Investing in the best refrigerator brands is something you'll never regret. Unlike cars, you can't take them for a test drive, so it can be tricky to know which refrigerator to buy. It's taken me hours, but I've done the research for you, with the help of repair experts, interior designers, 1000s of customer reviews, and even top fine-dining chefs.
Refrigerators take up a huge part of the kitchen and play a central role in your daily routine. So, what criteria am I looking for? The experts have agreed that the best refrigerator brands create beautiful and practical designs, that easy to organize, efficient, and reliable (you never truly appreciate a good fridge until yours goes bust). As a trained chef myself, I highly rate a refrigerator that is spacious enough to store my weekly groceries and easy to clean.
Celebrity interior designer, Hilary Matt, advises choosing a refrigerator brand with timeless style, that 'seamlessly integrates into the overall design of the kitchen.' She's also a big proponent of getting a smart fridge, saying that 'added functions to adjust precise temperature control and air purification levels will help you prolong the freshness of your food, to ultimately reduce spoilage and waste.'
With these criteria in mind, I've scoured thousands of reviews from users and professionals to find the best refrigerator brands of the year. I've also listed some the top models in their collections, including the best mini refrigerator and the best value option on the market. Whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find some good advice here.
The best refrigerator brands
If you're looking for the best refrigerator brand, these are the expert-recommended names. From luxury appliance makers to more budget-friendly brands, this is where to start.
The best brand overall
'Subzero is known for being the Rolls Royce of refrigerators,' explains Gregg Cantor, kitchen remodelling expert. This high-end brand is known for excellent food preservation, with a system based on NASA technology that removes ethylene gas and mold. Sub-Zero models consistently earn top marks for owner satisfaction, with special features including soft-close doors, calming Night Mode lighting and Party Mode ice makers. Naturally, each unit comes with a high price tag.
The best brand for reliability
LG is regarded as one of the most reliable refrigerator brands on the market. According to data from Yale Appliance – a respected Boston-based retailer known for publishing reliability reports based on real service data – LG is the least serviced refrigerator brand. They report that LG’s linear compressors have just a 1.1% replacement rate, which is significantly lower than the industry average first-year appliance repair rate of 9%.
The best value brand
For quality without compromise, choose a Maytag refrigerator. Many cheaper refrigerators won't stand the test of time, but Maytag refrigerators are built to be dependable, thanks to sturdy steel shelves and heavy-duty hinges. Plus, Maytag refrigerators often go on sale. You can frequently find flash discounts on their older models, and Best Buy regularly offers discounts of up to 40%, too.
The best brand for style
Smeg's iconic refrigerator will never go out of style; our interior design team at Homes & Gardens regularly write about its retro beauty. Available in a range of calming hues or bold, bright colors, you can even choose the intricate Dolce & Gabbana designer pattern. However, when I inspected the models in a Smeg showroom, I realized they are not the most spacious inside, so it's worth considering if you have a big family or you need plenty of space for hosting.
The best brand for energy efficiency
Bosch was the winner of the ENERGY STAR 2024 Sustained Excellence award – which tells you something about their commitment to low-energy refrigeration. Critics and homeowners alike love the precise temperature controls, vacation modes, and dual compressor designs, which split the cooling work in the name of energy saving.
The best brand for mini refrigerators
GE is well-respected for full-sized refrigerators, which, according to the repair experts I spoke with, rarely require servicing. It's no surprise, then, that they've successfully scaled down their classic design into the best mini fridge on the market. Reviewers consistently praise its precise temperature regulation and surprisingly powerful freezer. It's an excellent choice for dorm rooms or city apartments. GE also produces high-quality wine coolers. The only downside? GE say their compact models aren't suitable for the outdoors, so they won't suit your garage.
Which type of refrigerator should you choose?
When you're scrolling on the websites of the best refrigerator brands, it's easy to get lost in the range of models. Each brand offers an array of different designs, shapes and sizes, all of which look good, but it's hard to know which option will actually suit you and your kitchen. And it's a purchase you don't want to get wrong.
I enlisted the help of appliance expert and fine-dining chef Dennis Littley, who spends his life in the kitchen, to help us navigate the specifications and decipher which style will suit you most practically.
- French Door Refrigerators Chef Dennis says, 'These are great if you love easy access and tons of space. They have double doors up top for the fridge and a bottom freezer. Perfect for storing wide items like party platters or large trays. If you entertain often or have a big family, this style is a winner.'
- Side-by-Side Refrigerators 'If you store a lot of frozen and fresh foods equally, side-by-side fridges are a good bet. The vertical design means everything is at eye level, so no more digging through piles of stuff. They’re nice for families who like to keep things organized and want quick access to both fresh and frozen items.'
