When purchasing a refrigerator for your home, you have to consider several elements such as size, design, price and the finish. We have scrutinized the best refrigerator on the market to give you key insights for selecting the best one. At the same time, we have a collation of our top picks in addition to a comprehensive guide.
Buying Guide
When it comes to refrigerators, options go far and wide as there are many competing brands. There are those that are in-built to match your kitchen cabinets, four and five-door refrigerators and even those without freezers. We know that the process of choosing a refrigerator can be very hectic and confusing, which is why we simplified the work for you. We hope that this guide will help you choose the right type of fridge to suit all your needs.
Why Should You Own a Refrigerator?
The primary reason for purchasing a refrigerator is to keep the food cool to stay fresh for longer days. According to scientific research findings, bacteria become inactive in places with cold temperatures. Thus, the idea behind refrigerators is to slow down the bacteria found in all foods. In other terms, what we mean by this is that your food will stay fresh for longer days compared to someone who does not own a refrigerator.
Refrigerator Installation Types
Different types of refrigerators have different styles and methods of installation. Some are in-built, while others are freestanding. The two types are installed in different ways as indicated below;
Built-In Refrigerators
If you want to install this kind of refrigerator, you will need to undergo a special installation process. Take into consideration the thickness of the door panel when placing units side by side to prevent damage when opening the doors.
During the installation process, ensure that the installation niche has the right angles and exact size. Additionally, ensure that the door can swing open at least 1150 and if the fridge has drawers, see that there is no obstruction and that you can pull them out easily.
Freestanding Refrigerators
The installation process for freestanding refrigerators is quite simple as you only need clearance around the device and a nearby power and water source. The most vital factor to consider is whether you have enough space in your kitchen for the appliance to fit perfectly. Once the fridge is in place, ensure you leave it to stand for about 4 hours before turning it on to allow the cooling gases to settle.
Refrigerator Depth
Before considering anything else, it is important that you determine how much space you need to suit your needs. There are two main depths involved with refrigerators and they are as indicated below;
Standard-Depth Refrigerators
Standard-depth refrigerators are the most common in the market and generally provide more storage space than counter-depth refrigerators. The models can vary in depth, mostly from 30- 34 inches deep. Note that the extra depth will take up more kitchen space therefore you should put the factor into consideration.
The additional depth also means that the refrigerator will extend beyond or above the countertops and cabinetry. Due to the popularity of standard-depth refrigerators, you will probably get a wide selection of colors and designs from different manufacturers.
Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Counter-depth refrigerators are meant to sit as flush as possible with your kitchen countertops and cabinets, hence its name. They provide less storage space compared to standard-depth refrigerators as they run 23-27 inches deep. Note that some countertop refrigerators will not fit your countertops perfectly, but this is okay because it leaves space for opening the door.
These refrigerators are shallower, making it easy to reach food even at the back of the fridge. They also occupy less space compared to standard-depth refrigerators.
Refrigerator Styles
There are various styles available in the market for different fridge brands. These designs and styles offer different benefits thus, you should choose them carefully. When choosing a style, ensure you consider your kitchen space to avoid congestion.
Single door/ Freezerless refrigerators
Single door fridges are often suitable for 1-3 people and not a large family. This is because they are very compact and have no freezer access. They are the most energy-efficient refrigerators since they consume 40% less power compared to double-door refrigerators. Additionally, they occupy little floor space, hence can fit in small kitchens.
Top-freezer refrigerators
As the name suggests, these refrigerators have freezers on top, and a single-door fridge at the bottom, making the freezer easily accessible. Top-freezer refrigerators are suitable for kitchens with fairly large spaces. Most top-freezers function in the same way across manufacturers. “These products present a single vacuum pump that cools the freezer using cold air put to rout down to the refrigeration section via a series of vents.” Says an appliance merchant at the Home Depot.
Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Bottom freezers are designed with a single fridge door at the top and a freezer door at the bottom. Just like top-freezers, they provide ample storage space, with their width ranging from 24-36 inches. The shelves of these refrigerators are easily accessible since they are situated at eye level.
Bottom freezers are engineered to work differently, mostly depending on the manufacturer. They basically move air from the freezer section upwards to the fridge compartment via a series of fan ducting.
French Door Refrigerators
French door refrigerators are the latest trends in refrigerator design and are often known for their elegant style. When incorporated in a home kitchen, they provide a lot of light and open space to the area.
