Best Refrigerators

Why you need to put your faith in us

Our advice is based mostly on two big fact-finding projects we conducted to collect feedback from people who use refrigerators and then quantify and analyze that feedback. Although we were unable to test fridges directly for the guide, we found important trends through our extensive research that we could not find by simply testing.

Wirecutter readers responded to our initial major research project, a survey. There were more than 5,500 responses. The results of this survey revealed solid data on consumer satisfaction by door brand and type. We also got an idea about which refrigerator features make people happy and information about reliability.

Although the survey did not accurately reflect the market, the top-freezer refrigerators weren’t as popular as they are in the US. They accounted for 41% of fridges sold by 2020, statistics from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Statistics were not available for more than seven brands. However, we believe that our survey data points to some deeper truths about the category. This includes the top-selling styles as well as brands. (Massive, massive thanks to Wirecutter user research lead Raquel Hamias, who conducted the survey for us and crunched the results into usable numbers.) The other major source of information was an analysis of 28,000 customer reviews on Home Depot’s site, across 34 different refrigerator models from all the major brands and spanning door types and prices, conducted with the aid of an artificial-intelligence-driven tool called FindOurView . Although this analysis only covered a fraction of all fridges, it provided a lot of information about what owners love and which models are performing poorly. It also helped us identify LG fridges with cooling issues that were particularly problematic. There were many other reviews and information on reliability as well as guides for how to choose and install refrigerators. In order to compile the previous editions of this guide we spoke with several industry experts including brands representatives, repair specialists, and dealers.

Our refrigerator testing has not taken place. We have not done hands-on refrigerator testing due to logistical issues and pandemic protocols. Also, there is simply too little objective information from actual use. However, we have touched the majority of fridges in the guide. We’ve pulled the handles, wiggled shelves, and so forth.

Unfortunately, the guide may not have all the answers. There are many topics we don’t have the time to research, such as built in fridges. We plan to examine some of those topics in greater depth in the future. We hope that this research will help you find the best fridge for your needs.

Liam McCabe was the senior staff writer and covered home appliances from 2011 to Reviewed. Since then, McCabe worked with Wirecutter versions since 2014.

Why We Don’T Have Refrigerator “Picks”

We don’t have “official” recommendations for specific refrigerator models. As a Wirecutter guide we would only highlight the refrigerators we feel are the best. This was how the guide used to look in the past, but that didn’t work out well for the task. We are now trying something else.

While we will point you to the brands and most popular styles in this guide, we do not recommend any specific model. Wirecutter does earn a commission when readers purchase from those links. We aren’t calling any model a pick or the best at this time. This is because it feels right for us. There are many refrigerator sizes, and it wouldn’t be possible to list them all on one page. We tried to avoid this problem in older editions of this guide by focusing on the top-selling sizes and types. However, readers complained that they couldn’t find those refrigerators, and were left feeling confused or out of touch. To give you an idea of the range of models available on Home Depot’s website, there were 10 different sizes, 4 different door styles and 3 different finishes. There was also a wide variety of heights and depths and even ice dispenser designs.

Also, it’s a subjective category. Reasonable people can draw different conclusions about various features, such as door ice or freezer bin. Counter-depth is better than standard-depth. French-door is not the same thing. A useful performance metric is not one that distinguishes good refrigerators from those with poor ones. Also, not enough data exists about longevity or reliability to be able to make any predictions.

11 Best Refrigerators To Buy In 2021, According To Kitchen Appliance Experts

All top fridge brands, at all price points

If the home is a family’s universe, the refrigerator is the sun. Everything revolves around it, from breakfasts to-go healthy lunches dinners around the table. This is why buying a refrigerator new is such a huge deal. From the dimensions of the refrigerator, to their finishes and other special features, there are many factors that you need to be aware. It’s obvious that these products are costly. The right place to look if you are searching for top-quality products from reliable brands that can last many years.

Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute reviews every kind of kitchen appliance, including gas ranges and blenders. Fridges are rated on how well they can regulate temperatures to preserve grocery staples such as lettuce, deli meat and frozen food. Every model’s temperature uniformity is evaluated. This includes the ability to maintain consistent temperatures between freezer and fridge compartment shelves. In order to test refrigerators’ moisture retention on crisper drawers as well, we also tested their ability to store it on the shelves. We also evaluate the ease of each fridge’s use. This includes the usefulness and simplicity of the manual and how easy it is to use the controls.

The interior features we score include the types of shelves found in the refrigerator cavity, on doors and inside the freezer, how easy the baskets and freezer drawers can be opened and closed, whether crispers have humidity controls, and whether there are meat keepers or temperature-controlled deli drawers. Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as all notable features, were not scored.

The GE Profile Series French-D oor refrigerator is our top choice. It also comes with a Keurig K-Cup Brewing system. Our Lab experts loved its unique design and high scores in temperature maintenance and uniformity tests. It’s also Wi-Fi enabled, so you can adjust settings, preheat water for coffee, and more with the downloadable app. Here’s a list of the

Why You Should Trust Us

“>best refrigerators to buy, according to testing:

LG InstaView Door in Door

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Image credit to Shutterstock. The top refrigerators can do so much more than just keeping food cold. It should make the most of the available space. The temperature must be evenly distributed and not fluctuate. You can open or close the doors to quickly restore its temperature.

Energy consumption should always be taken into consideration when buying a refrigerator. Energy Star certified models are a good option. You should also check the freezer compartment. Frozen freezers of today are no longer necessary. This saves you the hassle of defrosting a freezer. You should also make sure that the freezer has enough room. Next there’s the latest features to consider; do you want a fridge with smart connectivity? Some models even have touch-screen displays or glass doors. This can lead to overwhelming decisions when selecting a model. We’ve done extensive research to compile this list.

These are the 8 best refrigerators of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our . On purchases from the links we have chosen, commissions may be earned.

Top or bottom freezer for the Spruce/Chloe Jeong French doors or smart capabilities?

Selecting a refrigerator should not be a decision about the model that you can afford. Your needs are important and your refrigerator should meet them. This will make your life easier and more efficient. You may prefer a side by side fridge/freezer combination if you are someone who regularly buys frozen food in the stores. You may find compact refrigerators more useful if you have a small kitchen or limited space.

This is our selection of the top refrigerators on today’s market.

Reviewed Recommendations independently selected by Reviewed’s editorial staff. Our links can earn us commissions for purchases you make.

When you’re shopping for a fridge, a stroll through a home improvement store may overwhelm you with rows and rows of fridges that more or less look identical. So it’s tempting to panic, and choose one from random so that you don’t lose your mind.

Here’s where Reviewed comes in. Our experts at Reviewed have tested many French-door refrigerators side-by-side, top freezer and bottom freezer in labs. We can help you choose the right one for your home.

Get expert shopping advice delivered to your phone . Get text messages from Reviewed, the deal-hunting geeks.

We consider temperature consistency, storage capacity, and ease of use to be the most important aspects of a good fridge. The fridge offering the best of both worlds typically comes at a high price.

Frigidaire Gallery FL4H2272UF is our preferred fridge. Available at AppliancesConnection, it costs $2873.10 and is an excellent choice for people with limited space or budget. This giant fridge, 21.8 cubic feet in size, offers high-quality temperature consistency that will allow you to preserve food safely and effectively.

For those with a different budget, style, and feature preferences, we have plenty of other recommendations that will work in your kitchen and not give you sticker shock.

The Tests

The reality of living in the real world will have you aware that certain temperature settings are crucial for appliances to work well. Since an appliance has many mechanical and electronic parts that all work together, air quality can prevent certain parts of the appliance from performing at their best.

Refrigerators are especially sensitive to changes in ambient air. Refrigerators draw in air from the atmosphere and then cool it down until it is below 37 degrees F. This allows food to be preserved and prevents bacteria growth. The condenser, cooling coils and compressor have to work harder in hot conditions to cool the warm air. Cold weather makes it difficult for the refrigerator to work in general. This is why, if you happen to have a second fridge in your sweltering hot or freezing cold garage, you may have noticed that the air inside that fridge is not as cold as the air inside your kitchen fridge.

