Buying a wine fridge for a small apartment is really a task because of the space crunch. An average small apartment in the United States is around 300 sq. feet or less, which means you need to utilize the space smartly to avoid clutter!
I understand that you need a fridge with a smaller footprint but bigger capacity to keep your favorite wine bottles intact.
To make things easier for you, I have picked the top best wine fridges for small apartments that every wine enthusiast should own. Moreover, there’s a list of some important factors you should consider to choose the right fridge for your needs.
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Best Wine Fridges for Small Apartments: Reviewed in Detail
I spent hours researching, watching YouTube videos, and asked several wine aficionados to select the top wine fridges for small apartments. All the fridges listed in this article belong to popular brands and have a good warranty.
Quick Summary: Top 3 Wine Fridges for Small Apartments
Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler
An amazing cooler that can preserve your favorite wines for as long as six months. It has a multiple-pane door to protect the wine from UV rays and comes equipped with a silent and vibration-less compressor.
Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator
A tower-like wine fridge with a built-in lock that safeguards your wine bottles from pets and kids. The uniform cooling preserves all bottles inside the cooler, and you can keep your wine stock as it is for a long time.
A dual-zone wine fridge with two compartments. You can use it to store two different wines at different temperatures.
Plus, the cooler has a long-lasting compressor for efficient and silent performance. The upright rack prevents the wine bottles from spilling and gives you quick access to the bottles.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
| 1 | Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler | Overall Best |
| 2 | BLACK+DECKER 8 Bottle Wine Fridge | Best Compact Wine Fridge |
| 3 | Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator | Best Fridge with a Lock |
| 4 | Maisee Dual Zone Wine Cooler | Best Dual Zone Wine Fridge |
| 5 | Wine Enthusiast 6-Bottle Countertop Wine Cooler | Best Versatile Wine Cooler |
1. Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler
When I add another wine chiller to my apartment, I’ll definitely choose the Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler. Equipped with a premium dual thermostatic cooling unit, this fridge chills the wine quickly while preserving its natural flavor.
Don’t get fooled by its small footprint, as this mini box can accommodate 20 wine bottles at once.
You can even fit 20 wide wine bottles without worrying about space.
The fridge offers you complete control over temperature, and you can set it according to the wine and the weather.
I love the touch buttons; they glow, so you can adjust the temperature even in dark hours.
The fridge features a big fan on the back that keeps it cool, and you don’t have to worry about overheating. The fan can get noisy sometimes. However, you won’t notice its humming sound on an average day.
Don’t worry about the fridge or the wine leaking, as the air-tight door seal keeps everything intact. It even maintains the temperature for longer in the event of a power outage. Under the fridge, there are four adjustable legs, and you can easily balance it on an uneven floor.
The semi-transparent door panel lets you see the bottles while it protects the wine bottles from UV rays. There’s a big handle on the door, and you can easily open it with minimal force.
Overall, the Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler is a great pick if you want to keep a big stock of wine at your home.
The removable racks ease the cleaning process, and the optimal temperature setting preserves the original flavor of the wine for longer.
2. BLACK+DECKER 8 Bottle Wine Fridge
This wine cellar from BLACK+DECKER occupies minimal space and is perfect for apartments with limited space. You can even keep it on a table, thanks to its aesthetic looks and small footprint. Despite its small size, this wine cooler can accommodate up to eight bottles.
However, fitting wider bottles may require you to remove one rack.
The highlight is the triple-pane glass door that keeps the temperature intact while preventing the wine from UV exposure.
On the door, you get convenient controls to adjust the temperature. It even features a bright LED display that looks sharp and shows the exact temperature.
You may find the display to be a bit blurred when seeing it from a distance, so get closer to the fridge to know the exact temperature.
The bright interior light shows you how many bottles are still there without actually opening the fridge. In addition, this wine fridge maintains the optimal temperature range of 46-65 degrees Fahrenheit required to preserve wine.
Cleaning it is a cakewalk, and you can remove the chrome racks whenever you want. The racks are dishwasher-safe, while you need to clean the fridge interiors manually.
BLACK+DECKER has occupied this cooler with adjustable feet, and you can place it on any surface while preventing the bottles from rolling.
Lastly, you get a one-year warranty on this compact wine cellar, and BLACK+DECKER has an amazing sales network throughout the United States.
3. Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator
If you are looking for a wine fridge that’s taller and less wide, you can consider Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator. The tower-like design makes this fridge stand out, and you will surely love its amazing looks.
Talking about the capacity, the fridge can accommodate up to 12 bottles of 750 ml. You can also fit in wider bottles, but that may require removing some racks.
The stainless-steel racks keep the bottle secure, and you don’t need to clean them regularly.
On the front door panel, the fridge has adjustable temperature buttons, and you can select temperature from the range of 41º – 64ºF depending on the wine and weather.
There’s a digital display as well, so you cannot go wrong in choosing the temperature. I like the touch-sensitive buttons, and you can silently adjust the temperature when you need.
If you have kids or pets in the house, you’ll find the built-in lock helpful. Ivation ships two keys with this wine fridge, and you can keep the bottles protected all the time.
All the wine bottles, irrespective of their placement in the fridge, will get uniform cooling, thanks to optimal air circulation! You can see the bottles from the outside, and the UV-resistant thermopane protects them from UV radiation.
One thing you’ll miss in this fridge is the adjustable feet, and you need to keep it on an even floor. Overall, the Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator is a bang for the buck if you want to preserve the wine for longer. The durable fridge comes in two colors, and you get a decent manufacturer’s warranty on it.
