The best small wine fridges have many use cases, including:
You can find wine coolers in much smaller configurations than the large double-doored units you might first imagine.
Today’s roundup features 15 compact coolers in a variety of sizes with varying storage capacities, so hopefully you’ll find one that matches your requirements.
As you would expect, cheaper wine coolers are often unreliable, noisy, and inconsistent when it comes to temperature maintenance. If you can dig a little deeper, you should find a fridge with a high-quality compressor, wooden shelving, and a more attractive overall aesthetic.
If you have no idea what to look out for when you’re comparing small wine coolers, consider these pointers:
Now, dive in and explore our reviews of the best small wine fridges!
Pascuccirestaurant.com is reader-supported. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
The 15 Best Small Wine Fridges
1. Our #1 Pick:Kalamera Mini Fridge
Features
Our favorite small wine fridge comes from the highly reputable Kalamera. This brand specializes in affordable wine coolers with a wide variety of capacities, ideal for all types of wine collection. This slender 12-inch wine fridge is at the very smallest end of the brand’s impressive line, so how does it shape up?
The first thing that stands out is an impressive 18-bottle capacity in a compact form factor. Whether you live in an apartment or you want a wine cooler for a small study, a dorm room, or an RV, this flexible unit can be built into existing cabinetry or left freestanding for maximum versatility.
We also like the wide temperature range available. Chill your wines from 40F to 66F, allowing you to keep red and white wines at serving temperature. If you intend to keep mixed wines for short-term consumption, we recommend investing in a dual-zone wine fridge. This model has a single cooling zone.
The stainless steel body of the cooler has layers of tempered glass built in, meaning the doors won’t fog up.
Inside the cooler, adjustable and removable wooden shelves help you to create the optimum storage set-up for your vino.
While there is not much to knock about this compact cooler, you may struggle if you require assistance from customer care.
2. Phiestina Wine Fridge
Features
This small wine fridge from Phiestina offers the ideal meeting point of capacity and footprint.
Store up to 29 bottles of your favorite red and white wines in this split-zone cooler. When storing wine long-term, both red and white wines respond well to temperatures of 55F. For serving, white wines need chilling more vigorously than reds. Take full advantage of this dual-zone cooler to store mixed wines long-term and short-term.
You will also appreciate the freedom you get when it comes to installation. You can build this cooler into your cabinets or leave it freestanding, on the countertop or elsewhere. The reversible door hinge gives you even more latitude and lets you place this cooler almost anywhere, even in limited spaces.
Storage racks are wooden, so you won’t get any issues with the labels on your wine bottles getting scuffed.
Although this is a well-built and versatile small wine fridge, the major drawback is the amount of noise it makes. This may not be a deal-breaker for you, but if you planned to locate the cooler somewhere close to a living area, you might find that the noise disturbs you.
For those who want a compact cooler that allows for the storage of mid-sized collections of mixed wine, this model from Phiestina is well worth popping on your shortlist.
3. NutriChef Mini Wine Fridge
Features
NutriChef is a brand that needs no introduction in the cookware space, so how do they fare when it comes to producing a small wine fridge?
One of the main selling points here is the aesthetics. If you plan to install your wine cooler in the kitchen or somewhere else where it is in plain view, you won’t find many models that look as sleek as this slim unit.
NutriChef offers coolers with a variety of capacities. This is the smallest fridge in the line-up with enough space inside for 12 bottles.
Unlike some small wine coolers, this model gives you the confidence of knowing that your wine will be stored at a consistent temperature.
On the downside, the fit and finish is something of a let-down and you may find that build quality issues develop prematurely.
Compressor-based cooling avoids too much noise or vibration, good for you and your wine.
With a wide range of temperatures at your disposal, you can chill white wines and champagnes more vigorously, while keeping red wine chilled slightly less. If you need to keep reds and whites at the optimum serving temperatures, we recommend exploring some of the twin-zone coolers we showcase above and below.
Overall, this small wine fridge is a great balance between capacity and compact dimensions, but does it make the right choice for you?
4. Ivation Wine Fridge
Features
Ivation has a deep bench of wine coolers, including this small fridge ideal for those looking to keep a dozen bottles of wine for short-term consumption.
This is a single-zone cooler. For those looking to store mixed wines long-term, this presents no problem, although wine collectors who want mixed wines on hand for immediate serving should consider a dual-zone cooler.
You can chill your white wines and sparkling wines as cool as 41F, while the cooler allows you to store reds at temperatures to 64F.
The doors of this well-built cooler are resistant to the UV rays that could otherwise impair your wines. Inside the cooler, LED lighting is soft enough not to harm your vino, while still allowing you to monitor your collection without opening the door.
