10 Best Kitchen Refrigerators Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Kitchen Refrigerator?
When it comes to choosing a refrigerator, options nowadays go beyond depth and style. It calls for a great deal of passion and research to get it right. The price of refrigerators is now on the rise, but this comes with additional features that ensure the longevity of your food and drinks.
Depending on the needs of your kitchen or an outdoor kitchen, it’s possible to find a kitchen refrigerator that fits in. First, the refrigerator should be compact enough to pass through your kitchen door and should come with temperature regulating properties to preserve your foods. If your kitchen isn’t too big, you would want to go for a refrigerator that doesn’t occupy a lot of space or prevent free movement around the area.
Having accessed the pros and cons of having a kitchen refrigerator, we’ve streamlined our choice to those that possess all the features mentioned below. These criteria will guide you in choosing the latest models with sleek designs in addition to providing enough depth – making it easy for all your foods and drinks to fit in at once.
Quick Summary
We have reviewed beverage refrigerators and wine refrigerators, these two types tend to be compact with special features. While for kitchen refrigerators, it should be suitable for universal usage with more space. Here are top pick kitchen refrigerator on the market:
1. Best adjustable Refrigerator – Frigidaire EFR751 Stainless Steel Refrigerator
2. Best Design – RCA RFR725 Platinum Stainless Refrigerator with Freezer
3. Best Quietest Refrigerator – COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator
4. Best Top Freezer Refrigerator – Galanz GLR10TBKEFR Top Freezer Refrigerator
5. Best Refrigerator for limited space – RCA RFR786 Refrigerator
6. Best Refrigerator with Large Storage Capacity – Kenmore Top Freezer Refrigerator
7. Best portable refrigerator – Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Refrigerator
8. Best mini fridge Refrigerator – Antarctic Star Mini Refrigerator
9. Best budget friendly Refrigerator – Midea WHS-121LSS1 Refrigerator
10. Best Overall Refrigerator – Kenmore Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Best Kitchen Refrigerators Detail Reviews
1. Best adjustable Refrigerator – Frigidaire EFR751 Stainless Steel Refrigerator
Every modern kitchen deserves an ideal kitchen refrigerator. When it comes to buying a new refrigerator, a lot needs to be considered. Features like height, size, and storage spaces need to be ideal for personal preference.
This 2-door refrigerator offers various amazing features, making it an ideal candidate for your kitchen. Weighing 90 pounds with dimensions of 22.4 x 21.5 x 55.5 inches. It features a fashionable design with a reversible door hinge that gives you flexibility in the direction the doors open to. In addition, it offers a cooling space of 7.5 cubic feet just enough to store your food. The doors also offer additional storage where you can store your tall bottle of beverages or wine.
It has an adjustable thermostat ensuring contents are kept at the ideal temperature. There are three glass shelves that can be slid out and are also adjustable. Also features four-door shelves and a transparent vegetable crisper. Other features include two adjustable front legs for leveling and interior light in both fridge and freezer.
2. Best Design – RCA RFR725 Platinum Stainless Refrigerator with Freezer
The RCA RFR725 model is another great option for your kitchen. Its stainless color makes it blend well it any kitchen design. Offering useful features that make it an ideal kitchen refrigerator.
It features a multi-vent technology that makes sure the items are evenly cooled. You can easily control the temperature in this refrigerator. It is also easy to get rid of ice using the manual defrost mode feature. Let us talk about the space capacity of this unit. Featuring an amazing 7.5 Cu ft storage capacity that allows you to store your beverages and favorite food items.
The doors also feature extra storage bins to keep things more organized. Here you can keep smaller food items or beverages. Your vegetables will remain fresh and preserved in the vegetable crisper bins, likewise your fruits. Cleaning this appliance is made easy with the spill-proof glass shelves that stop liquids from leaking.
3. Best Quietest Refrigerator – COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator
Characterized by its slender body and glossy finish, this elegant refrigerator will be a sight to behold in your kitchen. With this unit, you can keep your food fresh while also giving your kitchen an appealing look.
This refrigerator is ideal for kitchens with small spaces. It has a dimension of 17.5 x 17 x 38.5 inches and weighs just 61 pounds. Offering a storage capacity of 3.4 Cubic Feet which is just enough to keep most of your food items. You can store items in its 3 glass shelves which are removable, making them easy to clean. They are also adjustable to fit taller items. There is also an egg rack where you can store your eggs to keep them fresh.
