8 Best Wine Refrigerators Under $500

• Antarctic Star – Freestanding, Single Zone – 24 Bottle – $ – View Product [Budget Recommendation]
• Edgestar BWR301BL – Built-in, Single Zone – 30 bottle – $$$$ – View Product [Built-in Recommendation]
• Koldfront TWR327ESS – Freestanding, Dual Zone – 32 Bottle – $$ – View Product
• Antarctic Star – Freestanding, Single Zone – 36 Bottle – $$ – View Product
• Ivation IVFWCC431DLB – Freestanding, Dual Zone – 43 Bottle – $$$$$ – View Product
• EdgeStar CWF440SZ – Freestanding, Single Zone – 44 Bottle – $$$ – View Product
• Kalamera KRC-52ASS – Freestanding, Single Zone – 50 Bottle – $$$$ – View Product [Value for Money Recommendation]
• Ivation IVFWCC511LB – Freestanding, Single Zone – 51 Bottle – $$$$ – View Product

 

---

Buy on Amazon

Technical Specs

• Dimensions: 17.5L x 16.9W x 29.1H inches
• Weight: 48.5 lbs.
• Range: 40°F- 64°F
• Warranty: 1-year warranty

General Specs

• 24 container capacity
• Compressor-powered
• Single Temp
• Suitable for freestanding usage only
• Electronic control panel & digital thermostat
• Black door and cabinet
• Dual-paned glass door
• Removable stainless steel shelves
• Internal soft blue LED light

Description

This wine refrigerator is a single-zone unit designed by the well-known wine company Antarctic Star, which we’ve mentioned several times throughout this article.

It is only intended for freestanding use, which means it must be placed in an open environment, at least with the sides visible, because it requires airflow to function properly.

The unit has a nice visual design, with a black door and outer chassis that contrasts nicely with the internal blue LED lighting.

It also has a double-paned tempered glass door and a powerful compressor-based cooling system to help keep your wine collection in good condition.

Overall, Antarctic Star is a trustworthy company that offers a one-year warranty on all items. This unit is ideal for anyone looking for a stylish wine cooler that can hold up to 24 bottles.

Pros

• Reputable brand
• Great customer ratings
• Double-paned glass for UV light protection

Cons

• Single-zone
• Not for built-in use
• Does not have a lockable door

 

 

 

 

 

Koldfront TWR327ESS – Freestanding, Dual Zone – 32 Bottle – $$

Buy on Amazon

Technical Specs

• Dimensions: 22.5L x 15.75W x 33.5H inches
• Weight: 48 lbs.
• Range:
  • Upper zone: 54°F- 66°F
  • Lower zone: 46°F- 66°F
• Warranty: 1-year warranty

General Specs

• 32 container capacity
• Thermoelectric-powered
• Dual Temp
• Suitable for freestanding usage only
• Super quiet operation
• Electronic control panel
• Tempered glass door
• Black outer chassis
• Wooden shelves
• Internal LED lighting

Description

The Koldfr0nt TWR327ESS is a thermoelectric wine refrigerator with a capacity of 32 bottles.

It is designed for freestanding use only, so it must be placed in an open environment.

The unit has dual-zone capacity, with the upper zone ideal for storing red wine and the lower zone, due to a wider temperature range, more suitable for storing whites.

This unit also includes tempered glass to help maintain a cool internal temperature.

Pros

• Great customer reviews
• Dual-zone
• Door lock
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• Freestanding (not for built-in use)

 

 

 

---

Antarctic Star – Freestanding, Single Zone – 36 Bottle – $$

Buy on Amazon

Technical Specs

• Dimensions: 20.5 x 21.3 x 31.4 inches
• Weight: 73.6 lbs.
• Temperature range: 40°F- 61°F
• Warranty: 1-year

General Specs

• 36 bottle capacity
• Single-zone unit
• Freestanding design for countertop
• Stainless steel
• Keep wine cool all the time
• Light and humidity ideal for the aging of wine
• Double-pane glass door that blocks out UV rays
• Blue soft LED light
• Horizontal racking for space efficiency
• No vibrations
• Movable black shelves
• Adjustable leveling legs

Description

Antarctic Star has a wine refrigerator with a capacity of 36 bottles.

It has a quiet and vibration-free compressor cooling system that is powerful enough to keep wine cool.

The temperature range is ideal for preserving wines to aid ageing and ensure that they reach their full flavour potential. The temperature of the unit can be precisely controlled using touch controls and an LCD display that shows the details.

