Number of bottles
The maximum number of standard wine bottles (straight, Bordeaux type) that the cooler is designed to store.
The increase in capacity affects the dimensions and price of the entire device. So for private home use, a
compact wine coolers of small capacity (up to 20 bottles) can be the best choice — especially since the height of such devices is usually small. However,
low wine coolers can store more contents —
24 – 25 bottles or more. Models with a capacity of
50 – 80 bottles are already designed mainly for bars and restaurants, but they can also be useful for enthusiastic wine collectors; and the most voluminous of modern wine coolers can hold
noticeably more than 80 bottles — in some units up to two or three hundred.
It is also worth noting that it is not recommended to fill wine coolers to their full capacity. The actual occupancy should be at least 30 percent lower than the maximum. So, when choosing, it is worth making an appropriate margin.
Type
—
Climatic. Wine coolers with one temperature zone: one temperature is maintained throughout the entire volume of the working chamber. Such models are designed only for storing wines; different types at the same time (red, white, etc.) — they can all be normally stored at the same temperature. But the optimal serving temperature is just different, and a temperature cooler is better suited to prepare for serving.
—
Temperature. Coolers with several zones with separate temperature control. The meaning of this design lies primarily in the fact that different types of wine have different recommended serving temperatures, which, moreover, differ from the optimal storage temperature; see "Temperature zones" for details.
Temperature zones
The number of temperature zones provided in the working chamber of the wine cooler.
The temperature zone is a part of the working chamber with its temperature mode, independent of the rest of the volume. In climatic coolers (see "Product type") there is
only one such zone — this is quite enough for storing wines, even different types. But it is recommended to serve different types of wine at different temperatures, and all these temperatures differ from the 10..12 °C required for storage. Accordingly, additional temperature zones are desirable in preparation for serving. Moreover, the more these zones, the more types of wines can be kept ready for serving at the same time, but the more expensive the unit is. Thus, most multi-temperature models have only
two zones — for storage and for serving; the latter can be reconfigured for different types of wines. More zones —
3 or more — are found mainly in high-end high-capacity coolers.
Total volume
The total volume of the wine cooler working chamber (chambers).
Although the main spec of such units is the number of bottles (see above), volume data can also be useful when evaluating and comparing different models. The fact is that with the same capacity, a larger volume means better air circulation and more efficient temperature distribution. On the other hand, an increase in volume also increases the price and dimensions — and there may simply not be free space for
a wide or
high wine cooler.
Energy class
The energy efficiency class characterizes how economically the wine cabinet consumes electricity. The highest class among modern units is A ++, then A +, A, B, C and further alphabetically.
Note that in this case, it is not energy consumption that is taken into account but consumption in comparison with units having similar specs (and the same type of cooling, see above). Therefore, a professional 80-bottle A++ wine cooler will consume more energy than a 15-bottle C-class unit. We also note that more economical devices have a higher price. However, they have a lower cost of maintenance during their life span.
Energy consumption per year
It is the amount of energy consumed by the wine cooler in a year during normal operation. Of course, the actual consumption will inevitably differ from this indicator in one direction or another, but these differences are usually not fundamental. So this indicator makes it possible to evaluate the efficiency of different models and compare them with each other. Recall that more energy-efficient units cost more on their own, but in the end, they can turn out to be more profitable due to energy savings.
Climate class
The climate class to which the wine cabinet corresponds.
As the name implies, this parameter describes the environmental conditions for which the unit was designed. The warmer it is around, the more powerful the wine cabinet should be and the better thermal insulation it should have. Specific classes are indicated by letters. Here are the most popular options:
— SN (subnormal). Models for a cool temperate climate have an operating range from +10 °C to + 32 °C. Such a unit can be useful in a poorly heated room where the temperature can drop below +16 °C — for example, on the veranda of a private house, in a garage, etc.
— N (normal). Wine cabinets for temperate climates, with an operating temperature range of +16...+32 °C. Such a unit is suitable for most residential apartments and houses in mid-latitudes.
— ST (subtropical). Models for subtropical and humid tropical climates. Normally they work at the range of external temperatures +18...+38 °C.
— T (tropical). Wine coolers for dry tropical climates. Designed for temperature range +18 °C to +43 °C.
Also, note that there are many models on the market with an extended temperature range covering several classes. For example, a unit labelled N-ST will have a temperature range of +16...+38 °C. Such models are indispensable in complex climates, the conditions of which are not covered by one standard class — for example, in cold winters and hot summers.
