Beverage and wine coolers have become increasingly popular in the UK over the last decade, particularly since the first lockdown in 2020. Research undertaken via YouGov shows that wine coolers were used more during 2020. This may be due to the closure of pubs and bars - homeowners wanted to continue enjoying their favourite drinks at home and invested in wine and beverage coolers in order to do so. Since restrictions ended, people have continued to buy wine and beverage coolers, they are especially popular with those who like to entertain often.

Willow 20L wine cooler

What is the difference between wine and beverage coolers? 

Wine and beverage coolers are essentially mini fridges with a special purpose. They are designed specifically to store your favourite drinks at the ideal temperature at which they should be served. The benefit of these appliances is that you can guarantee that your drinks are on hand and ready to be served. 

Wine lovers will be aware that different types of wines should be stored in different ways. Reds, whites and rosés should all be kept at slightly different temperatures in order to preserve their flavour and quality. Wine coolers will keep the bottles at a consistent temperature - usually between 5 and 18℃. They will have an adjustable thermostat so that you can select the optimum temperature for the type of wine you are storing. Some wine coolers will have dual zones which means that you can store two different types of wine at different temperatures.

Beverage coolers are more of a general purpose refrigerator. They are used for drinks that need to be stored at a much cooler temperature than wine. This can be anything from beer to soft drinks to water. Beverage coolers are simply used to keep the drinks cool and ready to serve. They will usually have an adjustable thermostat and a temperature range from around 1 to 10℃.

What are the benefits?

For those who like to think of themselves as wine connoisseurs, wine coolers are a great way to ensure that your expensive wines always retain their taste and aroma. The lifespan, quality and flavour of wine is important, especially for those who like to host. As a wine cooler just has one use, there is no need to worry about temperature changes from the door being opened and closed as you would if you were storing the wine in a normal fridge. 

Having either a beverage or a wine cooler is a great way to free up space in your regular fridge. If you tend to have a lot of drinks in the house, then you may find that you are struggling to store your food. Adding an extra appliance will free up a lot of space and your wine will always be ready to drink. They can also add a modern, stylish touch to your kitchen. Most wine and beverage coolers have sleek and simple designs which won’t clash with your kitchen decor. 

Where can you put a wine cooler?

Are you looking to buy a wine cooler, but you don’t have a lot of space? Then you should take a look at the Willow W15WCB under counter 20L wine cooler. With space for 7 standard (750ml) bottles, this wine cooler is only 14.8cm wide. It fits snugly under a kitchen counter and looks stylish too. It comes in either black or stainless steel. This allows you to choose the colour that fits in best with your kitchen.

Can you spare a larger space in your kitchen? The Willow W60WCSS 142L under counter wine cooler may be better suited to you. With enough space for 52 standard size (750ml) wine bottles, stylish wooden shelves and a digital display with touch control, this wine cooler will add a sophisticated touch to your kitchen. It’s also available in two colours - black and stainless steel. Both of these wine coolers have an audible door alarm. So, you don’t have to worry about spoiling your wines as you’ll be alerted if you leave the door open. They’re also quiet enough to keep in the kitchen without any worry of noise disturbance.

As with all refrigeration appliances, you will need to ensure that you leave enough space for ventilation. If you’re not sure how much space you need, you can consult the model’s user manual for guidance.

Where can you put a beverage cooler?

The most obvious place for a beverage/drinks cooler is the kitchen. If you are lucky enough to have a big kitchen, then you could opt for the Willow WBC98B 98L under counter beverage cooler. Available in both black and stainless steel, this beverage cooler can fit 105 x 330ml cans on the stainless steel shelves. It can also be used to store larger cans or bottles, which will fit nicely if laid down. Installing this model under your kitchen counter will allow for easy access to your drinks. The triple glazed glass door means that you to see exactly what drinks you have available. You’ll never be caught running low as you’ll know when to restock. These also look great as part of an at home bar.

Don’t have as much space? Are looking for something a bit smaller? You should consider the Willow WBC48B 48L table top beverage cooler. Available in two sleek colours, black and stainless steel, this mini beverage cooler is sleek and stylish. It will look fantastic wherever you decide to put it. With a maximum noise level of just 39dBA, it is quiet enough to keep in communal areas like an office or even a bedroom. The 48L capacity is just enough space to store 50 x 330ml cans, although as with the bigger model, you can also store larger cans and bottles. This beverage cooler is also the perfect size to use as a beer fridge in a ‘man cave’.

Are you going to be hosting some parties over the summer? Now is the best time to invest in wine coolers or beverage coolers. They're one of our best sellers during the warmer months, so grab one while you still can!