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Best Freezerless Refrigerators

Updated March 2024
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Bosch Benchmark Full-size Freezerless Refrigerator 16.8 cu. ft.
Bosch
Benchmark Full-size Freezerless Refrigerator 16.8 cu. ft.
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Sleek Design
Bottom Line

A great drink and pantry fridge for the garage thanks to its compact design, amazing power, and surprising range of smart features.

Pros

The air circulation keeps food fresher for a longer stretch. This model works with smart devices, such as your phone or Alexa device, to control it from afar with your voice. SuperCool tech cools the contents quickly when you add them.

Cons

Smaller than some of the other options.

Best Bang for the Buck
Danby Designer Counter Depth 11.0 cu. ft. Freezerless Refrigerator
Danby
Designer Counter Depth 11.0 cu. ft. Freezerless Refrigerator
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Simple yet Solid
Bottom Line

A good value for its price, this is a smaller unit that operates quietly and efficiently.

Pros

A good size for smaller spaces or extra areas like garages, it stands out for being affordable, quiet, cooling sufficiently, and having a good storage capacity. The unit holds up well even after years of use.

Cons

Occasional issues with leaking, and some don't like that this design lacks a door handle.

Kalamera 15 in. Stainless Steel Beverage Cooler
Kalamera
15 in. Stainless Steel Beverage Cooler
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Keeps Drinks Cold
Bottom Line

Worth a look if you need a refrigerator that's designed specifically for beverages. Otherwise, consider other options on our shortlist.

Pros

Constructed for beverages, this refrigerator cools drinks and has a 104-can capacity. The attractive stainless steel door blends nicely with other appliances. Can be used commercially. Quiet.

Cons

Some longevity issues were noted, including inadequate cooling, loose handles, and broken shelves.

Maxx Cold Full-Size All-Refrigerator, 23 cu. ft.
Maxx Cold
Full-Size All-Refrigerator, 23 cu. ft.
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Best for Cold Drinks
Bottom Line

Don't let the simple design fool you, Maxx Cold's freezerless fridge does everything the average person needs.

Pros

Reversible doors add some customization, depending on your needs. The painted steel exterior looks great in modern kitchens. Auto defrost keeps things from freezing. The doors lock into place and seal without additional effort.

Cons

There are not as many features as some of the other options.

Saba Stainless Steel Commercial Refrigerator, 47 cu. ft.
Saba
Stainless Steel Commercial Refrigerator, 47 cu. ft.
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Most Spacious
Bottom Line

Designed for restaurants and high-volume kitchens, this 2-door fridge works well as a garage fridge for meat, drinks, and more.

Pros

The self-closing doors take the pressure off of you. It refrigerates from a nearly freezing 33 degrees to 41 degrees. Digital temperature control makes this model easier to regulate. PVC-coated shelves can withstand constant use.

Cons

Too big for many home setups, know what you are ordering.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Consumers
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Buying guide for best freezerless refrigerators

Freezerless refrigerators make stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables a cinch. If you have the space for a separate refrigerator, you’ll be able to keep several days’ worth of fresh produce organized and at your fingertips. But when it comes to making a big purchase, it can be hard to know where to start.

That’s where we come in. At BestReviews, we’re always on the lookout for the best products on the market. We test products, consult experts, and assess consumer reviews to bring you the honest, unbiased opinions you need to make an informed decision. Rest assured that we don’t accept free manufacturer samples, so we’re testing the same products you purchase in stores or online.

We’ve provided a shopping guide to give you an overview of the available features of freezerless refrigerators. Don’t forget to take a look at our top picks to see which models we recommend.

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Freestanding or built-in compact freezerless refrigerators work well to keep drinks and snacks cold in dorms, rec rooms, and entertainment spaces.

Types of freezerless refrigerators

Standard

Standard models do not have a freezer space but devote all cubic feet to refrigeration. These refrigerators also lack water dispensers or ice makers and have a single door. Some models have wire racks while others have glass shelves, drawers, and bins. Basic models usually only come in white, but some pricier models may offer a choice of white, black, or stainless steel.

Built-in two-drawer

These models give you two large temperature- and humidity-controlled drawers for your refrigeration needs. Bins are used to organize the interior. Built-in two-drawer models come in stainless steel or an overlay panel exterior. These are some of the most expensive models on the market.

Compact

With a capacity of 3.5 to 11 cubic feet, these models work well in rec rooms, dorms, or any other space where you do light entertaining. They can keep a few drinks and snacks cold and ready to go.

