While youll seamlessly make ice, dispensing it will be the most significant hurdle as its system is relatively poor. And with the rise in tiny homes and rental homes, there are even more uses for mini fridges. The ultimate dorm addition, this Costway option is just like your regular fridge, only smaller (reviewers even say it's just as quiet). According to Consumer Reports, the two models are also not easy to use. You think youre purchasing a new fridge with all the perfect features. It was also the least consistent freezer of the group; temperatures ranged between 2F and 8F. Storage: If you plan on storing your lunch and a few cans of seltzer at your desk or need to keep your skincare products fresh, a smaller model, like our picks from Cooluli or Cooseon, will likely do the trick. Nonetheless, most of the other models are highly rated. Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Other options include freezer drawers and portable freezers, but theyre a much smaller part of the market (and we dont test them). It is also highly rated in temperature uniformity, and 3 out of 5 customers are impressed by its performance. Galanz 24 in. 47-Bottle Wine Cooler in Stainless Steel, with Electrical There are no consumer reviews on Consumer Reports to help perhaps understand why this could be so. But even though you may be shopping more often these days, with food prices ticking up you may still need extra freezer space to take advantage of the bargains you find. While you can use its freezer as a second refrigeration compartment, don't expect your ice cream to come out cone-ready. Its hard to beat an inexpensive refrigerator with so many great features. However, she was also keen to indicate that its temperature control was not too good. ft. upright freezer but offers almost twice as much usable space. However, a bad brand will be hyped up with many marketing tools, sometimes even with good article reviews and press relations. When it comes to mini fridges, we look for models that are easy to set up and operate and that keep items cold or even frozen. Despite its name, the Arctic King ATMP032AES has some of the warmer temperatures we measured. While the fridge compartment features steady, accurate temperatures, its freezer runs warm on default settings: It averages about 3F instead of 0F. Theyre also easier to organize. It's ideal for storing items like ice cream, pet food or other small frozen foods. It is slightly priced higher than the formerly discussed model, but it has superior features that make the increased cost worthwhile. A separate alarm is triggered when the internal temperature of the freezer rises, helping you quickly troubleshoot so that your food stays safely frozen. However, be wary of its ice maker performance, rated fair. We measure each shelf, bin, or other storage location separately, then add those areas together. Best Freezer Buying Guide - Consumer Reports Also, it features digital controls near its entrance and is also efficient in terms of noise. Consumer Reports member surveys back up that claim, with 10 years being the median expected life span for a newly purchased refrigerator. Eva had a little blue mini fridge in her bedroom in middle school so she always had a chilled beverage at her disposal. The brand has some average-rated models on Consumer Reports. Size and capacity: Mini fridges, also known as compact refrigerators, vary in size from 0.14 cubic feet to 3.3 cubic feet. Also, if you have seen the brand, youll at a glance note that its doors are misaligned. Below is a detailed breakdown of the winning and losing brands across the major refrigerator categories, along with some standouts in the areas of reliability and owner satisfaction. The fridges default settings ran warm, hitting an average temperature less than 1F below the safe zone of 40F. Consumers recommend the free-standing model above the cupboard. The criteria for getting on this list werent so much worst refrigerators versus best refrigerators. We love that it comes with storage solutions like a sliding storage basket for items that you reach for often and a removable interior divider that can hold items like bags of fruits or veggies so that they don't get lost at the bottom of the freezer. GE refrigerators once were the pride of American appliance manufacturing. Its ease of use is also not too great despite being an expensive model priced at $6,400.00. We also look for handy features like removable shelves, interior lighting and crisper drawers. Chrome door cover and door handle. It means that probably not many customers have bought the brand. It will make your ice, but its performance in this respect will be fair at best, so dont be too expectant of its capabilities. How doers get more done . 25" x 10. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Find a better type with improved temperature regulation properties. She has tested a wide variety of kitchen appliances and gear from gas ranges to microwaves to kitchen scales to blenders and more. Hence for Amana, we only caution you against the particular type. Established in Sweden, the Electrolux company currently owns Frigidaire, Tappan, Kelvinator and Gibson appliance brands. Another area where the refrigerator ranks low is the crisper performance, rated poor. So when buying the model, youll have to weigh which of the attributes we have listed come first in your list. Samsung refrigerators have been cited in hundreds of complaints to the Consumer Product Safety Commission because of unsafe temperatures and malfunctioning icemakers. Some are pathetic, especially the models that have ratings below 40. Type: The two main types of freezers are upright freezers and chest freezers, and the main difference is how they are oriented. We dont use these measurements for our testing. It's available in four colors and a variety of sizes, ranging from 2.5 cubic feet all the way up to 12, so you can find one that meets your exact needs. While one bad apple may not be a reason to swear off the entire brand, several glitchy machines are a warning sign that the companys machine design may be inferior to other options on the market. . With the models, you will also struggle with thermostat control, and their energy use is also an issue of concern. Additionally, it features an externally placed water dispenser with quite a large ice storage area. Label food well for the same reason. If you are looking for a machine that will guarantee you a good supply of ice cubes, this shouldnt be your first choice. It features a manual defrost and drain to easily remove melting ice during defrosting. Retrieve your username. So it would be best to avoid the model. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter. Frigidaire itself is one of the nations favorite refrigerator brands. 75" Capacity: 0.14 cu. The ice maker and water dispenser are also one of the devices Achilles heels. The model is not too great, nor is the brand rated 1 out of 5 on Consumer Reports on the owner satisfaction parameter. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Eva Bleyer has tested all types of kitchen products from blenders to kitchen scales. FRIGIDAIRE Portable 10L, 15-can Mini Fridge Brushed Stainless Rugged Refrigerator, EFMIS188-SS By frigidaire 7.9 . Then, the reviewer checked Best Buy Reviews only to find many other users like them who reported ridiculous issues with the fridge. For perspective, this freezer occupies just slightly more floor space than the 3.1-cu. The adjustable thermostat allows for the perfect temperature. Kenmore offers a wide assortment of products in both chest and upright configurations. We added new picks from Magic Chef, GE and Samsung. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager. We still dont recognize that sign in. Among the most prominent concerns is the cost of their devices. We'll be in touch soon. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cons:Despite their hanging baskets, they can be harder to organize than upright models, and retrieving items buried near the bottom of the chest can be a reach. Because they dont self-defrost like uprights, the temperature stays consistently lower. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Features & Specs 10 Reviews 1 Videos Write a review. Some customers have also reported that its cooling is inconsistent, and sometimes it will fail promptly. LG has hopped up its refrigerators as the best, and reviews are generally good. If you want to reduce food waste and make your food last longer, take a look at our best freezers to buy in 2023. Chest freezers are low-profile box-shaped freezers with a hinged lid that opens from the top. Noting brands is important because a label and name give the story of product history. You want to avoid the refrigerators on this list because of the brands problems that may detract from your buying experience. Retro - Frigidaire - Appliances - The Home Depot Fisher & Paykel is among the top appliance manufacturers, especially regarding expected reliability and owner satisfaction. Its easier to compare capacities across different models that way. Sizes range from 7 to 25 cubic feet. How the refrigerators fan works are also quite bizarre, as it will go on when you do not expect it to function. Avanti offers a one-year warranty on this unit, which is also Energy Star certified. It has several outstanding features, such as efficient thermostat control and excellent temperature uniformity. Customer confidence in this model is our primary issue with an otherwise great refrigerator. Consider these factors before you hit the store: Location, LocationIf you plan to keep the freezer in a living area, consider how noisy it is (and also how it looks). The aluminum grip handle provides a modern and stylish design look. We thus recommend you avoid it if you are keen on getting a good-performing refrigerator in those areas. The new refrigerator also developed problems after a while. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. We like that the base of the door racks are rounded and closed, keeping smaller items from sliding out as you open and close the door. Their footprint is also larger than equivalent upright modelsa 22-cubic foot chest freezer takes up a 2 x 6-foot area vs. the 2 x 2 -foot area of a same-sized upright. Even though most manufacturers say models will operate in temperatures up to 110 F, check the product info for specifications. All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story. Best brand for mini fridge : r/Appliances - Reddit The model is an impressive upgrade on the other GEs side-by-side refrigerators. Samsung rarely gets it wrong on most of its devices, but they have several negative attributes it will have to address first on this model to rebuild its longstanding good reputation. This may prevent some items from freezing properly, so make sure to calibrate it to one notch below where Costway says you should for optimal results. Its shelves and bins were more or less identical to what we saw elsewhere. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI Consumer Report tool based upon the data collected. Prices range from $250 to $900. Despite this, Consumer Reports rated this model low on their list, which could mean that something is amiss with its performance or quality controlyou shouldnt settle for anything when there are better brands out there! Learn how to choose the best kitchen appliances (such as refrigerators, ranges, and dishwashers) and appliance extras (such as warming drawers and wine coolers) with our handy buying guides to find the models that are right for you. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Save products you love, products you own and much more! One caveat is that the coldest temperature this model can achieve is 40F, so it's best for cooling, not chilling or keeping perishables at a safe temp (35 to 38F is an ideal range for your refrigerator). Read More, The Insignia NS-CF26BK9 lacks a freezer, but keeps its fridge temps consistent. Hence, you cannot entirely fault Kenmore in all areas. For other highly rated fridges, see our comprehensiverefrigerator ratings. In addition, we recommend that you plan for at least 3 inches of space behind and on each side of the freezer to allow air to circulate around it. It has a bright interior LED light and an exterior light to indicate a power outage. They all have the key features you should expect: a power-on indicator light, a safety lock, two storage baskets, an interior light, and external temperature controls. Finally, the 4 casters allow for easily moving the freezer even when loaded with food. According to a Consumer Reports review, the models shelves are unadjustable, making them hard to operate. Free Shipping. An external water dispenser is most of the time alluring, and these models have such kinds. The model lacks a water dispenser, and the occasional shutting of the french doors are highlights of owner complaints. But it should be the last model you settle for, especially if you want a refrigerator with efficient thermostat control. One thing to keep in mind as you shop is that freezers are basically big empty boxes and can be hard to organize. While other specific models perform worse, both brands have more models that perform poorly across all refrigerator styles. We discourage you from settling for it because it has a poor crisper drawer performance and is rated fair on ice making. Galanz - Thoughtful Engineering . Yale Appliance rates them as the best for reliability, which means Whirlpool fridges tend to get the least service calls out of all the top brands. It includes a high-temperature alert light, a digital temperature display, a quick-freeze button, a freezer-to-fridge conversion button (we love a double-duty appliance!) Many owners have also been left unimpressed with the three models. There is an external power-on light that lets you know that the freezer is on, but some reviewers wish that it showed the exact temperature of the freezer on the outside. Customers are also impressed with its performance. The device also produces some deafening noise when performing normal tasks that do not warrant such an outcome. .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}8 Best Garments Bags of 2023, 8 Best Grill Pans of 2023, According to Testing, 6 Best Coolers of 2023, Tested by Experts. Fridge runs too warm and must be calibrated. When choosing between different Maytag models, settle for the highly rated ones, such as the MaytagMSF25D4MDH, which has a rating of 65 on Consumer Reports. Hence, its a model that will need to be replaced sooner than you thought. Based on our most recent survey results, we estimate that 31 percent of all refrigerators will require repairs by the end of the fifth year of ownership, making them one of the least reliable products we analyze in our surveys. Galanz GLR10 Retro-Look Refridgerator (10 CU FT) Galanz offer their gorgeous retro-look refrigerator in a variety of sizes, ranging from a small 2.5 cubic foot mini refrigerator all the way up to a large-scale 12 cubic foot option. Electrolux. If it will be up against a wall, it's good to ensure that your upright freezer has a reversible door so it can be opened easily. She updated this story based on extensive research and experience testing similar products. Theyre grouped by refrigerator typetop-freezers, bottom-freezers, French-doors, side-by-sides, and built-ins. It also has a few positive attributes, such as perfect ice-making. Primarily, the low rating is because customers have meager expectations of refrigerators. Galanz GLR10TRDEFR True Top Freezer Retro Refrigerator Frost Free, Dual Door Fridge, Adjustable Electrical Thermostat Control, Red, 10.0 Cu Ft. AI Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. The handle on top makes it easy to reposition as needed. You're all set to get the latest from Reviewed. We love that there is quite a lot of door storage and that the door is reversible to help the fridge work in your space. The rating of 2 out of 5 speaks volumes about its apparent inefficiency in electricity consumption. Dimensions: 19 11/16" x 15 7/8" x 29 1/8" Capacity: 1.34 cu. They called it out for things like malfunctioning ice makers and melted cheese. Lastly, the model has issues with frosting on the freezer, especially if you do not close the door properly. This freestanding Energy Star-rated freezer has a capacity of 2.1 cubic feet and can be stored in small or tight spaces. Black. Protect Yourself From Indoor Air Pollution, 21 Small Kitchen Appliances for $100 or Less, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The model is one of the reasonably priced refrigerators on Amazon, and customers have also acknowledged that it is an inexpensive option. They usually come