Buying a new refrigerator is a big investment. It’s the central hub of your home, the place you go for everything from family gatherings to midnight snacks, and you want one that’s perfectly suited to your lifestyle and your space. With so many models, features and styles to choose from, it can be hard to know which fridge is the right one for you. Grand’s teams of experts put together this helpful Buying Guide breaking down all your options, and providing some basic guidelines for what to keep in mind when looking for a new refrigerator.
Price
Fridges come in all different shapes and sizes. You can find a new fridge for as low as $600 and as expensive as $12,000 (and beyond if you’re looking for all the bells and whistles), but keep in mind: with different price points come different levels of features.
Refrigerator price is based on all the bells and whistles until you reach about $5,000. After that, it’s mostly built-in fridge models that go up in price as the size of the appliance increases. But when you’re comparing the price point versus the size of the appliance, it’s important to remember that even a larger built-in model offers a similar capacity to a 36-inch freestanding option.
If you prefer the style and design of a built-in refrigerator model, the premium price for this category is also based on its high-end, superior construction, food preservation and cooling features, and the ability for seamless installation into custom cabinetry.
Basic models will get the job done, but may not be as intuitive or spacious, while more expensive models are packed full of high-tech features that can do everything from optimize temperature control to manage your shopping. Your refrigerator budget should be reflective of your lifestyle and what you find an important part of your everyday refrigerating needs.
Style
There are a number of different door styles on the market and each come at their own price points and with their own specialties. Let’s break down the basics of these different types of refrigerators.
Top Freezer
Top freezer refrigerators are just what they sound like—any fridge with the freezer section stacked on top of the body of the fridge. This is the most common type of fridge, and typically falls on the lower end of the pricing scale. You can, of course, find high-end top freezer models, but most of your low-budget options will fall into this category. Top freezer refrigerators are great if you’re looking for simplicity, convenience, and a variety of options, but they don’t often include the more modern space-saving and high-tech features other fridge options have to offer.
Bottom Freezer
If you’re all about frozen food, you might want to consider a bottom freezer model. These have a similar level of ease and simplicity as the top freezer models, but with a larger freezer section at the bottom of the fridge. The freezer on these models are typically drawers rather than cabinets, which allow for easier access to your frozen meats and treats. Bottom freezers elevate your refrigerator by a few feet, making commonly used items easier to reach.
French Door
One of the more popular refrigerator styles is the French door models which have a refined look and convenient layout that just about everyone can appreciate. French door fridges are similar to bottom freezer fridges in that they both offer a drawer set located at the bottom of each unit, however, the refrigerator itself is behind two doors of equal size that open from the middle. These refrigerators styles are typically wider providing more storage space, but because the doors require less clearance to open, they can still be a perfect fit for smaller spaces.
Side-by-side
With a narrow freezer on the left and a wider fridge on the right, side-by-side models are popular for offering easy access to both fridge and freezer with a simple, user-friendly layout. Similar to French door refrigerators, side-by-sides require less clearance on each side of the unit because the doors are slimmer, but this ends up coming at the cost of the horizontal shelf space you might find in other models.
Compact
Compact or apartment size fridges are great for supplementing an existing fridge or saving room in smaller living spaces. They’re typically found in dorms or bedrooms, but can certainly be a convenient addition to any kitchen. Compact fridges fit perfectly in a kitchen island or mini bar, while taller compact models, often called “apartment sized” fridges, can work as primary food storage spaces in small studio apartments.
Built-In
Sleek, chic, and custom-made, built-in refrigerators come in at the top of the pricing scale, and do so with good reason. Built-ins can be made to fit seamlessly with your kitchen, fitting flush against counters and even paneled to match existing cabinetry. Available in a variety of widths, a built-in fridge is the perfect option when aiming for a more streamlined and uniformed kitchen profile.
The style of your kitchen is important to keep in mind when deciding on the perfect fridge to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for a sleek, standout fridge in gleaming stainless steel, or a fridge to melt right into the background of an immaculately-styled kitchen, there are options for all kitchen styles, but a decision this big requires some planning first. Different finishes can give the same fridge a very different effect in your kitchen. Take your time choosing between bright metallic, black stainless, or painted matte to find a finish to perfectly match the rest of your appliances.
Size
Most refrigerators run anywhere from 22 to 36 inches wide, but there are larger and smaller options available. Compact fridges are typically around 17 inches wide and some built-ins are designed to fit up to 48 inches. Consider a refrigerator that fits both the available kitchen space and your household’s needs. Kitchens don’t always allow for the available refrigerator space needed to fit every household, but supplementing with a compact fridge, or even a slim built-in made to fit a narrow kitchen nook, are options to consider.
If your household has a 36-inch refrigerator, you will typically be able to fill your appliance with relative ease, regardless of your family size. A 36-inch model is customary for any typical 2-5-person household. Conversely, families who live in smaller-footprint environments or urban communities typically utilize a top-freezer fridge, which range from 22 to 33 inches. If that comes as a bit of a surprise, remember that you don’t always need a large living space to benefit from a refrigeration appliance bigger than a compact model.
