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How to Choose and Buy a Chiller, Mini Fridge or Wine and Beer Cooler

Before buying a cooler you need to ask yourself some questions:

Will a drinks chiller or wine cooler fit into your kitchen or utility room?

If you have chosen a small model then placement is less likely to be an issue, but some of the larger wine coolers on the market take up considerable space. Make sure you have enough room for your cooler, and that you allow for a gap around the outside for ventilation. You may also wish to place it away from direct sunlight, although some models come with UV protective glass doors.

Can you position the chiller within easy access of an electricity socket?

Keep in mind that you will need to place the appliance close to an electrical outlet. Make sure the cable is sufficiently long to reach the power socket.

When choosing a brand and model of cooler or chiller, you’ll also need to take the following factors into account:

Chiller and Wine Cooler Capacity

Drinks chillers come in many sizes and capacities. Mini chillers hold only a few soft drinks cans, and are also suitable for use in a bedroom. The small beer coolers hold around 50 cans, and there are also larger wine coolers available which take up to 150 bottles or more. Think about your needs before buying, as it’s not worth spending more for a larger appliance if you’re unlikely to be storing more than 10 bottles at any given time.

Twin Cooling Systems

Some models, aimed at the more serious wine collector, have two separate sections with a door each. These sections have independent cooling systems, so the temperature within each can be set to a different level, and you can even turn one section off.

Energy Efficiency

Coolers are graded from A to G for energy efficiency. The highest and most cost-efficient energy rating is an A, and the lower down the scale you go, the more harmful the appliance is to the environment. You can find coolers with an A rating available to buy online, and some of those featured on our Top Models of Chillers and Coolers page have an energy efficiency rating of A.

Frost Free and Auto Defrost Chillers

Auto-defrosting models are a very good idea, as they prevent frost build up on your bottles and cans, and regulate the temperatures automatically.

Background Noise of the Chiller

All refrigeration appliances emit some background noise. You may want to consider choosing a cooler that runs quietly, especially if it is for use in a bedroom. The noise level (measured in dB) indicates how loud it is; the lower the number, the quieter the appliance.

Further Information

If you are interested in buying a freezer online then visit our Where to Buy section, which includes details about some of the leading online suppliers and their postage and packing costs, delivery timescales, and returns and refunds policies.

You can find out more about the different brands and models available in our Brands and Top Models sections.

If you are not sure what fridge, fridge freezer, freezer or chiller is right for you, have a look at our Types section.