The 7 Best Refrigerators of 2023

For many families, the kitchen is the center of the home. Whether you are quickly grabbing water on your way out the door or meticulously meal prepping for the week, you rely on your refrigerator to keep food unspoiled and ready to eat.

While all refrigerators and freezers should serve the essential purpose of keeping your food at safe temperatures, modern refrigerators vary in size, price, door design, colors, and features. But remember, you don’t have to come home with the first new refrigerator that catches your eye. It’s best to take your time as long as you aren’t replacing your refrigerator in an emergency.

We at the This Old House Reviews Team have carefully reviewed the bestselling models and brands in the appliance market and arrived at the best refrigerators of 2022.  We considered factors such as the available features, internal capacity, Energy Star certification, average customer rating, and the warranty offered by each manufacturer.

• Best For Families: Samsung Family Hub French Door Refrigerator
• Most Unique Features: Bosch 800 Series Refrigerator
• Best Bottom Freezer: LG LRDCS2603S Refrigerator 
• Best For Organization: LG Instaview Refrigerator
• Best External Water Dispenser: GE Profile French Door Refrigerator
• Most Customizable: Samsung Top-Freezer Refrigerator
• Best Design: Maytag French Door Refrigerator

Best for Families

Samsung Family Hub French Door Refrigerator

• Finishes: Black stainless steel, Stainless steel
• Capacity: 26.5. ft.
• Energy Star Qualified: Yes
• Dimensions: 35.75 x  35.38 inches x 70 inches

This refrigerator is our top pick because of its large internal capacity of 26.5 cubic feet, its organizational elements like an internal water and ice dispenser, and its seamless integration with other elements of your smart home.

The Samsung Family Hub is also the only refrigerator on our list with a built-in screen. For those wondering what a refrigerator screen does, it can display family photos, keep track of shopping and to-do lists, show you who’s at the front door, and more.

Pros and Cons

✔ Has several useful smart features
✔ Has an elegant stainless steel finish
✔ Features a large capacity

✘ Has a high price point and may have features that some don’t find useful
✘ Ice maker can be inconsistent

If you’re looking for a smart refrigerator with several unique features and a large capacity, shop today for the Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator.

Most Unique Features

Bosch 800 Series Refrigerator

• Finishes: Stainless steel, Black Stainless Steel
• Capacity: 21 cu. ft.
• Energy Star Qualified: Yes
• Dimensions: 28.5 x 35.63 x 72 inches

This refrigerator features MultiAirFlow™ circulates gentle and cool air throughout the freezer to minimize temperature fluctuations. This model is also Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing you to use your smart home’s hub to access and control the fridge.

Pros and Cons

✔ Has automatic temperature and humidity adjustments
✔ Features a large fridge compartment
✔ Includes internal dispensers

✘ Has a much higher price point than many other models
✘ Does not have an ice or water maker on the door

If you think a refrigerator from a trusted brand with a sleek design, temperature control, and other unique features is a good fit for you, shop for the Bosch Series 800 today.

Best Bottom Freezer

LG LRDCS2603S Refrigerator

• Finishes: PrintProof™ stainless steel and PrintProof™ black stainless steel
• Capacity: 25.5 cu. ft.
• Energy Star Qualified: Yes
• Dimensions: 34.9 x 34.8 x 68.9 inches

The bottom-freezer design has surged in popularity due to the larger capacity and ease of seeing the contents inside. This LG model is also the most affordable option featured on this list.

While it doesn’t have a built-in water dispenser, the gallon door shelves make it convenient to reach for your favorite beverage without having to shuffle containers around. Its significant internal capacity of 25.5 cubic feet should not be underestimated either.

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a large number of cubic feet for its price point
✔ Features fingerprint-resistant finish
✔ Includes Sabbath feature

✘ Does not include smart features
✘ Does not include a built-in water dispenser

If you’re seeking a bottom-freezer refrigerator with a spacious interior, sleek design and a variety of useful features, shop today for the LG LRDCS2603S Refrigerator.

