Are They Better than Compressor Coolers?
If you have only a small space for storing your wine collection, consider buying a thermoelectric wine cooler refrigerator.
To answer the above question that whether they are any good, please read our FAQ section.
Furthermore, viewing the Pros & Cons of Thermoelectric Wine Coolers can also help you decide should you get a thermalelectric cooler or not.
Note: When you buy through links to Amazon placed on our site we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Quick Links: Pros & Cons At A Glance – How Thermoelectric Coolers Work? – Thermoelectric Wine Fridges FAQ – Compressor vs. Thermoelectric – TIP: Best Thermoelectric Wine Coolers in 2023 – Dual-Zone Thermoelectric Units – Buying Tips
No Compressor, Less Noise
The cooling technology in such fridges is based on a scientific principle, the Peltier effect (see the short explanation here). There is no compressor and other large moving parts (apart from a small fan for air circulation).
Peltier thermoelectric cooling technology considered to be less noisy as opposed to the compressor or absorption technology used in most – especially larger – fridges, which can be noisy. This is only true however if you play attention some important placement and operating rules:
If you have an older refrigerator in your kitchen then you know that the compressor can be rather loud.
Kinder to The Environment
Another benefit of Peltier wine cooler refriegrators is that they are more eco-friendly, since they do not contain cooling agents such as CFCs or HCFCs, unlike traditional fridges.
Chlorofluorocarbons and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (CFCs and HCFCs for short) are known to be partly responsible for the thinning of the protective ozone layer in the stratosphere.
Works Best in Small Wine Fridges
Thermoelectric technology is used in smaller appliances where less quantity of cool air is needed to be produced.
Consequently, the efficiency of cooling decreases while the cost of operation grows with appliance size.
So please keep in mind, that thermoelectric coolers are small wine refrigerators with maximum bottle count of 28 – 32 bottles..
That is to say, if you only have space for a countertop wine cooler with 4-12 bottles capacity then a thermoelectric unit might be the ideal choice.
More Pros & Cons At A Glance
Pros
- Silent operation: the interior fan is the only moving part. It can make a slight humming noise if the appliance is not leveled properly. Otherwise a thermoelelctric wine chiller – if perfectly horizontal – won’t make any noise. So it can be placed in a living room and won’t disturb watching TV or making conversation.
- Vibration-free: since there is no compressor and other large moving pieces that can shake, your wines will rest undisturbed inside the cabinet.
- No sediment will be unsettled and floating, keeping the wine’s quality intact.
- Lower buying price – compared to same capacity compressor coolers.
- Are more environmentally friendly – no cooling gases that can generate greenhouse gases harmful to the protective ozone layer.
Con
- Can cool to only cc. 50°F (10°C). Not cold enough for some white wines.
- Sensitive to ambient temperature. Not able to cool in a room where the temperature exceeds 77-80°F (25 26°C).
- Can be used only as freestanding – building in is not recommended due to sufficient clearance requirement for adequate operation (some units may need 6 inches space at the back).
- Storage capacity is limited due to cooling efficiency (max. capacity is around 35 bottles).
- Larger thermolectric wine coolers use more electricity (need more Peltier devices to generate cool air)
- Thus, they are more costly to operate.
How Thermoelectric Wine Coolers Work?
Thermoelectric wine fridges use the Peltier-effect to cool down the air inside the appliance.
Peltier, a 19th-century French scientist, found that when electric current goes through two different metals, semiconductors, temperature difference occurs.
In thermoelectric wine refrigerators pairs of semiconductor metals of different shapes (“N” shape and “P” shape) are connected electrically between two ceramic plates.
When electricity goes through the two different-shape metals, one of them releases heat so it cools down, while the other absorbs it, so it heats up.
Essentially, it works as a heat pump transferring heat from one side to the other.
A fan forces out the generated heat from the inside of the wine cooler. That’s the only moving part in a thermoelectric wine fridge.
You can learn more about thermoelectric cooling here (Wikipedia)!
What is The Difference Between Thermoelectric & Compressor Wine Coolers?
Compressor operated fridges use cooling agents/refrigerants in a compression-evaporation cycle to generate cold air inside the cabinet.
Such fridges have 4 – 5 main parts:
– Compressor – circulates and compresses the refrigerant gas which gets hot as a result. The compressor keeps up the cylcle of turning the gas into liquid, and vice versa.
