The Maytag MRT311FFFE is a mid-range 33" top-freezer refrigerator. It's pretty basic as far as fridges go, with a simple cooling system consisting of a fixed-speed compressor and a single evaporator in the freezer. There's no water dispenser, internal or otherwise, though it's compatible with an ejector-style ice maker, available for purchase separately. It's effectively a lightly modified variant of the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW, minus a few minor changes to its interior layout.
We've recently started testing refrigerators. We purchase each unit independently from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free of manufacturer influence. Each refrigerator undergoes the same tests to measure objective metrics such as temperature uniformity, produce preservation, and actual storage capacity, so you can easily compare results.
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Our Verdict
The Maytag MRT311FFFE is decent for everyday use. It offers up a good amount of space inside, especially for a 33" unit, though larger families might want to look elsewhere. Temperature uniformity inside the fridge compartment is decent for the most part, but it's worth noting that the shelves can be considerably colder than the desired setpoint; if you're worried about more temperature-sensitive items freezing, keep them in the door. Unfortunately, it does a middling job of keeping fresh produce crisp.
Simply designed fridge cabinet with a good amount of usable space.
Freezer space is generally sufficient for smaller families.
Freezer temperatures are exceptionally consistent.
Uniform fridge door bin temperatures.
No split shelving.
Freezer space can be limited with optional ice maker installed.
Fridge shelves are notably colder than temperature setpoint.
Frequent temperature cycling in freezer due to fixed-speed compressor.
Dry environment inside fridge cabinet causes produce to wilt quickly.
The Maytag MRT311FFFE has sub-par produce preservation performance. This isn't unexpected for a fridge with a simple single-evaporator cooling system, which circulates dryer freezer air to inhibit frost buildup. Consequently, moisture levels inside the fridge cabinet are low, and produce with a high water content, like celery or lettuce, will begin to wilt within the span of about a week. This won't change drastically if you place the produce inside the crisper drawers, as they don't seal very tightly.
Dry environment inside fridge cabinet causes produce to wilt quickly.
The Maytag MRT311FFFE's refrigerator capacity is good overall. The cabinet isn't the biggest overall, but it does make the most of its footprint, with no inconvenient bump-outs or adornments taking up space. The main weakness is in the lack of reconfigurability, as all shelving is full-width, leaving you unable to raise one half of its shelving to make more space below while keeping the other in place.
Simply designed fridge cabinet with a good amount of usable space.
No split shelving.
The Maytag MRT311FFFE has very good capacity inside its freezer. As with the fridge cabinet, the space can be a little limited for bigger families who frequently shop for bulk quantities of frozen goods, but it's generally sufficient for households of two or even three people, especially if you don't bother installing the optional ice maker.
Freezer space is generally sufficient for smaller families.
Freezer space can be limited with optional ice maker installed.
The Maytag MRT311FFFE's overall temperature uniformity performance is great, but with a few caveats. The fridge door bins are capable of staying within a food-safe range, but the shelves are a few degrees colder, to the point where they can get worryingly close to freezing temperatures even with a standard fridge temperature setpoint. Freezer temps are exceptionally consistent, but the frequent temperature cycling from the fixed-speed compressor can have an impact on food stored in the freezer on a long-term basis.
Freezer temperatures are exceptionally consistent.
Uniform fridge door bin temperatures.
Fridge shelves are notably colder than temperature setpoint.
Frequent temperature cycling in freezer due to fixed-speed compressor.
The Maytag MRT311FFFE is a good option for making ice. The optional ejector-style ice maker uses a simple, robust design and introduces few obvious weak points. It can output enough ice for a few drinks from empty, but if you're having a few guests over, you'll want to give it some time to fill.
Ice maker production rate is sufficient for smaller gatherings.
Max ice tray capacity is enough for medium-sized gatherings
Max ice tray capacity is too limited for larger parties.
Performance Usages
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This fridge is available in three different finishes, with no difference in technical specification.
| Model Code | Finish |
|---|---|
| MRT311FFFH | White |
| MRT311FFFE | Black |
| MRT311FFFZ | Stainless Steel |
The unit we bought and tested is an MRT311FFFE, with a black finish, and for those interested, here's the product label. If you come across another variant of this fridge, let us know in the comments so that we can update our review.
Popular Refrigerator Comparisons
The Maytag MRT311FFFE is a fairly standard top-freezer 33" refrigerator. It provides a good amount of space for a model such as this and has a simple, well-established design, minimizing potential reliability concerns and ensuring spare parts are easy to come by. Its biggest weakness comes from within: the Maytag is a mechanical twin to the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW, which shares the same cooling system and has a similar interior layout, the only real differences being the Maytag's full-width refrigerator deli drawer and a glass freezer shelf. However, the Whirlpool can typically be found for a considerably lower retail price and delivers practically identical performance. Its other main competition is the GE GTS22KGNRWW, which has a very similar design but does a considerably better job of keeping fresh produce crisp.
If you're looking for an alternative, see our recommendations for the best refrigerator brands and the best refrigerators overall, or, if you don't mind switching styles, the best French door refrigerators.
The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW and the Maytag MRT311FFFE are effectively the same fridge, so if you're interested in either, buy the unit that's cheaper. There are a few minor differences: the Maytag's in-fridge deli-shelf extends the whole width of the cabinet, giving more room for smaller containers, and its freezer shelf is made of glass instead of coated wire, but these differences don't really justify any sort of major price difference.
The GE GTS22KGNRWW is a better 33" top-freezer fridge than the Maytag MRT311FFFE. The GE and Maytag are closely matched in terms of capacity, but the GE pulls ahead as far as refrigeration performance goes, as it can keep fresh produce crisp and fresh inside its produce drawers better.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