This large capacity wine refrigerator is an excellent choice for wine enthusiasts and collectors who do not wish to install a wine cellar.

Pros

• Reputable brand
• Great customer ratings
• Double-paned glass for UV light protection

Cons

• Single-zone
• Not for built-in use
• Does not have a lockable door

 

 

 

---

Ivation IVFWCC431DLB – Freestanding, Dual Zone – 43 bottle – $$$$$

Buy on Amazon

Technical Specs

• Dimensions: 23.7L x 23.9W x 33.4H inches
• Weight: 75 lbs.
• Temperature Range:
  • Upper Zone: 54°F- 64°F
  • Lower Zone: 41°F- 57°F
• Warranty: 1-year warranty

General Specs

• 43 container capacity
• Compressor-powered
• Dual zone
• Suitable for freestanding usage only
• Digital touch controls
• Black door and cabinet
• Dual-pane, low-E thermopane glass
• Security lock
• Soft interior LED light
• Removable wire shelving

Description

The Ivation IVFWCC431DLB is a dual-zone wine refrigerator with a capacity of 43 bottles, which is slightly higher than the required 36 bottles.

It is a dual-zone unit with an upper compartment ideal for storing red wine and a lower compartment ideal for storing white and rose wine.

Because the vent is on the back, this cooler is only intended for freestanding use, and installing it in an enclosed environment would restrict airflow.

It features dual-paned, low-E thermopane glass to help prevent UV light exposure from damaging the wine, as well as a security lock to keep your wines safe.

Overall, it’s a high-quality wine cooler that offers dual-zone functionality and is suitable for freestanding installation.

Pros

• Reputable brand
• Good customer reviews
• Dual-zone
• Low-E glass for UV protection

Cons

• Only ideal for freestanding usage
• Slightly noisy

 

 

 

---

 

 

Kalamera KRC-52ASS – Freestanding, Single Zone – 50 Bottle – $$$$

Value for Money Recommendation

Buy on Amazon

Technical Specs

• Dimensions: 22.8 x 19.3 x 33 inches
• Weight: 82.7 lbs.
• Range: 40°F- 66°F
• Package includes: 1 x Compressor-based, 1 x instruction
• Warranty: 1-year warranty

General Specs

• 50 bottle capacity
• Single temp setting
• Freestanding
• Stainless steel and black
• Tempered dual pane glass front
• Compressor advanced cooling system technology
• 7 removable beechwood racks
• Interior fan
• Slat-style shelving for even airflow
• Touch control
• Blue LED light and display
• Up/Down arrows for temp adjustment

Description

This single zone wine cooler from Kalamera is designed with the ever-elegant black stainless steel and dual-paned tempered door. It has advanced compressor cooling technology that runs quietly and without vibration, ensuring that your liquor is in perfect condition and temperature.

The freestanding design is intended to provide you with a beautiful kitchen or living room appliance that will complement your decor. For a kitchen appliance, the smoked opening is also impressive. You’ll appreciate its blue light-emitting diode and display system for added style, which allows you to view your collection without opening the door or set the desired temperature from the outside.

Another appealing feature of this unit is its seven beechwood racks, which can hold 50 standard-sized bottles of Bordeaux. They are strong enough to hold but soft enough to protect against scratches. Whether you prefer red or white wines, stocking and stacking will never be an issue.

The installation of an interior fan allows for even cooling. This is further enhanced by the slat-style shelving, which allows airflow to circulate throughout the entire unit. If you want sparkling white wines or chilled red wines at any time, this unit will always deliver.

This Kalamera wine cooler is ideal if you want a wine cellar-like unit in your home for your wine collecting hobby. It is a single zone wine refrigerator that is recommended for wine connoisseurs.

Pros:

• Compressor-based cooling system operates nice and quiet
• Large bottle capacity
• Great value for money
• Beechwood racks

Cons:

• Not for built-in usage
• Not dual-zone

 

 

 

---

Ivation IVFWCC511LB – Freestanding, Single Zone – 51 Bottle – $$$$

Buy on Amazon

Technical Specs

• Dimensions: 23.7L x 23.9W x 33.4H inches
• Weight: 75 lbs.
• Temperature Range: 41°F- 64°F
• Warranty: 1-year warranty

General Specs

• 51 container capacity
• Compressor-powered
• Single zone
• Suitable for freestanding usage only
• Digital touch controls
• Black door and cabinet
• Dual-pane, UV resistant thermopane glass
• Security lock
• Soft interior LED light
• Removable wire shelving

Description

The Ivation IVFWCC511LB is a single zone wine refrigerator with the largest capacity of any unit in this $500 price range, holding up to 51 bottles.

