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Wine fridges are designed to keep your favourite wines in ideal conditions. They ensure that the taste and quality are preserved. They also maintain the most suitable humidity level and protect your bottles from UV rays. However, not all wine fridges are the same.
When choosing a wine fridge, consider how many bottles of wine you have, the size of the fridge and its temperature zones and controls. Entry-level options are priced anywhere from $150 to $2,000, while more advanced units cost $2,000 to $5,000.
For this list, we examined wine fridges available on various retailers like Amazon, Bing Lee and Harvey Norman. We picked models based on customer reviews and ratings. We also chose the units for each category based on key product features.
We picked the Vintec 50 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cabinet as the best overall wine fridge available online. It has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.
This 50-bottle wine fridge has 2 separate zones and insulated panels to keep your wine collection secured and organised. It also has UV-treated tinted glass doors and dark interiors to protect your bottles from harsh UV rays. Apart from dimmed internal LED lights, the fridge has a vibration-proof design and a reversible door. It has a 2-year manufacturer's warranty for peace of mind as well.
Customers gave positive feedback on the fridge's sleek design, ease of use and size. While it may be too small for a wine connoisseur, it can easily hold and organise 50 bottles, ensuring they have the ideal temperature to preserve their greatness. The dual-zone feature also means you can store both red and white wines at different temperatures without getting another fridge. A few customers said the motor is quite noisy, but this seems to be a minor issue.
With a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Bing Lee, we recommend Inalto's Wine Chiller IWC46 as the best cheap model.
Inalto's Wine Chiller has a 45-bottle capacity, making it a great compact option for storage. It has a sleek black finish, internal timber shelving and an electronic LED display for ease of use. According to the brand, you can adjust its temperature from 5°C to 18°C. It also features a double-glazed UV glass and low e-film for security.
At under $600, this is an ideal option for small wine collections. While it doesn't have multiple zones for storing different types of wine, it offers tons of space for a beginner's collection. Its compact size means it fits smaller households as well. Customers said it has a relatively quiet operation and easy-to-adjust temperature control. The modern black finish adds a bit of elegance to any space, too.
We chose the Vintec 35 Bottle Single Zone Wine Cabinet Black VWS035SBB as the best small wine fridge. Harvey Norman customers gave this a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
An ideal choice for small households, this Vintec wine fridge can hold up to 35 bottles of your favourite wine. It has a UV-treated and tinted glass door, dark interior and dimmed internal LED lighting to keep your bottles in their best condition. It also features insulated side panels and adjustable temperature control so the fridge can adapt to any storage requirement.
Numerous buyers were impressed by the product's value for money, durability and ease of use. It comes with rubber shock absorbers and vibration-absorbing wooden shelves to keep your wine bottles safe and sound. The triple-glazed door also helps protect the bottles from UV damage. Some customers wish the compressor didn't take up much of the bottom shelf so they could store more bottles, but this seems to be a minor concern.
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Euro Appliances' 165 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler E430WSCS1 is our pick for the best dual-zone option. It has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online.
This frost-free wine fridge offers a whooping 165-bottle capacity and 2 zones to store your favourite wines. The upper area has a temperature of 5°C to 12°C, while the lower area is adjustable from 12°C to 22°C. The fridge also has a glass front door that is key lockable and computerised temperature control for ease of use. Additionally, it has intuitive optimum humidity control, 12 telescopic rails and wooden shelves.
Boasting a large capacity and durable design, this unit is a reasonably priced choice for huge wine collections. It has UV-treated tinted glass doors, dark interiors and dimmed internal LED lights to protect your collection from UV rays. The dual-zone function also lets you keep both reds and whites at perfect drinking temperatures without compromising their quality. The brand offers a 2-year parts and labour manufacturer's warranty for this model as well.
We recommend the Liebherr Barrique 195 Bottle Single Zone Wine Fridge as the best large-capacity wine fridge. On Appliances Online, it has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Featuring 6 beechwood shelves and a base shelf, this wine fridge can hold up to 195 bottles. It has an external digital temperature display, activated charcoal filter and child-proof lock for convenience. You can also lock the door using a key; when it opens the door warning signal turns on. Additionally, the warning signal is activated when the fridge malfunctions.
Customers praised the product's large capacity, useful features and durable design. It's a bit steep at over $3,000, but it's a great investment for wine connoisseurs. It has a UV-protected dark storage area, adjustable temperature control and a relatively quiet motor operation. The vibration is also minimal, according to reviews. But because it's meant to store over 100 bottles, this fridge is bulkier than other options in the market.
