All of us were getting back home after a hard day dreaming about something to get relaxed. What can be better than a glass of wine? Or two. Okay, maybe a bottle. Anyway, it can get disappointing if your much-desired bottle of wine isn’t properly cooled, so the drink isn’t that satisfying and you can’t experience the whole taste palette.
We’ve researched 42 different products, before deciding on the 15 best dual zone wine coolers. First, the cooler’s capacity is a crucial thing to decide on. Some of us need a compact model that’s able to store no more than 20 bottles, while others have a larger, 100+ bottle collection, and we have a variety of differently-sized models. The operating temperature is also important since different wines are better to be stored in different temperatures, and some products can even offer multiple temperatures in different sections of a cooler. All things considered, the EdgeStar CWR5631FD became our Editor’s Choice.
Extra features: digital control panel; safety lock; carbon filters; UV-resistant glass doors; can also be used as a freestanding unit
Our top overall selection for the best dual zone wine cooler is the EdgeStar CWR5631FD. Edgestar is one of the top brands in the wine cooler business, making use of only the strongest materials and smartest designs in its products, and the brand’s dedication to quality is fully on display with the EdgeStar CWR5631FD, which features 12 shelves and enough space for up to 56 bottles in total, spread out across equally sized zones with their own doors.
This dual zone wine cooler can be installed either built-in or freestanding, giving you the freedom to decide exactly how you want to have it, and it also comes with a lot of great features and aspects, starting off with the super strong, UV resistant glass doors which help to protect your wines from the sun’s rays and allow them to age in total security. The equally-sized temperature zones also mean that this cooler is a good option for people who appreciate both reds and whites.
The EdgeStar CWR5631FD also comes with a built-in lock to keep your wines safe from the hands of little ones and a very impressive temperature range too, providing the optimal storing and serving conditions for the vast majority of reds and whites. It also features a stylish digital control panel for easy temperature adjustments and is a good-looking device overall. On the downside, a product of this quality naturally comes with a high price tag, and the EdgeStar CWR5631FD can make a little bit of noise compared to other models.
Extra features: low vibration performance; blue LED lighting; security lock; reversible door
Another brilliant brand in the wine cooler industry is Kalamera, and the Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator is easily one of the best wine fridge models money can buy right now, especially if you’re looking for a small and compact design. Many people already have a lot of appliances in their kitchens and don’t necessarily have the space for another large one, but the Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator is very nicely sized to hold a good number of wine bottles while slipping seamlessly into your home.
It features a total of five removable shelves and enough space for up to 46 bottles (standard Bordeaux size). It is worth mentioning, however, that the Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator, like many other wine refrigerator models, features a relatively small upper zone and then a larger lower zone. This is good for people who prefer reds and tend to buy less whites in general, but if you enjoy reds and whites equally then you might want to seek out a different option.
The Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator is a very quiet cooler with stylish lighting effects and a built-in lock for total protection. It comes with a reversible door too and it can be installed as either a free-standing or built-in model, to suit your preferences. The only real downsides we could find to this model are the fact that the price tag is a bit high and some users reported that the shelves felt a little flimsy when taking them out.
Extra features: available in a left or right hinge version and a black or stainless steel color; vibration-free; 25% less energy consumption than other wine coolers
The third entry on our list is by far the biggest. This is an industrial level wine cooler designed for restaurants and businesses, as well as home wine collectors who like to have dozens of bottles at any one time. The Allavino FlexCount VSWR172-2BWRN features a total of 14 shelves and a maximum capacity of 172 bottles. It’s one of the biggest dual zone wine coolers you can find right now and it’s the dream option for people who love to have a big collection of reds and whites.
The top zone is a little smaller than the bottom zone, but this wine cooler is so big that it can still easily store huge amounts of wine in either zone and offers strong temperature control performance too. Naturally, some users will be off-put by the enormous size of the Allavino FlexCount VSWR172-2BWRN as it is simply too big for many people, and its large size and capacity give it a big price tag too, but it comes with a lot of plus points.
It offers versatile installation, for example, able to be installed as either a freestanding or built-in model. It’s also stunningly silent, with minimal vibration, providing comfort for the user and idyllic conditions to help the wine remain undisturbed over time. Despite being such a big model, it’s also very impressive in terms of energy efficiency, and it’s a great cooler to look at, made from strong and durable materials.
