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Even if it’s not a 2010 bottle of Chateau Montrose, you can make your vino taste impeccable with one of the best wine aerators. And you don’t need to be a professional wine sommelier to appreciate the benefits of one, either.
The process is simple: As you pour the wine into the aerator, it blends with air to help the wine “breathe,” which increases the flavors of a wine and releases its aromas. Like a good wine fridge, this gadget is essential for any wine enthusiast.
“If you drink wine, you should own a wine aerator,” Meggan says. “Aeration ensures you can experience and enjoy a glass of wine to its fullest. It’s also small and easy to store, so there isn’t a reason not to have one.”
I worked with Meggan to curate a list of the best wine aerators to up your wine game, including her favorite one. Our top picks will help you better pair a chardonnay with Garlic Butter Roast Chicken, a light-bodied pinot noir with Surf and Turf, or a mellow Chianti Classico Riserva with Rigatoni with Sausage like a pro.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Rabbit Wine Aerator Shower Funnel with Sediment Strainer – $26.99 at Amazon
- Best Aerator for Red Wine: Vinturi Red Wine Aerator – $34.14 at Amazon
- Best Wine Aerator Pourer: Vintorio Wine Aerator Pourer – $12.99 at Amazon
- Best Electric: Aervana Electric Wine Aerator and Pourer and Dispenser – $99.95 at Amazon
- Best Budget: Viski Summit Aerating Pour Spout – $11.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Wine Aerators
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Rabbit Wine Aerator Shower Funnel with Sediment Strainer
This two-in-one gadget comes with a funnel and a strainer to simultaneously aerate and remove sediment or bits of cork, which is why Meggan loves it. The stainless steel materials make this wine aerator both durable and rust-resistant. Plus, it separates for easy cleaning in the dishwasher and then the pieces come together for easy storing.
Meggan says wine tastes notably better after using the Rabbit Wine Aerator. “It is inexpensive yet effective,” she says. “Some aerators can cost a few hundred dollars, so this one seems like a steal.”
Designed as a funnel, it does need to be placed over an additional decanter, which also adds to the wine experience, or you can carefully hold it over a glass.
The Specs:
- Design: Hand-held
- Material: Stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
The Pros:
- Durable and long lasting
- Removable sediment strainer
- Funnel and strainer come apart for easy cleaning
- Easy to store
The Cons:
- Requires a decanter
What Others Are Saying:
The Rabbit Wine Aerator has more than 4,700 reviews and a 4.7 rating on Amazon.
Buy the Rabbit Wine Aerator Shower Funnel with Sediment Strainer:
2. Best Aerator for Red Wine: Vinturi Red Wine Aerator
The Vinturi Red Wine Aerator was specifically designed to enhance red wine by the glass or entire bottle quickly and efficiently. Simply hold it over a glass or decanter and carefully pour wine into the food-grade resin body, which will then empty below. It’s known for its patented funnel-style aerator that makes a unique whirring sound as the wine flows through its chamber before finishing with a click to let you know you’re done.
Nearly all red wine can benefit from aeration. This aerator is also great to use with a flavorful Mulled Wine to produce a delicious blend of wine, fruit, and fragrant spices to warm you from the inside out.
The Specs:
- Design: Hand-held
- Material: Resin
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
The Pros:
- Quick aeration
- No-drip stand
- Includes a filter screen
- Good for red wine
The Cons:
- Filter is easy to lose
- Small opening
What Others are Saying:
The Vinturi Red Wine Aerator was named the best overall wine aerator after being tested by Liquor.com, The Strategist, and Saveur. It also has more than 5,400 reviews and a 4.7 rating on Amazon.
Buy the Vinturi Red Wine Aerator:
3. Best Wine Aerator Pourer: Vintorio Wine Aerator Pourer
For an effortless pouring experience, an air tube with three air holes in the Vintorio Wine Aerator Pourer guides wine smoothly through its pourer before traveling down to a notched spout tip, where wine flows elegantly into your glass. It features a tapered and ribbed rubber gasket at the bottom that creates an airtight seal so you can pour without spilling or dribbling. The swan-style neck also sits at a 150-degree ergonomic slant to make the first pour from a heavy bottle easier on your wrist.