Because it is a single-zone unit, it is best suited for storing only one type of wine at a time.

Because the vent is on the back, this cooler is only intended for freestanding use, and installing it in an enclosed environment would restrict airflow.

It has a reinforced, airtight seal and dual-paned, UV-resistant thermopane glass. This helps to keep UV light from damaging the wine and includes a security lock to keep your wines safe.

Overall, it’s a high-quality wine cooler if you’re looking for a large-capacity unit with single-zone functionality that can stand alone.

Pros

• Reputable brand
• Good overall customer rating
• Dual-zone
• UV Resistant glass for UV protection

Cons

• Only ideal for freestanding usage
• Slightly noisy

There are a number of considerations that should be made before purchasing a wine fridge, and below we’ve discussed all of them:

 

Type of wine cooler (Freestanding, Built-in, Single-zone, Dual-zone, etc)

The specific type of wine refrigerator that you choose will have a large impact on its function and placement.

Let me explain further:

 

Freestanding vs Built-in

Built-in wine fridges are designed to be installed and integrated within an enclosed place, either in a kitchen or bar area.

However, freestanding wine coolers are designed to be used as standalone appliances.

The key difference between a built-in wine cooler and a normal freestanding wine cooler is that built-in units have a front-facing vent, which can be usually located at the bottom of the cooler.

This vent means that the cooler can be placed in an enclosed setting without it affecting the flow of air, which is important to maintain, so that the wine is kept fresh and cool.

Make note, built-in wine coolers can be used as freestanding units, but not the other way around.

 

Single-zone vs Dual-zone

Most wine connoisseurs and collectors will acquire a varied portfolio of wine. Therefore, these different types of wine will have different cooling requirements, especially between red and white wines.

With that being said, this is where dual-zone wine coolers are useful, because they can house both reds and whites, in one physical unit, but have them stored at different temperatures.

With that in mind, it should be more clear to you whether you will want a single-zone or dual zone wine refrigerator.

 

Temperature Range

There will be some people who have specific preferences relating to cooling temperatures, with some preferring to keep their wines cooled around 40°F and others may only want theirs to be stored at mid-40°F.

Of course, this will likely depend on the type of wine that you’re looking to store, with white wines requiring lower temperatures than red wines.

However, it must be said, that each one of the wine coolers that we’ve featured below is capable of storing whites, rose, and red wine.

 

Size & Weight

It’s important to know the physical size of the unit, especially if you’re considering integrating it within a limited space.

 

Bottle Capacity

The capacity of wine fridge is also an important aspect to consider, and each reader will have a different ideal size wine cooler in mind. With that being said, we also have specific articles relating to certain size wine coolers

 

Cost

Every reader will have a unique budget, and we’ve done our best to find a range of products that can accommodate for this. We’ve gone about displaying a single dollar sign ($) for less expensive wine coolers, leading all the way up to multiple dollar signs ($$$$$) for the most expensive wine cooler. Be sure to even check out our other articles like the best wine fridges under $1000 and best wine fridges under $300 too.

 

Warranty

A warranty helps ensure you that not only is your wine cooler covered by the manufacturer, but also that they are confident enough in the product to provide one.

Additionally, you can rest assured that all of the wine refrigerators that we’ve featured in this article come with at least a 1-year manufacturer warranty.

 

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Customer reviews and ratings offer a fantastic way for you to get invaluable insight and knowledge of the positive and negative aspects surrounding a product.

Because of this, it means that this information is extremely useful, and should influence your decision on which wine cooler to purchase.

Rest assured that we’ve already done this research and have featured all of the best products below.

 

What are the best wine coolers under $500

Ok, so we know that you must be eager to see all of the products that we’ve featured on the list.

Our wine fridge experts have done hours of research to find only the best, high-quality wine refrigerators under $500.

Not only have we included technical specifications surrounding each product, including weight, product dimensions, warranty information, temperature ranges, etc, but we’ve also included general specifications which include the color/style, zone capacity, and ideal positioning.

Finally, to finish off, we’ve included Pros & Cons to help summarize the information that we’ve found so that it’s a little clearer.