Maybe the fridge will be in a galley kitchen or pantry, or maybe an island stands tight to the fridge cutout, and it’s going to be a pain to deal with a fridge that takes up too much room. Some “counter-depth” fridges really stretch the definition, sitting at more than 30 inches deep—they’re shallower than similar standard-depth models from the same brand, but not by much. So you should double-check any counter-depth fridge’s actual dimensions. We don’t have perfect information about the best brands or models, but we do have a few leads. Top-freezer fridge owners are more likely to complain that their fridges are loud, though it’s still a relatively low percentage, even among the noisiest models. IKEA’s house-brand refrigerators are manufactured by Whirlpool and have mostly similar characteristics.
This is basically destined to be a problem with most similar models, so it’s important to understand that you’re working with a very small, very inexpensively built appliance. If you don’t store 12-ounce cans, you might find that the can holder on the door becomes wasted space, and while most people agree that the freezer works well, some have found that temperature fluctuates above freezing. The back of the refrigerator compartment also tends to get colder, which you can use accordingly, but it can also be a nuisance. Compact and versatile as a fridge or freezer, Avanti’s Dual-Function mini fridge has a single shelf for easy storage and cleaning. Featuring a shelf, in-door storage, and a chiller, the Frigidaire 1.6-Cubic-Foot Compact Fridge has just enough room to store your mini fridge basics. Based on other mini fridges posted, this looks to be a pretty good deal.
Customer ratings for these pricier models often reach 4.7 stars out of five on Home Depot’s site, whereas the midrange models tend to earn closer to 4.4 stars. And according to our reader survey, brands that exclusively sell premium fridges have higher owner satisfaction than brands that sell fridges at a mix of prices. Whirlpool was one of the few brands that had enough survey responses about bottom-freezer models to be statistically significant, and the ratings were strong.
And again, if you ever need to make a claim under the warranty, you’ll be dealing with LG’s below-average customer service. The big caveat with LG fridges is that some of its larger fridges are more likely than those of other brands to stop cooling. But there are some rules of thumb to follow if you want to maximize your energy savings, such as choosing a smaller capacity, passing on a door dispenser, and avoiding side-by-side models. We asked 5,000-plus readers how satisfied they are with their fridges and the appliances’ reliability, as well as which features matter. It has two adjustable shelves in the fridge and one in the freezer, and its crisper drawer keeps produce fresh.
NewAir refrigerators are built with the same compressors we found in Magic Chef mini fridges and others owned by Whirlpool. Again, because there are only a handful of big manufacturers, the parts are roughly the same, and so too is the quality. If you really want to step it up and are looking for a wine fridge, we have recommendations here. A mini fridge with a separate freezer is a great package for galley kitchens, dorms, and wet bars where you want to have all possible storage options. ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites.
All you have to do is place an order and make a payment, and the fridge will be delivered to your kitchen, followed by a trained professional setting up the appliance while demonstrating all its features. But making a purchase isn’t a simple affair and looking inside while the door is opened simply isn’t enough. So below are the types and the benefits of each type of refrigerator. Fridges can be classified into single door refrigerators, double door refrigerators, and lastly, refrigerators with side by side doors. The shallowest freestanding counter-depth fridges measure about 27 inches deep, as much as 9 inches (25%) shallower than a standard-depth model.
Certain types aren’t available in certain sizes or at certain prices, so in choosing a model you don’t quite have carte blanche, but you usually have some wiggle room. GE also sells a bunch of affordable bottom-freezer models, such as the GBE21DYKFS, Frigidaire fridge though we don’t have enough data on this category to have a clear picture of how they stack up against those of other brands. Top-freezer models from GE are decent and can be some of the very cheapest full-size fridges available.