Comparison Electrolux KBW 5 X vs Liebherr WKEgb 582

The total volume of the wine cooler working chamber (chambers).

Although the main spec of such units is the number of bottles (see above), volume data can also be useful when evaluating and comparing different models. The fact is that with the same capacity, a larger volume means better air circulation and more efficient temperature distribution. On the other hand, an increase in volume also increases the price and dimensions — and there may simply not be free space for a wide or high wine cooler.

— Interior lighting. Lighting installed in the working chamber. It allows you to see the contents of the cooler better. Lighting is useful since the working chamber is often in the shade, even in bright ambient light.



— Chamber heating. The ability of the cooler to work in heating mode. In temperature models, heating is used to prepare red wines for serving: we recall that such wines are stored at standard 11..12 °C, but the optimal serving temperature can be up to 18 °C, depending on the wine type. In climatic coolers, this function is designed mainly for cases where the ambient temperature drops below the optimum temperature of the working chamber. For example, in case of problems with room heating. In addition, increasing the temperature during storage speeds up the process of wine maturation, which can also be useful.

— Fast cooling. A special intensive cooling mode designed for situations where a large number of non-chilled bottles must be additionally placed in an already loaded wine cooler. If you do this in normal cooling mode, the temperature inside will rise noticeably, and it may adversely affect the wines already stored in the cabinet. During the fast cooling, excess heat is intensively removed from the working chamber. It helps to avoid microclimate disturbances. It is worth noting that this mode usually needs to be turned...on in advance, a few hours before loading a new batch of wine bottles, and turned off after a certain time to avoid overloads. These details must be given in the manufacturer's documentation.

— Chamber ventilation. The presence of a ventilation system in the working chamber of the cooler. Such a system prevents the accumulation of unpleasant odours that can adversely affect the taste of wine, penetrating through corks. Note that in models without a fan, air circulation also occurs, but it is much less intense.

— Humidity control. It is the ability to adjust the air humidity inside the wine chamber. Some wines are very demanding on storage conditions and require not only a certain temperature but also a certain humidity. The humidity control function allows you to set its optimal value. In addition, the humidity should not be lower than 70%. Otherwise, the cork dries out, and an excessive amount of air gets into the bottle, which accelerates the oxidation of the wine and worsens its taste.

— Charcoal filter. A special filter that removes foreign odours from the air in the wine cooler. Wine bottles are not completely sealed — some air constantly enters through the cork, which has a porous structure, and strong odours can thus enter the bottle and adversely affect the taste and aroma of the wine. The charcoal filter helps to avoid this. Note that it must be replaced from time to time.

— Anti-vibration system. System for smoothing various vibrations and shocks affecting the wine cooler. Such influences are extremely undesirable for storage — they disrupt the course of biochemical processes and can even spoil the product. The presence of an anti-vibration system is relevant mainly for coolers with compressors (see "Cooling type"). It is the compressor circuits that are most susceptible to vibrations. If such a unit does not have such a function, it is a low-cost model not designed for long-term and thorough storage of expensive wines. Or it is a device with a high-quality compressor, which initially has a low vibration level and can be used without special protection against them. As for thermoelectric cabinets, the fans used in them are also potential sources of vibration but not as intense as compressors. Therefore, in such units, an anti-vibration system rarely occurs.

— Reversible door. It is an ability at your discretion to choose the direction in which the door of the wine cabinet will open. This function allows you to adjust the design to the location; it can be useful in cramped conditions, where the door can normally open only in one direction.

— Door alarm. It is a system that monitors the closing of the wine cooler door. If the door is not closed for a long time or is not closed tightly enough, an audible or light (depending on the model) signal is given. It avoids a critical change in temperature and humidity in the wine chamber and preserves the quality of the wine.

— Failure indicator. It is a system that monitors the state of the wine cooler units and gives a signal in case of failure. It allows you to avoid unpleasant consequences, ranging from a critical change in storage conditions and damage to wine ending to serious breakdowns and even accidents.

— Child lock. A special lock designed mainly to prevent a curious little child from getting to the contents of the wine cooler. The child lock is turned on and off in a special way that does not create problems for an adult but is not available for a child. And in some models, such a lock is closed with a traditional key. It can also be used for general protection against unauthorized access to the contents of the wine cooler.

The energy efficiency class characterizes how economically the wine cabinet consumes electricity. The highest class among modern units is A ++, then A +, A, B, C and further alphabetically.

Note that in this case, it is not energy consumption that is taken into account but consumption in comparison with units having similar specs (and the same type of cooling, see above). Therefore, a professional 80-bottle A++ wine cooler will consume more energy than a 15-bottle C-class unit. We also note that more economical devices have a higher price. However, they have a lower cost of maintenance during their life span.

It is the amount of energy consumed by the wine cooler in a year during normal operation. Of course, the actual consumption will inevitably differ from this indicator in one direction or another, but these differences are usually not fundamental. So this indicator makes it possible to evaluate the efficiency of different models and compare them with each other. Recall that more energy-efficient units cost more on their own, but in the end, they can turn out to be more profitable due to energy savings.

The climate class to which the wine cabinet corresponds.

As the name implies, this parameter describes the environmental conditions for which the unit was designed. The warmer it is around, the more powerful the wine cabinet should be and the better thermal insulation it should have. Specific classes are indicated by letters. Here are the most popular options:

— SN (subnormal). Models for a cool temperate climate have an operating range from +10 °C to + 32 °C. Such a unit can be useful in a poorly heated room where the temperature can drop below +16 °C — for example, on the veranda of a private house, in a garage, etc.

— N (normal). Wine cabinets for temperate climates, with an operating temperature range of +16...+32 °C. Such a unit is suitable for most residential apartments and houses in mid-latitudes.

— ST (subtropical). Models for subtropical and humid tropical climates. Normally they work at the range of external temperatures +18...+38 °C.

— T (tropical). Wine coolers for dry tropical climates. Designed for temperature range +18 °C to +43 °C.

Also, note that there are many models on the market with an extended temperature range covering several classes. For example, a unit labelled N-ST will have a temperature range of +16...+38 °C. Such models are indispensable in complex climates, the conditions of which are not covered by one standard class — for example, in cold winters and hot summers.

It is the approximate noise level generated by the device during normal operation.

The lower the noise level, the more comfortable the use of the unit and the fewer restrictions there are for its installation. The decibel used to refer to this parameter is a non-linear unit, so the actual loudness of performance is best judged by comparative performance. So, the quietest models give out up to 30 dB, and a similar unit can be installed even in the bedroom: 30 dB is the volume of a whisper, and the upper noise threshold is allowed by sanitary standards for living quarters at night. 40 dB, conversation at moderate volume is already a daytime limit. Such noise is allowed, for example, in a home kitchen or living room. 50 – 60 dB corresponds to a conversation in raised tones; these values are typical for large models used in restaurants and liquor stores. And the loudest modern units give out about 70 dB — this is comparable to a busy city street, and such a wine cooler is best to be installed in a separate room like a pantry.