6 Best Decanters for Wine, Tested and Reviewed
These vessels let your vino shine.
Reviewed by Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
If you think that decanters are only for super expensive, aged wines from the cellar, think again. Almost every wine can benefit from decanting, whether it’s a Three-Buck Chuck or a pricey DRC (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti). Decanting means to gradually pour liquid from one container into another, usually leaving behind any sediment. After being bottled, vino needs a little air to “breathe” — this aeration releases flavors and aromas and helps soften any harsh tannins.
You can let a bottle of wine breathe simply by uncorking it. However, pouring the wine into a decanter will dramatically speed up the aeration so the wine will "open up" and be at its best to drink in 20 to 30 minutes versus two to three hours. Decanting also has the added benefit of separating any sediment in wines that are older or unfiltered.
I worked with the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab to test 14 decanters. We used bottles of the same wine on all the decanters and conducted tastings at different intervals, comparing the results to a control sample poured directly from the bottle into a glass. Our goal was to evaluate how each decanter enhanced the wine and its effectiveness at separating sediment from the liquid. We considered how comfortable it was to hold and pour from the decanter, and rate how easy each one was to clean and dry.
Pros
- Tapered lip at spout minimizes drips
- Easy to clean and dry
- Comes with attractive trivet
- Can hold a magnum of wine
Cons
- Pricey
Material: Handblown glass | Capacity: 69.3 ounces | Height: 9.15 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Dishwasher-safe: Yes (except for the wooden trivet)
With its head-turning design, this decanter caught the eye of almost every passerby who asked: "Ooh, what's that one?" It would certainly make an attractive addition to a home bar — but how did it perform? As good as it looks, we found from testing. After 30 minutes of decanting, the wine was at its peak, with more mouthwatering acidity and fewer bitter tannins present. This process can be sped up by decanting the wine through the accompanying aerator, which you can rest on the metal coaster that fits into the wooden trivet.
Form, in this case, also enhanced function. The wide base shape successfully kept sediment from reaching the glass and the tapered lip at the spout minimized drips after pouring. The Birdie's squat shape also made it among the easiest to clean, fitting securely in the dishwasher and emerging thoroughly dry following an overnight sit in the dishwasher rack.
While the included wooden trivet to rest the decanter on didn't aid performance, it did make for a more attractive presentation that could prevent scratching on surfaces.
Pros
- Perforated aerator accelerates aeration and sifts out bits of cork
- Sturdy construction
- Comes with wooden trivet
- Can hold a magnum of wine
Cons
- Can over-aerate too quickly
Material: Borosilicate glass | Capacity: 81.5 ounces | Height: 8 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Dishwasher-safe: No
Made from borosilicate glass, this decanter from RBT is sturdy yet gentle on the wallet. It comes with a micro-perforated aerator top that provides two functions: It can strain out any bits of cork when pouring in the wine and speed up the aeration as the wine trickles through the showering funnel.
After just 15 minutes of decanting, the wine tasted more alive and fresh, with a mouth-watering acidity. After 30 minutes, however, the wine already started to feel thin and austere and the acid began to overwhelm the palate.
The wooden trivet with brass accent, while not performance-enhancing, was a nice touch for presentation.
Pros
- Easy to grip and pour
- Drip-free pouring
- Eye-catching design
Cons
- Can be difficult to clean in dishwasher and dry thoroughly
Material: Hand blown clear crystal | Capacity: 28.75 ounces | Height: 12.5 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
With a shapely, modernist design, this sleek decanter could double as an art piece. It's not just for aesthetics, however: The integrated hole actually made the decanter very easy to grip and lift. Compared to other decanters we tested that are bottom heavy, the vase-like dimensions here made it one of the few that could be poured with one one hand. The angled spout also facilitated drip-free pouring.
After 15 minutes of decanting, the wine tasted brighter but could have aerated more. After 30 minutes, the fruit shined through, bringing the overall flavor into balance.
The package did not come with any instructions but according to the product's webpage, this decanter is dishwasher-safe — though at first it was a little tricky to keep the asymmetrical shape stable on the rack. The interior of the decanter emerged with some residual water after an overnight rest on the dishwasher rack but eventually dried thoroughly on the rack the following day.
Pros
- Great at separating sediment from wine
- Lightweight, making it easy to pour
- Easy to store
Cons
- Glass is thin and feels delicate
Material: Crystal | Capacity: 25 ounces | Height: 9 inches | Weight: 0.4 pound | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Small and light, this Riedel model looks like a miniature version of other decanters but holds exactly one standard bottle of wine. The lighter weight and tapered neck made it easier to grip and pour while the thin lip minimized drips. Additionally, the shape of the base was effective for separating sediment from the wine.
After 15 minutes of decanting, the wine was not as bright and open compared to other decanters. After 30 minutes, however, the tannins softened, resulting in a more velvety texture.
The decanter was easy to clean and dry in the dishwasher and had a small cabinet footprint, making it easy to store.
The light, thin glass — while boons for comfort and drip-free pouring — could be a potential drawback for clumsier hands, which might prefer the sturdiness of a heavier, thicker decanter.
Pros
- Comes in premium packaging
- Allows more time for decanting before over-aerating
- Can be engraved
- Holds a magnum of wine
Cons
- Heaviest decanter we tested
- Pricey
Material: Crystal | Capacity: 51 ounces | Height: 11 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Dishwasher-safe: No
This show-stopping crystal decanter is the one you want to bring out for special occasions to wow the crowd. Clocking in at nearly 3 pounds, the carafe was the heaviest among the models we tested and requires two strong hands for pouring. The bulb-shape of the base was effective at keeping the sediment from reaching the glass.
