10 Best Wine Fridges UK 2024 (An Expert Buyer’s Guide)

A wine fridge may not be considered the most essential item for your home but for wine lovers, it is a very important purchase. A wine fridge keeps your wine collection at the ideal temperature and humidity levels to allow the wine to age correctly.

A wine fridge can affect the taste and longevity of your wine and they have some other benefits as well. They create a custom space in the home to put the wine, some models come with a child-lock to keep those precious bottles safe and these fridges also look very attractive. Glass doors and internal lighting can make a display cabinet for your wine collection and it’s a lovely feature piece in the home.

There are lots of good reasons to get yourself a wine fridge but not every fridge is going to suit every home. To help you choose the best wine fridge for your needs I’ve put together this review of some of the top choices out there.

Alongside the reviews, I’ve also included an expert buying guide to help discuss the important points to consider when choosing a wine fridge. Have a browse through these options and if you like the sound of any of them then click on Price & Reviews button under each product description to check current prices.

Top 5 Best Wine Fridges

• Top Choice – Baridi 20 Bottle Freestanding Wine Fridge with LED lights
• Runner Up – Cookology 30cm wide 20 bottle Wine Cooler with a sleek design
• Best Large Capacity – Russell Hobbs 34 Bottle Wine Cooler
• Best Budget – Subcold Viva16 – 16 Bottle Wine Cooler 
• Best Countertop Option – Baridi 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

1. Top Choice – Baridi 20 Bottle Freestanding Wine Fridge

Stealing the top spot today is this Baridi freestanding wine fridge. It’s the best universal fridge that holds from 5 to 18°C temperature so it’s the perfect range for all sorts of wines – white, red or sparkling.

It has a heavy-duty glass door which is very insulative and makes for an attractive wine cabinet look. The main body is black and stainless steel and the sleek design makes it perfect to be placed in a visible spot of the home.

It has a blue LED light and digital control which makes it really easy to use and pretty for visitors. This is a freestanding appliance and it needs 5cm airflow on all sides. It can be integrated as long as you have adequate ventilation.

Thermoelectric technology means this fridge has no compressor so doesn’t vibrate and it is very quiet. This is a compact and attractive wine storage option and can fit 20 standard-sized bottles so has a good capacity.

I’d say it’s ideal for universal use as your “best overall” fridge due to its high capacity, being very quiet and fitting among all interior designs of homes.

2. Runner Up – Cookology 30cm wide 20 bottle Wine Cooler

This slimline wine cooler has an A energy rating so is an efficient option. It’s a sleek, stainless steel body with wooden shelving that gives it a lovely aesthetic. The shelves are all removable and adjustable so you can fit odd-shaped bottles in without a hitch.

It has a reversible door so can easily be fixed to fit any space and a key lock feature prevents accidental changing of the settings. The glass door is smoke-toughened, and UV-protective so your wine will be safe for long-term storage here.

The single temperature zone can be set between 5 and 20 degrees Celcius or you can change this reading to Fahrenheit if you prefer.

It also comes with a 5-year warranty for peace of mind.

This fridge is extremely well designed and a really efficient wine cooler, a perfect addition to your home.

3. Best Large Capacity – Russell Hobbs RH34WC1

For long-term storage to suit every wine enthusiast, you need a chiller with a good capacity. This single-zone wine cooler by Russell Hobs can hold up to 34 bottles. It has sleek, chrome shelves that can hold 30 standard-sized bottles and also a drawer that can hold larger bottles like champagne or prosecco.

It has an A++ energy rating so is very efficient and the touch controls plus LED temperature display give you complete control so you can set the ideal temperature.

The feet are adjustable so it will level out to suit your kitchen and the chrome shelves slide out for easy access to your pinot grigio.

This is a really well-designed and efficient model and will keep a large wine collection at the perfect serving temperature.

The only downsides are that you need space for this to be a freestanding refrigeration unit and it doesn’t have dual temperature zones for different types of wine.

4. Best Budget Option – Subcold Viva16 – 16 bottle wine cooler

Last but not least this Subcold Viva fridge is a great wine chiller. The design means it’s suitable for under-counter use as well as countertop placement. It comes with a security lock and key which is useful if you have children or teenagers around!

The has a blue internal light and glass door which makes it a nice feature piece and safety glass for peace of mind. The shelves are removable so you can make room for larger bottles.

