Many red wines don’t open up and burst into life until they’re aerated.
One solution to this problem is to use a wine decanter. While these are undeniably effective, they take time for the full characteristics of the wine to develop.
A quicker route to aeration is to use a dedicated wine aerator. Aerators deliver near-instant results.
When you aerate wine, you’re speeding up the way it interacts with air. When you pour wine directly into a glass, very little surface area is exposed to oxygen.
When you use an aerator, by contrast, you’ll channel your wine through a funnel containing pressurized oxygen. As the wine is exposed to high levels of oxygen, this triggers chemical reactions in some of the compounds found in wine.
The process or aeration, also known as oxidation, converts some of the alcohol in the wine into acetaldehyde and acetic acid. This mellows the taste of the wine. Any vegetal characteristics are also tamed, resulting in a crisper, cleaner finish.
Aeration also goes some way toward removing the sulfites present in wine, a by-product of microbe control during production.
When you aerate red wine, you’ll make a cheap bottle much more drinkable, and you’ll elevate good wines to great wines.
Now, if you have no idea what you’re looking for when comparing the best wine aerators, here are some simple pointers to help inform your buying decision:
So, if you exclusively drink white wine, you can pour it directly into a glass and enjoy it at its best. With red wines, though, you can either exercise a little patience while it breathes, or shortcut the process with the best wine aerator.
We’ll highlight all the strongest models in this vertical now so you can decide if any deserve a place on your wine cabinet.
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The 15 Best Wine Aerators
1. Our #1 Pick: Vintorio Wine Aerator
First up and our overall favorite wine aerator comes from Vintorio and takes the form of a simple but highly effective pouring spout.
This device will help you aerate wine instantly so you can slam back into your armchair with a glass rather than impatiently waiting for your tipple to breathe.
Using the aerator couldn’t be easier. Insert the tube into the top of your opened bottle of red wine. A trio of air holes draw in the optimum amount of air to come into contact with your wine. This occurs at the point of aeration utilizing the Bernoulli effect. The end result of this science is a well-developed wine with all its characteristics coming to the fore almost instantaneously.
As well as delivering in fine style, this aerator also looks great on the counter or wine cabinet. As with all wine accessories, you should look for function first, while always keeping one eye on design.
Whether you’re looking to make cheap wine more drinkable or to elevate the quality of mid-range wine to something even more special, this is one of the best wine aerators to help you achieve that.
2. Vinturi Red Wine Aerator
Next in line is another classic aerator, this time from Vinturi. What differentiates this model, then?
Well, in some ways, it’s the fact this aerator doesn’t stand out that’s the main draw.
Rather than placing the aerator in the bottle, this is a handheld model that you hold over the wine glass when pouring from the bottle. As you pour the wine through this nifty device, it accelerates the aeration process dramatically. If you’ve never used an aerator before and you question how effective they are, we’d urge you to try one out and we’re confident you’ll be impressed.
It’s the difference in pressure as you pour wine through this device that opens it up almost instantly. Contrast this with using a wine decanter where you’ll need to wait for the wine to breathe. For anyone crunched for time, an aerator is a must.
You can expect smoother flavors, a more refined finish, and a superior bouquet if you pour your red wine through the Vinturi rather than directly from bottle to glass.
3. Vinluxe PRO Wine Aerator
The Vinluxe PRO is a solid and very reasonably priced wine aerator, one of the best budget models you can find, in fact.
There is very little information about this aerator available online, but it’s a highly efficient model. There is a three-step aeration process, but you won’t need to hang around for results. Expect your wine fully opened up in seconds.
If you’re not entirely satisfied with this aerator, call up for a no-quibbles refund. This removes any stress from purchase and allows you to buy with complete confidence.
If you often drink wine on the go, whether camping or out in the RV, you’ll appreciate the compact form factor, as well as the varying pouch so you have everything you need close at hand.
As with all the best wine aerators, you can elevate cheap wine to much more drinkable stuff, and you can enhance decent wine so it tastes lip-smackingly great. For what seems like such a simple device, the results delivered by the Vinluxe PRO will leave you totally satisfied. We strongly recommend this model.
4. Aervana Original Wine Aerator
The Aervana Original Wine Aerator is a modern classic that’s a must on any shortlist of the best aerators.
You’ll need six AAA batteries for this push-button electronic wine aerator. This will yield enough firepower to open up to 200 bottles of vino. Attach the aeration tube to the device then open your bottle of wine. Pop the tube into the bottle and press down lightly. You then put your glass under the spout. At the press of a button, you’ll get instantly aerated wine, with the flavors and aromas fully developed.
Cleaning the Aervana is as simple as using it. Fill an empty wine bottle with some water then slide in the Aervana, tube first as usual. Press the button and dispense some water. Don’t immerse the device itself in water.
Most user reviews of this wine aerator are positive, but we found a handful of complaints about lifespan, specifically concerning build issues developing after a year or so. Overall, you’re getting a super-convenient and user-friendly approach to wine aeration that’s well worth a place on your shortlist.
5. Vinturi Red Wine Aerator
This model from Vinturi is certainly not the cheapest wine aerator, but it’s right up there among the very best. What do you get for your money, then?