We advise checking the contents of your package carefully as this brand has a reputation for poor quality control.
Freestanding installation allows you to pop this compact cooler just about anywhere. While providing you with enough space for a dozen bottles inside, the fridge is extremely narrow and designed to slot into small spaces.
As long as you don’t mind the limitations involved with a single-zone cooler, this is one of the most well-constructed, reliable, and attractive options up for grabs. What are you waiting for?
5. Koolatron Wine Cooler
Features
Next up is another super-compact wine cooler, this time from Koolatron. Is it any good, though?
You should note that the capacity of this cooler is limited. As long as you don’t mind the restrictions of a 6-bottle fridge, read on.
One of the primary selling points of this model is the quiet cooling. Not only will you benefit, but you won’t get any of the vibration that can disturb the sediment in your wine bottles.
You can tweak the temperature on this fridge using touchscreen controls. The fridge cools from 46F to 66F, giving you the flexibility to store all types of wine at serving temperature.
As you would expect from any wine fridge this small, you get a single cooling zone. Those looking to store more robust collections of red and white wines should invest in a larger dual-zone cooler.
The freestanding nature of this cooler means that you can pop it almost anywhere.
Aside from the consistent, quiet cooling, one of the other benefits of this fridge is that you can use it almost anywhere. From the boat to the RV, the dorm room to the apartment, there is no need to allow space constraints from preventing you storing wine.
The main gripe we have with the cooler is that the construction feels flimsy and we can’t confidently state that you’ll be using this small wine fridge for years to come.
6. Antarctic Star Wine Fridge
Features
Antarctic Star has a deep bench of wine coolers at many different capacities. Regrettably, this is not one of the finest models in the line.
Those looking for small wine fridges may find this unit is too heavy, and noisy for their requirements. If you plan to locate the cooler in the kitchen or in an outbuilding, you may not object to the bulkier form factor and noise. Those looking for a fridge for their dorm room, man cave, or RV should consider a smaller model.
You can create a flexible storage environment, allowing you to store either wine bottles or canned beverages. You’ll have space for 18 bottles of wine or 70 canned drinks, giving you plenty of leeway.
Not only is this cooler quite heavy at 35 pounds, but it is also quite wide, meaning it’s not the best bet for those living in apartments or for those who want a small wine cooler for the RV or boat.
You should experience no issues with temperature maintenance, and you can keep your red and white wines at temperatures from 40F to 61F, ideal for long-term or short-term storage and serving. Despite the bulk of this cooler, you get just one cooling zone.
Overall, we can’t really recommend this cooler over the others on our shortlist. There are smaller, more flexible, and more cost-effective options above and below.
7. COLZER Mini Wine Fridge
Features
The first thing to point out about this compact cooler from COLZER is that it is another on our shortlist that makes a lot of noise in operation. If you’re looking for a whisper-quiet unit, look elsewhere. If you don’t mind a little noise, read on.
You could build this small wine fridge into your kitchen cabinets, or you could leave it freestanding. You will require a fair amount of space, though. The 18-bottle capacity is generous, but it comes at the cost of a fridge that’s larger than many models in this vertical. The benefit is that it measures just 12 inches across, so you shouldn’t run into major problems with placement. Installation couldn’t be easier.
Inside the cooler, you get shelves made from wood that are both adjustable and removable. Create the storage environment that suits for a small collection of wine.
Navigate the cooler with one-touch digital controls and benefit from a temperature restore function, ideal if you live somewhere that experiences frequent power outages.
Another leading advantage of this cooler is the solid build. You can expect years of faithful service from this cooler with minimal maintenance – all you need to worry about is the noise it makes.8. Bodega Wine Cooler
Features
Bodega serves up a neat and compact wine fridge perfect for those looking to store a medium-sized collection of wines long-term or short-term.
The first thing to point out is that this cooler is equipped with a single zone. If you plan to keep red and white wines inside for long-term storage, you can set the temperature to 55F and achieve this with confidence. If you want to store mixed wines for short-term consumption, opting for a dual-zone cooler will save you from needing to bring wines up or down to serving temperature.
The capacity is at the upper end of small wine fridges, allowing you to keep over 30 bottles of your favorite wines inside. The price you pay for this comes in a form factor that’s heavier and bulkier than fridges with less capacity. Only you can decide whether this model meets your needs.
The fridge is easy to control using digital smart controls. You won’t need any tech skills to get going right out the box. Cooling is consistent, too, allowing you to keep all your vino at its very best.
While we can’t find much fault with the cooler itself, customer service can be unhelpful and unresponsive.
9. Schmecke Wine Cooler
Features
This Schmecke wine fridge is small, compact, and easy on the eye. How does it perform overall, though?
