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Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
The Hisense HRM260N6TSE is the best mid-range French-door refrigerator we've tested. Read More
This French-door stunner aced our tests, maintaining unwavering temperatures. It also boasts a through-the-door dispenser and smart connectivity. Read More
If you're willing to spend more for an amazing look and user experience, the Café CAE28DM5TS5 is one of the best high-end 4-door fridges available. Read More
The GE GDE25EYKFS has remarkably steady temperatures, useful features, and lots of storage space for a bottom-freezer refrigerator. Read More
This model offers substantial storage, excellent temperature control, and a cleverly designed beverage center. Read More
With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to find the best refrigerator for your kitchen. That’s why our experts have tested hundreds of refrigerators of all sizes, styles, and configurations, to determine which ones are worth the investment. This roundup presents the best refrigerator in each style category, as well as models scoring the highest in our testing.
During testing, we consider temperature consistency, storage capacity, and ease of use as the benchmarks of a good fridge. We also consider value, smart features, and build quality. Our top-rated refrigerator is the **Hisense HRM260N6TSE 4-door French-door refrigerator ** (available at Lowe's) . This French-door fridge is nearly perfect, offering even temperatures and tons of storage space at a reasonable price.
For those with tighter budgets, or certain style and feature preferences, we have plenty of other recommendations that will work in your kitchen. Whether you want a French-door model, a counter-depth fridge, or a side-by-side, we've evaluated hundreds of fridges across these styles and more.
Editor's Note: Appliances are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best fridges to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.
The Hisense HRM260N6TSE is one of the best fridges you can buy at this price point.
The Bosch B36CD50SNS is one of the best three-door French-door refrigerators we've tested.
Near-perfect temperatures
Through-the-door dispenser
Smart connectivity
Less storage space than average
This 4-door Café refrigerator has a premium feel and excellent performance.
Near-perfect temperature performance
High-end features like an LED-lit back wall
Flexible-temperature quadrant
4-door design requires crouching or kneeling to access
Flexible-temperature compartment takes time to change to freezing temperatures
The GE GDE25EYKFS bottom-freezer refrigerator is the best we've tested.
Consistent temperatures
Lots of storage
Crispers don't hold humidity well
The Samsung Bespoke RS28CB7600 is the best side-by-side refrigerator we've tested.
The Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW refrigerator is inexpensive but extremely reliable where it counts.
Stable temperatures
Great value
Freezer temps need calibration
Wire racks don't handle spills well
The Frigidaire Gallery Quattro is the best fridge we've ever tested.
The Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF 4-door French door is the best refrigerator we've tested to date.
One of the most impressive abilities of this fridge is keeping temperatures within a fraction of a degree of their target. It accomplishes this over time and throughout each of its compartments.
Typically fridge's temperatures can fluctuate due to defrost cycles or opening the door to grab something. Thanks to its TwinTech cooling system, the GRQC2255BF can adapt quickly to any changes in temperature. This is, by far, the best temperature performance we've ever recorded.
The Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF Refrigerator doesn't stop with near-perfect temperatures. When it comes to extra features, the GRQC2255BF Refrigerator has just about everything you'd expect from a high-end fridge. It has a water dispenser, a custom-temperature compartment located next to its freezer, and custom storage.
The GRQC2255BF offers great value for its price, both in terms of its raw performance and its overall usability. If you want to buy the best of the best, the Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF is it.
Read our full review of the Frigidaire Gallery Quattro GRQC2255BF Refrigerator
Maintains consistent temperatures
Flexible storage options
None that we could find
Perfectly consistent temperatures
Innovative deli net storage
Stylish design
Crisper settings can be confusing
Solid temperatures
Lots of fridge storage
Through-the-door dispenser
Its shelves only have a spill-capture lip on their front
Consistent temperatures
Backlit interior
Custom-temp drawer
Smaller capacity
Solid fridge temperatures
Flexible-temperature drawer
Customizable aesthetic
The custom-color panels are a separate purchase
Near-perfect temperatures
Lots of highly-customizable storage space
Effective crispers
A few fixtures feel cumbersome to use
Sleek and modern look
Incredible attention to detail
Flexible compartment that can be fridge or freezer
Inconsistent temperatures
Ice separate from the beverage center
A new fridge is one of the biggest investments you make in your kitchen. Here are some things to know before purchasing your new kitchen appliance.
