Why Is The Whynter 92-Bottle Wine Refrigerator One Of The Best Budget Large Storage Options?

Avid wine collectors tend to grow out their wine storage units at no time so when it is time for them to get a new wine refrigerator we definitely recommend this 92 bottle model by Whynter as an option.

It has all the specifications you want in a large capacity wine cooler including dual zone, reliable compressor cooling with digital temperature setting.

Sidenote: The Whynter 100 Bottle Model (BWR-1002SD) is an even better choice in terms of price-per-bottle if the dual-zone feature is not a must and the dimenions are suitable for you. See below how the 92-bottle and the 100-bottle models compare to each other.

On top of all, the Whynter 92-Bottle wine refrigerator won’t break your budget, either.

Note: When you buy through links to Amazon placed on our site we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Quick Overview

Table Of Contents

High Performance Compressor Cooling in Split Zones

The Whynter 92-Bottle wine refrigerator utilizes quality compressor technology to keep your wines at stable, cool temperatures.

Furthermore, it has two individually controlled temperature zones, both with the same broad temperature range: 40 – 65 ºF (5 – 18 ºC).

This allows you to set both zones to the same temperature and use the wine fridge for long term storage at 55ºF.

On the other hand if you drink and collect both whites and reds then adjust the top section to lower temperature for chilling whites and keep your reds in the bottom part at slightly higher temps.

Note: Out of the two zones the upper one is designed for colder temperatures ideal for whites/sparkling wines. The lower zone should be set for warmer temperatures, suitable for red wines.

Two fans ventilate the air inside the two zones for uniform temperature distribution. As a result, the fridge will maintain the set temperatures with minimal fluctuation.

Odor-Free Air Ensured With Charcoal Filter

An active charcoal filter will remove any odors from the air to keep your wines safe from any unwanted smell. Replace it once a year for maximum cleaning efficiency.

Classy Look With Wood Fronted Shelves & Stainless Steel Edged Glass Door

The upright cabinet definitely exudes elegance with its black steel cabinet, transparent glass door and wood accented shelving.

The door glass is dual layer for maximum thermal insulation and grey tinted to filter out UV rays that could get your wine go off.

The fridge opens to the right but the direction can be changed if it suits you better. The door has a sturdy, arched stainless steel handle.

This is the only item you need to install when the wine cooler arrives. It will take only around 30 seconds.

Rolling Wood Fronted Shelves with Display Top Rack

The Whynter 92-bottle wine refrigerator includes 12 black painted metal racks with wood facing. The thick wire racks will hold the securely.

The shelves slide on ball bearing roller assembly. The wood facing is evenly sanded and painted with colorless varnish lending a polished natural look.

There is a built-in safety stop that prevents pulling out a shelf too abruptly and causing bottles to fall.

You can fit 8 bottles on each of the 10 top shelves alternating 4 – 4 with the bottom and neck facing the opposite direction.

The 2 shelves on the bottom will hold 6 – 6 bottles.

Open the door all the way to smoothly access and slide out the shelves. Pull the shelves 1/3 out of the railing to easily load and access bottles.

Display Shelf – Reduces Bottle Count Capacity

You can replace the top shelf with a display shelf – tilted to a 30 degree.

This is where you place your most cherished bottles for all to admire. It also comes handy when you have an unfinished bottle that you want to store at drinking temperature.

This display rack accommodates 6 bottles, 2 less than the normal shelf, so this way you will be able to fit in 82 Bordeaux style, 750 ml bottles.

White LED Light to Showcase Your Collection

Both sections of the wine fridge have a strip of lighting consisting of 9 -9 LED bulbs. The soft lighting shows off the bottles in a discreet yet elegant way.

This provides low-intensity illumination that presents your wines nicely while releasing little heat. Just touch the bulb symbol on the control panel (the first icon on the right) to turn on or off the interior illumination.

How To Operate The Whynter BWR-0922DZ Wine Cooler?

The unit has a black control panel that also separates the two zones.

