Best Dual Zone Wine Cooler: 10 Wine Coolers Reviewed & Buying Guide

You’re already aware a dual-zone wine cooler helps preserve the quality of red and white wine.

But how do you know which is the best one?

Features such as temperature control and the type of cooling mechanism are some factors worth considering.

If you want the best value for your money’s worth and how to choose the best dual zone wine cooler, our review will cover all you need to know, including the ten best picks we’ve carefully reviewed.

10 Best Dual Zone Wine Coolers

1. NutriChef PKCWC24 24 Bottle Wine Refrigerator: Best Overall

Optimal Temperature Control

Storage temperature for red and white wines is crucial to preserving the quality and flavors each one gives.

Hands down, NutriChef provides skyrocketing quality for your storage needs.

That’s not all. The adjustable temperature control feature is perfect for setting appropriate temperature zones for storing and serving wine. You can set it between 41 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Every wine connoisseur knows you don’t serve and store red and white wines at the same temperature.

That would be blasphemous! With adjustable temperature control, you can set your desired temperature for the weekend party while storing your favorite wine collection for a special day.

Built-in Fan With Ventilation Grill

NutriChef uses a unique, built-in circulation fan system with a ventilation grill for cooling wines.

Seeing as to how the NutriChef PKCWC24 model can contain 24 bottles of wine, it’s only ideal to have a compressor fan as the cooling system.

Compressor fans are more suited to wine coolers with larger capacities. Not to mention, it provides a more stable internal temperature for your wines, even under various environmental conditions.

Extra Features

Extra features are always worth the extra expense. Well, almost.

Surely, you don’t expect all dual-zone wine coolers to be a storage space for your wine collection.

You’d want more for what you spend, and in NutriChef’s case, it comes with the following additional design features:

• LED lighting integration
• Touch control panel
• Standing bottle placement
• Stainless steel door frame
• Tempered glass door

Is NutriChef PKCWC24 for You?

At under $500, the NutriChef PKCWC24 has much to offer.

If you want long-lasting value, reliable quality, and all the features for keeping your red and white wines in tip-top condition, you can’t go wrong with a premium wine fridge like NutriChef.

The only drawback we found was the instruction manual, specifically when operating the temperature settings.

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2. Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual Zone Max Compressor Wine Cooler: Best Value

Intuitive Control Panel

In this age of technology, we can all agree that an easy-to-use interface is an appealing quality, be it mobile phones, laptops, kitchen equipment, and of course, wine refrigerators.

A fancy design has its quirks.

However, when you’re storing and caring for wine for as long as we have, be it red or white wine, one and only one job matters: setting the right temperature.

To do that, you need a control panel that’s easy to use and adjust whenever you want to serve or store wines.

Fortunately, Wine Enthusiast has been a step ahead in the game of manufacturing the best dual-zone wine coolers, and we’re proud fans of the brand.

Large Wine Bottle Capacity

If you thought storing 24 wine bottles was a lot, try 32 bottles. For some wine collectors, though, 32 bottles are in the low counts!

Still, if you’re a home buddy who buys wines frequently and stocks on a few for special events & gatherings, you’ll love a 32-bottle wine capacity.

We’d say it’s the middle ground for those who don’t want to invest in a wine cellar just yet but want a dual-zone wine fridge that satisfies your wine needs.

40 Years of Quality

Quality matters. And no – we don’t mean our overpriced friends over at Prada selling a paperclip for $185.

A paperclip…for $185. Let that sink in for a bit.

Wine Enthusiast may be on the pricier side, but it’s still one of the best wine coolers you can get under $500. And let’s not forget the 40 years they’ve been in the wine industry.

Not only do they come with trusted quality in their products, but they even offer a 1-year warranty for parts & labor and a 3-year warranty for sealed system parts.

How’s that for a fridge, Prada?

User-friendly Design

You’d think that with a storage space of 32 bottles, it’d be heavy, but that’s where your assumptions are wrong.

The entire fridge weighs only 60 lbs, and that’s roughly 15 lbs lighter than our best overall pick, the NutriChef PKCWC24.

You’ll have no problem storing this on your kitchen counter, moving it around, or if you’re feeling a little clingy, you can always put it by your bedside.

Is Wine Enthusiast for You?

Wine Enthusiast manufactures one of the best wine coolers, and they have 40 years of service to prove it.

The price may be steep, but if you want a dual-zone wine cooler that gives you peace of mind when storing your wines, you’ll love the Wine Enthusiast model.

