Best Refrigerator Brands On The Market

Today’s refrigerators can do a whole lot more than keep your food fresh. From water-and-ice dispensers to Wi-Fi-enabled screens, there’s a bewildering array of features to consider when purchasing a fridge. If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, then you’ve got to check out the research we’ve done on the hottest fridge brands.

Here are a few of the most reputable refrigerator brands on the market:

• LG
• Samsung
• KitchenAid
• Whirlpool
• Frigidaire
• Bosch

To learn more about picking the right refrigerator, check out the info below. After exploring these high-quality brands, we’ll share tips on what to look for when researching new refrigerators.

What Fridge Brand Is Best For You? – Evaluating The Major Players

The modern refrigerator market is competitive, but there are a few names that stand out. In this section, we’re going to delve deeper into a few notable fridge brands and explain what kinds of consumers they’re best suited for.

Fridges For Tech-Savvy Shoppers: LG or Samsung

LG and Samsung have a great deal in common. For starters, they were both founded in the early 20^th century in South Korea. Today, both of these companies have also become some of the most influential players in the global electronics industry. It’s no surprise, therefore, that LG and Samsung offer some of the most technologically-advanced refrigerators.

If you’re someone who loves the latest and greatest in hi-tech innovation, then you should focus on the models offered by LG and Samsung. Both of these companies are well known for their touchscreen displays and Wi-Fi connectivity, especially LG’s Signature line, and Samsung’s FamilyHub refrigerators.

Indeed, many critics argue Samsung’s FamilyHub fridges are the most advanced models now available. A few things you could do on this fridge include buying groceries, watching videos, and searching the Web with the virtual assistant Bixby.

On the other hand, LG offers a broader selection of hi-tech fridge models at lower price points. Most of LG’s connected fridges have popular features like InstaView to see your food without opening the door and a mobile “Smart Diagnosis” to alert you when there’s an issue with your fridge.

In general, Samsung refrigerators are better suited for people who want the latest technological advances and don’t mind spending a premium. LG refrigerators, by contrast, tend to be more affordable options with extremely high rates of reliability.

Looking For Dependability And Affordability? Consider Whirlpool or Frigidaire

If you’re most concerned with a fridge that will last a long time, take a peek at the models offered by Whirlpool and Frigidaire. While they might not have stunning smart-screens, these refrigerators are long-lasting and usually give customers the best “bang for their buck.”

Of the names on this list, Frigidaire is the only one that has been manufacturing fridges since the early 20^th century. Heck, for most Americans in the mid-1900s, the words “refrigerator” and “Frigidaire” were synonymous. This long and strong heritage is a big reason customers feel comfortable owning one of Frigidaire’s products.

By contrast, Whirlpool made a name for itself as a premier manufacturer of washers and dryers in the early 1900s. Just because this American company was late to the refrigerator game, however, doesn’t mean it offers second-rate products.

Indeed, most surveys now suggest Whirlpool refrigerators have the least service calls of any brand. Whirlpool is also usually listed as the most recommended and best-selling refrigerator brand.

As you could see, there’s a lot of fanfare surrounding Whirlpool’s products nowadays. That doesn’t mean, however, Frigidaire produces inferior fridges. Indeed, Consumer Reports still lists Frigidare’s classic top-freezer fridge as an “excellent” model.

We strongly recommend looking into both of these brands’ catalogs if you’re most concerned with purchasing an affordable fridge that will last you many years.

Elite Brands For Amateur Chefs: KitchenAid and Bosch

People who have extra cash to invest in a professional quality fridge should look at the models now offered by KitchenAid and Bosch. Although these companies’ refrigerators are a tad pricy, they have many advanced internal features ideal for pro chefs.

Of these two names, American readers are probably more familiar with KitchenAid. Founded in 1919, KitchenAid is an American company that was initially well-known for its mixers, like this one below:

Find out more info on this Amazon link.