4. Maisee Dual Zone Wine Cooler
Do you need a fridge to keep your Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other wines? You need a fridge like Maisee Dual Zone Wine Cooler. Different wines require different temperatures for optimal storage, and this amazing fridge solves that problem.
It is a dual zone fridge, which means you get two compartments to store wine, and you can separately control the temperature for both compartments.
The fridge looks just like a regular wine cellar, but on the inside, you’ll see two different storage spaces.
The capacity of this cellar is around 18 bottles, but you may feel a scarcity of space after packing this fridge fully.
The front door features a transparent multi-pane glass so you can see the bottles while it protects them from UV exposure.
On the top, there are multiple touch-sensitive buttons to let you adjust the temperature. Since these buttons and the display glow, you can easily set the required temperature.
Maisee has mentioned the lower zone and upper zone to prevent you from getting confused. The only thing that turned me off was a single door. However, it is essential for durability.
Lastly, the fridge maintains the temperature and humidity required to store wine and champagne bottles. Moreover, it consumes 25% less energy than a regular fridge, thus, making it a perfect choice for home and office use.
5. Wine Enthusiast 6-Bottle Countertop Wine Cooler
Do you frequently change your apartment for work and need a wine fridge you can easily carry to the new place?
If yes, you are looking for a Wine Enthusiast 6-Bottle Countertop Wine Cooler. This is one of the tiniest wine cellars with a good capacity and a host of features.
Under the elegant body is a powerful compressor that lets you adjust the temperature for optimal storage of wine.
Even in the event of a power outage, the fridge maintains the temperature, while the air-tight door seal prevents leaks.
On the front door, you get touch controls and a display for added convenience.
There’s even an indicator that shows when the fridge is chilling, so you can know that your wine is safe.
Overall, the design looks good, and the bigger pegs under the fridge make it more aesthetic while balancing the wine bottles in one place.
Talking about energy efficiency, this fridge meets the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Energy and saves a lot of energy while preserving your favorite wine for longer.
The fridge is very durable, but the door opens quickly. However, the built-in lock keeps the bottles safe, and your notorious pet won’t break your favorite wine bottles.
Lastly, this is a lightweight wine cellar, and you can keep it in your RV or anywhere else.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Wine Fridge for Small Apartments
What should I look for in a wine fridge? Most people often wonder this when choosing a fridge. However, there are some important factors you cannot overlook. Have these things in mind to choose the right fridge for your needs.
Capacity
If you have wine occasionally, you don’t need a fridge that can store multiple bottles. On the other hand, if you are a party animal, you need a fridge with better bottle storage capacity. Generally, these small fridges can store around 10-18 wine bottles.
Adjustable Temperature
It is essential to set the right temperature depending on the wine and the weather. Go for a fridge that lets you adjust the temperature.
I would suggest choosing a model with a built-in display that shows the current temperature, and there will be no room for guesswork.
There are some amazing fridges like Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler with illuminated buttons that you can easily operate during the night.
Footprint
The footprint is the size of the cooler, and it depends on the area of your apartment.
Measure the space you want to place the fridge in, and then choose a fridge that fits well in that particular area.
Durability
A good wine fridge should be very durable, and you know why.
Look for fridges made with materials such as metals, tempered glass, and more.
Also, it is essential to choose a wine fridge that belongs to prominent brands, for example, Ivation and NutriChef.
Aesthetics
Who said wine fridges can’t be stylish? You can choose a fridge that compliments the aesthetics of your apartment and looks good sitting inside your house. In this article, I have reviewed several stylish fridges that keep your wine chilled while making your apartment look cool.
Removable Racks
Experts say that you should clean the wine fridge once every few months, so look for options with removable racks. You can clean such fridges easily, while they offer more space when you need to store more bottles.
Noise
Wine fridges come equipped with a compressor that can be noisy sometimes. While there is no foolproof way to ensure that a fridge is noise-free, you can do that by skimming through customer reviews.
Warranty
Make sure that the wine fridge you are buying has a warranty. The fridge should have at least a one-year manufacturer warranty to cover any defects or issues.
Budget
Wine fridges for small apartments are available at a range of prices. Some fridges can be as low as $200, while some can cost you around $500. It would be great to have a figure in mind to avoid overspending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you store red wine in an apartment?
A: You can store red wine in an apartment inside a wine cellar. You can buy the Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler to keep up to 20 bottles preserved for longer.
Also, this fridge has an adjustable temperature, and you can adjust it according to the wine brand, type, and weather.
Q: Can you put a wine fridge in a closet?
A: Yes, you can put a wine fridge in a closet, provided there is adequate ventilation. However, I suggest not keeping these fridges in a closet or in an enclosed space.
Q: How long can you store wine in a wine fridge?
A: There is no hard and fast rule for how long you can store wine in a fridge because it depends on several factors, such as the type of wine, the brand, and its age.
However, some experts say that you can keep the wine in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Q: How big should be a good wine fridge?
A: It depends on several factors, such as the number of wine bottles you want to store and the available space you have to keep the fridge.
Q: Does a wine fridge need a water line?
A: No, a wine fridge does not need a water line. All you need to do is plug the power cable into the outlet, and you can preserve your wines for longer.
Final Words
I hope this detailed article has helped you choose the best wine fridge for small apartments. Make sure to go through the factors I have listed in this article to choose the right fridge for your needs.
The wine cooler I’d recommend is Koolatron Urban Series 20 Bottle Wine Cooler since it can accommodate up to 20 bottles and has all the features of a good wine cellar.
