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The Spruce Eats / Sabrina Jiang
It's happened to everyone: You want to open a bottle of wine, but you discover that it’s not chilled yet. Whether you're wanting to enjoy a glass yourself or you’re entertaining, you'll want the bottle to be chilled properly so it tastes great and you can avoid the mess of condensation slipping off the bottle. That's exactly when a wine bucket is useful.
From an iceless cooler to one specifically designed for sparkling wines, here are the best wine buckets for your bar cart.
Best Overall
Vacu Vin Rapid Ice Elegant Wine Cooler
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Amazon
Label doesn’t get wet
Chills wine in six minutes
Insert takes up little space in freezer
Needs time in freezer prior to use
Sometimes dealing with ice and water to chill your wine can get a bit messy. This iceless wine cooler solves that problem in six minutes! First, the cooling element sleeve must be placed in the freezer for six hours, though, thankfully, the sleeve can lie flat, thus saving valuable space in your freezer. Once fully chilled, slide the sleeve into the sleek matte bottle cover. Within minutes, your wine is cold and ready to enjoy.
Reviewers loved how this cooler kept their wines refreshingly chill for hours without any condensation on the bottle. The cooling element is reusable, so be sure to put it back in the freezer so it’s ready to use for the next time.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.9 x 8.2 inches | Weight: 1.88 pounds | Material: Stainless steel
Best Budget
Wine Enthusiast Double Walled Iceless Wine Bottle Chiller
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Wine Enthusiast
No ice needed
Can fit a Champagne bottle
Great price
Only for pre-chilled wines
This Wine Enthusiast bucket is another notable option to keep your wine chilled without the mess of melting ice or condensation. It is made for wine that you’ve pre-chilled in the fridge and want to keep cold while it sits on the table. Perfect for dinner parties or everyday use, the double-walled design of this iceless bucket keeps your bottle cold for up to three hours.
The transparent design of the shell also allows you to see which wine you're drinking without the hassle of taking it out. If you're seeking a simple and functional wine chiller that costs less than a good bottle of wine, this is the one for you.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 9 inches | Weight: 1.55 pounds | Material: Acrylic
Best Marble
Ludivine White Marble 6-Inch Wine Chiller
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Wayfair
Elegant appearance
No ice required
Bucket is heavy
Only fits a standard size wine bottle
Marble not only looks elegant but is inherently cold as well (think how marble countertops and floors are always cool to the touch). A plus of this bucket is that there is no need to add ice. Instead, place an already chilled bottle of wine in, and it will keep at that same temperature for hours. This keeps things neat and mess-free. You could also keep the bucket in the freezer a couple of hours before needed in order to heighten its cooling properties even more.
We're fans of how the white marble design adds a glamorous touch to your table setting. Keep in mind this will only fit standard-size bottles of wine, not Champagne or bottles with wide bases.
Price at time of publish: $53
Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Material: Marble
Best Portable
CaddyO Bottle Chiller
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Amazon
Sturdy handle makes carrying easy
Can also carry water and soft drinks
Includes a corkscrew
Can be awkward to carry
When you need to bring cold wine to an event, this is the accessory for you. The CaddyO Bottle Chiller has a bucket to chill your wine, along with a stylish zippered bag to store it and take with you on the go. Remember to freeze the removable gel-ice core before use, then enjoy your satisfyingly chilled wine for up to nine hours.
This handy chiller also works for water and soft drinks. As a bonus, the carrying strap includes a pouch with a stainless steel corkscrew and foil cutter. Think of this chiller tote as the perfect accessory for your camping trips, outdoor meals, picnics, and more.
Price at time of publish: $60
Dimensions: 15 x 6 x 6 inches | Weight: 2.55 pounds | Material: Canvas
Best Formal
Sleek Elegance Personalized Stainless Steel Wine Chiller
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Bed Bath & Beyond
Insulated
Can also fit a Champagne bottle
Hand-wash only
Designed to take a wine bottle from room temperature to chilled in mere minutes, this stainless steel chiller is a great addition to your classy dinners. The double-walled insulation guarantees it will keep your best-loved wines and Champagnes at an ideal temperature throughout the whole night.
The slanted design makes it easy to use, while a custom monogram can be etched on the front of this chiller for an added touch of elegance. Reviewers highlighted the unique and special quality the personalized engraving brings to this chiller. It would make for quite an impressive and thoughtful gift. Overall, this is a sturdy piece that will last as any wine lover's favorite table accessory.