Don’t forget! This dual-zone cooler isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you’ve only recently stepped into the world of wine, investing in a 32-bottle fridge might be like flying to the moon without your spacesuit.

Then again, if you don’t mind spending extra, it’s still worth the easy-to-use control panel, convenient design, and quality performance.

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3. Koolatron WC12DZ 12 Bottle Dual Zone Thermoelectric Cooler: Best Budget Pick

Let’s make one thing clear: Budget picks aren’t chump change.

Sure, it doesn’t have the largest bottle capacity, and it’s not as sophisticated as other wine refrigerators, but at under $200, this dual-zone wine cooler is perfect for light wine drinkers.

And what better way than to invest in a price-friendly cooler to store your wine perfectly?

Sleek Design

A sleek design comes with a tone of benefits. Apart from its small footprint and storage-saving capabilities, the Koolatron WC12DZ blends well in any space of your home.

A sleek design hits the sweet spot for storing wines for the casual wine drinker and keeping the quality superior.

Heat Dissipation System

Unlike the two dual-zone wine coolers we mentioned earlier, the Koolatron WC12DZ uses a heat dissipation or thermoelectric cooling system.

This system provides a stable cooling environment for your wines and is more ideal for a fridge with a smaller bottle capacity.

Another benefit of this cooling system is its noiseless and vibration-free operation. Even if you placed this in your bedroom, you wouldn’t hear any noise that might disrupt your sleep.

Is the Koolatron WC12DZ for You?

For the casual wine drinker, the Koolatron WC12DZ is nearly unmatched in price. Not to mention its tempered glass dark-colored door, which protects your wines from sunlight.

If you’ve been feeling stuck on what to give your friends or family for the holidays or for birthday & special occasions, this makes an excellent gift.

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4. EdgeStar 38-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler

Easy to Store Wines

It’s not just about storage appeal.

When you have a dedicated space -in this case, beechwood shelves – storing your wine bottles transcends the art and class of well, ehrm…storage.

For someone who loves organized places and a minimalist look, the beechwood shelves of Edgestar provide an elegant allocation for storing and segregating wines.

Maybe you prefer white wines to be stored exclusively on the bottom shelf while red on the top or even separate your rose wines from your full-bodied wines.

It’s up to you, really. Ultimately, it’s one of the reasons why Edgestar made it to our list of best dual-zone wine fridges.

Integrated Lock System

Being the wine lover you are, an integrated lock system is the cherry on top.

It’s okay. You can admit it. It’s perfectly sane to get a little overprotective. After all, we are talking about preserving aged goodness – no wait – aged greatness.

And once your wine’s flavor is ruined, rain pours…hard.

So why wouldn’t you want a 38-bottle wine cooler with a lock system?

Large Capacity

We mentioned earlier that some dual-zone fridges could go as much as storing 60 wines, but a 38-bottle wine cooler is a step closer than most.

The big question is, do you need a 38-bottle dual-zone cooler?

Put simply, you don’t need to use all the space for storing wine. You can leave a few spaces for serving some of your best wine for a special, momentous day.

Take note, though, that while you have a 38-bottle capacity, you can only store 38 “standard-sized” bottles. That’s about 38 750 ml 2.75-inch Bordeaux wine bottles.

Is the Edgestar 38-Bottle for You?

First things first: Can this dual-zone fridge provide an optimal cooling environment for your wines? Yes, it can, and that’s thanks to its compressor fan technology.

Some may have mentioned that it’s less energy-efficient since it doesn’t use thermoelectric cooling, but, truth be told, compressor fans are more energy-efficient long-term.

Now, how do you know this is for you? Three things: Large capacity, reasonably priced, and anti-theft protection.

If all those fit your needs, this is the cooler for you.

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5. Koldfront 18 Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler

Small Footprint

This lightweight 18-bottle dual-zone wine fridge will fit just about nearly anywhere in your kitchen and home.

Any casual wine drinker will love the compactness and space-saving capabilities Koldfront brings to the table.

Energy-Efficient

When you get a wine fridge this compact built with thermoelectric cooling, you get outstanding energy-efficiency.

This thermoelectric wine cooler is a practical choice to help you save on purchase costs.

Quiet Operation

Personally, we don’t mind the slight vibrational noise some wine coolers give, but if you’re sensitive to noise and prefer a quiet-running wine cooler, you’re making the right decision by choosing this one.

Is the Koldfront 18-bottle for You?

