We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Store Food CorrectlyRepackaging food in several layers of plastic wrap helps reduce moisture loss and freezer burn. What is causing that issue is the seal which does not fit perfectly. While the lifespan of any appliance can vary wildly due to several factors, you should expect your fridgeeither full-size or minito last for about 10 years. One of the Arctic King ATMP032AES's best features is its stainless steel facade, which looks nicer than the glossy plastic of some other mini fridges we tested. They have disappointed many users, and the models have a rating of 2 out of 5. The industry-standard warranty covers one year of parts and service. Protect Yourself From Indoor Air Pollution, 21 Small Kitchen Appliances for $100 or Less, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Dimensions: 19.5" x 19" x 34" Capacity: 3.2 cu. But the model is not great in thermostat control, ice making, and crisper performance. Perhaps this problem is exacerbated by the refrigerators equally poor thermostat control. There may be trouble in paradise for those who subscribe to this brand, particularly with this model, as malfunctioning is why it raised issues. While most miniature refrigerators are relatively inexpensive and destined for a dorm room or garage, that doesnt mean you shouldnt still have the best mini fridge. The temperature can be adjusted to convert the freezer to a refrigerator and back, using the quick-freeze function that reduces the temperature to the maximum freezing point of 11F. Thus you may not customize it according to your needs. Galanz minifridge. Nonetheless, all these models will let you down in aspects like the freezer and refrigerator performance. These models also tend to be slightly more energy efficient and are less likely to cause freezer burn on food. Clear product crisper lets you identify your produce inside. Signs of low-quality refrigerators include the following: These quality issues can indicate serious problems with the refrigerator down the road. The ice maker is also problematic, and you will experience occasional ice outages as production ceases without notice. Hence, this is not your ideal model if you want a better ice maker. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. The Maytag Side-By-Side ranked lowest in reliability scores by JD Powers and Puls Experts consumer rankings. You should avoid purchasing it primarily because it is poor in thermostat control. The fridges default settings ran warm, hitting an average temperature less than 1F below the safe zone of 40F. Also, the ice maker capabilities of the models have been called into question by customers. Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar. Frigidaire Series 28" Top Freezer ENERGY STAR 13.9 cu. The Costway EP22672BK offers an average amount of storage space, but with a slightly smaller fridge and a slightly larger freezer. The Galanz GLR31TBEER features a 1950s classic car aesthetic and comes in a variety of different colors. Our one qualm was the door sometimes bounces open. Dimensions: 19 11/16" x 15 7/8" x 29 1/8" Capacity: 1.34 cu. You would not want to inherit these problems, so we advise you to keep off the two models. Compare. Between the can storage options and lack of a freezer, its great for cold drinks. 2. Despite this, Consumer Reports rated this model low on their list, which could mean that something is amiss with its performance or quality controlyou shouldnt settle for anything when there are better brands out there! Dimensions: 17.6" x 21.02" x 35.43" Capacity: 3.3 cu. It has many models, and its arguably one of the companies that boast the most extensive assortment of refrigerators. Yet, people dislike this French Door model despite boasting many features. They sometimes go for as high as $5,000 at outlets such as Home Depot. GE is a great brand, and there is a pretty good model in the GSE23GSKSS. But our issue with it is on energy efficiency, where it is rated 3 out of five. Also, if you have seen the brand, youll at a glance note that its doors are misaligned. Influence-free. While its freezer is excellent, the same cannot be said of the fridge, which will cease working effectively after some time. On noise, it is worse than the ASI2575GRS if customer reviews are anything to go by. In chest freezers, upright plastic dividers and sliding bins on racks help organize stored food. The device is excellent in temperature uniformity and crisper performance. Also, you will have to train your visitors to use the water dispenser as it does not stop dripping water immediately after you switch it off. Some customers have complained about poor customer service, especially when theyve contacted the company to request repairs. Among the most prominent concerns is the cost of their devices. There's even a small freezer compartment for a little ice cube tray or an ice roller. Dimensions: 18.3" x 19.6" x 17.5" Capacity: 1.6 cu. Samsung refrigerators have been cited in hundreds of complaints to the Consumer Product Safety Commission because of unsafe temperatures and malfunctioning icemakers. The freezer does run warm, however. This Galanz 1.2 Cu Ft, 1000 watts 3-in-1 oven with its Stainless Steel look can complement your kitchen with different styles. The model is one of the reasonably priced refrigerators on Amazon, and customers have also acknowledged that it is an inexpensive option. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. They can match the cabinetry or have a stainless pro-chef look. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Recipes. Whirlpool offers freezers in both chest and upright configurations. Problems with core functioning, like an inability to maintain cool temperatures, or with compressors, matter more, but relatively few CR members report them. You may be able to find cheaper valued refrigerators with similar functions to what youre shopping for this way. Sizes range from 7 to 25 cubic feet. Our picks include best-selling models from trusted brands that we have tested and stand behind. The brand has many models, and fortunately, most of them are highly rated. A rating of 58 suggests that its not badly off compared to some of the models we have covered here, such as the Whirlpool WRF550CDHZ. If you dont, you will have ice flowing all over. It scored 62, which outperforms many models in its class. In terms of fridge performance, this model shines. Store snacks and drinks in style with this Galanz 4.6 cu. Read More. Fortunately, some manufacturers are addingsmart storage featurestiered bins and adjustable drawers and shelvesthat make it easier to find what youre looking for. The ice maker and water dispenser are also one of the devices Achilles heels. The model lacks a water dispenser, and the occasional shutting of the french doors are highlights of owner complaints. We assess the uniformity of temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer compartments, as well as temperature variations in single areas over time. .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}7 Best Refrigerators Brands of 2023, Reviewed, 6 Best French-Door Refrigerators to Buy in 2022, 7 Best Counter-Depth Refrigerators of 2020, Electrolux French Door Refrigerator EW28BS87SS, Maytag French Door Refrigerator MFI2570FEZ01, Viking 36" French-Door Bottom-Freezer RURF336SS5. But our tests simulating a prolonged power failure showed that some uprights allowed a relatively large increase in temperature after only 9 hours. The same applies to the brands ice maker performance, rated fair at best in the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW and Whirlpool WRT318FMDM models. So why are we asking you not to choose it? If you want a quality refrigerator, dont get these! The reviews for this brand are not very flattering, with 2 out 5 stars telling a different story. It probably means that the model is not generally well-built, so its best to avoid it. Ft. Retro 2-Door Refrigerator. According to Consumer Reports, the two models are also not easy to use. Prices range from $350 to $1,500. Kenmore models are usually low quality and have bad noise performance. The temperature in its freezer was also inconsistent, making this the worst freezer out of its testing group by a large margin. It is out of doubt that Frigidaire is a behemoth in the Fridge manufacturing industry. Theyre easy to move.. Get a frigidaire, whirlpool, amana, something likely made in America. GE offers a wide range of products in both chest and upright configurations, with a concentration in manual-defrost models. In our power failure simulation, all uprights allowed a relatively large temperature uptick after only 9 hours. Why Trust Us? Reset your password. ft. chest freezer is compact enough to fit in a cramped kitchen, yet it offers enough secondary storage for a small family. However, it underperforms in aspects such as energy efficiency and ice-making. The poor temperature uniformity is not something to take lightly. They have some of the best fridges in the market and if you are an admirer of the brand, consider buying the highly rated GE GFD28GSLSS French Door Refrigerator. We placed this refrigerator on a list of the many companies with class-action lawsuits against its products. We updated this article in January 2023 to ensure it reflected current prices, freezer features and more. Galanz minifridge Galanz was founded in Guangdong China in 1978, and they are famous for making a number of home appliances. Otherwise, your items will be lying all over. But on this model, they have compromised on quite a lot of the aspects. Read More, The Insignia NS-CF26BK9 lacks a freezer, but keeps its fridge temps consistent. Though we have not tested this pick, we noted that it also includes a warming function. Frigidaire. There are no consumer reviews on Consumer Reports to help perhaps understand why this could be so. Cons:In our tests, manual-defrost uprights had a hard time keeping their door shelves as cool as the rest of the interior. Instead, youd assume only a few minor things are off about this model. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. You can read more about how we evaluate mini fridges in our Lab plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect mini fridge for your dorm or office at the end of this guide. Some customers have also reported that its cooling is inconsistent, and sometimes it will fail promptly. $421.09. Sometimes, youll hear its straining to keep the inside cool, and the loud noise can be a nuisance. Tweet Share Submit. One thing to keep in mind as you shop is that freezers are basically big empty boxes and can be hard to organize. , which is a good fit for those looking for a high-performance mini refrigerator at a great price. Maintaining temperature is also a problem for the refrigerator, which keeps changing abnormally. Upright freezers have a smaller footprint for the equivalent storage space. Customers have also been concerned about the thinness of its exterior stainless cover, which is far too easy to scrape off. Fisher & Paykel is a reputable company, but the subpar refrigerators listed below are:Refrigerator ModelConsumer Report RatingFisher & Paykel ActiveSmart RF135BDLUX431Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart RF135BDLX431Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart RF135BDRUX431Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart RF135BDRX431. Pros:Chest freezers interiors are wide open, except for removable hanging baskets or, sometimes, dividers, so they offer more usable space than uprights. There is not much to complain about this model. For other highly rated fridges, see our comprehensiverefrigerator ratings. However, we cannot ignore its excellent energy efficiency and temperature control performance. Whirlpool is sold through independent appliance dealers, home centers, and regional appliance centers. Its hard to beat an inexpensive refrigerator with so many great features. Primarily, the low rating is because customers have meager expectations of refrigerators. But why settle for the average when you can go for the best? Standing at just over 27 inches tall, this mini fridge provides enough space for snacks and drinks and can fit nicely under most desks or inside a cubicle. It might surprise you to see us list Whirlpool here after listing Maytag previously among brands to avoid. But self-defrost freezers allow temperatures to rise temporarily, which might compromise performance. Consumer reports ranking reliable refrigerator brands noted Maytag as one of the least reliable refrigerator brands for side-by-side refrigerators. Some uprights can cool large quantities of food more quickly. Efficiency keeps frozen foods frozen for a long time. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Eva Bleyer has tested all types of kitchen products from blenders to kitchen scales. The aluminum grip handle provides a modern and stylish design look. Therefore, there are some models you should keep off as customers have found them wanting. Most and Least Reliable Refrigerator Brands, Most Reliable Central Air-Conditioning Systems, Consumer Reports' latest survey results can help you avoid aggravating repairs. The company also becomes quite frustrated once these problems crop up, and dont be surprised if they take ages to repair a slight problem. Fortunately, because its fridge temps are consistent, once you set the temperature to be lower, the fridge will work just fine. For example, a 10-cubic-foot freezer is ideal for a family of four. While the Costway EP22672BK is a decent mini fridge, we recommend waiting for it to go on sale before buying: Its middling performance doesn't merit the high price compared to other fridges we tested. Prices range from $300 to $1,300. Galanz minifridge Galanz was founded in Guangdong China in 1978, and they are famous for making a number of home appliances. Viking refrigerators have been rated among the lowest in terms of predicted reliability by consumers. If the answer to the following questions is no, then the quality of a refrigerator brand is low. This combination of approaches gives us a great sense for how these appliances behave, both in terms of raw performance and overall user friendliness. It is hard to determine if the users are particularly unimpressed with the three models or the brand. One of the areas that both are rated poorly is the crisper performance. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Nonetheless, that is where its goodness ends. Our favorite upright freezer provides 13 cubic feet of storage space with four adjustable wire shelves, a deep basket on the bottom and five full-width door racks. Lastly, the water spout is another part of the refrigerator that will embarrass you as it keeps spilling water down once it has filled your container. It is also rated 3 out of 5 in ease of use, and an efficient refrigerator should have a better ranking. ft. It isnt the most energy efficient, however. Pulling items from the fridge is not straightforward, as you must remove the entire bin. However, we fault it for failing to deliver on areas where a great refrigerator should be perfect. Is the price point fair, given the model complexity and size you want to buy? The second model also started developing similar problems with ice falling out and starting to melt.