This powerful little fridge can chill wine down to 3 degrees and the temperature settings range up to 18 degrees. The effective cooling comes from a compressor which operates a little louder than other makes.

Otherwise, it’s an efficient and powerful fridge and makes a nice display cabinet as well.

5. Best Countertop Option – Baridi 12 Bottle Wine Cooler

For an at-home bar or large kitchen, a counter wine cooler is a great option. This compact little fridge by Baridi measures 63cm in height, 50cm deep, and only 25cm in width. Despite the small size, it can accommodate 12 bottles of wine. It does require some ventilation room so 2cm at the top and rear and 3cm to allow the door to open.

At an A-class energy rating, it’s efficient to run and the thermoelectric cooling is very quiet to run. This fridge only reaches a peak of 33db which is extremely quiet but the downside with this system is that the lowest temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. You do need to transfer white and sparkling wine to a colder fridge before serving.

A great feature this fridge has is a UV-resistant, tempered mirrored glass door which protects your wine as it chills. Alongside the chrome shelving, there is also space to stand open bottles of wine in this tiny fridge which is a nice bonus.

If you’re looking for a fridge that can get to a colder temperature, the 15-bottle version of this model can manage down to 5 degrees. This make of fridge has 8 different size options all available on Amazon and these are easy to find if you head over to this product.

Things To Consider When Buying A Wine Fridge

Capacity

The total capacity of your wine fridge is an important consideration and will affect how you use it. The number of wine bottles it can hold is a good place to start but it’s also worth considering the volume in liters as well.

Temperature Range

The temperature settings are important depending on what type of wine you’re going to be storing. For white wine, you need a fridge that can get down to 7 degrees or so. Red wine needs around 12-15 degrees. For sparkling wine or champagne, you need a fridge that can manage 5 degrees or below.

Compressor Vs Thermoelectric

Thermoelectric fridges are very quiet and efficient. They are a great option to have a living area and don’t vibrate and make a loud noise. They are not as effective as compressor fridges at cooling down to lower temperatures so generally not ideal for light white wines, sparkling wine, and champagne.

Compressor fridges can quickly cool wine to low temperatures independent of ambient temperature. They are better for colder serves but do make more noise so best not placed in a quiet living area.

Shelving

The shelving should be designed to hold bottles still and prevent them from rolling around. Wooden shelves make a really nice aesthetic and chrome shelves hold bottles still well.

Removable shelving can make bottles easier to access and also makes for more versatile storage space. If you want to fit large bottles, you need to be sure you can adjust the shelving.

Single Vs Dual Zone

A dual-zone wine fridge allows you to set it at different temperatures in two different sections. This means you can set the lower zone to 12 degrees for red wine and the upper zone to around 7 degrees. This is really useful if you have a selection of different types of wine that need to be stored or you’re hosting a dinner party with a varied wine selection to go with each course.

Single zone fridges can only be set to one temperature throughout the whole unit so suitable for storing one type of wine ie just white.

Appearance

Finally, the best wine coolers have to double as a feature piece in your home. There are some really attractive designs to choose from so you can end up with one that really fits into your home.

The glass doors with internal lighting make a display cabinet-type appearance for your wine collection which can look really classy in a dining room or bar area. Wooden shelving also adds a lot of class or you can choose the sleek chrome shelves which make more of a feature of the wine bottles.

If you want a more modern look, maybe for an open-plan apartment-type interior, then the Cookology design with the smaller window can blend into an open-plan kitchen.

F.A.Q.s

Is it worth getting a wine fridge?

A wine fridge is specially designed to store wine at the optimum temperature to allow it to age well. This is usually around 12C/55F but can vary depending on the type of wine. If you enjoy well-aged wine or just need a place to store your wine collection then a wine fridge is well worth the investment.

Where should I place my wine fridge?

Where you place your wine fridge really comes down to personal preference and space in your home. To give you some inspiration, here are some popular placements that people often choose. The kitchen is the most popular, either freestanding or a countertop model. A bar area if you have one is a perfect place as well. The dining room, entertainment room, wine cellar, refurbished basement, living room, or if you have an outdoor entertainment room that’s heated like a garage or summer house.

How long do wine fridges last?

