The Best Shallow Depth Wine Coolers

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Justin Caldwell

Justin likes to think he has a sophisticated palette, so he enjoys everything from sweet white to hearty red. His personal favorite is Fireside Winery's Glow, but he's open to trying anything at least once. His house is always full of wine, because his wife likes it even more than he does, and together, they share their affinity for the finer things in life.

Latest posts by Justin Caldwell (see all)

• Winery vs Vineyard: What’s the Difference? - July 10, 2022
• The Best Under Counter Wine Cooler Options - July 10, 2022
• Nutrichef Wine Cooler Review: Is It Worth Buying? - July 8, 2022

Shallow depth wine coolers are good for a lot of things, like if you need them to take up less space on or under a countertop. They don’t hold as many bottles but they’re great for short term storage or small spaces.

If you’re intending to keep your wine long-term and allow its flavor to improve over time, you may also choose to use a shallow depth wine cooler in your space.

Because wine is susceptible to light and fluctuations in temperature, these are easy to tuck away in a corner, away from activity and light, so you don’t ruin the aroma or the taste of the wine. You can use these wine decanters to enjoy the freshness of your wine.

You can more easily maintain the temperature and the lighting by monitoring your wine in a safe space rather than out in the open.

You also don’t want variations in humidity coming into contact with your wine, and you want to ensure the bottles will lie on their sides to moisten the cork and maintain freshness. These wine purifier might get you interested to enjoy your wine without the substance that could ruin its taste.

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[lasso ref=”colzer-15-inch-wine-cooler-refrigerator-amazon” id=”7186″ link_id=”923100″]

Buying Guide

For these reasons and many others, wine coolers are much more practical for storing your wines short term and long term than regular refrigerators. If you’re thinking about getting a wine cooler, here are some important things to think about.

Size of your collection

The size of your collection is an important factor. If you have hundreds of bottles, it’s not likely you’ll find a wine cooler that will hold all of them unless you have a large cellar or you’re looking at spending thousands of dollars.

However, if you have dozens of bottles, that’s more doable. You can buy portable wine coolers that hold up to 100 bottles. It’s a good idea to get a portable wine cooler that’s at least 50% bigger than your current collection to allow room for growth.

On the other hand, if you have plenty of dark, cool space for most of your bottles already, and you only need the additional space for the few bottles that you want to keep readily available for drinking soon, then a small wine cooler that holds about 12 bottles might be all you need. Check out this wine openers that might interest you.

Cooling zones

There are single zone wine coolers and dual-zone wine coolers. Single-zone coolers are good for those that like either white or red, but not both. They’ll maintain a consistent and appropriate temperature and keep your wines cool. 

Dual-zone wine coolers have two cooling zones, so you can set them at different temperatures and keep both red and white wines cool. While this is convenient for those who like both kinds of wine, some wine coolers don’t keep these temperatures very accurately.

Cooling technology

There are four types of cooling technologies in wine coolers today. They all have an impact on the noise and vibration of the cooler. While some people may not care much about the noise their wine cooler makes, too much vibration can make your wine spoil over time.

Compressor technology is the most common type, and they do a really great job of regulating humidity. However, they’re heavy and make a lot of noise. If you’re storing it in the basement or a low-traffic area, it may not be a big deal.

Thermoelectric technology removes heat from the interior air rather than cooling it. It’s more energy-efficient than compressor technology and produces almost no vibration at all. However, it won’t work well if the ambient temperature of the room is too high or low. It also won’t get as cold as a compressor cooler.

Hybrid technology uses a combination of both types. It can be both low in noise and low in vibration, and it can produce a wider range of more stable temperatures. The downside is that these are quite a bit more expensive than the others.

Absorption technology is the newest type, and it uses a rarer technology that’s practically noiseless. As you can probably imagine, it’s very expensive.

Cost

The cost of your cooler may also be a factor. The technology and the size of the cooler will have an impact on how much it costs. You can find some as cheap as $50, but you could spend a few thousand for the features you want.

