This is useful if you’re remodeling your kitchen or moving to a new space with a different layout. French door and side-by-side models do not allow you to change the way the doors open. R600a is a huge improvement over R134a, which is 1,430 times as strong a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide and was the most common refrigerant for household refrigerators through 2019 (some popular models still use it). In addition, we haven’t seen any proof that spending more on a fridge means it will be more reliable, at least not among non-luxury freestanding fridges. Side-by-sides and top-freezer models were somewhat more prone to minor, nuisance-type problems like noise, broken shelves or handles, and flickering lights than French-door or bottom-freezer models.
Either along the interior side of the door or along the right side of the tub of the dishwasher and is visible when the door is open. Assess the door seal for dirt and debris or signs of damage like rips or tears. While a refrigerator door seal cleaning with a damp cloth can restore cool temperatures, a damaged seal requires replacement.
A standard depth fridge is deeper than the regular kitchen cabinets, but you get a lot more storage room. A Frigidaire refrigerator that is counter depth provides a more custom finished and sleek look. Below is a detailed breakdown of the winning and losing brands across the major refrigerator categories, along with some standouts in the areas of reliability and owner satisfaction.
You’ll find some different brand names between the feature-rich and design-forward styles, though they often come from the same parent companies. KitchenAid is a Whirlpool Corporation label that makes good-looking but feature-light fridges. GE has its Profile line, which is feature-heavy, and the Café brand, which is style-forward. Samsung has its Bespoke series, which allows you to swap in color panels on your refrigerator doors, or even custom ones printed with your own designs. LG, which already has the Studio and Signature lines, recently revealed a futuristic new fridge series called MoodUp, featuring doors (actually LED light panels) that you can customize on the fly in thousands of colors.
Based on the look and layout of the fridges, Kenmore’s basic top-freezer models appear to be made by Frigidaire, most of its other midrange models are probably made by Whirlpool, and its higher-end models seem to be LGs. Kenmore products can vary a bit from the major-label versions—sometimes they earn different performance ratings from pro reviewers, for example—but generally you can expect the same experience. For other current LG fridges (including the French-door models we analyzed) and other major brands, we saw those kinds of problems cited in only about 3% of reviews, give or take.
Among the most popular fridge styles, the French-door design (with half-width fridge doors and a pull-out bottom freezer) is the most beloved type. We’ve also found that shallower, counter-depth fridges with less capacity (and that tend to use a bit less energy) are big enough for most households. If you thought state-of-the-art fridges and craft ice makers made LG out of your budget, think again. The brand has an extensive line of reasonably priced refrigerators that still feature innovative designs, Energy Star-certified cooling, and excellent storage. If you’re looking for a fridge that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but delivers on design and capacity, the LG LRFCS25D3S 25-cubic-foot French Door Refrigerator is a strong contender.
One of the most trusted names in kitchen appliances is Frigidaire. Founded in North Carolina in 1918, the company created the first electric, self-contained refrigerator. It has come a long way since then, implementing new technologies and innovations to offer the most advanced and practical products to customers. Large smudge-proof, stainless steel, 3-door refrigerator with full-width drawer, 2 crisper drawers, and door bins.
Our reader survey didn’t turn up any useful information on how they compare to other brands in the US, but the parent company has a good reputation in other countries. The challenge with these brands Frigidaire fridge might be getting service under warranty or spare parts for repairs in the future. Bottom-freezer fridges offer a lot of the same advantages of French-door models but for a much lower price.
Many people buy counter-depth fridges because that’s what fits into their kitchen. Maybe the fridge will be in a galley kitchen or pantry, or maybe an island stands tight to the fridge cutout, and it’s going to be a pain to deal with a fridge that takes up too much room. We point toward a few notable top-freezer models in our section on budget-friendly fridges.
Designed to eliminate odors and provide up to 6 months of clean water by removing 99% of microbiological agents. You’ll be given the option to customize the exterior of your unit so it matches the aesthetic in the rest of your home. Plus, many of Café’s appliances include smart features, such as the ability to connect to Wi-Fi Frigidaire fridge and be controlled from your phone. Appliances from Café prioritize style in addition to functionality, making them some of the most expensive options on the market. If you’re shopping for a refrigerator—or a new range, microwave, dishwasher, or coffee maker—and have a large budget, this will be the brand to check out.