The 10 Best Countertop Wine Coolers [2024 Reviews]
A countertop wine cooler is the perfect accessory for the frequent wine drinker. These handy appliances keep your bottles of wine at the ideal temperature for storage and ready for service.
Wine requires a few special considerations…especially for longer term storage. These considerations include a cool, consistent temperature, some humidity, low vibrations, and protection from harsh UV light.
A countertop wine cooler can help you create the perfect environment to keep your wine in the most optimal condition possible. And as an added bonus, your wines will be ready to serve without any last minute chilling.
Our Top Countertop Wine Cooler Picks
With these considerations in mind, I have several recommendations to share across a number of categories. Find a summary table right here, and scroll down further for more details on each, as well as a runner-up pick for every category. Cheers!
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How to Select a Countertop Wine Cooler
When choosing a countertop wine cooler, you’ll want to consider…
- How much space you have available
- How many bottles you’d like to store at any given time
- The temperature range of the unit (to properly store different types of wine)
- How much noise the appliance makes
- The overall style of the appliance
- How the cooler will fit in with the rest of your décor (e.g. black vs stainless steel)
- The energy efficiency (or lack thereof) of the wine cooler
Top Budget-Friendly Picks
Countertop wine coolers can range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the features. However, buying a countertop wine cooler doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are two options on the more affordable side, that still bring a lot to the table.
Top Choice – Ivation 8-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
Pros
Stylish smoked glass (also protects wine from UV light)
Temperature range of 46°F – 64°F
Insulated to protect wine from vibration
Quiet
Energy efficient
Digital display
Compact size (17.7″ H x 9.9″ W x 19.7″ D)
Cons
Single temperature zone
Heavy for its size (weighs almost 20 lbs.)
The smoked glass door on this unit is chic and efficient, helping to block harming UV light. This cooler has a lot of features you’d expect from a more expensive product (such as a digital display) at a budget-friendly price.
This model looks great and gets the job done at an affordable price point. The extra insulation helps assure you that your special bottles are safe and sound. Finally, glowing customer reviews of this product make this is a solid choice.
Runner up – Antarctic Star 1.6 cu.ft Wine Cooler
Pros
Compact size (19″ H x 17.44″ W x 17.77″ D)
40°F – 61°F temperature range
Double pane glass
Shelves can be moved around to accommodate bottles and cans
Reversible door (to accommodate any space/room configuration)
Interior light can be turned off
Cons
Single temperature zone
No digital display
Larger/specialty bottles might not fit
This cooler is compact, versatile, and budget friendly. Additionally, it can store both bottles and cans. However, it lacks some of the higher end amenities of more expensive units, making it a solid runner up.
While you lose a few features with this model (such as a digital display), it makes up for it in value and versatility. Customer reviews mention the compact size, ability to store bottles and cans, and stylish design as major pluses for this option.
Best Wine Cooler for Small Spaces
Countertop wine coolers can range from storing just a few bottles to upwards of 18 bottles – but for every extra bottle of storage capacity, the more counter space the cooler will take up. A small kitchen (or other small space, such as a RV or summer cabin) shouldn’t limit your ability to have a great wine cooler. These selections are perfect for keeping your bottles of vino at the perfect temperature without taking up too much space.
Top Choice – Wine Enthusiast 6-Bottle Countertop Wine Cooler
Pros
Highly compact size (14 ⅞” H x 9 ¾” W x 19 ⅞” D)
Holds six Bordeaux bottles
Includes a one year warranty
Quiet
Energy efficient (meets the efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy)
Digital display
Cons
Single temperature zone
Limited in bottle styles/shapes it can accommodate
You can buy this six bottle cooler with confidence. This extremely compact unit is backed by the wine experts at Wine Enthusiast and comes with a one year warranty.
Wine Enthusiast has been a platform for wine expertise for years, and they bring that same level of aptitude to their products. The major drawback of this model is that it is specifically designed for broad shouldered Bordeaux bottles, so think about the wine styles you gravitate to before making a final purchase.
Runner Up – STAIGIS Freestanding 12-Bottle Mini Wine Cooler
Pros
Includes five shelves that are removable, allowing you to store bottles horizontally and standing up
Digital touchscreen
Includes one year warranty
Compact size (31.5″ H x 9.9″ W x 17.5″ D)
5 foot long cord
Cons
A little louder than some units (42 dB)
The Staigis model takes advantage of vertical space, allowing you to store up to 12 bottles of wine with a narrower footprint. However, at 42 dB, this unit is a touch louder than others, making it a runner up to the Wine Enthusiast option.
This unit looks cool and takes advantage of the upward space we all struggle to utilize. The moveable shelves and longer cord make it that much more user-friendly and adaptable.
Best 8 Bottle Wine Cooler
Eight bottle countertop wine coolers check a lot of the boxes – they allow for storage of several bottles without taking up much space. This is perhaps the most popular size, so there are a lot of options to muddle through. Here are two great ones!
Top Choice – Cuisinart 8-Bottle Private Reserve Wine Cellar
Pros
Tidy size (17.75″ H x 10.75″ W x 20.5″ D)
Temperatures between 39°F – 68°F
Quiet
Energy efficient
Digital display
Stylish chrome details
Triple pane windows
Cons
Single temperature zone
The power cord is only 3 feet long
Cuisinart is a trusted brand name for small appliances, including countertop wine coolers. This unit is sleek looking and features triple paned windows for extra protection.
I love my Cuisinart food processor, so why wouldn’t I consider them for a wine cooler? The triple pane glass (many coolers are double pane) is an extra layer of protection – from harmful vibrations and light – for any wine connoisseur’s most precious bottles.