Extra features: compressor wine cooler; reversible door; digital temperature controls and LED display; auto defrost
If you’re looking for a compact, built-in dual zone wine cooler, look no further than the EdgeStar CWR263DZ. Again coming to us from one of the best brands in the business, the EdgeStar CWR263DZ is by far one of the best wine cooler dual zone models you can find right now in a small and easy to install package, measuring up at just 23.5 x 15 x 32 inches and yet still having enough space to store a total of 26 bottles across six different shelves.
It’s clear to see that this isn’t the biggest wine cooler around, and the top zone is especially on the small side, but it’s still big enough for most wine lovers who like to just have a few whites and a dozen reds in the home at any one time. The only other minor flaw with this model is that it can be a little on the noisy side, but apart from that, we only have good things to say about the EdgeStar CWR263DZ and many customers have been impressed with this model too.
It’s a very stylish wine cooler with attractive lighting effects and a nice control screen, allowing the user to easily and precisely adjust the temperatures of the two different zones whenever they like. It’s also got some pretty powerful technology under the hood and can offer relatively broad temperature ranges in each zone.
Extra features: digital controls; auto defrost
We’re staying with Edgestar for another entry in our list of the best dual zone wine coolers. This time, it’s the EdgeStar TWR325ESS, a freestanding wine cooler available at an affordable price and offering a lot of impressive features and functionality overall. It’s definitely one of the best freestanding dual zone wine coolers you can find, featuring a two-door system and equally sized zones to let you store the same number of reds and whites in each half.
This is a stylish silver colored wine cooler with attractive lighting effects and a digital control panel. It doesn’t have the largest temperature range options, so some whites might not be able to be stored in this cooler at their optimal conditions, but the settings are still good enough for the vast majority of wines. The EdgeStar TWR325ESS isn’t the easiest cooler to clean either can develop some marks, so it will need a little more care than other models.
The only other minor flaw with this wine cooler is that it gives off quite a lot of heat at the back, so you’ll need to be careful when you install it and ensure that there’s plenty of space for the heat to dissipate and circulate. Apart from that, the EdgeStar TWR325ESS has nothing but positive features. It’s a very impressive wine cooler and the user reviews are highly complimentary.
Extra features: auto defrost; LED display
Offering space for up to 21 bottles of wine spread out across six shelves and a floor shelf, the EdgeStar TWR215ESS is another excellent dual zone wine cooler you might like to consider. It’s quite a slim and compact cooler, so it can fit in a lot of different places around the kitchen, and it’s fully freestanding too, so you can be quite flexible in terms of how and where you choose to install this one.
As a cheaper model compared to some of the others, the EdgeStar TWR215ESS can’t boast the same long list of features and extras, but it does still have a lot to offer. It comes with cool blue lighting to provide that bold aesthetic statement many people crave from a wine cooler, and it comes with a stylish LED display to give you up to date temperature information for its two zones as well. The top zone can only hold a maximum of six bottles, but this should still be enough for those who prefer reds over whites.
The EdgeStar TWR215ESS is a very efficient and economic freestanding dual zone wine fridge. It’s nice to look at, easy to install, and it gets the job done well. There’s a little vibration and noise with this model, but not too much at all, and users have been very impressed with its ability to store and age wines over time, improving their quality and pleasing even the most discerning of wine connoisseurs.
Extra features: digital controls and LCD display; also available in a 24-bottle capacity version
Our budget pick for this list is the Ivation 18 Bottle Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler/Chiller. Many wine coolers are quite expensive, but this one comes with a highly attractive price tag and some great features too, so it’s a nice option for those who just want an affordable dual zone wine fridge that can store a reasonable amount of bottles. A total of 18 bottles can be stored in this cooler, with six in the top level and 12 in the bottom level.
The top section is a little on the small side, but if you tend to favor red wines over whites, it shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, this wine cooler is definitely better suited to people who enjoy red wines overall as its temperature range isn’t the widest. It can still store whites and keep them nice and cool for the most part, but its design and features make it a better option for reds in general.
This affordable dual zone wine fridge is compact and very easy to install, easily placed in several locations all around your kitchen or elsewhere around the home. It features digital controls for easy temperature changes and is one of the most impressively and consistently quiet wine coolers around too. Some might accuse it of being a little too small, but it’s just right for many people and is an excellent low budget option.
