses the traditional compressor and refrigerant technology, while the other uses thermoelectric cooling.
Thermoelectric cooling works by running an electrical current through a cooling node. This makes one side cooler, while the other side gets all the heat. This method of cooling is a lot cheaper than traditional cooling, though it is limited in its cooling capacity.
Compressor cooling allows for much cooler temperatures. However, it consumes a lot of energy. It also is a lot noisier than the alternative.
Take note that specific wines have optimal temperatures for storage.
#2. Size Matters
There is also the matter of size. Built-in wine coolers are in the comfortable spot between counter-top wine coolers and freestanding wine coolers. However, they still have quite a bit of variety when it comes to size.
When you’re thinking about the size of your wine fridge, you should consider how much wine you drink. This should influence how much capacity you need in your storage options.
As a good rule-of-thumb, you should have space for a bottle for several months. This means you should add up your monthly consumption of wine and use that as a baseline.
#3. Style
Your built-in wine cooler is not just a place to store your wine. It is also a part of your kitchen furniture. Select a wine cooler that will fit the aesthetic of the kitchen. For example, a modern kitchen will more likely be a good fit for a wine cooler with a stainless steel design.
#4. Functionality
You want a wine cooler that has a healthy set of features. This ensures that you will get the proper cooling and storage for your wine. These features can include digital temperature controls to safety locks so that your children can’t access your win.
Getting The Most From Your Built in Wine Cooler
Now that you’ve got your built-in wine cooler, you will want to maintain it properly. Here’s a brief overview of how to keep your wine cooler running in top condition.
Proper Placement
You’ll want to place your wine cooler in the right position. This means a place where no direct sunlight hits it, and there is proper clearance for opening the door.
Cleaning
You’ll also need to keep the wine cooler clean. Ensure your wine cooler maintains its pristine looks by regularly wiping its exterior down with a non-abrasive cleaner. As for its interior, clean it out with a mild detergent every few months, as well as emptying any water boxes in it.
Operation
Always read the owner’s manual to see what exactly you should do when operating your wine cooler. Remember to open it only when you are taking a bottle out or putting one in. Also, ensure that the door is secure so that your wine won’t get spoiled because of the improper temperature.
Preserving the Flavor
With the best wine refrigerator possible for your home, you can be sure that every time you pop open the cork, you will get the best possible flavor for your wine. With the reviews above, you should be able to narrow down your choices to a select few and finally make a final decision.
Remember to look at the essentials of how the wine cooler operates, its size, and how it looks. If all of these match with your requirements then you’ve got the wine cooler that is perfect for you. Buy the best built-in wine cooler now to ensure that whatever wine you buy is at its best when you drink it.