A champagne bucket is simple, but it can still fail. If it’s too short or too narrow, the ice and water reach only part of the bottle, and you end up with cold wine at the bottom of the bottle and warm wine at the top. This page is for adults of legal drinking age hosting a celebration, and it’s about the bucket, not how much to pour.
Here’s how the good options compare. For iceless chillers and other wine sleeves, see our wine chiller bucket guide.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. We have not used these buckets ourselves. Recommendations rest on maker and listing details, and we name the sources we read.
Quick verdict: which champagne bucket to buy
Buy the OGGI Stainless Steel Champagne Bucket for most homes: it’s sized and named for a champagne bottle, with handles and a clean polished look. For a dinner table, the Elegance Hammered Double Wall Bucket is 9 inches tall and goes in the dishwasher. To chill more of the bottle, choose the taller Update International.
Five champagne buckets side by side
Five that cover most kinds of celebration.
| Pick | Best for | Material | Standout detail | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OGGI Stainless Steel Champagne Bucket, 4 LiterBest overall
|
Most homes | Stainless steel | 4 L, named for champagne | View on Amazon |
Elegance Hammered Double Wall Champagne Bucket, 9 InchBest double wall
|
Dinner tables | Double-wall steel | 9 inches tall | View on Amazon |
Nambe Vie Champagne BucketBest gift
|
Gifts | Nambé alloy | Freezer-chilled metal | View on Amazon |
Update International Stainless Steel Wine BucketTallest pick
|
Fast, full chill | Stainless steel | 10-3/8 inches tall | View on Amazon |
Alessi 9-Inch Wine Cooler BucketBest for two bottles
|
Two-bottle hosts | 18/10 stainless steel | Ettore Sottsass design | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best champagne bucket
1. OGGI Stainless Steel Champagne Bucket, 4 Liter – Polished Steel, Sized for a Bottle
Plenty of buckets are sold for wine or ice and get called champagne buckets as an afterthought. This one is named and sized for the job: 4 liters, or 4.25 quarts, in polished stainless steel with side handles. OGGI says it holds a bottle of champagne, sparkling wine, cava or prosecco along with plenty of ice, and that steel makes it a better choice than glass for a patio or poolside.
The listing doesn’t give height, and that’s the one thing we’d want to know, since the water and ice should reach well up the bottle. It’s single-wall as far as the listing says, so expect the outside to sweat onto the table. Stand it on a folded towel or a tray. Sold by Amazon when we checked.
Why we like it
- Made and named for champagne.
- 4-liter capacity with room for ice.
- Polished steel with side handles.
- Sold by Amazon when we checked.
Key specifications
| Model | 7398 |
|---|---|
| Material | Polished stainless steel |
| Size | Not stated |
| Capacity | 4 L (4.25 qt) |
| Holds | 1 bottle |
| Carrying | Side handles |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy this for an occasional celebration, when you want one good-looking bucket on the table and nothing fussy to look after.
Skip it if you want to keep the table dry. A double-wall bucket such as the Elegance will sweat less, by our reasoning.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right size
- Clean, polished look
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Height not stated
- Single wall, so it may sweat
2. Elegance Hammered Double Wall Champagne Bucket, 9 Inch – Double Wall With a Hammered Finish
The Elegance is 9 inches tall and 9 inches across at the top, with a hammered finish that hides fingerprints better than mirror steel does, in our view. It’s listed as stainless steel, double wall, for ice, wine and champagne, and dishwasher safe, which is unusual and useful for a piece of serving ware. The warranty field gives one year.
Double-wall construction should slow melting and cut down on condensation on the table, though the listing itself doesn’t make those claims. There’s no handle listed, so check the photos, as it’s a lift-with-both-hands kind of bucket when full. It’s a good pick for a dinner on a nice tablecloth.
Why we like it
- Double wall stainless steel.
- Hammered finish.
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing.
- One-year warranty listed.
Key specifications
| Model | 72639 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, double wall |
| Size | 9 x 9 in |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Holds | 1 bottle, by our reckoning |
| Carrying | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits someone who entertains at the table, and who wants a bucket that looks formal and goes in the dishwasher afterward.
Skip it if you want handles for carrying a full bucket across the yard.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Double wall
- Dishwasher safe
- Hides fingerprints
Cons
- Thin listing
- Handles not stated
3. Nambe Vie Champagne Bucket – A Sculptural Alloy Bucket to Chill First
Nambé makes tableware from its own metal alloy, and this bucket’s main trick comes from it. Nambé says you can put the bucket in the freezer before entertaining, and the metal holds the cold while you serve, so the last glass stays chilled. It measures 9 inches across by 7.5 inches tall, and the design is by Nambé’s in-house designers.
It’s more of a gift than a utility piece. Care is hand wash and dry immediately, and the shape is wide and low. Since 7.5 inches is well short of a standard bottle’s height, the top of the bottle will sit proud of the ice. That’s fine if you’ve already chilled the bottle and only want to hold it cold. Sold by Portmeirion Group USA when we checked.
Why we like it
- Metal alloy can be chilled in the freezer, per Nambé.
