Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Tom
The Best 12 Bottle Wine Fridge & Coolers Reviews, Tips and Buying Guides
The best 12 bottle wine coolers are an inexpensive and compact alternative to having to go out every time you get an urge for the crisp, rich wine flavor. If you are one to keep a collection or have access to a cellar – with the wine cooler, you can have a few chilled and ready for consumption at a time.
As you can derive from the name, they generally hold 12 bottles of wine at a go. But there are different varieties available in the market – each with unique features. However, we’ve gone through hundreds of models offered at present, and compiled a list of the best 12 bottle wine coolers for you. Plus, there’s a buying guide to ensure you make an informed decision.
Top Rated 12-Bottle Wine Coolers
Why do You Need a 12 Bottle Wine Cooler?
12 Bottle Wine Cooler is a great household appliance to have. Not only does it let you chill wine in your own home, but also allows you to store up to twelve bottles of wine, and keep them at the ideal temperature that they need to be stored at.
You can find many different types of wine coolers and fridges on Amazon, with some being very affordable and others being more expensive.
If this is something that you’re interested in purchasing for yourself or as a gift for someone else, read through this article so that you know what you should be looking out for the best 12 bottle wine cooler.
Reviews of The Best 12 Bottle Wine Coolers & Fridge on Amazon in 2022
Here are top rated 12 bottle wine cooler reviews to buy
Top 1 – Nutrichef (PKCWC12) 12-Bottle Wine Cooler
An impressive 12-bottle wine cooler from Nutrichef, this best 12 bottle wine cooler performs far above its price point. It has a sleek, compact design. The anterior side of the glass bears an attractive stainless steel door frame – with an airtight, reinforced glass window. You should be aware that this is a freestanding model and would not fit nicely under the counter or within the furniture.
This arguably best 12-bottle wine cooler works on a compressor cooling system, enabling it to reach your desired temperature at lightning-quick speed. The well-built ventilation grill does a great job at ensuring that the cooling is well circulated. And every inch of the cooler is effectively cooled.
You will particularly find the precise temperature control exciting. You can be sure that your dear wine bottles would get the optimal temperature to preserve their quality. You can adjust the temperature settings with a digital touch-button and an LED display located atop the machine.
Pros:
- Ultra-quiet operation
- Impressive build quality
- Effective air circulation
- Strong, sliding wine racks
- Unique safety auto-lock feature
Cons:
- Small temperature range
Top 2 – Magic Chef MCWC12B 12-Bottle Single Zone Wine Cooler
Magic Chef clearly paid attention to the aesthetics of this model. The extra attention devoted to the looks can be clearly seen from both the interior and exterior parts of their product. It has a sleek, black exterior with cool blue interior lighting.
The shelves are made of well-sculpted chrome. It is sturdy enough to hold most wine sizes, but it would have been better if there was more room between each shelf. The design is compact, and thanks to its wholesome design, it would sit comfortably in almost any space.
Its thermoelectric cooling system distinguishes it from other coolers of its size. While it cools effectively, it takes a while for cool air to circulate. On the other hand, it runs smoothly with almost no noise. There are zero vibrations as well, which helps immensely to keep your wine bottles at optimal quality.
Pros:
- Zero vibrations
- Ultra-quiet operation
- Beautiful design
Cons:
- Tight spacing
- Slow air circulation
Top 3 – Avanti (EWC1201) 12-Bottle Counter Top Wine Cooler
The Avanti (EWC1201) can be considered as the best 12 bottle wine cooler that you may want to add to your final decision.
This is another well-built 12-bottle wine cooler. This model from Avanti runs on a thermoelectric cooling system. The design is something to behold. The attention to detail is exceptional – with delicate curves and remarkable color selection.
Avanti (EWC1201) 12-Bottle Counter Top Wine Cooler has a sleek black finish with a see-through glass window. This unit is also a stand-alone model and not designed to be fitted into home furniture. But the sheer beauty is sure to add more sparkle to your home.
