Best Refrigerators

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: Uniquely adjustable shelves, Half or split shelves, Gallon storage on door, Icemaker, Water dispenser, Built-in water filter, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light 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: Uniquely adjustable shelves, Pullout shelves/bins, Half or split shelves, Gallon storage on door, Icemaker, Ice dispenser, Water dispenser, Built-in water filter, Touchpad controls, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light, Child lock-out for dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

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: Uniquely adjustable shelves, Pullout shelves/bins, Half or split shelves, Gallon storage on door, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Icemaker, Ice dispenser, Water dispenser, Built-in water filter, Touchpad controls, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light, Child lock-out for 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: Pullout shelves/bins, Gallon storage on door, Icemaker, Ice dispenser, Water dispenser, Built-in water filter, Touchpad controls, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light, Child lock-out for 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: Half or split shelves, Gallon storage on door, Icemaker, Spill guard on shelves and Freezer light.

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: Pullout shelves/bins, Gallon storage on door, Icemaker, Built-in water filter, Touchpad controls, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light 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: Pullout shelves/bins, Icemaker, Built-in water filter, Touchpad controls, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light and Stainless/SS-look option.

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: Pullout shelves/bins, Gallon storage on door, Icemaker and Spill guard on shelves.

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: Uniquely adjustable shelves, Pullout shelves/bins, Gallon storage on door, Icemaker, Ice dispenser, Water dispenser, Built-in water filter, Touchpad controls, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light, Child lock-out for dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

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: Pullout shelves/bins, Temperature-controlled meat/deli bin, Icemaker, Ice dispenser, Water dispenser, Built-in water filter, Spill guard on shelves, Freezer light, Child lock-out for dispenser and Stainless/SS-look option.

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: Claimed capacity/usable capacity (cu. ft.) and Can dispenser.