Extra features: digital controls; auto defrost
Last but not least, we come to the Wine Enthusiast Silent 18 Bottle Two-Temp Touchscreen Wine Refrigerator. This is one of the most affordable entries on our list, so it’s a good option for those working with a smaller budget, and it immediately stands out from the crowd with its unique aesthetic and design, featuring a darkened glass door that makes it a little harder to see which bottles you’re storing inside, but also helps to create a nice stylistic effect that helps this cooler fit in well with other black appliances in a contemporary kitchen.
As a budget model, the Wine Enthusiast Silent 18 Bottle Two-Temp Touchscreen Wine Refrigerator doesn’t have some of the same features and functionality as some of the other entries on our list. It doesn’t have its own built-in safety lock, for example. It doesn’t have the same stylish blue lighting effects as many of the other models featured higher up our list either, but it still does a lot of things right and offers exceptional value for money.
The Wine Enthusiast Silent 18 Bottle Two-Temp Touchscreen Wine Refrigerator is super easy to install and comes with an easy to use digital control panel. It’s also one of the most silent wine coolers around, so if you really value silence as a key feature in your wine cooler, this is a great option to choose. Not only that, but the Wine Enthusiast Silent 18 Bottle Two-Temp Touchscreen Wine Refrigerator is also very compact, holding 18 bottles but not taking up too much space in your home.
More features: 6 shelves (removable), reversible door, front venting, automatic defrosting cycle, LED lighting, environmentally friendly
Able to hold 32 bottles in its belly, this bottle capacity puts the Smith & Hanks Under Counter Wine Refrigerator right in the upper median for its price range.
As the name suggests, this compact wine cooler can easily be stored underneath a counter and can be installed as both a built-in wine refrigerator or can stand alone. Backed by a 3-year warranty on its compressor and sealed system, the Smith & Hanks Under Counter Wine Refrigerator has everything you could need to be a high-quality cooler.
With its dual temperature zones allowing you to store both red and white wines, the cooler has built-in temp ranges of 41 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit on top and 46 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit below. The cooler comes with six removable shelves and features that set it high in its class like a reversible door, front venting, an automatic defrosting cycle, LED lightings, and is environmentally friendly and sound.
Compared to other coolers in its class its also quite silent in noise pollution so you don’t have to worry about it competing with other appliances for loudest noise.
More features: seamless stainless-steel door, key lock, 5 shelves, LED lighting, touch control panel, carbon filter, argon filled low E-glass
With dual temperature zones of 40-50°F and 54-65°F, the Avallon AWC151DZLH has the necessary backbones to make dual-zone temperature control work to its advantage. If you’re a connoisseur for different wines, you’ll enjoy the different types of wine and how they can both live harmoniously within this cooler.
The Avallon AWC151DZLH can be slipped right under the counter with a built-in installation. Some extra additional features that set it to a stylish high-class look is the blue and white alternating LED lighting, which can be adjusted for the day and the evening time.
You can also appreciate the five shelves and key lock which not only give you enough storage for your whole collection but also the lock to keep it safe from children and prying hands. The seamless steel door also completes the look of high-voltage security meets home chic.
You’re also able to store a number of 23 standard wine bottles with a staggered bottle arrangement that can help you maximize its compact size for space.
The double-pane door of the cooler is made with argon filled low E-glass, which helps not only insulate temperature but keep out UV light exposure, which can be highly destructive to your wine.
More features: door lock, automatic defrosting cycle, child lock, ETL listed, LED lighting
The EdgeStar CWR362FD comes capable of storing both red and white wines to its optimal temperature. Capable of holding 36 standard-size bottles, this wine cooler is not only stylish in design but highly functional in make and model.
What sets it apart from other wine coolers on the market? It is made with elegant French doors that are covered by tempered glass and sleek stainless steel trim. The wooden shelving makes it easy for in-and-out capabilities.
You can also choose between its built-in or freestanding installation. The power circulation fan also makes even cooling a priority, with no hot spots or uneven cooling within its unit.
The range boasts a wide temperature range of 40-65°F, which is suitable for both wine types. Setting it is also a breeze with digital controls and display.
You can also rest assured with its built-in carbon filter that protects your wine against external odors. The tinted glass also does its part in keeping out harmful sunlight and UV rays, which can destroy a wine’s fermentation.