Best For Organization

LG Instaview Refrigerator

• Finishes: Stainless steel
• Capacity: 27 cu. ft.
• Energy Star Qualified: Yes
• Dimensions: 34.3 x 35.8 x 68.4 inches

Inside this refrigerator, you’ll find six glass shelves, a snack and deli drawer, two humidity-controlled crispers, and two freezer drawers. You can access your refrigerator through the companion app, but it is otherwise not smart-enabled. This model also features a door alarm, so the fridge or freezer won’t be left ajar for long periods.

This fridge is a great choice if you’re looking for a product with excellent organizational features and shelves. Shop for the LG Instaview Refrigerator today.

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a larger capacity than most other refrigerators
✔ Features door-in-door so you can see food and beverages without air escaping
✔ Has an alarm to ensure it doesn’t accidentally get left open for a long period

✘ Adjusting the temperature can be challenging
✘ Lacks smart features

Best External Water Dispenser

GE Profile French Door Refrigerator

• Finishes: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel
•  Capacity: 27.7 cu. ft.
• Energy Star Qualified: Yes
• Dimensions: 36.3 x 35.8 x 69.9 inches

This model also features a Turbo Cool setting, which automatically lowers the temperature when it detects frequent door openings. Additionally, it has a fingerprint-resistant design and showcase LED lighting that makes it easy to see every corner of your fridge.

If your household could use a refrigerator that makes delicious, easy-to-obtain water and keeps your food cold at all times, shop today for the GE Profile French Door Refrigerator.

Pros and Cons

✔ Features automatic temperature control
✔ Has a hands-free water dispenser
✔ Uses an RPWFE replacement filter to remove trace pharmaceuticals

✘ Has a lack of finish options
✘ May be too large for tight spaces

Most Customizable

Samsung Top-Freezer Refrigerator

• Finishes: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, Fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel
•  Capacity: 21.1 cu. ft.
• Energy Star Qualified: Yes
• Dimensions: 32.9 x 31.9 x 67.8 inches

This top refrigerator from Samsung gives you many of the features of a high-end refrigerator for a fraction of the cost.

It includes FlexZone technology that allows you to easily convert it from a freezer to a fridge when you need it. Additionally, it comes with twin cooling plus, which maintains high fridge humidity and dry freezer conditions to prevent food from spoiling.

This fridge also features adjustable shelves and a slide-and-reach pantry, giving you maximum flexibility over how you want to organize your fridge.

Pros and Cons

✔ Allows you to convert the freezer to an extra fridge if needed
✔ Comes in multiple sleek finishes
✔ Has a low price point

✘ Capacity is on the smaller end
✘ Does not come with an external filter

If you want an affordable fridge that doesn’t lack flexibility or overall space, shop today for the Samsung Top Refrigerator.

Best Design

Maytag French Door Refrigerator

• Finishes: Stainless steel
•  Capacity: 24.7 cu. ft.
• Energy Star Qualified: Yes
• Dimensions: 35.6 x 35.3 x 70.3 inches

This product also includes a wire and plastic basket, two FreshLock crispers, three adjustable half-width shelves, and three adjustable gallon door bins for plenty of storage and customization options. With bright LED lighting inside, this fridge also makes it easy to see where all of your food is stored.

If you are interested in a high-quality refrigerator that provides easy control, lots of storage space, and a fashionable design, shop for the Maytag French Door Refrigerator today.

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a sleek, elegant design
✔ Has customizable storage options
✔ Features a tall water dispenser that’s good for filling bottles

✘ The freezer is smaller than average
✘ Can occasionally run warm

When shopping for a refrigerator, it’s important to approach the process with knowledge about the average price range, types of refrigerators, standard capacity and components, available finishes, typical features, and the brand you are purchasing from. For a detailed guide, see our buying guide for major appliances.

If special features aren’t the most important aspect of your refrigerator to you, you can find a basic model refrigerator for as low as $500. Generally, a standard refrigerator with the freezer on top will be more affordable than side-by-side refrigerators, models with built-in ice makers, models with bottom freezers, and smart refrigerator options.

In 2021, the average refrigerator will cost consumers between $1,000 and $2,000. There will be outliers on either side of this range, depending on the features you desire.

