(2026-04-12) The Best Refrigerators

Wirecutter: The Best Refrigerators

French-door fridges tend to look and feel a little more luxurious than traditional, single-door, bottom-freezer fridges, and they accommodate a lot of organization. You can also open just one side of the fresh-food compartment at a time, potentially keeping more cold air in.

Most French-door refrigerators are 36 inches wide

Consider a French-door refrigerator if:

• You want a 36-inch fridge. According to our surveys, French-door fridges have higher customer satisfaction than side-by-side models (the other type available at this width).
• You’re seeking a fridge that provides a lot of organizational flexibility. The full-width fresh-food compartment offers flexibility in how you arrange the shelves, allowing you to accommodate tall pots or wide items, like sheet pans and pizza boxes. (Some pricier models have a fourth drawer or compartment with an adjustable temperature control, so it can be used for wine or cheese.)

Skip a French-door refrigerator if:

• You want the most fridge for your money. For the price of a French-door fridge, a different type of refrigerator will typically provide more features, capacity, or functionality.
• You prioritize freezer organization. A French-door fridge’s freezer is a deep well topped with two or three sliding shelves, and it can be hard to access food at the bottom.
• You want the most efficient fridge possible. When it comes to efficiency, French-door fridges fall behind top-freezer and bottom-freezer models.

The best French-door fridge
LG LRFLC2706
Despite its shallower-than-average footprint, this handsome, quiet 36-inch smart refrigerator is spacious. In our surveys, LG fridges consistently rank at the top for customer satisfaction.
$1,599 from The Home Depot

Runner-up
Bigger footprint, more-flexible layout
GE GNE27J
This French-door model is similar to our top pick, but it isn’t smart, and it takes up more space. It does have a more versatile layout, however.
$1,499 from The Home Depot

Best side-by-side refrigerators

Side-by-side refrigerators aren’t as popular or stylish as French-door fridges, but they tend to be a bit less expensive (and come in more finishes) than French-door models of similar quality and size.

These models also have well-organized compartments running the length of the fridge and freezer, with several shelves at various heights. That said, the half-width fresh-food and freezer compartments in side-by-side fridges are far narrower than those in any other type of fridge, and our reporting and surveys show that this frustrates many people.

Side-by-side refrigerators are typically 36 inches wide

Most side-by-side fridges come with through-the-door ice and water dispensers, but there are also models without either.

Consider a side-by-side refrigerator if:

• You have a smaller kitchen and want a larger fridge. The half-width doors on a side-by-side model provide more wiggle room on either side.
• You want a through-the-door ice dispenser. Even affordable models tend to come with one.
• You prioritize organization, especially in the freezer.
• You want a 36-inch fridge and are on a tight budget.

Skip a side-by-side refrigerator if:

• You store large items. Our reader surveys show that many owners of side-by-side fridges struggle to fit wide items like casserole dishes, pizza boxes, and large sheet pans.
• You want the most efficient fridge possible. Side-by-side models are the least efficient type of refrigerator available.

Top pick
The best side-by-side refrigerator
GE GSE25G
This spacious and efficient 36-inch fridge has an especially adjustable and sturdy interior layout and a user-friendly freezer. In our surveys, GE Appliances ranks near the top for customer service.
$1,799 from The Home Depot

Best if you don’t need a dispenser in the door
Whirlpool WRS315SNH
This model omits both an ice maker and a through-the-door water dispenser, so it's more spacious, efficient, and affordable. But it isn’t as user-friendly as our other picks.
$1,298 from The Home Depot

Best bottom-freezer refrigerators

Our reader surveys show that bottom-freezer fridges have the highest rates of owner satisfaction, and for good reason. You get most of the benefits of a French-door fridge (full-width fresh-food and freezer compartments, all fresh food sitting above knee level, a stylish facade) for a slightly lower price.

Some pricier bottom-freezer fridges come with through-the-door ice and water dispensers.

Consider a bottom-freezer refrigerator if:

• You’d like a less-expensive alternative to a French-door refrigerator. A bottom-freezer fridge has most of the benefits of a French-door model but costs a little less.

Skip a bottom-freezer refrigerator if:

• You like to see everything in your freezer. Like French-door fridges, bottom-freezer models have deep, well-like freezers that can be trickier to keep organized.
• You want the most efficient fridge possible. Bottom-freezer refrigerators are more efficient than French-door and side-by-side models, but they’re not as efficient as top-freezer fridges.