With a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Bing Lee, we selected Vintec's 170 Bottle Wine Storage Cabinet V190SG2EBK as the best narrow wine fridge.
This 170-bottle wine fridge is designed and intended for both commercial and domestic use. It has a UV-protected glass door, external compressor and winter heating function to keep your wine collection at its best all year round. The thermal recycling pump helps ensure the fridge has the optimal humidity levels, while the rubber shocks and external compressor minimise any vibration.
This sleek and durable fridge can be set as a single-zone for long-term storage or as a multi-zone unit to keep different kinds of wine at their ideal drinking temperature. It has 4 adjustable feet and 8 timber shelves as well as 30mm of air space on all sides to keep your bottles organised and secured. The cabinet is also equipped with a double-glazed door and internal LED lights.
We picked the Schmick 165L Under Bench Dual Zone Bar Fridge JC165 as the best option for wine and beer. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.
This wine and beer fridge has double-glazed doors with a low e-film coating to ensure your favourite drinks are protected from harsh lights. It also features dual-zone temperature control that allows you to set different temperatures for each zone, making it suitable for storing a wide range of drinks at their ideal serving temperature. It has LED lighting and a double-door configuration as well.
Many customers gave positive feedback on the fridge's value for money, versatility and easy controls. It can be placed under counters without issues as the unit's vent is at the front through the grill. It is equipped with 6 slide-out wine shelves and 4 chromed flat shelves. But note that the wine storage can only hold up to 30 bottles.
Methodology
12 Brands considered
57 Products compared
7 Best products chosen
Why you can trust our picks
We examined numerous wine fridges found on various retailers like Amazon, Appliances Online and Bing Lee for this list. We looked into models from the following brands:
De’Longhi
Euro Appliances
Fisher & Paykel
Hisense
Husky
ILVE
Inalto
Liebherr
Miele
Schmick
Smeg
Vintec
We then shortlisted options based on customer ratings and reviews (as of May 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, including size, price, temperature zones and controls. We came up with what we believe are the 7 best wine fridges you can buy right now in Australia.
We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.
How to compare wine fridges
Why bother spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a wine fridge when you've got an ordinary fridge that works just fine? One reason might be that you don't have enough space for all those bottles in the family fridge, but there's a much more important point to be aware of: your kitchen fridge is set to the wrong temperature.
Red and white wine need to be stored between 12℃ and 18℃. Wine fridges, which are also known as wine coolers and wine cabinets, will maintain a steady temperature in this all-important zone. They also maintain humidity at around 70% (to keep corks in place and stop air penetrating the bottle) and protect your bottles from UV rays.
However, not all wine fridges are created equal. Prices range anywhere from $150 for small, entry-level options right up to more than $5,000 for state-of-the-art coolers capable of holding more than 200 bottles. How much you pay will depend on the size of the fridge, the number of temperature zones you want, and whether you require advanced or basic features. Of course, the quality and value of the wine you want to store will also play a part.
Here are the key factors you need to consider when comparing your options:
Start by considering the cooling technology a fridge uses. Compressor-type fridges can maintain colder temperatures for longer, but they can have higher vibration levels and are usually more expensive.
Thermoelectric models are cheaper, quieter and use less energy; however, they can be affected by ambient temperature, so they may not be the best choice if they'll be placed in a garage or somewhere with significant temperature fluctuations.
Another factor to consider is the number of temperature zones a fridge has. Basic models only have one zone, which means storing all your bottles at one temperature. But if you're willing to pay more, you can get a dual-zone or multi-zone fridge with different compartments for storing each variety of wine at the optimum temperature. More temperature zones mean more flexibility, but they also mean a higher price tag.
Think about your storage needs to decide how many cooling zones you want. If you just want somewhere to keep your shiraz in perfect condition, a single-zone fridge may suit. But if you've got a varied collection of red and white varieties, you may want the versatility of multiple cooling zones. Another advantage of dual-zone coolers is that you can use one zone to store wines and the other to serve them, ensuring that your bottles are at the perfect temperature when you're ready to pour.
Check how easy it is to set your fridge up exactly how you want. For example, are there touch buttons or dials? Is there a digital temperature display so you can program your fridge to the precise level you want? Is there a humidity control system and if so, does it feature a water reservoir you'll need to fill from time to time? If there are charcoal filters to eliminate unwanted odours, how often will you need to replace them?
