There are a lot of considerations you need to make when buying a new fridge, but one of the biggest is: what brand should I buy? If you were only to go off of forum posts and user reviews, the answer would seemingly be none. The internet is full of angry rants detailing how their appliance stopped working after a year or even a handful of months. Some of that is deserved: modern fridges are highly complicated appliances built as affordably as possible to run efficiently for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Viewed through that lens, failures are unfortunately no longer a rarity, but an expectation, regardless of the brand name on the refrigerator door. We analyzed the authorized service coverage and parts availability across each brand that we've tested and published our findings online. If you'd just like to see how every brand stacks up solely in terms of service coverage, you can check out our interactive map.
For those reasons, we're hesitant to crown any one company as the one true 'best refrigerator brand.' This article instead provides a breakdown of some of the biggest players in this market and which models in their lineups we've tested best represent what they do best, all arranged in alphabetical order for clarity.
Quick Look
We've recently started testing refrigerators. We independently purchase each unit from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free from manufacturer influence. Each refrigerator goes through the same tests to measure objective data for metrics like temperature uniformity, produce preservation, and actual storage capacity so you can easily compare the results.
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Bosch
Everyday Use8.1Refrigerator Capacity7.1Freezer Capacity6.7Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleFrench DoorCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserInternalBosch is a German multinational with interests in a wide variety of commercial interests, from car parts to solar energy, not to mention a large appliances division. The latter has a reputation for building relatively high-quality but also high-priced products. Thankfully, service coverage is a strong point, with good access to authorized service providers throughout much of the United States. It's worth noting that parts costs are well above the industry average.
The Bosch 800 Series is the pinnacle of Bosch's lineup, and runs the gamut in terms of form factor and features. The B36CT80SNS is the most stripped-down variant in the 800 Series lineup, featuring a fairly standard French-door design without any obvious gimmicks, but don't confuse it with "basic." It, along with all other similarly designed 800 Series models, is one of the few consumer-grade refrigerators to utilize not only separate evaporators for the fridge and freezer, but also dual inverter-controlled compressors, effectively allowing each cabinet to be completely isolated from the other and ensuring highly uniform temperature and humidity levels. However, this high-end fridge has one big weakness: it, along with every other 800 Series variant, is only sold as a counter-depth unit, severely compromising interior space.
If you're in the market for a 36-inch Bosch refrigerator, but are shopping on a (slightly) lower budget, the Bosch 500 Series B36FD52SNS is a very worthy alternative. While it lacks the 800's dual compressors and dual evaporators, it still performs amazingly well in terms of produce preservation and temperature consistency, both within the fridge and within the freezer. Unlike its pricier sibling, it's sold as a standard-depth unit, making it a good option for bigger families needing extra space.
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Electrolux/Frigidaire
Everyday Use7.4Refrigerator Capacity7.4Freezer Capacity7.3Standard Width30" (76 cm)StyleTop FreezerCounter-DepthNoIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserNo Water DispenserFrigidaire is a pioneer in refrigeration, having designed and developed the first electric refrigerator in 1918. Some would claim that the word 'fridge' is a contraction of the company's name, and not 'refrigerator'. The company was owned by American automotive giant General Motors throughout much of the 20th century, but eventually made its way into the hands of Swedish appliance manufacturer Electrolux in 1986. The brand has at least one authorized service provider in every US state, though coverage is still rather thin in some rural areas.
As you can expect for a brand with this level of public recognition, the Frigidaire FFTR1835VW is quite possibly the closest representation of what comes to mind for most people when they picture a refrigerator. This 30-inch top freezer model has a simple cooling system consisting of a fixed-speed compressor and a single evaporator in the freezer, with temperature regulation being handled by a mechanical thermostat. However, it's still a solid performer in most respects, with decent temperature uniformity ensuring that food is cooled to a similar level regardless of where you place it in the fridge cabinet, barring the somewhat warm door bins. It's decently spacious on the inside for something this small, even within its freezer with the optional twist-tray style ice maker installed. It also has an advertised operating range of 45 to 110 °F (7.2 to 43.3 °C), making it a good option if you've got the room for a second fridge in a garage.
