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An Asian man opens a door to a stainless steel refrigerator Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Best Refrigerators of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

An Asian man opens a door to a stainless steel refrigerator Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

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1
Editor's Choice Product image of Frigidaire Gallery GRQC2255BF
Best Overall

Frigidaire Gallery GRQC2255BF

This four-door French-door is one of the best fridges we've tested. It has near-perfect temperatures, great features, and almost no downsides. Read More

Pros

  • Near-perfect temperatures
  • Custom-temp compartment
  • Tons of great extra features

Cons

  • Short warranty
2
Editor's Choice Product image of GE GDE25EYKFS
Best Bottom-Freezer

GE GDE25EYKFS

The GE GDE25EYKFS has remarkably steady temperatures, useful features, and lots of storage space for a bottom-freezer refrigerator. Read More

Pros

  • Consistent temperatures
  • Lots of storage

Cons

  • Crispers don't hold humidity well
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW
Best Top-Freezer

Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW

If you’re not looking to spend thousands on a new fridge, this top-freezer is a good budget buy that doesn’t skimp on temperature performance. Read More

Pros

  • Stable temperatures
  • Great value

Cons

  • Freezer temps need calibration
  • Wire racks don't handle spills well
4
Editor's Choice Product image of Samsung RS27T5200SR
Best Side-by-Side

Samsung RS27T5200SR

If you are looking for a fridge that supports Samsung's popular Family Hub smart home system, the RS27T5561SR is one of the best entry points. Read More

Pros

  • Steady temperatures
  • Lots of storage

Cons

  • Shelves and bins don't have many options for repositioning
5
Editor's Choice Product image of Bosch B36CD50SNS

Bosch B36CD50SNS

This French-door stunner aced our tests, maintaining unwavering temperatures. It also boasts a through-the-door dispenser and smart connectivity. Read More

Pros

  • Near-perfect temperatures
  • Through-the-door dispenser
  • Smart connectivity

Cons

  • Less storage space than average

Surrounded by rows of nearly identical-looking appliances, it can be difficult to find the best refrigerator for your kitchen. That’s why our experts have tested hundreds of refrigerators of all shapes, styles, and designs to determine which ones are worth the investment.

During testing, we consider temperature consistency, storage capacity, and ease of use to be the most important aspects of a good fridge. Our top-rated refrigerator is the Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF (available at Best Buy for $2,049.99) . This French-door fridge is nearly perfect, offering even temperatures and tons of storage space at a reasonable price.

For those with a different budget, style, and feature preferences, we have plenty of other recommendations that will work in your kitchen.

Editor's Note:
Due to supply chain challenges and soaring demand, there is widespread unavailability of home appliances and long wait times for delivery of backordered models. If you're shopping for a refrigerator, here are the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now.
The Bosch B36FD50SNS outside of our fridge testing lab.
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan
Best Overall
Frigidaire Gallery GRQC2255BF
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 70.13" x 36" x 29.6" (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 9.34-cubic-foot refrigerator, 4.7-cubic-foot freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and water
  • Finish: Stainless steel

The Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF 4-door French-door is the best refrigerator we've tested to date, by a healthy margin.

One of the most impressive abilities of this fridge is to keep temperatures within a fraction of a degree of their target, both over time and throughout each of its compartments. Typically there's a bit of wiggle to any fridge's temperatures due to defrost cycles or opening the door to grab something. Thanks to its TwinTech cooling system, the GRQC2255BF is able to adapt quickly to any changes to prevent your food's internal temperature from changing even a single degree Fahrenheit. This is, by far, the best temperature performance we've ever recorded.

The Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF doesn't stop with near-perfect temperatures. When it comes to extra features, the GRQC2255BF has just about everything you'd expect from a high-end fridge. It has a through-the-door ice and water dispenser, a custom-temp compartment located next to its freezer, and some highly-customizable storage throughout.

The GRQC2255BF offers an unbelievable value for its purchase price, both in terms of its raw performance and its overall usability. If you want to buy the best of the best, the Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF is it.

