Wine cellars are a new and growing trend in homes across the world. The hobby of collecting and tasting fine wines is one filled with endless enjoyment. But how frustrating is it when you open a sour, oxidized bottle of wine that you have been saving for a special occasion?
That is where a wine cellar cooling unit comes in. Wine cellars will not keep your wine fresh and tasting heavenly without a cooling unit. Regardless of how big or small your wine cellar is, the fact that it has no windows can make it prone to high temperatures that are detrimental to your wines.
Not all wine cellar cooling units are efficient or suitable for your cellar. You must consider the cellar’s size, the cooling unit’s power, how easy the unit’s temperature is to control, and many more features that we will elaborate on later in the article.
Best Wine Cellar Cooling Units Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. Wine Guardian Humidification System  |
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2. WhisperKOOL® Extreme 8000ti Wine Cellar Cooling Unit  |
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3. WhisperKOOL® SC PRO 4000 Wine Cooling Unit  |
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4. CellarCool CX2200 Wine Cellar Cooling System  |
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5. Wine Guardian D025 –1/4 Ton (800 Cu. Ft.) Wine Cellar Cooling System  |
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6. WhisperKOOL® Extreme 5000tiR Fully Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling Unit  |
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7. Vinotemp Wine-Mate Self-Contained Cellar Cooling System  |
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8. Wine Guardian 018 Through Wall Wine Cellar Cooling System  |
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9. WhisperKOOL® Phantom 5000 Fully Ducted Wine Cooling System  |
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10. Wine Guardian SS025 – 1/4 Ton Ductable Split Wine Cellar Cooling System  |
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As simple as cooling units may appear, they are high ticket items that can be costly mistakes when not bought with thought and consideration. Not only could buying the wrong unit cost you thousands of dollars for the unit, but it could also potentially ruin thousands of dollars worth of wine.
If you are looking for a brilliant wine cellar cooling unit for your home or business, you have come to the right place. Below is a list of 10 wine cellar cooling units we reviewed for you to look through to make it easier to compare and find the best cooling units on the market.
We have also put together a buying guide and frequently asked questions section that should assist you with your purchase. Understand what a cooling unit does and what you should look for is key to finding the right cooling unit for you.
Each product has its key features, pros, and cons picked apart and highlighted. We hope that by the end of this review you find your next wine cellar cooling unit that will last you a number of years.
Our 10 Best Wine Cellar Cooling Units Reviews and Comparisons
1. Wine Guardian Humidification System
Product Highlights
The Wine Guardian humidification system gives you precise control over the humidity in your cellar.
Features
- Width: 12.87 inches
- Depth: 10.06 inches
- Height: 13.81 inches
- Cellar mounted digital humidistat
- Easy to access humidifier pad
- Lightweight
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum housing
- Through the wall or Freestanding
- Drip pan
What We Like About Wine Guardian Humidification System
You can choose to mount the humidifier into the wall or have it freestanding. This is great if you live in rented accommodations, you might not be allowed to make alterations to the home.
What We Don’t Like About Wine Guardian Humidification System
The system does not feel very durable. This is probably due to its lightweight structure. It is precise and easy to control; however, it is incredibly simplistic.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Corrosion-resistant
- Easy to use
CONS
- Basic design
- Does not look high-quality
2. WhisperKOOL® Extreme 8000ti Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
Product Highlights
This unit cools up to 2000 cubic feet and has been designed as a cooling solution for large cellars.
Features
- 28 inches long
- 14.25 inches wide
- 22.5 inches tall
- Must be installed through an exterior wall
- Digital Thermostat temperature control
- Control temperature from inside the cellar
What We Like About WhisperKOOL® Extreme 8000ti Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
This cooling unit is quiet and does its job well; it can run for hours without making a great sound. The mounting brackets are really strong and sturdy, making the unit feel safe and secure.
What We Don’t Like About WhisperKOOL® Extreme 8000ti Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
You will have to purchase a few parts separately, such as an exterior grill in order to keep the unit safe from outdoor elements. This is frustrating and bumps the overall cost of the cooling unit by a fair amount.
PROS
- Quiet
- Long-lasting
- High-quality
- Designed well
CONS
- Installing inside the room is not ideal
3. WhisperKOOL® SC PRO 4000 Wine Cooling Unit
Product Highlights
Cools up to 1000 cubic feet and has an easy-access digital thermostat.