Wine fridges normally last around 5-10 years if looked after well. Generally, you get what you pay for with a wine cooler and the more expensive ones tend to last a bit better than the cheaper models.

Does the wine fridge need ventilation?

A wine fridge does need adequate ventilation and shouldn’t be installed under a countertop unless it’s designed for this use. Built-in wine fridges generally have front-facing ventilation but if they don’t have this feature then make sure it has adequate space for airflow around it.

What is the difference between a wine fridge and a regular fridge?

A regular fridge is designed to quickly reduce the internal temperature as well as the humidity to get things chilled as fast as possible. A wine fridge will gradually reduce the temperature so that it doesn’t affect the taste of the wine and it holds the temperature here alongside a high humidity which is needed for optimal wine storage.

More Wine Fridges Reviewed

Russell Hobbs RH8WC1

If you’re after something tidy and compact to keep a few bottles of wine cool and ready for a dinner party then this is a good option. It’s a countertop wine fridge with a horizontal design so very compact.

It can hold up to 8 bottles of your favourite vino and contoured shelves stop these from clinking and rolling around. The temperature can be set between 8 and 18 degrees Celcius and it’s a single-zone cooler due to its size.

The easy-to-read LED display and temperature control are simple to use and the glass door makes a bit of a feature of your favourite wines. A++ energy rating will save power and is good for the environment so you can enjoy a chilled glass of rose guilt-free.

It’s not a large wine cellar but this tiny appliance is a great space-saving option for smaller kitchens.

Smad 33 Bottles Freestanding Wine Cooler

If you want a lot of wine chilled fast and effectively then there has to be a compromise in noise levels. This compressor fridge is highly efficient and can chill down to 4 degrees in no time. It’s a freestanding appliance and operates at 42db so a little louder than the thermoelectric options.

It does hold a lot of wine with 6 stainless steel wine racks and a lower basket for larger bottles. The blue soft light interior will make this fridge stand out in any home and the stainless steel design is very sleek and modern looking.

External touch control gives you easy-to-use, complete access to the temperature settings.

This is an effective and powerful wine fridge with a large capacity but is best suited for a bar area or entertainment room rather than a quiet living room.

Cavecool wine cooler for 21 bottles

Featuring a minimalist Danish design this wine refrigerator is a stand-out piece. The 6-bottle capacity cool zone can be set between 7 and 18 degrees and the 15-bottle lower zone can be set between 10 and 18 degrees.

It’s energy rating B for energy efficiency so won’t cost very much to run and this also makes it an eco-friendly option.

It has attractive wooden shelves and simple button temperature control. It’s a low noise level so makes the perfect feature piece in your home.

It does need a good amount of ventilation so integration of this fridge is not recommended. The shelves are perfect for 75cl, standard-sized bottles of wine but too close to accommodate larger bottles.

Cookology Dual Zone TWC18BK

If you’re looking for a wine cooler that can help plenty of vino whilst only having a small footprint then this is a great option. Despite measuring only 25cm in width it can hold an impressive 18 standard wine bottles.

It’s fitted with thermoelectric technology which means this fridge has no compressor. This makes it anti-vibration so very quiet to run but the lowest temperature these fridges can manage is still quite high. For very cold serving temperatures you do need to move the bottles into a standard fridge before serving.

With touch controls and a blue digital display, its user-friendly and dual zones mean this is suitable to hold a different type of wine in the top and bottom sections.

It’s a minimalist, black design so looks really cool in the kitchen or dining room and will impress your guests at your next dinner party.

Take-Home

Wine coolers are an attractive and useful addition to any wine lover’s home. They store your wine at the optimum temperature and humidity for perfect ageing and save space in your regular fridge. There are loads of different features and designs of wine fridges out there so you’re bound to find one that suits you. I hope this article has helped answer any questions you may have had and has set you on a clear path to finding the perfect choice for your home. Cheers!

Related Reading

10 Best Beer Fridges UK 2024 (An Expert Buyer’s Guide)

Best Integrated Fridge Freezers UK – An Expert Buyer’s Guide

Best American Fridge Freezers UK – An Expert Buyer’s Guide

Best Under Counter Fridges UK – An Expert Buyer’s Guide

Best Budget Fridge Freezer Under £300 UK – Cheap But Quality

Best Fridge Freezers UK – An Expert Buyer’s Guide