Read our full review of the Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF

Pros

  • Near-perfect temperatures

  • Custom-temp compartment

  • Tons of great extra features

Cons

  • Short warranty

The GE GDE25EYKHRFS bottom-freezer refrigerator, set up just outside our fridge testing labs
Credit: Reviewed / Michael Elderbee
Best Bottom-Freezer
GE GDE25EYKFS
  • Style: Bottom-freezer
  • Dimensions: 69.88" x 32.75" x 37.5" (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 11.9-cu.-ft. fridge, 4.2-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Finishes: White, black, stainless steel (may cost extra), fingerprint-resistant stainless steel (may cost extra)
  • Special features: Sliding snack drawer, Turbo Cool setting, Multiflow Air System with Electronic Sensors
  • Dispensers: Internal ice maker

Looking at the GE GDE25EYKFS, there's little to separate it from another budget bottom-freezer—until you actually use it.

The GDE25EYKFS has near-perfect temperature performance. It hits exactly the temperatures it needs to, in both the fridge and the freezer, and barely budges from that spot.

You'll also find a lot more storage space on this model than in other bottom-freezer fridges. We measured its fridge as two cubic feet larger than average, while its freezer offers an additional half a cubic foot of space.

Beyond its temperature and storage, though, the GE GDE25EYKFS is just a good value. You'd be hard-pressed to find another bottom-freezer that's this good, for a price this low.

The only downside this fridge has is a lack of extras—otherwise it's an incredible value.

Read our full review of the GE GDE25EYKFS bottom-freezer refrigerator

Pros

  • Consistent temperatures

  • Lots of storage

Cons

  • Crispers don't hold humidity well

Closed and opened views of the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW, showing the two freezer shelves, three fridge shelves and two drawers, plus door storage.

The Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW is inexpensive but extremely reliable where it counts.

Best Top-Freezer
Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW
  • Style: Top-freezer
  • Dimensions: 61.75” x 28” x 30.5” (H x W x D)
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Measured usable space: 9.68-cu.-ft. fridge, 3.98-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Dispensers: None
  • Finishes: White, black

If you’re not looking to spend thousands on a new fridge, the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW is a good bet. Unlike most lower-cost fridges, this Hotpoint doesn’t skimp on temperature performance. In fact, its fridge and freezer temperatures stray by less than 2°F in total.

Still, the features are as minimal as you’d expect based on its price tag. Its freezer also runs a bit warm before calibration, though that’s an easy fix.

Looking for a fridge in this price range will require compromises. In this case, those compromises are tiny compared to the ratio of price to performance.

Read our full review of the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW top-freezer refrigerator

Pros

  • Stable temperatures

  • Great value

Cons

  • Freezer temps need calibration

  • Wire racks don't handle spills well

Closed and open views of the Samsung RS27T5200SR.
Credit: Reviewed

Closed and open views of the Samsung RS27T5200SR. The freezer on the left side has five shelves and a drawer. The refrigerator on the right side has four shelves stacked over two drawers, plus five door storage bins.

Best Side-by-Side
Samsung RS27T5200SR
  • Style: Side-by-side
  • Dimensions: 70.06” x 35.88” x 33.5” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 12.7-cu.-ft. fridge, 5.7-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and water
  • Finishes: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, white

The Samsung RS27T5200SR uses a multi-vent system to keep temperatures more evenly distributed throughout the unit. Our tests confirm that this design works as intended: Temperatures were remarkably solid throughout the fridge cavity. It also has more storage space than the average side-by-side refrigerator.

While "very even temperatures" and "extra space" might not be as flashy as some other features on this list, these are two areas where side-by-side fridges often have difficulty.

The RS27T5200SR is one of the better side-by-sides to come through our labs. If you're interested in a fridge with this design, it’s a great option.

Read our full review of the Samsung RS27T5200SR side-by-side refrigerator

Pros

  • Steady temperatures

  • Lots of storage

Cons

  • Shelves and bins don't have many options for repositioning


Other Refrigerators We Tested

Product image of Bosch B36CD50SNS
Bosch B36CD50SNS
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 69.5” x 35.63” x 31.13” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 10.68-cu.-ft. fridge, 3.82-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Standard depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and water
  • Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel

The stunning Bosch B36CD50SNS offers the near-perfect performance that fans of the the high-end, German-engineered brand have come to expect.

It sailed through our tests, maintaining unwavering temperatures in both the refrigerator and freezer. Its features, including smart connectivity for remote operation and notifications, are genuinely useful.