The freezer compartment features an ice tray for making ice cubes. Its doors feature door bins that can hold drinks. Items stored in this refrigerator are cooled quickly and evenly.
4. Best Top Freezer Refrigerator – Galanz GLR10TBKEFR Top Freezer Refrigerator
Looking for enough space and superior power all in one product? This is the one for you. This refrigerator offers large storage and a sleek, retro design, ideal for your kitchen.
It features a storage capacity of 10.0 Cu Ft, large enough to store your vegetables, drinks as well as other food items. The adjustable electrical thermostat gives you control over the temperature in the fridge or freezer. You can keep your food items chilled at optimum temperature. It has a temperature range of 32oF to 47oF for the refrigerator compartment and F for the freezer compartment.
The storage space includes removable glass shelves, door bins, and a vegetable crisper. With enough space to store food items and other things, you can neatly organize your refrigerator. Separate various types of food using the glass shelves, while keeping your canned and bottled beverages in the door bins.
This refrigerator is efficient as it consumes less energy while cooling food items quickly. It also has internal lighting for convenient usage at night.
5. Best Refrigerator for limited space – RCA RFR786 Refrigerator
When looking for convenience and brand, RCA got you covered. This elegantly designed refrigerator is the perfect fit for any kitchen, especially one with limited space.
From adaptable doors to excellent storage space, this refrigerator is loaded with features that make it stand out. It has a storage capacity of 7.5 Cu Ft which is just enough space to keep all your food items and beverages. The freezer compartment features a storage capacity of 1.5 Cu. Ft. With spill-proof glass shelves, clean-up is easy. It helps prevent liquid from leaking out. You can also manually defrost this refrigerator.
The doors feature storage bins where smaller items can be stored. Also, you can choose which direction the doors open to thanks to its reversible door hinge. Its sleek and elegant design makes it ideal for a modern kitchen. Other features include adjustable legs that help keep the refrigerator level on any floor.
6. Best Refrigerator with Large Storage Capacity – Kenmore Top Freezer Refrigerator
If you tend to store up lots of food items, then you know how important the storage capacity feature in a refrigerator is. When it comes to storage space, this refrigerator is the one to beat.
Featuring a dimension of 33.8 x 32.87 x 66.1 inches, this unit has a storage capacity of 21 Cu Ft. Although it might be too large for smaller kitchens, if you have the space for it, this refrigerator is ideal. It has two crisper drawers where you can keep your fruits and vegetables. The freezer compartment also has an ice maker for making ice cubes. You can store almost anything on its adjustable shelves. The door bins provide extra storage for taller food items and beverages.
This refrigerator is very easy to maintain due to its design. You are assured of high performance to keep your food items preserved and chilled to your taste.
7. Best portable refrigerator – Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Refrigerator
You have limited kitchen space but still want to fix a refrigerator in there somewhere, Midea compact refrigerator is what you need. Not all people require refrigerators with large storage capacities.
With a dimension of 17.7 x 18.6 x 19.4 inches and a storage capacity of just 1.6 Cu Ft, this refrigerator has enough space to store your beverages, fruits, and other food items. The internal temperature can be adjusted manually with a temperature range of 32oF to 35.6oF. You should note this refrigerator cannot store frozen foods or make ice cubes.
It also features a reversible door and adjustable legs for convenience. The product comes with a one-year warranty
8. Best mini fridge Refrigerator – Antarctic Star Mini Refrigerator
Talk about a refrigerator with a sleek, classic yet portable design. This mini-fridge is made to add a classy touch to your home. Also, it has many excellent features that make it a great fit for your kitchen.
Internal temperature is controlled using the thermostat knob with a range of 1 to 7. The temperature range in the refrigerator compartment is 320F to 500F and that of the freezer compartment is 30F to -10F. This offers excellent freezing temperatures for your frozen foods.
It has a storage capacity of 3.2 Cu Ft which can sufficiently store food items like milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. In the freezer, you will find an ice cube tray and shovel. Here you can make ice cubes, keep your ice cream frozen and also preserve other frozen foods. The removable shelves provide space for storing items, giving you flexibility while organizing your fridge. The door also has storage spaces where you can place canned beverages and other smaller food items.
