Skipping the water dispenser and icemaker can mean fewer repairs. Consumer Reports tested basic fridges for temperature control and noise
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Skipping the water dispenser and icemaker on a refrigerator can mean fewer parts to break down and repair over the life of the appliance, even if it costs some convenience. Top-freezer, bottom-freezer, French-door and side-by-side configurations all handle temperature control, noise and energy use differently once those extra features are stripped away.
Consumer Reports tested refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker for thermostat performance, temperature uniformity, energy efficiency and noise.
Credit: Samsung
The Samsung RT70F18LRSR costs $749 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among top-freezer refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker. CR rated thermostat performance, how evenly it holds temperature and overall energy efficiency all excellent, with a very good score for noise, though ease of use came back subpar and crisper drawer performance rated poor. The refrigerator comes finished in stainless steel, with a separately sold icemaker as an add-on, plus digital controls for temperature and app-based WiFi access from a smartphone, and it carries Energy Star certification. That strong core performance offset by weaker ease-of-use and crisper scores makes it a solid pick for anyone prioritizing temperature control over extra conveniences.
Credit: LG
The LG LT18S2100W costs $700 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among top-freezer refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker, measuring 28 inches wide. CR rated thermostat performance and energy efficiency solid, with very good scores for temperature uniformity and noise, though ease of use came back rated poorly. The fridge offers virtually no added features beyond a gallon-sized bin built into the door and an icemaker available as an add-on. CR's member surveys give LG top-freezer refrigerators as a brand top marks for predicted reliability, with owner satisfaction landing at only so-so.
Credit: Miele
The Miele KFN4776ED costs $3,199, pricier than every other refrigerator in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' top rating among bottom-freezer refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker. CR rated it excellent across nearly every test conducted, with ease of use the sole exception at a midlevel score. Built to sit flush with surrounding cabinetry, this Energy Star-rated model offers digital controls plus app-based WiFi access, though CR found little else beyond those essentials. CR doesn't have sufficient survey responses yet to score Miele's bottom-freezer lineup on predicted reliability or how satisfied owners tend to be.
Credit: Amana
The Amana ABB1924BRM costs $1,399 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among bottom-freezer refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker, measuring 30 inches wide. CR rated thermostat performance and temperature uniformity excellent, with a very good score for the crisper drawer and decent marks covering power use, quietness and everyday operation. Shelves designed to catch spills, plus split shelving for flexible organizing and a digital control panel round out the design. Amana owners reported strong confidence in the brand's long-term dependability in CR's surveys, though satisfaction with the appliance itself came back only middling.
Credit: Frigidaire
The Frigidaire FRQG1721AV costs $525, priced lower than every other refrigerator in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among French-door refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker, measuring 33 inches wide. CR found it excels at thermostat performance and temperature uniformity, helping keep food fresh and safe, with a very good energy-efficiency score and decent marks covering quietness, day-to-day usability and how well the crisper drawer performs. Beyond a digital control panel and a gallon-sized door bin, CR found little in the way of extras. In its most recent surveys, CR found Frigidaire French-door owners reasonably confident in the brand's long-term dependability, though overall satisfaction with the appliance ranked low.
Credit: Midea
The Midea MRF18B4AST costs $1,098 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among French-door refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker, measuring 30 inches wide. CR rated thermostat performance excellent, with very good marks covering how evenly it holds temperature, power use and quietness, though ease of use and how well the crisper works both came back unfavorable. It comes equipped with shelves built to catch spills, a door bin sized for a gallon jug, a light inside the freezer and touch-sensitive temperature controls, with not much beyond that basic set. CR hasn't yet gathered enough survey responses to rate how Midea's French-door lineup fares on predicted reliability or owner satisfaction.
Credit: AJ Madison
The Forno FFRBI1805-33WHT costs $1,249 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as the only side-by-side model in its ratings built to sit flush with cabinetry at a 33-inch width without a water dispenser or icemaker. CR rated noise excellent, with very good marks for thermostat performance and energy efficiency, plus decent scores covering how evenly it holds temperature and everyday usability, though crisper drawer performance rated poor. It comes finished in stainless steel, with shelves designed to catch spills and a digital panel for setting temperature. CR hasn't gathered enough survey responses yet to rate Forno's side-by-side lineup on predicted reliability or owner satisfaction.
Credit: Frigidaire
The Frigidaire FRSG2115AV costs $949 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation among side-by-side refrigerators without a water dispenser or icemaker. CR rated thermostat performance, energy efficiency and noise all excellent, though temperature uniformity and ease of use came back subpar and crisper performance rated poor. Beyond its stainless finish, this model keeps things simple with only a freezer-compartment light and a digital temperature panel as standout extras. In its most recent surveys, CR found Frigidaire side-by-side owners reasonably confident in the brand's long-term dependability, though overall satisfaction with the appliance ranked low.