The 8 Best Refrigerators to Buy in 2024 - Best Refrigerator Brands
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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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stainless steel refrigerator with french doors
Popular Mechanics; Courtesy Whirlpool

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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

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.

1
Best Overall

Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator

On Sale
French Door Refrigerator
Now 33% Off
$1,599 at Lowe's
Pros
  • Generous capacity
  • Well-designed space
Cons
  • No automatic ice dispenser

This 25-cubic-foot French-door model from Whirlpool is well-designed and features a full-width bottom drawer, two large crisper drawers, a side bin that can hold a gallon of milk to free up shelf space, plus a filtered water dispenser inside.

The 35-inch, energy-efficient stainless steel refrigerator also has a fingerprint-resistant finish and LED lighting, and there are two deep slide-out drawers in the freezer to keep everything inside visible and organized.

Key Specs

Capacity 25.2 cu ft.
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserYes
Wi-Fi-ConnectedNo
2
Best Value

LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Pros
  • Large capacity
  • Water filtration system
Cons
  • Some customers report ice maker replenishes slowly

This stainless steel LG refrigerator has roughly 27 cubic feet of space, which is substantial for a side-by-side model—and it boasts impressive features for the price. It has an in-door ice maker and water dispenser, plus a water filter that only needs to be changed twice a year.

Inside, there are two large crisper drawers and multiple side bins for storing gallon-size containers, along with four adjustable shelves that allow you to tailor storage to your needs. There’s also bright LED lighting panels and a door alarm.

Key Specs

Capacity27 cu ft.
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserYes
Wi-Fi-ConnectedNo
3
Sleekest Design

Bosch 800 Series French Door Refrigerator

800 Series French Door Refrigerator
Pros
  • Streamlined design
  • Anti-fingerprint finish
Cons
  • More expensive than other models we cover

Bosch is known for innovative features and smart design, and their 800 Series stainless steel French door refrigerator is built to impress. It has a cooling system designed to boost air circulation when the door is open to keep food extra fresh, plus a sleek, frameless water dispenser.

The energy-efficient 36-inch, 21-cubic-foot capacity refrigerator is Wi-Fi-connected and features an internal water dispenser, flexible shelf and door bin configuration, and a pull-out freezer, plus a finish that doesn't show fingerprints.

Key Specs

Capacity21 cu ft.
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserYes
Wi-Fi-ConnectedYes
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4
Best Splurge

Samsung Family Hub French Door Refrigerator

On Sale
Family Hub French Door Refrigerator

The kitchen is often the busiest room in the house, so having a refrigerator that’s the center of your digital universe is a handy thing.

This energy-efficient 36-inch smart refrigerator has a slew of impressive features. There's a built-in camera so you can see when it’s time to stock up on groceries (the fridge can order them)—plus, you can also use the smart hub to check your family’s calendar and stream music. There’s even a voice assistant to control other smart devices in your home.

The refrigerator features 26.5 cubic feet of space inside, with adjustable shelves, a water filtration system for the ice maker, and a shallow storage drawer for drinks and platters or ready-to-serve food.

Key Specs

Capacity26.5 cubic feet
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserYes
Wi-Fi-ConnectedYes
5
Best Space Saver

GE Appliances French Door Refrigerator

French Door Refrigerator
Pros
  • Large capacity
  • Water-filtration system
Cons
  • Some customers say it can be loud

This energy-efficient French door refrigerator from GE is a great choice if you’re short on space. At 33 inches wide, it’s nice in between size if 30 inches is too small and 36 inches is too wide.

The 18.6-cubic-foot refrigerator has LED lighting, plus three adjustable shelves, two deep storage drawers and a wide, shallow drawer for deli meat or to use as a pantry for ready-to-serve hors d’oeuvres. Other highlights include a smudge-resistant finish, an internal water dispenser and ice maker, and a water-filtration system.

Key Specs

Capacity18.6 cu ft.
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Internal Water DispenserYes
Wi-Fi-ConnectedNo
6
Best Top Freezer

GE Garage-Ready Top-Freezer Refrigerator

On Sale
Garage-Ready Top-Freezer Refrigerator
Pros
  • Affordable and reliable
  • Good capacity for size
Cons
  • Slim on extra features

This top-freezer refrigerator doesn’t have a long list of special features, but it performs well, has good capacity, and can be kept in the garage.

The 33-inch, 21.9-cubic-foot-capacity refrigerator has LED lighting, with two adjustable shelves and two deep pull-out bins, plus there’s a gallon-size shelf in the door and other ample storage space. The freezer is basic, with one shelf and two door shelves. There’s no ice maker, but the price reflects it.

Key Specs

Capacity21.9 cubic feet
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserNo
Wi-Fi-ConnectedNo
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7
Best Bottom Freezer

GE Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

On Sale
Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Pros
  • Freezer with two slide-out drawers
  • Water-filtration system
  • Ice maker
Cons
  • Smallish capacity

If you need a refrigerator that isn’t too wide and prefer a bottom freezer drawer, this energy-efficient GE model fits the bill. It’s 30 inches wide, with 21 cubic feet of capacity, and features two adjustable shelves, a deli drawer, and two drawer bins, plus door shelves that can accommodate a gallon of milk and full-size soda bottles. The freezer has two slide-out drawers and an ice maker.

Other highlights include a water-filtration system to remove trace pharmaceuticals and auto-temperature drop if the door is open for too long to maintain cooling. There’s also a door lock and alarm.

Key Specs

Capacity21 cubic feet
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserNo
Wi-Fi-ConnectedNo
8
Best Door-in-Door

LG Electronics French Door-in-Door With InstaView

French Door-in-Door With InstaView
Pros
  • See-through panel can help save energy
  • Large capacity
Cons
  • No ice or water dispenser

Two knocks on this refrigerator’s tinted glass panel lights up the front door, so you can see what’s inside and decide on orange juice or lemonade without letting cold air escape. It’s certainly a neat feature and the main attraction of this model, which also has an impressive 27-cubic-foot capacity.

Other highlights include a wide, shallow drawer that’s perfect for storing a cheese and charcuterie platter before a party or deli meat to make sandwiches quickly during the week, plus a fresh air filter to minimize odors. The stainless steel refrigerator also has a smudge-resistant finish and comes in a counter-depth model.

Key Specs

Capacity27 cubic feet
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserNo
Wi-Fi-ConnectedNo
9
Best Smart

Samsung Counter-Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator

On Sale
Counter-Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Pros
  • Sleek design
  • Wi-Fi-enabled
Cons
  • Ice machine may not work as efficiently as other models

This counter depth, side-by-side refrigerator from Samsung offers excellent value, with attractive design and a solid lineup of features.

The sleek, 22-cubic-foot-capacity stainless steel refrigerator has a modern front panel, with an in-door water and ice dispenser, recessed handles, and a fingerprint-resistant finish.

Inside, there are temperature-controlled drawers for meat and vegetables, along with gallon-sized bins on the doors and LED lighting. The refrigerator also has a door lock, and it’s Wi-Fi-enabled to alert you if there’s a temperature drop from a power outage or if the doors are left open.

Key Specs

Capacity22 cu ft.
Adjustable ShelvesYes
Water DispenserYes
Wi-Fi-ConnectedYes
Headshot of Rachel Klein
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor

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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