How to Choose a Refrigerator

Refrigerators are an expected centerpiece to every kitchen. They make their own ice and cool different sections at individual temperatures, along with offering many other features that combine convenience with efficiency to keep your food safe, fresh, and ready to prepare.

The lifespan of a quality fridge can last for many years, but eventually, you’ll probably be in a position to choose the one you really want. Learn what to consider before you choose a new refrigerator from the many available options. And if you’re not quite sure if it’s time to replace yours, we’ve included a list of signs that your refrigerator may be close to giving out.

Measure Before You Buy

To help inform your decision on selecting a refrigerator, start with these considerations on the size and space you have available for the appliance:

• Measure the height, width, and depth of your existing refrigerator and the space it occupies to use as a guideline of what you can replace it with.
• Measure the width and height of the refrigerator against every doorway the appliance will have to pass through between the driveway for delivery and the kitchen for installation. It doesn’t matter that the refrigerator will fit in your kitchen space if it can’t fit through the doors to get it there.

There are a few additional space considerations when it comes to placing a refrigerator, whether you’re planning for a new kitchen or just a remodel. Selecting the right refrigerator is about more than just the right size footprint for the base.

When considering size and placement options, be aware of any walls, cupboards, kitchen islands, or opening drawers that could block the free movement of refrigerator doors. Add the depth of the door hinge to the width of the unit to account for the swing of an open door, as well as the handle—you don’t want the refrigerator door putting a dent in the wall. It’s best to account for two inches or more with most doors.

Take care to ensure that wherever the refrigerator is placed, the vent system is not obstructed by cabinets or flooring requirements. It’s important to keep in mind that poor ventilation diminishes performance and shortens the lifespan of a refrigerator, regardless of whether it’s a built-in or freestanding model.

The Basic Refrigerator Types

What kind of space do you have? Is it an open floor plan kitchen, or will your refrigerator be boxed in by cupboards and cabinets? In order to determine the best fit in your home, decide if you need a built-in or freestanding refrigerator.

Built-in Refrigerators

• Built-in refrigerators are designed to sit flush with the lines of your existing cabinets or in a wall cutout and can include more custom food storage options, such as a wine cooler or different sized freezers. It depends on what you want in your kitchen and the space available.
• They require professional installation, with any customized cabinetry work built around it to accommodate their size and door operation.
• Built-in refrigerators have top and bottom front-facing exhausts to vent heat and keep plenty of airflow to the motor and coolant systems.
• They are also more customizable, with options for front panels that can be designed to match the surrounding cabinetry.

Freestanding Refrigerators

• Freestanding refrigerators tend to be less expensive than built-in models and are easier to install, which makes them more popular with homeowners.
• These units come in a variety of sizes and multiple finishes, allowing you to find one that fits in your existing space.
• Freestanding refrigerators are not as customizable, offering more uniform options from model to model, such as more interior depth, shelving, and freezer placement.
• They do not sit flush with the depth of the average cabinetry and can extend into the walkway of the kitchen.

What Is the Best Refrigerator Storage Capacity?

Another key decision for your family’s needs is how much room you’ll need to effectively store and cool all the food you use. From less than a cubic foot to more than 26 cubic feet, there are plenty of options for refrigeration space to meet most home requirements. Here are some factors to keep in mind when shopping.

• A good average would be to plan for 5 to 8 cubic feet of storage capacity per person.
• Produce, dairy, and meat all have different optimal storage requirements, which most models meet by specially designed drawer systems that change the amount of space available for shelving.
• Pay attention to where storage drawers and shelf units are located within the refrigerator. You want them to be easily accessible and designed for the long term.

Choose the Right Freezer Size

When choosing a refrigerator, keep in mind the kind of food you intend to use it for most often. If your family eats mostly vegetables or fresh foods, you’ll want a larger refrigerator section. If your family buys in bulk or keeps frozen foods in stock, make sure not to skimp on the freezer space.

• Freezer capacity is different than refrigerator capacity. Frozen food is stackable, boxed, and preserved, so there are fewer demands on temperature and humidity.
• Modern refrigerator freezers tend to accommodate the different food storage needs with freezer sections that aren’t as clearly defined or segmented.
• Drawer freezers are popular for the amount of food they can hold and for their minimal physical demands. You won’t need to kneel or crouch to check the bottom shelves—just open the drawer and look down.

Different Refrigerator Styles and Designs

With those basic considerations accounted for, you’ll have a good idea of what your family’s requirements are from a refrigerator. Keeping them in mind, the next step is to decide on the style. How do you want the refrigerator to look? What design will best meet your needs while making the rest of your kitchen look good? Explore the differences in style and design for refrigerators.

