We test thousands of products in 63 labs at our headquarters.
Data is the basis for virtually all the work that Consumer Reports does—ensuring that our state-of-the-art tests and reliability surveys reflect how consumers actually use products.
The refrigerator lab is designed for precise monitoring and data collection.
Join Consumer Reports Project Leader Breann Chai for a tour of the Refrigerator Lab and a demonstration of some of the tests that are performed there.
CR staff shoppers buy every product we use as a test sample from retail stores, helping maintain our objectivity and independence.
Meet the Refrigerators Team
Breann Chai
Refrigerator Testing Project Leader
Kenneth Sutton
Refrigerator Ratings Project Leader
Daniel Wroclawski
Home and Appliances Writer
Every refrigerator we test gets wired up with 15 temperature sensors.
We then monitor these thermocouples for more than a month in one of three temperature-controlled chambers to evaluate thermostat control and temperature uniformity.
Thermostat Control
Temperature Uniformity
Consumer Reports
Energy Efficiency
Noise
Performance isn’t the whole story. That’s why we evaluate refrigerators for usability and storage capacity.
Ease of Use
5 This test assesses the fridge’s features and design, including layout, controls, and lighting.
Capacity
Test engineers calculate each model's usable storage capacity by measuring and tallying the volume of each individual shelf, door bin, and drawer, while subtracting the volume taken up by parts such as ice makers, water filters, air filters, lights, vents, and other components.
Look for the CR Recommended mark when shopping in stores or online for easy access to rankings and reviews of products that meet our high standards for safety, performance, value, and reliability.
Learn MoreEvery year, we survey tens of thousands of consumers to learn about their real-world experiences with products they own.
Our reliability estimates for specific brands and types of refrigerators are based on a statistical model that predicts the probability that a refrigerator will develop a problem by the end of the 5th year of ownership.
Member Responses
Refrigerators Assessed
Ownership Data
Nearly a third (31 percent) of all refrigerators require repairs by the end of their fifth year of ownership, making them one of the least reliable appliances we analyze in our member surveys.
The two most commonly reported refrigerator problems were related to icemakers and dispensers.
Testing informs refrigerator ownership and maintenance advice.
We learn more from testing than just how models perform. Our findings also add to CR’s extensive library of articles designed to help you get the most out of your refrigerator.
How to Fix Your Refrigerator's Temperature Settings
Why does the fridge temperature still feel warm at 37° F?
Photo: Courtesy of Whirlpool
How to Make Your Refrigerator Last Longer
These five simple tips will keep it running in tip-top shape.
Photo: Getty Images
My Refrigerator Is Making Smelly Ice Cubes. What's Wrong?
To avoid the problem, clean your refrigerator's ice collection bin according to the manufacturer's instructions—or buy a more expensive fridge with a dual evaporator.
Photo: Getty Images