Buying guide for best high-end refrigerators
When it comes to refrigerators, not all are created equal. Today, many high-end models provide features that make them more efficient at keeping food cold and can help make life in the kitchen easier. If you’re willing to pay a little more for your fridge, you won’t regret upgrading.
A high-end refrigerator offers all the same features that standard fridges do, but it incorporates additional technology to make it even more useful in your kitchen. High-end models feature programmable controls to regulate temperature, efficient water and ice dispensers, and even smart technology that makes them especially user-friendly.
You’ll certainly pay more for a high-end fridge, though, so you want to get your money’s worth by choosing the right model. That means figuring out what type of refrigerator best fits your kitchen, what capacity you need, whether you want a smart fridge, and what other features will be most helpful in keeping your food fresh.
Not sure where to start? Our handy buying guide has all the information you need to choose the best high-end refrigerator for your kitchen. If you’re still not sure, check out our specific product recommendations to take all the stress out of shopping.
Key considerations
Type
A French door refrigerator features two doors on top that pull open from the middle and a drawer on the bottom. The top portion of the fridge keeps food chilled, while the bottom drawer provides a freezer compartment. The refrigerator section usually features shelves that span the entire width of the fridge, which makes it ideal for storing large items like party platters or pizza boxes. A French door refrigerator also offers a significant amount of storage space in the doors for beverages and condiments.
A side-by-side refrigerator features two doors that open in the middle, but there is no bottom freezer drawer. That’s because the refrigerator and freezer compartments are placed next to one another, with each side of the fridge providing a different function. A side-by-side refrigerator usually offers the most freezer space of any refrigerator type, but it doesn’t work as well for storing especially wide items.
- A counter-depth refrigerator offers a more shallow profile than freestanding models, so they can sit flush with standard-depth counters and cabinets. That gives the fridge a built-in look without requiring any additional work or expense to install it. Counter-depth refrigerators can be either French door or side-by-side models.
Capacity
No matter what type of refrigerator you’re shopping for, its capacity should be the most important feature to consider because it needs to be large enough for your household. French door refrigerators typically range from 18 to 32 cubic feet in capacity, while side-by-side refrigerators usually offer 20 to 29 cubic feet of capacity.
It’s usually recommended that you choose a refrigerator that offers four to six cubic feet of space for each adult in your household, with a little extra for good measure. A family of four typically does best with a refrigerator that has at least 20 cubic feet of space, though you may want a larger model for added flexibility.
French door refrigerators, side-by-side refrigerators, and counter-depth refrigerators all figure prominently in our research. A counter-depth refrigerator may be a side-by-side model or a French door model.
Almost all high-end refrigerators come with smart technology. In our quest to find the best, we find out which features come with each smart fridge on our research list. For example, some models come with WiFi and an app that lets you monitor energy consumption. Others recognize voice commands.
We consider each refrigerator’s capacity and think about who would most benefit from it. French door refrigerators typically offer 18 to 32 cubic feet of space. Side-by-side refrigerators tend to have 20 to 29 cubic feet of space. For every adult in your homw, plan on 4 to 6 cubic feet of space.
A programmable control pad is a desirable feature in high-end refrigerators that can give you the option of setting the temperature, locking the water and ice dispenser, and checking the filter status.
We look for high-end fridges with LED lights, as these are energy-efficient and typically last the lifetime of the refrigerator.
We look for high-end refrigerators that provide multiple options for organization. For example, we appreciate fridges with adjustable shelves, hinged shelves, and oversized door bins that hold large items.
Some high-end refrigerators have humidity-controlled compartments. When a fridge offers this, we note it in our research, as it lets you set precise humidity levels for specific types of food. For example, for leafy greens, you would set it to a higher moisture level since greens need more humidity than other vegetables.
We consider each fridge’s finish and design components. Most high-end refrigerators are stainless steel, but you can also find those with black, white, matte, and even wood finishes.
We help consumers who want to save energy by studying refrigerators with a door within a door. What is a door within a door? It is a panel on the fridge door where you can place frequently used items for quick access.
While most high-end refrigerators have built-in water and ice dispensers, we look for models with built-in filtration systems as well so consumers know they’re getting the healthiest water.
Features
Smart technology/WiFi-enabled
So many home appliances and gadgets have smart technology these days to make them even more useful, and high-end refrigerators are no exception. A smart refrigerator offers WiFi connectivity, which allows it to connect to a variety of apps. You can often use an app to monitor energy consumption, change temperature controls, make grocery lists, leave notes for your family, view a household calendar, stream music, and search for recipes. Some even allow you to stream cooking shows.