The Elegance Optic Carafe was also among the slower to fully aerate the wine, which hadn't fully opened up at the 15- or 30-minute mark. The wine reached its stride after decanting 45 minutes, which may be more desirable for longer, languorous meals.
The decanter comes in a luxurious box with clear directions for care. The Waterford site also takes orders for engraving, which makes this splurge-worthy item ideal for wedding, anniversary or birthday gifts.
Pros
- Can hold a magnum of wine
- Ergonomic in the hand
- Can also benefit older wines
Cons
- Pricey
Material: Lead-free crystal | Capacity: 51 ounces | Height: 9 inches | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Most people associate decanters with older wines but young wines, especially bold, aggressive ones, can benefit greatly from decanting as well. This collaboration between British designer Richard Brendon and wine critic Jancis Robinson has a big, wide base to accelerate the aeration of young wines but also separates out sediment from older or natural wines. Among the larger models tested, this one balanced the weight in the hand the best, making it easy to grip and pour.
We tested a young wine in this decanter and after 15 minutes, the tannins had already started to soften. After 30 minutes, more fruit and nuances were detected.
How we tested the best decanters for wine
We tested 14 different decanters to see which ones performed best in a variety of factors, including ease of use and cleaning, performance and style.
✔️ Ease of use: We evaluated how comfortable it was to grip the decanter in the hand and how easy it was to pour. We observed if the spout dripped any wine after pouring.
✔️ Performance: We poured bottles of the same wine into each decanter. We also poured a glass straight from the bottle as the control for comparison tasting. We sampled the glass immediately, then poured wine from each decanter into another glass, tasting each at 15, 30, 45 and then 60 minutes. We tasted to find out if the wine improved and was the drinking experience better overall after it spent time in the decanter. Some questions we considered: Did the tannins soften? Did more fruit come forward? Was the acid in balance?
We also evaluated how successful the decanter was at keeping sediment from entering the glass.
✔️ Ease of cleaning: If the instructions stated that the decanter was dishwasher-safe, we ran it on the normal cycle and let it sit overnight in the dishwasher rack to assess if there was any residual moisture. We noted if any models were too tall or difficult to sit steadily in the dishwasher rack.
✔️ Style: While not the main priority, the way a decanter looks and fits in with the rest of your decor matters. We chose our winners based on performance and ease but also judged if we would be happy to display each decanter at a dinner party.
What to consider when shopping for decanters
✔️ Design: Find a decanter with a design that complements your wine glasses and the overall aesthetic of your bar or dining room. Angled or tapered spouts are helpful to minimize drips.
✔️ Capacity: If you are planning to serve magnums of wine, look for decanters that hold at least 51 ounces of liquid. Otherwise, the decanter should comfortably hold a standard 750-milliliter bottle of wine (which is just over 25 ounces).
✔️ Comfort: A decanter filled with wine can weigh a lot and most models are bottom-heavy, making it awkward to grip and pour. Look for a decanter that has a neck size that's easy to grip for your hand and that has a weight that's manageable to hoist and pour.
✔️ Size and shape: Make sure that the decanter's height and width will fit in your storage space.
✔️ Ease of cleaning: If you are planning to clean a decanter in the dishwasher, check that it's dishwasher-safe and that the dimensions will fit in your dishwasher rack. We found that even though some decanters stated they were dishwasher-safe, they were too tall or hard to stabilize in the rack.
How long should you decant wine?
Depending on the wine, you can decant anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours. With the wine we tested, we found that it was optimal between 15 to 30 minutes, and in almost every decanter, 45 minutes was too long and that particular wine started to feel thin and austere. Your best bet is to ask someone at the wine shop or decant the wine and taste it every 15 minutes to gauge when it's starting to sing.
In most cases, wine left in a decanter past a few hours will start to lose its flavor and be less enjoyable.
What's the best way to clean a decanter?
Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. While you can wash any decanter by hand, do not be tempted to put one in the dishwasher if the directions state to hand-wash only. It can damage the glass.
Most decanters have a neck that's too narrow to fit your hand in so it's worth investing in a decanter brush to reach into the spout. This drying and brush set includes brushes for cleaning your decanter along with a stand that lets the decanter dry inverted, which is especially useful for getting rid of residual water from the neck and base.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Susan Choung is the recipe editor for Good Housekeeping and leads all wine and spirits coverage for the brand. Her previous experience includes four years working at a boutique wine and spirits shop in Brooklyn, New York, where tasting and evaluating samples was a daily occurrence. During her five-year tenure as books editor at Food & Wine, she tasted, edited and coordinated testing of all beverage recipes for the cocktail book series.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab where she oversees all testing and content related to kitchen, cooking and drinking gear. She worked with Susan to develop the testing methodology for this story (and she’s a big red wine drinker!).
Nicole (she/her) is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She oversees all content and testing related to kitchen products, food, and recipes. She has worked at GH since 2019, and is a trained cook, published recipe developer, and seasoned product tester with nearly 15 years of experience. She has worked in test kitchens for national magazines and kitchen appliances brands, where she also helped develop products for the home cook. She earned a degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz, graduated with a Grand Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and studied culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute (both now part of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.)
Readers Also Read
90 Birthday Freebies Most People Forget About
Amazon Is Selling a Magical Igloo Tent
The Best Vacuum Cleaners
LEGO's 'Home Alone' Set Isn't Coming Back
