Top 10 Best Refrigerators

Buying guide

Don’t know which refrigerator to buy? In this buying guide, we consider the most important factors before buying a refrigerator.

First, you’ll need to figure out what type of refrigerator you’re looking for. These are the most common types of refrigerators:

Fridge

Advantages

Most affordable

Low energy consumption

Large cooling capacity

Disadvantages

No freezer compartment

No advanced features, such as a water dispenser

Annual electricity costs

£37 (123 kWh)

Capacity

Cooling capacity: Typically around 350 to 400 L

Size (Ca.)

Height: Ca. 185 cm

Width: 60 cm

Depth: 65 cm

Price

£229 to 729 (Avg.: £519)

Available with the following fronts

White

Stainless steel

Black

Integrated

Fridge freezer

Advantages

Refrigerator and freezer compartments in one unit

Large selection

Disadvantages

Least cooling capacity

Annual electricity costs

£73 (242 kWh)

Capacity

Cooling capacity: 230 to 330 Liters

Freezer capacity: 100 to 115 Liters

Size (Ca.)

Height: 180-200 cm

Width: 60 cm

Depth: 60-65 cm

Price

£299 to 629 (Avg.: £481)

Available with the following fronts

White

Stainless steel

Black

Integrated

American fridge freezer

Advantages

Large capacity

Available with advanced features

Often available with water- and ice dispensers

Large selection

Disadvantages

High energy consumption

Requires a lot of space

High purchase price

Not many choices of front colors

Annual electricity costs

£102 (339 kWh)

Capacity

Cooling capacity: 330 to 420 Liters

Freezer capacity: 185 to 225 Liters

Size (Ca.)

Height: 180 cm

Width: 90 cm

Depth: 70-75 cm

Price

£612 to 2799 (Avg.: £1326)

Available with the following fronts

Stainless steel

Black

All refrigerators have an energy label, providing the most essential product information.

On the energy label, you will find the following information about the refrigerator:

• Energy efficiency class
• Annual energy consumption
• Cooling capacity
• Freezing capacity (if it has a freezer compartment)
• Noise level
• Noise level class

The energy label makes it easier to compare key specifications between the refrigerators.

Before purchasing a refrigerator, measure the available space in your kitchen to ensure it fits comfortably. Consider the width, height, and depth of the space where the refrigerator will be placed.

The size of the refrigerator naturally affects its freezing and cooling capacity.

• Freestanding: You can position a freestanding refrigerator wherever you prefer. However, some models require a water connection, which should ideally be easily accessible.
• Integrated: Built-in refrigerators are designed to be concealed behind the same type of doors used in the rest of the kitchen.

On the energy label, you can find the refrigerator’s energy class. The energy class ranges from A to G, where A is the best. It also provides information about how efficiently the refrigerator uses energy. With a refrigerator in a good energy class, you will be able to save money on your electricity bill.

The following chart shows how the energy efficiency class is distributed across the refrigerators:

You can find the refrigerator’s annual energy consumption on the energy label. Typically, large refrigerators (such as American refrigerators) and refrigerators with freezer compartments have a higher energy consumption.

The following chart shows the average energy consumption for the various types of refrigerators:

The refrigerator’s noise level class and noise level are found on the energy label. The noise level class ranges from A to D, where A is the best. The following chart shows how the noise level class is distributed across the refrigerators:

The noise level listed on the energy label indicates the refrigerator’s actual noise output. The noise level of refrigerators is generally relatively low, but there can be a significant difference between quiet and noisy models. It is essential if you want a quiet environment in your kitchen or living space. Across the refrigerators, it ranges from 33 dB to 43 dB.

The following chart shows the average noise level for the various types of refrigerators:

The price of the various refrigerators can vary widely, so set a budget and prioritize the features that are most important to you.

Remember that while budget models may save you money upfront, energy-efficient models can lead to long-term savings on your electricity bills.

Some types of refrigerators are more expensive than others. The following chart compares the average price of each of the refrigerator types.

The following chart shows how the price is distributed across the various types of refrigerators:

• Freezing capacity: The freezing capacity indicates the freezer compartment’s ability to freeze a certain amount of food within a specific time frame. It is measured in kg/day.
• Storage time in case of power failure: This refers to the freezer’s capability to maintain safe storage temperatures for food in the event of a power outage.

These are some of the functions you should consider for your refrigerator:

• Smart function: Allows the refrigerator to connect to the household’s Wi-Fi network, enabling remote control and monitoring via a dedicated app.
• No frost: A technology that prevents frost and ice build-up inside the freezer, eliminating manual defrosting.
• Door alarm: An alert system that signals when fridge or freezer doors are left open, ensuring food safety and energy efficiency.
• Water dispenser: A function that provides water directly from the fridge.