The 12-bottle capacity is ideal for those who want a few bottles of their favorite close at hand and ready to serve without waiting for the wine to come up or down to the required temperature. Store reds or whites at their proper serving temperature but consider a twin-zone cooler if you want to keep both types of wine ready to serve.
We appreciate the removable nature of the storage racks, but we prefer wooden shelves to metal shelves. If you want to keep older bottles of wine inside with delicate labels, you may find that they get scratched and scuffed on the metal shelving, so handle with care.
The doors of the cooler are well-insulated, helping to guarantee a secure and consistent cooling environment.
Digital temperature controls allow you to chill wines from 41F to 66F, catering for everything from sparkling wines and champagnes to vintage reds.
The build is narrow but tall, so make sure you have enough room to accommodate this fridge before committing to purchase.
The significant downside of this small wine fridge is the overall reliability. If you’re looking for a glitch-free set and forget cooler, this is not your strongest option.
10. Whynter Wine Cooler
Features
Whynter wine coolers are not cheap, but they are impressively built and capable of giving you years of use.
This small wine fridge provides you with a sleek space in which you can store up to 20 bottles of your favorite wine.
The contemporary aesthetics means that this unit would suit modernist or minimalist homes more than those with more traditional décor. Choose from a couple of striking colorways and get a stainless steel countertop unit that you could also leave freestanding in the kitchen or elsewhere.
The recessed handle on the fridge makes for cleaner lines, and the mirrored finish looks great while also protecting your precious wine.
You can alter the temperature of the cooler using a slick digital thermostat, with the temperature band spanning 46F to 65F. This gives you more latitude than most of the coolers on our list and allows you to store all wines at their ideal serving temperatures.
Another use case for this cooler is the long-term storage of mixed wines. Pop reds and whites inside and dial the temperature to 55F, ideal for both types of wine when stored long-term. This method means you will need to bring red wines up to room temperature before serving, though.
For those looking for a compact wine cooler that doesn’t compromise in terms of storage capacity, consider this Whynter.
11. Wine Enthusiast Wine Cooler
Features
Wine Enthusiast has a hard-earned reputation for producing high-quality wine accessories at an affordable price, so how does this small wine fridge shape up?
You should first establish that the 6-bottle capacity gives you enough room to store the wine you want close at hand. If so, what do you get in return?
The main selling point here is the ultra-compact dimensions of this cooler. If you need to store wine on your boat, in your RV, in your dorm room, or in an apartment with limited space, this is one of the best bets at your disposal.
The storage racks are made from metal, so this is not ideal if you plan to keep bottles with fragile labels.
You can manipulate the temperature using a touchscreen baked into the front of the unit. An LED display allows you to keep your eye on the temperature at a glance from across the room.
One our main concerns about this small wine fridge is a lack of consistency with temperature maintenance. If you are a purist looking to keep wine immaculately stored, this model won’t make the grade.
Not only is this small fridge compact, but it’s also lightweight. This makes it a great option if you need a cooler to take between home and a college dorm room. Is this Wine Enthusiast cooler right for you, though?
12. Cuisinart Wine Fridge
Features
Cuisinart is a brand famous the world over for its kitchen appliances, so it is no surprise that they also make some of the best small wine fridges.
This model has an 8-bottle capacity, perfect for those living in apartments or with space constraints, and also ideal for anyone who requires wine storage on a small boat or in an RV.
The Cuisinart runs very quietly and with minimal vibration, meaning that neither you nor your wine will be disturbed.
There is no doubt that the key selling point of this cooler is the super-compact footprint, but it is also one of the best looking coolers in this class.
Soft interior lighting features energy-efficient LED lights. The door of the cooler is insulated and designed to repel any potentially harmful UV rays.
While this cooler excels in most areas, it doesn’t chill wine aggressively, so you may want to look elsewhere if you require storage for sparkling wines or champagnes.
This iteration comes with a cooler only, but you can also opt for a bundle that includes a highly effective bottle opener.
This small wine fridge is easy to use, fairly versatile, and built to last the distance. We would especially recommend it for lovers of red wine looking for a compact and reliable cooler.
13. BLACK + DECKER Wine Fridge
Features
BLACK + DECKER is a brand most well-known for their power tools, so is this wine cooler any good?
In a word, yes. You get the precision engineering and rugged build you would expect, with a cooler that’s guaranteed for a year.
The 8-bottle capacity places this unit at the smaller end of those we review today. One of the main parts of your buying decision will be the balance between footprint and storage capacity, so does this make the best bet for you and your family?
There are three storage racks inside made from metal rather than wood. This is less than ideal for those who store wine bottles with older and more fragile labels.
The quiet thermoelectric cooling shouldn’t disturb you, even if you position this fridge close to your living area.
