Best Refrigerators

This combines results of tests measuring the accuracy of initial temperature settings along with how well a model 1) kept optimum temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer at the same time; 2) kept temperatures even throughout each compartment; 3) kept temperatures constant despite changes in room temperatures; and 4) maintained set temperatures even with very high room temperatures.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Temperature performance has the following features: Door style, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Energy cost/yr. ($), Gallon storage on door, Half or split shelves, Icemaker, Pullout shelves/bins, Spill guard on shelves, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Touchpad controls, Built-in water filter, Freezer light, Water dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

Our measurement of usable volume.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Fridge usable capacity (cu. ft.) has the following features: Door style, Energy star, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Energy cost/yr. ($), Built-in water filter, Child lock-out for dispenser, Freezer light, Gallon storage on door, Ice dispenser, Icemaker, Pullout shelves/bins, Spill guard on shelves, Water dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

Noise level was measured when the compressor started up and during steady running. Subjective judgments by a panel of listeners supplemented our noise-meter readings.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Noise has the following features: Door style, Energy star, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Bottom-freezer, Icemaker, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Pullout shelves/bins, Built-in water filter, Freezer light, Gallon storage on door and Stainless/SS-look option.

Our measurement, including the top hinge and rounded up to the nearest inch. (We measured only tested models, but the similar models we list should have the same dimensions.) Built-in models have the compressor on top, making them about a foot taller than regular refrigerators. They fit flush with cabinets and counters.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Exterior height (in.) has the following features: Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Cabinet-depth model, Door style, Stainless/SS-look option and Pullout shelves/bins.

Estimated cost in dollars, based on the current year's average national electricity rate. Your cost will vary depending on the rate for electricity in your area.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Energy cost/yr. ($) has the following features: Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), French-door style, Energy star, Door style, Water dispenser, Stainless/SS-look option, Uniquely adjustable shelves, Pullout shelves/bins, Half or split shelves, Gallon storage on door, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Icemaker, Ice dispenser, Built-in water filter, Touchpad controls, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light and Child lock-out for dispenser.

Our measurement, rounded up to the nearest inch. We include tubing or other protrusions in the back but exclude the handle. (We measured only tested models, but the similar models we list should have the same dimensions.)

This Refrigerator which tested best for Exterior depth (in.) has the following features: Door style, Energy star, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Cabinet-depth model, Energy cost/yr. ($), Built-in water filter, Child lock-out for dispenser, Gallon storage on door, Ice dispenser, Icemaker, Pullout shelves/bins, Spill guard on shelves, Touchpad controls, Water dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

Our measurement of usable volume.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Freezer usable capacity (cu. ft.) has the following features: Claimed capacity/usable capacity (cu. ft.), Lock and Can dispenser.

Usable capacity is the volume, in cubic feet, of usable interior space, based on our measurements. We included ice-makers in the storage measurements for top-freezer and bottom-freezer models, but not for side-by-sides.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Total usable capacity (cu. ft.) has the following features: Door style, Energy star, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Side-by-side, Ice dispenser, Icemaker, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Pullout shelves/bins, Spill guard on shelves, Built-in water filter, Child lock-out for dispenser, Freezer light, Water dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

This assesses features and design including layout, controls, and lighting.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Ease of use has the following features: Door style, Energy star, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Side-by-side, Ice dispenser, Icemaker, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Touchpad controls, Uniquely adjustable shelves, Pullout shelves/bins, Spill guard on shelves, Built-in water filter, Child lock-out for dispenser, Freezer light, Gallon storage on door, Water dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

This reflects electricity consumption (based on our tests) per cubic foot of measured usable storage space. For example, two models with the same energy cost per year may have different energy efficiencies -- the unit with more storage space being more efficient.

This Refrigerator which tested best for Energy efficiency has the following features: Door style, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Side-by-side, Ice dispenser, Icemaker, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Touchpad controls, Pullout shelves/bins, Spill guard on shelves, Built-in water filter, Child lock-out for dispenser, Freezer light, Gallon storage on door, Water dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

Our measurement, including all protrusions and rounded up to the nearest inch. (We measured only tested models, but the similar models we list should have the same dimensions.)

This Refrigerator which tested best for Exterior width (in.) has the following features: Door style, Energy star, Claimed capacity (cu. ft.), Energy cost/yr. ($), Gallon storage on door, Icemaker, Pullout shelves/bins, Spill guard on shelves and Stainless/SS-look option.