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Haier/GE/Cafe/Fisher & Paykel
Everyday Use8.5Refrigerator Capacity8.3Freezer Capacity7.7Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleFrench DoorCounter-DepthNoIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserInternalThe appliances division of GE, a multinational titan with hands in everything from airplane engines to MRI machines, was sold off to Haier, a Chinese consumer electronics and appliance giant, in 2016. The latter has a fair few brands under its purview, including the more premium GE Profile, Café, and Monogram sub-brands, along with the New Zealand-based brand Fisher and Paykel. GE Appliances remains headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and thankfully, service coverage is consistent throughout many large US population centers. However, large gaps still exist in mid-sized cities and rural areas.
The Café CGE29DP2TS1 is a high-end French-door refrigerator. It's effectively an upgraded version of the GE Profile PGE29BYTFS, and shares many of the latter's features. There's a separate temperature-controlled drawer that can be configured to keep deli meats and cheese cool or to chill bottles of wine, along with an auto-filling built-in water pitcher, four movable split shelves in the fridge cabinet, and twin-evaporator cooling system with an inverter-controlled compressor for more precise humidity and temperature regulation. Temperature uniformity is similarly stellar, and the in-freezer placement of its ice maker frees up space and introduces fewer likely failure points compared to similar models with ice makers built into the fridge cabinet. Where it differs from its cheaper sibling is its crisper drawer design, which seals more tightly and does a better job of holding in moisture, resulting in longer-lasting delicate greens like celery or lettuce.
GE also represents the budget end of the market quite well: the GE GTS22KGNRWW is a 33-inch top freezer that provides good overall performance. It performs very well where it counts, with decent capacity in its freezer and fridge cabinets, and surprisingly strong produce preservation thanks to its well-sealing crisper drawers. While temperatures within its freezer and fridge aren't quite as uniform as they are on the much pricier and much bigger CGE29DP2TS1, it still does quite well in both respects. Its relatively simple cooling system, consisting of a fixed-speed compressor and a single evaporator, also introduces few obvious weak points compared to more complex models.
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LG
Everyday Use7.3Refrigerator Capacity7.7Freezer Capacity7.6Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleFrench DoorCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserInternalLG Electronics is a South Korean conglomerate that manufactures everything from consumer electronics like soundbars and televisions to batteries for electric cars. Their appliances division has released refrigerators with eye-catching, sometimes industry-first features, like UV lights to automatically sanitize water dispensers or even ice makers that dispense slower-melting spheres. Public perception of their products was severely damaged following the widespread failure of fridges with defective linear compressors and the subsequent high-profile class-action lawsuit. Service coverage is strong in major American metropolitan areas, but gets dicey in the Midwest and in mountain states like Montana and North Dakota.
The LG LRFLC2706S is a counter-depth 36-inch fridge. Traditionally, storage space is a bugbear for counter-depth units like this one, the toll you must pay for flush-fit looks. However, this fridge (mostly) gets around this issue through what the company calls its Counter-Depth MAX design, which essentially hollows out space at the back of the fridge cabinet versus most conventional counter-depth units, though the cabinet still isn't quite as deep as a standard-depth fridge of a similar size. Temperature uniformity is highly consistent throughout, so there's no need to be overly tactical when unpacking temperature-sensitive groceries. It's a similar story in the freezer, where everything placed inside will be cooled to a similar level. Unfortunately, it doesn't lead the pack when it comes to produce preservation: the main fridge cabinet and crisper drawers are both relatively dry environments, which can cause delicate greens to begin wilting prematurely.
