The 6 Best Wine Decanters, Tested & Reviewed

Feb 28, 2025

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We tested nearly a dozen options from Josephinenhütte, Luigi Bormioli, and Riedel.

In This Article

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

The best wine decanters offer an easy and sophisticated option for serving wine at home, and their usefulness goes far beyond looking pretty. Whether aerating youthful, bold reds or removing sediment from delicate older wines, understanding the functionality and uses of decanters — and knowing what to look for when seeking one out — is essential in finding the best option for your home.

“Decanters are mainly used to remove sediment from the wine, as well as help [open it] with exposure to air,” says Brady Brown, Wine Director at Brass, Tusk Bar, and Ninepin. Brown considers three main factors when seeking a reliable wine decanter: the surface area to air exposure ratio, volume capacity, and presentation. It’s also important to understand when to decant wine before you start your search for a wine decanter.

Though they vary in style, the best wine decanters enhance your wine-drinking experience by drawing out aromas and flavors. Still not sure where to begin? We tested 10 options to find the best wine decanters for any hosting occasion. Get your favorite full-bodied red, go-to wine glasses, and charcuterie board on deck, and let’s get ready to entertain.

We love the lightweight feel of this well-made decanter and the durability and quality of the glass used. The metal resting coaster and wooden trivet are also thoughtful touches.

The most obvious con is the hefty price tag. Additionally, the glass showed some water spots after hand washing, though the piece's dishwasher-safe nature provides an easy solution.

Consider this stylish option from Holcomb as a two-in-one decanter that promises to get the job done. Complete with an aerating sphere — plus a metal coaster to set it upon when removing — this beautiful piece decants and aerates wine in one fell swoop, while looking attractive on home bars and countertops of all different styles. The Holcomb Birdie decanter is lightweight yet sturdy, and characterized by a round bowl, slim neck, and tapered lip for easy, spill-free pouring, even when pouring wine back into the bottle.

We particularly love how the decanter feels, as it's lightweight and comfortable yet undeniably sturdy. We found the aerated wine to appear less tannic over time, and that fruit-forward aromas also became more pronounced. The large decanter also allows for a full bottle to be poured into it, yet maintains ample space for swirling and contact with oxygen. The metal coaster and wood trivet are aesthetically pleasing touches, with the latter’s stain resistance as the cherry on top.

Material: Glass | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Height: 9.15 inches | Capacity: 2,049 milliliters | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

This one-of-a-kind decanter offers a contemporary twist on more standard styles. We love the unique color scheme, unconventional shape, and weightless feel.

This decanter doesn’t have a pour spout, which makes it more difficult to pour. It requires a bit more finesse and control over the piece.

Looking for a decanter that also doubles as a conversation piece? Then this uniquely designed option from Ichendorf is just the ticket. Designed in Italy using borosilicate glass, this two-toned option has a gorgeous yellow-orange hue at the top, balanced by clear glass on the base. The decanter’s rounded bottom allows for optimal aeration and swirling, and its ultra-lightweight feel renders it seemingly weightless.

We love the decanter’s unique color, which, along with its lightweight feel, sets it apart most from the other pieces we tested. The decanter’s distinct shape and ample curves offer a modern take on the classic decanter one would expect to see in a restaurant, which could potentially be polarizing, but we all loved it. At $110 a pop, we found the decanter’s quality to merit the price.

Material: Borosilicate glass | Height: 7.5 inches | Capacity: 1,981 milliliters | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

We love the minimalist design of this classic decanter. Its bottom punt makes for easy pouring and serving.

As the category implies, this beautiful decanter from Josephinenhutte is certainly a splurge, though you’ll likely have it for a very long time.

Designed by legendary glassmaker Kurt Josef Zalto (former co-founder, designer, and managing director of Zalto), it’s no surprise that this high-end piece from Josephinenhütte exudes luxury and elegance. The piece’s wide bowl and shallow neck allow plenty of aeration, while its shorter structure renders it pretty easy to pour from — even with one hand, for those daring enough to take a stab at it. Each handmade Josephinenhutte decanter is mouth-blown from lead-free crystal, meaning no two decanters are alike.

We loved the understated yet extremely professional feel of this decanter. It could easily fit into our existing electric wine openers and tools collection. The craftsmanship is evident upon first use, yet its sophistication is not outlandish or over the top. In terms of swirling and pouring, we found the decanter comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver, and the fact that it’s dishwasher safe only sweetens the deal. We believe this piece would be perfect for both casual and formal settings, and would be appreciated by both wine novices and serious enthusiasts alike.

Material: Crystal glass | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Height: 7.5 inches | Capacity: 750 milliliters | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Price, minimalist style, and lack of spills. Need we say more? At $50, this accessible decanter is functional, affordable, and worth the money.

Although the decanter is made from single-walled crystal, we found it thicker than expected.