The best 33-inch bottom-freezer fridge
LG LRDCS2603
This 33-inch fridge has loads of capacity and smart features. In our surveys, LG fridges consistently rank at the top for customer satisfaction.
$1,599 from The Home Depot

Best top-freezer refrigerators

Top-freezer fridges may not be particularly sexy, but these time-tested models are typically the most affordable, reliable, repairable, and efficient fridges available.

Our 2023 reader survey showed that these models have the fewest issues — service calls, repairs, replaced parts — of any type of refrigerator by far.

Top-freezer fridges come in a variety of widths and heights, though nearly all are less than 34 inches wide.

Consider a top-freezer refrigerator if:

• You want an affordable fridge that will last a long time. A basic top-freezer model (with mechanical controls, not digital, and without an ice maker) should be among the most affordable and long-lasting fridges you can buy. (It might even be a “buy it for life,” or BIFL, purchase.)
• You want the most efficient fridge possible. Top-freezer models, especially those without ice makers and internal water dispensers, are the most efficient style of refrigerator.
• You need a fridge — fast. Top-freezer models in all sizes are widely stocked and distributed.

Top pick
A basic top-freezer fridge
GE GTS17DTNR
This small, 28.8-inch, no-frills top-freezer model can accommodate an ice maker. GE Appliances is known for its service.
$548 from The Home Depot

An energy-efficient top-freezer fridge
LG LTCS20020
This medium-size, mid-price top-freezer refrigerator is Energy Star–approved, and it comes from a company whose fridges consistently rank at the top for customer satisfaction.
$749 from The Home Depot

Upgrade pick
A top-freezer fridge with nice extras
Frigidaire FFTR1835V
This 30-inch, medium-size fridge has plenty of capacity and upgraded features, including humidity-controlled crispers, glass shelves, and a deli drawer.
$678 from The Home Depot

Best garage-ready refrigerators

Most refrigerators are recommended for use in areas where the ambient air temperature doesn’t get colder than around 50 °F or hotter than 100 °F. If you want to put a fridge in a non-climate-controlled space (a garage, back porch, basement, or cabin), you’ll need a garage-ready fridge.

The best garage-ready fridge
LG LHTNS2403
Designed to work in temperatures as low as 38 °F, this extra-large top-freezer fridge has loads of capacity, and it’s sleek enough to use as your primary refrigerator. But it’s only at Home Depot.
$849 from The Home Depot

Smaller and less efficient, more finishes
GE GTS22K
This garage-ready fridge functions the same as our top pick, and it comes in five finishes. But it’s not quite as big, efficient, or attractive.
$798 from The Home Depot

Best counter-depth refrigerators

Counter-depth refrigerators are either shallow enough to sit flush with kitchen counters or cleverly designed to look like they do.

How to pick a fridge

Exact dimensions: Make sure you measure carefully. Fridges of all types are typically sold by width, generally ranging from 24 inches to 36 inches. But every fridge has slightly different dimensions and clearance requirements for airflow and door swing. In their manuals or specification sheets, most manufacturers include measurements, which tend to be more accurate than the specs listed on retailers’ websites. Your fridge must also fit through the doors and hallways of your home and under any overhead cabinets or shelving.

Freestanding or built-in model: Our recommendations cover freestanding refrigerators that have finished sides, so they can be installed anywhere, not just between cabinets or counters. Built-in models, which are pricier, are designed to fit into a custom cutout and sit flush with the cabinetry; the best-known brand in this category is Sub-Zero.

Standard-depth or counter-depth model: A standard-depth refrigerator is typically anywhere from 30 to 36 inches deep, and it can protrude from countertops and cabinets. A true counter-depth refrigerator is less than 25 inches deep (excluding a handle), and it fits flush with counters. Freestanding fridges this shallow, which are typically no wider than 30 inches, have much less capacity and are rare.
That said, many companies describe models that measure between 29 and 32 inches deep (sometimes even more) as “counter-depth.”

Capacity: Measured in cubic feet, capacity is the amount of fillable space in your fridge and freezer. Our research shows that fridges with a lot of capacity tend to make people happier than those with less capacity, but that happiness levels off after 20 cubic feet. A 36-inch fridge of any kind — standard-depth or counter-depth — should provide at least that.

