They're adjustable, sturdy, and easy to wipe clean. The fridge is equipped with three slide-out - and one folding - spill-proof tempered-glass shelves. It can accommodate practically any pitcher or water bottle you put under it. We're big fans of its extra tall ice and filtered-water dispenser, which measures in at 12.6 inches tall. This fridge is luxurious-looking, but it's extremely practical and offers a spacious 27.9-cubic-foot capacity (that's enough room to store 28 bags of groceries). When you're ready for an upgrade, you know you'll have a gorgeous, reliable, and energy-efficient refrigerator that'll last you for years to come. We've scoured the internet, reading reviews from authoritative publications, including our sister site Good Housekeeping - who tested the refrigerators in-house - and also read several customer reviews on sites like Home Depot, Best Buy, and Abt. We took a deep dive into the data to try to pinpoint which appliances are more prone to needing repairs. We've sifted through hundreds of refrigerator models to help you discover which one is best for you, your budget, and, ultimately, your kitchen. Best Mini Fridge: Danby Designer DCR044A2BDD Refrigerator.Best Budget Refrigerator: GE GTS18GTNWW Refrigerator.Best Luxury Refrigerator: LG LMXS28596D Refrigerator.Best Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator: Whirlpool WRB322DMBM Refrigerator.Best Top-Freezer Refrigerator: Samsung RT21M6215SR Refrigerator.Best Side-by-Side Refrigerator: Samsung RS27T5200SR Refrigerator.Best Smart Refrigerator: GE Profile PFE28PYNFS Smart Refrigerator.Best Overall: LG LFXS28968S Smart Refrigerator.He says a family of four should shop for a model with at least 20 cubic feet, but if you’re a Costco or Sam’s Club addict, you probably will want to splurge for a larger-capacity refrigerator. You’ll definitely want to break out the measuring tape before making a purchase to ensure you’ll have enough room for the fridge to fit.ĬNET’s appliance editor, Ry Crist, says that a good rule of thumb for capacity is to aim for 4 to 6 cubic feet of storage space for each member of your family. Counter-depth models are typically more expensive. Refrigerators also come in standard or counter depth - the latter is not as deep, which helps them be better aligned to your kitchen countertops and cabinets. They provide easy access to fresh items and offer more room for frozen food than top freezers, but you'll have to bend down to access them.

Bottom freezers - you guessed it! - have freezers on the bottom, so everything in the main compartment is waist level or higher.They're typically the most affordable refrigerator style you can buy since they lack in-door extras like water dispensers.

But you’ll have to bend down to access your fresh veggies in the crisper drawers. They have a single swinging door to access things in the fridge.

Big surprise: Top freezers have their freezers on the top.

However, they make it harder to store wide items like leftover pizza boxes, and they don't have as many extra compartments for quick-and-easy access to drinks and snacks like French-door refrigerators. They allow for easier access to your frozen goods since you don’t have to bend down or dig through a drawer to access them.

Side-by-side refrigerators have a skinnier freezer compartment on the left slide, and a larger refrigerator section to the right.

Because of this, they're pricier than other styles. They usually pack the most advanced features and are available in the most colors and finish options. They have two swinging doors that open to access the fridge and a freezer section (typically a drawer) at their bottom.

French-door fridges are the most popular model.

When it comes to refrigerators, you have four distinct types to choose from: French-door, side-by-side, top freezers, and bottom freezers. While there may not be a singular perfect refrigerator that’ll work for every home, knowing your household's preferences is a good place to start in finding the best one for you. Some people may prioritize having a water dispenser and filter, others need a large ice bucket, some want plenty of space for frozen foods, while others strive for as much fridge space for fresh veggies as possible. Refrigerators come in several different shapes, styles, and configurations to cater toward families of various sizes with different budget constraints, and multiple needs. We know that refrigerators are a huge purchase and it can be difficult to find one that is reliable, relatively affordable, and in the finish that you need to match your space. When it comes time to upgrade, you should keep a few different factors in mind: price, allotted space, and personal taste. Your refrigerator is probably the most frequently used appliance in your home.

The wirecutter refrigerator