The Best Refrigerators (Review) in 2020

These 10 refrigerators are some of the highest rated on the market, and we’re confident you’ll find the perfect option somewhere among the list. To help you work out which fridge will best fit your needs, we’ve compiled this handy buying guide.

Below, we discuss some factors to bear in mind when selecting a refrigerator, the types and brands you can expect to encounter, proper maintenance, and more. We hope this information helps you to make an informed decision, and get the most out of your new fridge.

Features to Look for When Buying a Refrigerator

When it’s time to select a new refrigerator, there are a few key factors to bear in mind:

• Intended Use

Before you make any fridge-related decisions, it’s important to consider the device’s intended use. If you need to store food in a professional kitchen, number nine on our list may be your best bet. If you require a convenient solution for your apartment, option number three will serve your needs better.

• Size

The capacity of your new fridge should be another important consideration. Today’s average refrigerator has around 20 cubic feet of storage space, which is enough for around six people. When working out the capacity you’ll need, a good rule of thumb is to allow 12 cubic feet for two people, and two more cubic feet for each additional household member.

• Extra Features

Many modern refrigerators have a range of extra features, such as ice makers, water dispensers, deli drawers, and vegetable crispers. Which features you require will depend upon which items you plan to store, and personal preference.

• Appearance

A refrigerator’s appearance can also influence your purchasing decision. Luckily, manufacturers know that we all have different tastes, and fridges come in a wide array of colors and styles. If in doubt, a white or silver fridge should blend into almost any kitchen - conveniently enough, these are two of the most common fridge colors.

Types of Refrigerators

When it’s time to choose a new refrigerator, you’ll have a few key types to select from:

• Fridge-Freezers

Most home kitchens feature an integrated fridge-freezer. As the name suggests, these units house a refrigeration and freezing space within the same device, for a compact, convenient experience. Some split their space 50/50, while others feature a small ice box only.

• Mini Fridges

These small fridges are ideal for offices, dorm rooms, cabins, and other modest spaces. They use the same cooling system as a conventional fridge, but on a much smaller scale. If space is at a premium, but you still require storage space for fresh food, a mini fridge could be the perfect solution.

• Full size Fridges

Larger fridges are perfect for commercial kitchens and large households, in which a fridge-freezer would not provide enough storage space. The main drawback associated with this type of fridge is that you’ll need to purchase a separate freezer if you wish to keep frozen food on hand.

Best Refrigerator Brands

As our list makes evident, there plenty of brands to choose from when it’s time to select your fridge!

We believe the best brands are:

• Daewoo: For high quality refrigerators at a budget-friendly price point, Daewoo are a great choice
• Whirlpool: Known for their innovative designs and generous warranties, Whirlpool are a solid refrigerator brand
• Danby: Although Danby are a lesser-known brand (for now), they’ve impressed us with their combination of style and quality, all for an affordable price
• Fisher: Known for including nifty extra features, a Fisher fridge makes a great addition to any gadget-lover’s kitchen

Refrigerator Energy Savings Tips

Essential as they are, our freezers and refrigerators draw a fair amount of energy, largely due to the fact that they must be constantly switched on to work properly.

Fortunately, there are plenty of simple steps that anyone can take to reduce the amount of energy their fridge or freezer consumes:

• Invest in a new refrigerator: Refrigeration technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent years, and despite the upfront cost, a new fridge will consume far less electricity than an older model.
• Location, location, location: When placing your refrigerator, be sure to avoid spots next to a heat source, such as a radiator, oven, or stovetop.
• Close the door: Whenever you need to access your fridge or freezer, be careful to leave the door open for as short a stretch of time as possible. This simple action can add up to huge energy savings.
• Cold food only: Placing warm food in the refrigerator can raise its internal temperature more than you might expect, resulting in additional energy use and less hygienic conditions. It’s simple to remedy this fact by waiting for leftover food to cool down totally before storing it in the fridge.
• Defrost the freezer: Whether you have a separate or integrated freezer compartment, it’s important to remove any layers of ice regularly. It might seem counterintuitive, but this ice actually acts as an insulating layer, making it more difficult for the freezer to reach its intended temperature.
• Defrost food in the fridge: When it’s time to defrost some food, place it in the refrigerator, rather than in the sink or on the countertop. This not only helps the food to defrost more gradually, it also gives the fridge a cooling boost, easing the stain on its compressor.
• Check the door seals: Think rubber seals around a fridge or freezer door help to insulate against exterior heat. If these seals become damaged, the unit will require a lot more energy to reach its intended temperature. Replacing a damaged seal is one easy way to save energy - hence money - in the kitchen.

Best Refrigerator FAQ:

Q: Should I invest in a smart refrigerator?

A: Although we haven’t included any smart refrigerators on our list, they’re a piece of technology we believe is worth mentioning.