Features

Speaking of features, you’ll find wine coolers with LED lighting, touchscreen displays, and all kinds of other options. You can choose from different style racks, doors, and other designs to suit your preferences and needs, but it all depends on your collection, your lifestyle, and your budget.

Best Shallow Depth Wine Coolers

Now that you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, here are some of the best shallow depth wine coolers on the market.

Ivation compression wine cooler, 12-bottle

This wine cooler uses some sophisticated compressor technology so that the ambient temperature outside of the cooler won’t affect how the cooler operates. It can accurately sustain any temperature from 41-64 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for anything from sparkling white to red.

Just set it to the right temperature and your new wine cooler will take care of the rest on its own. It also has a fan built into the design, which circulates air through the unit, so it’s guaranteed to work well for long-term as well as short-term storage of your wine.

The double-pane glass door helps ensure that not only is your cooler well-insulated, but it’s also protected from too much penetrating UV light. As a bonus, the built-in lock allows you to protect the door from being opened when you don’t want it to be.

It does have soft LED interior lighting to illuminate your collection so you can see the labels, but it won’t affect your wine’s flavor. There are touch controls on the LCD display, and the racks are completely removable.

Pros

• Maintains an accurate temperature
• Accommodates many different sized bottles with removable racks
• Soft LED lights illuminate labels without destroying wine
• LCD display and touch controls

Cons

• Fan may produce some noise
• Irregular-sized bottles may not fit
• Compressor technology can produce some vibration

[lasso ref=”ivation-12-bottle-compressor-wine-cooler-amazon” id=”7187″ link_id=”922175″]

Nutrichef PKCWC120 wine cooler

This wine cooler also holds 12 bottles and it’s a little bit more affordable than the Ivation. It has precision compressor cooling technology that allows you to program your ideal temperature between 41 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit and then maintain it accurately.

It has integrated LED lighting with a built-in circulation fan, but this one also adds a ventilation grill so that warm air can escape, making cooling more effective. The reinforced glass door has an airtight seal and a child safety lock to keep even more air in and to keep little ones out.

It has a modern and sleek design that a lot of younger people tend to like and it comes with a 1-year warranty.

Pros

• Compact and stylish
• Quiet and efficient
• Affordable with great features

Cons

• Not as reliable as others
• Nutrichef doesn’t have good customer support

[lasso ref=”nutrichef-pktewc120-wine-cooler” id=”5828″ link_id=”916307″]

Teaswa compact wine cooler, 20-liter

Am I stretching the bounds of the definition of ‘wine cooler’? Maybe. But should this one be included? Definitely! It fits in your trunk. So you can take it camping. Or rafting. Or wherever.

It holds wine, beer, other beverages of choice, food, and anything else you need to keep cold for your journey. Plus, it’s warmer, too! All you have to do is plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter or the 110V outlet if your car has one.

It measures 10.6 x 13 x 15.9, so it might even fit in your backseat. It has intuitive controls and an LCD display so you can program it to the temperature you want and keep everything right where it should be.

It’s also a great solution for offices or dorm rooms. It can literally fit anywhere. Plus, it’s quiet and energy-efficient, with a 1-year warranty.

Pros

• Dual cool/warm operation
• Easy to manage with LCD display
• Plugs into AC or DC
• Compact and portable

Cons

• Doesn’t get very cold
• Build quality is less than appealing

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Nutrichef wine cooler, 12-bottle

This wine cooler is great because the temperature range allows you to store both reds and whites, and it allows you to change the touch-button display to either Fehrenheit or Celsius, whichever you prefer.

It’s great for short-term or long-term storage with an airtight, reinforced glass door. It’s built well with a stylish design, but it’s not noisy, thanks to an advanced compression cooling system.

It has a built-in circulation fan and ventilation grill. The interior LED lighting allows you to see the bottles without damaging the wine. The control panel features soft-touch digital buttons and it’s also supported by a 1-year warranty.