Price at time of publish: $75
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 4.25 pounds | Material: Stainless steel
Best for Champagne
BergHOFF Zeno 9-Inch Stainless Steel Champagne Cooler
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Macy's
Handle for easy carrying
Wide base can fit sparkling wine bottles
Pricey
Round and wide like a disco ball, this silver bucket can fit a bottle of your favorite Champagne, plus ice. Made from stainless steel, this bucket will chill your Champagne to the desired temperature and keep it cool long after you’ve popped the cork. The handle is ergonomically designed to ensure a sturdy grip for transport.
The sleek design of this chiller works indoors and outdoors, from your fanciest of dinner parties to an evening on the patio. We're fans of how the curved shape adds a modern and unique twist to the conventional cooler bucket aesthetic. Hand wash is recommended, and it can be easily wiped down with soap and water.
Price at time of publish: $220
Dimensions: 9.84 x 9.05 x 9.05 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Material: Stainless steel
Best Glass
Olivia & Oliver Madison Ice Bucket
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Walmart
Handles on side to carry easily
Classic style
On the smaller side
We’re all about multipurpose items here and love things that can be used in different ways. Take this glass ice bucket, for example, that not only looks beautiful but can also chill your wine and then be used later to store ice. Measuring 5 inches in height and width, this bucket won't fit more than one bottle of wine. However, the size makes it great for showcasing a special bottle with its classic and sophisticated design.
The European crystal construction also makes this bucket looks a lot more expensive than it is. You could use this for anything from a fancy soirée to a picnic in the backyard.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Material: Crystal
Best Large
Old Dutch International Antique Embossed Heritage Four Bottle Wine Chiller
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Macy's
Elegant display piece
Easy to open the lid
Pricey
If you need to keep more than one bottle chilled, we’ve got you covered. This wine chiller from Old Dutch is the ultimate tool for stylish and practical entertaining. There are compartments to hold four bottles of wine and space in the middle for ice cubes, separated from the bottles to keep things dry. This also prevents the ice from melting onto the bottles and warping or dissolving the labels.
Everything you need is right here in one chiller. It's ideal for larger gatherings where table space is at a premium and you may be drinking more than one bottle at a time. Furthermore, the copper plating over steel construction is durable and lends the chiller an antique elegance. Make sure to wipe off moisture after each use to prevent rusting.
Price at time of publish: $120
Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.5 x 10 inches | Weight: 7.19 pounds | Material: Iron, antique copper-plated
If you need a bucket that chills the wine for you quickly and without an icy mess, the Vacu Vin Rapid Ice Elegant Wine Cooler is a great option. Just remember to keep the cooling element inside the freezer so it’s always ready for you.
What to Look for in a Wine Chiller Bucket
Use
When choosing a wine chiller bucket, consider exactly what will you be using the bucket for. Do you want a bucket that chills the wine for you or one that prolongs the temperature of an already chilled bottle? Some buckets have removable cooling elements that must be placed in the freezer before use, so they require some forethought. You have to plan accordingly in those cases. Or, if you're seeking something simple and straightforward, consider the traditional bucket you fill with ice and place your bottles in.
Material
Stainless steel is generally the popular option for wine chillers. These have long-lasting cooling properties that can maintain temperatures even on the hottest of days. Double-walled insulation is also a useful feature for conserving the coldness of your bottles. We like the use of marble as well for its natural cooling abilities. Plus, it adds a chic aesthetic to the bucket.
FAQs
How do you use a wine chiller bucket?
The best way to use a wine chiller bucket is to fill it halfway with ice, add water to cover the ice, then insert your wine bottle. If you have an iceless bucket, you must chill your wine first, then place it in the bucket to keep it cool for the next few hours.
How long should you chill wine in an ice bucket?
White wines should chill for about 15 to 20 minutes. For red wines, you only need about 10 minutes.
Should all wine be chilled?
Most wines should be chilled. The room temperature preference for red wines is out of date, stemming from the bottles being kept in a cellar. White wines should always be chilled to bring out the aromas and flavors.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Tanisha Townsend is a freelance writer for The Spruce Eats and the founder and Chief Wine Officer of Girl Meets Glass, a wine lifestyle and education agency. She lives in Paris, France, where she conducts wine and food pairing experiences, hosts a podcast, and always serves her guests' wine at the correct temperature from stylish wine chiller buckets.
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