There are a few small flaws. We’d love a shelf spill capture, and the storage capacity is slightly below average. Still, the B36CD50SNS is still one of our top-rated fridges of all time.

Read our full review of the Bosch B36CD50SNS French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Near-perfect temperatures

  • Through-the-door dispenser

  • Smart connectivity

Cons

  • Less storage space than average

Product image of Bosch B36FD50SNS
Bosch B36FD50SNS
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 70" x 35.63" x 32.13" (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 12.71-cu.-ft. refrigerator, 4.92-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Standard depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and water
  • Finish: Stainless steel

The Bosch B36FD50SNS is nearly perfect. Fridge and freezer temperatures are exactly spot on and perfectly consistent. Both offer more storage than typical French-door refrigerators.

Its crispers hold humidity perfectly. It has a through-the-door water and ice dispenser. We love its sleek, stainless steel finish. Our only critique is that its shelves only have lips to capture spills in the front, not the sides or back.

This fridge costs more than the average French-door fridge. But between its excellent performance, great features, and Bosch’s strong warranty, it’s worth the price.

Read our full review of the Bosch B36FD50SNS French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Solid temperatures

  • Lots of fridge storage

  • Through-the-door dispenser

Cons

  • Its shelves only have a spill-capture lip on their front

Product image of Cafe CVE28DM5NS5
GE Café CVE28DM5NS5
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 69.875” x 35.63” x 34.25” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 10.83-cu.-ft. fridge; 4.75-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Standard depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and water
  • Finishes: Stainless steel with recessed handles, black with stainless steel door handles, white with brushed bronze door handles, platinum glass with recessed handles

The GE Café CVE28DM5NS5 doubles as a statement piece. It features a shiny platinum glass finish, shelves with rose gold accents, and LED lights gently backlighting the interior walls. But this fridge backs up its form with function.

It has spot-on temperature control, a wide variety of flexible, adjustable storage, and a highly effective crisper drawer. An extra temperature-controlled drawer offers bonus storage with freezer or fridge settings, and the freezer boasts an extra rack that’s perfect for flat foods like pizzas.

Another great feature is Autofill: The water dispenser automatically senses the height of your water vessel, fills it up without overflowing, and reports how much water was dispensed. This fridge is expensive, but if it’s within your budget, the GE CVE28DM5NS5 offers you great looks and utility.

Read our full review of the GE Café CVE28DM5NS5 French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Consistent temperatures

  • Backlit interior

  • Custom-temp drawer

Cons

  • Smaller capacity

Product image of Samsung Bespoke RF29BB86004MAA
Samsung Bespoke RF29BB86004MAA
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 70" x 35.75" x 34.25" (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 10.61-cu.-ft. refrigerator, 5.28-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Standard depth
  • Dispensers: Internal ice and water
  • Finishes: White glass, charcoal glass, matte gray glass, Morning Blue glass, clementine glass, pink glass, Sunrise Yellow glass, stainless steel, matte black steel, navy steel, Tuscan steel, emerald green steel

The Samsung Bespoke RF29BB8600AP is pricier than some of its peers, but backs that up with great performance and singular looks.

The fridge has excellent temperature performance, and its freezer is no slouch, either. Features include an internal ice and water dispenser and a flex drawer for adaptable storage. There’s also a door-in-door design that provides easy access to your door bins and prevents cold air from escaping.

Of course, the main reason to buy a Bespoke appliance is the slew of customization options. The wide list of glass or steel finishes to choose from keeps growing, almost ensuring you’ll find the perfect look. While this fridge may be expensive compared to less-customizable counterparts, it’s actually one of the cheaper ways to get a custom look like this into your kitchen.

Read our full review of the Samsung Bespoke RF29BB8600AP French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Solid fridge temperatures

  • Flexible-temperature drawer

  • Customizable aesthetic

Cons

  • The custom-color panels are a separate purchase

Product image of Frigidaire Galllery GRMC2273CF
Frigidaire Galllery GRMC2273CF
  • Style: French door
  • Dimensions: 70.19" x 35.9" x 29.5" (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 11.6-cu.-ft. refrigerator, 3.6-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and filtered water dispenser
  • Finishes: Black stainless steel, stainless steel

If you've been looking for a counter-depth French-door, but haven't been thrilled with their low overall storage, the Frigidaire Gallery GRMC2273CF French-door fridge may be the pick for you.

