Refrigerators Reviews

Updated September 2008

Best Refrigerators Reviews: (out of 18)
Consumer Reports, Consumer Guide.com, BestBuy.com

Best Refrigerators: (out of 85)
Kenmore 78222, Kenmore 64822, Kenmore Elite 76252

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Fast Answers - Best Refrigerators

Top Rated	What the Research Says
• Kenmore 78222 (*est. $1,050) >> Where to buy	Top-freezer refrigerator. Top-freezer refrigerators make good use of space and perform well temperature-wise. They are also generally less expensive and more reliable than other types. The 21.6 cu.-ft. Kenmore 78222, which comes in white, black, bisque and stainless steel ($200 more), performs very well and is Energy Star rated (which may earn you a rebate from your utility company). This standard refrigerator is feature packed, including an interior water dispenser and an icemaker. The freezer floor pulls out, making it easier to get to items in the rear. The refrigerator has slide-out, spill proof glass shelves, humidity-controlled crisper compartments and more.(check price at Sears)
• Kenmore 64822 (*est. $550) >> Where to buy	Compact top-freezer refrigerator. This inexpensive Kenmore refrigerator has just an 18.2 cu.-ft. capacity, making it a good choice for apartment kitchens or other small spaces. It's not the most feature rich, and you won't find nice touches such as a water dispenser or even a factory-installed icemaker, but glass, spill-proof shelves are present. Styling is attractive with rounded doors, and reports say this refrigerator is a reliable performer. It is available in white, bisque or stainless steel (for $130 more).(check price at Sears)
• Kenmore Elite 76252 (*est. $1,500) >> Where to buy	Bottom-freezer refrigerator. This configuration has the same advantages as top-freezer refrigerators. Some people find them more convenient, since the often-accessed refrigerator compartment is at eye level. The 21.9 cu.-ft. Kenmore Elite 76252 gets great reviews. It is feature-packed --including electronic controls and a factory-installed icemaker -- and is Energy Star qualified so it is less expensive than many other refrigerators to operate. This Kenmore refrigerator comes in white, black, bisque or stainless steel (for $300 more).(check price at Sears)
• Hotpoint HSS25GFTWW (*est. $900) >> Where to buy	Side-by-side refrigerator. Side-by-side refrigerators are a good choice for narrow kitchens where door clearance is an issue, but they are the most repair-prone type of refrigerators, mainly because most have through-the-door ice and water dispensers which can be problematic. The well regarded Hotpoint HSS25GFTWW is a reliable performer according to most reports, and is a bargain as well. There aren't many extra features, but a through-the-door water and ice dispenser is included. The 25 cu.-ft. Hotpoint comes in white, black and bisque. A stainless steel version costs $100 more. (compare prices)
• Amana AFD2535DEW (*est. $1,500) >> Where to buy	French door refrigerator. French door models have two side-by-side refrigerator doors atop a pull-out freezer drawer. Unlike a side-by-side refrigerator, the interior shelving is the full width of the unit. This top-rated Amana French-door refrigerator costs less than most. It has pull-out shelves/bins, a temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, an interior icemaker and internal filtered water dispenser (but no through-the-door dispenser). In addition to white, it is available in black and bisque. The Amana AFD2534FES (*est. $1,800) is a stainless steel version. (compare prices)
• KitchenAid KBRS20ETWH (*est. $2,000) >> Where to buy	Counter-depth refrigerator. This KitchenAid bottom freezer refrigerator is designed to sit nearly flush with your cabinets, mimicking a built-in look for less money than a true built-in. Its 36-inch width makes it a more practical choice if you are not simultaneously redoing kitchen cabinetry. Features are generous and include a built-in water filter, ice maker and water dispenser. Half-width adjustable glass shelves help maximize storage flexibility, but capacity is on the small side at 19.9 cu.-ft. This KitchenAid bottom-freezer refrigerator comes in white, but is also available in black and stainless steel. (compare prices)
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What the experts say, our analysis, and more...

Though very few reviewers do extensive comparison testing of refrigerators, Consumer Reports is a notable exception. We would like its effort better if there was more extensive discussion, but testing is reasonable, balanced and well explained. Best choices are named in a variety of refrigerator types, and top values are further singled out. ConsumerGuide.com also reports on lots of refrigerators. Unfortunately, the reports are more centered on features than performance, and there's no sign that extensive testing is being conducted. Still, the site does point out important ergonomic and functional factors that could be important considerations when buying a new refrigerator.

Some non-U.S testing organizations, such as Great Britain's Which? and Australia's Choice magazines, do good comparative testing of refrigerators as well. However, while the brands are the same as those sold here, model numbers are different, making those reviewers most useful to potential buyers in their own countries.

When it comes to refrigerators, one of the biggest issues is long-term reliability, which is something that professional reviewers often don't have the ability to comment on. That's why user reviews play an especially important role in pointing the way to the best refrigerators. Sites where you can read owner-written reviews include Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Sears.com, HomeDepot.com and more. Refrigerator discussions and recommendations can also be found at user forums such as ThatHomeSite.com's appliance forums.

Speaking of reliability, certain types of refrigerators, and certain refrigerator features, are more problem prone than others. For example, if you're interested in a model with a through-the-door icemaker and water dispenser, be aware that this component is responsible for the great majority of repair issues. On average, 20 percent of these refrigerators end up needing repair, according to owner surveys. Refrigerators with interior icemakers can also be problematic, but not as much as side-by-side or French door refrigerators with a through-the-door icemaker/dispenser.

Among specific refrigerator brands, reviews say that GE Monogram, Whirlpool and Kenmore side-by-side refrigerators are deemed more reliable than Frigidaire, Maytag, KitchenAid and Amana side-by-sides. When it comes to refrigerators without an icemaker, Maytag leads in breakdowns by a fair margin, according to large owner surveys, but performance-wise, Maytag doesn't fare much better or worse than others.

Over the last few years, there have been many mergers and acquisitions in the home appliance industry. For example, in 2001, Amana was acquired by Maytag, which merged with Whirlpool in 2006. Whirlpool also makes most refrigerators for the Kenmore label. So that means Whirlpool now owns a huge share of the appliance market, offering refrigerators and other products under Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Jenn-Air and a few lesser-known brands. GE, Samsung, Sub-Zero, Viking and LG remain independent -- at least for now. ... Continued