with an automatic defrost function which makes them better for short-term storage. Until then, we advise you to avoid it. Also, it has generally left many customers dissatisfied. The rating is not too bad, considering there are worse models that we have already covered. This compares to its counterpart brands more moderated $1,000 to $2,000 range. Prices range from $350 to $1,500. Galanz Convertible Freezer/Fridge $800 at Amazon $900 at Home Depot Credit: Galanz Pros Converts from freezer to fridge and back Equipped with a light Adjustable glass shelves and crisper. Some have been made to wait for a long to have their devices fixed, and even with the fixing, the company does a shoddy job. Portable freezers for boating or camping require a standard 110-volt household outlet or a 12-volt power source (like a car battery). This tells you that if you can get the same design function from another brand and good service, you should avoid the bad refrigerator brand and go for the other. There are quite a few downsides, including the refrigerators poor crisper performance. However, generally, they all have subpar freezer performances. In terms of ice-making and crisper performance, the model is subpar. Customers have also been concerned about the thinness of its exterior stainless cover, which is far too easy to scrape off. The same went for Kenmore French-doors, which have compressors manufactured by LG. During testing, the Midea WHD-113FSS1 performed slightly below average, mostly due to its temperature control. The best and most reliable refrigerator brands of 2022 The adjustable thermostat aims to ensure an ideal temperature for your food. For about $900, you can walk away from the store knowing your new fridge will do everything it needs to! Learn more. Galanz operates one of the world's largest appliance manufacturing centers, where we bring our smart and dependable home appliances to life, which have been ready for exporting to the globe. An additional freezer in your home, garage or basement helps preserve excess produce to enjoy all year round and allows you to stock up on homemade and store-bought prepared meals. According to the manufacturer, this freezer is not designed for garage storage because garage temperatures can fluctuate a lot, often outside of the required temperature zone of 32F to 100F for efficient freezer operation. They are pricey, running $2,000 to $6,000, and are typically available in 24-inch and 30-inch widths. Also, expect these poorly rated models to disappoint you in a crisper version. Its surprising because Whirlpool makes some great models, but on this one, they have much to improve on. Whirlpool is sold through independent appliance dealers, home centers, and regional appliance centers. The price of either of them is not less than $3,398.00. The 16 Best Galanz Refrigerators (Buying Guide Included) We respect your privacy. Types of refrigerators vary by design, like built-in, side-by-side, and french-door refrigerators. You will also not get any improvement on the ice making performance as it is still rated fair. Price:Usually higher than chest models, from $350 to $2,000. The model has reasonable prices from $1,097.00 to $1,349.00. The company does not make any appliances, which should not be an excuse for creating poor ease-of-use models. Dimensions: 10.23" x 7.87" x11.41"Capacity: 0.21 cu. But still, there is a chance, although diminished, that youll land on the lowly-rated Amana ASI2575GRS. The Whirlpool Dual Door Mini Fridge has multiple handy features including a crisper drawer, removable glass shelves and door storage with both a can dispenser and room for taller items like wine bottles or two-liter soda bottles. Here is our list of refrigerator brands to avoid: Some of the worst Whirlpool refrigerators include:Refrigerator ModelConsumer Reports RatingWhirlpool WRF550CDHZ37Whirlpool WRT318FMDM41Whirlpool WRT541SZDM45Whirlpool WRT311FZDW49Whirlpool WRT519SZDM52Whirlpool WRT106TFDW52Whirlpool WRF560SMHZ58Whirlpool URB551WNGZ59Whirlpool WRS331SDHM60. ft. Retro style top freezer refrigerator can store and keep cool snacks, beverages and more. There are reasons to avoid some of the brands that made this list that have less to do with their technical value and more to do with issues that the market had with price vs. performance, quality of service, etc. Here is a list of the models that have been rated below 50 on Consumer Reports.Refrigerator ModelConsumer Report RatingFrigidaire FFHN2740PS49Frigidaire Gallery LGHB2869TF45Frigidaire Professional FPBS2777RF43Frigidaire FFHT1814QW40Frigidaire Gallery FGHF2366PF40Frigidaire Professional FPBG2277RF40Frigidaire BFPH31M6L[M] (Best Buy)38Frigidaire FFPH31M6L[M]38Frigidaire FFTR1821QS38Frigidaire LFPH31M6L[M] (Lowes)38Frigidaire FFHT1614QW37Frigidaire Professional FPBC2277RF35Frigidaire FFTR1621QW33Frigidaire FFHT1521QW29Frigidaire BFPH25M4L[ ] (Best Buy)22Frigidaire FFPH25M4L[B]22Frigidaire LFPH25M4L[ ] (Lowes)22. Many of the complaints involve Samsung French-door refrigerators, which received a less-than-favorable rating for predicted reliability and a subpar rating for owner satisfaction in our survey results. On the surface, KitchenAid products get good reviews. Prices range from $250 to $500. They have a range of built-ins and community food blogs. Galanz is most famous for its glossy exteriors and great temperature control while Frigidaire has a reputation for making durable minifridges that are energy efficient. For detailed test results, see ourfull freezer ratings and recommendations. An overall poor rating of the brand on Consumer Reports