Although it’s not dishwasher-safe, the parts can be pulled apart to run under water for a quick rinse.
The Specs:
- Design: Attachable
- Material: Acrylic
- Dishwasher safe: No
The Pros:
- Simple to use
- Ergonomic design
- Spout prevents dribbling
- Affordable
The Cons:
- Does not fit all wine bottles
- Plastic can feel cheap
What Others are Saying:
It was named best budget-friendly aerator by The Strategist and “Best Pourer” after being tested by The Spruce. It also has more than 16,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating on Amazon.
Buy the Vintorio Wine Aerator Pourer:
4. Best Electric: Aervana Electric Wine Aerator and Pourer and Dispenser
Looking for something more extravagant when serving wine? With the push of a button, the Aervana Electric Wine Aerator and Pourer and Dispenser uses pressure to aerate and dispense your wine through a wine tap in seconds. The result is a smooth wine that’s free of bitterness. It’s pretty entertaining to watch, too, and a great thing to pull out when entertaining guests.
Powered by six AAA batteries, it’s hand-wash only, but it’s easy to rinse out by filling an empty wine bottle with water and dispensing it like you would with wine.
The Specs:
- Design: Attachment with top
- Material: Stainless steel and plastic
- Dishwasher safe: No
The Pros:
- Faster than a funnel
- Durable
- Battery-powered
The Cons:
- Hand-wash only
- Expensive
What Others are Saying:
Both The Strategist and Liquor.com named the Aervana Electric Wine Aerator and Pourer and Dispenser the best electric wine aerator after testing it. It also has more than 1,200 reviews and a 4.5-star Amazon rating.
Buy the Aervana Electric Wine Aerator and Pourer and Dispenser:
5. Best Budget: Viski Summit Aerating Pour Spout
Fans love the Viski Summit Aerating Pour Spout for its simple yet elegant design that comes in black, silver, or copper colors. The chamber pulls acidity out of wine through an air-blending helix system that maximizes the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the wine. It then smoothly pours wine from the spout into your glass.
At under $20, it’s a budget buy that won’t filter sediment out of your wine, so it’s perfect for younger red wines. If you like whipping up cocktails, this spout can also be used to pour spirits without dribbling, and it’s easy to store at just four inches long.
The Specs:
- Design: Attachable spout
- Material: Stainless steel, acrylic, rubber
- Dishwasher safe: No
The Pros:
- Drip-free pour
- Inexpensive
- Sophisticated design
The Cons:
- Hand-wash only
What Others are Saying:
The Viski Summit Aerating Pour Spout, after being tested, was named the best pourer by Saveur and the best budget wine aerator by Liquor.com.
Buy the Viski Summit Aerating Pour Spout:
Other Wine Aerators to Consider
YouYah Wine Decanter Set
This decanter set can do it all: It filters, pours, and decants to ensure the best taste and aromas possible—all in less than five minutes. The double-layered filter will help clear out impurities before spreading the wine 360 degrees along the entire edge of the 100% lead-free crystal decanter. Its design is simple and elegant, but it may not be necessary for the average wine drinker. The YouYah Wine Decanter Set is available at Amazon for $39.99.