- Sculptural in-house design.
- Sold by Portmeirion Group USA when we checked.
- Comes from a known tableware maker.
Key specifications
| Model | MT1093 |
|---|---|
| Material | Nambé alloy |
| Size | 9 x 7.5 in |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Holds | 1 bottle |
| Carrying | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | No, hand wash |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose this as a wedding or anniversary gift, or for a host who likes a piece that stays out on the bar cart.
Skip it if you want to chill a warm bottle in it. It’s low, so less of the bottle reaches the ice.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good-looking
- Freezes ahead
- Named maker
Cons
- Hand wash and dry
- Short for a full chill
4. Update International Stainless Steel Wine Bucket – The Tallest of the Group
Height is what makes a bucket work. Champagner.com’s glossary says it must not be too narrow, and that at least 50 to 70 percent of the bottle’s length should be cooled. At 10-3/8 inches tall and 8-7/8 inches wide, this restaurant-supply bucket has the height for it, and it’s the tallest bucket with stated dimensions in this group.
The listing is short, and says stainless steel with handles for carrying. It doesn’t say whether it’s dishwasher safe, or anything about insulation, and the sold-by name was MVTRADINGONLINE (USA), a third party. It’s a plain working bucket, so don’t expect the polish of the OGGI. But for chilling a bottle down, shape matters more than shine.
Why we like it
- Tall enough to reach well up the bottle.
- Stainless steel.
- Handles for carrying.
- Restaurant-supply maker.
Key specifications
| Model | WB-80 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | 8-7/8 x 10-3/8 in |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Holds | 1 bottle, by our reckoning |
| Carrying | Yes |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This fits someone who wants the chilling to work first and looks second, or who wants a backup bucket for a bigger party.
Skip it if you want something elegant for a dinner table. It’s a working piece and looks it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tall
- Simple construction
- Handles
Cons
- Very short listing
- Third-party seller when we checked
5. Alessi 9-Inch Wine Cooler Bucket – A Two-Bottle Design by Sottsass
Designed by Ettore Sottsass, this Alessi cooler is made to hold two champagne bottles at once. It’s 18/10 stainless steel and dishwasher safe, and it measures 10 inches across by 9 inches high, with a handle design on each side for carrying with one hand. Alessi notes that a taller version exists for Rhine and magnum bottles.
Two bottles is useful if you’re pouring for more than four people, and it’s a real design piece for the table. The lead offer came from Amazon Germany when we checked, so it ships from overseas, and returns may take longer. Also, the listing’s capacity figure reads oddly as 7 quarts and 12 ounces, so we’d rely on the two-bottle description instead.
Why we like it
- Holds two champagne bottles, per Alessi.
- 18/10 stainless steel.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Designed by Ettore Sottsass.
Key specifications
| Model | 5052 |
|---|---|
| Material | 18/10 stainless steel |
| Size | 10 x 9 in |
| Capacity | 7 qt 12 oz, per listing |
| Holds | 2 bottles |
| Carrying | Side handles |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Buy this for a host who cares about design and regularly opens more than one bottle.
Skip it if you want quick shipping or simple returns. An overseas lead offer may make both slower.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two bottles
- Designer piece
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Overseas seller when we checked
- Odd capacity figure in the listing
6. True Black Ice Beverage Tub, 2-Bottle – Light Plastic for the Patio
True Fabrications makes bar and party tools, and this is its plastic tub for two bottles. It’s light and has cut-out handles, and True says it won’t leak or rust as metal buckets can. That makes it the one to take to the beach, the pool or a picnic, particularly anywhere glass and polished steel would worry you.
It’s not a formal piece, and the warranty field says none. The two-bottle shape is wide, not tall, so it holds more ice than a narrow bucket but reaches less of the bottle’s height. Wipe it clean after use, as True suggests. Our ice bucket guide has bigger party tubs if you need to chill more.
Why we like it
- Holds two bottles, per True.
- Light with cut-out handles.
- Won’t rust, per True.
- Sold by True when we checked.
Key specifications
| Model | 2116 |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Size | Not stated |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Holds | 2 bottles |
| Carrying | Cut-out handles |
| Dishwasher | Not stated, wipe clean |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This suits people who celebrate outdoors, and anyone who wants a tub that can get knocked around.
Skip it if you want something for a formal table. Plastic won’t look the part.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light
- Won’t rust
- Two bottles
Cons
- Casual look
- No warranty
7. Chef Craft Hammered Champagne Bucket, 4 Quart – A Plain Hammered Bucket With Knobs
Chef Craft’s bucket is a simple way to get the hammered look. It’s 4 quarts of stainless steel, with knobs on the side for carrying, and Chef Craft says it fits one bottle of champagne with room for ice. It’s also dishwasher safe. That’s about all the listing tells you, and at this entry level that’s about all you need.
It doesn’t state a height, a warranty or a wall type, and we’d assume single wall. You give up the Elegance’s double wall and warranty listing, and the OGGI’s polished finish. For a New Year’s Eve that comes around once a year, you may not care. Sold by Amazon when we checked.