Top Freezer Refrigerators

• Most common style and typically the best priced option
• Separate freezer and refrigerator compartments
• Freezer section above the larger refrigerator area
• Features wide shelves for plenty of storage space
• Produce bins primarily on the bottom for best accessible use of space

Bottom Freezer Refrigerators

• A popular style in the modern home
• Separate freezer and refrigerator compartments
• Refrigerator section above the freezer space
• Fresh food storage at eye level for easier access
• Pullout drawer freezers
• Optional utility racks or baskets for easier sorting and storage

French Door Refrigerators

• Separate freezer and refrigerator compartments
• Great for larger items and food organization
• Refrigerator section above the freezer space
• Fresh food storage at eye level for easier access
• Pullout drawer freezers and humidity-specific zones
• Optional utility racks or baskets for easier sorting and storage
• Narrow doors ideal for small kitchen spaces
• Wider interior spaces than a side-by-side refrigerator

Side-by-Side Refrigerators

• Compartments take up one entire vertical section, from top to floor
• Separate freezer and refrigerator compartments
• Fresh food storage at eye level for easier access
• Produce bins primarily on the bottom for best accessible use of space
• Narrow doors ideal for small kitchen spaces
• Energy-efficient design
• Narrow interior storage shelves

Counter-Depth Refrigerators

• Available in most styles, from top freezers to French doors
• Designed to fit flush with existing cabinets at the standard depth of most modern countertops
• Less interior space in exchange for more floor space and walkway
• Great for small floor plan or galley kitchens

Drawer Refrigerators

• Drawer storage available for both freezer and refrigerator capabilities
• Smaller size in height, width, and depth
• Standalone, built-in, or undercounter options

Undercounter Refrigerators

• Designed to be built in to existing counter spaces or as freestanding units
• Front-facing vent systems to allow for enclosed-area placement
• Commonly designed as beverage storage

High-End Refrigerators

• Multiple styles and storage capacities available, either French door or side-by-side refrigerators
• More specific storage capacity and footprint within the kitchen for built-ins, often requiring professional installation
• Can come with more customizable exteriors, such as paneling or finishes
• Highly organized, with specific zones to meet the storage needs for different produce, dairy, meats, or wine and sodas

Smart Storage Refrigerators

• Separate freezer and refrigerator compartments
• Energy-efficient design
• Multiple styles and storage capacities available, either French door or side-by-side refrigerators
• Folding or sliding shelving options to keep food storage more easily accessible and organized
• Multiple humidity and temperature zones to best preserve different types of food
• New technology features designed to save time and energy consumption or just add to the experience in your kitchen

Optional Features of Smart Refrigerators

• Ability to set a customized temperature or monitor energy use to time defrost cycles with your area’s lowest energy use times
• Door-in-door storage access to allow frequently used items—such as condiments or beverages—to be retrieved through a smaller, exterior door without wasting cold air looking for them
• Built-in cameras to let you see the contents of your fridge from a touchpad screen on the door or even an app on your phone if you’re out shopping, without the need to waste energy opening the door
• App notifications to changes in power use, like a power outage, or if it’s time to change a water filter
• Voice control and Wi-Fi features

Additional Refrigerator Features to Consider

For those finishing touches, look for the smaller details. These are generally more flexible features but can make a difference in how happy you are with your purchase in the long run.

Finishes and Colors

• White: Durable, universal fit with many kitchen styles
• Stainless steel: Durable, easy to clean, and easy to match with any kitchen style, but tends to show fingerprints
• Black stainless steel: Smudge- and fingerprint-proof and easy to clean, but susceptible to scratching
• Customizable front panels: Can match your existing cabinetry finishes, depending on the refrigerator brand and model

Shelving

• Glass: Easy to clean, tempered for strength, scratch-resistant, and contains any spills to one spot
• Plastic: Easy to clean and contains spills
• Baskets: Moveable, easy organization
• Customizable organization: Shelves that securely slide out of the way or fold up to latch to the interior to allow more space for taller items

Drawers

• Customizable for temperature, humidity control, and even air purifiers to keep food fresh for longer
• Crispers
• Freezers
• Temperature-controlled pantry

Ice Makers

• Built in: Use same amount of space as stacking refillable ice trays but with ice ready when you want it, without the work
• Through-the-door: Cubed or crushed ice options available

Water Dispensers

• Through-the-door: A panel in the door to dispense the water with the press of a button
• Filtered: Requires periodically replacing the filters
• Hot and cold temperatures: Options include room temperature dispensing, chilled, or hot water
• Auto-fill pitchers: A docking station inside the refrigerator refills whenever the pitcher is placed—some with diffusers for fruit or herbal flavoring

ENERGY STAR®

• Certified to use 20% less energy compared to other models
• Meet U.S. Department of Energy standards

7 Signs You Need a New Refrigerator

Before your fridge completely gives out, it will usually give you a few indications that’s it’s wearing out. Take a look at seven of the most obvious signs that you may need to choose a new refrigerator soon.

