For complete Ratings and Recommendations on appliances, cars & trucks, electronic gear,
and much more, subscribe today to ConsumerReports.org.
> Buy 30 day full access for $5.95

Compare Prices on Refrigerators >>

Manufacturers are hot for your dollar as they load up their latest refrigerators with more style and features.

Most now offer French-door models that add style and convenience by putting side-by-side refrigerator doors above the freezer.

Bottom-freezer refrigerators are growing fastest in sales, since they offer the convenience of a full-width refrigerator at eye level with the style and narrow door swing of a side-by-side. You'll also find features such as slide-out glass shelves and temperature-controlled compartments, along with stainless-steel exteriors for under $1,000.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

While you'll find an array of refrigerator brands, only a handful of companies actually make these appliances, with essentially similar models under several names. Frigidaire, General Electric, Kenmore, and Whirlpool account for some 75 percent of top-freezer sales and, with Maytag, more than 80 percent of side-by-side purchases.

Bottom-freezer brands include Amana, Frigidaire, GE, Jenn-Air, Kenmore, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Sub-Zero, Thermador, and Whirlpool. Mainstream companies have introduced high-end brand lines such as Electrolux Icon; Frigidaire Gallery; GE Café, Monogram and Profile; Kenmore Elite and Pro; and Whirlpool Gold. These brands cover built-ins: GE (Monogram and Profile), Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Sub-Zero, Thermador, and Viking. You can also get built-in-style, or cabinet-depth, models from Amana, Bosch, Electrolux, Frigidaire, GE, Jenn-Air, Kenmore, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, and Whirlpool among others.

Top-freezers. These typically cost the least and offer more space than comparably sized side-by-sides. Widths typically range from about 30 to 33 inches. Fairly wide refrigerator shelves make it easy to reach the back, though you must bend to reach bottom shelves and drawers. Usable capacity is typically about 80 percent of what's claimed (10 to 25 cubic feet), which brings top-freezers closest to their claims. Price: $400 to $1,200.

Bottom-freezers. These put refrigerator items at eye level on wide shelves that provide easy access. You'll have to bend to find items in the freezer, but you'll typically open the refrigerator much more often. Bottom-freezers tend to cost more than top-freezers and offer less space for their size, however. Widths typically range from 30 to 36 inches. Claimed capacity is up to 26 cubic feet, though usable space is typically a bit less than for top-freezers. While most French-door models are 36 inches wide, some are 33 inches, and some offer through-the-door ice and water. Price: $700 to $1,500; $1,600 to $2,000 for French doors.

Side-by-sides. These vertically split refrigerators have a freezer on one side and a refrigerator on the other. They're typically equipped with through-the-door ice and water-among the most requested features-along with temperature-controlled bins and rapid-ice-making cycles. Narrow doors that fit tight kitchens are another plus, though most don't open wide enough to fit pizza boxes and other wide items. High, narrow compartments also make it hard to find items at back. Side-by-sides are typically 32 to 36 inches wide, with claimed capacity of 20 to 30 cubic feet, though we've found that only about 65 percent of that space is usable. They're also pricier than top-freezer models. Price: $800 to $2,000.

Built-ins. These pricey refrigerators are designed to fit nearly flush with cabinets and counters, and typically comprise bottom-freezers and side-by-sides. Most can accept front panels that match other elements of your kitchen; the panels cost extra. You can even buy a separate refrigerator and freezer mounted together in a 72-inch opening. On the downside, built-ins are wide (36 inches or wider), yet relatively shallow (25 to 26 inches, front to back), making them the least space efficient overall. They've also been repair prone in our surveys. And at roughly a foot taller than conventional models, they could be hard to fit beneath overhead cabinets. Price: $4,000 to $7,000.

Cabinet-depths. These less-shallow, freestanding refrigerators offer the look of a built-in for less money. They are available mostly in side-by-side styles, with some top- and bottom-freezers and French-door models available. Many accept extra-cost panels for a custom look, but cabinet-depth models have less usable space than deeper freestanding models and cost more. Price: $1,500 to $3,200.

Undercabinet refrigerator drawers. These are among the latest luxuries for kitchens where even the biggest refrigerator simply isn't enough. But refrigerators drawers tend to be large on price and small on space. They cost little to run because of limited capacity. Price: $1,800 to $3,000.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Size is usually more important than style, since most new refrigerators must fit in the same space as the old one. Begin by measuring the available space, particularly the width. Include the space you'll need to open doors, and check that the new refrigerator you're considering can fit through halls and doorways.

Once you've chosen a type that fits your space, needs, and budget, keep these tips in mind:

Look for space-stretching features. These include split shelves and cranks for adjusting shelf height. Pullout shelves provide access to the back of the refrigerator and freezer. In bottom-freezers, full-extension drawers help you find items in the rear.

Consider efficiency. Despite advances, refrigerators still use more electricity than other kitchen appliances, since they're always on. Top- and bottom-freezers are typically more efficient than side-by-sides. Choose a model that scored well for energy efficiency in our tests.

Think twice about multimedia models. More brands are also pushing $3,000-plus models that include high-tech features like a TV, a digital-picture or -music device, or a family-organizing center as kitchens become the new living room. But we've found you can save hundreds and get better performance by buying a separate refrigerator and, for example, a flat-screen TV.

Don't jump at package deals. While buying a refrigerator with other appliances from the same brand can save you money and help coordinate styling, you'll probably have less choice, and you could sacrifice refrigerator performance and reliability.

Important features

Even lower-priced refrigerators now offer stainless or stainless-look exterior panels, some with fingerprint-resistant clear coatings. More models have also swapped knobs for electronic touchpads. Some have a digital display that shows the temperature setting, and a few show the actual temperature. Adjustable door bins and shelves can be moved to fit tall items. Elevator shelves crank up and down without your having to remove the contents, while split shelves can adjust to different heights independently. Shelf snuggers—sliding brackets on door shelves—secure bottles and jars. A few models have a wine rack that stores a bottle horizontally. Glass shelves offer easy cleaning and usually have a raised, sealed rim to contain spills. Pull-out freezer shelves or bins improve access. An alternative is a bottom-freezer with a sliding drawer.

Temperature-controlled drawers that store meat and fish several degrees cooler than the rest of the fridge are also becoming more popular. Crispers have controls to maintain humidity, while see-through drawers show what's inside at a glance. Most models have an icemaker in the freezer or give you the option of installing one yourself, though these eat up roughly 1 cubic foot of freezer space. The ice bin is usually below the icemaker, though some are inside of the freezer door and rob a bit less space. Through-the-door ice-and-water dispensers are common on side-by-sides and are migrating to top-and bottom-freezers, including French-door models. Often, the icemaker and/or water dispenser includes a water filter designed to reduce lead, chlorine, and other impurities. You can also add a filter to a fridge's water-supply line.

Copyright © 2003-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

Compare Prices on Refrigerators >>
Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org today >>

Consumer Reports Refrigerators - Refrigerator Reviews - Refrigerator Buying Guides