Today, Whirlpool Corporation owns all of KitchenAid’s products. If you’re interested in this brand, you could find more details on this previous KitchenSeer post.

KitchenAid refrigerators usually have dual evaporator systems to keep air from traveling between the freezer and fridge. According to Consumer Reports, refrigerators that have this feature tend to preserve food for longer than fridges without it. Since KitchenAid always has chefs in mind, you’ll also find unique fridge features like areas for prepped foods and compartments for fresh herbs.

Bosch, on the other hand, is a German company that goes back to the late 1880s. In recent years, many people in the refrigerator space have taken notice of the company’s B36 series.

The main reason people are interested in Bosch’s free-standing refrigerators is their inclusion of both dual evaporators and compressors. Usually, you’ll only find these features in high-end luxury brands like Sub-Zero.

Pricewise, KitchenAid refrigerators are usually cheaper than Bosch refrigerators. On the flipside, Bosch refrigerators often score higher in terms of reliability.

Bottom line: if you’re passionate about cooking and don’t mind spending a bit extra, start your refrigerator search with Bosch and KitchenAid.

What Should You Consider When Buying A Refrigerator?

Now that you know what the world’s major brands have to offer let’s explore a few general considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a fridge.

What Should I Look For When Buying A Refrigerator?

Although today’s refrigerators are quite complex, there are a few simple features to look out for when picking your ideal brand. Be sure to keep these essentials in mind when shopping for a refrigerator.

Where Is The Freezer Located?

The most glaring difference between refrigerator models is where the freezer is located. Although it might just seem like a stylistic change, the freezer location could have a considerable impact on factors like energy consumption, cost, and space.

Here are the four major fridge styles on the market.

Economical & Energy Efficient: Top Freezer Refrigerator

First off, there’s the conventional top freezer refrigerator. Although bottom freezers are all the rage nowadays, top freezer refrigerators are superb for people who are looking for a budget buy. Not only are these fridges cheaper upfront, but they also tend to consume less energy.

Popular & Affordable: Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

For a slightly higher price tag, you could invest in a refrigerator with a freezer on the bottom. More people favor this design because they don’t have to bend down to get their fresh foods. Also, most bottom freezer refrigerators tend to offer more space than top freezer designs.

Perfect For Narrow Spaces: Side-By-Side Refrigerator

If you have something against horizontal lines, then you might prefer the side-by-side refrigerator model. As the name suggests, this design has two doors (one for the fridge and one for the freezer) separated vertically. Although this unit doesn’t hold a ton of space, it might be the best choice for folks living in cramped quarters.

The Luxury Option: French Door Refrigerator

The last significant refrigerator model—called “French door”—has a bottom freezer and side-by-side doors for the top refrigerator. So, you can enjoy the shortened door clearance offered by side-by-side refrigerators while also maintaining maximum storage space. On the downside, this model tends to be the priciest.

What Size Refrigerator Is Right For Me?

How much space your refrigerator needs largely depends on how many people are in your household. Typically, you want to reserve about five cubic feet per person. So, if you have four people in your house, then you want to look for refrigerators with a minimum of 20 cubic feet.

In general, you should aim to purchase the smallest refrigerator that comfortably accommodates your family. Although bigger units may be tempting, remember you’ll have to pay more upfront and in energy bills for the additional space.

Just so you know, the typical height for a standard refrigerator is between 65 - 80 inches. You could learn more about refrigerator height on this previous KitchenSeer post.

What Is The Most Popular Refrigerator Color?

Stainless steel tends to be the most popular material used in refrigerator design. Although greyish-silver is the predominant color nowadays, there are also many models available in black stainless steel.

Find The Fridge That Fits Your Style

Refrigerators are an essential part of the kitchen, so it’s worthwhile carefully considering what model works best for your home and budget. Before making your final decision, please don’t forget to read this previous KitchenSeer post on where to place your refrigerator.