Why should you care about finding the best wine cellar cooling unit? While it doesn’t make that big a difference when it comes to mass-market wines, proper wine cellar storage is the key to building an impressive collection of fine wines. Ideally, fine wines should be stored in a dark cellar at a temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 12.8°C) and 70 percent humidity. Otherwise, they may become “cooked” and develop an unpleasant flavor over time.
If you’re planning to build your own wine cellar, optimal temperatures and humidity are among the most important things you need to consider. The best way to ensure that your wines are aging the way they should is to buy a dedicated cooling unit. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the five best wine cellar cooling units available right now.
Finding the Right Cooling Unit for Your Wine Cellar
Depending on the size of your cellar, a wine cooling unit can be a big investment. It is thus important to opt for a unit that best suits your storage needs and provides optimal ventilation.
There are three main types of wine cellar storage units:
- A through-wall wine cellar cooling system is a self-contained unit that is best suited for wine rooms and wine cabinets. Small and compact, it is easy to set up and doesn’t require any piping or ducting, which could also help reduce the overall cost of the installation.
- A ducted wine cellar cooling system uses ventilation ducts to keep your wine collection safe. Because the ducts can be set up on the outside, ducted coolers don’t require the installation of any large pieces of equipment inside the cellar.
- A split wine cellar cooling system is intended for cellars without access to proper ventilation. With a split cooler, the evaporator will be inside the cellar, while all the other pieces will be set up on the outside, allowing them to draw fresh air into the room.
Please note that this article on the best wine cellar cooling units includes affiliate links. We will receive a small marketing fee if you decide to make a purchase.
Discovering the 5 Best Wine Cellar Cooling Units
Below, you’ll find the list of the five best wine cellar cooling units available on the market. To ensure that there’s something for everyone, we have included all three types of cooling units – through-wall, ducted, and split.
CellarCool CX2200
The CellarCool CX2200 is a reliable, competitively priced through-wall wine cellar cooling system. Intended for rooms of up to 265 cubic feet and designed for multiple mounting positions, this cooling unit helps maintain the average temperature between 55 and 58 degrees and the humidity between 50 and 70 percent. Thanks to the adjustable LED thermostat, you can control the temperature with a press of a button.
Constructed with heavy-duty coils and manufactured in the USA, the CX2200 is very durable and surprisingly quiet for a self-contained unit. CellarCool offers a two-year warranty on parts and labor and a 30-day insurance policy against freight damages.
Click here to find out more about this ultra-durable wine cellar cooling unit.
WhisperKOOL Platinum 4000
The WhisperKOOL Platinum 4000 is a split wine cellar cooling system that can effectively cool wine cellars up to 1,000 cubic feet. This large unit includes an evaporator that can be mounted inside the cellar or ducted from up to 100 feet away, as well as a condenser that can also be installed outside.
Quiet and reliable, the unit has an LED thermostat on the front. There’s also a liquid bottle probe that allows you to monitor the actual temperature of the wine to ensure that it’s stored at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit comes with a two-year warranty on parts and labor and a two-year warranty on the compressor. To activate your warranty, you must send the installation documents directly to WhisperKOOL via email, fax, or regular mail and await their approval.
Click here to learn more about this excellent wine cellar cooling system.
Breezaire WKL-2200
The Breezaire WKL-2200 is a self-contained, through-wall cooling unit intended for use in cellars of up to 265 cubic feet. Designed to lower the room temperature by 25 degrees, this unit maintains the humidity in your wine cellar at optimal levels, between 50 and 75 percent. Small and easy to install, this unit has an adjustable thermostat on the front, allowing you to monitor the temperature closely.
Like any other through-wall wine cooling system, the WKL-2200 might be too noisy to some, but that’s to be expected, considering that the evaporator and the condenser are housed inside the cellar. The two things that set this unit apart from comparable products are its affordable price and vibration-free operation. Breezaire offers a five-year warranty on the unit and free labor for any repair you may need during the first 12 months.
Click here for more information about this affordable self-contained unit.
WhisperKOOL Extreme 5000tiR
If you're serious about maintaining the perfect conditions for your wine collection, the WhisperKOOL Extreme 5000tiR Fully Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling Unit is a fantastic choice.
This cooling unit offers industry-leading performance and can cool a cellar of up to 1250 cubic feet when properly insulated. Its ducted design gives you the flexibility to place the unit up to 25 feet from the cellar, making it a versatile option for any space. Plus, with its KDT Plus Digital Touch Display temperature control and bottle probe, you'll have precise control over your cellar's climate, ensuring your wines age gracefully. So whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, this cooling unit could be a game-changer for your wine storage needs.
Click here to learn more about this highly adaptable ducted cooling system.
The Final Word
Before you buy a cooling system for your cellar, you will need to consider your space and ventilation requirements and choose accordingly. If you’re buying a ducted or a split wine cellar cooling system, you will also need to decide if you want the evaporator installed inside the cellar or ducted from the outside.
Depending on your specific wine storage needs, any of these five cooling units could be a good choice. They are all competitively priced and come with comprehensive warranties that cover both parts and labor. Keep in mind that some manufacturers will ask you to provide the installation documents to activate your warranty. So even though some of these units are rather easy to install, it might be best to hire a certified professional to do it for you.
