The 8 Best Refrigerators to Upgrade Your Kitchen
Sure, it’s a big purchase. But it’s also the biggest appliance in your home's busiest room.
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If your kitchen is overdue for a makeover and it's time to replace the appliances, a new refrigerator can make a significant impact—definitely more than a gas stove or dishwasher. Upgrading to a sleeker, shinier model that coordinates with other appliances and fixtures does wonders for refreshing your space, and, if you haven't bought a fridge in the last five to seven years, you'll marvel at all the new features available.
Whether you’re looking for a straightforward model with a top freezer that’s affordable and reliable or are thinking about a smart fridge with all the bells and whistles, there are tons of options available from a bevy of brands. For most people, buying a refrigerator is a big investment, and with so many models out there, it can be tough to choose the one that’ll work for you long term. That’s why we rounded up the best refrigerators available on the market right now for your consideration. Read on for our recommendations, plus advice to consider before you start shopping.
Looking for more top-rated home appliances? Check out our stories on the best front-load washing machines and the best dryers, and the best kitchen sinks.
The Best Refrigerators
- Best Overall: Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator
- Best Value: LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator
- Best Smart: Samsung Counter-Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator
- Sleekest Design: Bosch 800 Series French Door Refrigerator
- Best Space Saver: GE Appliances French Door Refrigerator
What to Consider
It may be overwhelming to compare refrigerators, but there are essentially four styles: French door (which is the most popular) side-by-side, top freezer, and bottom freezer. All come in various sizes and capacities, though if you’re fitting your fridge into an existing cabinet and it needs to be flush with your countertop, you’ll want to look for models that are counter-depth.
Beyond that, it’s a matter of deciding on the interior configuration that best suits your needs. There are energy-efficient refrigerators, and there are Wi-Fi-enabled models will send an alert if the temperature drops because of a power outage or if one of the doors is left open. Smart refrigerators are another option that can help organize your family’s life in addition to keeping food cold.
How We Selected
Our selection includes refrigerators of every major style in a variety of popular sizes, plus we chose options across price points, from budget-friendly models to high-end ones. There is a long list of features to consider when shopping for a refrigerator—everything from water-filtration systems to adjustable shelves to in-door ice makers—and we highlighted the most notable ones for every refrigerator we covered. Also, at the time of this writing, many of the refrigerators below are on sale.
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
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