Measure before you buy a wine or beverage fridge

Measure the opening

Use a tape measure and write down each number, not just the smallest.

1. Width at the front, middle and back of the opening.
2. Height from the finished floor to the underside of the counter, at both sides and at the back. Floors and counters are rarely perfectly level.
3. Depth from the back wall to the front edge of the cabinets. Baseboards, pipes and outlets can steal depth, so measure past them.
4. Outlet position. Note where it sits, and whether the plug would stop the fridge from sliding back.

Keep the smallest figure in each direction. That’s your real opening.

Add the parts the listed size can leave out

Check whether the depth includes the handle and whether the height includes hinges. It varies by model.

• NewAir lists the AWR-290DB at 22.60 inches deep, or 24.25 inches with the handle.
• NewAir’s AB-1200 page lists 32.40 inches high, or 33.00 inches with the hinge.
• The NWC028SS01 page gives one depth and doesn’t say whether a handle is included.

Then add the clearances

Clearance rules vary a lot, even within one brand. Here’s what four NewAir manuals say, and what that means once you add them to the listed size.

The listed sizes come from the same manuals or NewAir’s product pages. The NWB076BS00 manual gives a 2-inch back clearance in one place and a 1-inch figure in another, so we used the larger one. The NWC016SS00 and AB-1200 totals are only useful if you are placing them in open space, as both manuals say not to build them into cabinetry.

Some manuals give no number at all. We found no numeric clearance in the AWR-290DB manual, only instructions to keep the kick-plate clear and never install it behind closed doors. That’s a question for the manufacturer before you buy.

Check the door swing and shelf access

Stand where the door will open and look at what’s next to it: a wall, an island, a dishwasher door or a walkway.

• Hinge side. Doors aren’t always reversible. The AWR-520SB and AB-1200 manuals include door-reversal steps. Wine Enthusiast lists its 28-bottle model as non-reversible.
• Space to open. The manuals we read generally don’t state how far the door needs to swing, so look for a dimension drawing or ask.
• Shelf extension. If shelves slide out, the door may need to open wide enough to clear them, and you need room to stand there. Wine Enthusiast lists 53% shelf extension and 3.5 inches between shelves on that same model, which also limits taller bottles and how you stack them.

If the fridge will sit in a corner or beside a wall, test the swing with a piece of cardboard cut to the door’s width.

Check ventilation and the room

The grille and airflow rules are the ones people miss when a fridge looks like it fits.

• Base grille. The NWC028SS01 manual says not to install the unit behind a cabinet door or block the base grille. The AWR-520SB manual says the front grille must stay unobstructed.
• Room temperature. The NWC028SS01 manual recommends 64–100°F and warns the set range may not be reached outside it. The NWB076BS00 manual says not to install where the temperature falls below 60°F, and not in a garage or basement. Our built-in versus freestanding guide covers the placement rules.
• Room size. The NWC028SS01 manual asks for at least 325 cubic feet of room per ounce of coolant. At its listed 1.84 oz of R600a, that works out to about 598 cubic feet, or roughly 75 square feet with an 8-foot ceiling (our math). Check this if you’re considering a small closet or pantry.
• Heat and sun. These manuals say to avoid direct sunlight and nearby heat sources, including ovens.

Check the outlet

Read the electrical section before you buy, and don’t assume a nearby outlet will do.

The AWR-290DB manual says never to use an extension cord. The NWC028SS01 manual strongly recommends against one, asks for the fridge’s own grounded outlet, and recommends a separate circuit that isn’t controlled by a switch. If you need a new outlet or circuit, or you aren’t sure the existing one is grounded, have a licensed electrician check it. Don’t alter the plug or cord.

Plan the delivery route

Measure every doorway, stair turn and hallway between the curb and the spot, and allow for packaging.

• Weight. NewAir’s documents list 62.17 lb for the NWC028SS01 and 79 lb for the AWR-290DB, with a 94 lb shipping weight. The NWC028SS01 manual calls for two or more people to move and install it.
• Keep it upright. Manuals say to keep these fridges upright in transit and to let them stand before plugging in.
• Waiting time. That wait varies: about 2 hours in the NWC028SS01 manual and about 24 hours in the AWR-290DB manual.

A checklist to take with you

Once you know what fits, our guide to choosing a wine or beverage fridge helps you decide what to put in it.

Sources

Drafted with AI, based on the documents listed under Sources, not hands-on testing. Figures were checked against those sources. A person hasn't yet reviewed this article. How we work.

• AWR-290DB owner’s manual v1.0, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• AWR-520SB product manual v1.5, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• AB-1200 product manual v1.3, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• 126-Can Compact Beverage Fridge (AB-1200) product page, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• NWB076BS00 24-inch French door wine and beverage fridge manual v1.0, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• NWC016SS00 product manual v1.2, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• NWC028SS01 owner’s manual v1.0, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• 28-Bottle Dual-Zone Freestanding Wine Refrigerator (NWC028SS01) product page, NewAir. Accessed November 2, 2026.
• Wine Enthusiast 28-Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler (268 78 28 01) product page, Wine Enthusiast. Accessed November 2, 2026.

ChillShelf editorial is the byline for ChillShelf's research-based guides. ChillShelf is owned and published by Charles McQuain.