Pros:
- Silent Operations
- Aesthetic design
- Impressive energy conservation
Cons:
- Inconsistent air circulation
Top 4 – Ivation 12-Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler
This would be the second compressor wine cooler we would be discussing. It is another freestanding cooler with more room vertically than horizontally.
It has an in-built fan that ensures a steady circulation of cool air within the refrigerator. The compressor shields the cooling system from being influenced by external heat sources, keeping your wine bottles at just the right temperature for extended periods.
The cooler has a slim build, with a black color that extends to cover its door. The glass door, while see-through, is coated with UV-resistant thermo-pane. This prevents your wine’s aging from being tampered with by a harsh component of light. Its interior bears a soft lightning bulb – but it does not run automatically, requiring you to turn it on/off as needed. Ivation feels this would save some power and also protect the wine bottles.
The upper part of the cooler houses the touch temperature control with the LCD display. You can set the cooler’s temperature anywhere between 410F and 640F.
Pros:
- Stylish and modern design
- Protection against UV light
- Easy-to-use touch controls
- Impressive air circulation
Cons:
- Inconsistent build quality
- Noticeable vibrations
- Consumes more power
Top 5 – Ivation 12-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler
This is the thermoelectric version of the Ivation 12-Bottle Wine cooler discussed earlier. While they share very similar features, the cooling system’s difference provides an opportunity to choose which one best suits your needs.
The thermoelectric version runs a more silent operation, with fewer vibrations. An increase in vibration disrupts the wine sediments, altering the natural compositions of the wine. Hence, the thermoelectric version is recommended if you need to store your wine for extended periods. However, the cooling process is slower in a thermoelectric wine cooler – a compressor cooling system reaches the set temperature much faster.
Besides, you still get the same effective circulation with a consistent temperature level. The design is slim and long and would hold the best standing alone. The UV-protected glass keeps harmful light components from degrading your precious collections.
Pros:
- Stylish and modern design
- Protection against UV light
- Easy-to-use touch controls
- Impressive air circulation
- Zero Vibrations and silent operation
Cons:
- Slow air circulation
Top 6 – Igloo (FRW1201) 12-Bottle Wine Cooler
The Igloo 12-bottle wine cooler is a super-compact model, and despite this, it holds large wine bottles quite securely. It has a simple, efficient design that fits easily into furniture or can stand freely on the kitchen counter – without taking up much space.
More importantly, this best 12 bottle wine cooler has a compressor type cooling system. The door holds a glass window that has double-layered protection against UV-light. The cooling system keeps the refrigerator running at a consistent temperature – keeping your wines at the proper quality.
You can set or adjust the temperature using the controls on the cooler. The interior is lit with a white bulb, which is very dull and cannot be relied on to brighten up the interiors.
Pros:
- Compact, lovely design
- Efficient cooling system
- Protection against UV-light
Cons:
- Weak interior lightning
- Short temperature range
Top 7 – Wine Enthusiast 12 Bottle Compact Single Zone Wine Cooler
Made by wine lovers for other wine lovers’ pleasure, this cooler has a compact build with a very intricate finish. The matte black shade adds an elegant and graceful air – to any counter the cooler graces.
The metal rack is sturdy and holds well against almost any wine-bottle build. You can easily slide the racks open to make more room when selecting taking out your chilled wine. It has an effective cooling system that ensures a consistent circulation of cool air to all parts of the cooler. The operation is smooth, with minimal noise production.
While the lack of a transparent window reduces the aesthetic, it protects the cooler’s content from UV light and other unwanted influences.
Pros:
- Sleek and compact design
- Consistent cooling temperature
- Silent operation
Cons:
- Opaque door
Things to Consider Before Choose The Best 12 Bottle Wine Cooler
As you have a 12-bottle wine cooler in different shapes and forms, each with varying features – it becomes vital to establish a guideline through which you can select one that best fits your purpose. Therefore, we would be looking into a couple of factors that must be considered when choosing the best 12 Bottle Wine Cooler.