Ice makers and dispensers: Despite their ubiquity and convenience, ice makers and dispensers are still a primary “point of failure” in a fridge

Through-the-door dispensers also interrupt the facade of a fridge and are among the first features to look out of date

Filters: With nearly all water- and ice-dispensing systems, you’ll have to change a filter, usually every six months. A few refrigerators also have replaceable air filters, which theoretically should reduce odors inside the fridge.

Adjustable crisper drawers: All but the most affordable fridges tend to have some system in place for adjusting the flow of air into crisper drawers, which can add or subtract humidity and extend the life of fruits and vegetables.

Digital temperature control: All but the most affordable fridges will have digital sensors that precisely track internal temperature, as well as separate controls that can independently adjust the temperatures of the refrigerator and freezer compartments. All but the most affordable fridges also typically allow you to set the temperature of the compartments to an exact degree using a digital control panel, often either on the door or just inside it. More affordable models may have a mechanical slider knob that you can only adjust from cold to colder.

Finishes: In our 2023 reader survey, many fridge owners said they were frustrated with stainless steel finishes, no matter the brand or model of fridge or whether a finish was labeled “fingerprint-resistant.” Compared with other kinds of finishes, stainless steel requires specific types of cleaning agents and more attention to keep it free of smudges or scratches

Smart-home technology and Wi-Fi connectivity: Some models come with Wi-Fi connectivity and smart features, including remote alerts if the fridge fails or a door is ajar. You can potentially adjust temperature settings remotely, get diagnostic help for issues, or even set an ice maker to produce more ice for a dinner party while you’re on your way home.

Longevity and durability: If you want a freestanding fridge that will last more than a decade or so, our research shows that your best bet is to get a bare-bones, fully analog model with as few functions and features as possible.

Service reach: We prioritize brands that have fairly wide national distribution and service teams or partners

Installation and service: Before you buy a fridge, determine who will install it (especially if you’re hooking up a water line for an ice maker) and who will haul away the old one. Also consider which local repair companies will service your fridge if it breaks, both during the warranty period and afterward. (Some brands, such as GE Appliances, have dedicated repair teams, which is ideal.)

Warranty: Though a one-year warranty for parts and labor is standard, many companies also cover the compressor for a longer period, especially for larger-width models. Some companies also directly offer optional extended warranty programs (this typically pertains to more expensive fridges).

Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness: In all of our fridge guides, we have traditionally prioritized fridges that have Energy Star certification.

Consumer Reports Best Refrigerators of 2026

Best French-Door Refrigerators

Below are the two highest-rated French-door refrigerators. To see more models, check out our list of the best French-door refrigerators and our full French-door refrigerator ratings.

Whirlpool WRFF3136SZ
Price: $1698.00 - $1699.99
Overall Score 79

The Whirlpool WRFF3136SZ is the very best French-door fridge in our ratings. It receives excellent scores for thermostat performance, temperature uniformity, and energy efficiency, plus a very good score for its low noise output. It also receives a decent score for ease of use, but subpar scores for crisper drawer and icemaker performance. This 36-inch-wide stainless steel fridge features a built-in water filter, spillproof shelves, and digital temperature controls, but it lacks a water and ice dispenser. In our latest member surveys, Whirlpool French-doors receive a midlevel score for predicted reliability, but an unfavorable score for owner satisfaction.

LG LRFCS25D3S
Price: $1545.00
Overall Score 76

The 33-inch-wide LG LRFCS25D3S is similar to the CR-tested LG LRFCS2503S, and we expect it to perform comparably. The tested model excels in thermostat performance and temperature uniformity, ensuring that your food stays fresh. It also has very good energy efficiency, runs at a fairly quiet noise level, and is very easy to use. It receives a decent score for its icemaker performance, but an unfavorable score for its crisper drawer performance. In addition to an icemaker, this model comes with a built-in water filter, spillproof shelves, digital controls, and WiFi connectivity, but it lacks an ice and water dispenser. LG French-doors receive midlevel scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our latest member surveys.

Best Side-by-Side Refrigerators

Below are the two highest-rated side-by-side refrigerators. To see more models, check out our list of the best side-by-side refrigerators and our full side-by-side refrigerator ratings.