Why we like it
- Fits one bottle with ice, per Chef Craft.
- Hammered stainless finish.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Sold by Amazon when we checked.
Key specifications
| Model | 21994 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, hammered |
| Size | 4 qt |
| Capacity | 4 qt |
| Holds | 1 bottle |
| Carrying | Side knobs |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose this for a first bucket, or for a toast once or twice a year, when you don’t want to spend much on something that lives in a cupboard.
Skip it if you want a long record behind the design, or any stated warranty.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple
- Dishwasher safe
- Fits one bottle
Cons
- Few details
- No warranty stated
8. Winco 4-Quart Wine Bucket – The Plain Restaurant Bucket
Winco is a restaurant-supply brand, and this is a plain 4-quart stainless bucket, the kind you might see in a dining room. The listing gives almost nothing beyond the size and material, plus a package size of about 8.7 x 8.5 x 8.2 inches. That suggests a short bucket, so we’d expect the top of the bottle to stay above the ice.
It’s lightweight, at a package weight under a pound. Handles aren’t listed, so check the photo. We include it as the plain option from a maker that sells to the trade, for buyers who just want a metal bucket that holds ice and water. A sister Winco cooler sits on our wine chiller bucket page if you’d like a double-wall option.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel.
- 4 quart capacity.
- Restaurant-supply maker.
- Sold by Amazon when we checked.
Key specifications
| Model | WB-4 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | About 8.7 x 8.5 x 8.2 in (package) |
| Capacity | 4 qt |
| Holds | 1 bottle, by our reckoning |
| Carrying | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This is for someone who wants a low-fuss metal bucket, perhaps for a small party or a home bar, and doesn’t care how it looks.
Skip it if you want any detail. The listing is one of the thinnest here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple
- Trade maker
- Light
Cons
- Very thin listing
- Short for a full chill, by our reckoning
Which bucket for which occasion
Most celebrations: the OGGI. A formal dinner: the Elegance. A wedding or anniversary gift: the Nambé. A fast, thorough chill: the Update International. Two bottles at once: the Alessi. The pool or the beach: the True tub. Once-a-year use: the Chef Craft or the Winco.
The flutes count as well. Our champagne flute guide covers those, and if you’re chilling a lot of drinks, our ice bucket guide has larger tubs.
How to choose a wine and champagne cooler bucket
Height and width
Champagner.com’s glossary says a bucket must not be too narrow, so the ice-water mixture can surround most of the bottle, and it recommends cooling at least 50 to 70 percent of the bottle’s length. A bucket that’s short leaves the top of the bottle out of the cold.
Ice and water, not just ice
The same glossary recommends a mix of about half ice and half water, and says Champagne reaches serving temperature after 20 to 30 minutes in it. Water touches the glass all the way around, which ice alone doesn’t.
Single or double wall
Double wall should slow melting and keep the outside drier. That’s our reasoning. Single wall can sweat, so use a tray or a towel on a nice table.
Material and care
Stainless is the safe choice, and some listings say dishwasher safe. Nambé’s alloy needs hand washing and immediate drying. Plastic is the one for outdoors.
How many bottles
One bottle is enough for a toast. If you’re pouring for a crowd, a two-bottle Alessi or True saves on trips to the fridge.
How we picked these eight buckets
We looked for buckets sold for champagne or wine from identifiable makers, kept only those in stock with a new lead offer, and left out any listing on our wine chiller or ice bucket pages. Listings were read for size, material and care, and we say when a detail isn’t stated. Height is often missing.
We have not used these buckets. A search for independent tests turned up only low-quality roundups, and we did not rely on them. Technique comes from Champagner.com’s glossary, which is a retailer-style reference, not a test. Vollrath’s restaurant buckets were left out because the maker’s warranty text excludes home use.
Champagne bucket questions, answered
How long should Champagne sit in an ice bucket?
Champagner.com’s glossary says 20 to 30 minutes in a mix of about half ice and half water. Start with a cool bottle where you can, because that makes the job easier.
Should a champagne bucket be filled with ice or water?
Both, according to that glossary, at about 50/50. The water touches the whole bottle, which gives more even chilling than ice on its own.
How big should a champagne bucket be?
Big enough for the ice-water mix to reach at least half of the bottle, by the glossary’s advice. Stated sizes here run from 7.5 inches tall on the Nambé to 10-3/8 inches on the Update International.
Can a wine bucket be used for Champagne?
Yes, if the shape works. Several of these are sold for both. Champagne bottles can be a bit wider at the base, so check for room.
Is a champagne bucket the same as an ice bucket?
Not quite. An ice bucket usually holds ice for drinks, and it often has a lid. A champagne bucket is open at the top and built around a bottle. Our ice bucket guide covers the other kind.
Our final pick for the toast
For most homes, the OGGI is the one to buy, and the Elegance is the one for the formal table. Serve responsibly, and only to guests of legal drinking age. See our wine chiller bucket guide for other ways to keep bottles cold, and if you’d rather have someone else handle dinner on the night, call to order from Julia’s.