Soireehome In-Bottle Wine Aerator
Simplicity is bliss with the design of this aerator that pops into the opening of your wine bottle and is ready to go. The dimples in the globe agitate the wine to open it up before traveling down to the drip-free spout. It’s so light it can be used with one hand, but the orb design can be tricky to clean. The Soireehome In-Bottle Wine Aerator is available at Amazon for $25.99.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels 3-in-1 Wine Aerator-Pourer-Stopper
As you pour wine, this aerator’s patented spiral design incorporates oxygen and ensures a smooth ride through to the pourer and into your glass without splashing or dripping. If you don’t finish the bottle, you can place the rubber cork into the aerator and store it in the fridge. However, it’s quite expensive compared to aerators of a similar design. The Zwilling J.A. Henckels 3-in-1 Wine Aerator-Pourer-Stopper is available at Amazon for $28.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Belle, an award-winning content creator, and adjunct professor who works in restaurant PR in the Midwest. Over the course of 20 years, I’ve held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants, including ownership of a Korean-concept hot dog cart (that was named after my dog’s teeth). My writing and on-camera work can be seen on the Better Homes & Gardens website.
I worked with Meggan, the Executive Chef of Culinary Hill, who uses her favorite wine aerator to enhance her wine experience at home that she pairs with some of her most popular recipes on the site. Together we referred to Meggan’s favorites and then scoured trusted online reviews and guides from cooking experts to narrow down the best wine aerators. We then compared the models based on design, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value to determine which ones made the cut.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Wine Aerator
What to Consider Before Buying a Wine Aerator
The main things to consider when choosing the best wine aerator for you comes down to style and design, functionality, and ease of care.
Style and Design: First, decide if you want a small design that fits into the neck of a bottle or if you prefer something more advanced that will either sit on top of your glass or act more as a decanter. The in-bottle option may be less intricate but is much smaller to store.
Functionality: If you want a simple process that gets the wine from the bottle to your glass with no fuss, a basic wine aerator with a good pourer is your best bet. However, if you want to filter sediment or need to consider preservation of your, a multipurpose wine aerator that also has a stopper and straining functions may be worth the investment.
Ease of Care: Most aerators are easy to clean with soapy water, but those that are dishwasher-safe can expedite this cleaning process. This can become a make-or-break decision, depending on your preferences.
What Does a Wine Aerator Do?
A wine aerator infuses wine with oxygen to help the wine “breathe,” which increases the flavors of a wine and releases its natural aromas. It’s not completely necessary, but these relatively inexpensive gadgets can really improve the taste and wow your dinner guests.
How Do You Aerate Wine?
To aerate wine, attach the wine aerator to the bottle and pour (or push the button, if you purchase an electric wine aerator). Gravity will take over, and the design of the aerator will mix air into the wine without any fuss on your end.
Can You Aerate White Wine?
You can aerate white wine, but not all white wines need aeration. A full-bodied white wine with a lot of complexity and body, like an oaked Chardonnay, Viognier, or Muscat, will benefit from aeration. However, most white wines are too young to require opening up their aroma. In fact, sometimes decanting a white wine can reduce its flavor. However, most red wines will benefit from aeration.
What’s Better, a Wine Aerator or a Decanter?
If you need to ensure the taste of a bold red wine that may have sediment, a decanter is your best option because it will both aerate and decant at once. Although it will require some time to pour your win into the decanter, and then into a glass. For most casual wine drinkers who prefer light-bodied reds and whites (or are eager to drink their wine without waiting), an aerator provides immediate satisfaction.
The Best Recipes to Serve With Wine
Any of the best wine aerators above will bring out the very best of your wine. After you’ve chosen your bottle, give your new wine aerator a try and pair your glass of vino with one of these favorite recipes from Culinary Hill:
- Garlic Butter Roast Chicken
- Surf and Turf
- Rigatoni with Sausage
- Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter
- Grilled New York Strip Steak
- Classic Risotto
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Belle DuChene is an award-winning digital content producer who has a passion for all things lifestyle including food, fashion, and French culture. (And French wine, of course!) Over the course of 20 years, she's held almost every position imaginable in various restaurants and has eaten her way through the side streets of more than 20 countries. Always a student, her kitchen looks like a library of culinary school textbooks and she will sit for the level one sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers this summer. Belle owns an award-winning content creation agency, teaches communications at three colleges and universities, and tutors in French. In addition to Culinary Hill, her writing and on-camera demonstrations have been published on BHG.com.