One thing that you’ll be able to find in the house of any diehard wine collector would be a built-in (under counter) wine fridge; and, they don’t just have any built-in wine fridge but, rather, the best under counter wine fridge that they can find. This is because they know wine tastes its best when it is stored at its optimal temperature. Wines are actually very sensitive and need the ideal conditions for optimal aging – and we all know that properly aged wine is the best.
That is why built-in wine fridges were made so that the wine collectors can carefully store their wares and set them in the best thermal conditions possible. Of course, only the best wine fridge brands can give the best conditions that’s why we’d like to share a little of what we know about wine fridges. We’ve included a list of our top picks plus a buying guide to fully help you make your choice.
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With a built-in wine fridge you need a lot of effort setting. But, it will be neat, beautiful and space-saving so it’s definitely worth it to invest in one. So, let’s get started with our list.
Table of Contents
I. Top 11 Best Built-In (Under Counter) Wine Fridges
1. Kalamera 15 Inch 30 Bottle Under Counter or Freestanding Wine Fridge
What We Like:
- 30 bottle capacity
- One touch control system
- Temperature memory function
- Easy to install
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very tight shelves
2. Kalamera 24 Inch 46 Bottle Dual Zone Built-in and Freestanding Wine Fridge
What We Like:
- 46 bottle capacity
- Dual-zone type of fridge
- Low vibration operation
- Durable stainless steel material
What We Didn’t Like:
- Emits a chemical smell
- Cannot fit all bottles (e.g. Chardonnay)
3. EdgeStar 53-Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler
Most wine lovers enjoy the versatility of a dual zone cooler. You get the chance to store white and red wine at the different temperatures they need for optimum storage. You can also keep some bottle for the long haul and others to drink on an ongoing basis.
The price to pay for this 53-bottle capacity is a hulking 100-pound fridge measuring up at 33.5 x 23.5 x 22.5 inches. Make sure your kitchen is roomy enough to house this beast before committing to purchase.
This cooler works equally well left freestanding or built under the counter so the choice is yours.
EdgeStar throw in all the usual small extras like a door ajar alarm and carbon filter without forcing you to take out a bank loan. The internal fan helps optimize air circulation while the blue LEDs inside mean you can peek at your bottles without needing to open the door and queer the storage environment.
Build quality is predictably robust and this fridge would stand up to use in a small bar or café just as easily as the home kitchen.
What We Like
- Store red or white wines
- Door ajar alarm
- Flexible installation
- Powerful yet quiet
- 53-bottle capacity
What We Didn’t Like
- A bulky, heavyweight cooler
4. Edgestar 332 Bottle Wine Cellar – The Best Large Under Counter Wine Fridge
What We Like:
- Digital control system
- Sturdy wooden shelves
- Auto defrost feature
- 332 bottle capacity
- Carbon filter
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very noisy
- Limited space in between the shelves
5. Edgestar 30 Bottle Undercounter or Freestanding Wine Cooler
What We Like:
- Very quiet operation
- Highly tinted glass
- 30-inch spacious structure
- Unique shelf bottle arrangement feature
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can’t store fat bottles such as Champagne bottles
- Vibrates pretty strong
6. Whynter 18 Bottle Built-In Wine Refrigerator
What We Like:
- Tempered gray-smoked glass
- Sturdy security lock
- Compact size
- Powerful compressor
What We Didn’t Like:
- Rather pricey
- Very noisy unit
- Very tight space
7. Edgestar 53 Bottle Wine Fridge
What We Like:
- 53 bottle capacity
- Classy black design
- Flexible reversible door
- Easy to use sliding drawers and shelves
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very loud fan noise
- Drawers don’t pull out up to the wine label
8. Newair 29 Bottle Wine Fridge
What We Like:
- Very attractive aesthetic
- Dual temperature zone
- Easy fit to any counter
- Triple layer glass door
- 29 bottle capacity
What We Didn’t Like:
- Very loud sound
- Too tightly squeezed inside
9. EdgeStar 26-Bottle Built-In Wine Cooler
Keep your favorite reds chilled between 54F and 65F in the upper zone while you can stash plenty of white down below between 40F and 54F. While the stated maximum capacity is 26 bottles, this is limited to regular 750ml bottles of Bordeaux. You can rearrange shelving to cram larger bottles in but you should consider this estimate as generous. If you need a bigger fridge, we highlight plenty of more substantial options.
The inbuilt advantage of relatively limited capacity is a cooler that’s small enough for apartments or any kitchen with restricted space available.
