Best Refrigerators
Best Overall Refrigerator
Best Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Best Top Freezer Refrigerator
Best French Door Refrigerator
Best RV/Van Refrigerator
If you’re a first-time homeowner, you may not have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in a refrigerator. Or maybe you’re on the hunt because your family has grown or you’re simply looking to upgrade. Whatever the case, there’s a lot to consider before you make the investment.
We evaluated our favorite refrigerators based on factors like size, freezer location, shelving, door type, water filtration, warranty, price, and more.
How to choose the best refrigerator for you
Refrigerators come in a variety of shapes and sizes suited to different lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for a mini-fridge to take on the go or a fridge that’s large enough to support your buy-in-bulk strategy, the factors to consider are the same.
Dimensions: How to Measure for a Fridge
In terms of size, refrigerators are usually listed by their internal size in cubic feet, but it’s important to know the external dimensions, too. If you’re replacing an old fridge, you can get one of similar dimensions. Always allow for an extra inch on all sides for ventilation and installation.
- If you don’t know the dimensions of your current fridge, measure its depth (distance from the wall-touching back to the front) at three points — bottom, waist height, and top. Also measure the height and width.
If you’re buying a fridge for a new or remodeled home, you can measure the space where your fridge will go in a very similar fashion.
- Measure the depth of the space at three points: the bottom, waist height, and the top. Take several measurements as sometimes walls become irregular in height when houses settle.
Lastly, measure the entryways along the path you will have to take to get the refrigerator into your home — That includes external and internal doors. A new refrigerator is only useful if you can get it inside your house.
Door style
Door style isn’t just an aesthetic choice. It determines the location of your freezer and refrigerator.
- French doors — Side-by-side doors open up to one refrigerated space. The freezer sits below and is typically a pull-out drawer.
- Side by side — One door opens to a freezer and one opens to a refrigerator.
- Top freezer — A more traditional style of refrigerator, these have a refrigerator on the bottom two thirds of the space, with a freezer on the top third. They typically have an icebox within the freezer.
- Bottom freezer — Like the french door style, the freezer is a pull-out drawer on the bottom. One door opens up to a fridge on top.
Exterior finish
You’ll want to make sure the finish matches your other kitchen appliances. But it’s not just about style — the finish can also be a huge factor in terms of durability and upkeep.
- Stainless steel is the most popular finish because it’s durable and versatile. It’s easily incorporated into the design of most spaces, and you can even find fingerprint resistant stainless steel.
- Classic shades like white and black are still available. In general, lighter colors compliment a smaller space, while darker finishes are better for more spacious rooms.
ENERGY STAR certification
Refrigerators are one of the largest energy users of all household appliances, so it pays to have high standards in this area. Plus, you’ll keep your carbon footprint low.
- Is it ENERGY STAR certified? Refrigerators with this certification have the government’s stamp of approval when it comes to energy efficiency. They can save you about $575 per year compared to an older model, according to the Energy Star Program.
Warranty
You’re investing in an appliance that you’re going to use every day, hopefully for the next 10 to 15 years of your life. A typical warranty that comes with the purchase will only last about a year. An extended warranty from a reputable retailer can protect you for years to come. Here are a few things you should look for:
- Cost — In general, about 20 percent of the cost of the fridge is a fair price to pay for a good warranty. Plus, some will even reimburse you for part of the warranty if you don’t end up using it.
- Food spoilage reimbursement — If your fridge quits on you and leaves you with a bunch of spoiled groceries, some warranties will reimburse you for the cost.
Additional features
Nice-to-haves are important, too! Shop around and take note of any features that boost the refrigerator’s functionality for you.
- Water dispenser — If you’re against a pitcher-style water filter, be sure to look for a fridge that comes with a water dispenser built into the door.
- Shelving and drawers — Would you like adjustable shelves? A large drawer dedicated to produce? Some refrigerators even come with a built-in wine rack.
