Whether you’re buying a wine fridge for yourself or giving one as a gift, there’s a lot to consider to make the right choice. To simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into three key categories: location, capacity, and features.
With this guide, you’ll be ready to find a wine fridge that checks every box on your list.
Where Will the Wine Fridge Be Used?
The first thing you need to decide is where the wine fridge will be placed. Do you want it in a fixed, central location, like your kitchen or dining area, where it’s easy to access? Or would you benefit from having a freestanding model that offers flexibility to move between different spaces—like from a pantry to the basement, or even the garage?
When considering the various models, you have a choice between two main options:
Built-In Wine Fridges: These are installed in a fixed location, often under a kitchen island or as part of a built-in cabinetry setup. They offer a sleek, seamless look that integrates into your home’s design. Built-in models are ideal for those planning a kitchen upgrade or remodeling project. They’re a great long-term investment that can even add value to your home, especially if you're aiming to appeal to potential buyers in the future.
Freestanding Wine Fridges: These are portable and can be moved around as needed, making them perfect for renters who may need flexibility. If you don’t want to commit to a built-in solution, a freestanding wine fridge allows you to store your wine wherever is most convenient, whether that’s on a kitchen counter, in a living room corner, or even in a home bar area.
No matter which style you choose, you’ll also want to consider the fridge’s shape and size. Do you need a tall, slim model or a compact square one? Wine fridges come in various shapes to fit almost any space.
What Capacity Do You Need?
When choosing the best wine fridge, one of the most important factors to consider is capacity. The size of your wine fridge will largely depend on how much wine you plan to store and the space available in your home or apartment.
If you’re a casual wine drinker, a smaller fridge with a capacity of six to 12 bottles may be sufficient. These compact models are perfect for limited spaces. They’re also ideal if you typically enjoy a smaller selection of wine and don’t have the need for extensive storage.
For those who are more serious about their wine collection or enjoy entertaining, a medium-sized fridge that holds between 30 and 50 bottles might be a better fit. This size offers more flexibility and ensures you have room for a variety of wines, allowing you to store reds, whites, and even some sparkling options. It’s a great choice for people who like to keep a collection on hand for parties or special occasions.
If you’re a true wine enthusiast with a growing collection, or you plan on aging your wines for long-term storage, you may want to invest in a larger wine fridge that can hold 100 bottles or more. Larger models are not only great for storing a variety of wines, but they also provide the necessary environmental controls to properly age and preserve your wine.
Keep in mind that it's a good idea to buy a fridge with a bit more capacity than you currently need. As your collection grows over time, you’ll appreciate the extra space for new additions. Plus, if you enjoy hosting events or tastings, having extra storage allows you to keep enough wine on hand to accommodate guests.
Which Features Matter Most?
Now that you’ve considered location and capacity, it’s time to think about features. Modern wine fridges offer a variety of options to suit your preferences.
UV Protection
Many wine fridges have UV-resistant doors to prevent sunlight from damaging the wine’s flavor and appearance. These doors often have mirrored finishes that resist fingerprints.
“The NewAir® Shadow Series Wine Cooler is a thing of beauty. Its sleek, modern design with a double-layer tempered glass door adds a touch of sophistication to any space. The mirrored finish not only reflects the ambient light, creating a mesmerizing display, but it also blends seamlessly with my existing décor. It’s not just a functional appliance – it’s a statement piece.” - Zipporah Sandler, reviewing the Newair 18-Bottle Black Freestanding Dual-Zone Wine Fridge.
Temperature Controls and Display Panels
Maintaining the right temperature is crucial for preserving wine. The best wine fridges are equipped with digital controls that make it easy to adjust the temperature to suit your needs.
For example, storage temperatures for red and white wines differ, and you might want to adjust the fridge to serving temperature shortly before opening a bottle. A clear digital display allows you to monitor the temperature at a glance, so you always know your wine is stored in the perfect conditions.
Single vs. Dual Zones
Wine fridges are available with single or dual temperature zones. A single-zone wine fridge maintains one consistent temperature throughout, making it a great choice if you’re primarily storing one type of wine, like reds or whites.
Dual-zone fridges have separate compartments with independent temperature controls. These are ideal for storing both red and white wines at their optimal temperatures. You can also use one zone for wine storage and the other for beverages like beer or water.
Dual-zone fridges are perfect for entertaining, as they give you the flexibility to serve wines at different temperatures without disrupting long-term storage.
Don’t just take our word for it – check out what this wine sommelier had to say about our 56-Bottle Freestanding Dual-Zone Wine Fridge.
Adjustable, Smooth-Rolling Shelving
Wine bottles come in various shapes and sizes, so adjustable shelving is a must if you want your fridge to accommodate everything from standard wine bottles to wider champagne bottles or magnums.
Smooth-rolling shelves make it easy to access bottles without disturbing the others. Since movement can affect the aging process, this feature is especially important for wine enthusiasts who want to preserve their collection's quality.
LED Lighting and Display Racks
LED lighting inside the fridge not only enhances visibility but also adds a sophisticated touch to your wine fridge. The gentle lighting helps you easily find the bottle you’re looking for without exposing your collection to the heat of traditional bulbs.
Some wine fridges also include tilted display racks, which allow you to showcase special bottles. This feature is perfect for collectors or anyone who enjoys displaying their wine as part of their home decor.
Energy Efficiency and Low Noise
Modern wine fridges are designed to be energy-efficient, so they won’t significantly impact your electric bill. Additionally, many wine fridges operate quietly, making them suitable for placement in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices.
Exterior Finishes
Your wine fridge should complement your home’s aesthetic, so choosing the right exterior finish is key. Black and stainless steel are popular options because they pair well with most kitchen appliances and decor styles.
Newair Makes Choosing the Best Wine Fridge Easy
With these factors in mind, Newair makes it simple to find the perfect wine fridge for your needs. As a US-based company, we take pride in offering fast shipping, easy returns, and warranties that reflect our confidence in our products.
Explore our wide selection of wine fridges. Use the filters at the top of the page to narrow your search by size, features, or style. And remember, our customer service team is here to help if you have any questions.