Pros

• Stylish and quiet
• Affordable
• Features a stand-up bottle rack

Cons

• Will only fit 12 bottles if all are skinny
• Interior LED light doesn’t always work

[lasso ref=”nutrichef-12-bottle-thermoelectric-wine-cooler-chiller-counter-top-red-and-white-wine-cellar-freestanding-refrigerator-quiet-operation-fridge-stainless-steel” id=”5881″ link_id=”922177″]

Whynter WC-201TD thermoelectric wine cooler

This thermoelectric cooler will hold up to 20 standard bottles and contains very few moving parts, so there’s very little vibration and the cooler itself will last a lot longer. It has a sleek, stylish design with a stainless steel shell and black tinted glass on the door.

It will help to preserve your collection and keep it in the best condition possible until you’re ready to drink it. It also has an LCD display and a soft-touch digital control panel so you can keep track of the temperature. 

Pros

• Quiet
• Sleek and stylish
• Affordable and good value
• Accurate temperature readings

Cons

• Bottles fit tightly, which could tear labels

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Antarctic Star 1.6 cubic-foot wine cooler

This model has a modern design with a control knob that allows you to set the temperature between 40 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for sparkling or white wines. It also has a reinforced glass door and airtight seal to help control the humidity level better.

The design would make a perfect addition to a space where it’s highly visible, and it’s on the small side, so it’s better used for bottles or cans you’re going to drink right away. It contains horizontal racks that will store your bottles safely until you’re ready for them.

The progressive cooling system is quiet and produces almost no vibration. The unit comes with a 1-year warranty as well.

There’s a soft LED light on the inside that allows you to see your bottles, and you can even remove the stainless steel shelves to store bottles of different sizes If you’d like.

Pros

• Awesome customer support
• Intuitive controls
• Consistent temperature control
• No noise

Cons

• No thermometer
• Standard-sized bottles don’t fit quite right

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Kalamera wine cooler, 15-inch

The capacity of this shallow depth cooler is actually quite large, at up to 30 bottles. You can even put Champagne or Pinot bottles in it. It’s a great choice if you have multiple different bottle shapes and sizes in your collection.

It has a convenient temperature memory feature that will reset the temperature if you experience a power loss. It prevents your wine from spoiling if you’re not home at the time or if you don’t know the power was out, even for just a few minutes or hours.

Easily set the temperature anywhere from 40-66 degrees Fahrenheit in just one touch and enjoy a double layer of tempered glass on the door, nestled inside a stainless steel body. It helps to stabilize the temperature and it will keep fog away from the glass.

The wooden shelves add a touch of class to the interior and they’re removable. The door contains a magnet so you’ll always get it closed all the way, even without a lot of force, and the safety lock prevents unwanted access.

Read our full guide on how to find the best 15-inch Wine Coolers

Pros

• Could be a free-standing unit or installed under the counter
• Contains a magnetic door for easy closing and sealing
• Removable wooden shelves allow for customizable interior design

Cons

• High price tag

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Colzer wine cooler, 15-inch

This cooler can also hold up to 30 bottles and will keep your desired temperature and humidity settings consistent. The 3.5-inch spacing between shelves allows for storage of almost any size bottle.

The updated compressor system and vibration absorption mean your cooler will be practically vibrationless at all times. You can program the temperature from 41-72 degrees Fahrenheit with the digital touch screen controls.

Its stainless steel design prevents the glass from fogging. It can be used as a free-standing wine cooler or installed under a counter.

The interior racks are made of high-quality, premium oak, and they’re removable for a custom design. There’s also a temperature memory function and a door lock with two keys. The company boasts 8-10 years of service life out of this unit and they have a great customer service team.

Pros

• Modern design
• Temperature memory function
• Vibrationless at all times

Cons

• Loud
• Expensive

[lasso ref=”colzer-15-inch-wine-cooler-refrigerator-amazon” id=”7186″ link_id=”922180″]

Phiestina wine cooler, 46-bottle

This brand has a plethora of products that appeal to a lot of different users, but this is their most loved one. It can hold up to 46-bottles, and it’s one of the highest performing wine coolers on the market. It has the most up-to-date compressor and also features a high-quality air duct system.

