There are many aspects to consider from the size to door style, energy efficiency, brand and price. Here is a refrigerator buying guide that will help you find the right fridge for your budget and needs. Price is, of course, an important criterion in deciding a new fridge. Start with an estimate of how much you want to spend. A basic single door refrigerator can cost in the range of Rs 10, and Rs 20,, while side-by-side options are north of Rs 65, This is a long-term investment, so the budget should take that into consideration.
Before you consider buying a fridge, make sure you know what size will fit in your kitchen, especially if it has a modular design. For larger families, a bigger fridge makes more sense, even if it costs more. If you are a single person and living in a rented room, there is the option of a mini-fridge. Single door : The most common type of refrigerator, this model is for a single person or a family of two.
These fridges have only one door for the refrigerator and the freezer. They are smaller in size and have an average capacity of between and litres. Given the small size, single-door refrigerators have limited shelves. In terms of cooling technology, most single-door refrigerators come with a manual defrosting freezer where you have to press a button manually to defrost the ice.
Single-door refrigerators cost anywhere between Rs 10, and Rs 20,, depending on the features on offer. A double-door fridge has more space and is therefore aimed at households with four members.
Double-door refrigerators usually come with a capacity of litres. Compared to a single-door fridge, double-door refrigerators need more energy to function. However, thanks to energy-efficient star ratings, you can choose double door refrigerators that consume less power.
Unlike single-door refrigerators, double-door refrigerators are frost-free. This technology allows for even distribution of cool air inside the fridge by electric fans. Simply put, there is no formation of ice, and there is no need for defrosting.
Double-door refrigerators cost anywhere between Rs 20, and Rs 45, The big advantage of refrigerators that feature a freezer in the bottom is a slightly bigger deep freezer. Another advantage of bottom freezers is the convenience factor. For most people, the main fresh food storage area is more frequently used, whereas the freezer unit is used in less frequency.
In addition, we measure usable storage capacity, which rarely matches what manufacturers claim. Our engineers then use these measurements to calculate energy efficiency. Last, we incorporate survey data collected from CR members on thousands of refrigerators to judge predicted reliability and owner satisfaction for each brand and refrigerator type.
French-door models are extremely popular because of their high-end aesthetic. Some consumers prefer the convenience of bottom-freezers, which put fresh foods at eye level, but side-by-sides can fit better in a smaller kitchen because of their narrow doors.
See our full refrigerator ratings for how models in the different sizes and styles below performed in our tests. These traditional refrigerators are good for a lot of storage in a fairly tight spot. They tend to offer the most space for their size.
Widths vary between 28 and 33 inches. Manufacturers claim capacities of up to 23 cubic feet, but our tests found that average usable capacity is 17 percent less. Allow for a wide swing of the doors, and get used to crouching down to reach lower shelves and drawers. Widths range from 24 to 36 inches, and claimed capacities approach 30 cubic feet, though average usable space is less than that of comparable top-freezers. Top-freezers cost less, too. Instead of the freezer, which many people use less, being at eye level, your refrigerator shelves are easily scannable.
Just get used to bending to rifle through frozen goods. These have two narrow doors on top and a freezer below. Sometimes there is one drawer or more in between. Widths range from 28 to 36 inches.
Claimed capacities go up to 34 cubic feet, though the average usable space is much less, at 17 cubic feet. With the fridge on one side and freezer on the other, these usually have through-the-door ice and water dispensers. Pricey and made to fit almost flush with cabinets and counters, these sleek beauties come in bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French-door styles. They are usually tall above 70 inches and wide 30 to 48 inches , with capacities up to 27 cubic feet of which only about 70 percent is usable.
Look for optional front panels to match your kitchen cabinets. Or get the look for a little less with a freestanding counter-depth version. Another built-in option: a column fridge, as narrow as 18 inches, to make the most of a kitchen nook. Most refrigerator configurations come in a range of sizes and capacities. Always measure where you plan to put the refrigerator before you shop. To help you find the right size refrigerator for your kitchen, our refrigerator ratings are now organized by width, allowing you to easily see the highest-rated models for the size you need.
We also note the height and depth of each tested model. To help you find the best refrigerators outside the standard dimensions, we have guides to the best counter-depth refrigerators , inch-wide refrigerators , and inch-wide refrigerators. As for capacity, most manufacturers recommend 19 to 22 cubic feet for a family of four. But if you do a big weekly shopping trip or buy in bulk, you may need more—up to 30 to 33 cubic feet. Note: Our tests have found that the amount of usable storage is often less than the amount claimed.
Check our refrigerator ratings for the actual capacity of each model. And to see the biggest and best fridges from our ratings, see this guide to the best refrigerators for big families. Energy efficiency has become a big selling point with consumers. But efficiency varies by model e. We give all the refrigerators we test a score for energy efficiency and list their estimated annual energy cost. You can check our refrigerator ratings for details. So, keep your expectations within your space and budget considerations.
If you'd like a model with onboard water and ice, know that this feature will reduce the overall capacity. It will also require a plumbing connection.
Next, do you want a freezer compartment and where would you like it to be: on the side side-by-side , on the bottom bottom mount or on the top top mount. Maybe, you already have a standalone freezer nearby and you'd prefer an all refrigerator model. That will save money, but you'll have less model variety to choose from. Each style of refrigerator has its convenience level. Features, shelving, and humidity controls vary per model and of course, will influence the bottom line. If you've nailed down your choices to a French door model, you can help to keep costs down by getting only food storage features that matter to you.
Costs for this popular fridge style can be considerable, so choose wisely. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.
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