For a budget-friendly decanter that seriously over-delivers for the price, check out this accessible option from Luigi Bormioli. Crafted from crystal glass, the decanter features a bulbous bowl and narrow, flared neck, which helps keep pouring spill-free, as well as balance out the weight of the base. In terms of tasting, we found that the wine appeared less dry and with milder tannins after 15 minutes, and that acidity and fruit forwardness became more prominent after 30 minutes.

Despite its above-average thickness, the decanter feels sturdy and balanced in hand without ever feeling clunky. We found the piece easy to swirl and pour from, and that its relatively traditional look is quite appealing, especially when paired with existing stems and stemless glassware sets. While not the absolute cheapest option on the market, the quality delivered by this industry-vetted brand is worth the extra few bucks, and we’re confident that this piece will get the job done for years to come.

Material: Crystal glass | Weight: 2.44 pounds | Height: 11 inches | Capacity: 1,035 milliliters | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

This sturdy decanter is durable and easy to pour from. Its built-in filter catches sediment and deposits in the wine, while simultaneously aerating it. Plus, the price is right.

We wish this decanter was dishwasher safe, as hand-washing was precarious.

Seeking a functional, easy-to-use decanter at a price that doesn’t break the bank? This pick from Rabbit is certain to leave a lasting impression. Uniquely styled with a classic-meets-modern design, the decanter’s traditional glass base is equipped with a metal and black rubber insert for additional aeration, which doubles as a filtration device for potential sediment. Classic and sturdy, the decanter is easy to hold and pour from, though taking precautions to not overload the filter (which can cause overflowing) is key.

We loved that the decanter offered plenty of room in the bowl for aeration and its comfortable feel. However, we didn’t find that the wine changed much with this decanter, making it a better use for wines that also need filtration. The glass feels thick and sturdy. Since it’s more affordable than many other options we tested, it earned it a spot on our list. Its price tag makes it great for those new to decanters and also makes a perfect host gift.

Material: Glass | Weight: 0.97 pounds | Height: 7 inches | Capacity: 900 milliliters | Dishwasher-safe: No

We love that this vase-shaped decanter doesn’t sacrifice quality or functionality for size and that it’s perfect for fitting in a fridge or ice bucket to serve chilled wines.

The shape of the base could potentially be uncomfortable for those with smaller hands to hold, and there is no strainer or funnel included for sediment.

For a no-frills decanter perfect for small spaces, we recommend this slim option from Riedel. Contrary to most other decanters that feature larger bowls or bases, this compact iteration has a vase-style structure with a ribbed design, adding a touch of flair to this easy-to-store piece. The unique ribbed design helps to catch drips, preventing stains and spills on linen tablecloths and sensitive kitchen surfaces.

Riedel’s Wine Friendly decanter is machine made from single-walled crystal glass and is perfect for everyday use. We loved how the piece felt elegant and compact without ever feeling fragile, and that its ability to be tucked away in small spaces is seemingly limitless. The price makes the decanter relatively accessible, and it would be appreciated by those new to wine and connoisseurs. The versatile design also makes it perfect for pairing with existing sets of Riedel glassware, like Nick and Nora glasses or other stems.

Material: Crystal glass | Weight: 0.81 pounds | Height: 11.2 inches | Capacity: 1,375 milliliters | Dishwasher-safe: No

To determine which wine decanters performed best, we tested a variety of options using full-bodied red wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah), which typically require some form of decanting. To start, we poured the wine into the decanter being tested, as well as poured a small amount into a glass to taste it pre-decantation.

In a separate glass, we tasted the decanted wine numerous times over one hour at 15-minute intervals to see if the wine evolved, noting any discernible differences from the original wine poured directly into the first glass along the way. Here are a few things we assessed:

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Capacity: We paid attention to how easy each decanter felt to pour a full 750 ml bottle of wine into and noted any features that complicated or simplified this first process.

Aeration: Then, we tasted the wine at 15-minute intervals for a full hour and determined how (and if) the wine evolved with time.

Pouring: We also paid close attention to any drips or spillage with each tasting and selected decanters that made wine easy to pour in a steady, consistent stream.

In addition to tasting and noting how the wine evolved (or not), we also assessed the ease of use and care. If the decanter was denoted dishwasher safe, we ran it through the machine at least twice. Similarly, if noted as hand wash only, we washed each piece twice.

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Decanters come in many shapes and sizes. Some designs are more functional; others are more about aesthetics. In general, the purpose of decanting is to get air into the wine and filter out any sediment from older wines. You want the bowl of the decanter to be wide and shallow to allow that air to improve the wine. A shorter neck allows for easy pouring, and you want a spout that will easily direct wine into glasses without splashing or gushing too fast. Some decanters come with strainer funnels for filtering wine.

