With kitchen needs and appliances, a refrigerator easily ranks top three. How else would you store your delicious leftovers? Or hang your planner to keep track of you and the kid’s daily activities?
That’s why buying a refrigerator is so much more than picking the latest trends or choosing the first boxy one you see. The right refrigerator will set the tone for family meals and give your kitchen a wholesome or elegant look. But the wrong refrigerator will have you groaning in frustration.
So, thinking of buying a new fridge? Here’s a guide to help you make the best choice.
What are the Things to Consider When Buying a Refrigerator?
What are the Different Refrigerator Styles?
There’s something for every household. Some refrigerator styles are basic and designed for convenience, others are preferred for their aesthetics.
These are the most popular refrigerator styles:
French-Door Refrigerators:
As far as practicality and convenience go, French-door refrigerators hit the mark. They feature two narrow doors and one freezer at the bottom. The advantage to French-door refrigerators is they have extra space. They come with more shelves and their narrow doors are convenient and allow for easy stashing or retrieval of items.
Top-Freezer Refrigerator:
These also offer plenty of space. The door offers a wide swing so if you’d rather have one door and don’t mind crouching down to get items, then this refrigerator is great for you. Top-freezer refrigerators are also often cheaper because they offer a lower operating cost. Also, some high-end top-freezers come with in-built ice makers.
Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator:
Most households prefer bottom-freezer refrigerators because fresh food are placed at eye-level, allowing for easy scan and access to commonly used food items. This is also very convenient because the freezer section is used less frequently than the fridge section. Also, bottom-freezer refrigerators have more space. The freezer is usually bigger and deeper. The disadvantage to bottom-freezer refrigerator is it uses more power than top-freezer refrigerator.
Side-by-Side Door Refrigerator:
This comes with two doors split in half, keeping both the fridge and the freezer content at eye level. Depending on the model, the split doors could be equal, or one could be a few inches longer than the other. Side-by-side door refrigerators come with plenty of space and adjustable shelves. They are also great for small kitchens because they don’t take up too much space and come with features that save space. However, the disadvantage is they don’t open as wide for large boxes or items.
Built-in Refrigerators:
These come in all styles, but they are quite pricey. Built-in refrigerators are best for spacious kitchens and are built into the kitchen cabinets to complement its décor. They offer more space and have a longer life span than stand-in refrigerators. They also offer more customization, from see-through doors, custom panels, to any door style you prefer, all depending on your budget. The disadvantage of a built-in refrigerator is it offers a much smaller freezer compartment. It also doesn’t have flexibility. It is built to fit into a specific space and cannot be easily moved.
Smart Fridges:
Smart fridges are well, smart. Some models can help you order groceries, play music, recognize your groceries, and let you adjust the temperature with your phone. Some even come with different apps. Smart fridges offer more features than the standard fridge which makes them pricier.
What’s the Size of Your Kitchen Space?
Naturally, before buying a refrigerator, you must consider how large or small your kitchen space is. This is important because regardless of the door size, the refrigerator will need enough room for the door to open wide.
Also, the refrigerator should not be so big that its unable to pass through your door. If you are unsure what size to buy or how to measure the correct space for your kitchen, get someone to do it for you. You can also take a picture of the space you want to place the refrigerator and show it to the salesperson.
Another thing is the size of your family. If it’s just you in a small apartment a mini-fridge is your best bet. A large family means you’d need to shop for more groceries and do it often. With a small refrigerator, storing your groceries will become an issue.
What’s the Warranty Policy?
It is always advisable to go for a brand that offers a warranty, and not just any warranty, a long one. This is even more advisable if you buy an expensive refrigerator. Some brands come with a limited warranty and that may become an issue in the long run.
Other Things to ConsiderThe Energy Efficiency
This is a big selling point and most brands go out of their way to make sure their refrigerator is as energy-efficient as possible. Before buying the refrigerator, look for its energy efficiency star rating. This is the part that tells you how much electricity the refrigerator will consume per unit. The higher the star, the less electricity consumes.
This star rating will naturally affect price and warranty, which means a 5-star refrigerator rating will cause more than a 1-star. Also, sometimes, the model of the fridge determines its energy efficiency.
Essential Features
This is not something most consumers look out for until the refrigerator is in their home but it’s important. At the end of the day, the features you should look out for are the features that matter most to you.
Refrigerators FAQs
Q How do I choose a good refrigerator?
Choosing a good refrigerator depends on your needs. So, when choosing, consider your family size and match that with the capacity of your fridge. Also, consider the energy efficiency, so you don’t spend more on electricity.
Q Why are built-in refrigerators expensive?
Built-in refrigerators are considered luxurious because they are built into cabinets surrounding them. They also offer customization and features that standard refrigerators don’t.
Q Are bottom freezers better than top freezers?
Bottom-freezers often offer more space and features and are generally more convenient, but top-freezers are more energy efficient.