✔️ Bottle capacity: The most important thing to consider when shopping for a wine fridge is how many bottles you’re hoping to store. Some models can fit less than a dozen bottles, while others can fit close to a hundred or more. Catherine Lo, Former Food Editor for the Hearst Lifestyle Food Group, says, “Human nature likes to fill a void: Assess the number of wines that you’d like to have on hand, and then double that amount to estimate the fridge capacity you might need.” Consider a capacity between 25 and 50 bottles if you’re fairly new to collecting and want to age your wine properly. If you’re just hoping to keep bottles at serving temperature, you can go under 20. If you have a growing collection with many different types of bottles, look for a capacity over 50.

✔️ Placement in your home: The kind of wine fridge you’ll want to buy also depends on where you’re putting it in your home. If you have a basement, butler’s pantry or out-of-sight location where style isn’t as much of a concern, you may opt for a freestanding wine fridge. But if you want your fridge to seamlessly integrate with your kitchen or bar, you’ll want to invest in a built-in option. Some built-in wine fridges come panel-ready so your new refrigerator can blend right into the rest of your cabinetry, while other built-in options are available in stainless steel. If you don’t have much extra space, make sure to get a compact option that can fit under the counter or be placed in a corner. Consider how much open space around the fridge is required for ventilation before you make your purchase.

✔️ Dual-zone or single-zone: Dual-zone fridges, as the name implies, have two different temperature zones. This is advantageous for storing reds and whites separately, as the serving temperature for white wine is cooler than that of red. “For serving, shoot for 40°F to 55°F for white wines (sparkling wines on the lower end) and 55°F to 65°F for reds,” says Lo. But the built-in divider in these fridges will reduce their overall capacity. Ironically, you’ll find that the very smallest and the very largest fridges are typically single-zone — very small ones don’t have space for the divider and very large ones are typically used to store wine over a long time, not to serve. “Dual zone fridges can be helpful if you have a larger quantity of particularly delicate wines, but they’re not essential,” Lo says. Choose the kind of fridge that’s right for you and the kind of wine you hope to store and drink.

✔️ Compressor or thermoelectric: While most wine fridges on the market use standard compressor refrigeration (the same technology you’ll find in your kitchen refrigerator and window AC units), some use thermoelectric energy. These models are generally quieter, more energy-efficient and less expensive than their standard counterparts. No compressor also means less vibration that may disturb the sediment in your wine, and fewer parts that may break. But thermoelectric energy can only keep a fairly small space cool efficiently. If you have a small collection and you’re concerned with energy use, you may want to consider getting a small countertop or freestanding wine fridge. But if you have a larger collection, you’re interested in dual-zone cooling and design is important to you, you’re better off with a standard compressor model.

✔️ Design: Wine fridges come in a range of styles and finishes, from simple and traditional to ultra-modern and elegant. Choose a fridge that suits your kitchen or home bar style. Make sure the interior lighting, rack style, handle and glass door don’t clash with your existing appliances. Look for coated or tinted glass doors that protect your wine from UV rays that can be damaging to the wine.

✔️ Material: Consider the material of the wine shelves. Wood shelving can limit the amount of vibration when you slide shelves in and out or open the door, as well as help maintain the temperature of the bottles. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is a popular choice as it’s sturdy and can hold the weight of multiple or larger bottles. Some steel shelves may also be wrapped in silicone to prevent vibrations and clanking of bottles.

✔️ Extra features: Many wine fridges come loaded with extra features like reversible doors, multiple rack types and temperature zones, LED displays, sliding shelves, locks, alarms and more. Larger models may also have a center shelf for storing bottles upright as well as for decanting and serving. Prioritize the features that will maximize your use of the fridge and help you get the most out of your purchase.

✔️ Warranty: Check the warranty on your fridge before you make your purchase, specifically on the compressor. Although wine fridges are generally smaller appliances, their price tags and complex parts mean you should approach buying them as you would any large appliance. Avoid brands with nonexistent custom service or poor warranty policies.