Last Updated: Sun, 05 Mar 2023 15:59:42 +0000
In this article, we will discuss the top 5 best wine cellar cooling units.
It is important to note that this guide will cover ideal units up to 650 cubic feet.
If you’re looking for anything over this, you can check out our other articles below:
- Best Wine Cellar Cooling Units: Covers up to 2000 cubic feet
Small Wine Cellar Cooling Systems – Top 5
- Breezaire WKL-2200 – $ – Up to 265 cubic feet – View Product
- CellarCool CX2200 – $ – Up to 265 cubic feet – View Product
- WhisperKool SC-2000i – $$ – Up to 300 cubic feet – View Product
- WhisperKool Slimline 2500 – $$ – Up to 350 cubic feet – View Product
- WhisperKool SC 3000i – $$ – Up to 650 cubic feet – View Product [Small Wine Cellar Cooler Recommendation]
Breezaire WKL-2200 – $ – Up to 265 cubic feet
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 16.4L” x 14.2W” x 13.2H”
- Weight: 57 lbs.
- Temperature range: 25°F from ambient temperature in the room
- Package includes: 1 x Breezaire WKL-2200
- Warranty: 5-year limited warranty (parts and labor) [Referenced from owners manual]
General Specs
- Suitable for cellars that are up to 265 cubic feet
- Split system wine cellar cooling unit
- LED display with Adjustable thermostat
- Designed for easy installation, by anyone properly equipped, including a handyman, qualified air conditioning or refrigeration service technician.
Pros
- US-Built, Hand-assembled by skilled craftsmen
- Very good customer feedback, providing 4* reviews
Cons
- Limited to 265 cubic feet
- Quite an old design, considering it has been sold since 2011
Verdict
The WKL 2200 is one of our smallest wine cellar cooling units, capable of lowering the overall ambient temperature by around 25 degrees.
The unit is built in the United States and is designed to be vibration-free. According to customer reviews, the unit is also moderately quiet.
It has a fantastic 5-year manufacturer’s warranty on all parts and is ideal for someone looking for a wine cellar cooling system that can cool an area of approximately 265 cubic feet (maximum).
CellarCool CX2200 – $ – Up to 265 cubic feet
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 16.38L” x 14.25W” x 13.25H”
- Weight: 59.6 lbs.
- Temperature range: 30°F from ambient temperature in the room
- Package includes: 1 x CellarCool CX2200, 2 x Accessory kits
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty (parts and labor) and 5-years warranty for compressor [Referenced from owners manual]
General Specs
- Suitable for cellars that are up to 265 cubic feet
- Through-the-wall installation
- Digital display thermostat
- Designed for easy installation, by anyone properly equipped, including a handyman, qualified air conditioning or refrigeration service technician.
Pros
- An extremely popular unit, with solid customer feedback
- Includes DIY installation guide
- Cheaper than other units
Cons
- Limited to 265 cubic feet
Verdict
CellarCool’s CX2200 is a through-the-wall small wine cellar cooling unit capable of cooling up to 30 degrees below the ambient/natural room temperature.
The unit is capable of cooling wine cellars measuring up to 265 cubic feet.
It also comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty covering parts and labor, but the compressor has a 5-year warranty.
WhisperKool SC-2000i – $$ – Up to 300 cubic feet
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 17.5″L x 14.25″W x 15.75″H
- Weight: 61.4 lbs.
- Temperature range: 55°F- 85°F
- Package includes: 1 x WhisperKool SC-2000i, 2 x Accessory kits
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty (parts and labor) 5-year limited warranty for compressor [Referenced from owners manual]
General Specs
- Suitable for cellars that are up to 300 cubic feet
- Used for simple, through-wall installation
- Digital thermostat is located at the front of unit
- Single-piece mounting bracket
- Designed for easy installation, by anyone properly equipped, including a handyman, qualified air conditioning or refrigeration service technician.
