6 Best Decanters for Wine, Tested and Reviewed

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.