While the GRMC2273CF does feature a counter-depth design (which is less deep than full-size builds, resulting in lower overall storage), it manages to use the space it does have incredibly well, with more fridge storage space than even some full-size models.

The GRMC2273CF also provides some excellent customization features to make sure that space conforms to your specific needs. It has sliding door bins and folding shelves that can move to make way for taller objects stored underneath, a storage area at kid-height called the Snack Zone, and a custom-temperature drawer that can be set anywhere from freezing to 45°F for chilling wine.

The GRMC2273CF excels in most other areas as well. Modern Frigidaire fridges are using a new air circulation technology, the TwinTech cooling system, which keeps temperatures consistent throughout its compartments as well as over time.

Read our full review of the Frigidaire Gallery GRMC2273CF French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Near-perfect temperatures

  • Lots of highly-customizable storage space

  • Effective crispers

Cons

  • A few fixtures feel cumbersome to use

Product image of Samsung Bespoke RF23A9675AP
Samsung Bespoke RF23A9675AP
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 73” x 35.875” x 28.75” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 14-cu.-ft. fridge, 8.8-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Door-in-door water; internal dual ice maker
  • Finishes: Matte black steel, navy glass, white, custom

The Samsung Bespoke RF23A9675AP is a gorgeous refrigerator. Its clean lines, modern look, and customization options will help it fit into any kitchen.

Unfortunately, while it excels on usability and presentation, it lags behind other French-doors on temperature consistency. Oddly, other high-end models share this flaw. That being said, it's definitely not a dealbreaker issue: With regular food turnover, most users will do just fine with their RF23A9675AP.

Read our full review of the Samsung Bespoke RF23A9675AP French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Sleek and modern look

  • Incredible attention to detail

  • Flexible compartment that can be fridge or freezer

Cons

  • Inconsistent temperatures

  • Ice separate from the beverage center

Product image of GE Profile PVD28BYNFS
GE Profile PVD28BYNFS
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 69.875” x 35.63” x 36.75” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 10.2-cu.-ft. fridge, 4.11-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Standard depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and water
  • Finishes: Stainless steel

If you have a high-end kitchen, the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS will fit right in. It hits all the right notes on both form and function: It boasts brushed, fingerprint-resistant stainless-steel finish, door-in-door storage, flexible shelving options, an extra temperature-controlled drawer, an auto-sensing water dispenser, and a backlit fridge cavity.

It performed well in our temperature tests. The crisper drawers are some of the best we’ve ever tested, maintaining ambient humidity beautifully. That means you’ll be able to keep your fruits and veggies fresh for longer. If it fits your budget, the GE PVD28BYNFS is well worth the money.

Read our full review of the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Backlit interior

  • Flexible drawer with custom temp

  • Through-the-door ice and water

Cons

Product image of KitchenAid KRFC704FBS
KitchenAid KRFC704FBS
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 71.875” x 35.63” x 31.5” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 11.42 cu.-ft. fridge, 3.83-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door ice and water
  • Finishes: Stainless steel, black stainless steel

The KitchenAid KRFC704FBS has plenty of style. From its finish to the interior wood and metal trim, this fridge is definitely worth a look. Its performance lives up to the aesthetic, with spot-on food preservation temperatures.

Convenience features include a retractable middle shelf that makes room for taller items, soft-close drawers, and an easy-to-operate control panel above the ice/water dispenser. Those of you with extra cash on hand who want something more interesting than white plastic inside your refrigerator will love the KitchenAid KRFC704FBS.

Read our full review of the KitchenAid KRFC704FBS French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Maintains consistent temperatures

  • Interior wood finish

  • Through-door dispensers

Cons

  • Drawers feel rickety

Product image of GE GNE25JMKES
GE GNE25JMKES
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 69.875” x 32.75” x 37.5” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 12.3 cu.-ft. fridge, 4.8-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Standard depth
  • Dispensers: Internal water; internal ice maker
  • Finishes: High gloss black, slate, stainless steel, high gloss white

The GE GNE25JMKES refrigerator is well-sized and well-priced. Its clean lines and sleek exterior really draw the eye, but what really impressed us was its precision temperature control and its energy efficiency.

