'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
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. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Treat yourself and your kitchen with a new fridge: Our fave picks
A refrigerator is an appliance that's critical to your household, so you might as well make it the best. However, in many cases, a fridge is no longer just a fridge. Freezers typically are included in refrigerators, as are ice machines, water dispensers, and even a built-in Keurig. Where does one even begin the search for a new refrigerator?
That is where we come in.
When just any refrigerator won't do, these are the best refrigerators for your home and family.
Specs
- Size: 69.875''x35.75''x36.25''
- Freezer capacity: 9.17 cubic feet
- Refrigerator capacity: 18.5 cubic feet
- Energy consumption: 725 KWh/year
The GE Profile Smart Appliances 35.75'' French Door 27.7 cubic foot ENERGY STAR Refrigerator comes with its own Keurig K-Cup Brewing System built in to one of the doors -- a bonus many do not expect in a refrigerator. You can brew a single cup right at your fridge without the need for a separate Keurig machine. It is WiFi-capable, so you have voice-controlled water heating whenever you want it. That's far from all of the features you get with this fridge. There is advanced water filtration, plus a hot water option that you can scheduled ahead when you use the GE Kitchen App. TwinChill evaporators keep food fresh by maintaining dual climate zones. Plus, there is flexible shelving with a dropdown tray so you can get the most out of your refrigerator. Its stainless steel exterior is fingerprint-resistant, and inside, you will find LED lights for clear visibility.
Pros | Cons |
|
|
Specs
- Size: 71.5"x35⅝"x24"
- Freezer capacity: 6 cubic feet
- Refrigerator capacity: 15 cubic feet
- Energy consumption: 570 KWh/year
Also on the higher price end is the Bosch 800 Series Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker. Because it is a counter-depth model, it has a much smaller capacity than other models on our list of best refrigerators, but this is a leading model among smaller options. With a three-door design, it offers humidity-controlled compartments with recessed LED lighting for visibility. If you need to adjust the temperature, there is a touch-controlled panel for easy adjustments. It is sleek in stainless steel. Inside, there are five tempered glass shelves that are mostly adjustable, with three-gallon door bins and dual humidity-controlled drawers. A water dispenser is incorporated, plus it comes with an automatic ice maker to cover all your basics.
Pros | Cons |
|
|
Specs
- Size: 68.63"x32.75"x34.88"
- Freezer capacity: 8.3 cubic feet
- Refrigerator capacity: 17.2 cubic feet
- Energy consumption: 562 KWh/year
The LG Bottom Freezer Refrigerator with Filtered Ice and Smart Cooling boasts smart cooling zones powered by LG Smart Cooling. There's the Door Cooling + feature to cool the entirety of the fridge, plus Multi-Air Flow to control humidity and temperature. This model is smart-enabled via its accompanying LG ThinQ app, greatly simplifying operation and navigation when you are in a hurry. You'll find an incorporated water filter, plus LED lighting inside for easy navigation. There is ample freezer space, so storage is hardly a concern, and if you hit a snag, SmartDiagnosis helps make troubleshooting a breeze. A smudge-proof stainless steel exterior matched with an ENERGY STAR-certified design makes this a fantastic fit when you are looking for the best bottom freezer.
Pros | Cons |
|
|
Specs
- Size: 66¾"x28¾"x66¾"
- Freezer capacity: 4.9 cubic feet
- Refrigerator capacity: 12.7 cubic feet
- Energy consumption: 448 kWh
When you don't have a lot to spend, the Samsung Top Freezer Refrigerator with FlexZone and Ice Maker in Stainless Steel could be the right pick for you with a price that's under $1,000. It uses FlexZone technology to allow for convertible top and bottom zones, plus Twin Cooling to tackle humidity and prevent pesky freezer burn. The shelves are adjustable to really make this your own, and despite being ENERGY STAR-certified, the ice machine is well-supported, producing nearly four pounds of ice each day. Thoughtful details like recessed and reversible handles, LED lighting, a reversible door, and a fingerprint-resistant finish all make this model a fantastic pick for the best budget refrigerator you can buy.