Smart refrigerators differ from their conventional counterparts in a few key ways:

• They usually feature a touch screen interface
• They are connected to the internet via your home’s wi-fi
• Many feature interior cameras
• They can often be controlled from afar via smart device

Smart refrigerators can bring about a number of benefits, such as:

• Allowing you to look up recipes online, and display them on the screen
• Creating smartphone-synced shopping lists
• Casting TV or movies from another room onto the touch screen
• Adjusting temperature settings from afar
• Viewing the contents of the fridge from elsewhere via a smartphone app
• Providing a spot where the household schedule can be easily displayed

Every household has individual needs, and whether or not you could benefit from a smart refrigerator will depend very much upon personal preference. If you find it difficult to keep track of shopping lists and expiration dates, or enjoy using online recipes, this smart device could be worthwhile investment.

However, since a smart refrigerator could set you back $3,000 or more, it’s a good idea to think carefully before committing to the idea.

Q: How cold should my refrigerator be?

A: To maintain proper hygiene, food needs to be stored at a proper temperature:

• Refrigerators: Should be kept at a temperature between 37 - 40℉ (3 - 5℃)
• Freezers: Should be kept at a temperature of 0℉ (-18℃)

Q: Does my refrigerator need annual maintenance?

A: As long as you properly maintain your refrigerator, it should require very little maintenance, and won’t need an annual checkup in the same way that your car might.

To help maintain a safe and effective fridge, it’s a good idea to:

• Clean off its condenser coils a couple of times each year - these are the large, radiator-like metal coils on the back of the fridge, responsible for conducting heat away. They can be cleaned fairly easily using a long-handled bristle brush and vacuum
• Clean rubber seals every now and again, and be sure to replace them if they become damaged. This helps the fridge to run more efficiently, and last for longer.
• Defrost your freezer on a regular basis, by unplugging it and allowing the ice to fully melt, before thoroughly drying.
• Clean the interior of your fridge on a regular basis - ideally every week - by wiping down the shelves and bins with a damp cloth and anti-bacterial cleaner.

Q: How do I level my refrigerator?

A: A properly levelled refrigerator not only looks great, it also helps the device to function correctly. When properly levelled, a fridge’s front legs should be slightly higher than its back legs, since this improves cooling efficiency.

You can level your own refrigerator by following these steps:

• Reveal the Legs

Before you get started, you may need to reveal your fridge’s legs by removing a grill. The grill can often be simply pulled away, but it may also be held in place by clips or screws.

• Examine the Legs

Before making any adjustments, take a moment to work out how the legs can be adjusted. Some can be rotated freely, while others may require a wrench or screwdriver (GE fridges tend to require one of these tools for levelling).

• Rotate

Most of the time, turning the legs to the right will lower the fridge, while turning them to the left will elevate it. This rotation can usually be performed by turning the legs themselves using pliers, or turning a screw housed in a slot at the top of each leg.

Rotate each leg until they are the same height, aiming for a small backward slope. Manufacturers recommend that the front of a fridge should rest between 0.25 and 0.5 inches off the ground.

• Measure and Adjust

Next, take a spirit level and place it on top of the refrigerator, just behind the door. From left to right, the fridge should be totally level. If it isn’t, adjust the height of one of the legs to rectify the issue.

Once the fridge is level from left to right, double check that the font legs are still between 0.25 and 0.5 inches off the ground, resulting in that desired slight backwards slope.

• Replace the Grill

Finally, replace the front grill if one was fitted. In many cases, the grill can simply be pushed back into place, but you may also need to reattach some clips or screws.

Some units feature rollers rather than feet. Their height should be adjusted to the same specification, using pliers or a ⅜ inch wrench. Each roller will be attached to a screw: turn the screw clockwise to raise the legs, and counter clockwise to lower them.

Q: How often should I replace my fridge's water filters?

A: This will vary depending on the type of filter you purchase, and the quality of the water you have access to. However, as a rule of thumb, you should aim to replace your fridge’s water system every six months or so.

Our Top Pick

For us, the best refrigerator on the market right now has to be this compact design by Danby. Their diverse fridge-freezer can be had in a variety of capacities and colors, making it the perfect option for any small kitchen, office, or other modestly sized space. Despite its compact size, the device includes everything you’d expect from a standard, larger model. It houses a vegetable crisper, integrated door storage, and an interior LED light. For ease of installation and use, the fridge also features an easy grip handle and non-slip feet. The door can be attached to open for either side, making it simple to set up no matter the shape of your room.

It’s efficient, too, having an Energy Star rating. Once switched on, it runs quietly, and easily keeps produce fresh. Unlike other mini fridges, Danby’s device also features an integrated freezer section, which can reach temperatures as low as -0.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The section is large enough to store all your frozen goodies, from ice cream tubs to pizza boxes. Overall, Danby have produced a compact, versatile, and efficient product that’s at home in a wide array of spaces.

Sources:

1. How to Level Your Refrigerator - wikiHow
2. How to Avoid Refrigerator Repairs - Family Handyman