- Temperature control — Some refrigerators have the ability to set temperature differently in specific drawers, which can be nice for those who like to buy a variety of produce.
Best Overall Refrigerator
This refrigerator has a ton of storage capacity, thanks to lots of shelving and drawers. The french doors both have built-in shelves large enough to store condiments and beverages. The two CrispSeal drawers are perfect for storing produce, and thanks to the adjustable shelving, you can put them anywhere. If you’re a fan of customized organization, this is a great choice.
The built-in water filter is a nice touch, as is the pull-out freezer on the bottom. Any pull-out freezer is going to be less organized than a side-by-side, so this is probably a better option for someone who eats more fresh than frozen food.
The stainless steel finish is a nice hybrid of sleek design and durability, and it comes in both a silver and black finish.
Best Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
This refrigerator has a contemporary look, with a stainless steel finish and minimal external features aside from an ultra-slim water dispenser. The dispenser is designed to allow easy filling for nearly any sized vessel, and it doesn’t take up any storage space within the refrigerator.
The EZKleen feature includes an anti-fingerprint coating and spill-safe glass shelves, which capture drips and leaks. The refrigerator features 10 adjustable shelves and 2 produce bins, ensuring you get the most out of the space. The freezer compartment also comes with several bins for organization, including an ice maker that’s removable.
The refrigerator also features ActiveSmart™ technology, which helps keep food fresher for longer by constantly maintaining the ideal temperature.
Best Top Freezer Refrigerator
Do you love the contemporary look of stainless steel, but dislike the french door style that many modern refrigerators feature? This refrigerator offers a compromise: a classic structure that comes in three modern colors. It’s also budget-friendly and great for environments with limited space.
You can choose from three colors —white, black, and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. The shelving is customizable, too. Slide-out glass shelves offer the ability to reorganize to fit larger dishes like cakes or casseroles at any time. The two clear crisper drawers are perfect for produce, and the door shelving offers a ton of space too, thanks to the gallon door bins.
The freezer is located on top of the refrigerator, which is nice for those who don’t like to bend down to a pull-out freezer. It’s also a frost-free freezer, designed to reduce icy buildup on both the freezer and the food inside it.
Best French Door Refrigerator
Another classic design, this refrigerator features side-by-side doors that open up to a ton of space. The glass shelves are adjustable, but that’s not the best part — They’re also “spill-proof.” No, they won’t prevent leaks from happening, but they do make clean up a lot easier. Raised edges on the shelves help contain spills, holding up to 12 ounces of liquid to minimize the spread.
In addition to three shallow door bins, the two deep bins can hold gallon-sized containers, freeing up space on your internal shelves. The freezer also has glass shelves and several door bins, so there’s really no compromise with this model.
The fridge also has a built-in GE water filtration system and Arctic ice maker, so you can say goodbye to your pitcher filter and ice trays if you’ve been using them. The ice maker also has a special access door, which allows you to scoop large amounts of ice at once, rather than waiting on the dispenser.
Best RV/Van Refrigerator
At first glance, this refrigerator/freezer combination seems to better fit the description of a cooler — It’s tiny, but powerful. For reference, it can fit about 58 standard cans of soda.
This nifty fridge has both a refrigerator and a freezer section, so you can store anything for later — ice cream, meat, beverages, seafood, and more. It’s perfect for nomads who live that van life, or those looking for something better than a cooler to take along on outings.
You can plug this refrigerator into a car, home, or small solar system outlet. If you decide to take it on the road, it’s got a three-level battery protection mechanism, so you don’t have to worry about the refrigerator draining your car’s battery. It’s also silent, which is a huge plus for those who camp or live a mobile lifestyle.
If it sounds like an energy waster, think again: This portable fridge consumes less than a GPS navigator, just 1 kWh per day. When empty, it can cool down from 77℉ to 32℉ within just 15 minutes. But you can also choose ECO mode if you want to save energy and aren’t in a rush.