The best Refrigerators seem to make the most owners happy, at least among models from major brands that cost less than $4,000 on average. Even Whirlpool and GE are good. The most popular type of refrigerator is the French-door model, which has half-width doors and a pull-out bottom freezer. We’ve also found that shallower, counter-depth fridges with less space (and that tend to use a bit less energy) are big enough for most homes.
After that, it’s mostly a matter of figuring out what fits your space and budget, as well as your own personal tastes. We’ll walk you through some of the most important decisions you need to make, and we’ll point out some of the brands, designs, and features that real-world owners tend to like. People who are shopping for a full-size, freestanding refrigerator that costs up to $4,000 will find this guide the most helpful.
Wirecutter user research lead Raquel Hamias led our first big research project, which was a survey of more than 5,000 Wirecutter readers. The survey was run by Wirecutter and the results were turned into numbers that we could use. This survey gave us solid information about overall satisfaction by brand and door style, an idea of the refrigerator features that make the most people happy, and some information about how reliable refrigerators are. Below we have mentioned the best Refrigerators.
Best Refrigerators Comparison Table
| Model | Smeg 50S | LG InstaView | GE Profile PFE28KYNFS | Café French-Door | Samsung RS27T5200SR | Maytag Wide French Door |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | 2999 | 3699 | 3399 | 3599 | 2399 | 2099 |
| Capacity | 11.7 | 22.5 | 27.7 | 22.2 | 27.4 | 20.0 |
| Freezer capacity | 3.5 | 6.8 | 9.2 | 6.9 | 8.4 | 5.5 |
| Ice maker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water dispenser | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Door-in-Door design | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Smart features | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Energy Star certified | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of shelves | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Shelf material | Glass | Glass | Glass | Glass | Glass | Glass |
| Interior lighting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Smeg 50S Refrigerator
| Product Name | Smeg 50S Refrigerator |
|---|---|
| Brand | Smeg |
| Model | 50S |
| Type | Retro-style Fridge |
| Capacity | 9.2 cu ft |
| Dimensions | 28.1 x 23.6 x 57.5 inches |
| Energy Rating | Energy Star Certified |
| Features | Adjustable glass shelves, crisper drawer, interior LED lighting, reversible door, automatic defrost |
| Price | $1,999 |
Style-wise, Smeg gets a lot of points. This fridge looks like it came from the 1950s, when kitchen appliances were just starting out. Smeg even worked with Dolce and Gabbana on a version of this fridge that was hand-painted and sold for $10,000. The full-sized fridge has a lot of space but is still small. It measures 60 x 23.6 x 30 inches, which is smaller than the other fridges in this list. Overall, this is one of the best Refrigerators you can buy right now.
The shelves can be moved, and there is a crisper drawer and a freezer built in. You can match the color to your kitchen or to other appliances made by Smeg. Leave a 175mm gap when installing the refrigerator so the hinge door can open. It’s a pain if the door can’t open properly. Smeg got an E in the most recent test of energy efficiency, so some reviewers say that older models aren’t as good at saving energy.
Pros
- Stylish retro design adds a unique aesthetic to your kitchen.
- Compact size is suitable for smaller spaces.
- Energy-efficient performance.
Cons
- Limited storage capacity compared to larger refrigerators.
- Higher price point compared to standard models.
- May not offer advanced features found in larger models.
LG InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator
| Product Name | LG InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator |
|---|---|
| Brand | LG |
| Model | LFXC22596S |
| Type | French Door Fridge |
| Capacity | 21.9 cu ft |
| Dimensions | 44.25 x 35.75 x 70.25 inches |
| Energy Rating | Energy Star Certified |
| Features | InstaView door-in-door, SmartThinQ technology, adjustable shelves, crisper drawer, water and ice dispenser |
| Price | $3,999 |
LG makes refrigerators that are well thought out and work well. This InstaView model will do a great job of keeping your food fresh, but the door-in-door feature is what really sets it apart: When you knock on the easy-to-use see-through door, the InstaView technology turns on the lights inside. Then you can grab a snack quickly without having to open the door all the way. We like the storage options, but some people might find the shelves inside the door a bit low.
