Best Refrigerators & Refrigerator Reviews
Today's refrigerators have come a long way from your grandma's ice box. Sure, they still keep food cold. But new technology has all but re-invented this classic appliance, making it every bit as cool as that new phone you spent six hours online waiting to buy for your twelve-year-old daughter (who loved it for three weeks before she decided she wanted the candy-bar-shaped one instead, and accidentally-on-purpose dropped it in the sink!).
But while technology may be giving refrigerators a new lease on life, great looks, energy-saving features and flexible designs are equally important in choosing just the right model.
So what makes a refrigerator truly cool? Look for great technology, flexibility (in terms of size and internal storage options), multi-tasking abilities (after all, YOU have to do all kinds of stuff, so why should you expect any less from your refrigerator?), energy-efficient operation and the ability to provide healthful extras, such as filtered water, or purified interior air to keep food fresher.
Here's a look at some of the most exciting and innovative refrigerators on the market today.
Choose the best refrigerators to fit your kitchen and your lifestyle. Our experts offer refrigerator reviews on the best Energy Star refrigerators at the best price on the Web.
Best Refrigerators by Janice Anne Costa
The Best You Can Get
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Janice says:
If you're always on the go, but never quite know when you're going to get there, the Whirlpool Polara Refrigerated Range is for you. This combination refrigerator/oven can be programmed from your cell phone or office phone to take food out of the refrigerator and put it in the oven at a pre-appointed time, so when you finally get home, your meal will be all cooked and waiting for you.
And no need to worry if your plans go awry; if you don't get home on time, the Polara will keep your food warm in the warming drawer… and then, if you still aren't home, it will return it to the refrigerator so you never come home to dried out food. In fact, pretty much the only thing this nifty multi-purpose appliance doesn't do is go out and buy the food for you!
- Sequence programming
- Electronic child lock-out feature
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Janice says:
Pioneer of the drawer refrigeration concept, Sub-Zero continues to score big with its 700 series. The idea is simple: Why do you need a big, bulky box cluttering up your kitchen with all the food stored in one location? Wouldn't it make more sense to put your perishables at the point of use, so you can keep your salad fixings close to the prep sink, your meat next to the oven and the kids' snacks by the little breakfast bar where they eat?
Having separate refrigerator drawers allows you to do just that – and you get to avoid the big box-in-a-corner aesthetics that can visually clutter the space.
- Design options that include integrated (with custom panels), classic stainless, platinum stainless and carbon stainless
- Easy-to-use electronic controls and an alarm that goes off if the drawer is left open
- Flat-to-the-ceiling interior lighting
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Janice says:
If you're a technogeek, or just a proud member of the Internet generation, why not get a high-tech refrigerator that would make The Jetsons proud? The Digital Multimedia Side-by-Side Fridge Freezer with LCD Display from LG Electronics does a lot more than just keep food cold - it lets you watch TV, listen to music, download songs, take pictures or surf the 'Net. It even has a program that allows you to enter in food content and expiration dates so you never have to sniff the milk to make sure it's still okay.
- Digital capabilities that allow access to cooking recipes, weather info, phone number management, and more
- Full Internet access with e-mail, video mail, voice-only and on-screen text messaging services
- Titanium finish
- 505 liter capacity refrigerator interior with 310 liter capacity freezer
- Chilled water and ice dispenser
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Janice says:
Part of the Professional Series, this 22.8 cu.-ft. capacity refrigerator features a sleek, built-in look, super-quiet, variable-speed compressor system, ProChill temperature management system, electronic controls, and even a Quick Chill option for times when you just can't wait for that ice cold drink.
A multi-channel air flow system removes odors and humidity, while a convertible, temperature-controlled drawer can be set for produce or fresh meat storage.
- Two moisture-adjustable drawers that are accessible even when the refrigerator is only partly open
- Six adjustable shelves that allow for customized shelf placement, along with five adjustable aluminum door bins
- Open door alarm that sounds and glows if door is left ajar
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Janice says:
Admit it - aren't you sick of white, black and bisque? Sure, they're great for resale, but if you want to really live in your kitchen, not just keep it safe for the next user, why not choose a refrigerator that says color-me-bold? Elmira Stove Works' Northstar refrigerators do just that, in cool retro colors that range from Robin's Egg Blue and Mint Green to Flamingo Pink, Candy Red, and Buttercup Yellow. You can even get custom colors to totally personalize your kitchen.
These Energy-Star-rated refrigerators feature chrome accents for added design appeal.
- 18.1 cu.-ft. capacity
- Visi-shelving for easy access
- Adjustable door bins
You will be happy with any of these
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Janice says:
If you have live in an apartment with limited space, or have a galley kitchen where every square foot counts, this basic top-freezer model can help you maximize the space you have. It's several inches narrower than standard refrigerators, yet its 18 cu.-ft. capacity will still hold enough food to keep you and your family comfortably well fed. While it doesn't offer a lot in way of bells and whistles, the price (around $500) won't give you sticker shock, either, and its a good value in terms of reliability ratings.
- Pull-out, spill-control shelves
- Gallon door storage
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Janice says:
If you're looking for a basic refrigerator that scores high marks for performance and reliability, with a reasonable price tag (approximately $850), the Whirlpool ETIFHTXM might be just your style. It's Energy Star rated, has an interior ice maker and water dispenser, and is well designed in terms of space utilization.
- 21 cu.-ft. capacity
- Spill-control glass shelves and gallon door storage
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Janice says:
For those who enjoy the look of a French door model refrigerator (two side-by-side refrigerator doors above a pull-out freezer compartment), the Amana AFD253DE is a reasonably priced option that's also Energy Star rated. Unlike regular side-by-side models, it features interior shelving that runs across the entire interior, which can be a boon for those who want some storage flexibility. And, for those who love the commercial style appliance look, it also comes in a stainless steel option (for a few hundred dollars more), along with the traditional white, black, and bisque choices.
- Pull-out shelves and bins, with a temperature-controlled bins for meats and produce
- Interior ice maker and filtered water dispenser
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Janice says:
If you like the convenience of a side-by-side refrigerator, the GE GSH25JFT offers a reasonably priced option with some upscale amenities such as touch controls with digital temperature read out, through-the-door icemaker and filtered water dispenser and temperature-controlled crisper drawers. It's Energy Star rated and comes in a stainless steel option as an upgrade.
- 25.4 cu.-ft. capacity
- Pull-out, spill-control bins
- Freezer light
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Janice says:
Your food storage needs change, so why shouldn't your refrigerator? That's the idea behind the Samsung RM257ABRS, a four-compartment refrigerator/freezer that features two convertible zones which can act as refrigerator or freezer space, depending on your needs at the time. The QuatroCooling system means each compartment is separately controlled and cooled with its own evaporator and fan. This prevents odors from spreading, and allows for greater flexibility in storing different foods at their ideal temperature.
Stainless steel styling makes this a good choice for those who love the commercial look, while there's even an alarm to alert you when the door is left open.
- 24.8 cu.-ft. capacity
- Humidity controller
- Through-the-door ice and water
- Spill-proof shelves and foldable half-shelf plus four door bins and two titling freezer door bins
The best refrigerators offer the most innovation and energy-saving features to save money and also help go green. Our refrigerator reviews feature the best from Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, Samsung, LG and others. These Energy Star refrigerators will keep your food cool and save big with the best price on the Internet.