From a design standpoint, this is a classic carafe with clean, sweeping lines. It makes a great visual statement on your wine display case, and you won’t want to pack it away between uses.
You can aerate a whole 750ml bottle of wine inside this thing, or alternatively decant your wine glass by glass, perfect for singles, couples, and anyone who doesn’t consume a whole bottle of wine in one sitting.
If you drink lots of red wine, you need to allow it some breathing time unless you use a decanter. You’ll need almost four hours of wine sitting in a glass or 3 hours in a standard decanter, while in the Vinturi your wine will be ready to drink immediately.
Maximum surface area of the wine is exposed to oxygen for instant aeration, and when you pour your aerated wine into your glass, the integrated screen filter makes sure you don’t get any sediment included with a mouthful of wine.
Whether you’re looking to streamline wine serving at a dinner party, or you just want an easier life and less waiting time on a day-to-day basis, this aerator from Vinturi represents a solid investment. Start getting the very best out of your wine without spending a fortune, and without waiting around for hours either.
6. Menu Wine Decanter
Next up is a sizeable and attractive wine aerator from the Menu Store, so how does it shape up?
One of the primary draws here is the generous capacity. At 34oz, you can fit a large bottle of wine inside and cut out the decanting time associated with allowing wine to breathe in a glass.
Using the decanter couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is press it onto the top of your opened wine bottle. You then invert it, allowing the wine to flow freely into the decanter.
As your wine cascades down the sides of the decanter, this allows the aroma and flavor to develop more fully. The large surface area of wine exposed to the oxygen serves to dampen any astringent tannins in the wine, resulting in a softer and more appealing taste.
If you drink white wines, you can largely skip the decanting process, but for all lovers of red wine, it’s a choice between waiting several hours for your wine to breathe and develop or short-cutting that process with this elegant wine aerator from the Menu Store.
Most user reviews of this aerator are positive, although we found some scattered complaints from consumers concerning leaking in operation. Overall, this is one of the best wine aerators you’ll find.
7. Zazzol Wine Aerator
Zazzol serves up a traditional wine aerator that ensures you red wine develops fully almost instantly, a much more seamless experience than using a decanter then waiting for the wine to breathe.
The first thing we would point out about this aerator is that a handful of users report being reasonably underwhelmed with results. This is tough to quantify without knowing how it was used and on what type of wine. If, however, you’re looking for strong and obvious results, we’d suggest exploring some of the other models on our shortlist.
The multi-stage aeration couldn’t be much easier to use. As you our your wine into your glass through this device, it’s initially distributed over a large cone. After this, it drips through 32 specially designed holes before air is forcibly injected. The result of this multi-pronged attack is a wine with the tannins softened and the flavors developed more fully.
If you like the idea of gifting this aerator to a wine lover in your life, the elegant presentation box crowns a great gift perfectly.
You should also enjoy drip-free pouring with this decanter, completing a winning package at a very keen price. This might not be the best wine aerator, but it’s well worth your further investigation.
8. Soireehome Wine Aerator
Soireehome produces an effective and eye-catching wine aerator that looks great while also delivering in fine style.
The decanter is constructed from rugged borosilicate glass, giving you a unit that shouldn’t shatter on impact and should give you years of faithful service.
Using the Soireehome is super-simple. By pouring your wine through this aerator instead of straight from bottle to glass, you’ll bring out the full characteristics without needing to wait hours for the wine to breathe.
You can manipulate the amount of air you introduce to your wine according to how much you tilt when pouring. This simple but efficient system of control makes this aerator one of the most user-friendly on the market.
The proprietary 5-ring gasket is designed to fit almost any wine bottle giving you a great deal of flexibility. Although intended for aerating red wines, you can also enjoy even crisper white wine with dinner if you use the Soireehome.
As an added kicker, if you’re not entirely satisfied with this aerator, just request a no-quibbles refund. What more can you ask for?
9. Tribella Classic Wine Aerator
Tribella’s classic wine aerator delivers as promised with this pioneering aerator ideal for fully and rapidly bringing out all the best flavors and aromas in red wine.
The design of this aerator is what sets it apart from the competition. This is an in-bottle aerator, so you won’t need to wrestle with the bottle one-handed.
The base of the aerator is made from polycarbonate, with the key selling point here the trio of pouring spouts. While there is a slight learning curve when you start using this thing, it’s easy to master and you’ll soon be pouring wine like a sommelier.
Multi-stream pouring speeds things up while also allowing the wine to breathe almost instantly. That said, a few users have reported the need to slow down when pouring to avoid making a mess. Ultimately, this wine aerator is not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something different that makes a real conversation piece, you can’t go wrong here.
10. Rabbit Wine Aerator and Pourer
Rabbit make a range of extremely effective kitchenware, with this wine aerator continuing that tradition in fine style.
Made from durable stainless steel, you’ll get a rust-free device that’s expressly designed to bring out all the best qualities in your red wine. A bottle of cheap wine will taste much more drinkable, while a good wine is capable of tasting truly great when aerated.