You only need to touch the appropriate icons to power on the fridge, set the temperature or turn on the light

The Touch Button Icons Come in This Order

• Light Bulb – press it to switch on/off the interior LED illumination.
• Thermometer – press it to switch between the two zones.
• Upper Zone Readout – displays the temperature in the upper zone.
• Lower Zone Readout – shows temperature in the bottom zone.
• + – press to increase the temperature by 1 degree between 40 – 65 ºF (5 – 18 ºC).
• – press to lower the temperature by 1 degree between 40 – 65 ºF (5 – 18 ºC).

Before plugging in the fridge leave standing upright for at least 4 hours. To power on the unit, press the bulb and thermometer keys simultaneously for cc. 5 seconds.

When plugged in for the first the fridge will automatically display the factory preset temperatures:

• 50 ºF in the top section, and
• 60 ºF in the bottom.

After you have finished adjusting the temperature, the display will flash 4 times then will show the current interior temperature.

If you wish to check what temperature you have set, press the Up or Down button and the screen will display the set value for approx. 5 seconds. Afterwards it will return displaying the current temperature.

It’s good to know that the top zone of the wine fridge should be set to colder than the bottom zone. This is preferred for white wine storage and accommodates 40 bottles (30 bottles if you replace the normal shelf for the display). The bottom compartment is for red wines and accepts cc. 52 bottles.

If you try to set the bottom part to colder temperature then both zones will revert to the same temperature.

Fahrenheit or Celsius?

It is easy to switch between the the two temperature measurements. Just Keep the light symbol pressed for cc. 5 seconds to alternate between Fahrenheit and Celsius display.

Door Lock With 2 Keys

The Whynter 92-Bottle wine cooler is lockable. The cylinder lock is at the bottom door frame. The wine fridge is delivered with a pair of keys.

Temperature Memory

Good quality wine coolers have this feature and the Whynter BWR-0922DZ is no exception. You have surely experienced short power breaks or even longer power outages during a storm.

The good news is that you do not have to re-adjust the temperature after the electricity is restored. The fridge will operate with the last settings before the outage.

Such losses of power usually do not lost longer than a couple of hours max. This should not affect the temperature in the cabinet if you do not open the door often.

Dimensions & Weight

• Height: 54.75″
• Width: 23.50″
• Depth: 22.25″ (24″ with handle)
• Net Weight: 159 lbs. (72 kg).

Price & Warranty

• Price: cc. 900 – 1 300 USD (cc. 9.8 – 14.1 USD per bottle, if you fill it up to 92 bottles)
• Warranty: 1 year parts and labor.

Features At A Glance

• Capacity: 92 – 750 ml, Bordeaux style bottles. 40 bottles in the top section (whites/sparkling), 52 bottles in the bottom compartment (red wines).
• Cooling Type: Compressor with 2 internal fans.
• Zones: Two distinct temperature zones: both with the range of 40 – 65 ºF (5 – 18 ºC).
• Shelving: 12 sliding, wood fronted wire shelves. 1 display shelf.
• Defrost Method: Auto defrost
• Air Filtration: Activated Charcoal Filter
• Noise: Less than 45 dBA
• Power: 160 watts
• Electricity Use: cc. 0.205 kWh/year.

Placement

The Whynter 92-bottle wine cooler is designed for indoor use, within the range of 60 – 90 ºF ambient temperature.

If you want it to operate in the most efficient way place it in a cool place, out of the way of sunlight and heat-emitting appliances.

Put the unit on a sturdy, hard floor that is level and would be able to bear the weight of the fully loaded fridge. Use the rotating legs to adjust even height.

If you want to build it in for a more streamlined look you can do it, but keep in mind that you have to leave 1/4″ space around the sides and at the top to ensure proper ventilation.

You can also opt for freestanding placement – the refrigerator is completely finished so it will look absolutely great placed independently.

Keep in mind also not to block the vent holes at the front bottom and avoid completely enclosing the appliance.

Before connecting it to a power outlet – 115 V/60 Hz -, leave it standing upright for at least 4 hours to let the refrigerant settle.

Leave 5″ clearance at the sides and back so that the warm air discharged from the fridge can dissipate well. This greatly affects the efficiency of the compressor and how much noise it makes.

