The Best Wine Stoppers to Keep Your Bottles Fresh
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The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump kept our wine fresh for a whole week
While it’s easy to enjoy a glass or two of wine, sometimes we don’t want to finish the entire bottle. So, having a good wine stopper on hand will help assure the rest doesn’t go to waste, preserving it for a few more days.
But not all wine stoppers are created equal. Some wine drinkers may be looking for a gadget that does a little more, such as vacuuming out the air from the bottle or aerating a bold red. Sparkling wines can require a different type of stopper. We sorted through dozens of options on the market to find the best wine stoppers, taking into consideration function, material, durability, and quality of the seal. For lovers of all types of wine, we chose The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump as our overall best pick.
To help you preserve the leftover wine from your next dinner or cheese and charcuterie night, here are the best wine stoppers to consider.
Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump with 2 Vacuum Bottle Stoppers
Best Overall
The Vacu Vin forms a very tight seal, so this is a smart choice for anyone who stores their bottle in a wine fridge or rack.
What We Love: Great for all types of wine, very tight seal, easy to store
What We Don’t Love: Vacuum pump isn't intuitively designed
Whether you're a wine connoisseur or an aspiring one, you’ll love The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver. This handy gadget preserves the flavor and tastes of red, white, and rosé wines down to the last glass for up to 10 days. Just insert the plastic and silicone stopper into the bottle, then move the pump up and down to create a vacuum. The Vacu Vin makes a very specific clicking sound when the air is removed, assuring you're good to go. When you’re ready to pour yourself a glass, just lift out the stopper and pour.
Although the vacuum pump isn't intuitively designed, the Vacu Vin forms a very tight seal, so this is a smart choice for anyone who stores their bottle in a wine fridge or rack. Each package comes with an easy-to-store 5-inch long plastic vacuum pump and two durable, dishwasher-safe silicone stoppers, which should be enough for the average wine-drinking household. The pump is available in black, white, blue, pink, or red.
Price at time of publish: $17
Wine Type: Still | Material: Plastic and silicone | Size: 2.75 x 1.4 x 5 inches
Rabbit Bottle Stoppers, Set of 4
Best Budget
These inexpensive stoppers create a seal that's so airtight you can even hold the bottle upside down without worry.
What We Love: Durable silicone material, multipack, unbeatable price
What We Don’t Love: Not decorative
Rabbit Bottle Stoppers prove that inexpensive doesn't have to mean inefficient. The quality of this set did not disappoint. With four in a pack for the price of a latte, there simply isn’t a better option available, even if they aren't the most decorative option. Just insert the 4-inch stopper into any bottle of wine, still or sparkling. Whether you store your wine upright or on its side, these stoppers create a seal that's so airtight you can even hold the bottle upside down without worry.
As an added bonus, you can also use these silicone and stainless steel stoppers to seal bottles of oil or vinegar. They are easy to clean in the dishwasher, or just rinse them off in the sink.
Price at time of publish: $8
Wine Type: Still and sparkling | Material: Silicone and stainless steel | Size: 3.5 x 4 x 1 inches
Michael Aram Butterfly Ginkgo Wine Stopper
Best Splurge
Made from stainless steel and bronze, it’s designed with gorgeous branches and a charming gold butterfly design.
What We Love: Handmade, stunning design, comes in a gift box
What We Don’t Love: Not dishwasher safe
Michael Aram is a brand known for beautiful, albeit pricey, home decor items, including picture frames, coasters, and candle holders. The Butterfly Ginkgo Wine Stopper is no exception. Hand-crafted from stainless steel and bronze, it’s designed with gorgeous branches and a charming gold butterfly design. This accessory complements any bottle of still wine, whether it's part of a tablescape or sitting on a bar cart.
Keep in mind that while this stopper has rubber rings to help seal the bottle, which keeps the wine fresher, the seal isn’t airtight. Furthermore, the ornament is a bit heavy and large, so it isn’t practical for side storage; and it's not dishwasher-safe. Still, it comes in a gift box, so it's great for gifting.
Price at time of publish: $65
Wine Type: Still | Material: Stainless steel and bronze | Size: 5 x 7 inches
Related: The Best Wine Fridges
Le Creuset Champagne Stopper
Best for Sparkling Wine
The bubbles were well-preserved, and the beverage was nowhere near flat.
What We Love: Locks in carbonation, trusted brand, 10-year limited warranty
What We Don’t Love: A bit pricey
It’s great to indulge in a glass or two of bubbly, but what do you do with the rest of the bottle if you don’t want to waste it? That’s where the Le Creuset Champagne Stopper comes in. Designed by a trusted brand and backed by a 10-year limited warranty, the crown sealer employs a switch-style valve to lock in carbonation and preserve your champagne, cava, or any sparkling wine for up to a few days, ready for when you want to add a splash to your orange juice.
Just fit the stopper over the top of the bottle and push down on the lever. With a gunmetal hue, this 4.5-inch-long metal stopper has a cool, modern aesthetic. In addition to champagne, this stopper can also be used on still wine, making it a truly versatile choice and worth the higher price. When we opened the stopped bottle after three days in the fridge, we heard the “woosh” of the bubbles being released. We were surprised at how fresh the wine tasted. The bubbles were well-preserved, and the beverage was nowhere near flat.
Price at time of publish: $50
Wine Type: Sparkling | Material: Metal | Size: 2 x 4 x 4.5 inches
Related: The Best Stemless Wine Glasses for Easy Drinking
Rabbit Pro Aerator and Stopper
Best for Aerating
The stainless steel accents provide an attractive touch compared to standard plastic aerators.
