What is the Right Size of a Wine Cooler?
Are you planning on purchasing a wine cooler? Manufacturers produce wine fridges for a wide variety of needs, budgets, and spaces. But choosing a wine cooler that’s perfect for you isn’t always straightforward.
We’ve created a handy guide for interpreting standard wine cooler dimensions. Find out how to store your beloved vintages in a stylish unit that blends seamlessly with the rest of your home.
Why Are Wine Fridge Dimensions Important?
Manufacturers express the size of a wine refrigeration unit through the number of bottles it can hold. For example, wine fridges range between four-bottle units up to appliances that can fit hundreds of bottles.
It’s essential to keep in mind that these bottle figures are rarely true to size—they’re approximations based on standard Bordeaux bottles arranged in a specific pattern. With this in mind, wine refrigerator depth becomes a confusing topic. So, how do you know which standard wine cooler size is ideal for you?
Wine Fridge Sizes: Which One Is Right for Me?
The better way to decode a manufacturer's label is by referencing your exact wine storage needs. We’ve listed approximate standard wine cooler dimensions if you want to double-check the space that’s available in your home.
Freestanding or Built-In: Popular Wine Cooler Styles to Choose From and Their Dimensions
All wine fridges fall under one of two categories: freestanding or built-in. Freestanding wine coolers, otherwise known as zero clearance wine fridges, are designed to stand alone while integrated units can be built in a cabinet, beneath it, or under the countertop.
Under counter wine coolers begin at 24 inches in width. Many homeowners choose to replace outdated trash compactors by installing an under counter wine fridge in the same spot. Under counter wine coolers are often paired side by side, allowing you to store two different types of wine.
Are you looking for a more generous wine storage solution? A typical tall wine fridge can store up to 150 bottles at two different temperatures. However, with luxury options like these, homeowners must be extra careful of the height and weight of their wine storage unit.
Tall wine fridges can be as tall as 77 inches. It’s also important to remember that each bottle of wine you place in your fridge will weigh approximately three pounds. Wine cellars are usually located on the lowest floor for a reason—a sizable wine collection can be as heavy as a small car.