The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and
identifying the best Refrigerators. See our ratings criteria
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| 1.
Consumer Reports
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Refrigerators – High Style, Lower Prices
Editors of Consumer Reports
May 2007
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About twice a year, Consumer Reports publishes large roundups like this one, which includes nearly 70 top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, built-in and French door refrigerators. No other reviewer comes close to testing that many refrigerators. The editors evaluate temperature consistency and accuracy, as well as advertised capacity versus actual capacity. Noise, energy efficiency and ease of use are also evaluated. An appendage to this article is a chart demonstrating results from reliability surveys. Refrigerators with through-the-door ice and water dispensers seem to be the most problematic. About 20 percent of all models need repairs.
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Consumer Reports
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Refrigerator drawers slide into the home
Editors of Consumer Reports
Aug. 2007
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This article discusses refrigerator drawers that are installed under kitchen counters. These drawers do not have freezers. They are designed to provide extra storage. Five refrigerator drawers are tested. Overall, editors say they are far too expensive for what amounts to be just four cubic feet of usable space. Models range from $1,800 to $3,200. They are also less energy efficient than standard-sized refrigerators. The editors think you can get the same benefits as a refrigerator drawer by buying a compact refrigerator at a fraction of the cost.
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Refrigerators Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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Choice.com.au
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Fridges
Editors of Choice.com.au
Sept. 2007
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This is the website for the Australian Consumers' Association, the Australian contemporary of Consumer Reports. Editors test 50 refrigerators for energy efficiency, noise, temperature control and ease of use. A large number of manufacturers available in the United States, including Samsung, Westinghouse and Whirlpool, are included. However, the model numbers don't correspond due to differences in voltage and features. Testing is just as thorough as at Consumer Reports, but since few of these models are available in the U.S., it is less useful.
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Which.co.uk
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Fridges
Editors of Which.co.uk
Aug. 2007
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Which? Magazine is Britain’s answer to Consumer Reports, and if you’re looking for a refrigerator in England, you should start here. In their latest round of testing, editors evaluate 84 refrigerators for ease of use, usable space, noise and temperature stability. Results from a reliability survey are also included. Many brands tested are available in the U.S., but the model numbers are different. Three Whirlpool refrigerators are "Best Buys," but their model numbers don’t correspond.
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Refrigerators Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 5.
Good Housekeeping.com
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Six Fabulous Fridges!
Editors of Good Housekeeping
May 2005
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This is the most current review conducted by Good Housekeeping on refrigerators. Although editors say picks are based on "rigorous product tests," none of these tests are discussed. The Kenmore Elite 04655213 (discontinued) is chosen best for families, the discontinued Maytag French Door Bottom Freezer MFD256OH is rated best looking and the Hotpoint HSM25GFRSA side-by-side receives the best value rating. Other top picks include the discontinued Whirlpool Gold GTISHWXP, the discontinued KitchenAid Superba Counter Depth KSCS231NS and the discontinued LG Bottom Freezer LRDC22743TT. We'd love to see updated refrigerator coverage at Good Housekeeping.
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| 6.
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
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Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings
Editors of ACEEE
Oct. 2007
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There's some good information on this site about how buying more efficient appliances saves money and energy. There is also a ratings chart of most efficient appliances, summarized from ACEEE's more extensive print publication. Larger units obviously consume more energy, but the differences in running costs between small top-freezer models and large side-by-side models is fairly small, often less than $20 a year. ACEEE notes that this is due to recently upgraded federal regulations and that today's models use one-third of the energy of models made 25 years ago. ACEEE also recommends top-freezer refrigerators over side-by-side models that consume more energy.
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J.D. Power & Associates
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2006 Major Home Appliance Study: Refrigerators
Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
Nov. 1, 2006
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In a survey of over 12,000 consumers, Samsung is deemed the best refrigerator brand for customer satisfaction. Samsung earns a perfect score in all categories. Brands are scored on performance, price, features, ease of use, style and feel and warranty. LG and Kenmore Elite tie for second place. GE Monogram models warrant the lowest overall score. Survey respondents are not asked about specific models, however, only brands, so the results are geared more toward gauging brand loyalty and associations than the quality of specific types or models.
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Refrigerators Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 8.
Epinions
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Refrigerators
Contributors to Epinions
As of Oct. 2007
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Epinions is often less helpful regarding large appliances than in some other product arenas. Owner reviews typically give their refrigerators high ratings. Most models only receive one or two reviews so there aren't enough write-ups here to give us much confidence in the indication of top models. The LG LRFC25750, a French door refrigerator, gets 16 reviews, but only average ratings.
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Consumer Guide.com
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Refrigerators and Freezers
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
As of Oct. 2007
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Consumer Guide offers plenty of information about many refrigerators. There are a number of articles available about how to buy a refrigerator, how refrigerators work and recommended temperatures. Some models get spotlight reviews and a rating for "performance," but we are not told the criteria for deciding how these models are chosen. No testing appears to be conducted and the write-ups are merely lists of features.
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ThatHome Site.com
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Appliance Forum
Contributors to ThatHomeSite.com
As of Oct. 2007
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ThatHomeSite.com is an addictive place to visit if you have a few hours to spare. There are several posts in the appliance section about refrigerators, but it takes some time to search through the hundreds of topic threads. Several consumers duke it out over the advantages/disadvantages of side-by-side models vs. bottom-freezer models. A recent discussion comparing LG vs. Samsung French door refrigerators is interesting; the positives and the negatives tend to void each other, so we're left without a firm consensus. Many consumers do agree, however, that refrigerators should be measured before purchase.
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Sears.com
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Refrigerators
Contributors to Sears.com
As of Oct. 2007
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Sears now allows readers to review appliances on its website. This is pretty much the only place to find reviews on Kenmore refrigerators, since this brand is only carried by Sears. Unfortunately, most refrigerators haven’t been rated at all and, of those that do get some comments, only one or two owners have left a review. Still, it’s worth checking here for owner reviews.
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Amazon.com
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Refrigerators
Contributors to Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2007
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Amazon.com now sells some large appliances, which means that users can leave reviews for these models. However, only a tiny number of models receive any comments from owners. There are some reviews for specialty models such as dorm fridges, wine refrigerators or other compact refrigerators. The Sanyo SR-3770S counter-height refrigerator receives 36 reviews, with a number of complaints that the refrigerator arrived damaged.
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About.com
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Whirlpool 18 Cubic Foot Top Freezer Refrigerator Model ET8FTEXMQ
Mariette Mifflin
Not Dated
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This brief write-up appears to be a short review for one of the author's own appliances. Mariette Mifflin likes the adjustable shelves and pebbled exterior finish on this model, which makes cleanup easy. No other refrigerators are discussed, but elsewhere in this section, Ms. Mifflin lists features of the Maytag Ice20 French door refrigerator. No performance details are discussed, however. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com.)
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Abby'sGuide.com
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Refrigerators
Editors of Abby's Guide
As of Oct. 2007
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Abby's Guide offers a guide on many topics relating to refrigerators, including how to keep your energy costs down, how to clean a unit and brief overviews of refrigerator types. Although some refrigerators are mentioned, none are tested.
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