The power cord is approximately 6 feet long. If possible avoid using an extension cord. If you must use one make sure it’s a UL/CUL-listed, 3-wire grounding type appliance cord.

Conclusion – Who Should Buy The Whynter 92-Bottle Wine Refrigerator?

This is an elegant wine fridge that has good balance in size, functionality and price. We recommend it to anyone who is looking to expand on their cooling and storage space at a reasonable cost.

A versatile unit with

• Dual climate control and digital operating buttons
• Adjustable wood & wire combination shelving that includes a display rack (optional to use)
• Built-in capability
• Door lock

Even if you won’t be able to utilize all the 92 bottles capacity because of odd shape you will still have space for a substantial number of bottles (70-80). They will be kept within storage environment ideal for wines.

According to most owners the noise it emits is negligible and normal in case of a compressor-run fridge.

On the other hand, if you drink more whites than reds then consider choosing another wine fridge, since the Whynter BWR-0922DZ has more zone space for red wines.

To summarize, this 92-bottle wine cooler cabinet by Whynter is a well-constructed unit at great price. If you are growing out your current storage it will be a practical choice to replace an older, smaller model.

For further information see the official website of the manufacturer.

How About The Whynter 100-Bottle Wine Fridge?

Whynter has a slightly larger model, the BBWR-1002SD with the only major difference that it doesn’t have two zones.

It too uses fan-assisted compressor technology to cool the fridge interior. You can set the temperature from 40 ºF to 65 ºF (5 – 18 ºC), the same as with the 92-bottle model.

The shelving configuration is also the same: 12 metal and wood combo shelves hold the bottles. They can be detached.

• Top Shelf: 16 bottles/6 with display shelf
• Shelves 2-10: 8 bottles/shelf
• Shelf 11 & Bottom Shelf: 6 – 6 bottles

The double pane glass door comes with safety lock and two keys. You can change the direction of door opening of the BBWR-1002SD as well.

The only other thing the 100-bottle fridge differs is the cabinet height.

Dimensions Of The Whynter BBWR-1002SD

• Height: 55″ (The 92-bottle model is 54.75″ tall).
• Width: 23.5″
• Depth: 22.5″ (24.75″ w. handle)

How About The Price?

You will be surprised but the Whynter 100-Bottle single-zone wine cellar doesn’t cost much more than the 92-bottle model. What’s more, if you can catch a nice deal you will be able to get it at a lower price than the smaller unit.

The 100-bottle fridge is available between cc. 900 – 1 200 USD at retailers which is very favorable, especially if you calculate the price/bottle ratio.

The storage and cooling of one bottle in the Whynter BBWR-1002SD comes to 9 – 12 USD. This is quite an affordable cost compared to other similar (or smaller) wine coolers.

To sum up, if you do not insist on the dual zone feature then go for the 100-bottle model. It looks and works the same as the 92-bottle version but has slightly larger storage space at (nearly) the same price point.

Note: When you buy through links to Amazon placed on our site we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

NewAir 116-Bottle Wine Cooler – A Slightly Larger, Dual-Zone Alternative

If you want to ensure that you will be able to store 100 bottles even if they are mixed size and style go for this 116-bottle cellar by NewAir.

You have to dig a bit deeper in your pocket – costs cc. 1 500 – 1600 USD – but it has all the bells and whistles you want in a wine fridge.

TIP: For more details please read our review on the NewAir 116-bottle dual-zone wine cooler

More Similar Units

Here are some alternatives that you might want to consider.

• Best 100-Bottle Wine Coolers – a roundup of some popular and good quality wine refrigerators that store 100 or more bottles.
• Overview of the Most Popular Large Capacity Wine Refrigerators – Browse this list if you are in the search for a 100+ bottle wine cabinet!
• Freestanding Wine Fridges – An overview of all types of standalone-only wine coolers with some larger size units included.
• Sub-Zero 147-Bottle Wine Refrigerator – an older model (WS-30) by a high-end brand. Offers lots of customization.
• Wine Coolers For Commercial Use – Recommended wine storage and coolers approved for use in restaurants, cafes, bars etc.