Some prefer to spend more on their wine coolers, while some prioritize practicality and choose a wine cooler with the right balance of quality and price.

If you belong to the practical group and don’t need a large wine cooler to satisfy your needs, Koldfront is an excellent choice.

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6. Kalamera 45-Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler

Suitable for Homes & Commercial Places

If you have a wine cellar at home, a 45-bottle wine cooler will suit your home space well. Then again, you aren’t limited to just those options.

The Kalamera 45-bottle is also a built-in wine cooler, meaning you can have it installed and secured firmly in place anywhere in your home, granted you have enough space.

Wait, that’s not the only thing.

A built-in wine cooler is especially beneficial for commercial places.

The challenge of installing a freestanding wine fridge in a commercial place is also more vulnerable to environmental factors and foot traffic, making built-in types more flexible.

Huge Capacity

So…what’s the difference between a 38-bottle and 45-bottle wine refrigerator? Apart from its evident larger capacity, this leads us to our first main benefit: commercial use.

For wine shops and restaurants, a 45-bottle wine cooler is built ideally for these uses.

Consistent Cooling

Another unique benefit of the Kalamera is its consistent cooling function.

While wine coolers use either compressor fan or thermoelectric cooling, there are in-house secrets that separate certain manufacturers apart from one another.

In the case of Kalamera, they’ve done an excellent job keeping wine consistently cool throughout the years.

Is the Kalamera 45-bottle for You?

Safe to say, this is an ideal choice for anyone looking to invest in a wine cooler for commercial use.

Although, we’re not saying you can’t use it at home. This may just be the time to impress your friends and wine connoisseurs or oenophiles alike.

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7. Aobosi 46-Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler

Faster Cooling

Aobosi took a step further by installing a three-dimensional cooling cycle system.

As complicated as that may sound, here’s all you need to know: faster cooling time, consistent temperature range, and a stable environment for preserving the quality of each wine stored.

This is no time to geek-out and get fidgety about the details behind how this system works.

After all, it’s an in-house manufacturing quality only Aobosi knows.

Temperature Memory Function

When you have a wine fridge storing this many wines, you’re also placing many risks should the temperature range change or drop.

We don’t mean constantly opening and closing the door of your wine cooler.

We’re talking about power outages – black-hearted devils that ruin the hard work and effort you put into setting your desired temperature range.

The biggest problem is power outages “force” your wine cooler to reset. The worst part? This affects the quality of your wines.

Now it may only be for a few mins or sometimes, a couple of hours, but it’s worth noting that wine is highly sensitive to temperature changes.

It’s why a consistent cooling temperature and stable environment are key elements to preserving wine.

Fortunately, Aobosi came up with a temperature memory function to keep the temperature range intact even after a power outage.

Safety Lock

You’re storing 46 bottles of white and red wine, and you don’t think a safety lock would be useful?

It may only seem like a small design feature at first, but when you’ve tasted wine preserved appropriately compared to wine that’s been exposed to various temperature and environmental changes, you’ll thank us for telling you how vital a safety lock can be.

Lock Screen Functionality

There is one downside to easy-t0-adjust temperature controls: it’s easy to tamper with.

Say hello to its counter-solution: lock screen functionality.

After 3 minutes of inactivity, this wine cooler locks the settings to keep the temperature range stable and consistent. To unlock it, you only have to press the “+” and “-” simultaneously until you hear a beep.

Is the Aobosi 46-bottle for You?

Be warned. This wine cooler doesn’t come cheap.

While it still counts as one of the best dual zone wine coolers, expect to spend around $800 for this wine cooler.

It’s definitely playing hard to get alright.

However, if you need a wine fridge that can store as much wine as needed and get the best protection for preserving your wine collection, the Aobosi 46-bottle is for you.

Furthermore, it comes with a tempered glass door and stainless steel frame for enhanced durability.

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8. Phiestina 46-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler

Removes Heat Efficiently

A kick plate design isn’t exactly revolutionary, but it gets the job done by removing heat out the front rather than stay in your wine cabinet.

Additionally, it’s a nice design feature that adds personality.

Great Customer Service

Here’s where Phiestina truly shines. We’ve seen 1-star reviews become 5-star reviews thanks to the customer service Phiestina provides.

After all, when you have thousands of users ordering wine fridges from the same manufacturer, maintaining quality for every order can be a challenge.

Although some units arrived with dents and some with compressor fans that didn’t run appropriately, Phiestina’s customer service quickly and immediately solved this problem.