– Condenser – located at the back of the fridge. Here the refrigerant cools down and condensates, turning into liquid.
– Evaporator – its inside the fridge and this is where the refrigerant evaporates absorbing heat from the surrounding area in the process. As a result, the fridge interior will be cold.
Thermoelectric vs. Compressor: as you can see compressor operated fridges use more mechanical moving parts than thermoelectric ones. On top of that they need special cooling agent/refrigerant (same as in air-conditioners).
Main Differences:
– Thermoelectric fridges tolerate less the fluctuation in ambient room temperature than compressor-run units. They cool most efficiently placed in a room where the temperature is between: 50 – 77°F (10 – 25°C).
– A thermoelectric fridge needs cc. 5″ clearance around the sides and at the back for effective heat dissipation and efficient cooling. As a consequence, they cannot be built-in.
– Thermoelectric cooling works best in small appliances – so these types of coolers are available cc. up to 35 bottles capacity.
– They have less moving parts – only a fan for air distribution. Thus they make less noise and vibration than compressor coolers. Good for wines!
– On the other hand, they might be on more frequently than a good, efficient compressor wine cooler.
Read more about how compressor cooling works in fridges here!
What Temperature Should a Dual Zone Wine Fridge Be?
As a Rule of Thumb:
– Reds should be kept between: 58 – 65°F (14.4 – 18.3°C), while
– Whites, sparkling wines are best enjoyed at 45 – 52°F (7.2 – 11°C, the lighter the wine the colder it should be).
Are Thermoelectric Wine Coolers Any Good?
– Small capacity thermoelectric wine coolers work quite well.
– The advantages of thermal electric cooling – silent, energy efficient – come best to the forefront in fridges with 24-bottle or less capacity.
– So if you are looking for a larger wine cellar we recommed getting a compressor-based model.
Why Buy a Dual-Zone Wine Cooler?
Dual zone wine fridges have two separate temperature sections each with its own temperature controls.
One is for storing/ keeping red wines at serving temperature, the other is for chilling whites, sparkling wines, allowing them to be served at ideal drinking temperature.
Whites should be kept at lower temperatures then reds (see exact temperatures below).
So, if you like both reds and whites then you are better off with a dual-zone wine cooler where you can store/cool both types at their most suitable temps.
More serious wine lovers/collectors can use a dual zone cooler for experimenting with ageing. You use one of the zones for long term storage and ageing, the other for keeping wines at serving temperature.
Thermoelectric Vs. Compressor
Thermoelectric
Less Moving Parts – No Noise & Less Chance of Failure
- Peltier coolers don’t have moving parts – apart from a fan to circulate the cold air within the unit and pushing out the hot air through the vents.
- That’s why they operate more silently – if levelled properly – than compressor coolers.
- Less moving parts also means less chance of breaking down, and less maintenance.
Can be Noisy When…
- Wine Cooler is not levelled properly
- Ambient Temp. is too high so the fan is on all the time.
No Vibration
- A further strength is that thermoelectric wine fridges work without causing vibration.
- Even a slight shaking movement, if going on for a long time, can disturb the natural sedimentation process in wines. As a result, it can spoil the taste and consistency of the wine.
- With a thermoelectric wine cooler you can rest assured that your favorite wines are stored in a vibration-free environment.
Thermoelectric Works Best Only In Small Coolers
- The cooling efficiency is limited by size.
- Peltier cooling is most ideal in small capacity wine coolers, up to max. 28 bottles.
- So, if you need a larger unit go for a compressor-run model.
Cheaper To Buy, Costlier to Operate
- Thermoelectric wine coolers cost less than compressor coolers in the same capacity.
- On the other hand, if a thermoelectric cooler is placed in a too hot room the fan will be running nearly all the time using up more electricity.
- In worst case, the wine cooler will not be able to maintain the set temperature and your wines might go off.
An Eco-Friendly Wine Refrigerator
- Unlike compressor fridges, thermolectric wine coolers don’t contain freon or other CFC-s or HCFC-s (an abbreviation for chlorofluorocarbons, carbohydrogens containing chlorene or fluor). These are hazardous chemicals that are responsible for the thinning of ozone layer in the air.
- If placed and operated according to their instruction manual, thermolectric wine coolers use less electricity than compressor-operated fridges. adding another score to environmental friendliness.