These temperature effects are mitigated by testing each refrigerator in a lab where the air is heated to 72 degrees +/-5 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, each fridge can get the chance to perform at its best, and doesn’t get inadvertently penalized for having to deal with warmer or colder air than its competitors experienced.

Each refrigerator was tested over the course of one week, including a calibration day. We fill the refrigerator with water ballast, since refrigerators work better in a smaller space. Then we take measurements of the temperature, humidity, time to freeze, space used, and energy consumption.

* Temperature 37degF is the ideal setting for fridges and freezers, while 0degF is the optimal. If you keep fridge temperatures above 37°F, it is possible to develop bacteria. Frozen food should not be kept at temperatures higher than 0degF. When each fridge is set to that temperature, temperatures are recorded throughout the week. These data show us both how close they were to 37degF (or 0degF), and also how close the ambient temperature was to those ideals.

* Humidity loss For this test we will focus on the fridge’s vegetable crisper. First, add water to the flower foam ball. Next, track how much water has evaporated each day. Humidity loss rates are important because if the crisper is too dry, your leafy greens will dry out very quickly. The crisper should not be too humid or your fruit will go bad. A fridge that is able to strike the right balance between these extremes can help preserve fruits and vegetables for as long time as possible.

Related To:

Appliances Refrigerators Shopping Materials and Supplies Metal Home & Garden Products Stainless Steel Of all the appliances to suddenly break, the worst surprise is the fridge. It is not only one of the most costly home appliances to repair, but also houses your food. An indicator of an old refrigerator is the consistency and quality of its ice cream. Freezing dairy products takes an additional couple of hours than freezing meals, ice makers or frozen foods. It’s time for you to get a new pint of icecream if it becomes too runny. But you don’t have to wait for the fridge to break to upgrade. A new fridge can add value to your home if you’re about to put it on the market, or if you’ve just moved into a new house, a new fridge is a great place to start chipping away at upgrading appliances. Or maybe you just want to move but are saving up for the stainless steal French door fridge of your dreams. Shopping for a fridge can seem overwhelming, no matter what reason. You can find so many sizes, features, specifications and materials. It must look good and last a while. We’ve got you covered. This is the definitive buyer’s guide on the best refrigerators. We have everything you need, including side-by sides and bottom freezers. Smart refrigerators are also available with WiFi. This list hits every price point, from the ultra-expensive third (and fourth!) Drawer fridges to fan favorites under $640, with free shipping Take a look at our top picks below and see which fridge is right for your kitchen.

How to Find the Perfect Refrigerator For 2020

Looking for the perfect refrigerator? First, read this.

A man who made his living for five plus years by testing refrigerators, this question still troubles me quite often. Let’s be real, I don’t know the answer.

Yes, there are many excellent refrigerators. However, fridges do not fit all homes. Every home is unique. So many fridge brands and models make it difficult to find one that fits your needs.

Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need a new icebox. The trick is to focus on the features and designs that matter most (and, better yet, to figure out which ones you can skip). It’s as simple as looking for the best deal on a refrigerator with good reviews that meets your needs.

Although I can give you many useful tips, here are some that have been proven to be the most reliable. I’ll update this as we test new fridges.

Which is the Most Reliable Refrigerator Brand?

A: We found that the top refrigerator brands are LG, GE Whirlpool, Whirlpool, and Samsung. It is natural that this would be the same companies listed as those who make refrigerators with the most problems.

Which Refrigerator Is the Most Dependable in 2021?

#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 Cafe 27.8-Cubic-Foot Smart Four-Door CVE28D Refrigerator.Oct 8, 2021

Which brand of refrigerator has the least problems?

According to J.D. Power, Whirlpool is the best choice when it comes to French-door refrigerator brands. Power’s report. KitchenAid is second, followed by Samsung and Samsung third. Puls also named Whirlpool the top-rated home-appliance brand.

.Best Refrigerators