It cools well and runs quietly. It has two zones, so you can store two different types of wine at two different temperatures. The lower zone ranges from 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit while the upper zone ranges from 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because of the front vent, you can install this under a counter or use it as a free-standing model. There are 5 removable shelves inside an entire unit that is well-built for superior performance.

Pros

• Dual-zone versatility
• Well-built and high performance
• Very quiet

Cons

• Unreliable quality from the manufacturer

[lasso ref=”phiestina-46-bottle-wine-cooler-link” id=”7190″ link_id=”916313″]

BODEGA wine cooler, 15-inch

Despite being one of the smallest wine coolers on the market, this option can hold as many as 31 bottles. You can set it anywhere from 41-68 degrees Fahrenheit, which is one of the widest ranges among wine coolers, and trust it to maintain that temperature consistently.

It features sophisticated compressor cooling and gear to reduce vibration. It’s efficient and quiet. There’s an LCD display and easy-to-understand touch controls on the front so you can adjust anything when you need to.

It’s very versatile and can be used as a free-standing cooler or be installed under a counter. The feet are adjustable so you won’t have to deal with wobbling. It also has a carbon filter system as well as smart digital controls.

Pros

• Anti-UV feature
• Safety lock
• Double-layer tempered glass
• Compact and versatile

Cons

• Noisy

[lasso ref=”bodega-15-inch-wine-cooler-amazon” id=”6278″ link_id=”922181″]

FAQ

If you need a small wine cooler, there are a lot of options, and it can be overwhelming trying to decide what’s best. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you decide.

Question: What is a small wine cooler?

Answer: If you have a small wine collection, a small wine cooler is probably just right for you. It’s like a mini-refrigerator, but it’s built just for wine, with wine racks on the inside, and temperature controls meant to maintain precise temperatures.

The aesthetics are different, often with clear glass doors, and they’re built to reduce vibration to protect the quality of your wine. These wine aerator is a tool that you might want to check because it could bring out the best on your wines.  

Question: Are small wine coolers available in different sizes?

Answer: You can get small wine coolers in many different sizes. They come in sizes small enough to hold only 4 bottles or as many as 46, so it just depends on your needs, the types of wines you want to store, and how much room you have.

Question: What are the advantages of a small wine cooler over large wine coolers?

Answer: A small wine cooler is better for a small collection or someone who wants to keep a smaller number of bottles handy for drinking in a shorter amount of time. If you don’t have a lot of space available or you want to keep several bottles within reach, a small wine cooler might be a great idea.

They’re great for kitchens and bars, and they’re also ideal for entertaining. However, in most cases, smaller wine coolers can maintain a more consistent temperature better than a large wine cooler can and they’re also less expensive.

Question: What are the disadvantages of small wine coolers over larger wine coolers?

Answer: While they’re convenient, they don’t hold very much. However, you can find small wine coolers that hold up to 46 bottles, which is quite a bit. So if you have a larger collection or you’re planning on having a larger get together, you may need something bigger.

Where can one be purchased?

The best place to start is Amazon. You’ll be able to compare your options and pricing as well as get free shipping if you’re a Prime member. You’ll get more product details and you can read other user reviews.

However, if you’d rather see them in person, you can look at stores like Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Bass Pro Shop, or a local liquor store or home furnishings outlet.

Keep It Cool

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced oenophile or someone who simply enjoys the flavor of a sparkling wine every now and then. Everyone can get some joy out of a wine cooler in their space. You can check out these wine chillers that you can use while sitting on your favorite spot in your house and sipping your wine.

I think, overall, the two best options are the Kalamera and the Colzer, but it all depends on your personal preferences, your needs, your collection, your space, and your budget.

Regardless, you have plenty of options to choose from, so you can take your time picking the one you think is right for you.

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[lasso ref=”colzer-15-inch-wine-cooler-refrigerator-amazon” id=”7186″ link_id=”921072″]