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Best Wine Aerators

Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Aervana Electronic
Aervana
Electronic
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Premium Pick
Bottom Line

Although pricey, the results are extraordinary. Owners rave about the taste.

Pros

Electronic. Fast aeration for a smooth taste.

Cons

Tube is not long enough for larger bottles.

Best Bang for the Buck
Haley's Corker 5-in-1 Wine Aerator, Stopper, Pourer, Filter and Re-Corker
Haley's Corker
5-in-1 Wine Aerator, Stopper, Pourer, Filter and Re-Corker
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

These inexpensive little devices go far beyond enhancing the flavor of your favorite wine by straining cork bits, preventing splashing as you pour, and recorking the bottle when you’re done.

Pros

Especially affordable. Multi-purpose wine aerator. Doubles as a cork. Filters and aerates wine at the same time. Spill-proof stopper. Screw top version available.

Cons

The only color available is black.

Rabbit Aerator/Pourer
Rabbit
Aerator/Pourer
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Recommended by wine pros, this simple solution from a well-known brand is an effective choice for budget-minded fans.

Pros

Durable, easy-to-clean silicone and stainless steel. Large bowl promotes greater aeration.

Cons

Can be a loose fit in some bottles, causing drips. In rare cases, aerator falls out.

Vintorio Acrylic
Vintorio
Acrylic
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Unique Design
Bottom Line

It's designed well and does what it's supposed to do, but users should be aware of a leaking problem.

Pros

Rubber gasket fits snugly. Design reduces drips.

Cons

Some problems with leakage and poor fit after disassembly. Aerator has been known to crack.

AeraWine AeraWine Infusion
AeraWine
AeraWine Infusion
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

If you need a simple wine aerator that will reliably and smoothly pour you a tastier glass for less, this model is certainly worth your consideration.

Pros

Easily control the aeration of your wine as you pour. Affordable. Compact design. Especially smooth pour. A breeze to clean. Fits the average bottle. Sturdy construction.

Cons

No extra-special features with this model.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

65
Models
Considered
120
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best wine aerators

Gone are the days when enjoying the full experience of wine requires the assistance of a sommelier or connoisseur of the fermented grape. Thanks to technology, anyone who enjoys a glass of red can optimize their vino with a wine aerator.

Aeration is the process by which wine is exposed to air, facilitating oxidation and evaporation. By exposing it to air, some of the undesirable compounds — the byproducts of fermentation  evaporate. This opens up the wine’s more subtle and enjoyable aromas and flavors.

Opening wine up to breathe makes the grapes selected by the vintner come through, leaving the desired flavor in your mouth.

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While aeration can be applied to any wine, it generally benefits highly tannic red wines with a lot of concentrated fruits. Older European-style wine vintages, which have become “tight” and have some residues, also benefit from aeration.

Selecting a wine aerator

There are countless options on the market for aerating wine. Some cost just a few dollars. Other, more elaborate options simulate the function of a decanter and exceed $100. But the cost of an aerator will not put off a wine connoisseur who spends $100 for a bottle of aged red wine, as the aeration maximizes the desired flavors.

With a dizzying array to select from, there are some key features to look for in your own wine aerator. We examine these below.

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EXPERT CONSULTANT
Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian, nutrition communications consultant, and writer with a passion for helping others experience a happier, calmer life through drama-free, healthy eating. Through her writing, consulting, public speaking and counseling, she works with individuals, food companies, healthcare companies, and the media to help make delicious, nourishing food approachable and enjoyable.
Jessica
Registered Dietitian

Aeration method

The function of mixing air with wine can be accomplished in a number of ways. And with aerators, you get what you pay for.

  • Cheap wine aerators have a hole which allows the air to come into contact with the wine, but there is little, if any, mixing.
  • As you go up in price, the better models have what is known as a “multi-stage design” which actually blends the wine with air. In some aerators, you can actually hear a gurgling sound as this occurs. In addition to a thorough mixing, better aerators also remove more sediment than their less-expensive brethren.
"Red and white wine both contain antioxidants that have health benefits known to improve longevity and decrease the likelihood of stroke and some cancers."
STAFF
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Ease of use

When aerating an expensive bottle of wine, the last thing you want is to spill your precious grape all over the counter. You want a wine aerator that’s easy to use and minimizes waste.

  • Better wine aerators fit inside the neck of the bottle to ensure clean pouring.
  • Selecting an aerator with a holder or cap ensures that not a single drop is wasted.

By the same token, don’t be fooled by those cheapies that look more like stoppers or spouts you would put in an olive oil bottle; they are poor at aeration.

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Expert Tip
Another consideration for your purchase: do you want a wine aerator that’s suited to perform its function glass-by-glass, or do you want a model that can work its magic on a full bottle while it decants?
STAFF
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Decanting

Decanting is the process by which wine is poured into a vessel to allow it to breathe and open its complex flavor while creating a separation of wine from sediment.

Wine can be decanted with or without aeration, but it is common to aerate wine after it is decanted if the initial taste is unsatisfactory.

Heavy wine often requires aeration as it is decanted, and then it must sit open for a few hours to maximize the perfect balance.

A number of aerators are sold with decanters.

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Did you know?
Although aeration applies mostly to red wines, complex white wines such as oak-aged chardonnay can also benefit from the process.
STAFF
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Accessories

To create differentiation among the choices, aerator manufacturers have gone to great lengths to add interesting features. Some of the best choices have built-in diffusers and handsome carrying cases that would add to the décor of any kitchen or home bar.

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Expert Tip
While aerating wine can improve the taste and body of some wines, it won't change a cheap bottle too much. And drinking inexpensive wine can also give you headaches.
STAFF
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Price

You could pay less than $10 or more than $100 for a wine aerator. Take a look at what to expect in each price bracket.

Under $10

It’s surprising what you can get for this low price. In the middle of this range, around the $5.99 mark, you can pick up an aerator that does a decent job of gently mixing air into wine. In this segment, most options only do glass-by-glass aeration.

Under $25

This segment is far and away the most crowded with products. All offer a decent amount of aeration with designs that range from elegant to novelty. You'll find wonderful products with sophisticated looks, rubber stoppers, and genuine stainless steel in their makeup.

Under $50

The best of breed in this price band often have larger pouring spouts that allow the wine to travel more quickly through the spout during the aeration process. This rapid flow is called the Bernoulli Effect, and it allows sediment to dissipate more quickly and release trapped gases in the wine.

As the price goes up from here, you can purchase automated openers and aerator sets that bring the wine opening process into an entertainment category for the most sophisticated wine drinkers.

Aeration is a delicate process when dealing with older wines to bring out the taste while eliminating the tannins and bitterness.

FAQ

Q. How do I take care of my wine aerator?
A.
 Generally, holding it under warm water for 30 seconds after use will clean the unit. In some cases, sediment will remain. Use a wire aerator brush to finish off the job.

Q. What material are wine aerators made of?
A.
 The most common materials are acrylic, stainless steel, plastic, and rubber. Stainless steel often lasts longer and is easier to clean up than some other materials, but it also tends to cost more.

Q. Are there alternative ways to aerate wine?
A.
 Former Microsoft exec and food science buff Nathan Myhrvold says a foolproof way to aerate wine (and delight guests) is to pour your wine in a bowl, then get out your best immersion blender and whip it at high speed for 30 seconds. If no immersion blender is on hand, a powerful hand blender will do.

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