should worry you first before delving into its specifics. The freezer does run warm, however. Galanz is a leading global home appliances manufacturer of a range of thoughtfully engineered products, including toaster ovens, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and more. The results are the basis for CRs predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings in our refrigerator ratings charts. So to be safe, follow the lead and keep off the poorly rated models. However, we cannot fault the manufacturer in all aspects. Galanz minifridge. ft. At under $175, the Frigidaire Single Door Mini Fridge is our best value mini fridge. The company advises repairing such a device rather than replacing it altogether, which is the best thing, especially if it is recurrent. The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us. The ice maker and crisper performance for this refrigerator are rated average. When we test a standalone freezer or a freezer attached to a refrigerator, we test for performance by scoring how easy it is to use and its ability to regulate temperature and keep ingredients frozen. Once all the bad refrigerators you could run into are safely labeled and out of the way, youll want to know what to look for in a good refrigerator. They are worst performing in energy efficiency and freezer performance. While most freezers have a few baskets or bins for organization, Samsung's 11-Cubic-Foot Convertible Upright Freezer provides superior organization. It is out of doubt that Frigidaire is a behemoth in the Fridge manufacturing industry. To test freezers, our engineers fill each model with boxes of frozen spinach and run them in our test chambers for approximately six weeks to evaluate how well they keep the packages frozen. Lets be fair, a rating of 59 is not too bad, and with such a highly-rated model, youre tempted to ignore some of the negative aspects. The rating of 45 on Consumer Reports implies that it is one of the most miniature reliable refrigerators. Self-defrosting uprights did a better job of keeping their door shelves as cool as the rest of the freezer, and they save you the hassle of actively defrosting. Influence-free. It will prompt items to freeze when you dont want it to happen. Compare $ 1949 00 $ 2299.99. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Features. A single brand cannot be the worst, just like a single brand cannot indeed be the best. This is because most research defines worst and best brands from opinions and preferences. Also, you cannot control the humidity of the produce drawers. This is an example of a Whirlpool refrigerator model that shocked customers with its dysfunctionality. One even said that five different technicians had looked at their refrigerator to no avail. The ice drop is also quite loud, which youd not expect for a refrigerator in this century. . ft. In addition, customers also seem disappointed enough that there arent many rave reviews about these products on online forums either. We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence. It also has a poor crisper performance. The noise of the fridge is also a cardinal concern for customers. Consumer Reports also rates the temperature uniformity fair, which means plenty of room for improvement. If you are looking for a cheaply priced refrigerator, you can overlook the cons above. Food safety costs are incurred when you toss out frozen food because the refrigerators freezer unit didnt keep it at a food-safe temperature. The refrigerator is exemplary in thermostat control, and you can also not fault it on temperature uniformity and noise. The crisper performance of the model is also low. ft. Mini Fridge. Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. Igloo offers products ranging from 3.5 to 7 cubic feet in upright and chest configurations. Also, its thermostat control will disappoint you, as the rating of 2 out of 5 on Consumer Reports reveals. Also, the problems start cropping up as quickly as within six months. Keep in mind that some reviewers noted that this model can be noisy so it's best to put it in a location where it wouldn't disturb anyone. Haier is another large manufacturer that produces models for other brands. Its water and ice dispensing units are also of excellent quality. What to Look For in a Long-Lasting Refrigerator, 13 Air Conditioner Brands to Avoid & 7 Best Brands 2023, 12 Washing Machine Brands to Avoid (25 Model Numbers), 18 Refrigerator Brands to Avoid with Models (2023), Best Budget Stackable Washer Dryers Under $2500, Wire & Breaker Size for Electric Stoves, Wall Ovens, & Cooktops, Heat Pump Dryer Installation Guide (5 Things You Should Know), Using a Washing Machine With No Hot Water: 5 Things You Should Know, Inconsistent freezing efficiency in the freezer compartment. Save $ 350.99 (15 %) (11) Unique Appliances. Galanz minifridge vs. Frigidaire minifridge | KTLA For instance, models such as Whirlpool WRT311FZDW, Whirlpool WRT541SZDM, and Whirlpool WRT318FMDM tarnish the brands name. Also, if you were buying a side-by-side refrigerator, the Samsung RH29H9000SR should be the last model on your shopping list. In addition, we calculate energy efficiency, evaluate noise output, and judge how long a freezer can keep food frozen during a power outage. Design Statement: Magic Chef 3.2 Cu. ft. Refrigerator with Auto Close Doors. Nonetheless, the rating of 43 on Consumer Reports should inform you that something is somehow off about the model. The Best Refrigerator Brands of 2023 | Reviews by Wirecutter The Best Chest Freezers | Reviews by Wirecutter - New York Times