Compressor
Cooling is More Efficient & Less Affected by Ambient Temperature
- Compressor fridges don’t run constantly as opposed to thermoelectric units.
- The compressor turns on in cycles to maintain the set temperature.
A Bit Noisier When On
- The compressor will make more noise when on than a thermoelectric appliance, but it doesn’t run constantly.
- What’s more, some compressor-operated, high-end wine coolers, for example Marvel wine refrigerators, use special vibration dampener systems.
- Dampening will decrease the level of noise and vibration.
- Their price is on the higher side though (a small-medium-size premium cooler costs more than 1 000 USD ).
Not Affected by Ambient Temperature
- They are less susceptible to room temperature.
- While a thermoelectric fridge’s cooling efficiency decreases dramatically as the ambient air temperature increases, a compressor fridge can still cool to the adjusted tempearture without problem in a hotter room.
- In fact, manufacturers recommend to install thermoelectric wine chillers in a room where the temperature doesn’t go over 77°F (25°C) and below 55°F (10°C).
Size Does Not Really Matter
- Compressor cooling works well in both small and large fridges.
- A more capacious model will consume only slightly more electricity than a smaller one.
Less Green
- Although the cooling agents in today’s compressor refrigerators pose less threat to nature, they are still chemicals that require special disposal and care at the end of the fridge’s life cycle.
To conclude, if environmental friendliness is an important factor for you when buying products then you’ll love thermoelectric wine fridges.
Another advantage of thermoelectric wine coolers over compressor fridges, is that the fluctuation in interior temperature from the bottom to the top is only +/- 1-2 °C which provides more constant storage environment for your wines.
In compressor-operated fridges this can be as high as +- 5 °C.
TIP: You’ll find eco-friendly compressor-run wine refrigerators, too. Liebherr wine refrigerators and wine cabinets are are among the greenest wine storage appliances in the world.
What to Pay Attention to When Buying a Thermoelectric Appliance?
Firstly, one thing to keep in mind when buying a thermoelectric wine cooler is the ambient temperature.
Quick Links: Ambient Temperature – Placement Tips – Conductor Life Span – Warranty Period
Ambient Temperature
The cooling efficiency of these fridges depends highly on the temperature of the room the unit is in.
Ambient temperature shouldn’t fluctuate to a great extent. Most manufacturers tell that room temperature between 50 – 77°F , max. 80 °F – (10 – 25°C, max. 26.7°C) is required for proper operation of a themoelectric fridge.
Furthermore, to achieve the desired cooling temperature inside the device, the difference between the ambient temperature and the set cooling temp. shouldn’t be higher than 13 degrees.
More Placement Tips for Efficient, Noise-Free Cooling
- Place the wine fridge on a solid, level surface. Adjust even placement with the help of the leveling legs (the two front legs).
- Make sure the spot you plan to put the cooler is away from direct sunlight or other heat sources (an oven, for example).
- Thermoelectric coolers are only for freestanding use, meaning that you have to leave enough clearance (cc. 5 inches) around the sides, and at the back of the wine fridge for proper air ventilation.
Conductor Life Span
Some people are concerned about the longevity of the conductors because they’re exposed to contraction/expansion stress due to the temperature changes that might cause them to break.
This is however only a theory, and this type of failure hasn’t occured in thermoelectric wine coolers yet.
Warranty Period
Rememeber to check how long warranty is provided for the wine cooler you plan to purchase.
Manufactures usually provide 1 year warranty on parts and labor. If possible don’t go for less!
Always ask about what the warranty covers!. Being the only moving part, it’s usually the fan that tends to break down.
Best Thermoelectric Wine Coolers in 2023
Quick Links: Koolatron 6-Bottle Wine Cooler – Black & Decker 8-Bottle Wine Chiller – Wine Enthusiast 12-Bottle Wine Fridge – Koolatron 12-Bottle Wine Cellar (Urban Series Deluxe) – Koolatron 20-Bottle Wine Cooler – Whynter 24-Bottle Wine Fridge (Dual-Zone)
Koolatron 6-Bottle Wine Cooler, WC06
A compact, countertop size home cellar that stores and cools 6 bottles of wine.
Key Features
- Capacity: 6 bottles
- Look & Style: black cabinet with mirrored, dual pane glass door. Filters UV rays and insulates well.