What We Love: Improves the taste of red wine, drip-free pouring, trusted brand
What We Don’t Love: Not good for long-term storage
Those who insist on a perfectly aerated glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec will find the Rabbit Pro Aerator & Stopper essential. Just insert the 4.25-inch aerator into any bottle and start pouring. The wine flows easily without stops or drips, and it even improves the taste of red wine. This is also a convenient way to serve wine at an intimate gathering or a large dinner party. The stainless steel accents provide an attractive touch compared to standard plastic aerators.
Just note that while this device also functions as a regular wine stopper, the bottle must be stored upright, or it will leak. So, it’s best to leave the bottle on the top shelf of your fridge for maximum freshness. Note that due to this, it's also not the best long-term storage option.
Price at time of publish: $30
Wine Type: Still | Material: Plastic and stainless steel | Size: 4.25 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches
Related: The Best Wine Aerators to Keep Your Vino Fresh and Flowing
Kate Spade New York Jules Point Pink Crystal Bottle Stopper
Best for Gifting
If you’re looking for a fantastic wine stopper to give as a gift for any celebration, this pick is worth considering.
What We Love: Fabulous design, comes in a gift box, ideal bar cart accessory
What We Don’t Love: Doesn’t form an airtight seal
If you’re looking for a fantastic wine stopper to give as a gift for a housewarming or other celebration, the Kate Spade New York Jules Point Pink Crystal Bottle Stopper is worth considering. In terms of design, this product stands out from the rest. The bright pink crystal is pretty and decorative and looks great on a bar cart. It even comes packaged in a gift box. Manufactured by Lenox, it’s a quality product that can be enjoyed for years.
There’s just one caveat to keep in mind, which is that this 3.25-inch bottle stopper is mostly ornamental—meaning it doesn’t form an airtight seal. While that might rule this stopper out for true wine connoisseurs, it’s probably fine for the average person who doesn’t swirl their glass or taste notes.
Price at time of publish: $50
Wine Type: Still | Material: Crystal | Size: 3.25 inches
Related: The Best Wine Gifts for Even Better Happy Hours
Final Verdict
If you're looking for a reliable, sturdy wine stopper to keep your favorite bottle of white, red, or rosé tasting fresh for up to 10 days, then The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver is the top choice. For a budget-friendly versatile option, you can't go wrong with a set of Rabbit Bottle Stoppers.
How We Tested
We sent these wine stoppers to our experienced food reviewer, who tested them side-by-side. She used each one to seal an open bottle of wine, and tasted the wine at intervals over the course of a week. She assessed how easy the stoppers were to use, how easy they were to clean, and, perhaps most importantly, whether or not they were effective at protesting an open bottle of wine from oxidation.
What Are the Other Options?
We tested the Rabbit Champagne And Wine Sealer, and although we had high hopes for the product, unfortunately, it simply doesn't work. While it physically fit on the bottle and the top tightened, it failed to form a seal, rendering it useless. We even tried it on a regular bottle of Chardonnay and experienced the same results. While it probably preserves sparkling wine for a few hours, which is better than nothing, there are far better options on the market.
What to Look for When Buying Wine Stoppers
Style
Wine stoppers for still wine have a slightly different purpose than those for sparkling wine. Still, wine stoppers are designed to keep additional air from entering the bottle.
Vacuum pump wine stoppers will remove some air currently in the bottle. On the other hand, sparkling wine stoppers often form a much tighter seal and are designed to prevent carbonation or bubbles from escaping. These wine stoppers often have a part that fits in the opening and some sort of lever to tighten the seal.
Material
Silicone is a popular material for wine stoppers because it can create an almost-airtight seal. At the same time, it’s one of the least expensive materials available. Best of all, it’s the most durable. Not only is silicone flexible, but it also won’t break when dropped and is dishwasher safe. While stoppers made of 100 percent silicone aren't the most decorative or aesthetic options, many ornamental wine stoppers have small silicone rings to help seal out air and keep the stopper in the bottle.
Most wine bottles are traditionally sealed with a cork. Cork is a natural wood that forms an airtight seal. This material works by expanding within the bottleneck to plug the liquid in and keep oxygen from entering. Conversely, its tiny pores allow very small amounts of air to interact with the wine, which can improve the aroma and flavor over time. However, cork isn’t durable. Since it is made from wood, it can dry out and crumble over time.
Metal wine stoppers work by plugging the bottleneck and sitting on top of the opening. While most metal wine stoppers are decorative or have an ornament on top, they generally don’t form an airtight seal. However, some metal stoppers have silicone rings on the bottom to help improve the seal.
Like metal, glass is a popular material for wine stoppers. While glass wine stoppers are often decorative, the glass itself won’t necessarily form an airtight seal. So, if you’re considering buying a glass wine stopper, it’s best to pick one with a silicone coating or ring.
FAQs
How do wine stoppers preserve wine?
According to Rich Buchanan, the Senior Brand Education Manager at Moët Hennessy, “The primary factor is to protect the wine from excessive oxygen that can shift flavors, color, and the general condition of the wine.” That process is known as oxidation, and the longer it goes on, the more a wine loses its luster. Stoppers don't literally preserve wine, but more slow the oxidation process down.
How long can a bottle of wine stay good for?
“It depends on the wine and the type of stopper, but the basic vacuum seal stoppers work well for two to three days," says Buchanan. "One note that most wine folks agree on is that keeping the stoppered wine in the refrigerator helps keep the wine fresh—no matter whether it’s white, red, or rosé. If you are keeping half-opened wines longer than two to three days, a Coravin might be in order."
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Amanda Lauren has written hundreds of articles about lifestyle and food. She consulted with Moët Hennessy's Senior Brand Education Manager Rich Buchanan for insights on how to choose the best wine stoppers. Amanda prefers rosé to all other wines, although she won’t turn down a good glass of champagne.