The big built-in refrigerators measuring in at 50 inches and above are more about the price and the overall visual appeal. If you’re considering this size model, the status of owning an appliance this large may weigh into your consideration more so that finding a model to best suit your family size.
The most important aspect of purchasing a new refrigerator is making sure your measurements are accurate. Measure once, twice, and a third and fourth time if you have to. You must ensure the fridge style you’re considering will fit your living space and fit through the door. Measure the space where your fridge will go—measure ceilings, hallways, doorways, surrounding cabinets, and anything else that could prevent your appliance from a smooth transition into your home.
Be sure to leave plenty of space for the doors to swing open and shut, and account for the space needed for the tubes and filters to connect to the back of your appliance. And keep an eye out for any light fixtures in your kitchen space that you could accidently bump into during installation.
Counter Depth
In addition to the standard stand-alone fridge models, there are a variety of counter-depth fridges to choose from. Counter-depth fridges are about the same width as most fridges but are several inches shallower, allowing them to not extend too much past your existing countertops. Counter-depth fridges seamlessly integrate into your kitchen without the higher price tag of built-in options while helping save space in a cramped kitchen. The downside to these models is the sacrifice of storage space in exchange for a smooth, built-in look. A counter-depth fridge is a great option if style on a budget is the ultimate goal.
Energy Use
Whether you’re committed to eco-friendly living or hoping to save some money on your electricity bill, an energy efficient refrigerator is the way to go. Energy Star certification is the best way to know whether your fridge will save energy and money over other similar models. Energy Star certified fridges must meet rigorous requirements set by the EPA, and each come with a label indicating their annual energy usage and operating cost compared to similar fridge models. Many fridges use between 1,000 and 2,000 kilowatt hours of energy every year, so if you can find a model that’s only in the triple digits, you’ll be saving big bucks in no time. An Energy Star certification can bump the refrigerator’s sticker price a bit higher than comparable models, but investing into the initial expense will ultimately save you money in the long run. Top freezer refrigerators tend to be more energy efficient than many other models, but you should always check the Energy Star sticker to be sure of a refrigerator’s energy use.
Connectivity
Smart appliances are gaining popularity in homes around the world, and many companies now offer top-of-the-line refrigerators with highly customizable functions and internet connectivity. Though not strictly necessary for a stylish and highly functional fridge, some of these features can help you get organized and make grocery shopping and mealtimes much easier. Here are a few features gaining traction in the Smart Refrigerator market:
Remote access
Most connected refrigerator models allow smart phones remote control access. This means making temperature changes to activating the ice maker, all from across your home. Viewing a panoramic shot of the inside of your fridge while out replenishing from your smart phone can save a lot of time and hassle. Some smart fridges even feature a “vacation mode,” allowing you to switch the whole device into low power mode while you’re away from home. Vacation mode can be activated from anywhere, saving you money on electricity, even if you forget to flip the energy saver switch before you leave.
Shopping lists and schedules
A simple but incredibly convenient feature of many of these smart refrigerators is the ability to make and export notes, schedules, and shopping lists. Never leave your shopping list at home again—because it’s always conveniently accessible from your smartphone! Add to your grocery list while at your refrigerator and let technology automatically sync that list to your phone. Leave memos for other members of the household and manage schedules from the one appliance used daily—the fridge!
Convenience
Similar to connectivity features, fridges are available with a variety of physical features that add ease and convenience to your lifestyle. Here is a list of a few common features to consider when deciding on the right fridge for you.
Ice/water dispenser
In-door ice and water dispensers are nothing new, but they’ve become so common in the decades since they were first introduced that many shoppers simply can’t get by without them. If looking for a built-in water dispenser in your next fridge, focus on the styles of fridges that more commonly have them.
Side-by-side and French door models typically include dispensers, while top and bottom freezer fridges rarely if ever have them.
Some models also offer modern upgrades to the classic dispenser, like hot and sparkling water dispensers and a setting that boosts ice production for parties, so you never have to purchase ice again.
Shop Models With Built-In Dispensers (ice and/or water)
Door-in-a-door
This one is a relatively new innovation. More and more high-end fridges are offering a function called door-in-a-door, which is an additional panel built into one of the fridge doors that allows you to access smaller items like snacks and drinks without opening the whole refrigerator.
This feature is meant to save energy and provide an extra convenience between meals. Some even have a transparent window that illuminates when touched, so you can see inside your fridge without having to open anything at all.
Less expensive than the smart fridges with built-in cameras and smartphone access, this is another way to save time when you want to check your supplies at a glance or need a quick reminder of what you need to buy before heading out to the store.
Extra drawer
A riff on the French door model, some manufacturers have introduced refrigerators with an additional, climate controlled drawer above the freezer drawer.
An extra drawer lets you cater to foods with special temperature needs, like veggies or frozen meat, and store them without compromising the temperature of your entire refrigerator.
Adjustable racks and shelves
Adjustable shelves are a life-saver for busy households with overflowing fridges, and for anyone who’s ever felt like putting groceries away was more like an especially frustrating game of Tetris than a household chore.
Many fridges now come with foldable, retractable, and re-arrangeable shelves, and even adjustable racks for the door. This lets you maximize your fridge space and customize it to your family’s needs.