- Top-Freezer Refrigerators 'These are a classic choice and are generally more affordable and energy-efficient. They’re great for small households or as a secondary fridge in a garage or basement. If you need something reliable without all the fancy features, this is the way to go.'
- Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators 'For those who prefer having frequently used items at eye level, bottom-freezer fridges are fantastic. This design makes it easier to reach fresh foods without bending down. If you store more fresh produce and dairy than frozen foods, this could be your match.'
- Smart Refrigerators 'If you’re into tech, smart fridges are where it’s at. They come with features like touch screens, internal cameras, and apps to help you manage your grocery list. Some even suggest recipes based on what’s inside. Perfect for the modern kitchen, these fridges can streamline your cooking and shopping routines.
- Built-In Refrigerators 'For the high-end look. They integrate seamlessly with your cabinetry and can be customized to match your kitchen’s design. Perfect for serious home cooks and those who want a cohesive, professional look in their kitchen.'
- Mini refrigerators Compact and convenient, mini fridges are ideal for dorm rooms, offices, or as an extra cooling option in a game room or bar area. They’re great for storing drinks and snacks, and some models even come with mini freezers for ice. If you need a no-fuss solution for keeping the essentials cold, a mini fridge is the way to go.
Our advice for buying the best refrigerator for you
Get a measuring tape out. Before falling in love with a fridge, make sure it fits your space. Measure height, width, and depth - and don’t forget to factor in space for doors to open, ventilation clearance, and walkways. Fridges vary widely by brand and style, and there’s no true industry standard, so measure carefully before you start shopping.
Think about your kitchen style. A refrigerator is a major visual and functional piece, and you don't want it to end up an eye-sore. Whether you lean modern or vintage, choose a model that complements your kitchen’s design. Also consider finish; a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel or matte black can elevate a sleek aesthetic and save you cleaning time.
Set a budget. Prices can range widely depending on size, brand, and features. Set your top-line budget early so you can focus on options that fit within it. Don’t forget to include delivery and potential installation costs. Also weigh up long-term savings, since more expensive models may save you money on energy or food waste.
What features do you really need? Don’t pay for tech you won’t use. Think about your household’s habits: Do you need more freezer space or fridge space? Would adjustable shelves or a dedicated wine rack help you stay organized? Consider whether integrated water pitchers, interior ice dispensers, or special cooling zones (like blast chillers) are useful or just nice-to-haves.
Look for high Energy Star ratings. An energy-efficient fridge helps both the environment and your wallet. Look for models with high Energy Star ratings to save on long-term electricity bills. Many energy-efficient fridges also use advanced preservation systems, which can reduce food waste (a win-win).
Don't forget lighting. Interior visibility helps you keep track of your food, reducing waste. Higher-end fridges tend to have better, more evenly distributed lighting, to help you easily see into drawers and corners. In my experience, Wolf/Sub-Zero is the best refrigerator brand for lighting.
If in doubt, go simple. A fridge’s core job is to keep food cold and fresh. If you're overwhelmed by options or shopping for your first big appliance, prioritize function, layout, and energy efficiency. Simple models with strong warranties and good storage often outperform flashier counterparts in day-to-day use.
How can you choose a reliable refrigerator?
To find out which refrigerator brands are truly reliable, I asked Derek Holifield, a production engineer at Polar Temp with over 13 years of hands-on experience in the refrigeration industry. He works closely with ice makers, repairs and merchandisers, and although repairs are often vary, he has noted some patterns in brands that are useful to know.
'French door models of LG vs Samsung are often complicated to work on. Parts availability can be an issue, and we've seen sealed system problems come up often,' Derek explained. Yale Appliances notes that French door models have been problematic for many brands in the past, and LG's reliability has dramatically improved in recent years.
'Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAid (same parent company) must be workhorses, as I rarely have to do refrigerator calls on them. When I've had to deal with getting parts, I've found them easy to find. I've also never really had too many issues pulling their models apart for maintenance.'
From Derek's expertise, a few key takeaways stood out to me. The best refrigerator isn’t just the one that looks good out of the box – it’s the one that’s easy to maintain years down the line. All the experts I spoke to recommend looking into the warranty and service rates before you buy. Knowing that alone can save you time, stress, and money in the long run.
Brands that just missed the list
The best brand for simplicity
Frigidaire is a runner-up, since not every model in their range is a reliable investment. However, the Frigidaire’s Gallery line has received a lot of love in customer reviews I read for delivering style, efficiency, and solid performance without breaking the bank. Think: smudge-proof finishes, roomy interiors with smart shelving, and just enough features to feel modern. Some users have reported minor quality hiccups.
