Sunpentown WC-1682 Thermoelectric 16-Bottle Wine Cooler Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Purchased the WC-1682. Received the unit promptly and the unit itself was in good shape. Nice looking unit, everything fit well and plenty of space for the wine.
Pro's
-The unit is reasonably priced.
-It presents well.
-Runs quietly.
-Cooling system is efficient.
Con's
- Like all of these thermoelectric systems, it runs continuously. No getting away from this particular design and my guess is all of the manufacturers use the same guts. Given that these are relatively inexpensive, they must save some money by not putting in a relay to actually shut down the unit when it reaches the proper temperature. There may be other reasons for not stopping the cooling and fan completely, but it is not obvious to this engineer why they wouldn't do so except costs for putting the fan on a separate circuit and to keep the fan running for air circulation. An extra few components would be required to separate the fan control from the thermoelectric cooler. The fan and cooling systems slow down significantly when they reach the proper temperature, but neither actually stops. Hence they are inefficient.
- The unit itself is poorly calibrated. The unit I received runs 7 degrees hotter than indicated by the display. I set it initially at 65 degrees and it was actually running at 72 degrees. I didn't run a complete set of tests to see the variation. The temperature was calibrated against a Fluke 971. There is no method or adjustments on the board to adjust this calibration. You simply have to live with it. Also, this will limit the lower temperature range since it can't be set below it's rated temperature.
- The unit cannot be kept in a cool room. Since the thermoelectric cooling unit runs continuously, if the room gets at or near the temperature set point, then the temperature in the unit will drift downward because the unit cannot shut off. For example, if the room temperature is 66 degrees, and the unit is set at 65 degrees, the temperature will actually drift down to around 59 degrees or so because the cooling system never shuts down.
So far, the unit has been reliable and quiet. Minimum of movable components (only two fans). I would recommend the unit, with the caveat that anyone purchasing this separately calibrate the unit. Also, if you need to run the unit at or near the lowest temperature settings, this would not be recommended due the significant difference between the settings and the actual temperature.
Bob M.

