Compressor Wine Coolers Vs. Thermoelectric Wine Coolers

Secondly, the energy efficiency of a thermoelectric cooler is dramatically affected by ambient temperatures. As described above, thermoelectric cooling capacity can be fairly limited. As the difference between wine cooler and room temperature increases, so does the amount of electricity it has to use to reach that temperature (if it can reach it at all). Compressor units, however, operate much more efficiently in hot weather.

It's also worth pointing out how the energy efficiency in both types of cooler increases depending on the size and configuration of the unit. For instance, a 28-botltle single-zone thermoelectric cooler is listed at a mere 70 watts, while a compressor unit of similar size utilizes 85 watts. Taking the next step up in size, a 33-bottle compressor cooler uses 85 watts, while a 32-bottle thermoelectric wine cooler jumps to 140 watts. The reason for this is that the larger the wine cooler, the more Peltier devices must be installed in the unit to cool down the entire cabinet. A larger compressor cooler may use a larger compressor, but it's still just one device to operate as opposed to two or more Peltier devices. If you're looking for a large-sized cooler for a sizeable wine collection, then you'll get greater operational savings with a compressor unit.

While neither is inherently better than the other, it is important to understand the pros and cons of both thermoelectric and compressor wine refrigerators, so you can decide which is the best option for you. Below, we have outlined the benefits and drawbacks of both thermoelectric wine coolers and compressor wine coolers to help you make an educated decision when buying your unit.

The Benefits of Thermoelectric Cooling

There are a lot of reasons why one would choose a thermoelectric wine cooler over a compressor wine cooler. If these following points are important to you, you might want to put some serious thought into this option of wine storage and chilling.

Energy Efficient:

Because they have less moving parts and require much less power to operate, thermoelectric cooled wine refrigerators use much less energy than compressor cooled units. This feature not only benefits the customer, but the environment as well.

Quiet Operation:

Thermoelectric cooling requires very little movement from internal parts, so as a result, these units generate very little noise when in operation. This can be a desirable feature if you are prone to distraction due to the various noises your other kitchen appliances make.

Vibration-Free:

Unlike a traditional beverage refrigerator that hums and vibrates slightly, a thermoelectric cooled wine refrigerator doesn’t vibrate at all, which is great since any sort of jostling is bad for your wine. For this reason, thermoelectric wine coolers create a favorable environment for your wine, especially if you plan to age them for a significant amount of time.

The Drawbacks of Thermoelectric Cooling

That being said, thermoelectric wine coolers do come with their drawbacks. Look over the following points to determine if any of these negatives will significantly impact your decision to choose this type of cooling.

Small Capacities Only:

Thermoelectric cooling is not as powerful as compressor cooling, so it is only suitable for wine refrigerators that have a small capacity. This means that if you have a large amount of bottles that you want to cool, you might end up spending more money on more wine coolers instead of having a single dedicated unit that can hold everything.

Heat Sensitive:

Thermoelectric cooling is not the best for unstable or extra warm environments. A high ambient temperature will significantly hinder the cooling capacity of a thermoelectric wine refrigerator. Consider this point if you plan on keeping your wine cooler in an area that doesn’t keep a consistent temperature, such as a basement or an attic.