9. Best budget friendly Refrigerator – Midea WHS-121LSS1 Refrigerator
Here is another portable refrigerator that will fit perfectly in your small kitchen. It is a single-door refrigerator with a freezer compartment.
It has a dimension of 17.7” D x 18.6” W x 33.9” H and a capacity of 3.3 cubic Feet. The storage area is large enough to store beverages, snacks, and other food items. Its freezer compartment can be used in chilling items. However, it cannot make ice cubes or store frozen foods. It also features a reversible door and the legs can be adjusted for proper leveling.
10. Best Overall Refrigerator – Kenmore Side-by-Side Refrigerator
When it comes to excellent design, slim body fit for small spaces, and plenty of storage space, this Kenmore Side-by-Side refrigerator is the right pick.
With an amazing 25 Cubic Ft. storage space, yet slim enough to fit in small spaces. Featuring a dual pad water dispenser. The door bins offer extra storage space for gallon size containers and tall bottles. The shelves are adjustable and easy to clean. They are large enough to house tall wine bottles and jugs. You store fruits and vegetables in the crisper drawer located at the bottom.
10 Factors to Consider When Buying a Kitchen Refrigerator
#1 Kitchen Size
Before choosing a refrigerator, you must put the size of your kitchen into consideration. Refrigerator sizes and handles are not static – they come in different sizes and shapes. The size of the opening where the refrigerator will be installed determines the style and collection available. You will want to consider its depth and height. For instance, if you go for a French-door refrigerator, you will want to leave equal spaces on both sides while ensuring the door-swing won’t cause any constraints to movement.
Not considering door depth and swing is one mistake most homeowners make, thereby ending up spending heavily on the wrong kitchen refrigerator. If your refrigerator is next to a wall, which is most likely the situation – you’re to go for a refrigerator whose door will open up fully without hitting the wall.
Do consider the size of the kitchen island, and tables, benches, chairs, bar stools, and other furniture in your kitchen.
This way, you will know the amount of space that should be left between the wall and where your refrigerator lies.
#2 Storage Depth
A key factor to consider when buying a refrigerator is its storage capacity as well as the design of the interior. The interior size is measured in cubic feet with 4 – 6 cubic capacity representing the industry standard. However, when it comes to food storage, it becomes more tricky to arrive at the right depth. This is why the need of every individual needs to be taken into consideration. The first thing to do is to consider your eating, shopping, and food habits.
Are you a regular shopper who needs less space or a once-a-month shopper who wants to maximize space? If you’re a vegetarian, you will probably have lots of fruits and veggies stored in the lower cabinet.
Do you cook and store the remaining for the next day? Or do you cook according to the mouths you feed? Then pay close attention to the freezer size. If you do a lot of cooking and freezing, you will prioritize the refrigerator with a deep freezer configuration in addition to having several divisions.
#3 Lighting
If you’ve fumbled in the past looking for a bottle of drink in the dark, you’re bound to prefer a refrigerator with lighting. This way, you don’t have to turn on the kitchen light when you need to pick an item from the kitchen quickly.
#4 Color
If you’ve spent a lot on the interior decoration of your home, you may want the color of your refrigerator to match that of other fixtures in your kitchen. The color of a refrigerator can ruin or improve the appearance of your kitchen. For instance, having a refrigerator painted black in the midst of fixtures with a light color shade is likely to turn heads for the wrong reasons.
Depending on your taste, you might decide to match the color of the refrigerator with the color of the wall or go for a distinct color that complements the color of other appliances. As long as the colors are balanced, your refrigerator won’t be a negative focal point.
#5 Types
In terms of types, there are four categories to choose from:
Free-standing refrigerator
Freestanding Refrigerators are the cheapest option and adjacent without any cabinet. However, when getting a replacement for an old freestanding refrigerator, don’t assume that the new one will automatically fit into the space occupied by the previous one. It’s best to analyze each of its features to decide if it’s the best fit.
Built-in refrigerator
Built-in refrigerators are fitted into your cabinet. The most built-in refrigerator comes with front doors to match the space of the cabinet. They’re likely to be 24-48 inches in width and could go up to 84 inches in length. These refrigerators have limited depth as its primarily designed for width. One advantage that comes with the design of the interior is that it’s easy to see and pick an item.
