Wine Coolers VS Wine refrigerators

Wine coolers and wine refrigerators are very much in season and make the perfect gift or collectors item for budding and seasoned wine connoisseurs.

Going just by their names, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between a wine cooler and a wine refrigerator. After all, they both do the same thing - chill wine!

What makes it even more confusing is that the words wine cooler and wine refrigerator are used interchangeably. However, there are certain key differences between the two. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Wine Coolers VS Wine refrigerators

Simply put, A wine cooler is a device used for storing wine.

It is also the name of an alcoholic drink made using fruit juice and wine, much like a Spanish Sangria. Bartles & James is a well-known brand of wine coolers (the drink). 

In this article, when we say wine cooler, we are referring to the device, NOT the beverage. It differs from a wine refrigerator in several ways, such as:

Wine Cooler Size:

Traditionally, the wine cooler was used for smaller, portable cabinets that could hold about 10 to 18 bottles of wine, but they can get a bit larger in modern times. 

The Wine Cooler pictured below is the Antarctic Star 36 Bottle, which you can read more about here.

Wine Refrigerator Size:

Refrigerators are usually larger (although smaller than a food refrigerator) and can accommodate a higher number of bottles (30+).  

The Wine Cellar/Refrigerator below is the Kalamera Dual Zone, which holds 46 bottles - you can read more about it here. 

Buyers opt for either a cooler or a refrigerator based on availability of space and the size of their wine collection.

Important: Please note that since both terms are used interchangeably, it is not unusual to come across a smaller wine refrigerator or a larger wine cooler!

Also, note that even though wine coolers are generally smaller, they may not be suitable for that compact space under your kitchen counter. Coolers require air-flow around the sides and back to ensure proper dissipation of heat. Hence, it is important to read the fine print before settling on a purchase.

Built-in coolers are also available – they can be built into an existing cabinet and have space for losing heat at the bottom.

Cooling Technology

A wine cooler uses thermoelectric cooling while a wine refrigerator relies on compression cooling technology, much like a conventional fridge.

Thermoelectric cooling is quieter than a compressor. It also has several other advantages like the lack of moving parts, no requirement for any kind of circulating liquid, longevity, no leaking issues, compact size and so on.

The disadvantages of thermoelectric cooling, when compared to compression cooling, are that it is more expensive and less power efficient. Manufacturers are addressing these issues via research and innovation.

Basically, a wine refrigerator makes a low buzzing sound while a wine cooler doesn’t. It is not completely silent though, as there are fans inside the cooler for even distribution of cold air.

Operating Temperature

A wine cooler rarely has a temperature setting below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 Celsius). A wine refrigerator or a beverage cooler can be set to lower temperatures. Wine is rarely consumed ice cold unlike other beverages such as beer.

Dual zone wine refrigerators and coolers are also available. In these models, there are different temperature settings for upper and lower shelves.

As you know, red wine is consumed at a higher temperature than white wine. Hence, dual zone cooling helps to store red and white wines at their ideal temperatures.

• For White Wines, the zone reserved for white wine is typically set between 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 to 10 Celsius).

• For Red Wines, the temperature is usually between 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 18.3 Celsius) for white wines.

Design

Wine coolers, being smaller, have limited space compared to refrigerators. The overall design of your unit also plays an important role in what exactly you’re trying to accomplish.

These are just some of the questions that you’ll have to consider while sorting out the wine cooler vs wine refrigerator battle.

Price

Usually, wine refrigerators have more bells and whistles and are also larger in size. Hence, they are pricier.

If you want to chill just 10 odd bottles of wine, you can opt for an affordable yet elegant entry level wine cooler.

If your storage needs are higher and you want more features such as dual zone cooling etc. the price will definitely go up.

For those who are very serious about wine and want to age it, it is advisable to invest in a full-fledged wine cellar with temperature and humidity control.

Hopefully, you now have a better idea about the main differences between wine cooler vs wine refrigerator.

To learn more, and find the best wine cooler or refrigerator for your needs, please feel to have a look around the site! 

Start here for a comprehensive look at both:

Best Wine Coolers & Wine Refrigerators

Enjoy wine responsibly 🙂