The black tints on the door keep UV rays from penetrating and contaminating the storage environment. The carbon filter baked in helps to see off any bad smells.
The compressor-based nature of cooling gives you all the power you need without too much noise to disturb you.
For a cost-effective and efficient method of storing mixed wine both short-term and long-term, this compact EdgeStar cooler is well worth popping on your shortlist.
What We Like
- 26 bottle capacity
- Sleek tinted doors
- Dual zone for total flexibility
- Compressor-based cooling
- Compact footprint
What We Didn’t Like
- Not ideal for larger collections
10. EdgeStar 56-Bottle Built-In Dual Zone Wine Cooler
Off the bat, you get drop-dead good looks. This spacious and minimalist cooler makes a striking statement whether in a home kitchen or a small bar.
While capacity is more than enough for most modest home wine collections, you should make sure you have enough room in the kitchen for this double-doored beauty.
Looks alone are never enough, though. EdgeStar don’t disappoint. Do you enjoy both red and white wine? How about storage? Is it long-term storage you’re looking for or somewhere to keep bottles for imminent consumption? Whatever, you’re in luck with this dual zone unit. Temperature band is wide between 40F and 65F so you can keep any wine you want at its absolute best for as long as you want to keep it there.
Choose to flush mount this cooler, position it under a counter or leave it freestanding. You’re spoiled for choice.
Carbon filtration serves to minimize and neutralize any unpleasant odors while the safety lock means you can protect your precious wine from inquisitive fingers.
See everything you need on the crisp LED and monitor temperature without needing to breach the cooling environment.
As with all EdgeStar appliances, you’ll have ample power on tap and a fridge that kicks out very little noise in operation.
What We Like
- Commanding aesthetics
- Freestanding or built in
- Huge 56-bottle capacity
- Rugged built quality
- Impressive lifespan
What We Didn’t Like
- You’ll need a great deal of space to accommodate
11. Antarctic 46-Bottle Wine Cooler
As with all respectable wine coolers, you get a very quiet unit that doesn’t cause too much by the way of vibration. Vibration can agitate the sediment in your wine bottles and spoil the overall effect.
As long as you use regular 750ml Bordeaux bottles, you should be able to fit up to 46 bottles inside. Temperature range spans from 41F to 68F.
Like with all larger coolers, you’ll need to be sure you have enough space in the kitchen. The unit stands 23.5 x 22.75 x 34.25 inches so it does eat up a reasonable amount of real estate. If you have a burgeoning wine collection that needs keeping at its best, this is a small price to pay.
The double glass doors are effectively tempered so you get a consistent cooling environment with no intrusion from UV rays capable of impairing your wine.
You’ll be entitled to a refund or replacement at any stage during the first month after purchase and the cooler comes guaranteed for a year. With build quality uppermost, you hopefully shouldn’t run into any problems in the first place. Customer care is responsive and helpful, too, completing a rock-solid package from a trustworthy brand.
What We Like
- 46-bottle capacity
- Runs extremely quietly
- Very little vibration
- Dual zone
- Remarkably durable
What We Didn’t Like
- White wine zone is small
II. Under Counter Wine Fridge Buying Guide
Even if we provide our 11 top picks, you might still have trouble picking out the choice most suitable for you. So, before you make your choice, consider these several factors:
- Location Measurements
This is probably the most important thing to consider when you are buying a built-in wine fridge. Unlike those freestanding models, the built-in ones will literally be built-in under the counter. Once they’re built-inside, you won’t be able to take them out that easily. That said, you have to get the exact measurements of your desired location ready when you head on over to the store (or for when you search the internet). With the measurements ready, you can at least have an idea if it is going to fit or not.
- Capacity
The capacity of a wine fridge would refer to how many bottles can fit inside. The capacity or the size of the fridge will also depend on your fridge’s location. If the space under your counter isn’t that much, then you’ll obviously have to settle for a smaller model. If you have room under your counter, then longer models are okay. Just to give you an idea, a good capacity would be 25 to 30 bottles for most average wine fridges. But, again, take into consideration the space size first as that will be the indicator as to what size of wine fridge you will buy for your kitchen.
- Zones
This is another crucial factor that you would have to take into account. Most wine fridges have single zones which are totally okay if the wines you own thrive at the same temperature. If you do have two wine bottles that don’t thrive in the same temperature, then you might need a fridge that has more than one zone. A single zone fridge only provides one temperature for the whole fridge. Dual-zone fridges, on the other hand, have sections wherein the sections may have different temperatures. So, you should buy the dual zone type only if you have wines that thrive in very different temperatures.
