Discover the top-rated refrigerators of 2023, ranging from French door to top freezer models, offering features like flexible storage, advanced temperature control, and sleek designs
Arguably, the most essential investment you can make for your kitchen is a top-quality refrigerator. These magnificent appliances not only play a crucial role in preserving your perishable foods but also occupy a significant amount of space. Considering that you interact with your refrigerator on a daily basis, it's only fitting that it possesses aesthetic appeal. Unlike dishwashers or microwaves, we don't adorn our refrigerators with important reminders, cherished photos, or family artwork. Undoubtedly, purchasing a refrigerator is a substantial decision, so it's important to ensure that you acquire one of the finest models within your budget. In 2023, our top recommendation is the Maytag French Door Refrigerator, featuring fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, energy-efficient LED lighting, and a diverse range of temperature- and humidity-controlled zones.
In today's market, even budget-friendly options come at a considerable price. If it has been a while since you last purchased a refrigerator, you might be surprised to discover that modern models, even those without luxurious features, offer a wide array of functionalities that were previously unheard of. Standard features now include water and ice dispensers, while some refrigerators even incorporate smart capabilities like recipe searching, YouTube video playback, and web browsing. Before finalizing your investment, it's important to consider the essential features that you require. Additionally, you should evaluate the size and style that will best suit your home, whether it's a door-indoor design or a top freezer refrigerator. After thorough research on the top refrigerator brands and models, coupled with an analysis of customer reviews, we have identified the following selections as the crème de la crème.
- Best Overall Refrigerator Maytag French Door Refrigerator
- Best French Door Refrigerator GE French Door Refrigerator
- Best Counter-Depth Refrigerator Bosch 800 Series Counter-Depth Refrigerator
- Best Top Freezer Refrigerator Samsung Top-Freezer Refrigerator
- Best Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Whirlpool Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Best Overall Refrigerator Maytag French Door Refrigerator
A Timeless Choice with All the Essential Features
Dimensions: 32.9 x 35.6 x 70.1 inches
Total Capacity: 25 cubic feet
Energy Star Certified: Yes
While smart features and touchscreens may add a touch of luxury, they are not the most crucial factors when it comes to selecting a refrigerator. Maytag has crafted this 25 cubic feet refrigerator to encompass all the essential elements. Available in black or white, its standout feature is the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, which not only adds a touch of elegance but also makes cleaning a breeze. For an additional $100, you can enjoy the convenience of the ice and water dispenser, making it an excellent value for money.
On the inside, this model boasts bright and energy-efficient LED lighting, along with various temperature- and humidity-controlled compartments. One notable feature is the spacious Wide-N-Fresh Deli Drawer, designed to accommodate large party platters and deli trays. Additionally, Maytag's PowerCold feature allows you to quickly chill your groceries to their optimal temperature when you bring them home.
Pros:
- Fingerprint-resistant
- Spacious deli drawer
- Quick chill option
Cons:
- Shelving may not support excessive weight
Best French Door Refrigerator GE French Door Refrigerator
A Practical Choice with Thoughtful Shelving
Dimensions: 34.8 x 35.8 x 69.9 inches
Total Capacity: 27.8 cubic feet
Energy Star Certified: Yes
French door refrigerators are highly sought after for their generous upper cooling zone, featuring spacious shelves and large storage bins that provide ample organizational options. GE's version of this format includes twin chill evaporators, offering precise control and accuracy over the climate in both the fresh food and freezer compartments. Additionally, humidity-controlled drawers are included to ensure the freshness of your vegetables, while spill-proof glass shelves prevent liquids from seeping onto lower shelves.
The refrigerator also boasts showcase LED lighting, illuminating its contents for easy visibility, and an in-door ice maker with an integrated water filtration system. It is available in three colors—slate black, slate, and stainless steel—but the slate black option, resistant to smudges and fingerprints, is particularly favored, lending a sleek and modern ambiance to your kitchen.
Pros:
- Various color options
- Effective climate control
Cons:
- Initial removal of protective film can be challenging
Best Counter-Depth Refrigerator Bosch 800 Series Counter-Depth Refrigerator
An Elegant Choice That Complements any Décor
Dimensions: 28.8 x 35.6 x 7 inches
Total Capacity: 20.5 cubic feet
Energy Star Certified: Yes
Counter-depth refrigerators offer a unique blend of practicality and aesthetics. With their compact design that aligns with your kitchen counters, they create a streamlined and integrated appearance, despite offering slightly less storage space at a potentially higher cost. However, for those who prioritize visual appeal, the trade-off is well worth it. If you're willing to invest a bit more in a counter-depth fridge, it should be one that combines versatility, convenience, and style. That's where Bosch's Counter-Depth Refrigerator excels.
Featuring a sleek stainless steel exterior, this refrigerator offers a storage configuration that maximizes space while maintaining flexibility. It includes an internal water dispenser, an odor-absorbing filter, and Bosch's VitaFreshPro system, which automatically balances temperature and humidity for optimal food preservation. The appliance is equipped with the Home Connect app, enabling remote control of temperature, lighting, and diagnostics. Additionally, it can alert you if someone accidentally leaves the fridge open.
Pros:
- Compact design that blends seamlessly
- Companion app for remote control
Cons:
- Slightly less storage space compared to standard fridges
Best Top Freezer Refrigerator Samsung Top-Freezer Refrigerator
An Affordable Option with Two Noteworthy Features
Dimensions: 31.9 x 32.9 x 67.8 inches
Total Capacity: 21.1 cubic feet
Energy Star Certified: Yes
The Samsung Top-Freezer Refrigerator stands out in its category due to two exceptional features. The first is the aptly named FlexZone, which allows the refrigerator compartment to convert freezer space into additional fridge space. If you often find yourself in need of extra storage in your refrigerator, this feature is tailor-made for you. The second feature is twin cooling, which maintains optimal humidity levels to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher for longer, while simultaneously ensuring a dry freezer environment to minimize the risk of freezer burns.
This fridge is equipped with removable glass shelves, gallon door storage, humidity-controlled crispers, and a convenient slide-and-reach pantry for easy access to your favorite food items. The freezer section includes an automatic ice maker capable of producing up to 3.7 pounds of ice per day. The LED lighting throughout the refrigerator provides brighter illumination while being energy-efficient. It is available in two finishes: stainless steel and black stainless steel.
Pros:
- Ability to convert freezer space into fridge space
- Ample ice production capacity
Cons:
- Occasional noise from the ice maker
Best Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Whirlpool Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
A Spacious Option with Ample Storage
Dimensions: 33.4 x 32.8 x 70 inches
Total Capacity: 22 cubic feet
Energy Star Certified: Yes
Bottom freezer refrigerators have gained significant popularity in recent years, as they provide convenient access to fresh food at eye level, and the slide-out drawer design for the freezer offers larger and more efficient storage. An excellent example is the Whirlpool bottom freezer fridge, offering a generous 22 cubic feet of storage space (15.5 for fresh food and 6.5 for frozen) along with a built-in ice maker.
The refrigerator features lined glass shelves that help contain spills for easier cleanup. It is equipped with bright LED lighting, humidity-controlled crispers, and Whirlpool's Accu-Chill Temperature Management System. This system senses the temperature of the food inside the fridge and adjusts accordingly, activating the compressor only when necessary to maintain optimal cooling while conserving energy.
Pros:
- Spacious freezer capacity
- Energy-efficient Accu-Chill Temperature Management System
Cons:
- No water or ice dispenser