Most wine fridges feature glass doors so you can check on your collection without opening them. Doors are typically tinted to protect against the negative impact of UV rays, and some are made of tempered glass for extra strength. Check whether any unit you're considering features a reversible door for flexible installation.
If your wine collection is valuable and you want to protect it from thieves or curious children, look for a model with a lockable door.
Wood shelving is generally preferred to metal shelving because it means less vibration.
Sliding shelves ensure easy access to your bottles but can mean sacrificing some storage space, and it's also worth checking whether you can easily remove the shelves to create space for storing larger bottles.
Finally, some models feature display shelves complete with LED lighting if you want to show off the most prized bottles in your collection to envious dinner guests.
Check the specs sheet for the dimensions of any wine fridge so you can be sure it'll fit in the space you have available. Also take care when choosing where to put your wine fridge – noise may be a concern in your living area, while you'll want to keep it away from the oven if placing your fridge in the kitchen.
Another factor to take into account is where the fridge will actually sit. You can choose from compact benchtop models, freestanding appliances or fridges designed to be installed under your benchtop or as part of the cabinetry.
If your wine fridge will be on public display, you'll obviously want to consider its overall design and aesthetic appeal before buying. For example, will it match the existing decor in your kitchen or living room? Black and stainless-steel finishes are common, as are wooden shelving and LED lighting.
Check the length of the manufacturer's warranty – 2 to 3 years is common – and exactly what it covers.
Types of wine fridges
When buying a wine fridge, you'll need to compare fridges from the following:
Specialist wine cooler manufacturers, such as Vintec
Refrigeration specialists, such as Liebherr and Husky
General appliance manufacturers, such as Hisense and DeLonghi
Bottle capacity
One way to distinguish between the many products available is to take a look at their bottle capacity. The smallest countertop models hold just 6 or 12 bottles, while fridges at the other end of the spectrum can store more than 200. The quoted bottle capacity for a wine fridge is calculated using the size and shape of a 750mL Bordeaux bottle.
Consider the size of your current collection and how much it's likely to grow in the coming months and years. Do you just want somewhere to store a couple of dozen special bottles, or are you a serious connoisseur with a sizable collection on your hands? Also consider whether you'll be able to easily store oddly shaped bottles of sparkling, Burgundy or even magnums.
It is best to store red wine at a temperature between 11°C and 18°C, while you can store white wine between 7°C and 11°C.
To keep mould from growing inside your wine chiller, you can apply a light coating of baking soda on the wooden shelves. This will prevent mould from growing and ruining your precious collection. However, it is still best to consult your manufacturer's manual to know more about keeping your specific fridge in tip-top shape.
Bar fridges are general-purpose fridges with room to store various drinks and food items. Wine fridges are specifically designed to minimise vibration and have wooden shelves for storing wine bottles for long periods. Both are designed to control humidity and temperature, but wine fridges are more suitable for keeping large wine collections to preserve their integrity.
Customer satisfaction rating breakdown
The Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards is an annual national survey conducted in partnership with research firm Dynata. With over 30,000 real shoppers participating, the awards serve as a reliable reflection of Australian consumers' preferences and opinions. Here are the scores for fridge brands from 2023.
Brand
Cleaning and maintenance
Ease of use
Overall
Product features
Value for money
Recommended
Total Score
LG
4.6
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.6
99%
4.69
Samsung
4.5
4.7
4.6
4.5
4.5
97%
4.61
Westinghouse
4.6
4.6
4.5
4.3
4.4
100%
4.57
Kelvinator
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.5
4.3
96%
4.47
Hisense
4.4
4.5
4.5
4.2
4.4
92%
4.44
Mitsubishi Electric
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.3
4.2
94%
4.41
Haier
4.4
4.5
4.4
4.2
4.4
90%
4.4
Fisher & Paykel
4.3
4.5
4.4
4.3
4.4
89%
4.39
Kogan
4.1
4.3
4.3
3.9
4.3
84%
4.17
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2023, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.
Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in best guides. Using tested methodology, Ericka has been helping Australians choose the right product across hundreds of categories since 2020. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila. As well as being passionate about helping people save money when shopping for their latest purchases, Ericka has a background in writing about property investment, personal finance and health. When not writing best guides, you can find her lost in the pages of a good book or experimenting with watercolour painting.
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