- Security
High-quality wines are extremely expensive, so you may want to really protect them. Fortunately, most of the wine fridges these days come with some kind of security lock to protect anyone from opening up the fridge. When you choose your wine fridge, always inspect the security lock to see how secure it is before you make your purchase. It pays to be extra valuable because you are storing goods that possibly have a high value.
- Quietness
Some people don’t mind the whirring sound that the wine fridges make, but some people really can’t stand it. If you’re a part of the latter, then you need to take quietness into consideration. Thermoelectric under counter built-in wine fridges are the best choices for those who can’t stand the noise.
- Brand and Price
We emphasize brand and price because we believe that high-quality wine fridges come from the best-known brands. Don’t spare any expense when it comes to buying your wine fridges because you’ll want one that works very well and can last long. Fortunately, the ones on our list are all high-quality products from well-known brands. Plus, they’re quite reasonably priced, so you don’t need to worry too much about spending.
- Other Features
Those are some of the basic things that we covered. However, you may also want to look at a few extra features while you go through your choices. Some of the extra stuff you may want to consider would be a touchscreen temperature display. This will allow you to set the temperature of your wine fridges in just a few presses. You can also look for the wine fridges that have extension shelves so that you won’t have trouble getting the bottles at the back. You may also want to consider looking for a wine fridge that has an auto defrost feature, so it can defrost the bottles in the event that the wine fridge becomes too cold. Of course, these are all extra stuff to look out for. The important things that you really need to take note of are the basics – the ones mentioned above.
III. Built-In Wine Fridge FAQs
Now that we’ve gone through our list as well as our buying guide, you’re now ready to choose which of the built-in (under counter) wine fridges you want for your home or your kitchen. But, before we conclude this little guide, we’ve added a section with some answers to a few FAQs that you may have about built-in under counter wine fridges:
Q: What’s the difference between a compressor-based wine fridge and a thermoelectric one?
A: The main difference would lie in the compressor. Thermoelectric fridges do not have compressors which is why they can operate with much less noise than a compressor-based one. However, compressor-based ones are still stronger with regard to temperature control, so the one you choose will really depend on your preference.
Q: Can I use built-in (under counter) wine fridges for other beverages as well?
A: You can, but take note that wine beverages can only cool up to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want your beverages to cool further than that, then you’ll need to buy another cooler. We recommend that you only store wine in wine fridges and buy another type of cooler for other drinks so that you can get your desired results.
Q: What are the best conditions for typical wine aging?
A: Generally, it is best to keep white wine at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 70% (50% at least if you can’t achieve 70%). The same conditions follow for red wine except that the temperature for red wine should be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, keep the wine away from direct sunlight. So, when you install your built-in (under counter) wine fridge, make sure it faces away from the window. Just to be safe though, you may also want to get a fridge with those UV tinted glass doors for extra protection against sunlight. If those conditions are served, then you should have a really good tasting aged wine.
Q: How do I clean my wine fridge?
A: First, you unplug it and take out everything from inside. We suggest that you clean the insides first with a baking soda mix (2 tablespoons of baking soda and 4 cups of water. After that, use a detergent solution to clean the shelves and trays. Use the same mild detergent for wiping the outside. Lastly, use a dry cloth to dry out the wet parts. Also, take note not to wet any wire or electrical part of the fridge. This could cause a malfunction or worse, get you electrocuted.
Q: Is it possible to store both white and red wine in the same built-in under counter wine fridge?
A: In order to get the best results, we don’t recommend you do that unless you have a dual zone fridge. The ideal temperature range for white wine would be around 46 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the range for red wine would be 58 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The difference is a bit too steep, so it’s not recommended that they are stored together in a single zone fridge.
IV. Conclusion
With that, we’ve covered the list of our top 11 picks for the best built-in (under counter) wine fridge brands (plus our top pick out of the 11 and our runner up), a buying guide to help you make your decision, and the FAQs section just in case you have some questions on your mind. You are now ready to buy your own wine fridge for your home.
As diehard wine collectors ourselves, we understand how hard it is to get the best wine fridges in the market since there are so many to choose from. That’s why we wanted to make things easier for other wine collectors out there with this guide. This guide will serve as a means to narrow down choices to only the best ones so beginner wine collectors only have 11 to choose from. For picking out the most suitable one from the 11 choices, the buying guide can be used. The buying guide will give you the product that most suits your own individual needs when it comes to wine storage.
That way, you’ll know exactly how to store your existing wine collection at home or know how you can start your own wine collection.