Pros
- Great customer feedback, providing 5* reviews
Cons
- Limited to 300 cubic feet
- A little pricey considering the number of cubic feet it can handle
Verdict
The SC 2000i is a dependable small wine cellar cooling system manufactured by the reputable WhisperKool. It, like the rest of the SC Series, can be installed by anyone, including your local handyman, as it does not require the services of an HVAC-R technician.
It comes with a solid warranty program that includes a 2-year parts and labor warranty as well as a 5-year compressor warranty.
The unit is designed for simple through-the-wall installation, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a through-the-wall wine cellar cooling unit.
It also necessitates drainage via the drain tube, which is included with the unit.
WhisperKool Slimline 2500 – $$ – Up to 350 cubic feet
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 19″L x 22″W x 10.25″H
- Weight: 64 lbs.
- Temperature range: 30°F temperature differential (from nominal room temperature)
- Package includes: 1 x WhisperKool Slimline 2500, 1 x Mounting brackets, 2 x Accessory kit
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty (parts and labor) 5-year limited warranty for compressor [Referenced from owners manual]
General Specs
- Suitable for cellars that are up to 350 cubic feet
- Through-the-wall installation (above a doorway)
- Advanced digital controller (thermostat)
- Liquid temperature measuring bottle probe
- Outside venting is not recommended
Pros
- Great customer feedback, providing 4* reviews
- Installation above the doorway means that your cellar has more space to store wine
Cons
- Recommended to be installed above a doorway, if you have enough space above your doorway, certain houses may not, but be aware that this cooler is 10.25″H.
Video Demonstration
Verdict
WhisperKool’s Slimline 2500 is yet another highly recommended product.
It has a 2-year parts and labor warranty, as do all WhisperKool products, and a 5-year warranty on the internal compressor.
The unit is designed to be installed above your doorway, which is frequently unused space, and thus provides the wine collector/connoisseur with the maximum amount of storage space within their wine cellar to store wine.
This is a quiet wine cellar cooler, according to some reviews, with one reviewer stating that he measured the sound decibels to be around 59db outside the compressor side of the unit.
It comes with a drain hose, but reviews indicate that it is not necessary.
WhisperKool SC 3000i – $$ – Up to 650 cubic feet
Small Wine Cellar Cooler Recommendation
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 7.5″L x 14.25″W x 15.75″H
- Weight: 64 lbs.
- Temperature range: 30°F temperature differential (from nominal room temperature)
- Package includes: 1 x WhisperKool SC 3000i, 1 x Mounting brackets, 2 x Accessory kit
- Warranty: 2-year limited warranty (parts and labor) 5-year limited warranty for compressor [Referenced from owners manual]
General Specs
- Suitable for cellars that are up to 650 cubic feet
- Through-the-wall installation
- Advanced digital controller (thermostat)
- Liquid temperature measuring bottle probe
- Single-piece mounting bracket
- Front or rear power switch
- Outside venting is not recommended
Pros
- Great customer feedback, providing 4* reviews
- Installation above the doorway means that your cellar has more space to store wine
- Front or rear power switch, depending on your wine cellar’s design
Cons
- We can’t see many cons of this unit
Video Demonstration
Verdict
The WhisperKool SC 3000i is designed for simple, through-wall installation, and like the rest of the SC Series, it can be installed by anyone, including your local handyman, as it does not require an HVAC-R technician.
The SC 3000i is capable of cooling a wine cellar with an area of approximately 650 cu feet, making it a step up from the previous wine cellar coolers we’ve discussed.
As with all WhisperKool products, it comes with a two-year parts and labor warranty and a five-year internal compressor warranty.
According to reviews, many buyers owned the previous version (XLT models), so WhisperKool must have done a good job to get repeat business.
Conclusion
Overall, there are numerous options for which wine cellar cooler to select for your wine cellar, and it’s important to remember that using an oversized unit is far superior to using an undersized unit.
So, if you have a 300 cubic foot wine cellar, choosing one that can handle 400+ cubic feet is unquestionably a viable option.