Counter-depth refrigerator
Counter-depth refrigerators are similar to built-in refrigerators except that they’re designed to fit into your cabinet rather than coming with a custom cabinet design like in the case of a built-in refrigerator. These refrigerators are aligned with your cabinet and are likely 24 inches in width.
Under-counter refrigerator
Under-counter refrigerators come with a compact Design – drawers at the bottom and swing doors that are designed to fit into a small kitchen. They function as a fridge for storing foods and beverages and are typically designed to fit into a dishwasher.
#6 Style
Your choice of a kitchen refrigerator should be from the following options – Top freezer, bottom freezer, side by side, or French-door. With a top freezer, you will likely have to bend down most of the time to access the bottom shelves. Bottom freezer styles are the most preferred choice due to the convenience that comes with using them. The refrigerator is at arms level and bending down is only required when you need to access the freezer.
Side by side refrigerators come with two compartments with a door at the center. The doors are that of regular refrigerator doors, but the design of the interior prevents the placement of large items.
French-door refrigerators are similar to side-by-side refrigerators except that they come with double doors aligned to each side of the refrigerator. French-door refrigerators might also come with a bottom ice freezer for storing your veggies and meat, but having two doors could be clumsy as you have to shut one before another.
#7 Performance
For those overwhelmed by the varieties available, narrowing down your options could come down to aesthetics as there are few refrigerators with a beautiful finish. Most refrigerators are painted in white, black, and stainless. Refrigerators with excellent performance come in a stainless body.
#8 Water Dispenser And Ice Maker
Refrigerators with a built-in water dispenser or ice maker are easy to find but models that have both features are limited. If you want a refrigerator that has both an ice maker and a water dispenser, a french door or side-by-side models should be the best option.
However, there are a few disadvantages that come with using refrigerators with built-in dispensers. First, they’re hard to maintain and prone to damage at the same time.
#9 Temperature Range
It’s important to consider the temperature range of a refrigerator to determine its performance. The temperature of your refrigerator should be consistent all through the day to keep the items in it fresh. The optimum temperature a refrigerator should maintain ought to be between 37degrees to 0 degrees.
Secondly, you will want to look out for a refrigerator that holds its temperature when the power goes out for long. It’s possible to see a refrigerator that automatically adjusts its temperature based on the type of food stored. This way, the temperature in each compartment in the refrigerator is different.
#10 Energy Consumed
It’s better to go for a refrigerator that uses little energy in contrast to those that use high energy overtime. The less energy your refrigerator consumes, the more it’s able to function even when there is a drop in current.
Other Factors
One mistake people make when shopping for a fridge is neglecting details about the interior. For instance, you want to ensure it’s easy to open the drawer and also push it back. You may overlook the edges, but if there’s any sign of scrape or scratch knuckles, the refrigerator is likely not durable.
In some cases, the refrigerator might not come with compartments for meat, dairy products, or cheese. Such a refrigerator is unsuitable for your kitchen, and no matter how aesthetically pleasing it is, it’s better to avoid it.
Wrapping It Up
A lot of things revolve around the refrigerator in your home. This is why you much make the right choice. The major things you need to consider when shopping for a refrigerator are configuration, dimensions, features, and finishes. This will give you an idea of how fit the particular refrigerator is for your kitchen.
Ensure you figure out the features you are looking for in a refrigerator before going shopping. Also, consider the space required before making a purchase. The best overall refrigerator in this list is the Kenmore Side-by-Side Refrigerator. If you are on a budget the Midea WHS-121LSS1 Refrigerator is a great choice. For a kitchen with limited space, the Midea WHS65LB1 Compact Refrigerator is the best fit.
The first thing you should consider when choosing a kitchen refrigerator is the size of the fridge and if it will fit into your space perfectly. Most people tend to favor French-door refrigerator over other styles because it’s fancier, but this comes with some loopholes in terms of depth.
For those who prefer refrigerators with depth, a side-by-side refrigerator might appeal to you. Still, if you want one that’s designed especially for your kitchen environment, a counter-depth refrigerator should be high on your list. Overall, our advice on the features to consider when buying a kitchen refrigerator will guide you in choosing the right one.