The Ca’Lefort CLF-WSJC88-26US is a 28 bottle single zone wine fridge with a compressor, a 37-65 F range set in 1 F steps, six removable shelves and a double-pane UV glass door. Amazon sells it as a “countertop” cooler, but at 16.9 inches wide and 32.7 inches tall it is an under-counter or freestanding size, not something that sits on a kitchen counter. It suits a collection of 20 to 28 bottles kept at one setting, and it sits in the budget to lower mid-range price tier. The trade-offs are a listing that contradicts itself on cooling and door details, mixed early ratings, and noise complaints on its smaller sibling.
Ca’Lefort CLF-WSJC88-26US 28 Bottle Wine Fridge Review
This Ca’Lefort 28 bottle wine fridge review starts with a tape measure, because the word “countertop” on the listing will send the wrong buyers to it.
Is the Ca’Lefort CLF-WSJC88-26US Worth It for You?
Recommended for: A collection of 20 to 28 bottles kept at one temperature, a spot under a counter or on the floor with about 17 inches of width, and buyers who want compressor cooling and a three-year compressor warranty at a lower price than a 24-inch cabinet.
Look elsewhere if: You actually want a cooler to sit on your counter, you keep reds and whites that need different settings, or a running compressor in a quiet room will bother you.
What Works
- 28 standard bottles in a footprint 16.9 inches wide and 18.9 inches deep
- Compressor cooling, adjustable from 37 to 65 F in 1 F steps
- Power-failure memory restores your setting after an outage
- Double-pane UV glass, brushed stainless frame and adjustable leveling feet
- Six removable shelves in wood and metal wire
- Warranty listed as 1 year on the unit, 2 years on parts and 3 years on the compressor
What Doesn’t
- Sold as “countertop”, but 32.7 inches tall: far too tall for a counter under wall cabinets
- Single zone only, so every bottle shares one setting
- The listing calls the cooling both compressor with air circulation and “Direct Cool”
- Amazon lists a right-hand door; whether it can be reversed on this size is not confirmed
- Early ratings are mixed: 4.2 from 12 on Amazon, 3.3 from 8 on the Home Depot version
- One owner of the 11-bottle sibling calls it very loud; others call it quiet
- Owners of the 11-bottle size describe the wood shelf trim as fragile
On This Page
How the Ca’Lefort CLF-WSJC88-26US Compares
| Factor | Ca’Lefort CLF-WSJC88-26US | Ivation IVFWCC281LWSS |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 28 bottles, 3.1 cu ft | 28 bottles, 2.8 cu ft |
| Size | 16.9 in W x 18.9 in D x 32.7 in H | 16.93 in W x 17.72 in D x 33.07 in H |
| Cooling | Compressor | Compressor with internal fan |
| Temperature range | 37-65 F | 41-64 F |
| Zones | Single | Single |
| Placement | Under-counter or freestanding (listing) | Freestanding only |
| Lock | Not listed | Key lock |
| Warranty | 1 yr unit, 2 yr parts, 3 yr compressor | 1 year limited |
| Owner record | 12 Amazon ratings | 889 Amazon ratings |
The two cabinets are almost the same size and the same capacity, so this comes down to placement, record and warranty. The Ivation IVFWCC281LWSS has a key lock and close to nine hundred owner ratings, but it is freestanding only and carries one year of cover. The Ca’Lefort is listed for under-counter use and covers the compressor for three years, but its public record is a dozen ratings. If yours is going under a counter, the Ca’Lefort is the one listed for it. If it will stand in a dining room, the Ivation’s longer record counts for more. Our 28 bottle wine cooler guide covers the rest of this size class.
Who It’s For
Under a counter or on the floor, one wine style
Good fit
- A gap of about 17 inches in a run of base cabinets, a bar, or a corner of a dining room. Check the under-counter wine cooler guide for the measurements that matter.
- A collection that is mostly reds, or mostly whites, kept at one setting. For long-term storage, a single zone around 55 F is all most bottles need.
- Buyers who want a compressor rather than thermoelectric cooling, because it holds temperature better in a warm room. The compressor wine cooler guide explains the difference.
About that “countertop” label
Worth knowing
- The gap between a kitchen counter and the wall cabinets above it is usually about 18 inches. This unit is 32.7 inches tall. It will not fit there, and it would tower over an open counter.
- If you want a cooler that genuinely sits on a counter, you are shopping for a 4 to 12 bottle unit. Our countertop wine cooler guide covers those.
- Ca’Lefort sells the same design in 11, 20, 28, 34 and 46 bottle sizes. The model codes run WSJC46, WSJC62, WSJC88, WSJC95 and WSJC130, and this review covers the 28-bottle WSJC88.
- Several of the visible Amazon reviews are for the 11-bottle size, which shares the listing. Read the “Set name” line on each review before you weigh it.
Where it struggles
Think twice
- The listing is inconsistent. The bullets describe a high-performance compressor with even air circulation and automatic defrost, while the detail table lists the cooling method and defrost as “Direct Cool”. Ca’Lefort’s own comparison chart lists compressor cooling, so I go with that, but ask the seller if defrost type matters to you.