There are several different types of refrigerators on the market, including:

• Top freezer: Top-freezer refrigerators are the classic refrigerator style that have been popular across the United States for decades. These models will cost less than newer configurations.
• Side-by-side: Side-by-side models have a vertical freezer on one side and a vertical refrigerator on the other. Some side-by-side refrigerators will feature built-in water or ice dispensers on the freezer side.
• Bottom freezer: Bottom freezer configurations have become popular recently, as they provide a large amount of freezer space. The refrigerator portion is at eye level while the freezer portion typically opens like a drawer for easy access to frozen foods.
• French door: French door models have become popular for their sleek and modern appearance. Because you can open one side of the refrigerator without opening the other, french door refrigerators are considered more energy efficient than other models.
• Counter-depth: Counter-depth refrigerators can come in a variety of configurations, such as those listed above, but its distinguishing factor is its shorter depth to save floor space.

Capacity

The capacity of a refrigerator often depends on the design. The capacity that works best for your needs will depend on the number of people in your household, but you may also need to take your kitchen’s available space into account before you go shopping. With that in mind, each adult in your household will need between 4–6 cubic feet of refrigerator space on average.

Compartments

Most refrigerators include at least two adjustable shelves that help make it easier to store and organize your food. Modern refrigerators also include side doors and shelves for storing smaller items like condiments, drinks, and toppings.  Fridges also typically include a freezer compartment for storing frozen foods and goods.

Finishes

Each appliance manufacturer will offer its own suite of proprietary finish options, but you can typically find refrigerators in white, black, and stainless steel. In recent years, stainless steel has become the most popular option, but it will typically be more expensive than white and black colorways.

Additional Features

Refrigerator features can vary from model to model, especially between traditional and smart refrigerators. While there are many features to look for and consider when choosing a refrigerator, our team’s list includes the following:

• Door style
• Door alarms and child locks
• Shelves and organization drawers
• Built-in ice maker
• Built-in water dispenser
• Controls
• Screens
• Automatic temperature control

Energy Use

Many modern appliances come complete with Energy Star Certification. Energy Star-certified refrigerators must be at least 15% more efficient than the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency.

Brands

Hundreds of brands make refrigerators, most some are more trusted than others. Among the most well-established refrigerator retailers are LG, Whirlpool, Maytag, Samsung, Galanz, GE, Bosch, Insignia, Frigidaire, and Magic Chef. Other brands may also be reliable but have fewer customer and professional reviews, so be sure to research thoroughly before purchasing.

Upgrade your kitchen’s performance by purchasing a refrigerator that meets all of your needs. While it has a higher-than-average price point, the Samsung Family Hub offers impressive design features. The LG LRDCS2603S and Bosch 800 Series provide large storage capacity and strong brand reputations.

The best way to make sure you purchase the best refrigerator for your home’s needs is to be thoughtful about the purchase. Carefully read reviews like ours as well as customer reviews and details about each manufacturer’s warranty.

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing heavily researched recommendations and insight into the categories we cover. We seek to earn and keep your trust by practicing ongoing transparency about the process of our reviews and the factors we take into account.

Our 100-point rating system for refrigerators accounts for seven key factors. We scored the fridges featured in this article in the following way:

• Features (up to 30 total points): This category accounts for the most commonly sought-after refrigerator features, such as automatic temperature control, built-in water and ice dispensers, Energy Star certification, and more.
• Finishes (up to 1 point): Products that came in more than one finish were rated higher than products with only one finish option.
• Average customer rating (up to 15 points): Each product received a score from zero to 15 depending on its average customer rating. We rounded up decimal ratings to the nearest whole number.
• Capacity (up to 10 points): Refrigerators with a capacity of 21 cubic feet or more were scored higher than their smaller counterparts.
• Smart technology (up to 5 points): If a product included app integration or Wi-Fi compatibility, it received five points.
• Manufacturer’s warranty (up to 20 points): We researched each product’s manufacturer’s warranty and awarded each product 25 points if it came with any kind of warranty or guarantee.
• Customer service (up to 14 points): We researched the customer service options available to homeowners after they’ve purchased their item. Each product received points if its manufacturer offered phone, chat/text, or access to replacement parts.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.