A reliable refrigerator will be the best workhorse for one to preserve their foods and/or beverages. However, it’s never easy to determine which model is right for your needs. But don’t worry, we have got your back.
Here are the six most reliable refrigerators that our experts tested and found out.
Here are the most reliable refrigerators you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Bedrooms (Single-Door Refrigerator): Walsh WSR35BK
- Best For Small Corners (Single-Door Refrigerator): Safeplus 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
- Fast Cooling (Single-Door Refrigerator): Frigidaire EFR321-AMZ
- Quiet (Double-Door Refrigerator): Antarctic Star Compact Mini Refrigerator
- Energy-Efficient (Double-Door Refrigerator): Frigidaire FFHT1425VV
- Compact (Double-Door Refrigerator): Midea WHD-113FB1
| 6 Most Reliable Refrigerators | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Bedrooms | Walsh WSR35BK
| |
Best For Small Corners | Safeplus 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
| |
Fast Cooling | Frigidaire EFR321-AMZ
| |
Quiet | Antarctic Star Compact Mini Refrigerator
| |
Energy-Efficient | Frigidaire FFHT1425VV
| |
Compact | Midea WHD-113FB1
| |
Best For Bedrooms: Walsh WSR35BK
- Ideal for small bedrooms – compact size, spacious storage space, & quiet operation
- Precise temperature control
- No complaint
We dare to assure you that there's hardly any other refrigerator coming at the compact size yet with plenty of storage space as the Walsh WSR35BK. Additionally, it works so quietly that you can't even hear that it is operating.
There are seven temperature levels ranging from 32℉ to 47℉ for the refrigerator compartment and 27℉ to 37℉ for the freezer compartment. All of them run accurately.
Like other picks here, the appliance has removable glass shelves and a reversible door for your convenience.
| Walsh WSR35BK Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 19.13 x 21.1 x 32.8 inches |
Capacity | 3.5 Cubic Feet |
Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity | 2.97 Cubic feet |
Freezer Capacity | 0.41 Cubic feet |
Highlight Features | compact size, spacious storage space, & quiet operation Precise temperature control |
The Walsh WSR35BK is an excellent single-door refrigerator for bedrooms.
Best For Small Corners: Safeplus 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer
- Able to fit most tight corners - 17.5
- The plastic handle feels cheap
For those who are in search of a mini-size refrigerator for a tight corner in the house, we'd suggest this one from Safeplus because of its modest dimensions (17.5" L x 19.1" W x 31.2" H).
This model is also lightweight enough to move easily, which is perfect for people living in a house for rent.
But our most favorite is its inner space - very roomy, well-organized, and customizable. It fits beverages of all sizes and features two full-width shelves plus a drawer. The price is very good!
| Safeplus 3.2 Cu.Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 17.5" x 19.1" x 31.2" (L x W x H) |
Capacity | 3.2 Cu. Ft. |
Highlight Features | 17.5" L x 19.1" W x 31.2" H of dimensions 44 pounds of weight two full-width shelves, a drawer, and more |
The Safeplus 3.2 Cu. Ft Mini Fridge with Freezer is one of the most compact single-door refrigerators. It’s also quiet, well-organized, and easy to maneuver – which is perfect for small corners.
Fast Cooling: Frigidaire EFR321-AMZ
- Cooldown faster than similarly-sized counterparts
- Eco-friendly, safe, and efficient - R600a refrigerant
- It sometimes makes a random weird noise
We were pleasantly surprised by the Frigidaire EFR321-AMZ's fast-cooling ability although it's slightly bigger than regular single-door refrigerators.
It can also make ice cubes in around one hour.
What we appreciate the most about this model is its R600a refrigerant - which is proven to be eco-friendlier, safer for human health, and more efficient.
Besides, it provides three shelves for organizing your items neatly.
| Frigidaire EFR321-AMZ Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 18.5 x 20 x 34 inches |
Capacity | 3.3 Cu. Ft. |
Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity | 3.05 Cubic Feet |
Freezer Capacity | 0.25 Cubic Feet |
Highlight Features | Cooldown faster than similarly-sized counterparts R600a refrigerant |
What makes the Frigidaire EFR321-AMZ stand out from the competition is its fast-cooling ability.
Quiet: Antarctic Star Compact Mini Refrigerator
- Not disturb you from your work - 38 decibels of operation noise
- Add a classy touch - sleek white and black design
- Affordable
- The handle is made of cheap plastic
- It has an unpleasant smell right out of the box
If you're serious about the operation noise of refrigerators, then the Antarctic Star might be your best bet.
It runs at only 38 decibels, which means if you're standing next to it and talking on the phone with somebody, they hardly hear any noise. It's particularly perfect for home offices and bedrooms.
On the other hand, this model has been currently the most inexpensive double-door refrigerator on the market that's reliably backed by the manufacturer’s warranty.
The classic, sleek design is a plus.
| Antarctic Star Compact Mini Refrigerator Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 19.1 x 20 x 33.5 inches |
Capacity | 3.2 Cu. ft. |
Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity | 2.24 Cu. ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 0.93 Cu. ft. |
Highlight Features | 38 decibels of operation noise sleek white and black design |
The Antarctic Star Compact Mini Refrigerator is our top pick for those people who are looking for a quiet, reliable, and affordable double-door refrigerator.