And finally, there is a child lock and door lock that keeps unwanted intruders from getting a hold of your collection.
More features: reversible door, LED lighting, stainless steel frame, front venting, 5 removable shelves
The Phiestina Dual Zone Wine Cooler Refrigerator is a great choice if you‘re looking for a quality wine cooler to fit in your home.
Although it is not considered as the highest, technically-speaking, this is a great choice if you’re looking for a “beginner” or a first wine cooler, as well as an additional one or a replacement.
Capable of being installed both freestanding or built-in, the Phiestina Dual Zone Wine Cooler Refrigerator also has various features including noiseless operation, user-friendly controls, and a wide temperature range (40-66°F) to accommodate various wines.
You can enjoy some of the more thoughtful features like the blue interior light in each of the zones aesthetically or the interior lights which help it stand out at night.
The Phiestina Dual Zone Wine Cooler Refrigerator is run on a compressor, which helps cool the wines and keep them at optimum temperatures. It also runs quietly, which is quite odd for most wine coolers of this type.
The design also comes with 6 beech wood shelves which can be removed to allow large wine bottles in the unit.
More features: LCD temperature screen, safety lock, tempered glass door, wooden shelves
The Koldfront TWR247ESS 24-bottle wine cooler is also a high-on-our-list wine cooler that not only is capable of holding two different temperatures, but also has four shelves in each cooling zone, making for eight in total—which is a lot more than others on the market.
With a temperature range from 46°F to 66°F, you can have the proper temperature for various styles of wines.
Capable of holding up to 24 bottles of wine, this freestanding unit has completely removable shelves as well as a wooden outlook that meets traditional style.
Not only does it stand out due to its door design, but it also has tempered glass, stainless steel trim, and a long slim handle for easier access. You can also access the entire temperature control unit on the door itself—adjusting the settings without even having to open the door.
Although the doors aren’t reversible, you still get some extra additional features like a lock, thermoelectric cooling, and silent and energy-efficiency. It also isn’t exactly beginner-friendly, however, the innovative approach makes it highly efficient in design. Even though it’s not the most user-friendly design on the market, it’s quite budget-friendly, which is a major plus.
More features: touch LCD screen, interior lighting, thermoelectric cooling, tempered smoked glass door, rubber feet
The Ivation Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is a stylish wine cooler to keep not only your wine collection safe but also in high design.
With a black cabinet and a smoked glass door, aligned with black trim on the outside, this is a great appliance that fits into almost any interior decor.
The recessed handle in the design also makes it easy to use, as well. Which preludes to its user-friendly controls, with capabilities of setting both zones.
The Ivation Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler comes with not one but two brightly-lit display screens that can make it very easy-to-use and set.
Capable of holding 24 bottles, this freestanding design is not only efficient, but also stylish, and compact. The noise level is also quite quiet, making it highly preferable when you’re placing it in a living area. The Ivation Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler also has removable shelves that can not only make it easy to accommodate large wine bottles but also easy to clean.
The quiet and efficient cooling of this system is a must-have for any wine connoisseur. Not only is installation a breeze, the interior LED lights that can also be easily accessed, as well as the monitors.
More features: thermoelectric, LCD thermostat screen, standing bottle storage, touch button controls
Although the NutriChef PKTEWCDS1802 is one of the last on our list, it’s still a high-quality choice.
The NutriChef PKTEWCDS1802 has an innovative cooling technology that is worth the buy and door design which sets it apart from others on the market.
Taking advantage of the high technology of thermoelectric cooling to provide vibration and noise-free operation, this wine cooler is one of the quietest you’ll find on the market. It’s also highly energy-efficient, meaning that you won’t be spending a ton for its operation.
As we go back to the door design, you’ll also appreciate the fact that it is made of reinforced glass and has an airtight seal which prevents ambient air from seeping in—which can damage your wine quality.
You can also have full access to the wine cooler with its temperature controls and LCD thermostats.
The temperature range also meets the average with a low of 46°F and high of 64°F. You also have standing bottle storage as an option for those last-minute choices. Although storing larger bottles might be a bit of a squeeze with this wine cooler, you still have a lightweight build for both floor setting or countertop.
