When it comes to kitchen appliances, refrigerators are among the most important. Not only does this larger-than-life machine play a vital role in keeping your perishable foods fresh, but it also occupies a good amount of space. And since you have to look at it on a daily basis, it might as well be aesthetically pleasing, too. After all, we don’t hang important reminders, photos and family artwork on the dishwasher or microwave. No matter how you slice it, a refrigerator purchase is going to be a large one, so you should be sure you’re buying one of the best refrigerators you can afford. Show
We've researched the best refrigerators for your home. ILLUSTRATOR: FORBES PHOTO: RETAILERSThese days, even budget options don’t exactly come cheap. If it’s been a minute since you bought a fridge, you may be surprised to learn that today’s models—even ones that aren’t decidedly deluxe—come with a lot of features that past models didn’t offer. Water and ice dispensers are pretty standard now, and some fridges even offer up smart features like the ability to hunt down recipes, play YouTube videos and surf the web. If you’ve glanced at refrigerator market, you already know there are a lot of options out there. But here, we’ve done the hard work for you. After researching the best fridges and combing through customer reviews, we’ve determined that the picks below are the best of the best.
Best Refrigerator OverallA Classic Option That Checks All The BoxesHome Depot Maytag French Door RefrigeratorDimensions: 32.9 x 35.6 x 70.1 inches | Total Capacity: 25 cubic feet While smart features like Wi-Fi and touchscreens can be a nice luxury, they’re not the most important features of a fridge. Maytag built this 25 cubic feet refrigerator to check all the most important boxes. It’s available in black or white, but it’s the fingerprint resistant stainless steel where this appliance shines—literally, since most messes clean easily off the finish. And the ice and water dispenser only adds $100 to the price, making it a great value. Inside, this model has bright, energy-efficient LED lighting and a variety of temperature- and humidity-controlled zones. One of the most interesting features is the fridge’s temperature-controlled Wide-N-Fresh Deli Drawer, which is oversized to accommodate large party platters and deli trays. In addition, Maytag’s PowerCold feature is a quick-chill setting you can enable when you bring groceries home to quickly get them down to their ideal temperature. Pros:
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Best French Door RefrigeratorA French Door Refrigerator With Practical ShelvingHome Depot GE French Door RefrigeratorDimensions: 34.8 x 35.8 x 69.9 inches | Total Capacity: 27.8 cubic feet French door refrigerators are a favorite in many homes because you get a spacious cool zone on top with wide shelves and large storage bins that create lots of organizational options. GE’s take on the format includes twin chill evaporators that give you more control and accuracy over the climate in the fresh food and freezer sections. There are also humidity-controlled drawers to keep vegetables fresh and spill-proof glass shelves that prevent liquids from leaking onto lower shelves. You may also appreciate the fridge’s showcase LED lighting and in-door ice maker with an integrated water filtration system. It comes in three colors—slate black, slate and stainless steel—but the smudge- and fingerprint- proof slate black is our favorite, giving your kitchen a sleek, modern feel. Pros:
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Best Counter-Depth RefrigeratorAn Attractive Option That Compliments Any DécorBestBuy Bosch 800 Series Counter-Depth RefrigeratorDimensions: 28.8 x 35.6 x 7 inches | Total Capacity: 20.5 cubic feet Counter-depth refrigerators are something of a paradox; with a smaller footprint so they don’t stick out past your counters for a streamlined, almost built-in look, they tend to cost a little more yet offer less storage space. But for those who value the aesthetics, the trade-off is worth it. If you’re going to spend a little more on a counter-depth fridge, you should probably make it one of the most versatile and convenient models you can buy: Bosch’s Counter-Depth Refrigerator. Among its many features, this stainless steel fridge has a somewhat flexible storage configuration that’s designed to maximize space, an internal water dispenser, a filter that absorbs food odors and Bosch’s VitaFreshPro system, which automatically balances temperature and humidity. With the handy Home Connect app, you can remotely control your fridge’s temperature and lighting as well as run diagnostics. (Plus, it’ll tell you if someone left the fridge open.) Pros:
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Best Top Freezer RefrigeratorAn Affordable Option With Two Special FeaturesBest Buy Samsung Top-Freezer RefrigeratorDimensions: 31.9 x 32.9 x 67.8 inches | Total Capacity: 21.1 cubic feet This Samsung Top-Freezer Refrigerator has two unique features that make it one of the best in this category. The first is a feature, fittingly named FlexZone, that allows the fridge compartment to convert freezer space into more fridge space. If you always find yourself needing an extra shelf of storage in your fridge, this feature was made for you. The other is twin cooling, which maintains high levels of humidity to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher longer while also maintaining a dry freezer to lower the chances of freezer burns. This fridge also includes removable glass shelves, gallon door storage, humidity-controlled crispers and a slide-and-reach pantry for easy access to your favorite foods. The freezer itself features an automatic ice maker that can produce up to 3.7 pounds of ice a day. The LED lighting throughout offers a brighter and more energy-efficient way to see your food. It’s available in two finishes: stainless steel and black stainless steel. Pros:
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Best Bottom Freezer RefrigeratorA Bottom Freezer Refrigerator With Ample StorageHome Depot Whirlpool Bottom Freezer RefrigeratorDimensions: 33.4 x 32.8 x 70 inches | Total Capacity: 22 cubic feet Bottom freezers have become a lot more popular than top freezer fridges in recent years—not only does that put the lion’s share of your fresh food at eye level, but the slide-out drawer approach to the bottom freezer is usually both larger and a lot more efficient. Case in point is this Whirlpool bottom freezer fridge that has a generous 22 cubic feet of storage (15.5 for fresh food and 6.5 for frozen) with a built-in ice maker. The lined glass shelves help to contain spills for quicker cleanup. It also includes bright LED lighting, humidity-controlled crispers and Whirlpool’s Accu-Chill Temperature Management System that is designed to sense the temperature of foods in the fridge and adapt, only activating the compressor when necessary to keep things sufficiently cool while also saving energy. Pros:
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Quietest RefrigeratorA Whisper-Quiet Option With A French Door DesignBest Buy LG French Door RefrigeratorDimensions: 29.8 x 35.5 x 68.5 inches | Total Capacity: 21.6 cubic feet If you’re on the hunt for a super quiet model with a French Door style and an affordable price, you can’t miss this option. The LG French Door Refrigerator’s features include energy-efficient LED lighting; adjustable, spill-proof shelves; four types of freezer storage for versatility; and five adjustable gallon-size door bins plus two half-width ones. If butter, cheese and yogurt are popular foods in your household, this fridge is a perfect match, as it contains a separate, closed storage area for dairy items that’s designed to make them easily accessible while reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The refrigerator also has a door alarm, which is especially helpful if you have kids who grab a snack and then forget to shut the door. Pros:
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Best Energy-Saving RefrigeratorA French Door Fridge That Makes It Easy to Grab and GoBest Buy LG Door-In-Door RefrigeratorDimensions: 34.3 x 34.8 x 69.8 inches | Total Capacity: 27 cubic feet Door-in-door models like this one help conserve a bit of energy and keep the main fridge compartment cool by incorporating a small front compartment in the door for frequently-used items. When you knock on it twice, the small space lights up to show you what’s on hand, and you can easily grab a drink or snack without opening the main door and exposing half your fridge. Other notable features of the LG Door-in-Door Refrigerator include its large Glide N' Serve drawer, designed for large party trays and deli items, and special cooling features. The fridge has built-in digital sensors that monitor temperature and humidity, while the constant cold air from its Door Cooling+ feature maintains the proper temperature for what’s stored in the doors. This fridge model’s water dispenser also goes beyond the basic—it’s NSF-certified and filters more effectively than the brand’s previous filters. Pros:
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Best Mini FridgeThe Perfect Compact Option For Smaller Homes Or Dorm RoomsBestBuy Insignia Mini Fridge with Top FreezerDimensions: 20.5 x 19.1 x 33.4 inches | Total Capacity: 3 cubic feet This two-door, stainless steel mini fridge from Best Buy’s house brand Insignia has a completely separate freezer compartment (with a 0.9 cubic foot capacity) that will make you wish you had a mini fridge like this in college. This compact fridge includes features found in standard sized refrigerators, such a transparent produce drawer and an adjustable thermostat, while the fridge door has a rack specifically for canned drinks and can also hold taller items. One of the two shelves is adjustable, offering two height options. Note that as with most mini fridges, the Insignia Mini Fridge’s freezer doesn’t perform auto-defrost. Pros:
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What To Look For When Buying A RefrigeratorThere are a lot of different features to consider when shopping for a fridge. Keep these in mind while you shop. SizeYour fridge is going to need to fit into its designated space in your kitchen. Measuring out your space in advance—including height, depth and width—is crucial to getting your purchase right the first time. You’ll also want to leave a few inches of clearance on each side so it’s not wedged in there. ConfigurationYou might like a French door fridge with the freezer on the bottom, or prefer one that puts the freezer and fridge side by side. Other people prefer to have a classic freezer-on-top style. Knowing your wishes in advance will help you narrow down the field. Water/Ice DispensersFor some people, having a water and ice dispenser in the refrigerator door is a must; for others, they will go unused. Figure out in advance what your preference is. Other FeaturesFridges offer up plenty of additional bells and whistles, including water filtration systems, a built-in Keurig and smart features that allow you to see inside your appliance while you’re at the store. Of course, these will cost you. You want to make sure the refrigerator you choose is the right fit for your lifestyle—and budget. What Are The Best Refrigerator Brands?Some big names that you can trust and easily find at mainstream retailers include LG, Samsung, Whirlpool and Bosch. A couple of highly-rated models to consider from those brands are the LG French Door Refrigerator and the Whirlpool Bottom Freezer Refrigerator, both featured above. How Long Do Refrigerators Last On Average?This depends on a number of compounding factors: the make and quality of the fridge, as well as how much you use it and how well you maintain it, to name just a few. That said, most fridges last about 12 years on average, give or take a few years. When Should I Replace My Fridge?There are a few things that can signal it’s time to spring for a new fridge. If you notice your food is regularly sweaty, that can indicate that your refrigerator isn’t able to keep up with the demand. A refrigerator that becomes loud, causes a jacked-up utility bill, or gives off heat from the back are all signs that things aren’t operating the way they should. Ditto if you find that your freezer keeps having an icy buildup that you have to chisel out, despite defrosting it. And, if you find that all of this is happening when your refrigerator is at least 10 years old, it’s definitely time to look for a new one. Of course, with all of the new features now being added to the latest models, you might just decide it’s time for an upgrade, even if your current refrigerator is currently running just fine. What is the most reliable refrigerator and ice maker?Our Best Refrigerators of 2022 Rating. #1 LG 26.2-Cubic-Foot Smart French Door LFXS26973 Refrigerator.. #2 Samsung 27.7-Cubic-Foot Four-Door RF28R7551 Refrigerator.. #3 Whirlpool 25.2-Cubic-Foot French Door WRF535SMH Refrigerator.. #3 Café 27.8-Cubic-Foot Smart Four-Door CVE28D Refrigerator.. Which refrigerator brand is the most dependable?Most Reliable Refrigerator Brands: GE, Bosch, Whirlpool, KitchenAid. Based on my interviews with appliance service professionals, Yale's annual reliability report, and consumer reviews, GE, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Bosch are the most reliable refrigerator brands right now.
Is it worth having a water dispenser on a refrigerator?1. Is It Worth Having A Water Dispenser On The Fridge? Yes, it is worth having a water dispenser in the fridge because you will have more convenience with the best side-by-side refrigerator and a dispenser. The family who drinks more water can directly fill up the glass with the need to fill the extra water bottles.
Are ice and water dispensers worth it?It's undeniable that ice and water dispensers offer a lot of convenience when added to a refrigerator. Being able to fill a glass with cubed or crushed ice and then immediately fill it with drinking water makes it very easy to prepare family meals or entertain guests.
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