- Amazon lists the door as right-hand. Owners of the 11-bottle size describe a reversible door, and the Home Depot version (CLF-WSJC88-HD) is listed with one, but the Amazon listing for this size does not say so.
- Noise reports split. Most owners call it quiet; one owner of the 11-bottle size says it is so loud that their renter plans to replace it. If it is going in a bedroom or open living space, keep the return window in mind.
- The listing marks it “Energy Star Certified” in the feature line. I have not verified that claim, so I would not rely on it.
A Closer Alternative Worth Considering
Ivation IVFWCC281LWSS 28 Bottle Single Zone
If the cooler will stand on its own rather than go under a counter, the Ivation is the safer known quantity. It holds the same 28 bottles in almost the same footprint, adds a key lock, and its listing rates it at 153 kWh a year against Ca’Lefort’s 200. Its owner feedback is mixed on long-term reliability and its warranty is one year, but there is a large public record to read. The Ivation brand guide covers its other sizes.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | CLF-WSJC88-26US (WSJC88 in Ca’Lefort’s size chart) |
| Capacity | 28 standard 750 ml bottles, 3.1 cubic feet (manufacturer figure) |
| Dimensions | 16.9 in W x 18.9 in D x 32.7 in H |
| Weight | 55 lb |
| Cooling type | Compressor per the bullets and size chart; the detail table says “Direct Cool” |
| Zones | Single |
| Temperature range | 37-65 F, adjustable in 1 F steps |
| Shelves | Six removable, adjustable shelves in wood and metal wire |
| Door | Double-pane UV glass, brushed stainless frame; right-hand door per the Amazon detail table |
| Lighting | Three-color LED |
| Other features | Power-failure memory; adjustable leveling feet |
| Installation | Under-counter or freestanding (listing) |
| Lock | Not listed |
| Energy use | 200 kWh per year (listing figure; the same number appears on several other Ca’Lefort listings) |
| Noise level | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Warranty | 1 year complete unit, 2 years parts, 3 years compressor |
Questions Readers Ask
Is Ca’Lefort a good wine refrigerator brand?
It is a young brand with a growing record. Its most-reviewed listing, a 24-inch dual zone, carries 74 Amazon ratings at 4.3 stars, while this 28-bottle listing has 12 ratings at 4.2 and the Home Depot version has 8 at 3.3. The longer compressor warranty is a real plus. The weak spots are a thin owner record on the newer models and support that runs from China by email and an international phone number.
Who makes Ca’Lefort wine coolers?
Ca’Lefort’s own site lists the company at an address in Zhongshan, China, and names a founder, Kenneth. I have not found a parent company or manufacturer named anywhere else, so that is as far as the published record goes.
Can a 28 bottle wine fridge go on a countertop?
Not this one in a normal kitchen. At 32.7 inches tall it is close to the height of the counter itself, so it belongs under the counter or on the floor. True countertop coolers hold about 4 to 12 bottles and are far shorter.
What temperature should a single zone wine fridge be set to?
For storage, about 55 F suits reds and whites alike. If the fridge is mainly for serving, set it to the style you drink most: cooler for whites and sparkling, a few degrees warmer for reds. The temperature zone matcher gives a starting point, and the single zone guide covers the trade-offs.
How much does it cost to run?
The listing gives 200 kWh a year. Multiply that by your electricity rate for a rough yearly cost, but treat it as approximate, because the identical figure appears on Ca’Lefort listings from this 28-bottle cooler up to a 9 cubic foot wine and beverage fridge. For units with more reliable figures, see our energy-efficient wine fridge guide.
Final Verdict
Ca’Lefort CLF-WSJC88-26US is a reasonable buy for a single-style collection going under a counter or into a 17-inch floor space, because it pairs compressor cooling with three years of compressor cover at a modest price. It is the wrong buy for anyone who took “countertop” literally, and the mixed early ratings mean I would keep the return window in mind.
- Best for: Under-counter gaps about 17 inches wide, collections of 20 to 28 bottles at one setting
- Not ideal for: Kitchen countertops, mixed reds and whites, quiet bedrooms, buyers who want a long owner record
Related Guides
→ Medium Wine Coolers
→ Compressor Wine Coolers
→ Ca'Lefort WBD275L-US 24 Inch Wine and Beverage Fridge
→ Ca'Lefort CLF-WD24-A 24 Inch 51 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Fridge
→ NutriChef 14 Bottle Wine Fridge
References & Sources
- UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology – Research on storage temperature and light exposure, supporting the 55 F single-zone storage advice and the value of a UV-protected door.
- WSET – Serving temperature guidance for red, white and sparkling wines.
- U.S. Department of Energy – Energy Saver – Guidance on estimating appliance running cost from a yearly kWh figure and your electricity rate.
This assessment is based on the Amazon listing, published owner feedback, the manufacturer’s own pages, and a comparison of published specifications against other units in this class. Where sources disagree, the page says so. It is updated when the product changes.
About Ms. DuPont
I have spent over ten years testing and reviewing wine coolers, wine cellar equipment, and wine-related gear, and tracking how it actually holds up over time.