- Door is right hinged, non-reversible.
- Door Handle: recessed – easy to grip and open the door.
- Number of Zones: single – perfect for chilling whites/sparkling wine, or cooing reds.
- Temperature Range: 46 – 66°F (8 – 18°C) – broad range allowing you to chill whites to a crips temp. or cool reds to a temp. most suitable for the varietal.
- Temperature Control: digital touch buttons & blue LED readout. Up/Down arrows to change the temperature by 1 degree, light switch and °C/°F button to change form Celsius to Fahrenheit or back.
- Low intensity, white LED interior lighting to subtly showcase your wines. Press the “bulb” icon on the control panel (top of the door frame) to turn on/off the lighting.
- Shelving: 2 chromed metal shelves. You can effortlessly remove them to make room for bigger bottles.
- Installation: freestanding only. Clearance needed: 2 inches at the sides, and 4 inches at the back.
- Dimensions: H: 14.25 ” W: 10″ D: 20″
- Weight: 17.24 lbs.
Price & Warranty
- Price: cc. 100- 180 USD (16.7 – 30 USD per bottle).
- Warranty: 90 days.
Pros:
- Compact size, perfect fit for a counter-, tabletop
- Easy to set up (keep in mind the clearance needed for suitable ventilation).
- Wide temperature range – allows for both chilling sparkling wine, or storing reds for a longer period of time.
- Simple to adjust & monitor the temperature.
- Stylish look with the mirrored glass door.
Cons:
- Short warranty (only 90 days).
- Needs quite a lot of clearance (4″ at the back, 2 ” at the sides) – this might restrict placement options.
- Can be noisy if not leveled properly, or ambient temp. gets too high or cold.
- No automatic defrost – you have to do it by yourself, at least once a year (more if you see ice build up).
Who Should Buy The Koolatron 6-Bottle Wine Fridge?
The Koolatron 6-Bottle Thermeoelectric wine cooler is an optimal choice if you want a simple, no-frills but elegant home wine cellar that takes up little space.
There aren’t many 6-bottle models so I wouldn’t hesitate much if this is the size you are looking for.
The Koolatron WC06 received good reviews (4 out of 5 ratings) compared to other similar appliances.
Doesn’t hurt either that it costs way less than 200 USD.
Similar Unit
The Black & Decker 6-Bottle Wine Cooler has nearly the same features and price as the Koolatron WC06 model.
It is surely a good alternative if the Koolatron is not available for some reason.
Black & Decker 8-Bottle Wine Cooler
Very similar to the Koolatron 6-Bottle unit above, this Black & Decker thermoelectric wine cellar will store 8 standard-size and shape bottles.
Key Features
- Capacity: 8 bottles (750 ml, Bordeaux-type)
- Look & Style: black stainless steel cabinet with black trimmed glass door
- Door: triple pane glass for max. thermal insulation, slightly smoked but with a clear view of the interior.
- Door Hinge: left hinged, opens to the right (hinging is not reversible).
- Handle: integrated grip
- Number of Zones: single
- Temperature Range: 46 – 65°F (8 – 18°C)
- Temperature Control: digital, touch-sensitive buttons integrated in the top of the door for effortless use.
- Digital display screen: you can monitor the temperature inside the fridge. The screen has 4 buttons: Up and Down Arrows, °C/°F for changing from Fahrehnheit to Celius or back, and a light switch.
- Interior Light: muted, blue LED light,
- Shelving: 3 gliding metal shelves. You can pull them all the way out.
- Installation: for freestanding placement. Clearance needed: 2-3″ at the sides and rear.
- Adjustable front legs: help you level the unit.
- Electricity consumption: 90 kWh/year
- Dimensions: H: 18.5″ W: 10.2″ D: 20.1″
- Weight: 20.9 lbs.
Price & Warranty
- Price: cc. 170 – 180 USD (21.25 – 22.5 USD per bottle).
- Warranty: 1 year manufacturer warranty that covers parts and labor.
Pros:
- Perfect mini fridge that fills up little space but accommodates 8 bottles.
- Quiet, free of vibration – very beneficial for your wines.
- Appealing look – fits seamlessly into any room/kitchen/cafe/bar/workplace/living room.
- Moderate price (less than 200 USD, cc. 22 USD per bottle).
Cons:
- Some may find the black trim on the door glass to be too thick, decreasing the size of the see-through area of the glass.