Pros | Cons |
|
|
Specs
- Size: 70"x35¾"x70"
- Freezer capacity: 8.3 cubic feet
- Refrigerator capacity: 15.6 cubic feet
- Energy consumption: 755 kWh
The Samsung Family Hub French Door Smart Refrigerator is the priciest model on our list of best refrigerators, but it brings with it some of the best smart technology available. This refrigerator is designed to play a key role in the daily life of your family, enabling you to coordinate schedules, share pictures, and even create the soundtrack of your home through Spotify capability. You manage the refrigerator through both WiFi and Bixby and can control temperatures and monitor what's going on inside. Meanwhile, the digital Family Board works like your family's own paperless bulletin board, with pictures, stickers, and notes. Stainless steel cooling is provided throughout with Twin Cooling Plus, plus there is a large-capacity ice machine of 4.2 pounds [does it produce this many pounds of ice max or does the machine weigh 4.2 lbs?].
Pros | Cons |
|
|
What is the best refrigerator?
Our pick for the best refrigerator is the GE Profile Smart Appliances 35.75'' French Door 27.7 cubic foot ENERGY STAR Refrigerator. It is perfect for the coffee lover, with its own Keurig K-Cup Brewing System, allowing you to brew a single cup of coffee or tea using the refrigerator. It is a smart refrigerator that is WiFi-capable for voice-controlled water heating.
To help, here is an overview of the best refrigerators.
Refrigerator | Cost | Type | Total capacity (cubic feet) |
|---|---|---|---|
GE Profile Smart Appliances 35.75'' French Door 27.7 cu. ft. ENERGY STAR Refrigerator with Keurig K-Cup Brewing System | $3,418.00 | French Door | 27.7 |
Bosch 800 Series Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker | $3,239.00 | Counter-Depth | 21 |
LG Bottom Freezer Refrigerator with Filtered Ice and Smart Cooling | $1,598.00 | Bottom Freezer | 25.5 |
Samsung Top Freezer Refrigerator with FlexZone™ and Ice Maker in Stainless Steel | $944.00 | Top Freezer | 17.6 |
Samsung Family Hub French Door Smart Refrigerator | $3,509.99 | French Door | 27.7 |
Which is the right refrigerator for you?
To help you choose the best refrigerator for you, consider these expert recommendations on our top five.
Choose this refrigerator... | If you want... |
GE Profile Smart Appliances 35.75'' French Door 27.7 cu. ft. ENERGY STAR Refrigerator with Keurig K-Cup Brewing System | Large capacity matched by affordable features |
Bosch 800 Series Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker | A generous counter-depth refrigerator |
LG Bottom Freezer Refrigerator with Filtered Ice and Smart Cooling | A traditional bottom freezer refrigerator |
Samsung Top Freezer Refrigerator with FlexZone and Ice Maker in Stainless Steel | A budget-friendly option |
Samsung Family Hub French Door Smart Refrigerator | Smart technology for your fridge |
How did we choose these refrigerators?
There are several factors that help determine the best refrigerators.
- Type: There are multiple types of refrigerators that you can buy, whether it is a bottom-freezer design or a side-by-side option. Consider your preference before searching for a fridge.
- Finish: The most popular design on our list includes a fingerprint-resistant, smudge-proof exterior made of stainless steel, but there are many different styles available based on your preferences.
- Dispensers: Whether it is an ice maker or a water dispenser, these additions are invaluable extras that can make life much easier with built-in filtration systems.
- Technology: From WiFi connectivity to smart technology, there are a number of new, cutting-edge features that can simplify use and benefit the entire family.
- Price: We considered budget, since the cost of refrigerators can run the gamut from less than $1,000 to more than $3,500, depending on the model you choose.
Before you choose the best refrigerator for your home, be sure to consider the size and type to ensure it is the right fit for your home.
What are the different types of refrigerators?
There are five main types of refrigerators:
- French door refrigerator: The most popular style of refrigerator, French door refrigerators have dual side-by-side doors.
- Bottom-freezer refrigerator: A bottom-freezer refrigerator puts the refrigerator on top, with the freezer on the bottom for a wider finish.
- Top-freezer refrigerator: This is the exact opposite, with the refrigerator located on the bottom and the freezer on top.
- Side-by-side refrigerator: This involves a freezer and refrigerator positioned side by side.
- Counter-depth refrigerator: These refrigerators are not as deep as the average refrigerator, instead shaped taller or wider for a more custom look.
Consider the size and style of your kitchen before you decide which is the best refrigerator for you.
How long do refrigerators last?
Refrigerators generally last between 10 and 20 years, depending on use. Most experts recommend replacement over repair after a fridge ages over 10 years, as technology improves each year in greater energy efficiency.
Are there alternatives worth considering?
The five models on our list are far from the only models available today, so here are a few that almost made our list of the best refrigerators.
While outfitting your kitchen, check out our picks for the best mini fridges and the best countertop ovens!