Freezerless refrigerator measurements

Depth, width, and height

It’s worth taking the extra time to measure your kitchen space more than once. Measure depth, width, and height from several points in case the floor or top cabinets are uneven. Measure the width from the wall and to the front of the space. Last, make sure to take into account any baseboard and/or chair rail when measuring.

Door clearance

Some freezerless refrigerators have drawers that aren’t accessible unless the door is fully open. Measure how far into your kitchen the door will open to be sure it won’t hit an island or other appliances or cabinets.

Ventilation

Refrigerators need at least an inch of clearance above and behind for proper ventilation. If the unit is too close to the wall and overhead cabinets, it can take extra energy to cool and eventually wear out the motor and/or compressor.

Doorways and hallways

Before deciding on a model, measure any doorways or hallways through which your refrigerator will have to pass before it can be installed. The last thing you want to do is to buy a model that won’t even make it through the door.

Freezerless refrigerator features to consider

Capacity

Freezerless refrigerators vary in size. Compact models have a capacity of 3.3 to 11 cubic feet. Full-size models range from 16 to 18.8 cubic feet.

Adjustable shelving

Adjustable shelving lets you make room for the Thanksgiving turkey or other special dishes and platters. Some models have simple wire racks that can be moved to different levels. Others have glass shelves with drawers and bins that can be adjusted to meet your needs. High-end models often have drawers and bins designed to retain the freshness of meat or vegetables.

Door alarm

Models with a built-in door alarm let you know when the door has been left open for a certain amount of time, usually five minutes. Some models continue to sound until the door is closed. Others will sound every two minutes until the door is closed.  

Blackout alarm

Blackout alarms sound during a power outage. A refrigerator with this feature is a good idea if you experience frequent outages in your area. This kind of alarm also comes in handy if you have sensitive breakers. If a breaker is tripped, the alarm will let you know before your food spoils.

Temperature alarm

This alarm sounds if the temperature inside the refrigerator rises to an unsafe level for a specified amount of time.

Exterior finish

Freezerless refrigerators come in stainless steel, smudge proof, white, black, and wood panel. A few of the compact models come in a variety of colors with a metallic finish.

Energy efficiency

Energy Star-certified models use less energy and cost less to run over the long term. They must meet strict guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To be certified, manufacturers must verify the appliance’s energy savings, test results, energy consumption, and performance.

Freezerless refrigerator prices

You can expect to pay from $350 to $2,000 and up for a freezerless refrigerator, depending on size and features.

  • Inexpensive: You can find small models with a capacity of 3.5 cubic feet for around $350. For less than $650, you can find a 17- to 18-cubic-foot freezerless refrigerator in white (other finishes cost more). It may have a few adjustable shelves, but it may not include drawers and bins.

  • Mid-Range: Between $650 and $1,000, you can find full-size models with a capacity of 16 to 17 cubic feet, as well as many compact models in stainless steel. The full-size models may not come in stainless steel, but many contain full-width drawers and a few adjustable shelves.

  • Expensive: Between $1,000 and $2,000, you can find full-size models with a capacity of 17 to 18 cubic feet in stainless steel with adjustable glass shelves, drawers, and bins. You’ll also see built-in two-drawer models in stainless steel. Models at this price often have door and blackout alarms.

  • Premium: For more than $2,000, you’ll find models with a capacity of 18.5 cubic feet or more, built-in drawer models with overlay panels, and commercial-grade models. These refrigerators have all the bells and whistles (and alarms), adjustable glass shelving, and a quiet-run feature.

Tips

  • Check your measurements at least twice before buying. You don’t want to get caught with a model that won’t fit in your kitchen or through the front door.

  • Match the finish of your refrigerator to the rest of your appliances. If you’re going to keep your freezerless refrigerator in a basement or garage, the finish isn’t that important, and plain white models usually cost a few hundred dollars less than stainless steel.

  • If your kitchen is big, match your freezerless refrigerator to your freezer. It will give your kitchen a sleek, professional look.
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When shopping, remember that you need about 1.5 cubic feet of refrigerator space per person.

FAQ

Q. Are freezerless refrigerators better at keeping food cold than freezer/refrigerator combos?
A.
Any appliance devoted to a single purpose, in this case, refrigeration, performs better than one that does double duty. That doesn’t mean a freezer/fridge combo won’t perform well. It just means a freezerless refrigerator only has to maintain one consistent temperature throughout the whole unit rather than two, which is easier to do.

Q. Do freezerless refrigerators come fully assembled?
A.
Many models require some assembly, which usually includes attaching the door, installing the shelves and drawers, and attaching the door handle.

Q. Are all freezerless refrigerator doors reversible?
A.
No. Some models have a door that can be reversed, but with others you’ll need to specify which way you’d like the door to open when you order the refrigerator.

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