Features
- 17.5 inches long
- 14.25 inches wide
- 15.75 inches tall
- Digital thermostat
- Single-piece mounting bracket
- Front or rear power switch
- Comes with a coater evaporator coil
- Advanced airflow technology
- Condensate management system
- Optimal meeting technology
- Superior technology
What We Like About WhisperKOOL® SC PRO 4000 Wine Cooling Unit
The unit is quiet and efficient. It has the latest top of the range technologies, which make it user friendly and convenient. If you are confident in installing such appliances, you won’t need to hire professional assistance as the unit is designed with ease-of-use in mind in every way.
What We Don’t Like About WhisperKOOL® SC PRO 4000 Wine Cooling Unit
The brackets could have been designed a little better. The fact that you can see the mounting brackets is frustrating and ruins its overall look.
PROS
- Easy to install
- Innovative
- Quiet to run
- Long-lasting
CONS
- Looks bulky
- Lacking in features
4. CellarCool CX2200 Wine Cellar Cooling System
Product Highlights
This wine cellar cooling unit’s cord comes out of the unit’s front for easy access and convenience.
Features
- Through the wall installation required
- Long-lasting
- Quality tested
- Reliable
- Durable
- 30-degree temperature differential
- Do-it-yourself installation
- Fits between standard wall studs
- Cooling capacity: up to 300 cubic feet
What We Like About CellarCool CX2200 Wine Cellar Cooling System
The unit is easy to install and looks humble in your wine cellar. It comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty that is reliable and convenient.
Most wine cellars can use this unit as it cools a large amount of space. We love how quickly it amends the conditions in the wine cellar and works phenomenally from the get-go.
What We Don’t Like About CellarCool CX2200 Wine Cellar Cooling System
Once the manufacturer’s warranty is out of date, there is very little support offered by the company. Many parts are not replaceable, and to fix any malfunctioning parts, you will need to hire a specialist.
PROS
- Easy to install
- Durable
- Reliable
- Quality tested
CONS
- Spare parts are hard to find
5. Wine Guardian D025 –1/4 Ton (800 Cu. Ft.) Wine Cellar Cooling System
Product Highlights
The Wine Guardian D025 is built to control temperatures in large wine cellars.
Features
- Width: 33”
- Depth: 14”
- Height: 14”
- Operates in ambient temperatures up to 115° F.
- Multi-panel design
- High static pressure fans
- Installation flexibility
- Multiple supplies and return air openings
- Factory tested
- Digital thermostat
- Can be installed through the wall
- Can be installed in a remote location
What We Like About Wine Guardian D025 –1/4 Ton (800 Cu. Ft.) Wine Cellar Cooling System
The unit does a brilliant job at cooling and controlling an extensive wine cellar. There are specialized installers in every state that are happy to come out to your home if something isn’t right with the unit, which gives you great peace of mind.
What We Don’t Like About Wine Guardian D025 –1/4 Ton (800 Cu. Ft.) Wine Cellar Cooling System
This may be a bit extravagant and unnecessary for most wine cellars. It is big and powerful, great for large basements but not suitable for most home wine cellars.
PROS
- Reliable
- Easy to install
- Local installers all over the states
CONS
- Very big
- loud
6. WhisperKOOL® Extreme 5000tiR Fully Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
Product Highlights
The WhisperKool® Extreme 5000tiR cooling unit has duct plenums and is sealed with a vapor barrier.
Features
- Lengths 39.5 inches
- 14.25 inches width
- 22.5 inches high
- Cools up to 1250 square feet
- Duct plenums
- KDT Plus Digital Touch display
- Bottle probe
- Display temperature control
What We Like About WhisperKOOL® Extreme 5000tiR Fully Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
This is a great cooling unit that works on standard-sized wine cellars. The cooling unit is long-lasting and reliable, an excellent investment for your wine cellar.
What We Don’t Like About WhisperKOOL® Extreme 5000tiR Fully Ducted Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
The unit is not suitable for large wine cellars. Installing the unit in a large cellar could result in the wine not reaching the right temperatures and consequently running the risk of ruining your wine collection.