The door is triple-layered with insulation to help deliver the most reliable and consistent cooling environment.
Although the fridge appears well-made initially, many disgruntled consumers report faults developing shortly after the expiration of the one-year warranty period. So, if you are looking for a wine cooler capable of delivering many years of use, we cannot recommend the BLACK + DECKER.
14. Miladred Wine Cooler
Features
As we near the end of our small wine fridge reviews, we have a compact model from Miladred that still provides you with the space inside to store up to a dozen bottles of your preferred wine.
Controlling the cooler couldn’t be easier. Use the digital touchscreen to manipulate the temperature from 54F to 64F. You may find this doesn’t allow you to chill sparkling wines and champagnes aggressively enough, so we would recommend this unit primarily for lovers of red and white wines.
There is an integrated fan that helps to promote a consistent cooling environment, but at the expense of creating more noise than you might want from a wine cooler.
If you have kids or teens in the house, you’ll appreciate the lockable door.
A double-tempered glass door inhibits UV rays and keeps your wine at its very best, even if you are intending to store it long-term.
15. NewAir Wine Cooler
Features
Last but not least in today’s lineup of the best small wine fridges comes from the inimitable NewAir. This brand produces great accessories for wine lovers at keen price points, so read on if this sounds tempting.
This brand has an enormous line of wine coolers with single and double cooling zones and with many different storage capacities. This model comes in at the lower end in terms of size, and with enough space inside for up to 16 bottles of wine.
Benefit from shelving that is completely adjustable, ideal if you enjoy wine with larger bottles than a regular 750ml Bordeaux.
This fridge is freestanding as well as compact, meaning you could place it almost anywhere, even in limited spaces.
The door of the unit is highly insulated and resistant to UV rays, helping to deliver a wine storage environment that is consistent, reliable, and with temperature and humidity levels perfectly in check.
LED lighting inside the cooler means you can see your wine collection without needing to open the door and disturb the cooling environment. The muted LEDs are not too bright for your wine either.
The principal drawback with this cooler is the amount of noise it makes in operation, so bear this in mind before whipping out your credit card.
FAQ
1) How much wine can a small wine cooler hold?
The capacity of a small wine cooler can vary, but they generally hold between 12 and 36 bottles of wine.
2) Can I store open bottles of wine in a small wine cooler?
It is generally not recommended to store open bottles of wine in a wine cooler because the cool, humid environment can cause the wine to spoil more quickly. If you do want to store an open bottle of wine, it is best to keep it in the fridge for up to a few days.
3) Can I put a small wine cooler in my kitchen?
Yes, small wine coolers can be placed in your kitchen or any other convenient location in your home as long as there is adequate ventilation and a nearby outlet.
4) Can I stack bottles in a small wine cooler?
It is generally not recommended to stack bottles in a wine cooler because it can cause the bottles to knock against each other, which can damage the wine. Most wine coolers have racks or shelves designed to hold the bottles in a horizontal position, which helps to keep the cork moist and prevents air from entering the bottle.
5) Can I store red and white wine in the same small wine cooler?
Yes, you can store red and white wine in the same small wine cooler as long as the temperature is set to the appropriate level for each type of wine. Red wine should be stored at a slightly warmer temperature than white wine.
6) How do I set the temperature on a small wine cooler?
The temperature on a small wine cooler is typically controlled by a thermostat that can be adjusted manually. Consult the owner's manual for specific instructions on how to set the temperature on your particular model.
7) How do I clean a small wine cooler?
To clean a small wine cooler, first unplug the appliance and remove any bottles or shelves. Next, use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down the inside of the cooler with a mixture of warm water and mild soap.
8) Can I put a small wine cooler in an outdoor location?
It is generally not recommended to put a small wine cooler in an outdoor location unless it is specifically designed for outdoor use. Most wine coolers are not weather-resistant and could be damaged by exposure to extreme temperatures or moisture.
9) Can I put a small wine cooler in a corner?
Yes, you can put a small wine cooler in a corner as long as there is sufficient ventilation and a nearby outlet. Some wine coolers are specifically designed to fit in a corner and have a slimmer profile to save space.
10) How much electricity does a small wine cooler use?
The amount of electricity that a small wine cooler uses will depend on the size and features of the appliance, as well as how often it is used. On average, a small wine cooler will use between 100 and 200 watts of power per hour.
Conclusion
If you arrived at Pascucci today unsure about how to compare the best small wine fridges, today’s roundup should have given you plenty of inspiration.
There are many reasons for investing in a compact wine cooler. Whether you are new to wine collecting, have limited space at home, or know you only want to store a few bottles of vino, small wine coolers allow you to store any type of wine at its best.