The best brand for drink dispensers
We're coffee lovers here at Homes & Gardens, so we couldn't resist mentioning the Café Appliances brand. Their sleek French door models have hot water dispensers and built-in Keurig systems for your morning capuccino. Reviews say they're expensive and have a smaller capacity than other brands, so its worth weighing up your priorities.
The best brand for families
Samsung excels when it comes to family life, with spacious, well-designed models to suit busy households. Their smart fridge screens were specially created with family households in mind, integrating meal plans, calendars, recipes, shopping lists, and more. However, with more features and high tech comes a little more maintenance, so it's worth visiting a showroom to see if it suits you.
Our favorite refrigerator models
Now we've covered the best brands of the year, these are the top six models that stood out from the research, conversations with the experts, and overall customer reviews. You'll find all the details below.
The best luxury refrigerator
This Sub-Zero & Wolf model is the epitome of luxury and high performance. You can customize your dream refrigerator with their expert team, adding on wine coolers and extensions, but this classic model excels as it is.
The modern glass door provides a view of the interior, allowing you to showcase your food and beverages in a halo of soft LED lighting. It reminds me of Kris Jenner's famously aesthetic fridge organization.
The built-in air purification system uses technology inspired by NASA to scrub the air of ethylene and odor. With incredibly precise temperature controls and independent cooling systems, it ensures food remains fresh and flavors are preserved longer than in standard refrigerators.
A few customers have mentioned challenges with installation due to the refrigerator’s size. It requires ample space, which can be a constraint in smaller kitchens. Some reviews suggest that professional installation is necessary, adding to the overall cost.
The best smart refrigerator
If you want a hands-off, smart refrigerator, look no further. The main feature is a panel on the door which becomes a window when tapped, so you can see inside. The same panel opens as a small door, giving you access to cartons and jars without opening the whole refrigerator. Not only is this super convenient, it also saves your fridge from warming up every time you want to grab a drink.
If you have your hands full, swipe your foot under the fridge and it will open. Similarly, the freezer drawers slide out when the freezer is open (also, the freezer is huge compared to most other brands). If that wasn’t smart enough, LG has a smart app for troubleshooting and monitoring the filter and any problems.
When tested LG against other smart refrigerators, such as the Samsung this was less energy efficient. It’s still not bad, but not at the top of the market. If you want all the additional features, it can get a little expensive, too.
The best value refrigerator
Maytag pride itself on durability and reliability. Reviewers all commented on the temperature control of this refrigerator: it maintains a cool, constant temperature throughout the appliance, including the door shelves. If you're often in and out of the refrigerator, you'll value an appliance that can keep things cool. Also, if you want to put dairy products in the refrigerator doors without worrying about them getting too warm, this is ideal.
The deli drawer is a well-designed feature, as you can store wide plates and platters without any awkward positioning. With a reasonable fridge and freezer capacity, there’s more than enough room for all of your groceries and some extra treats as well.
Some users thought that the refrigerator would benefit from adjustable sections, but didn't find this particularly limiting, because of the generous depth and overall dimensions of this appliance.
The digital interface is really useful when it works, but several users found it a little tricky to use. However, it looks good alongside the stainless steel finish, which is fingerprint-resistant. Currently priced at a cool $1,850, it's very good value.
Most stylish refrigerator
Smeg wins big points for style. This fridge harks back to retro 1950s style and the early days of kitchen appliances. The basic models make a true style statement, but if you want to take things to another level, Smeg collaborated with Dolce and Gabbana on an infamous $10,000 hand-painted version of this fridge. It's truly iconic.
More generally, the full-sized fridge is capacious but compact. At 60 x 23.6 x 30 in, it's smaller than the other refrigerators in this roundup, but if you buy it knowing you're opting for a smaller size, you won't have many complaints. I was surprised to find that many people actually called this 'roomy' in their reviews. I'd put this spacious feeling down to the adjustable shelves, there is a crisper drawer, and an integrated freezer.
You can coordinate the color with your kitchen, or other Smeg appliances too. A word of caution for when you're installing the refrigerator, leave a 175mm gap for the hinge door to open: it’s a pain if you can’t open the door properly. In the latest energy efficiency test, Smeg got an E. Although it's much better now, some reviewers say that older models are inefficient.
The best mini fridge
GE make great full-sized refrigerators, so it should be no surprise that they've shrunk their classic design into an incredible mini fridge. The sleek, brushed stainless steel looks stylish and luxurious. It needs to, however: this costs over $400.