If you're dead-set on buying an LG fridge, but have a lower budget or need a smaller appliance, the LG LTCS20020S is worth a look. This 30-inch top freezer has a decently spacious interior for something this small, with enough space to comfortably fit even taller items like narrow-necked bottles within the fridge or bigger boxed items in the freezer. It's one of the few budget-friendly fridges we've tested with an inverter-controlled compressor. However, it does little to improve performance versus similar fridges with simpler cooling systems like the Frigidaire FFTR1835VW that have fewer obvious failure points.
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Samsung
Everyday Use8.0Refrigerator Capacity8.6Freezer Capacity7.0Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleFrench DoorCounter-DepthNoIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserInternalSamsung is a multinational company based in South Korea that produces a wide range of consumer electronics, including a popular range of televisions, monitors, soundbars, headphones, and home appliances like refrigerators. In the interest of full transparency, their products have suffered a less-than-stellar perception amongst consumers, with widely publicized failures involving everything from insufficiently cold fridge cabinets to faulty ice makers. Recent models have gone some way toward rectifying this reputation. However, it's still worth noting that the company still lags far behind others regarding service coverage within the United States.
The Samsung RF30BB6200QL is part of the company's higher-end Bespoke lineup. While it's pretty stripped down within that context, with no gimmicks like a separate beverage compartment, an in-door water and ice dispenser, or a built-in touchscreen display, this is still a feature-rich appliance. It has dual evaporators, providing a relatively humid fridge compartment where you can store delicate produce without it quickly wilting. There's also an auto-filling pitcher that you can store in one of the unit's doors. As a standard-depth 36-inch fridge, it also offers plenty of space within its fridge cabinet, with more than enough space for bigger casserole dishes.
Regarding storage solutions, there are two crisper drawers, another pair of high-capacity pantry drawers, and two split shelves. Unfortunately, its freezer storage space isn't necessarily remarkable: the tall lower bins don't extend all the way to the back of the cabinet. While the twin in-freezer ice makers can put out a relatively large amount of ice quickly, the double-wide tray also takes up a lot of room within that space. If you're looking for a counter-depth version of the same fridge, take a look at the Samsung Bespoke RF24BB6600QL.
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Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag
Everyday Use7.8Refrigerator Capacity6.6Freezer Capacity7.9Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleSide By SideCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer DoorSee all our test resultsWater DispenserIn-DoorWhirlpool Corporation is the grand old lady of American appliance manufacturers. It was founded in 1911 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, where its headquarters still reside. In the more than 100 years since then, it has absorbed dozens of other brands, including mainstays in the refrigerator market, such as KitchenAid and Maytag. Its repair network is highly robust, and in most parts of the US, you won't need to worry too much about not having access to an authorized service provider.
Check out the KitchenAid KRSC703HPS if you're shopping for a side-by-side unit and have room for a 36-inch fridge. As a counter-depth side-by-side, storage capacity isn't a strong point, with a narrow and shallow fridge compartment that really restricts just how much you can fit inside: bigger families need not apply. If you don't need the space, there's much to like here. This upper mid-range model features an inverter-controlled compressor and separate evaporators in the fridge and freezer compartments for more precise humidity regulation. The latter helps to maintain a high humidity level in the fridge cabinet and crisper drawers, meaning that delicate produce should remain crisp and fresh for upwards of a week. Temperatures are also highly uniform throughout the fridge and freezer compartments. There are also niceties like a removable wine rack for chilling your favorite varietals. Its ice maker is built into the freezer door, freeing up some space along the top of the cabinet.
All Reviews
We recommend refrigerators based on findings from our own testing. Your own needs may vary, so please take a look at all our refrigerator reviews below. Meanwhile, if you're searching for other recommendations beyond the best refrigerator brands, go ahead and check out our article on refrigerator types as well as our recommendations for the best refrigerators and best French-door models. Or, if you're still figuring out what'll fit in your kitchen, check out Refrigerator Sizes: How to Find the Perfect Fit. If you're interested in more specific technical breakdowns, check out our articles on how refrigerators work and how refrigerator ice makers work.