GE GSE23GGPWW
Price: $1799.00 - $2240.13
Overall Score 74

The 33-inch GE GSE23GGPWW receives excellent ratings for temperature uniformity and thermostat performance, and very good ratings for ease of use and icemaker performance. It also receives decent ratings for energy efficiency and noise output but an unfavorable rating for its crisper drawer performance. This side-by-side is equipped with a built-in water filter, an external water/ice dispenser, and digital controls. As a brand, GE side-by-side refrigerators receive a very good predicted reliability rating but a poor owner satisfaction rating in CR’s member surveys.

GE GSS25GYPFS
Price: $996.00 - $1347.00
Overall Score 73

The 36-inch, budget-friendly GE GSS25GYPFS is a strong performer in our tests, with a top score for thermostat performance and strong scores for temperature uniformity and ease of use. It also receives decent scores for energy efficiency, noise output, crisper drawer performance, and icemaker performance. This GE has a stainless steel finish and features a through-the-door water and ice dispenser, a built-in water filter, and digital temperature controls. In our latest member surveys, GE side-by-sides receive a very good rating for predicted reliability but a poor rating for owner satisfaction.

Best Top-Freezer Refrigerators

Below are the two highest-rated top-freezer refrigerators. To see more models, check out our list of the best top-freezer refrigerators and our full top-freezer refrigerator ratings.

Samsung RT70F18LRSR
Price: $695.00 - $699.99
Overall Score 82

The 28-inch-wide Samsung RT70F18LRSR is the best top-freezer in our ratings. It receives excellent scores for thermostat performance, temperature uniformity, and energy efficiency, as well as a very good score for its low noise output. However, it receives a subpar score for ease of use and a poor score for crisper drawer performance. This Energy Star certified fridge features a stainless steel finish, an optional icemaker (sold separately), digital temperature controls, and WiFi connectivity to control the fridge from your smartphone. In our latest member surveys, Samsung top-freezers receive an excellent score for predicted reliability and a midlevel score for owner satisfaction.

LG LT18S2100W
Price: $649.00 - $908.00
Overall Score 79

The 28-inch-wide LG LT18S2100W receives excellent scores for thermostat performance and energy efficiency, and very good scores for temperature uniformity and noise output. This LG’s only flaws are its poor scores for ease of use (a common problem with top-freezers due to their hard-to-reach controls) and crisper drawer performance. This fridge has a stainless steel finish and is Energy Star certified, but it’s light on features. It has gallon-jug storage on the fridge door and the ability to add an optional icemaker. In our latest member survey, LG top-freezers receive an excellent rating for predicted reliability and a midlevel rating for owner satisfaction.

Best Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators

Below are the two highest-rated bottom-freezer refrigerators. To see more models, check out our list of the best bottom-freezer refrigerators and our full bottom-freezer refrigerator ratings.

Miele KFN4776ED
Price: $3199.00
Overall Score 85

The 30-inch-wide Miele KFN4776ED is a sleek stainless steel bottom-freezer that offers exceptional performance. In our evaluation, it receives excellent scores for all but two tests. (It receives a midlevel score for ease of use and no score for ice making because it doesn’t have an icemaker.) This counter-depth fridge is Energy Star certified and features digital temperature controls and WiFi connectivity to control the fridge from your smartphone, but it is otherwise bare-bones. At this time, we don’t have enough survey data to judge Miele bottom-freezers for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

LG LRDCS2603S
Price: $1599.00 - $4060.00
Overall Score 83

The 33-inch-wide LG LRDCS2603S earns excellent scores for thermostat performance and temperature uniformity, as well as strong scores for energy efficiency, noise output (meaning it runs quietly), ease of use, and icemaker performance. Its only flaw is its crisper drawer performance, where it receives a poor score. Compared with many bottom-freezers, this LG is rich in features. It’s outfitted with an icemaker, a built-in water filter, and gallon-sized bins on the doors. In our latest surveys, CR members give LG bottom-freezers an excellent rating for predicted reliability and a midlevel rating for owner satisfaction.

Best Built-In Refrigerators

Below are two of the highest-rated built-in refrigerators. To see more models, check out our list of the best built-in refrigerators and our full built-in refrigerator ratings.

