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The article below relates only to the mass-produced lines of cabinets assembled in the U.S.A.  The information does not apply to ChateauCraft Custom Cellars, Eurocave, Transtherm and Vintage Keeper which are evaluated elsewhere.

There are plenty of professionally enhanced pictures of wine cellar cabinets around the Web.  There's more than plenty supplemental advertising verbiage that, at best, is subjective and self-serving.  At worst, vendors' claims (and pictures) can be just plain inaccurate and misleading.

Regardless, there are only 4 producers.

Is there a functional difference in the structural integrity among the mass-produced and / or assembled cabinets in the United States? 

No.

Shown above (from behind) are the materials and assembly techniques used in each source's cabinets.  Same MDF panels, same airtight screw/dowel assembly, same (more than sufficient) R8 or R9 insulation** sandwiched between the same veneers ....

For equivalent capacities, the costs of the cabinets pictured range from $1600 to $5600.  None do anything differently than the others and all are equivalent in construction.

Esthetically, is there any distinction in the materials or techniques used by any of the producers?  From an objective standpoint,

No.

"Furniture quality" in a formal living room or white-cloth restaurant is an entirely different standard than what might be more compatible with more relaxed surroundings.  If a client's preferences run toward "Louis the Tasteless" (Gaudy), there are sources for such.  If "Contemporary" or something between the two are more appealing, there are alternative sources.

"Handcrafted" translates to some human gluing pre-fab moldings on the box or manually feeding trim pieces through a table saw.  Assembly lines don't employ artisans.  From a subjective standpoint,

Maybe.

Ignore any "Hi-Tech" nonsense regarding consistency in internal environment, "humidity control" or attempts to micro-manage Mother Nature.  Aside from longevity and dependability are there any technological differences between the lower-tier cooling systems and the recognized, quality systems - Breezaire and Whisperkool?

Of course not.  None have changed the laws of physics.

'Point is ... among any mass-production facilities, "the box is the box".  In any "apples and apples"comparison, there will be no significant difference.

So what's the difference, other than cost. among any of these things?

The key to informed evaluations is to focus on all-wood racking and a proven mechanical system, (such as Breezaire or Whisperkool) that will define quality and value. 

All wood racking is the industry standard - anything else, by definition, is substandard.  Metal - or any combination of metal and wood - will not accommodate all standard formats, will transfer vibration and can damage labels.  There's no need to pay $300 or $400 for quality racking as an "upgrade" among reputable and mainstream producers - it should be standard and available @ no charge.

Breezaire is used by every national cabinet builder that has a choice (i.e., that Breezaire will sell to and doesn't promote its own "housebrand".)  Breezaire is not the cheapest, nor the most expensive ... but, after more than 20 years, it's simply proven to have the most comprehensive warranties, superior service history and factory support / service.

There is no "replacement" for Breezaire quality and performance - only cheaper imitations with copied dimensions and general appearance.

Whether the cabinet is a  $1200 Impressions in the spare bedroom or a $12,000 ChateauCraft designed to impress the neighbors, the interior storage environment is the same among mainstream producers - none will protect the wine any "better" than another.

** Additional resistance values accomplish nothing in normal environments.  Advertising claims of "R12" insulation are just that - undocumented advertising claims.