PROS
- Long-lasting
- Cools quickly
- Easy to control
CONS
- For specific wine cellars
7. Vinotemp Wine-Mate Self-Contained Cellar Cooling System
Product Highlights
The Vinotemp Wine-Mate cooling unit is self-contained.
Features
- Provides a subtle temperature between 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit
- Maintains 50 to 70% humidity
- Optimized airflow
- Patented condensate drain tray
- Four-hour speed fans
- Easy to install
- Self-contained
What We Like About Vinotemp Wine-Mate Self-Contained Cellar Cooling System
This unit is self-contained and very easy to install. Parts are easy to fix when the damage is caused over time, making it a long-lasting and reliable unit.
What We Don’t Like About Vinotemp Wine-Mate Self-Contained Cellar Cooling System
The unit has an insufficient capacity of just 200 cubic feet. It is one of the most basic cooling units on this list. Cleaning the unit is fiddly and time-consuming.
PROS
- Easy to alter
- Reliable
- Easy to install
- Compact
CONS
- Hard to clean
- Cools a very small area
8. Wine Guardian 018 Through Wall Wine Cellar Cooling System
Product Highlights
This is a through-the-wall cooling system that is a popular choice for homes and commercial buildings.
Features
- Width: 14.25 inches
- Depth: 25 inches
- Height: 15.88 inches
- Commercial grade
- Quiet to operate
- Easy-mount one-piece wall bracket
- Multiple power cord connectors
- Certified to Underwriters Laboratory standards
- Adjustable louvers
- Integrated condensate evaporation system
- Displays temperature and humidity
- Specialized fans
What We Like About Wine Guardian 018 Through Wall Wine Cellar Cooling System
The wine cellar cooler is suitable for hotels and restaurants. It is certified and made to a very high standard.
What We Don’t Like About Wine Guardian 018 Through Wall Wine Cellar Cooling System
The customer service team is very slow to respond to any issues regarding the unit. The Wine Guardian 018 is difficult to restart, and resolving technical problems without a professional’s help is challenging.
PROS
- Well made
- Very quiet
- Cools effectively
- Has digital displays
CONS
- Slow response from the manufacturer
9. WhisperKOOL® Phantom 5000 Fully Ducted Wine Cooling System
Product Highlights
The Phantom 5000 wine cooling system comes with a standard thermostat and a bottle probe.
Features
- 48 inches long
- 15.75 inches wide
- 22.75 inches high
- Cools a space of up to 1250 cubic feet
- The blower can be to the left, right, or top of the unit
- KDT Plus Digital Touch Display temperature control
- Bottle probe
- liquid -sensing thermostat
- 24-volt thermostat option
- Air-sensing
What We Like About WhisperKOOL® Phantom 5000 Fully Ducted Wine Cooling System
The WhisperKOOL® Phantom 5000 can be installed up to 25 feet away from the wine cellar, meaning it can be entirely out of sight. We found the blower orientations very convenient as they are adjustable to fit your needs.
What We Don’t Like About WhisperKOOL® Phantom 5000 Fully Ducted Wine Cooling System
The thermostat doesn’t always correctly connect to your mobile phone, leading you to believe that you are making changes to your wine cellar’s temperature when you are not.
PROS
- Adjustable blower
- Has a digital thermostat
- Can connect to your phone
- Well designed
CONS
- Not aesthetically pleasing
10. Wine Guardian SS025 – 1/4 Ton Ductable Split Wine Cellar Cooling System
Product Highlights
You can cool a cellar that is anywhere from 400 to 2,000 cubic feet, making it versatile and suitable for home and commercial use.
Features
- Supply and return duct collars
- Certified by ETL to UL and CSA standards
- Remote user interface
- Temperature control and humidity readout
- High static pressure fans
- Operates between 0 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit
What We Like About Wine Guardian SS025 – 1/4 Ton Ductable Split Wine Cellar Cooling System
This unit is a brilliant option for hotels and restaurants due to its great cooling power and versatility.
What We Don’t Like About Wine Guardian SS025 – 1/4 Ton Ductable Split Wine Cellar Cooling System
Although you can use the wine cellar cooling unit in a small space, it would be a waste to do so. Its size and strength are unnecessary for smaller cellars.