Versatile

Storing wine bottles can be a hassle at times, especially if the shelves are flimsy or poorly designed.

In Phiestina’s case, you have five removable shelves along with two stoppers on each side to easily remove and re-arrange your storage space the way you desire.

If you plan to store larger-sized bottles, for example, you can remove one shelf to create more room in your wine cooler.

Even better, you can always store beer cans, soda bottles, and other beverages too! However, just make sure this doesn’t create a conflict with the temperature of your wines.

Is the Phiestina 46-bottle for You?

We recommend this wine cooler for both home and commercial purposes.

The stainless steel frame and transparent glass door provide an aesthetic appeal and durable design that can cater to any type of home you have, whether it’s retro, chic, vintage, minimalist, or even boho style.

Finally, if you’re willing to spend more than $500 to store your lovely wine collection, rest assured, you’re looking at the excellent quality here.

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9. Antarctic Star 24-Inch 46-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cooler

Activated Charcoal Filter System

Having an activated charcoal filter system might be one of the rarest features of a wine cooler.

Is it worth it?

Here’s what we know it can do for your wines: it provides an odor-free environment, purifies the air, and adds cooling efficiency.

It may be unusual, but we agree with how it can benefit you when storing your wines.

Intuitive Control Panel

A wine fridge with easy-to-read displays, temperature lock screen functionality, and a door open alarm are attractive benefits itching our pockets to buy this cooler.

It’s one thing to have electronic displays. It’s another to have complementary buttons that enhance the protection and preservation of your wine’s quality.

Dual Cooling Technology

This is what took us by surprise.

Nothing is more attractive than a fridge that can maintain stable cooling temperatures. The best part?

Antarctic Star’s built-in system delivers equal cold air to each wine so, rest assured, your wine will taste as fresh as day 1.

Is the Antarctic 46-bottle for You?

The Antarctic Star 46-bottle is an underdog brand that’s bound to catch up to top-notch brands.

The quality and performance took us by surprise, and we’re glad to have taken a leap of faith in giving this wine cooler a shot.

The only drawback was the noise. This cooler can be quite loud at times, not to mention, it’s not the cheapest wine fridge on our list.

Nevertheless, it’s an excellent choice proven by many users who use and own this cooler.

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10. Ivation 18-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

Dual Pane Thermopane Doors

A thermopane door isn’t quite like a tempered glass door, and there’s a reason why it provides better protection for your wines.

First, thermopane doors help your wine refrigerator achieve an odor-free environment. Second, it prevents less air from coming in contact with your wine and, in effect, prevents the cork from drying out.

Third and most importantly, thermopane doors effectively block out UV rays, sunlight, and other complex compounds that can damage the quality & freshness of your wine.

So while Ivation prices their wine fridges higher than most, it’s worth the price.

Easy Visibility

A wine cooler that provides great visibility is an underrated benefit many wouldn’t see at first.

If you notice, not all wines have the same color for their capsules. You may have only noticed this recently, but these capsules do “talk.”

For example, a blue-colored label or capsule would generally mean the quality is more suited to everyday wine.

Green colors indicate AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controllee) or AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protegee) wine, which translates to good quality wine.

Wine terms aside, excellent visibility allows you to easily choose the wine of your preference by merely looking through the wine cooler.

Remember: Opening your wine fridge’s door subjects the wine to temperature changes, which destroys the quality.

Quiet Operation

Last but not least, and in less trivial matters, the Ivation 18-bottle wine fridge runs smoothly, quietly, and vibration-free.

Is the Ivation 18-bottle for You?

Any wine connoisseur would love the Ivation 18-bottle wine cooler, although it may lack storage capacity considering it can only contain 18 bottles.

For casual drinkers, the compact size and high protection it provides for your wine bottles are undoubtedly appealing on its own.

That is, of course, if you’re willing to spend more than your budget.

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Who Should Buy a Dual Zone Wine Cooler?

You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to buy a dual-zone wine cooler; however, a dual-zone refrigerator isn’t always the best choice.

You should invest in one if:

1. You plan to store both red and white wines or have a large wine collection. If you plan to store red wine or white wine, a single-zone cooler will suit you better. Although a single-zone type only stores either red or white wine, you don’t need to spend extra -let alone on electricity costs – by buying a dual-zone fridge and store solely red wine.
2. You host wine-tasting events and occasions frequently. You wouldn’t exactly expect all your guests to stick to drinking white wine for every party you host. If you throw a lot of parties, you need adequate space, versatility, and variety to entertain your guests. If not, a single-zone cooler should be more than sufficient.