Unlike using a decanter, this thing promises near-instant results. For many people, waiting for wine to breathe simply doesn’t fit with a busy lifestyle, so Rabbit ensures this is no longer necessary.
Instead of pouring your wine straight into the glass, by funneling it through this device, you’ll introduce much more oxygen for almost instantaneous aeration.
The silicone base is designed to fit neatly onto almost any wine bottle giving you great versatility at a very reasonable price point.11. TenTen Labs Wine Aerator
TenTen Labs has an aerator that will raise the quality of cheap red wines noticeably giving you even greater value for money. Who doesn’t want a bargain?
This is a rudimentary in-bottle aerator that couldn’t be easier to use. It will fit in just about any wine bottle and the flow plate in place helps to initiate the Bernoulli effect responsible for aerating the wine.
There is a very small air hole that pulls in air in just the right quantity, then a wide mouth helps with smooth pouring. You shouldn’t end up with wine all over your kitchen counter either.
If you’ve resisted the idea of aerating wine because of the perceived difficulty, this nifty little device might just change your mind. With four-step aeration, this unit is ideal even for complete beginners.
12. Chevalier Collection Stemless Aerating Wine Glasses
The Chevalier Collection contains these neat aerating wine glasses that offer a novel twist on the concept of mixing oxygen with your wine to bring out its finest characteristics.
These stemless glasses come with an aerating device baked in. When you pour your wine into the glass, you’ll aerate up to 7oz near-instantly. As you swill your wine around and drink in the aroma, you’ll congratulate yourself for investing in these glasses. When you taste the wine, you’ll know you made the right decision.
The only real complaint we can level at these glasses is the fact they take some getting used to. They look unusual and the feel of the glass is strange at first, but we feel they make an incredible conversation piece.
Alongside highly effective wine aeration, these glasses are also pretty sturdy and capable of delivering years of happy service. Once you try wine that’s been aerated, you’ll never look back.
13. Corkas Wine Aerator
As we edge to the end of our collection of the best wine aerators, we present the Corkas, arguably the cheapest wine aerator that doesn’t force you to compromise in terms of quality.
Made from acrylic, you won’t have any concerns about breakage like with some of the more fragile aerators on our shortlist.
Setting the aerator up is a cakewalk, then you simply insert the tube into the top of your wine bottle. As you pour into your glass, the right proportion of oxygen is introduced to mellow the tannins in your red wine. Aeration will also enhance both the flavor and the overall bouquet of your reds.
The Corkas is just as easy to clean as it is to use, so you’ll get a fuss-free experience across the board. All you need to do is direct some warm running water over the device and it will stay as good as new for years to come.
To complement such a great product, the manufacturer is also very responsive and helpful with any customer care issues. This is an unexpected bonus at this price point and one more reason to consider this aerator.
For anyone who appreciates the benefits of allowing wine to breathe but lacks the time to wait while it sits in a decanter, investing in the best wine aerator might be one of the smartest decisions you make.
14. Centellino Areadivino Wine Aerator
As we edge to the end of our wine aerator reviews, we have a striking and delicate example from Centellino Areadivino. How does this thing stand and fall?
Made in Italy, you’ll get European styling and a subtle aesthetic perfect for your wine stand.
Using the aerator is a cinch. Pour your wine through the glass bulb instead of pouring it straight into the glass. By doing so, you’ll quickly bring out the best in the flavor and aroma of all red wine. With a double aeration process, the wine blooms fully and quickly. The wine is exposed to oxygen while it can also expel carbon dioxide at the same time.
The gentle process manages to deliver impressively quick results without shocking your wine, and without inducing any trauma to it.
The only drawback here is the pricing. For such a basic aerator, this model is pretty pricey, so if you’re shopping mainly based on the bottom line, look elsewhere. For anyone hunting for a simple yet reliable aerator from a highly reputable brand, you can’t go wrong here.
15. Vinetto Wine Aerator
To round out our collection of the best wine aerators, we have a superb example from Vinetto that’s well worth popping on your shortlist. How does it stack up, then?
This is marketed as an aerator for fine wines, so if you have a taste for vintage vino, read on.
You get a simple pouring spout here that serves to accelerate the breathing process, so you’ll bring out the taste and aroma in your red wine in an instant rather than needing to decant it then wait for it to breathe.
With an intelligently-designed swan-neck spout, you should enjoy drip-free pouring. This is an area where many lower quality aerators fall down. That kind of equipment tends to end up gathering dust in a drawer pretty quickly.
Although the overall build quality could be improved slightly, we feel the bargain basement pricing means you need to expect some sacrifices. Overall, this is a basic but efficient wine aerator that’s worth a second look.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s guide to the best wine aerators.
To reiterate something we mentioned earlier, if you’re still skeptical about wine aeration, we’d encourage you to give it a try. You’ll make any type of red wine taste and smell better, while also softening any astringency.
Stick with the wine aerators on our shortlist and you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. We review objectively with no attempt to disguise the flaws in any of the wine equipment we showcase. Our aim is simple: to help you easily choose the most appropriate gear.
If you happen to come across an aerator we didn’t review, take note of the points in our brief buying guide and good luck!
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