Having said that, we recommend the following:
- Smaller-sized wine cellar coolers suited for household usage: WhisperKool SC 3000i – $$ – Up to 650 cubic feet – View Product [Small Wine Cellar Cooler Recommendation]
We certainly hope you found this buyer’s guide to the best wine-cooling units useful!
With that being said, feel free to contact us via our contact page if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Small Wine Cellar Cooling System
It is simply a piece of equipment installed within a wine cellar that assists in lowering the overall temperature to ensure that wine is stored at the proper temperature.
Wine Cellars are typically used by wine collectors, connoisseurs, sommeliers, and others who need to store their wine collection.
A wine cellar’s primary function is to store expensive and rare wines for long periods of time. As a result, it’s critical to keep the cellar at a cool temperature to keep the wines from being damaged by heat, which can taint the overall flavor and even compromise the seals of the bottles, leading to oxidization.
Are they available in different sizes
Yes, depending on the physical requirements of your installation space, wine cellar cooling units are available in a variety of physical sizes. Furthermore, they are available to cater for different-sized cellars, with some being able to cool cellars ranging from 250+ cubic feet to 1500+ cubic feet, which we cover in this article.
Top Considerations to make when buying a small-sized wine cellar refrigeration unit
When it comes to purchasing a small wine cellar refrigeration unit, there are several factors to consider. These include:
Physical Room Size
How do I find the best wine cellar cooling system for my space?
As previously stated, you’ll need to consider both the space available within your wall for the wine cellar cooling unit and the physical size (in cubic feet) of the cellar. After you’ve resolved these two issues, you can proceed to the next set of considerations.
How do you put in a wine cellar cooling unit?
There are numerous online guides that demonstrate how to install a wine cellar refrigeration unit.
All of these wine cellar coolers, on the other hand, are designed to be easily installed by any properly equipped and qualified air conditioning or refrigeration service technician.
Thermal Load
Thermal load, also known as heat load, considers the heating and cooling that the system performs internally. The wine cellar cooling unit’s ability to function properly can be influenced by the physical size of the cellar, temperature fluctuations, and the R-value of space, which in this case refers to the thermal conductivity of your home’s ceilings, walls, and floor.
Furthermore, heating and cooling systems located outside the cellar, i.e. in other rooms of the house, can have an impact on the thermal load.
Before designing a wine cellar, we recommend consulting with a wine cellar expert.
Type
There are various types of wine cellar refrigeration systems available, including:
- A split system small wine cellar cooling system
- A through-wall small wine cellar cooling system
- A self-contained small wine cellar cooling system
- A ducted small wine cellar cooling system
- A ductless small wine cellar cooling system
Warranty & Returns Policy
Given that wine cellar cooling units are not exactly inexpensive pieces of equipment, it is critical that you consider the warranty and return policy before making a purchase.
Most of the wine cellar cooling systems we’ve featured below come with at least a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor, so you can feel confident in your purchase.
Cost
As with any purchase, you’ll have a set amount or budget in mind. Keeping this in mind as you shop for wine cellar refrigeration units will make your decision much easier.
Customer Review Ratings
Most people understand that businesses are biased toward selling their own products. When purchasing products from marketplaces such as Amazon, you have full access to all of the reviews left by customers who have purchased and used a specific product.
This information is priceless and provides insight into the good, bad, and ugly.
Where can I purchase a small wine cellar refrigeration system?
As mentioned briefly above, we recommend purchasing your wine cellar cooling system from Amazon because it provides information on customer reviews and Amazon has excellent customer service if you ever need to contact them.
Show me the best small wine cellar cooling units
Our wine cellar cooling unit experts have spent hours researching the best small-sized wine cellar cooling systems and arranged them in order of the cubic size that each cooler can handle, from smallest to largest.
I’ve been a wine enthusiast for over 20 years, and have sold wine refrigerators for the last 15 years. So I would consider myself to be a wine fridge expert. Hence why I created this blog, read between wines, where I post about wine fridges, wines and wine equipment.