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Keep up to 16 standard-size bottles of wine properly chilled and ready to enjoy with this sleek-looking wine cooler. Its touch-sensitive control panel with an LED temperature display makes it simple to adjust the thermostat between 52 and 65 degrees F, depending on the type of wine stored. The unit accommodates full reds at temperatures from 59 to 65 degrees F, light reds at 54 to 57 degrees F, and rose and white wines at 52 to 57 degrees F. Since it only chills to 52 degrees F, however, it's not recommended for sparkling wine or champagne, which taste best when chilled at cooler temperatures. The cooler supplies three slide-out chrome shelves with a scalloped design for securely cradling the bottles of wine. Furthermore, the unit features a thermoelectric cooling system, which avoids vibrations caused by compressor cooling systems. Such vibrations disturb the sediments in wine, disrupting the aging process. Without vibration, stored wine can age naturally. Even more, the unit's environmentally friendly thermoelectric cooling system uses no Freon, which can be harmful to the planet; offers energy efficiency, only using about as much energy as a 75-watt light bulb; and delivers ultra-quiet operation. Other thoughtful details include soft interior lighting with an on/off switch, adjustable leveling legs, and a tinted double-pane glass door with a recessed handle for a clean look. Freestanding and ETL-approved, the 70-watt wine cooler measures 19 by 17 by 20 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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NewAir AW-280E NewAir Thermoelectric Wine Cooler With Touch Screen LED Light Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)SEE the UPDATE at the bottom of this review.
I've owned this fridge for three months now, and for the price, it has performed reasonably well--so far. When you add together the price and the shipping rates, you probably won't be able to find a cheaper thermoelectric wine fridge with this storage capacity. (I consider the non-vibrating feature of thermoelectric fridges an important requirement for cellaring wine long term.) However, there are some definite deficiencies and one really big question mark about long-term performance.
As my wine collection has grown, I've purchased several wine fridges from different manufacturers. Of the four wine fridges I now own, this one has the cheapest look and feel. Yes, it looks quite attractive from a distance, but when you get up close, you notice that every element of its construction seems just a little (and sometimes a lot) flimsier than my other fridges. For example, the material used for the inside walls of this fridge looks and feels like extremely thin plastic that could easily crack or be punctured. (The plastic liner seems comparable in weight and thickness to the thin plastic that is often used for packagaing small electronics accessories like headphones or video cables.) This plastic inside wall liner will probably hold up just fine if treated gently, but it seems like a clue to overall quality.
Similarly, the chrome trays that hold the bottles are just a little thinner, lighter, and flimsier than those in my other wine fridges. Speaking of the trays, with a tray loaded with bottles, you are supposed to be able to pull it out a few inches to get easier access to the bottles and a better view of the label. But the trays on this fridge do not slide smoothly once they are loaded with wine. Instead, they snag and get hung up. In fact, I worry that the force required to unstick and pull out a tray with bottles on it either might cause the bottles to come flying out on onto the floor or might tear the thin plastic that lines the inside walls of the fridge. So to get a tray out safely, you have to remove the bottles first, which defeats the purpose of having trays that are supposed to slide partway out for easier viewing and access.
With gentle and careful use, you can probably avoid problems with the flimsy physical construction of this fridge; however, the thing that worries me most about this fridge is the long-term endurance of the thermoelectric cooling device. This fridge sits side-by-side with another fridge I own that was made by another manufacturer and has exactly the same storage capacity. Compared to the other manufacturer's fridge, the AW fridge's cooling device kicks on and runs more often and longer--probably more than twice as long--to maintain the same temperature. With the temp set at 55 degrees, this fridge's cooling system runs almost non-stop, never shutting off for more than just a few minutes before kicking back on for another long stretch, and that's what makes me worry about long term durability. Because of my concern about the cooling device running constantly, I've raised the temp setting from 55 to 58 degrees, and that seems to help somewhat, but this thermoelectric fridge's cooling device still runs much more often and much longer with the setting at 58 degrees than my other same-size thermoelectric fridge does at 55. It only makes sense that the more often the cooling device kicks on, and the longer it runs, the shorter will be its working lifespan.
One last word to the wise: For those who are just starting to appreciate the pleasures and advantages of cellaring your own wine, maybe it makes sense to buy a small cheap "starter" unit until you can decide whether your wine bug is a temporary infection, a manageable illness, or a lifelong obsession. But before doing as I did--buying a second, and then a third, and then a fourth fairly small fridge--consider taking the money you'd spend on a bunch of small fridges and instead putting those dollars into the cost of one higher quality, higher capacity unit that will solve your wine-storage needs over the long haul. Better yet, find 25 or 30 cubic feet of space under the stairs or in a closet of your house, wall it off, put in racks, insulate it, and buy a cooling unit to refrigerate it, to make your own mini-cellar where you can easily store several hundred bottles.
The Bottom Line: This fridge seems like a fair deal for the price, but if I had it to do over, I think I'd be better off in the long haul spending just a little more for a probably more durable fridge of the same size (which you can find on sale for not that much more), or putting the money into a much larger fridge or cellaring system that would better satisfy both present and future wine storage needs.
UPDATE: The original review above was written in July 2009, about three months after I purchased this wine frig in early April 2009. This update was written in mid-August 2010. Today my New Air 28 bottle wine frig died. It lasted about 16 months. To reflect the short life span, I've deducted a star, reducing my rating to two stars. This unit never was able to get down to 55 degrees. The coldest it could do was 60 or 61. So to keep the unit from overworking itself, I set the temp to 60, instead of 55. Two of my three comparable Wine Enthusiast branded units are still running. One of my three WineEnth branded units has also died, so the fact is, none of these thermo-electric units can be expected to last very long. As stated in my original review above, rather of buying one or more of these cheapie units, I would recommend putting that money into a better product that will hold more bottles, or better yet, build your own mini-cellar in closet or under a stairway.

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When wine is too warm, it can taste diffused and when it's served too cold, its aroma notes can be greatly affected. Therefore, proper wine serving temperature is the key to wine enjoyment. With that in mind, whether you simply enjoy having a few bottles of your favorite wine at home or are the proud owner of an extensive wine collection, a thermoelectric wine cooler such as the NewAir AW-280E is sure to be a welcome addition to any home.
Large 28-Bottle CapacityFeaturing an extra-large, 28-bottle capacity, the compact NewAir AW-280E is perfect for the home or office and can easily hold an extensive wine collection.

Precise Temperature ControlDigital temperature controls with touch screen and LED light allows for accurate and precise temperature settings to maximize your wine's flavor. In addition, a soft light is imparted by the internal LED so that you know exactly which wine you're pulling out.

Attractive DesignMoreover, the AW-280E boasts an attractive black cabinet with chrome racks for a touch of sophistication.

Thermoelectric TechnologyBest of all, in terms of noise, rest assured that the AW-280E won't disturb your indoor environment. Due to thermoelectric technology, this wine chiller has very little moving parts which allows for silent and vibration-free operation.

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NewAir AW-180E Thermoelectric Wine Cooler With Touch Screen Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've only had this wine fridge for a short time, so I can't comment on its reliability (our last one which we purchased at Lowes lasted about 6 months). It looks good, is a convenient, compact size and seems to work well. But there's no way you can fit 18 bottles in it unless they're slim - such as the standard Bordeaux and Alsace shapes. The chubbier Burgundy size and anything larger just won't fit. The only way to get them in is to remove every second rack and make sure you lie slim and chubby bottles side by side. Makes it closer to a 10-12 bottle fridge.

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In order to fully enjoy a bottle of wine's true aroma, it's important to keep it at the proper temperature, as serving it too cold will cause it to lose its flavor notes while excessively warm temperatures will speed up the aging process. However, whether you're a budding wine connoisseur or a true oenophile, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars building a home wine cellar. Instead, a thermoelectric wine cooler such as the NewAir AW-180E is a great, affordable way to keep your wine properly chilled.