Energy-Efficient: Frigidaire FFHT1425VV
- Energy-efficient – Energy-Star labeled
- Ideal for large families – 13.9 cubic feet of overall capacity
- Convenient - auto-close doors
- A bit pricey
- Heavy and bulky
The Frigidaire FFHT1425VV's initial price might not be for everyone, but it's surely a great investment in the long run because of the durable stainless steel construction and Energy-Star certified design.
Its energy consumption is only 332 kWh whilst the capacity is 13.9 cubic feet - something that's hardly found on similarly-sized counterparts on the market.
Furthermore, it is ADA compliant and features auto-close doors.
| Frigidaire FFHT1425VV Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 29.37 x 28 x 59.87 inches |
Capacity | 13.9 Cu. Ft. |
Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity | 10 Cubic Feet |
Freezer Capacity | 3.9 Cubic Feet |
Highlight Features | Energy-Star labeled 13.9 cubic feet of overall capacity auto-close doors |
The Frigidaire FFHT1425VV is the most energy-efficient double-door refrigerator that outperformed other similarly-sized models in the mid-price field.
Compact: Midea WHD-113FB1
- Compact & space-saving - 32.95 x 19.37 x 18.5 inches of dimensions
- More convenient to use than single-door models – separate doors for each compartment & a crispy drawer
- Require de-icing every month
The Midea WHD-113FB1 is a 3.1-cubic-foot double-door refrigerator, which means it's incredibly compact and space-saving.
It works similarly to a regular single-door model, but is way more convenient as you can open the door of each compartment separately and there's a crispy drawer for fruits.
In general, this is a great choice for singles, couples, or small families.
| Midea WHD-113FB1 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 32.95 x 19.37 x 18.5 inches |
Capacity | 3.1 Cu. Ft. |
Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity | 2.2 cubic feet |
Freezer Capacity | 0.9 cubic feet |
Highlight Features | 32.95 x 19.37 x 18.5 inches of dimensions separate doors for each compartment & a crispy drawer |
The Midea WHD-113FB1 rises to the top amongst plenty of double-door refrigerators because of its amazingly compact size.
How To Choose The Most Reliable Refrigerator?
Finding The Right Size
If you want a reliable refrigerator, first of all, it should fit well in your space.
Make sure to take multiple measurements of the area where you plan to place the refrigerator – whether it’s your bedroom, kitchen, garage, or home office. If you’re a non-experienced shopper, here is everything you need to do:
Determine the refrigerator depth you want
- Pick a position for the refrigerator
- Measure the maximum height, depth, and width of the position. If your floors are crooked, measure each dimension multiple times
- Measure the doorways
Styles Of Refrigerator
After conducting many surveys, reading lots of customers’ feedback, and testing multiple numerous models, we come to the final conclusion that there are certain refrigerator styles prone to problems.
As you may know it or all, there are five common styles of refrigerators:
- Built-in refrigerators
- Side-by-side refrigerators
- French-door refrigerators
- Bottom-freezer refrigerators
- Top-freezer refrigerators
Each of them delivers specific organization, shelving (or layout), and capacity – which are also the three most closely related qualities to all refrigerator owners. According to our analysis, they were mentioned in more than 50% of customers’ feedback.
Therein, French-door models earn less criticism and more praise than the top freezer and the side-by-side.
Finish
After years of refrigerator testing, we come to the final conclusion that the finish of old models or low-end options is prone to rust over time – which impacts the appliance’s aesthetics and durability.
Therefore, we highly recommend choosing a model with stainless steel finish as it can last decades of use and is trendy. But take note that stainless steel attracts fingerprints.
Ice Maker
Most people think that an ice maker in a refrigerator is worth it.
Ice makers are basically categorized into the manual and the automatic. Therein, the second option is more convenient yet one of the most problem-prone parts of a refrigerator.
That's why we find this frequently-underestimated part turns out to play a huge role in a refrigerator's reliability.
The quality and function of ice makers are worth-considering.
We tested different types of refrigerators to find out the one that's most prone to ice-maker failure but finally realized that this issue depended on the product line of a brand.
Another truth that we've found is that the ice-maker failure rate is higher in the first refrigerator models of a brand.
Which Brands Make The Most Reliable Refrigerator?
Frigidaire
Frigidaire is well-known for producing dependable, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient refrigerators at a variety of pricing ranges. If you're seeking a strong and trustworthy refrigerator that can keep your food fresh without any difficulties, Frigidaire is a good option.
Midea
Midea manufactures and specializes in China-made ACs and appliances. Dishwashers, washers and dryers, refrigerators, and air conditioners are among our items.
Currently, Midea America is the world's biggest producer of home appliances and a publicly-traded Fortune 500 company.
FAQs
How do you know when a refrigerator is going bad?
A clear sign to know when a refrigerator is going bad is the continuous loud humming sound or the appliance keeps kicking on and off constantly.
How often should you get a new refrigerator?
You should get a new refrigerator every 8-15 years depending on the current status of the appliance.
Is it worth replacing the compressor on a refrigerator?
Based on many technicians, it’s not highly recommended to replace the compressor on a refrigerator because each subsequent repair makes the appliance more vulnerable to break. Instead, it’s wiser to replace the whole refrigerator.
Which type of fridge is best for home use?
The best type of fridge for home use is single-door and double-door models, depending on your specific needs.
What is a good size refrigerator for a family of 4?
For a family of four, the best refrigerator size is 20 cubic feet.
Conclusion
We love discovering new cooling technologies and sharing our experience, which is the reason for our endless passion for research and testing to find the most reliable refrigerators. Hopefully, our in-depth analysis was helpful to you. Thanks for reading!
Eugene WilliamsHi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!