TIP: Visit this page for more options on 6-Bottle Wine Chillers!
Who Should Buy the Black & Decker 8-Bottle Wine Cooler?
Anyone who doesn’t want to spend much on a wine storage and cooling gadget but appreciates fine wines. It is petite and slim enough to not be in the way, and works almost without noise.
Most importtantly, it keeps wines at the desired temperature, away from sunlight and food stuff.
TIP: On this page you will find more 8-bottle wine fridges (most of them use thermoelectric cooling).
Wine Enthusiast 12-Bottle Wine Cooler
Another small-footprint wine fridge that holds up to 12 bottles of wine. Let’s see the main specs and pros & cons!
Key Features
- Capacity: 12 Bordeaux-style bottles (750 ml, 11.5 to 13″ in length, and 3 to 3.4″ in diameter)
- Look & Style: black cabinet with mirror-finished glass door.
- Door: mirror-finished, tinted, double layer glass, has excellent thermal insulation and UV protection. Swings to the right. Non reversible hinging. Recessed handle for solid grip.
- Number of Zones: single zone
- Temperature Range: 46 – 66°F (8 – 18°C).
- Temperature Control: digital touch screen: just tap the +/- symbols to increase/decrease the temperature inside the fridge.
- Display: blue LED – shows clearly the interior temperature.
- Interior Light: soft, white lighting inside the cabinet to show off your favorite wines.
- Shelving: 3 removable, chrome-plated wire racks.
- Installation: freestanding only. Has 2 leveling legs to help adjust a perfect horizontal placement.
- Ambient temperature: 60 – 80°F (cc. 16 – 27°C)
- Clearance needed: 5 inches on the sides and at the rear.
- Dimensions: H: 19″ W: 14″ D: 20″
- Weight: 29 lbs.
Price & Warranty
- Price: cc. 200 USD (16.7 USD per bottle).
- Warranty: The manufacturer provides 1 year warranty on parts & labour.
Pros
- Great size for the price – looking at the per bottle price (16.7 USD) this 12-bottle model is a better choic over the Koolatron 6-bottle model.
- Quiet (if placed according to manufacturer’s instructions).
- Holds set temperature well – recommended ambient temp. for best cooling efficiency: 60 – 65°F.
- Attractive appliance – will suit any kitchen decor.
- USA manufacturer with decades of experience in developing, and making wine preservation systems and appliances.
Cons
- The door is not transparent so you cannot see the wines inside – this is not really a disadvantage for everyone, but some prefer a see-throught glass door.
Who Should Buy the Wine Enthusiast 12-Bottle Cooler?
This is a nice mini fridge with just the right size for storing 12 bottles of wine at the right temperature.
It is a great choice for those who are really into wine, or like to throw dinner parties. Doesn’t take up much space yet perfectly complements any modern home‘s interior.
The capacity of the Wine Enthusiast 12 Bottle cellar lets you start your own wine collection, too.
Last but not least, you won’t have to break the bank to buy this one. Especially if you look at the price per bottle (cc. 16.7 USD).
Koolatron 12-Bottle Wine Cooler – Wood Shelves
The Koolatron WC12-35D wine cellar is a single zone unit with pull-out wood shelves.
It looks and works very much the same as the Wine Enthusiast model listed above. The only difference is the wooden racks.
Key Features
- Capacity: 12 bottles (standard, Bordeaux-style)
- Look & Style: matte black cabinet with see-through glass door.
- Door: dual layer, tempered glass to keep the cool air in, warm air out. Darkened to block UV light but still transparent to let you see the interior.
- Handle: recessed grip handle
- Door is right hinged (non-reversible).
- Number of Zones: single
- Temperature Range: 46 – 66°F (8 – 18°C) –
- Temperature Control: digital, touch controls on the top of the door: Up/Down Arrows to set the temperature, light + °C/°F switch
- White LCD display lets you distinctly see and monitor the interior temperature.
- Interior Light: low intensity blue light – elegantly highlights the wines.
- Shelving: 5 natural beechwood sliding shelves, you can remove them. each hold 2 bottles.
- Installation: freestanding only. Clearance needed: 2 inches at the sides and 4 inches at the back.
- Levelling screw legs: use them to adjust a horizontal placement to prevent the bottles from rattling.
