How to Choose a Refrigerator — The Complete Buyer's Guide

How to Choose a Refrigerator

A refrigerator runs around the clock and anchors the kitchen layout, so it's worth narrowing by size and style before you look at brands. The refrigerators category lists 234 models from about $570 to $12,999. This guide covers how to sort through that range.

Who Each Style Suits

Top freezer models are the simplest layout and usually the lowest priced. The catalog's Hotpoint 15.6 cu. ft. top-freezer is $720. This style suits rentals, secondary kitchens and buyers who want the most capacity for the least money.

French door models put fresh food at eye level in the main compartment and the freezer in a bottom drawer. The catalog includes them from Midea at $1,399 up through Whirlpool at $4,049 and well beyond in built-in versions. They suit households that buy a lot of fresh food and want wide shelves.

Side-by-side models split the cabinet into two tall columns, so both fresh and frozen items sit at every height. They commonly come with door dispensers, as on the Amana listed below. The tradeoff is that narrower compartments can be awkward for wide items like platters.

Capacity in Cubic Feet

Cubic feet is the usable-volume figure in each product name, and it is the easiest way to compare models. The catalog's counter-depth models list around 20.8 to 22 cu. ft., while standard-depth French door models list higher, such as 27.8 cu. ft. for the Frigidaire Gallery and 29 cu. ft. for the Samsung. Pick capacity by how you shop. A household that stocks up weekly needs more than one that buys fresh food every few days.

Standard vs Counter-Depth

Counter-depth models are built to sit closer to the front of your cabinets, which gives a cleaner look. That often comes with less interior volume than a standard-depth model. If your layout has room for a deeper unit, standard depth gets you more capacity per dollar. If the fridge sits at the end of a run or in a narrow walkway, counter-depth may be worth the tradeoff.

Finishes

The catalog covers stainless steel, black stainless, white, white glass, panel-ready and even a retro turquoise. Panel-ready built-ins accept cabinet fronts to blend into the kitchen, and they sit at the top of the price range. If you're matching other appliances, check the ranges too, since finishes vary between brands and lines.

Ice and Water

Decide whether you want a door dispenser, an ice maker only, or neither. Dispensers add convenience, but they need a water line at the fridge location, so confirm one is available. Some listings highlight related features, like in-door ice storage on the Whirlpool or Craft Ice on the LG.

Measure Before You Buy

• Measure the width, height and depth of the kitchen opening, and leave room for door swing and ventilation.
• Measure every doorway, hallway and turn along the delivery path, plus stairs if any.
• Check how far the doors need to open so drawers and shelves can slide out.
• Compare your numbers to the product page, because sizes vary by model.

Price and What You Get

Under about $1,500, expect simpler layouts and fewer features. From roughly $2,000 to $4,000, French door and counter-depth models with more features appear. Beyond that, the catalog is mostly built-in and panel-ready units. If you're weighing brands, see Whirlpool vs Samsung, LG vs Samsung and GE vs Whirlpool, or browse all brands.

Top Picks

• Best Budget Top Freezer: Hotpoint 15.6 cu. ft. top-freezer refrigerator in white — at $720, it is a straightforward layout at one of the lower prices in the category.
• Best Value French Door: Midea 29.3 cu. ft. French door bottom freezer — at $1,399, it lists a large capacity for a French door model.
• Best Side-by-Side with Dispenser: Amana 33-inch side-by-side with external ice and water dispenser — the name confirms a door dispenser at $1,399.
• Best Counter-Depth: Frigidaire 21.5 cu. ft. counter-depth French door — a counter-depth French door at $3,239 for kitchens where a flush fit matters.

Common Questions

Is counter-depth worth it?

It depends on your layout. You get a flatter profile against the cabinets, usually in exchange for lower listed capacity. If the fridge doesn't stick out in your kitchen, standard depth may be the better value.

Do I need an ice and water dispenser?

Only if you'd use it daily. A dispenser requires a water connection, and it adds a part that could need service later. Without a water line, an ice maker may be the better choice, or none at all.

How much should I spend?

Set your budget by layout and capacity first. The catalog starts around $570, and most buyers will find what they need well below the built-in prices of $10,000 and up. Spend more only for the features or finish you would use.