Now that we’ve taken a close and detailed look at our best dual zone wine coolers, it’s time to take a more thorough look at the various factors and features you need to look out for when shopping for your next cooler. There are a lot of things to consider when trying to find a cooler that fits perfectly in your home and with your lifestyle, and it’s vital to think about all of these different aspects to choose the perfect model for you.
Before we take a look at the features to think about when buying your next wine fridge, let’s look at some of the main reasons and advantages that might encourage you to buy one in the first place:
So what sort of things should you be looking for when trying to find the ideal dual zone wine cooler for your home? Well, there are several features to think about, and some of them will be more important to you than others. The size, style, temperature, overall capacity, and unique features of each model can all play a part in helping you choose the perfect cooler.
A key thing to think about when buying a dual zone wine cooler is its overall capacity and the number of shelves it has, but the importance of this factor will depend on your own lifestyle. If you like to have a large collection of wine at home, capacity will be very important and you’ll want to choose a very large cooler with lots of shelves and space like the Allavino FlexCount VSWR172-2BWRN. It’s important to remember that the capacity of any wine cooler is judged in relation to standard Bordeaux-size bottles. You should also consider whether or not the shelves are removable, as this can allow you to store bigger bottles or even store bottles in upright positions too.
We’ve seen above that wines need to be kept at certain temperatures to be properly appreciated, but not all coolers are capable of the same temperatures. Some, like the EdgeStar CWR5631FD, offer much larger temperature ranges than others, giving the user more flexibility and options in terms of which wines they keep in the cooler and how cool they store them. If you really love dry white wines, for example, you’ll need a cool with very low temperatures.
Wine coolers can usually be classed as freestanding or built-in. Freestanding coolers are designed to be placed in open spaces around the kitchen or elsewhere in your home, like in a wine cellar, and they usually need some space behind them to let heat escape. Built-in wine coolers like the EdgeStar CWR263DZ are installed under the counter as part of the overall kitchen design. Freestanding are easier to install in general, but it’s important to choose the right spot when installing them. You can find highly versatile models which can be installed freestanding or built-in too, like the Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator.
The terms ‘thermoelectric’ and ‘compressor’ might sound confusing at first, but when it comes to thermoelectric wine coolers vs compressor coolers, the simple fact of the matter is that thermoelectric options tend to be better as they’re much quieter and they have less vibrations, so are gentler and kinder to the wine and provide better conditions for ageing.
Compressor coolers are noisier and vibrate more, but they’re usually more powerful and offer larger temperature ranges.
Many people don’t want noisy appliances creating irritating humming or vibrating sounds in their kitchens all the time. Some wine coolers are much more silent than others, especially thermoelectric models, so this is another key feature to consider if you tend to be easily bothered by noisy fridges.
Perhaps the most important aspect of all to think about is the actual size and weight of your cooler. Some wine coolers, like the Allavino FlexCount VSWR172-2BWRN, can be absolutely enormous. It’s vital to ensure that you have enough space in your kitchen, cellar, or elsewhere around the home to actually install the cooler properly. If the space you want to place your unit in is not very large, consider choosing a small wine cooler. Be sure to consult the specifications of each model to get the exact weight and dimensions of the cooler and measure out the space in which you intend to install it before placing any orders.
Many of the best dual zone wine coolers, like the EdgeStar CWR5631FD, come with a range of additional features and bonuses like stylish blue lighting, LED control panels, and built-in security locks. These features might be particularly important to you and could help you decide between two different models. A cooler with a lock, like the Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator for example, could be essential for people with children in the home.
To make the most of your wine cooler and help your wines age well, be sure to follow these top tips:
Try to avoid knocking or moving the cooler in order to avoid disturbing the wines.
Overall, it was the EdgeStar CWR5631FD that stood out as our number one dual zone wine cooler. Not only does it look the part, it’s also exceptionally effective at cooling, storing, and ageing your wines, creating the perfect conditions for wine lovers to appreciate their favorite bottles.
The next best entry on our list of the best dual zone wine cooler models is the Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator. Ideal for those in search of a smaller and more compact design, the Kalamera 24” Wine Refrigerator offers strong storage space and impressive performance in a nicely-sized package.
Finally, our third best rated dual zone wine cooler is the Allavino FlexCount VSWR172-2BWRN. A truly enormous wine cooler with an impressive maximum capacity, the FlexCount is the dream cooler for those who want to amass a very big collection of bottles.