Runner Up – BLACK+DECKER 8-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Fridge
Pros
Compact size (18.5″ H x 10.24″ W x 20.1″ D)
Also available with a mirrored finish on the door (best for reflecting harmful UV light)
Recessed handle
Wide temperature range (46°F – 65°F)
Includes a one year warranty on parts and labor
Only weights 20 lbs.
Energy efficient, low noise, low vibration
Cons
Single temperature zone
Door is not reversible
Interior bottle setup makes it harder to see which wines are inside
Here’s an option from another trusted brand name. The triple pane glass protects bottles inside from light and vibration, while the black finish will go with most decors.
From tools to…wine coolers? Sure! The mirrored door is especially loved by reviewers. This model isn’t all beauty and no brains, either – lightweight with a wide temperature range and a one year warranty…it has a number of highly desirable features.
Most Versatile
A key benefit of having a countertop wine cooler is the flexibility it provides. This category recognizes coolers that can store a larger number of bottles, as well as a variety of bottle styles (or even cans).
Top Choice – Antarctic Star 18-Bottle Wine Cooler
Pros
Can hold up to 18 bottles or 70 cans (and yes, those could be cans of wine!)
Wide temperature range of 40°F – 61°F
Compact size (19.61″ H x 17.52″ W × 18.31″ D)
Door can be swapped to open to the right or left
Adjustable shelves
Interior light can be turned on or off
Quiet (38 dB)
Double pane glass doors protect against temperature fluctuations and light
Cons
Single temperature zone
The Antarctic Star 18-bottle countertop wine cooler provides a lot of flexibility. Not only can it hold up to 18 bottles, it can also be converted to can storage. Furthermore, the door can be swapped and the interior lights can be toggled on and off, adding additional versatility to this unit.
I love that this model can hold both bottles and cans! Cans and other alternative packages are a major trend in the wine industry right now, especially as we strive to find more eco-friendly options.
Runner Up – Vehipa 12-Bottle Wine Cooler
Pros
Holds up to 12 bottles
Fits Champagne bottles
UV-resistant double tempered glass doors
Energy efficient
Digital display
Compact size (17.32″ H x 13.58″ W x 19.88″ D)
Cons
More narrow temperature range (54°F – 64°F)
This nifty compact unit from Vehipa can hold a case of wine in a variety of bottles, including Champagne bottles (these larger bottles can sometimes be a tight squeeze in other coolers). However, a tighter temperature range makes this a runner up to the Antarctic Star model.
While the temperature range is more narrow on this unit than some of its competitors, it shouldn’t be much of a deterrent. The ideal temperature to store wine long term (both reds and whites) is around 55°F, which this cooler can hit.
Best Dual Zone Countertop Wine Cooler
Most countertop wine coolers are single zone (meaning you set one temperature for the entire cooler). Dual zone coolers allow you to set two “zones” of temperature – to optimally store both red and white wines, for example (white wines should be stored at cooler temperatures than reds).
Top Choice – Maisee Dual Zone 18-Bottle Wine Cooler
Pros
Stores 18 bottles
Dual temperature zones (upper and lower) with temperature ranges of 46°F – 65°F
Compact size (26″ H x 13.6″ W x 19.3″ D)
Quiet – many reviews comment on how noiseless the machine is
Energy efficient (ETL certified)
UV-resistant double paned glass protects the wine inside from UV light
Includes a one year warranty
Cons
Heavy (43.8 pounds)
The door isn’t reversible (it can only open from one direction)
This countertop cooler has two clear zones (upper and lower) to help you easily store wine at different temperatures. With a 18 bottle capacity, it allows for storage of a variety of wine bottle styles.
A dual zone option is great if you want to have some bottles at storage temp (55°F) and others ready to serve (45°F for most whites). I especially like that this model is divided into upper and lower zones, making it really easy to tell which bottles are in which zone.
Runner Up – NutriChef Dual Zone 18-Bottle Wine Cooler
Pros
Stores 18 bottles
Stylish stainless steel option also available
Digital Controls/Touchscreen
Temperature range from 41°F – 64°F
Can store bottles horizontally and vertically
Still fairly compact despite large bottle capacity (32.7″ H x 13.6″ W x 18.9″ D)
Several reviews mention excellent customer service
Cons
The interior light cannot be turned off
Heavy (61 lbs)
May be noisier than some other units
This pick also features dual temperature zones and can store up to 18 bottles (which explains the slightly higher price point). However, the zones are less obvious than on the Maisee option, moving this option into second place.
Regardless, this model still offers a lot of value. It can store a case and a half of wine, both laying down and standing up, in two different temperature zones…allowing for a lot of flexibility.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of brands, makes, and models of countertop wine coolers on the market, and narrowing down your options can be overwhelming. Start by honing in on your most important consideration(s) — is it budget, size, bottle capacity, versatility, style, or a combination of multiple?
Then, leverage our reviews above to find a number of models that might fit the bill. From there, you can start to make some decisions based on all of your criteria.
Having a countertop wine cooler can make your favorite wines more accessible on a daily basis, as well as keep any special bottles in tip top condition, so it’s worth doing the research. Cheers!
Allison Sheardy came to wine as a second career in 2016 and has truly found her calling. She has created a niche for herself working in unique wine regions around the United States (Texas Hill Country, historic Livermore, CA, & Minnesota), where she specializes in hospitality for boutique, family-owned wineries. Allison is equally passionate about wine education. As such, she has earned her WSET Diploma in Wines and completed the French Wine Scholar program. Allison is currently pursuing her Master of Wine and teaches WSET levels 1-3.