Laura Honey
Investing in a high-quality refrigerator 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. Luckily, we've done a ton of research for you, with the help of industry experts, interior designers, customer reviews, and even top fine-dining chefs.
Refrigerators take a huge part of your kitchen and play a central role in your daily routine. So, what criteria are we looking for? The experts have agreed that the best refrigerators are practically designed, 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 and Sub-Zero brand partner, Hilary Matt, advises choosing a refrigerator 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 2024. I've then gone the extra mile to find the best models in their collections, including LG's best smart fridge, the best mini refrigerator and the best option for families. The Frigidaire Gallery model was our overall winner, but whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find some good advice here.
The quick list
If you're looking for the best refrigerator brand, but you don't have much time, these are our top picks. If there's a brand that piques your interest, we go into more detail on specific models below.
The best refrigerator brand overall
Frigidaire is a reliable and consistent brand with a huge range of affordable and high-end refrigerators. Their Gallery models are top-rated, with spacious interiors, flexible layouts, odor-removing tech, a brilliant crisper function and reliable water dispensers.
The most reliable refrigerator brand
LG is the best brand in terms of reliability. They won the title of the 'least serviced refrigerator brand', according to Yale Appliances. Which is pretty impressive, considering their models are packed with cutting-edge, smart fridge technology and exciting features.
The best brand for families
Samsung excels on family refrigerators, with spacious, well-designed models to suit any home. Their smart fridge screens were specially created with family life in mind, integrating meal plans, calendars, recipes, shopping lists, and more.
The best brand for stylish design
Smeg's iconic design will never go out of style. Available in a range of bold retro colors, their classic model is surprisingly roomy. You can even choose a striking Dolce & Gabbana design, although it comes with a hefty price tag.
The best brand for energy efficiency
Bosch was the winner of the Energy Star 2023 award. Critics love their cost-effective temperature controls, vacation modes and dual compressor designs, which split the cooling work in the name of energy saving.
The best brand for value
For quality without compromise, choose a Maytag refrigerator. Many cheaper refrigerators won't stand the test of time, but Maytag are built to be dependable, thanks to sturdy steel shelves and heavy-duty hinges. Plus, we often see flash sales on their website and discounts of up to 40% on BestBuy.
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. But they look so beautiful, we can almost look past those flaws.
The best brand for luxury refrigerators
You might recognize the space-age elegance of this refrigerator from the kitchens of your favorite celebrities. Interior designer Hilary Matt advocates for their stunning aesthetics and incredible 'NASA-inspired air purification system.' Special features include soft-close doors, calming Night Mode and Party Mode ice maker. A luxurious, but eye-wateringly expensive choice.
The best brand for mini refrigerators
GE make great full-sized refrigerator-freezers. So it's no surprise they've shrunk their classic design into the best mini fridge for small kitchens. Reviewers praise the temperature regulation and the small but mighty freezer. A good choice for dorm rooms and smaller, city apartments. The only downside is, GE say their compact models aren't suitable for the outdoors.
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.
The best refrigerators on the market
Now we've covered the best brands of the year, it's only right to let you know about the best models on the market. We've chosen a top pick from each brand and you'll find all the details below. First, we enlisted the help of fine-dining chef Dennis Littley to help us navigate the buzzwords around different refrigerator designs, and their pros and cons.
Which refrigerator style should I choose?
- 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 fantastic 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 perfect match. They’re super convenient for home cooks.'
- 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 perfectly 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.'
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.
The best refrigerator overall
This Frigidaire model isn't often listed on 'best refrigerator' lists. It's not as high-tech as the futuristic models that LG and Samsung have to offer. But it smashes all our criteria – sleek, spacious, well-designed, easy to clean, and durable. A true underdog.
Customers love the spacious interior. There's ample storage space, thanks to the adjustable shelves and bins that allow for flexible configurations. You can even reconfigure the freezer section, if you need more refrigeration space for an event. The French door design makes everything very accessible, too.
The crisper drawers are complete with adjustable humidity controls, designed to keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer. The advanced air filtration system is designed to remove odors and keep the interior smelling fresh. Customers say it even works for the strongest French cheeses.
The water and ice dispensers are frequently mentioned in reviews as being easy-to-use and reliable. The filtration system is especially appreciated by those who prioritize clean drinking water.
Some users have reported problems with the ice maker, including it being noisy or not producing ice consistently. This could be slightly irritating, considering the refrigerator is near the $4,000 price tag. Although this is a large lump sum, it offers exceptional value for all the extra features.
Best for families
Samsung refrigerators go above and beyond. They offer various sizes, styles, and innovative smart functions that are designed specifically for families, such as this capacious French door model.
It's our top pick from the Samsung range, largely due to the Family Hub™, which offers a timer, noticeboard, shared calendar, and links to your doorbell. Busy parents appreciate the inside camera, which means you can check what you've already got at home if you forget at the grocery store. Some past reviews complain that the smart functions don't work as well as they could do, but Samsung has recently improved this with the help of AI.