The NewAir AW-180E thermoelectric wine cooler has an eighteen bottle capacity with digital controls that make it incredibly easy to use. The LED light provides bright contrast and the touch screen on the display is intuitive and easy to control. Moreover, an internal LED light within the NewAir AW-180E wine cooler illuminates for greater visibility so that you know exactly which bottle of wine you are pulling out.

In terms of sound, because the unit's thermoelectric technology involves very little moving parts, this results in vibration-free, silent operation that won't disturb your indoor environment. Lastly, for a touch of sophistication, the racks inside the NewAir AW-180E are chrome-plated.
For an affordable, compact, and easy-to-operate thermoelectric wine cooler with a large eighteen bottle capacity, try the NewAir AW-180E

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Avanti SWC1600M1 17" Freestanding Superconductor Wine Chiller with 16 Bottle Capacity, Integrated Soft Touch Temperature Control, Digital Display and Automatic Defrost Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The item arrived very quickly and I was impressed at the way it looked and the features. Unfortunantly, it stopped chilling after less than two weeks. I contacted the company and they are sending a replacement, so I hope that this one works.

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Avanti is a leader in the consumer appliance industry. Avanti is best known for their wine coolers, compact refrigerators and water coolers designed for the home, office or dormitory. Available at AJ Madison. Avanti's reputation has been built by providing quality products at a great value. From the hotel room to the dorm room, Avanti has the right product at the right price for you.

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Avanti 16-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler - EWC16B Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had two problems with this unit.
1) The manufacturer's packaging is inadequate for shipping (not Amazon's fault). I received two units (the second a replacement for the first), both were damaged in transit, and both have been returned. The first, the glass door was shattered, I suspect because the shelves were not well anchored inside (ironically, the manufacturer's handbook warns against shipping with loose shelves - they should take their own advice). The second had a large dent in the door frame - the package is simply not sturdy enough to offer adequate protection.
2) So, if you are lucky enough to get an undamaged one, is it a good product? I tried out the second one I received - might have lived with the dent if I'd been satisfied. I found that although it certainly chills adequately, the fan runs continuously and generates more noise than I would care to live with.
I ultimately wound up buying an equivalent Kenwood unit, which is proving to be excellent - and quiet!

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Energy efficient silent thermoelectric non-compressor system with auto-defrostSolid components and no vibration bottle sediment is not disturbedAdjustable thermostat for ideal temperature controlReversible thermopane glass door with recessed handleSlide-out chrome shelves each holds four 2-liter bottles (not included)Soft interior light with on/off switch17" W x 20 1/4" H x 19" D weighs 32 lbs.

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Avanti 18-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own a wine store and in the last 9 months three of these wine refrigerators have stopped working on us. I will not even take a free replacement at this point.

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AVANTI WINE COOLR 18 BTL THERMOELECTRIC DIGITAL

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NewAir AW-210ED NewAir Thermoelectric Wine Cooler With Dual Temperature Zones Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought the cooler in March 2009. It worked well until a week ago, then the upper compartment went dead (no light, no cooling)and the lower compartment started emitting a ticking sound. Wrote to the company, here is their reply:
Dear Carl xxx,Thank you for your inquiry.
Unfortunately we do not have information on local repair centers. You would just have to call around to see if the unit can be fixed. If you need parts, please contact us and we'll check to see if they are available.
If you need additional assistance please feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives at (800) 734-0405.

Thank you for choosing Air & Water, Inc.
Sincerely,
Steven NAir & Water, Inc.
1100 S Linwood Ave Bldg #B
Santa Ana, CA 92705Customer Service Line
Local: (714) 241-4328


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Anyone who's ever opened a much-anticipated bottle of wine can attest to the effects of improper wine storage. Wine that is served too cold can affect its flavor and aroma notes while wine that is served too warm will speed up the aging process and cause an overly alcoholic taste. As such, whether you're a budding wine aficionado or a true oenophile, a thermoelectric wine cooler such as the NewAir AW-210ED will allow you to serve your favorite vintages as they should be enjoyed.

The space-saving and compact NewAir AW-210ED thermoelectric wine cooler has a large, twenty-one bottle capacity that makes it perfect for any household. The LED display, digital controls, and a touch button control panel all allow for easy operation. Moreover, the NewAir AW-210ED even has an LED light within the cooler itself for enhanced visibility.

However, perhaps the mainstay of the AW-210ED thermoelectric wine cooler is its dual temperature zones. This means that the cabinet's upper and lower zones are specialized, independently refrigerated chambers with separate temperature control capabilities which allow you to chill two different types of wine at once. Best of all, in terms of noise, the NewAir AW-210ED is silent and vibration-free due to thermoelectric electric technology.

Therefore, if you need a large-capacity wine cooler that has the ability to chill multiple types of wine with just one unit, try the NewAir AW-210ED.

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