A refrigerator is one of the most notable features of your kitchen, so the form may matter to you. Here are the four main types of refrigerators and some of the benefits and drawbacks of each:
French-door refrigerators: These popular models feature a modern look—and often a higher price tag. Still, some models don't cost as much but retain features like in-door water and ice dispensers. They feature wide shelves for food items, but freezer space is often limited. They come in a range of sizes, finishes, and feature sets.
Side-by-side refrigerators: These fridges save space and keep food at eye level by placing the freezer next to the fridge compartment. They’re also typically less expensive than French-door models. You get more freezer space, but the narrow shelving in the fridge may present problems for pizza boxes and baking trays.
Top freezer refrigerators: These are efficient and inexpensive but tend to have fewer features and weaker aesthetics. This style of refrigerator keeps the freezer at eye level. You’ll have to bend over to get to the lower shelves in the fridge.
Bottom freezer refrigerator: These fridges are the reverse of a top freezer. The freezer pulls out like a drawer rather than a swinging door. It may have more storage space, but you’ll have to bend over to access it.
One of the most common refrigerator specs is the total capacity in cubic feet. Unfortunately, a higher capacity doesn’t necessarily mean more storage space.
Shelves, drawers, and ice makers can eat into a fridge’s capacity. That’s why we measure usable space—how much room is actually available to store your food and drinks.
If you’re looking to fit your new fridge into an existing enclosure, then getting the right measurements is crucial. The old adage about measuring twice applies to refrigerators. It would be terrible if you had to hire a contractor just to get your new fridge to fit into your kitchen.
Refrigerators pull in air and cool it down to temperatures cold enough to preserve food and limit bacterial growth. This is usually around 37°F. This cooling method means that fridges are very sensitive to air conditions.
In hot weather, the condenser and cooling coils have to work harder to cool the warmer air. In cold weather, the fridge condenser may not even turn on.
Ideally, your fridge should be exactly 37°F and your freezer should be 0°F.
If your fridge drops to 32°F—just 5°F below the ideal temperature—some food in your refrigerator will start to freeze. On the other hand, temperatures of 40°F and higher are dangerous. That's the temperature at which bacteria start to proliferate quickly.
If your freezer gets warmer than 0°F, it means your food isn't being truly frozen. Furthermore, consistency is key: if temperatures in your freezer bounce around, freezer burn can become a huge issue.
While the lifespan of any appliance can vary wildly due to several factors, you should expect your fridge to last about 10 years.
Most manufacturers will at least cover the first year in a refrigerator warranty. Some companies will offer more robust programs that will cover specific parts up to five years, 10 years, or for the lifetime of the product.
Reviewed's appliance testing team has spent years testing major appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
We test each fridge in our lab using a data-driven, objective point of view. We've got a detailed report of a refrigerating testing protocol, but we also use the appliances we test in our daily lives, as a regular person trying to get at the leftover Chinese food.
These two types of experiences combine to help us recommend the best fridge for you at any price point. It also helps us determine which special features are actually beneficial.
We keep our lab air conditioned to 72°F +/- 5°F (basically, room temperature). We maintain a relative humidity of 50% RH +/- 15% RH. This way, each fridge can perform at its best without struggling to function in extremely warm or cold conditions.
We spend a week putting each refrigerator through its paces. We pack them with water-filled containers, since fridges operate better when there’s less empty space. We then measure the fridge’s temperature, humidity loss, freezing time, usable space, and energy use.
Learn more about how we test refrigerators.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Managing Editor, Kitchen & Appliances. Danielle has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. She’s the mom of two boys and loves making pizza on Friday nights.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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