We also recently tested this LG Craft Ice smart model, which has the same door-in-door design but doesn’t have the see-through panel for a sleeker look. It has a water filter and a craft ice maker that makes clear, cocktail-sized ice balls. It can connect to Wi-Fi. The LG bottom-freezer fridge, which we tested and found to have great temperature control and uniformity as well as an ice maker that stores cubes in a bin, is another easy-to-use choice. Thus, this is one of the best Refrigerators you can buy right now.
Pros
- Innovative InstaView feature allows you to see inside the refrigerator without opening the door.
- Ample storage space and customizable shelving options.
- Energy-efficient performance with advanced cooling technology.
Cons
- Higher price point compared to basic refrigerators.
- Some users have reported occasional issues with the door-in-door functionality.
- Larger size may not be suitable for smaller kitchens.
GE Profile PFE28KYNFS
| Product Name | GE Profile PFE28KYNFS |
|---|---|
| Brand | GE |
| Model | PFE28KYNFS |
| Type | French Door Fridge |
| Capacity | 27.7 cu ft |
| Dimensions | 36 x 36.25 x 70.75 inches |
| Energy Rating | Energy Star Certified |
| Features | Hands-free autofill, adjustable shelves, LED lighting, built-in water and ice dispenser, advanced temperature management system |
| Price | $3,449 |
The GE Profile PFE28KYNFS French door refrigerator is the best refrigerator overall. Due to its smudge-proof stainless steel finish, it looks fantastic and maintains cleanliness. It has many features that can be used to organize and store food. It has a full-width shelf with a temperature-adjustable surface. On the coldest setting, it will keep meat fresh longer, and on the warmer setting, it’s perfect for storing party trays or a cake when you’re having people over. Still, this is one of the best Refrigerators you can buy right now.
One of the shelves slides under itself to make room for tall items like a pineapple or a big soda bottle. Two baskets with dividers are in the freezer to keep food from getting lost in a big bin. When you put a glass in the water dispenser, it automatically fills the glass, so you don’t have to stand there and press a button. This is one of the only refrigerators with a high-tech water filter that gets rid of drugs like ibuprofen as well as chlorine and lead. You can also get the GE Profile in slate or black stainless steel.
Pros
- Spacious interior with adjustable shelving for versatile storage options.
- Advanced water and ice dispenser features.
- Energy-efficient performance with smart cooling technology.
Cons
- Higher price point compared to entry-level models.
- Some users have reported occasional issues with ice maker functionality.
- Limited color options compared to other brands.
Café French-Door Refrigerator
| Product Name | Café French-Door Refrigerator |
|---|---|
| Brand | Café |
| Model | CYE22TP2MS1 |
| Type | French Door Fridge |
| Capacity | 22.2 cu ft |
| Dimensions | 37.4 x 29.8 x 69.9 inches |
| Energy Rating | Energy Star Certified |
| Features | Adjustable glass shelves, internal water dispenser, hot water dispenser, advanced temperature management system, customizable hardware |
| Price | $3,199 |
The refrigerators from Café stand out because their design is extra elegant and can be changed to fit your needs. You can choose an outside that is matte white or black, and then you can choose handles that are brushed bronze, copper, black, or stainless steel. This model is counter-depth, so it will fit flush with the cabinets in your kitchen, and the bar handles can match the pulls on your cabinets. Overall, this is one of the best Refrigerators you can buy right now.
The model of French-Door Café shown here has a built-in water dispenser and can connect to Wi-Fi. One of our testers who has the four-door model liked the smart features because they let her know on her phone when her son left the freezer door open. She also said that her fridge has a lot of space and that the backlight makes it easy to find things and keep them in order. After having it for a year and a half, she said she’s very happy with it. One thing to keep in mind is that the water filters are not cheap and will need to be replaced every one or two months.