While this fridge doesn't have through-door ice or water dispensers, it does have some amenities. You get retractable shelves, crisper bins with separate humidity controls, a temperature-controlled deli drawer, a discreet internal water dispenser, and an ice maker in the freezer. We like the GE GNE25JMKES because it looks like a stripped down French-door refrigerator, but still has some of the most convenient features that you find on more expensive models.

Read our full review of the GE GNE25JMKES French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Maintains consistent temperatures

  • Temperature-controlled drawer

  • Retractable shelves

Cons

  • Lacks through-door dispensers

Product image of Bosch B36CT80SNS
Bosch B36CT80SNS
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 72” x 36” x 27.81” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 13.6-cu.-ft. fridge, 2.5-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Internal water and ice
  • Finishes: Stainless steel, black stainless steel

The Bosch’s 800 Series B36CT80SNS passed all of our temperature tests with room to spare, maintaining cold, even temperatures in both the fridge and freezer. We also like its Home Connect-enabled smart refrigerator capabilities, crispers with customizable temperatures, and amply-sized fridge compartment.

The only downside? Its freezer, though well-organized, is small. It’s almost half as big as you’d expect on a French-door.

Read our full review of the Bosch’s 800 Series B36CT80SNS French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Excellent temperature control

  • Large fridge compartment

  • Internal dispensers

Cons

  • Small freezer

Product image of Electrolux ERMC2295AS
Electrolux ERMC2295AS
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 70” x 35.875” x 29.13” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 9.70-cu.-ft. fridge, 4.71-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door water and ice
  • Finish: Stainless steel

The Electrolux ERMC2295AS is a solid pick. This high-end, counter-depth fridge has a clean look and consistent temperatures.

It also delivers solid extras. The through-the-door dispenser is tall enough to accommodate thermoses and large reusable bottles. The flex drawer can quickly adapt to your storage needs, and the crispers can keep your veggies from wilting too quickly.

The ERMC2295AS’s small footprint can also be a benefit for those living in a particularly small space. Of course, the resulting reduced capacity is definitely a downside.

Read our full review of the Electrolux ERMC2295AS French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • Solid fridge temperature performance

  • Efficient crispers

  • Excellent extras

Cons

  • Temperatures in the freezer weren't consistent

  • Poor value

Product image of GE Profile PYE22PYNFS
GE Profile PYE22PYNFS
  • Style: French-door
  • Dimensions: 69.875” x 35.75” x 31.25” (H x W x D)
  • Measured usable space: 7.73-cu.-ft. fridge, 3.79-cu.-ft. freezer
  • Depth: Counter depth
  • Dispensers: Through-the-door water (cold and hot), ice, and Kuerig K-Cup coffee maker
  • Finish: Stainless steel, black stainless steel

The GE Profile PYE22PYNFS is made for people who luxuriate in food. Features include an in-the-door Keurig K-cup brewing system and flexible storage options. There’s also smart integration that lets you schedule hot water in advance of needing it.

This refrigerator excels at food preservation, earning a nearly-perfect consistency score. It held a steady, safe 38.76°F—well within the safe zone. Temperatures remained consistent over 72 hours of testing, despite the door being opened frequently. The freezer performed even better than the fridge.

Its one freezer compartment has two full-width storage baskets. Despite the shallow, counter-depth footprint, it offers more room for frozen foods than other similar models.

Tiny flaws—like coffee splatter and a wobbly freezer drawer—don’t knock it too much.

Read our full review of the GE Profile PYE22PYNFS French-door refrigerator

Pros

  • In-the-door Keurig coffee brewing system

  • Excellent temperature consistency

  • Humid crispers

Cons

  • Low on storage


How We Test Refrigerators

An Asian man places a plastic container of goo into an open refrigerator
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

We embed sensors in methylcellulose because we're more interested in the internal temperature of your food, which changes more slowly over time, as opposed to the ambient air temperature, which is constantly changing.

Reviewed's appliance testing team has spent years testing major appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers.