Some smart refrigerators also offer voice control, so you’re able to speak commands to raise or lower the temperature. You can even find some with a built-in camera, which makes it possible to check your fridge’s contents remotely through an app so you never have to wonder if you need eggs when you’re grocery shopping again.
Programmable control pad
Some high-end refrigerators offer a programmable control pad to make it extremely easy to set precise temperatures for your fridge and freezer. The control pad often features a touchscreen to make it as user-friendly as possible. In addition to setting the temperature, you can use the control pad to lock the water and ice dispenser, check its filter status, and set the exact amount of water it dispenses each time you push the button.
Door-within-door
If you’re concerned about saving energy, choose a refrigerator that offers a door-within-door feature. A panel on the fridge door opens to provide access to a storage area built into the door. You can place items that you use frequently in this compartment, and you’ll save energy because you won’t need to open the full doors and lower the fridge’s overall temperature.
Humidity control
To keep your fruits and veggies fresh, opt for a refrigerator with humidity-controlled compartments. They allow you to set precise humidity levels, so you can choose the best settings for produce that requires more moisture, such as leafy greens, and those that don’t require as much moisture, such as apples.
Organization options
High-end refrigerators typically offer flexible options for food organization. You may come across some of these handy features:
Adjustable shelves that easily slide in and out of the fridge
Hinged shelves that can open vertically from the outside edge to allow you to customize your storage
Oversized door bins that can hold large containers of milk or bottles of soda
Full-width drawers that can hold party platters and other extra-wide items
Water/ice dispenser
Nearly all high-end refrigerators have built-in water and ice dispensers in the door for added convenience. Most models also offer a built-in filtration system to remove contaminants for healthier, better-tasting water and ice. Some also provide a dual ice maker, which not only dispenses ice from the door but also collects ice in an interior bin for parties and other special occasions.
LED lighting
Every refrigerator needs a light to help you find the items you’re looking for. High-end fridges usually provide LED lights, which are energy-efficient and often last for the lifetime of the refrigerator.
Color/finish
The majority of high-end fridges are available with a stainless steel finish that has a sharp modern look, which works with most color schemes. However, you can also find refrigerators in several other finishes:
If you’re tired of cleaning the front of your fridge of smudges, you may also want to look for a model with a fingerprint-resistant exterior, which is much easier to keep clean.
Did you know?
Many high-end refrigerators have separate cooling systems for the freezer and fridge to keep the air separate so your ice doesn’t wind up tasting like egg salad.
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BestReviews
High-end refrigerator prices
High-end refrigerators vary in price based on their type, capacity, and special features. Most models range from $1,190 to $6,300.
Side-by-side refrigerators without smart technology are usually the most affordable high-end fridge options. They typically cost between $1,190 to $4,800.
French door refrigerators without smart technology usually fall in the middle of the price range. They generally cost between $1,275 to $5,400.
Smart refrigerators with WiFi connectivity are usually the most expensive high-end fridges. They typically cost between $2,190 and $6,300.
Tips
If you want to keep your high-end refrigerator working effectively, remember to clean it regularly. Once a month, throw out any food that’s spoiled or that you no longer need.
For easy access, consider storing fruit like grapes and raspberries in bowls inside your refrigerator, so you don’t have to mess with opening any packaging.
It’s actually better to keep your refrigerator full. Having it too empty can cause it to work harder to cool off the areas where there isn’t any food.
If you opt for a smart refrigerator, make sure to stay on top of software updates, so you’re always able to get the most out of the fridge.
FAQ
Q. How long do high-end refrigerators usually last?
A. The average refrigerator usually lasts nine to 11 years. High-end models may last a little longer than a budget-friendly model, so you may be able to get as many as 15 years of use out of your fridge.
Q. Is a smart refrigerator really worth it?
A. Smart refrigerators are some of the most expensive refrigerators on the market, so you may pay as much as $1,000 more than other high-end models. If you’re a person who enjoys the latest technology and having smart devices to make life around the house easier, a smart fridge can be an ideal investment. For people with extremely busy schedules, a smart refrigerator can also be convenient because you can adjust the temperature remotely and even check what groceries you need at the store thanks to a built-in camera.
Q. How do I make sure my high-end refrigerator is energy efficient?
A. Nearly all high-end refrigerators have earned the Energy Star rating, which means that they meet certain energy efficiency standards established by the EPA. However, you can help increase any refrigerator’s energy efficiency by placing it away from your stove, dishwasher, and any other items in the kitchen that produce heat. When you add leftovers to the fridge, make sure that they’ve cooled completely so they don’t raise the internal temperature. Don’t store items on top of the refrigerator either because that may trap heat and require the fridge to work harder.