The wide, deep shelves have enough capacity for family food shops, with a huge 26.5 cubic feet capacity and wide drawers that can fit whole melons and large platters. You'll never struggle for space, whether you've done a full food shop or you're hosting a dinner party.
Although Samsung is a globally-loved brand, some reviewers get frustrated with the clunky ice maker and we've seen some older reviews that complain about leaking water. This is why Samsung just missed out as our best refrigerator brand overall.
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 energy efficient refrigerator
Bosch is reliable when it comes to efficient refrigerators and they just beat Beko for this spot on our list.
With an Energy Star Certification (the gold standard in efficiency) this sleek French-door model is our top pick. The VitaFreshPro™ System maintains optimal temperature and humidity levels for energy-efficient food preservation. Reviewers love the adjustable bar and shelves, especially in conjunction with the adjustable temperature drawer.
The Home Connect app is really useful: you can create an inventory of your groceries and get a notification before your food goes off. It will also notify you if your refrigerator temperature has changed significantly and it can troubleshoot any issues.
Considering that this is a French-door refrigerator, it should have a bigger capacity. Compared to the Samsung 28 cu ft, this is expensive for its limited refrigerator real estate. However, when you look at the efficiency, it performed better: this Bosch is estimated to use 568 kWh per year as opposed to Samsung’s 716 kWh.
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.
The best fridge freezer combination
Many reviews on the GE website say this model is 'nothing fancy' – and they mean it as a compliment. GE are well known for their dependable appliances. While it doesn't boast the advanced features or capacious storage of the higher-end models, it does deliver on the essential criteria. It's user-friendly, easy to maintain, and built to last. A dependable choice for those seeking functionality without the frills.
The refrigerator section is smaller than other brands, but it has adjustable shelves for tall bottles and large boxes. It makes sense why many customers choose this refrigerator for wine and soda storage.
In fact, this model is great for entertaining. The deli drawer is suitable for wide platters and plates. The top freezer makes your frozen items very accessible and includes an ice maker, which frees up storage space in the freezer. I think it could be ideal for drink making.
Some users have mentioned that the freezer can occasionally be noisy, especially when the compressor kicks in. While the basic design is practical, it lacks some of the high-tech features found in more expensive models, such as a built-in water dispenser.
The best side-by-side refrigerator
Most side-by-side fridges have similar layouts, so it's the small things that set them apart. As leaders in reliable smart technology, you can always count on LG to bring plenty of user-friendly special features.
I think this model could be the shiniest refrigerator I've ever seen, thanks to the 'anti-fingerprint' stainless steel. Inside, there's good storage space and a Smart Cooling System that ensures consistent temperatures and freshness.
Customers love the convenient door-in-door design, which means you can easily grab snacks or beers without opening the full fridge. This also enhances energy efficiency (which you can keep an eye on via the LG app).
There's a 10-year warranty on the linear compressor, proving that this refrigerator is designed for both convenience and durability. I did see a few customers complaining about weak latches that break within the first few months. Luckily, it seems that LG's top-rated customer service were on the case to fix any issues and keep those customers happy.
Although it comes with a high price tag, the advanced features and brand reputation make it a solid investment for those seeking reliable side-by-side refrigerators.
The best French door refrigerator
It seems to be unanimously agreed that this French-door refrigerator is beautiful. Almost every review comments on how good it looks, especially in the customizable colors. However, beauty is not the only selling point.
The autofill water dispenser fills containers with filtered water using dispensers to stop when your glass is full. It’s surprisingly useful. As is the convertible drawer which you can turn into a refrigerator, freezer or soft freeze space.
Some users said that the ice box was a little small and that the overall refrigerator capacity was on the lean side. Lots of reviews also commented on how delicate the refrigerator feels or how often they find themselves cleaning it – sometimes the most luxurious appliances require the most maintenance.
The best 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 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.
How we researched the best refrigerators for you:
We would love to fill a home with all these refrigerators – and more – so that our experts could interrogate each and every feature. However, in this instance, it was not possible to. In the absence of in-person tests, I have read through thousands of customer and expert reviews, as well as watching videos and speaking to people with experience of these appliances. I've also visited show homes where some of these refrigerators are on display, so that I know what they look like in-person 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.
Our verdict
The best refrigerator overall (according to the incredible customer reviews that consistently smashed the expert criteria) has to be the Frigidaire Gallery French Door model.
We love how Frigidaire offers a wide range of styles, from basic to high-end, catering to different needs and budgets. Whether you're looking for a simple top-freezer model or a more advanced French-door refrigerator, Frigidaire likely has a suitable option.
However I have to admit, I can't stop dreaming about Sub-Zero & Wolf's ultra-luxurious refrigerator. Maybe one day, I'll have $8,000 to spare...
Refrigerator FAQs
Should I buy a fridge-freezer or separate appliances?
This 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.
When should I buy a new refrigerator?
The United States Department of Energy says that refrigerators last approximately 12 years. 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.
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.
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