People who own Café fridges are happy with the way they look and especially like how some models have a water fill system that can dispense just the right amount of water. This brand had one of the highest percentages of survey respondents who said they would buy a fridge from this brand again.
Pros
- Sleek and modern design with customizable hardware options.
- Flexible storage options with adjustable shelves and drawers.
- Advanced features such as hot water dispenser and temperature-controlled drawers.
Cons
- Higher price point compared to standard models.
- Limited availability of certain hardware finishes.
- Some users have reported occasional issues with temperature control.
Samsung RS27T5200SR
| Product Name | Samsung RS27T5200SR |
|---|---|
| Brand | Samsung |
| Model | RS27T5200SR |
| Type | Side-by-Side Fridge |
| Capacity | 27.4 cu ft |
| Dimensions | 35.9 x 70 x 36.5 inches |
| Energy Rating | Energy Star Certified |
| Features | Adjustable glass shelves, LED lighting, built-in water and ice dispenser, digital temperature display, door alarm |
| Price | $1,399 |
The Samsung RS27T5200SR side-by-side refrigerator has a classic and elegant design, and the door has a built-in ice and water dispenser. You can choose between cubed and crushed ice, and the button for the water dispenser also works as a child lock to prevent accidents. There is a total of 27.4 cubic feet of storage space inside, and the shelves inside the doors are especially deep, making them great for storing large boxes.
It has a finish that won’t show fingerprints, so it will always look clean, and it comes in stainless steel and black stainless steel, which will work in most modern kitchens. Our only complaint? It doesn’t use the least amount of energy. It needs 728 kWh/year to run, and it doesn’t have the Energy Star label. Even though it costs a lot, it doesn’t work with apps. Currently, this is one of the best Refrigerators you can buy right now.
Pros
- Spacious and well-organized interior with ample storage options.
- Energy-efficient performance with advanced cooling technology.
- Sleek and modern design.
Cons
- Some users have reported occasional issues with ice maker functionality.
- Limited availability of certain color options.
Maytag wide French Door
| Product Name | Maytag wide French Door |
|---|---|
| Brand | Maytag |
| Model | MFW2055FRZ |
| Type | French Door Fridge |
| Capacity | 20 cu ft |
| Dimensions | 32.63 x 35.63 x 70.13 inches |
| Energy Rating | Energy Star Certified |
| Features | PowerCold feature, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish, humidity-controlled FreshLock crispers, temperature-controlled Wide-N-Fresh deli drawer |
| Price | $2,199 |
Maytag works well and is reliable. The temperature control of this fridge was mentioned by all reviewers. It stays cool and constant everywhere, even on the shelves in the door. This is very helpful if you want to store dairy products in the door of the fridge without worrying about the temperature getting too warm.
The deli drawer is a well-thought-out feature because it makes it easy to store wide plates and platters. With a big enough fridge and freezer, you’ll have plenty of space for all of your groceries. The stainless steel on the outside doesn’t show fingerprints, so it’s also easy to clean. Overall, this is one of the best Refrigerators you can buy right now.
Pros
- Wide and spacious interior with adjustable shelving.
- Durable construction and reliable performance.
- Energy-efficient operation.
Cons
- Limited availability of certain features compared to higher-end models.
- Some users have reported occasional issues with temperature control.
FAQs
In India, the most popular refrigerator brands are LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Godrej, Haier, and AmazonBasics. These brands’ refrigerators are among the best on the market thanks to a variety of features and technologies they offer.
Every refrigerator has an energy efficiency rating, in accordance with Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) regulations. A refrigerator with one star means it uses a lot of electricity, while one with five stars is energy-efficient. A 5-star refrigerator is therefore advantageous for energy conservation.
