12-bottle compressor wine fridge, 8 to 18 °C

Cooling and temperature

The seller describes a high-performance compressor with an airflow system meant to remove warm spots and manage humidity so corks do not dry. The range runs from 8 °C at the bottom to 18 °C at the top. Eight degrees is cool enough for most white wines and rosé, although some people like Champagne a touch colder. At the warm end, 18 °C keeps reds at a pleasant drinking temperature.

A compressor also keeps working when the room heats up in summer, whereas a thermoelectric unit can drift several degrees above its setting on a hot day.

Inside the cabinet

Twelve standard bottles sit on adjustable stainless steel racks, which the listing says are reinforced to stop bottles sliding. A space at the bottom is set aside for odd-shaped bottles, handy for a Burgundy or a sparkling bottle with wide shoulders. Soft LED lights pick out the labels, and the seller notes that they give off no heat.

The door is tempered glass described as blocking UV rays, with tight silicone seals to hold the cold in.

What the listing leaves out

There is no width, depth or height, no annual energy figure and no noise level in decibels. There is also no mention of a lock or of the plug fitted. Because it is freestanding, it will need space around it for the compressor to shed heat, so ask the seller about clearances before you choose a spot.

Against two other 12-bottle coolers

The YuAiStore 12-bottle dual zone also uses a compressor and goes down to 5 °C, with two zones for whites and reds, but it too omits its dimensions. The 26 cm wide 12-bottle cooler gives exact measurements and runs on 220 to 240 V, but its coldest setting is 11 °C. This model sits between them: colder than the slim unit, simpler than the dual zone.