We test each fridge in our lab using a data-driven, objective point of view. We've got a detailed report of a refrigerating testing protocol, but we also use the appliances we test in our daily lives, as a regular person trying to get at the leftover Chinese food. These two types of experiences combine to help us recommend the best fridge for you at any price point. It also helps us determine which special features are actually beneficial.

We keep our lab air conditioned to 72°F +/- 5°F (basically, room temperature). We maintain relative humidity of 50% RH +/- 15% RH. This way, each fridge can perform at its best without struggling to function in extreme warm or cold conditions.

We spend a week putting each refrigerator through its paces. We pack them with water-filled containers, since fridges operate better when there’s less empty space. We then measure the fridge’s temperature, humidity loss, freezing time, usable space, and energy use.


What You Should Know About Buying Refrigerators

A new fridge is one of the biggest investments you make in your kitchen. Here are some things to know before purchasing your new kitchen appliance.

Styles of Refrigerators

A refrigerator is one of the most notable features of your kitchen, so form may matter to you. Here are the four main types of refrigerators and some of the benefits and drawbacks of each:

  • French-door refrigerators: These popular models feature a modern look—and often a higher price tag. Still, some models don't cost as much but retain features like in-door water and ice dispensers. They feature wide shelves for food items, but freezer space is often limited. They come in a range of sizes, finishes, and feature sets.
  • Side-by-side refrigerators: These fridges save space and keep food at eye level by placing the freezer next to the fridge compartment. They’re also typically less expensive than French-door models. You get more freezer space, but the narrow shelving in the fridge may present problems for pizza boxes and baking trays.
  • Top freezer refrigerators: These are efficient and inexpensive, but tend to have fewer features and weaker aesthetics. This style of refrigerator keeps the freezer at eye level, but you’ll have to bend over to get to lower shelves in the fridge.
  • Bottom freezer refrigerator: These fridges are the reverse of a top-freezer, but the freezer pulls out like a drawer rather than a swinging door. The freezer may have more storage space, but you’ll have to bend over to access it.

Usable Space vs. Total Capacity

One of the most common refrigerator specs is the total capacity in cubic feet. Unfortunately, a higher capacity doesn’t necessarily mean more storage space.

Shelves, drawers, and ice makers can eat into a fridge’s capacity. That’s why we measure usable space—how much room is actually available to store your food and drinks.

How to Measure Kitchen Space for a Refrigerator

If you’re looking to fit your new fridge into an existing enclosure, then getting the right measurements is crucial. The old adage about measuring twice can be applied to refrigerators, because you definitely don’t want to do any cutting to make your new fridge fit your kitchen space.

How Does a Refrigerator Work?

Refrigerators pull in air and cool it down to temperatures cold enough (usually around 37°F) to preserve food and limit bacterial growth. This cooling method means that fridges are very sensitive to air conditions.

In hot weather, the condenser and cooling coils have to work harder to cool the warmer air. In cold weather, the fridge condenser may not even turn on. If you have a second fridge dealing with extreme temperatures in a garage, you may notice the interior isn’t as cold as the inside of your kitchen fridge.

What Temperature Should a Refrigerator Be?

Ideally, your fridge should be exactly 37°F and your freezer should be 0°F. These temperatures are important because food needs to be kept within a very narrow band of temperatures to maximize its shelf life.

If your fridge drops to 32°F—just 5°F below the ideal temperature—some food in your refrigerator will start to freeze. On the other hand, temperatures of 40°F and higher are dangerous. That's the temperature at which bacteria start to proliferate quickly.

If your freezer gets warmer than 0°F, it means your food isn't being truly frozen. Furthermore, consistency is key: if temperatures in your freezer bounce around, freezer burn can become a huge issue.

How Long Do Refrigerators Last?

While the lifespan of any appliance can vary wildly due to several factors, you should expect your fridge to last about 10 years.

Most manufacturers will at least cover the first year in a refrigerator warranty. Some companies will offer more robust programs that will cover specific parts up to five years, 10 years, or for the lifetime of the product.

Meet the testers

Mark Brezinski

Mark Brezinski

Senior Writer

@markbrezinski

Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.

See all of Mark Brezinski's reviews
Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

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Julia MacDougall

Julia MacDougall

Senior Scientist

@reviewed

Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles.

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