French-door refrigerators have two narrow doors on top and a freezer below them, however, sometimes there is a drawer (or more) in between. They all come in different sizes but generally, their width ranges from 28 to 36 inches. These models keep fresh food reachable and are also great for smaller spaces. Four-door configurations typically present an additional refrigerated drawer, whereas five-door versions offer two additional sections.
Side-By-Side Refrigerators
The fridge is usually on one side of the refrigerator and the freezer is on the other. These types of refrigerators often have a through-the-door water and ice dispenser. With the width of these varying from 33 to 36 inches and their doors being pretty narrow (Therefore, not a lot of space is required to open them), they are also a good option for small kitchens. Unfortunately, the narrow doors make it hard to access large products at the back of the fridge, so side-by-side fridges are not among the most space or energy efficient options.
Undercounter Refrigerators
Undercounter refrigerators are often ideal for people who do not require a freezer. Most of them are only suitable for storing food and drinks at cool temperatures. These refrigerators are designed to fit the space under the counter.
They do not offer much space, therefore not ideal for large families with more than two members. Additionally, they often have reversible doors and spill-proof shelves to keep everything in tack.
Mini Refrigerators
Mini refrigerators are very small and can barely serve a family’s needs. They are often situated in offices or dorms because of their small size and also because they occupy less space. Mini fridges can be installed as in-built or freestanding, depending on your preference and room design.
Additionally, they are often used as under-counter refrigerators because they perfectly fit in the space between counters and floors.
What Else Should You Consider?
Now that you know the general style, depth type and installation methods, it is time to move on to some smaller yet crucial aspects. You should put these aspects into consideration when choosing a refrigerator.
Features
The features to check are those that you will be using every day to make your experience with the appliance better. There are those less important features you can do without and those that are essential.
Air Filtration System
A built-in carbon filter helps to keep the air in the fridge fresh and cool, preventing the food from spoiling.
Connected/Smart Refrigerators
This type of refrigerator offers many benefits, including shopping lists, advanced climate control and integration of various home automation systems.
Door-Within-Door
A board on the refrigerator door opens to storage built into the door. This the feature saves energy as it doesn’t require access to the full door.
Dual-Cooling System
This system enables freezers to circulate cool air separately from the fridge to keep each section at the best temperature and humidity levels.
Dual Ice Makers
These form ice for the door and the party in a separate bin.
Ice and Water Dispensers
Filtered water and ice are common features for French-door and side-by-side fridges, although there are different configurations of the feature that lets one pick what best fits the consumer’s needs.
In-Door Ice Storage
These systems free up more freezer space by moving the ice bin from the freezer interior to the door.
Programmable Control Pad
Helps to set the temperature, locking the ice and water dispenser, checking the filter conditions with only a few buttons.
Fingerprint-Resistant Refrigerators
This is a special finish that makes these models easier to clean.
Size
It would be ironic if you purchased a bigger refrigerator than what your kitchen space can handle. You must confirm that the desired model will fit in your kitchen and that enough space will be left for you to move around.
Space
While we had provided guidelines on how much space each depth type offers, the models vary and so does the space they offer. The consumer needs to counter-check how much space they need for their food before purchasing a refrigerator.
Organization Options
You should look for the kinds of shelves and storage compartments that you will use the most and one that saves the most space. A fridge with adjustable storage options will let you customize the layout for your specific needs. Some of the most popular organization options include adjustable glass shelves, gallon-size door bins, humidity-control drawers and pantry drawers.
Adjustable glass shelving
These are shelves that slide in or out within the refrigerator cavity. They flip vertically from hinges on the outside edges of the shelf to create customized space.
Gallon-size door bins
Gallon-size bins efficiently store big soda bottles and milk cartons, making them easier to grab while taking up as little shelf space as possible.
Humidity-control drawers
These drawers keep Berries, vegetables and fruits fresh with the help of customized humidity settings. New model refrigerators are equipped with these drawers.
Pantry drawers
Pantry drawers create a separate temperature zone for snacks and party foods. This will help you use the right food at the right time. You can also organize your food according to mealtimes, such as lunch and supper foods on one side and breakfast and snacks on the other side.
Finishes
Different finishes depicted by different brands bring out unique styles in the kitchen. Finishes can make a bold statement or fit very well with the colors in your kitchen. Most refrigerators are available in white, black or stainless steel. Choose the one that stands out the most to make your kitchen superb.