Common Wine Fridge Sizes: Which Size is Best for Your Home?

When a traditional wine cellar is out of budget, or you do not have enough space, a great alternative is purchasing a wine fridge.

Element by Vinotemp Backlit™ Wine Coolers

Why You Should Care About Wine Fridge Dimensions

Wine cooler dimensions may refer to different specifications. Included in the fridge dimensions is the bottle capacity. You need to know how many bottles of wine your refrigerator will hold. Wine fridge dimensions can also refer to the fridge's width, depth, and height. The wine cooler’s measurements are important for several reasons, so you know if the cooler will be a good fit for your space and to allow the cooler to exhaust properly. More on that last part in just a bit.

Make a Plan to Shop

First, answer a few important questions before you purchase to make shopping a little easier.

1. How much money are you willing to invest in a wine cooler?
2. How much space do you have for your wine refrigerator? You should select a level location that can withstand the weight of the wine refrigerator when loaded and has a designated electrical outlet where you can plug in your new appliance.
3. Is a freestanding or built-in wine refrigerator more practical for my storage needs? A freestanding wine refrigerator is easy to install because you can plug it in and use it. A built-in wine refrigerator is designed to be installed into existing cabinetry and may require a contractor if you plan to build custom cabinetry around the unit.
4. What are your wine-purchasing and drinking habits? If your current collection only has twelve bottles of wine and you drink wine faster than you can buy it, then a large-capacity wine cooler may not be practical.
5. Is there a specific style or color that appeals to you? Would you like your new wine cooler to match existing appliances or cabinetry?
6. Do you need more than one temperature zone? Wine refrigerators are available as single-zone or dual-zone. One temperature zone can be assigned to white and another for reds, or you may use one zone for serving temperature and the other for storage temperature.

Now that you have a plan for your budget, style, and how much wine you plan to store, it is time to shop.

Freestanding vs. Built-In

When shopping for a wine cooler, you will notice that some are designed for freestanding installation while others are made for built-in. A built-in wine fridge must expel warm air toward the front of the unit. Built-in wine coolers are designed for seamless applications and can be recessed into existing cabinetry. Most built-in wine fridges require at least a ¼-inch of clearance on all sides to exhaust properly. Freestanding wine fridges exhaust warm air toward the rear of the unit. Freestanding units should not be placed under any surface or recessed into cabinetry and require 6 inches of clearance at the back and 10 to 12 inches of clearance on each side.

Common Wine Fridge Sizes

Wine refrigerators are available in a wide variety of sizes. Since wine fridges are modular, you can always install multiple units side-by-side to accommodate your growing wine collection. Here are the most common wine fridge sizes.

Tiny (Countertop):

• 4 to 6-Bottle Wine Coolers: 4 to 6-bottle wine fridges are compact, freestanding wine refrigerators that can be placed on top of a countertop, bar, or table. They are ideal if you have a small wine collection or need a cooler to bring your favorite wines to serving temperature before your next dinner party.
• 7 to 8-Bottle Wine Fridges: Vinotemp's 7-bottle wine coolers have become increasingly popular as their slim shape makes them easy to blend in with existing cabinetry. 7-Bottle wine coolers are also unique because they can be installed on the floor, unlike other small-capacity wine fridges. Eight-bottle wine coolers are also available for use on a countertop.
• 12 to 16-Bottle Wine Coolers: Wine fridges that hold between twelve to twenty wine bottles are still considered compact and are usually placed on a table or countertop. Most of them are freestanding, making them very easy to use.

Small (15-Inch and 18-inch Wine Coolers):

The small category of wine coolers includes units with capacities between 28 to 40 bottles of wine. The 15-inch (width) category of wine coolers became popular because these models were designed to fit in the space once used for trash compactors.18-inch wine coolers are also popular because they can hold even more wine. The majority of 15-inch and 18-inch wine fridges are made with front exhausts and can be built into existing cabinetry.

Medium to Large (24-Inch Wine Fridges):

The most popular category of wine fridges, medium to large capacity wine coolers, are approximately 24 inches in width and house 40 to 100+ bottles of wine. Undercounter wine units 24 inches wide can easily be installed in a space used by a dishwasher. This category of wine cooler often has a matching beverage cooler that can be installed side-by-side, making it perfect for those who enjoy wine and beer. Medium to large-capacity wine coolers are also great if you have a rapidly growing wine collection. They offer plenty of storage capacity and are often designed with luxury features such as charcoal filters, a wider variety of colors, and LED lighting.

XL (30-inch Wine Coolers)

If you are serious about collecting wine, a 30-inch wine cooler is a wise investment. Housing 188 to 300 bottles of wine, there will be ample room for a rapidly growing collection. Multiple units can be installed side-by-side to maximize space. Large wine refrigerators have stylish, functional, and durable features such as adjustable telescopic racking, LED lighting, bulk storage, and more.

What is the Right Wine Fridge Size?

The right wine fridge size for you depends on a few factors. First, will the wine cooler hold your entire collection while still having space for future purchases? Second, does the wine cooler fit in your designated space? Thankfully, many wine fridges have reversible door swings, which allow you to install two wine coolers side-by-side, so you have ample storage space as your wine collection grows.

Pick the Best Wine Fridge for You

The right size of wine refrigerator that will meet the needs of your collection is determined by your budget, space available, and the size of your collection. The best part about wine refrigerators is that you can always purchase an additional unit as your wine collection grows. If you need additional assistance selecting the best wine cooler, please contact us using our Contact Form.