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With hundreds of refrigerators on the market, it’s hard to know which one to buy. Thankfully, Consumer Reports seemed to test them all. It reviewed a whopping 287 fridges, finding the best ones in the major categories.
“The lines between these categories, though, are blurring,” it noted. “Today’s refrigerators have more doors, and features that were once exclusive have trickled down to more budget-friendly styles, such as top-freezers and side-by-sides.”
Continue reading to see which ones it deemed the best and why.
1 / 5
Screenshot: Whirpool.com
Whirlpool WRFF3136SZ earned the highest rating for the best French doors. This 36-inch stainless steel model won praise from CR for its "excellent scores for thermostat performance, temperature uniformity, and energy efficiency." Priced between $1598 and $1,699.99, it’s a quiet, high-performance fridge, though it doesn’t have a water and ice dispenser and CR said its crisper is subpar.
2 / 5
Screenshot: geappliances.com
GE's 33-inch model leads the pack among side-by-side refrigerators because of its "excellent ratings for temperature uniformity and thermostat performance." Retailing between $1,799 and $1,979, it includes an external ice and water dispenser and comes from a brand that CR members find very reliable, despite lower scores for the crisper drawer.
3 / 5
Screenshot: homedepot.com
Samsung RT70F18LRSR ranked as the best top-freezer refrigerator. This 28-inch model is smaller, but it’s an efficiency powerhouse with excellent temperature control. At $695.00 to $699.99, it features WiFi connectivity and a quiet motor. CR members said Samsung fridges tend to be very reliable.
4 / 5
Screenshot: mieleusa.com
Miele's high-end, 30-inch-wide stainless steel fridge earned the top spot for bottom-freezer refrigerators. It performed exceptionally across all tests, although it’s more expensive at $2,999.
5 / 5
Credit: Sub Zero
The Sub-Zero DET3650CIIDR was the top-rated built-in, according to CR's testing. It's pricey, retailing for $11,140, but it is a performance leader, particularly with owner satisfaction. CR said it provides superior temperature uniformity and great crisper drawer performance. Plus it has luxury features like an internal water dispenser and spill-proof shelves.