Size
The major advantage of a 12-Bottle wine cooler over other wine coolers is its compact size. But compact comes in two forms. Some are slender and long and save space horizontally, while others are shorter and wider and don’t take a lot of room vertically.
There are also freestanding coolers as well as built-in ones that can fit into household furniture. Be careful not to mistake them. This difference is significant to note because of the different heat dissipation process. The appropriate one would be one that would fit in best for the space you have.
Vertical coolers also tend to have room for larger bottles, like Champagne. They are able to make more room with vertical storage space in their bottom shelves.
Cooling System
The type of cooling unit installed in your wine cooler contributes significantly to its performance. As there are two major compressor types: Thermoelectric and Compressor systems. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks.
The thermoelectric coolers have a far reduced noise output and vibration, which is excellent for ensuring that the quality of your wine remains unaltered. Compressor type coolers, however, often have a faster cooling power with more effective cooling circulation.
For longer wine storage, you should consider thermoelectric wine coolers. But if what you need is your wine cooler for prioritizes chilling, then compressor coolers are your go-to.
Protection against UV light
Every wine connoisseur knows that direct sunlight is bad for preserving a wine’s flavor. This is because direct bright lights speed up your wine’s aging, altering the slow-paced road to a perfectly flavored wine.
That is why it is essential to choose a wine refrigerator with appropriate insulation against UV light’s damaging effect. Luckily, several brands offer tempered glass doors with protection from direct sunlight. Some have double, even triple-layered panes.
Related: What is The Best 4 Bottle Wine Fridge/ Coolers in 2022?
Type of Wine Coolers
1). Freestanding Wine Coolers
Freestanding Wine Coolers are available in many different styles to fit any room’s décor. They range from small, single zone units to large eight-zone wine rooms that can hold more than 800 bottles.
Freestanding models are the most popular cooler style for several reasons: they are extremely versatile and can fit anywhere, they do not require additional kitchen appliance space as a built-in unit would, and they provide a separate cooling environment with independent temperature controls from those of other appliances.
2). Fully- Integrated Wine Coolers
Fully- Integrated Wine Coolers represent the latest design approach towards freestanding wine storage. The fully integrated design places a wine cellar directly into cabinetry, integrating it seamlessly into its surroundings rather than appearing as a free standing unit on legs.
Freestanding wine coolers are available in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes to fit any room’s décor. They range from small, single zone units to large eight-zone wine rooms that can hold more than 800 bottles.
3). Built-In Wine Coolers
Built-In Wine Coolers now have the capability of being fully integrated into cabinetry as well as freestanding for those who prefer the flexibility to move their cooler around with ease…
A built-in wine cooler can be used as a substitute for an outdoor kitchen or built in over and ice maker. These units come with everything you need to install them into cabinetry including hinges, handles, bottle racks and even optional interior lighting.
FAQs about best 12 bottle wine cooler
Why Choose 12 Bottle Wine Coolers?
12-bottle wine coolers are spectacular for their compactness. They are designed for minimal wine lovers who want to have a couple of wine bottles at hand and properly chilled at all times.
As expected, they are more affordable than other wine coolers of larger capacity. Their beautiful designs add an exceptional glow to your counter.
What Size Of 12-bottle Wine Cooler Is Available On The Market?
The wine coolers have different dimensions you can choose from. Some are narrow and taller, while others are shorter and wider.
Conclusion
As you can see, these are some of the best 12 bottle wine cooler in terms of size. We hope this article has helped you to find one that fits your needs and budget! If not, or if there’s anything else we can help with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can enjoy the luxury of fine, chilled wine in your own home with a 12-bottle wine cooler – without breaking the bank. The information above would help you sort out the best from the lots of different products available.