1. Excessive Condensation

If your fridge looks as though it’s sweating in the middle of a heat wave, the problem might be that it’s not cooling properly. If you notice this, analyze the rubber sealing around the door to see if there are any water droplets or signs of mildew or mold. Depending on how bad the sealing is, you could potentially fix it on your own.

You may also notice signs of condensation inside your fridge as well. If so, this typically means your temperature setting isn’t operating as it should. If the problem persists long enough, there’s a good chance the inaccurate temperature will start ruining your food.

2. Motor Runs Hot

Feeling a warmer temperature when you put your hand to the back of your refrigerator is common. However, feeling excessive amounts of heat is an obvious sign that something is not right within your fridge. The coils in the back of your fridge are insulated, which should keep you from feeling too much heat.

If you notice this in your refrigerator, call a repair technician to inspect your coils. Depending on the situation and the problem at hand, replacing the coils could be an option to consider.

But if you have an old fridge, especially one that’s showing other signs that it’s fading, it may be a better investment to buy a new refrigerator than to continue repairing a less-efficient one on its last legs.

3. Food Spoils Fast

Another indisputable sign that your fridge is about to break down is when you notice your food start to smell and/or spoil days before it normally would. Or, if you put a six-pack of beer in the fridge and notice that it’s taking longer than usual to get cold.

A fridge that takes longer to cool your food or is unable to maintain the temperatures it’s supposed to is using more energy than it should. A lot more energy. This not only means you’re spending more on your energy bills, but you’re also wasting money on any food you have to throw out due to your faltering refrigerator.

4. Freezer Is a Winter Wonderland

One of the most common signs you may notice, is that your freezer is starting to resemble an iceberg. While you obviously want a freezer to keep your food in its intended frozen state, it’s not normal for you to have to chisel ice off just so you can reach a bag of peas.

If you find yourself in this situation, the first thing you should do is defrost the freezer. Once you have done this, plug it back in and monitor how it acts. If the problem continues to arise, then it may be time to consider getting a new refrigerator. Since many newer units have an automatic defrosting feature, this problem is becoming less common. But it is a problem that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible, no matter how old or new your fridge is.

Another solution to consider is buying an extra freezer to store your frozen necessities. Not only will this solve your continual iceberg problem, but it can also save you lots of money in the long run.

5. Fridge Is More Than 10 Years Old

A refrigerator can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. The older your unit is, the more it may cost to repair it. Eventually the cost of repairs will start to outweigh what you’d spend on a replacement.

If your fridge is more than a decade old and in need of constant repairs, it’s not a bad idea for you to start saving up for choosing a new one. It may feel like you’re needlessly spending money, but if you consider the savings of buying a more energy-efficient fridge, as well as how much you won’t spend on repairs, you’ll quickly realize that this is a wise investment.

6. Fridge Isn’t Energy Efficient

If your energy bills have been looking a bit higher lately and you’re still using the same amount of power from month to month, inefficient appliances may be the root of your problem. ENERGY STAR refrigerators are more efficient than older fridges, better for both your wallet and the environment.

As you’re considering new fridges, pay attention to the specific type of fridge and the features they offer. Manual defrost fridges don’t use as much energy as automatic defrost units if they’re maintained well. A fridge with a freezer on top usually uses less energy than a fridge with a freezer on the bottom.

7. You Can Hear Your Fridge Running

This isn’t a prank phone call from the ’90s—if you can indeed hear your fridge running, it’s time to call out a technician to see what the issue may be. While fridges typically aren’t the quietest appliances, you shouldn’t really notice any noise while it’s running. An ongoing buzz or hum can be problematic if either noise persists long after you plug back in your refrigerator or closed the doors.

If the excessive noise continues after a technician comes out, you only have two options. Buy a new one or try to catch it before it runs away.

Is It Time for a New Refrigerator?

In the end if you’re unable to decide whether you should keep repairing your refrigerator for a few years longer or go ahead and buy a new one, consult a reputable and trustworthy technician. You could also check to see if your fridge is under warranty or has an extended service plan. While this is unlikely for older units, it’s still worth checking into.

Just remember, at some point, continuing to repair an aging refrigerator is going to cost you significantly more than just simply replacing it.