PROS
- Works in a wide range of temperatures
- Easy to control settings
- Works in small and large cellars
CONS
- Must be installed by a professional
Final Verdict
We really like the WhisperKOOL® SC PRO 4000 wine cooling unit. It is modern and easy to use, it doesn’t have overly techy features, and instilling the unit is a breeze. Anyone with a moderately sized wine cellar will benefit from installing this unit and will enjoy it for many years to come. Which unit do you have your eye on from the list above?
FAQ
There is no such thing as a silly question, especially when it comes to purchasing a product that will keep your wine cellar at the right temperature. Making a mistake with your wine cellar cooling unit purchase could cost you a lot of money, be confident and do as much research as you need to before you make your decision.
We have tried to give you a helping hand and compiled a frequently asked questions section for you to read through. We hope it helps you with your purchase!
Q: Does a wine cellar need to be cooled?
A: Yes, wine cellars need to be cooled. Wine cellar coolers are vital yet straightforward pieces of equipment to have in your wine cellar as they keep temperatures constant, preventing any damage being caused to your wines.
Q: What is the best wine cellar cooling unit?
A: The WhisperKOOL® SC PRO 4000 wine cooling unit is a brilliant wine cooling unit. It is compact and easy to install, perfect for anyone that wants to install their unit themselves.
Q: What temperature will ruin wine?
A: If wine is stored in a room warmer than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, your wine may be permanently discolored, or its flavors changed. Never let wine reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit as it will start to cook.
Q: Does a wine cellar add value to your home?
A: Wine cellars are a new trend. They certainly add value to your home, and if you are contemplating adding one to your home, it could boost the value of your home by thousands of dollars.
Q: How do I choose a wine cellar cooling unit?
A: To ensure you are purchasing the right cooling unit for you, follow a buying guide, and distinguish which features are essential to you. We have put together a buying guide for you to follow in the section below.
Q: What temperature should a wine cellar be?
A: Wine cellars should be roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a rough estimate, and your units can be a few degrees higher or lower than this.
Q: What happens if you store wine at temperatures that are too cold?
A: Storing wine in extreme cold is hugely detrimental to your wine. In fact, it is just as bad as storing wine in extreme heat, and your wine will turn bad in just a day or so.
Q: How do wine cellar cooling units work?
A: Wine cellar cooling units are simple; most of them have sensors at the back of the unit that cools the air and removes excess moisture from the air. Cooling units shouldn’t make the air too dry as the right amount of water is essential to preserving the corks.
Q: Can a wine cellar have windows?
A: No, a wine cellar can not have windows. Wine cellars with windows will not be as useful as windowless cellars.
Buying Guide
Let’s simplify the critical features you need to look for in a wine cellar cooling unit. Although wine cellar cooling units are relatively straight forward, not every unit is appropriate for your wine cellar.
Follow the guide below to help you buy the right wine cellar cooling unit for your cellar. Buying the wrong unit could be an expensive mistake to make, so do your research and buy your unit confidently with the right knowledge.
Noise Level
Wine cellars are usually built under your home, so having a noisy cellar could make sitting in the living area above the cellar very uncomfortable. Older wine cellar cooling units are loud and hard to ignore. Opt for a cooling unit with quiet features, especially if you are living in a small home that easily carries noise around it.
Ease of Repair
Just like any electronic item, malfunctions may occur. Keep your eyes peeled for a unit made by a manufacturer that sells replacement parts. Some manufacturers do not sell replacement parts separately, and you will likely need to replace the whole unit if a component breaks.
Digital Display
Digital displays make seeing how the unit is working easier for you. If for any reason, the unit is cooling the room down too much or not enough, you will notice it as soon as you look at the display and be able to act quickly to fix it.
Units with a digital display usually have a remote control temperature control to make changing the settings easier for you. Electronic temperature controls are almost always very precise, and you can be confident that the temperature you set the unit to is, in fact, the temperature it will work at.
Ease of Installment
Wine cellar cooling units shouldn’t be challenging to install. If you are confident with DIY projects, you should be able to install the unit on your own or with the help of a friend. The easier the unit is to install, the better it is for you as you can remove it for repair with ease if needed.
If you are not confident in installing your wine cellar cooling unit, invite a professional in to help you. The last thing you want to do is to make a mistake and damage your unit.