Experts unanimously agree that this is excellent at temperature regulation, in both the fridge and freezer section. Lots of mini fridge freezers don't get cold enough to be useful for ice and ice creams, but this has both the capacity and freezer strength to keep your frozen food, well, frozen.
Inside the refrigerator section, there's a clear crisper drawer, shelving, and a door rack. If that's too compartmentalized for your larger soda bottles and cans, the glass shelves are easy to remove. It's a shame that they're not adjustable, because you're potentially left with a stray sheet of glass in your home.
That might sound like a big demand on your utilities, but the GE has an Energy Star for efficiency, meaning you're making the most of your money. The dual doors mean that you don't end up opening the freezer every time you reach for a snack in the fridge.
There's a lot to love about the GE, but if you're thinking of storing this in your garage or outside, think again. GE explicitly says that it is not suitable for either of these places.
How we researched the best refrigerator brands
I would love to fill a home with the top models from all the best refrigerator brands – and more – so that I could interrogate each and every feature. However, this would be unsustainable. Luckily, there is a lot of data out there, which has helped me to decipher the best refrigerator brand (though I admit, it wasn't easy, and demanded weeks of effort dedicated to research).
I have read through thousands of customer and expert reviews, as well as watching videos and speaking to customers with experience owning these refrigerator brands for many years. I also spoke to repair experts, asking them which brands they most commonly repair, they're most hated and loved brands, and which models they have in their homes.
Finally, I visited showrooms where some of these refrigerators are on display, so that I could see what they look like in real life, too.
With hundreds of hours dedicated to refrigerator research, I know these appliances as well as, if not better than, many people who have them in their homes. If there's a useful feature, I know about it. if there's an annoying quirk, I know about that too. All this means that when you end up with one in your home, there will be no nasty surprises.
Meet the expert panel
Derek Holifield is the product and production engineer at Polar Temp, bringing over 13 years of hands-on experience in the refrigeration industry. He has experience with ice makers and ice merchandisers, combining practical knowledge with a passion for building reliable, efficient equipment. Derek is dedicated to ensuring the end user receives the most reliable ice merchandiser possible.
Hilary Matt is an interior designer based in New York City, specializing in residential and commercial interiors. Function and comfort are the most important things to Hilary when designing a space, as well as a timeless design.
Gregg is the CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel in San Diego, California. His experience in construction, home remodeling and home services spans over 42 years. His areas of expertise include project management, job costing, cost of repair, architectural and interior design, structural engineering, professional installation and more.
A classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience, Dennis shares time-tested recipes, industry knowledge, and chef tips – so home-cooks create restaurant-quality dishes with ease.
Refrigerator FAQs
Where can I buy one of the best refrigerators?
The Home Depot, Best Buy and Lowe’soffer a full selection of LG, GE, and Maytag refrigerators (alongside other brands), often with delivery, installation, and protective plan options. I found their websites easy to navigate and the customer reviews extensive and helpful.
AJ Madison is one of the largest independent appliance retailers, known for carrying more expensive brands such as Sub‑Zero and Bosch, as well as more affordable options from GE and Maytag. There are extensive filtering tools to help you find what you need, but I find their website a little old fashioned.
Amazon also carries a few models, and can be helpful if you're looking for mini refrigerators with speedy delivery. They also offer large discounts for Amazon Prime Day, which now occurs bi-annually in July and October.
Wayfair has a range of the best refrigerator brands too, including Smeg's standard models – while upmarket Williams Sonoma carries Smeg's more luxurious, designer SKUs, as well as wine coolers and mini fridges.
Wherever you shop, make sure to take note of the returns window. Some retailers have very tight turn-arounds for you to report defects.
When should I buy a new refrigerator?
You should buy a new refrigerator approximately every 12 years, according to The United States Department of Energy. Every appliance will be different, so if your food is spoiling quicker than you would expect, it’s being loud, consistently frosting, or using more energy, look into it.
Should I buy a fridge-freezer or separate appliances?
Whether you should buy a fridge-freezer or separate appliances is really a matter of capacity. If you’re a big household, buying separate appliances can be useful, but if you wouldn’t fill that space, it’s much easier to combine two-in-one. It can also be a lot easier having both a refrigerator and freezer in one place.
What is a smart refrigerator?
Smart refrigerators tend to have features which make your refrigerator a little more independent: they can connect to WiFi or digital home assistants; they might have an application that gives you remote control over your refrigerator; they’ll probably be touchscreen interfaces that are like smartphones too.
Our product tester expert, Laura Honey, compared LG vs Samsung's smart refrigerators last year, which is an interesting first-person insight into these fancy new features.
