The Best Wine Refrigerators to Optimally Store Any Wine

Best Overall: Hisense HWS54029SS 54-Bottle Stainless Steel Built-In/Freestanding Wine Chiller

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Our top pick for a wine fridge is the Hisense HWS54029SS. With a 54-bottle capacity and single cooling zone, this fridge is a reliable option for connoisseurs and new wine lovers alike. It features six, removable shelves with wood paneling, and an interior light. The door is reversible and can filter UV rays before they reach your bottles of wine, causing the liquid inside to age quicker. There's a door alarm, in case the door is left open, so you don't have to worry about your bottles being exposed to external air for too long.

Most notably, this Hisense wine fridge has a built-in and freestanding design. Since the model vents out the front, you can slip it under your counter or set it up on its own. Wherever you put it, it won't be a loud and disruptive member of your household. (Any unusual noises can be troubleshot with the help of a user manual, which notes that you may need to level your wine fridge or reposition it if you hear noises beyond the hum of the compressor. In addition, the manual notes the different types of wine bottles and how they'll fit into your new appliance.)

Compared to some other wine fridges, this model also runs at a good price. The only major "downside" is you must install the door handles yourself, and the screw holes don't always line up. This is an oversight on the manufacturer's part, but it can be fixed with the help of a drill. This fridge is also exclusively sold at Lowe's, meaning you may not be able to find it at your local appliance store.

Best Budget: Black + Decker BD60026 8-Bottle Black Freestanding Wine Chiller

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Looking to save money on a new wine fridge? The Black + Decker BD60026 may be the perfect fit for you. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other models on the market, there are three sliding racks for easy loading and unloading a maximum of eight bottles of wine. In addition, you can install the fridge on your kitchen countertop or even within an RV, thanks to its tiny dimensions. The wine fridge measures 18.5 inches tall, and it has a freestanding design that makes it very versatile and flexible.

When it comes to the single cooling zone, you can expect chrome racks and an interior light. The internal temperature can be set anywhere between 46 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is slightly more suitable for red wine than white. The fridge also manually defrosts, meaning you'll need to unload your wine when frost builds up on the interior. Then, you'll need to chip away at the frost and let the model drain before it can be plugged back in.

On a brighter note, the Black + Decker pick does feature electronic controls and is good at keeping to the set temperature. You can also show off a collection of wines with the help of a see-through door. As long as you don't mind maintaining this pick, it'll be a functional sidekick when entertaining or kicking back at the end of a week.

Best Splurge: Cafe CCP06DP2PS1 46-Bottle Wine Beverage Cooler in Stainless Steel

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From refrigerators to ranges, Cafe produces boutique-style appliances that are customizable and super functional. If you're a wine connoisseur, you'll definitely want to splurge on a Cafe unit, such as the Cafe CCP06DP2PS1, and its long list of features. This wine fridge can hold up to 46 bottles and is outfitted with an LED light wall that gently illuminates each sip inside. When you entertain, prep dinner, or add new drinks to your collection, you can dim the light wall with an app on your smartphone.

In addition, you can use the app to adjust the internal temperature of the unit. The fridge has a very wide temperature range and can be set between 41 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, the interior features two, separately controlled zones. The combination of these features is ideal if you're hoping to store reds and whites, since they require different environments for an optimal tasting experience. Notably, the fridge's door has articulating hinges as well, so you don't knick your cabinets.

Whether you opt to have the fridge built into your cabinetry or standing on its own in your space, it'll look sleek, especially since the controls are hidden. To top these features off, the fridge also notifies you if the door has been left open, and you can customize the handle to match the other hardware in your home. If you want to store larger bottles, specialty storage options allow you to do so, and there's a Sabbath mode and lockout mode. When installing the fridge, just be sure to follow the instructions in the user manual to get familiar with the features as soon as possible.

Best High-Capacity: Whynter BWR-0922DZ 92-Bottle Dual-Zone Freestanding/Built-In Wine Refrigerator

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If space is what you seek, look no further than the Whynter BWR-0922DZ. There are picks that can store up to 200 bottles of wine at one time, but this 92-bottle wine fridge marries functionality with quiet and efficient operation. The refrigerator has a yearly operating cost of approximately $25, and it has two zones for chilling your whites, reds, and rosés in the most ideal environment. There are 12 shelves, with the top shelf also acting as a display shelf so you can show off the stars of your collection. (Just know: This shelf can only hold six bottles when it's in "display mode," opposed to its usual eight.)

The freestanding and built-in fridge also features a wide temperature range. It can be set from 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and an internal fan helps distribute the cold air. The entire unit is known for keeping its set temperature, although the temperature may be difficult to adjust at first. Notably, you can place it in your kitchen, living room, or basement, and feel confident that it won't be a disturbance, too. It runs at 45 dBa, which is as quiet as the quietest dishwashers on the market. The door is also reversible and has a double-pane design that filters UV rays.

While the capacity of this model is based on Bordeaux-style bottles, you can adjust the racks to fit larger sips with wider shoulders. Of course, this diminishes the overall capacity of the fridge, but it does let you store a varying collection of Pinot Grigio and Super Tuscan. Your negative review may be that it manually defrosts, meaning you have to occasionally unload the fridge to chip away at the frost build-up. This can be an all-day chore due to the capacity of the fridge, but it is balanced out with the long list of amenities.

Best for Gifting: Cuisinart CWC-800CEN Private Reserve ® 8-Bottle Wine Cellar

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A wine fridge can be the perfect item to add to your wedding registry or gift a friend around the holidays. The Cuisinart CWC-800CEN is the best pick in a gifting situation, as it's not too expensive and can fit into a variety of spaces. The freestanding wine fridge is small enough to slip onto a countertop or be set up in an apartment, condo, or RV. However, it's also large enough to store eight, Bordeaux-style bottles at their ideal temperature. While you can only make use of one cooling zone, the entire fridge is quiet, and it's very easy to adjust the temperature.

Compared to other picks, this wine fridge also has one of the widest temperature ranges. The interior can be set anywhere from 39 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. There's no reversible door, but electronic controls will be stylish and modern in any space. It's important to keep one thing in mind: The digital display shows the temperature you set and not the actual temperature of the interior. You'll want to test the temperature of your unit with a thermometer and make any necessary adjustments afterward.

Otherwise, this Cuisinart wine fridge will be a reliable and unique gift. It's not necessarily built to last for a decade but will certainly cover your bases for a while, especially if you're a wine lover with a happy hour–sized collection or a smaller living space.