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Most decanters are designed to hold one standard bottle or one magnum worth of wine. If you usually decant standard bottles, there’s no reason to buy a large decanter. Only go up a size if you plan to serve magnums often. Many wine experts will decant, wash the original bottles, and return the decanted wine once it has breathed enough back into the bottle to store before service.

Decanters should be either clear crystal or glass to allow you to see the wine. Crystal will be more expensive, so if price is a concern, there are always glass decanters that work just as well. You should avoid decanters made of other materials as they can affect the flavor of the wine.

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According to Food & Wine Executive Editor Ray Isle, there are a few reasons you should decant wine. "If you have older wines, they're full of sediment at the bottom of the bottle, so you pour them into a decanter slowly and that way you don't have to get the sediment in the glass," he explains. The other reason to decant wine is to let the wine breathe and give it as much air and oxygen as possible. "As the wine reacts with the air, the aromas come out, the flavors blossom," Isle says. "It makes the wine more delicious."

“It depends on the type of wine, conditions, and age of the wine," says Jonathan Shapiro, founder of Vinedrop. "Usually, about 30 minutes will do the trick, but sometimes a couple of hours might be even better depending on the wine. A fun thing to do is to try the wine immediately upon opening the bottle, then decant it, and continue to try it every 15 to 30 minutes or so and see how the wine evolves with each sip.” Some very old wines, with 20 or more years of bottle age on them, can benefit from several hours or even a whole day of aerating time. When in doubt, contact your local wine merchant and ask for advice on a specific bottle.

"You'll see various methods and tools to clean wine decanters. Some great decanter brushes work well. Just do not use dish soap, as this leaves residue on the glass and can mess with the flavor and proper experience of your wine," says Shapiro. "Warm to hot (not boiling) water and some white vinegar are a great combo. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, scrub it, and then rinse with warm to hot water again. Also, the best time to clean your decanter is immediately after using it. The longer you wait to clean it, the harder it will be to clean it. And do not put it in the dishwasher, unless you're in the market for a new decanter!”

Brown notes that the specific amount of time that a wine can be left in a decanter is not a one-size-fits-all model. “Leaving wine in a decanter is often based on the age of wine, the type of wine, and the length of service [or enjoyment], as well as winemaking techniques,” he explains.

Glasvin The Decanter ($75 at Glasvin)This sleek and modern decanter from Glasvin was the strongest contender of our remaining picks. We loved its straight opening with tapered angle, as well as its circular bowl. Functionally, the decanter opened up the aromas and improved the flavor profile of the wine we tested, though the piece’s thin neck made it a bit tricky to pour wine back into the bottle. The decanter also dripped a bit more than the others, and at a $75 price point, we found this to be a slight deal breaker compared to more affordable options that poured spill-free.

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Crate & Barrel Swoon Wine Decanter ($50 at Crate & Barrel)We loved the typical shape and aesthetically pleasing structure of this decanter, namely its wide bowl and punted bottom—and its large capacity was certainly a bonus. However, we found that controlling the flow of the wine was a bit difficult, as when we transferred the wine from the bottle to the decanter, it ended up slightly backflowing. Additionally, when the remaining amount of wine in the decanter reached lower levels, the decanter required excessive tipping, which can make preventing spills difficult.

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JoyJolt Lancia Wine Decanter, 1200ml ($46 at Amazon)

For a starter decanter, this option from JoyJolt is great. The piece has a typical structure, marked by a wide base and long neck. We felt the decanter was comfortable in hand and delivered on aeration. However, the capacity is slightly smaller than some of the other options, and the thickness of the glass felt a little less luxurious and delicate in hand. At $45, the price is right, and if you can get it on sale, even better.

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Le Chateau Wine Decanter, 750ml ($53 at Amazon)

Similar to the JoyJolt option above, we appreciated the standard shape of this option from Le Chateau, featuring a wide bottom and narrow neck. However, we found the neck to almost be too long, resulting in an unbalanced feel in the hand and a bit of difficulty while pouring. We found that the wine evolved beautifully from the decantation and that the difference the decanter made was positive and noticeable. Our biggest issue was the piece’s very thick lip, which led to frequent drips — and its above-average weight made it a bit tiresome to use after a few pours.

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Vicki Denig is a freelance wine and travel journalist who divides her time between New York and Paris. She is a certified wine specialist who has worked in the wine trade since 2013. Denig's writing appears regularly in Decanter, WineSearcher, Food & Wine, Liquor.com, and Wine Enthusiast, among others. When decanting wine at home, her go-to brands are Zalto and Riedel.

Oset Babür-Winter is the former Senior Drinks Editor for Food & Wine who has completed the level 3 advanced qualification in wine with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. She has reported stories on food, lifestyle, and culture in other works, including The New York Times, Bon Appétit, GQ, VICE, The Guardian, TASTE, Vox, and Harvard Magazine. She provided additional reporting and expertise for this piece.