- Power use: 235 kWh/year
- Dimensions: H: 25.25″ W: 10.25″ D: 19.5″
- Weight: 27.06 lbs.·
Price & Warranty
- Price: cc. 200 – 230 USD (16.7 – 19.17 USD).
- Warranty: 1 year for replacement parts and labor. It also covers the transportation fee of the repaired appliance.
Pros:
- Attractive look with the wood shelving.
- Narrow, space-efficient size. Only 10.25 inches wide.
- Silent, eco-friendly fridge – due to the thermoelectric technology.
- Great price if you can get it at 200 USD.
Cons
- Wider, unsual size bottles might not fit on the wood shelves. (Wavy wire racks can better accommodate these types of bottles.)
TIP: See other Wine Fridges with 12-Bottle Capacity!
Koolatron 20-Bottle Wine Cooler
The Koolatron WC20 is a square looking fridge with thermoelectric single zone cooling.
It is very much alike as the Koolatron 6-Bottle wine chiller listed above. A plus point is that it is a neat, attractive wine fridge with small footrpint.
Key Features
- Capacity: 20 bottles (standard size and shape: 750 ml)
- Look & Style: black metal cabinet, black interior, glass door.
- Door: mirrored, slightly tinted double layer glass with recessed handle.
- Opens to the right (hinging cannot be reversed).
- Number of Zones: single zone
- Temperature Range: 46 – 66°F (8 – 18°C) – fitting for a wide variety of wines.
- Temperature Control: digital touch buttons on the top part of the door. Up/Down arrows to set the tempearture, light & °C/°F switch.
- Change from Fahrenheit to Celsius (or back): press and hold the °C/°F for 3-4 seconds.
- Interior Light: subtle white LED lighting – doesn’t emit much heat but softly illuminates the bottles.
- Shelving: 5 sliding, chromed metal shelves. You can remove them should you need to make room for wide/tall bottles.
- Installation: stand alone only. Clearance needed: 2 inches at the sides, 4 inches at the back.
- Dimensions: H: 21.25″ W: 15.75″ D: 20.25″
- Weight: 32 lbs.
Price & Warranty
- Price: cc. 210 – 230 USD (10.5 – 11.5 USD per bottle – very favorable price.
- Warranty: 90 days parts and labour.
Pros:
- Really great price for the size – especially if you can buy it for less than 250 USD.
- You can easily make room for non-standard size and shape bottles (though storage space will thus decrease).
- If placed per manufacturer’s recommendation (ambient temp., away from sunlight) then it holds set temperature well.
- Classy look.
Cons:
- Short warranty (90 days).
Who Should Buy?
It’s one of the cheapest models listed here, so if price is a major factor then buy the Kooaltron WC 20 home cellar.
It does what it is deisgned for: stores and cools wines in an odorless, dark environment. A fine little cellar for storing your wines in it!
Best Dual-Zone Thermoelectric Wine Coolers
For those who prefer to have a nice selection of both reds and whites at hand, a two temperature zone wine cooler might be the right wine storage solution.
Dual-zone wine coolers have 2 independently controlled compartments:
- one for storing red wines and
- the other zone for chilling whites/sparkling wine.
Whynter 24-Bottle Dual-Zone Wine Cellar
This is a superb home cellar with two independently controlled zones.The Whynter 241DS Wine Fridge features thermoelectric technology that comes with
- low-noise and
- no vibration benefits.
It has a fan to circulate the air inside the cabinet. This ensures even temperature distribution.
Key Features
- Capacity: 24 bottles (standard size & shape, 750 ml/Bordeaux style)
- Look & Style: black with stainless steel framed glass door
- Door: dual layer, tempered, slightly tinted for UV protection, has space saving, recessed handle.
- Door swings to the right. Hinging is not reversible.
- Number of Zones: two, there is a zone divider that clearly sets the two parts apart.
- Upper Zone: 12 Bottles, Lower Zone: 12 Bottles
- Temperature Range: Upper Zone 54 – 66°F (12 – 18°C) , Lower Zone: 46 – 66 (8 – 18°C)
- Temperature Control: digital control panel integrated in the middle section of the door.
- LCD Display: clearly shows the interior temperature in both zones.
- Interior Light: soft white LED lighting – if the zone divider is installed, only the upper zone will be lighted. Switch is in the middle of the control panel.