Sub-Zero DET3650CIIDR
Price: $11140.00
Overall Score 81

The Sub-Zero DET3650CIIDR is one of the best 36-inch built-ins we’ve tested. It receives high scores for thermostat performance, temperature uniformity, and crisper drawer performance, plus decent scores for energy efficiency and ease of use. Its only drawbacks are that it runs somewhat loudly compared with competing built-ins and its icemaker doesn’t produce a lot of ice. In our latest member survey, Sub-Zero built-ins receive a very good rating for predicted reliability and an excellent rating for owner satisfaction. This Energy Star certified built-in features a stainless steel finish, an internal water dispenser, a built-in water filter, spillproof shelves, and WiFi connectivity.

Bosch Benchmark B36IT905NP
Price: $9300.00
Overall Score 78

The 36-inch Bosch Benchmark B36IT905NP is a great built-in French-door refrigerator. In our lab tests, it receives an excellent rating for thermostat performance and very good ratings for temperature uniformity, ease of use, and crisper performance. It also receives a midlevel rating for energy efficiency, but subpar ratings for noise (meaning it runs louder than comparable fridges) and icemaker performance. This Bosch built-in is available in a stainless steel finish and features a built-in water filter, humidity-adjustable crisper drawers, and WiFi connectivity to control the fridge from your smartphone. It notably lacks water and ice dispensers, though. In our latest member surveys, Bosch built-ins receive an excellent rating for predicted reliability and a very good rating for owner satisfaction.

Consumer Reports Best Door-in-Door Refrigerators -

*how do you know whether you’re paying a premium for a fad? Innovative features with staying power address a genuine consumer need—and Consumer Reports’ experts put the door-in-door configuration in that class.

A door-in-door is a hidden compartment behind an exterior panel—typically found on a French-door refrigerator—that pops open with the press of a button. The design allows you to reach for often-used items without heaving open the entire door and letting warm air rush into the rest of the refrigerator. It’s handy for anyone who likes to loiter in front of an open fridge deciding between a squeezable yogurt and a cheese stick, or maybe a Heineken and a Pabst Blue Ribbon. On some Samsung models, they’re styled as “beverage centers” and incorporate the water dispenser.*

Best Door-in-Door French-Door Refrigerators

LG LF29S8365S
Price: $2490.00 - $4095.00
Overall Score 76

The stainless steel, 36-inch LG LF29S8365S excelled in thermostat control and temperature uniformity, and it also received very good scores for noise and ease of use. However, it’s not the most energy-efficient model, earning only a middle-of-the-road score when we measured its electricity consumption. This state-of-the-art model comes loaded with features, including a through-the-door water/ice dispenser, an icemaker, a built-in water filter, adjustable and spillproof shelving, a digital touchpad, and WiFi connectivity. Not to mention, of course, its door-in-door design. LG French-doors received so-so ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our latest member survey.

LG LRMDS3006S
Price: $2995.00 - $4495.00
Overall Score 74

The 36-inch LG LRMDS3006S is a great French-door model overall, with superb performance in all our tests except for energy efficiency, though it’s still better than most on that front. It comes with no shortage of features, including spillproof shelving, an external water/ice dispenser, an icemaker, digital controls, and WiFi connectivity, plus the door-in-door feature. Its sibling, the LG LRMVS3006S, is a more expensive door-in-door model, but it gives you the additional ability to tap on a light that lets you view the inside of the door-in-door compartment. Our latest member survey rated LG French-doors midlevel for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

GE Profile PGD29BYTFS
Price: $2608.99 - $2799.99
Overall Score 74

The 36-inch-wide GE Profile PGD29BYTFS is an outstanding French-door refrigerator. The model receives a top-level score for thermostat control and shows impressive performance in our other tests as well. This model comes with an internal water dispenser, an icemaker, a built-in water filter, digital controls, and WiFi connectivity, plus door-in-door access. In our latest member surveys, GE French-door refrigerators received midlevel scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

Best Door-in-Door Side-by-Side Refrigerators

LG LRSDS2706S
Price: $1500.00
Overall Score 71

The 36-inch LG LRSDS2706S is a sleek, flat-fronted side-by-side with the added advantage of a door-in-door panel in the upper half of the fridge side. In our cooling tests, it performs extremely well for thermostat control and temperature uniformity. The only slight mark against it is that it’s not the quietest of fridges. It’s equipped with dual evaporators, an external water/ice dispenser, a built-in water filter, digital temperature controls, and a freezer light for raiding a pint of ice cream at midnight. LG side-by-sides received lukewarm ratings for reliability and owner satisfaction in our latest member survey.

LG LLSDS2706S
Price: $1830.00
Overall Score 63