These are the two most vital points to look out for before investing in a dual-zone wine fridge.

If you’re still beginning your wine journey and still learning the various flavors it has to offer, a dual-zone might be more worth it in the long run.

Then again, the only major difference between a single-zone and a dual-zone is that dual-zone units allow you to use one part for storing and another part for serving.

What Is the Ideal Temperature for Your Wine Fridge?

Whether it’s red, white, or sparkling, the ideal temperature should range between 53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some might say the red wines should be kept at 66 degrees Fahrenheit for proper storage. They might even go further to say that full-bodied reds should be between 63 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

But the fact of the matter is when you’re aging wine, keeping it between 53 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit allows the wine to age as the winemaker intended.

If you don’t believe us, you can give the 66 degrees Fahrenheit a shot first.

What about the ideal temperature for serving wine? Now that’s a different story.

You should serve reds at temperatures between 58 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while white wines should be served between 45 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

A good rule of thumb to follow is the lighter the wine, the colder the serving temperature should be. For bigger wines, the serving temperature should be warmer.

How to Choose a Dual Zone Wine Fridge

Choosing the best cooler depends on three considerations:

1. Type of cooler
2. Cooling Technology
3. Temperature range

Type of Cooler

Two types to note are built-in and freestanding coolers. An 18-bottle dual-zone built-in wine cooler is quite different from an 18-bottle dual-zone freestanding wine cooler.

The main differences worth mentioning include the portability, versatility, and cheaper installation a freestanding cooler provides.

Freestanding coolers are easier to install since you can position one easily in any part of your kitchen or even in your bedroom.

A built-in cooler is more expensive to install since you’ll have to place it either under your counter or kitchen cabinet.

In effect, its portability is limited compared to freestanding coolers, not to mention some units are much taller, making it harder to fit into your kitchen space.

Furthermore, this would most likely entail higher installation costs. So before you get an 18-bottle dual-zone built-in wine cooler, remember these facts to help guide you along the way.

Cooling Technology

Between a thermoelectric and compressor fan cooler, which is better?

To help you understand and guide you in storing the best wine possible in your fridge, these benefits and drawbacks of each technology type can help you:

Thermoelectric

Benefits

• Quiet & vibration-free operation. Most of the internal parts for thermoelectric cooling require minimal movement, which results in a quieter, vibration-free operation.
• Energy-efficient. Since thermoelectric coolers require less power to operate, they’re more efficient to run.

Drawbacks

• Ideal for small capacities. Since it uses less power, it also means it can’t cool a larger capacity of bottles.
• Expensive to operate. Granted, thermoelectric cooling is energy-efficient, but it also costs more long-term because it should be on the whole time.

Compressor

Benefits

• Ideal for larger capacities. Compressor types produce much more power, making them more suited to cooling more bottles than thermoelectric types.
• Better adaptability. When exposed to various heat loads and varying temperatures, compressor types can maintain temperatures easily and are better if you plan to store your cooler in a basement or warm environment.

Drawbacks

Noisy Operation. Compressor types carry a lot of moving parts, which cycle on and off. This produces noise and slight vibrations that give off a humming sound.

Temperature Range

Temperature is the essence of storing wine, be it a single-zone or dual-zone fridge.

Storing wines at room temperature, even for reds, is a bad idea. On that note, make sure the cooler you buy has a wide temperature range.

This will allow you to preserve each wine’s freshness, quality, depth, and taste notes. Don’t worry, though.

The coolers we mentioned in this review all have temperature ranges between 41 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Other Factors to Consider

Apart from the three primary considerations, you should also consider:

1. Price. This depends on your budget and how much you’re willing to spend.
2. Build. If the material build is poor, this also affects the stability and lifespan of your cooler. Going for stainless steel is a good option.
3. Capacity. This depends on how large your collection is and how much space you want to allocate for your future additions.

Final conclusions about dual zone coolers

We hope this review was able to help you find the best dual-zone cooler! If you’re still confused, we recommend the NutriChef PKCWC24 for trusted quality, optimal temperature range, and great functionality.

For the best bang for your buck, the Wine-Enthusiast 32-bottle is an excellent pick for storing a wide collection of bottles while giving you a great return for your money.

If you’re worried about the price, either the Koolatron WC12Dz is a cooler that won’t let you down.