- Shelving: 6 quality metal shelves with stainless steel fronts. To take out a bottle, pull the shelf cc. 1/3 way out for easy access. Shelves are removable. Door needs to open slightly more than 90 deg. to pull out a shelf.
- Installation: freestanding only. Has 4 large leveling legs to help you adjust a level height.
- Ambient temp. recommendation: 68 – 78°F. Clearance needed: cc. 4 inches around the sides, and 6 inches at the back.
- Dimensions: H: 33.5″ W: 14″ D: 20.25″
- Weight: 47 lbs.
Setting the Temperaure – Whynter 24-Bottle Wine Cooler
Just tap the Up/Down Arrows to set the desired temperature in each of the zones.
Buttons on the left side regulate the top zone between 54 – 66°F (12 – 18°C, best for storing reds).
The right side buttons are for setting the temperature in the bottom section between 46 – 66 (8 – 18°C, ideal for cooling whites).
After adjusting the temperature the display will flash for 5 seconds indicating that the desired temperature is set.
Then it will revert back to showing its actual internal temperature.
Role of the Zone Divider
Note: The manufacturer recommends the zone divider to be installed in the middle of the cabinet. This setup ensures an even temperature distribution for each zone which results in the most efficient operation.
If the zone divider is not installed in the middle of the cabinet, the wine cooler may not be able to achieve the set temperature in both zones.
Price & Warranty
- Price: cc. 260 – 300 USD (10.8 – 12.5 USD per bottle).
- Warranty: 1 year parts and labor.
Pros:
- Great value at moderate price
- Nice, attractive cooler that will look superb at any home decor.
- Two distinct temperature zones: lets you enjoy your reds and whites at their most appropriate temperatures.
- Both zones have the same storage capacity: 12 – 12 bottles (this is not the case in most 2-zone units).
- Slim design (width: 14 inches) – still small enough to not be in the way.
Cons:
- Interior light only illuminates the top part of the cabinet.
- Requires quite a bit of clearance at the back for seamless operation and less noise (6 inches/15 cm at the back). This might restrict placement options.
More Dual-Zone Fridges with Thermoelectric Cooling (Mostly Older Models!)
- Vinotemp Two-Zone Wine Coolers – wide choice of thermoelectric models.
- The Avanti EWC18DZ is an 18-bottle thermolectric wine cellar with two temperature zones.
- EdgeStar 32-bottle Two-Zone Wine Refrigerator – a nice and inexpensive two-door wine cellar for freestanding placement.
- New Air Wine Coolers offer some dual temperature zone models: a 21-bottle (NewAir AW-211ED), and a 32-bottle (NewAir AW-320ED) model.
You can find more information about Two-Zone Wine Refrigerators here.
More Thermoelectric Wine Fridges (Incl. Older Makes & Models)
Visit our page about Haier Wine Coolers for more affordable thermoelectric wine coolers – Haier Went Out of Business, but some models might still be available.
Vinotemp used to offer a wide choice of thermolectric wine coolers both for freestanding and built-in use. TIP: Read user reviews on the Vinotemp VT-28TEDS 28-bottle wine refrigerator model.
Another good choice are Wine Enthusiast Silent Wine Refrigerators stressing the noiseless feature by using “Silent” in the brand name.
For space-efficient, affordable wine bottle coolers read our review of EdgeStar wine Cooler Refrigerators.
Cuisinart Wine Refrigerators include 6-bottle, 8-bottle, 12-bottle, 16-bottle and 32-bottle models.
Koolatron Thermolelectric Wine Coolers offer wine storage units in 4 sizes: 4-bottle wall-mountable unit, 6-bottle and a 12-bottle models.
Read review on the Avanti SWC1600M-1 16-Bottle wine chiller.
Most slim wine cooler refrigerators also use thermoelectric cooling.
TIP: Take also a look at our pages about single bottle wine coolers and dual-bottle wine chillers.
Good to Know – Complaints on Cheap Models
Keep in mind though many people complain on the low quality of small, cheap, wine coolers by these brands. Reviews provided by owners of these wine coolers often mention:
- early failures-break downs (within a couple of months, a year or just after the warranty period),
- noise, and
- bad customer service (in case of some brands).
This doesn’t mean that each and every unit by these brands is of low quality but the frequent complaints mentioned in reviews should make one extra cautious before buying a wine fridge from any of these brands.