No one buys a refrigerator every other month or year. You purchase one with the intention of it lasting for years. Hence, do not pounce on a fridge for sale deal on Amazon or any other website before assessing your requirements. Here are some factors to evaluate before you buy a fridge online or partake in a refrigerator sale. Don’t forget to share this refrigerator buying guide with friends and family!
Refrigerator Style – Identify the Ideal Choice with this Refrigerator Buying Guide
Refrigerators come in various styles. While there is no definite list of refrigerator styles, the fridge configurations listed below are offered by most manufacturers.
French Door Refrigerator
French door refrigerators are divided into two sections. The top portion comprises two doors that open from the center to reveal a large pantry-style compartment. A sliding freezer drawer makes up the bottom section. Go for a French door fridge if you want a humongous capacity, wide shelves that are adjustable, multiple door bins (racks to store condiments, bottles, etc.), and eye-level access to your food.
Keep in mind that French door refrigerators are not suitable for small kitchens and consume a lot of electricity.
Four-Door Refrigerator
A four-door refrigerator is an alternate version of a French door refrigerator where the sliding freezer compartment is replaced with two doors that open from the middle. The advantages and disadvantages of a four-door refrigerator are similar to that of a French door fridge.
Side-By-Side Refrigerator
While the freezer and general compartments are stacked below one another in a French door fridge, they are placed beside each other in a side-by-side refrigerator. This type of fridge generally comes with two doors. So what are the pros and cons of a side-by-side refrigerator? You do not need to bend over to access the freezer, have plenty of racks to stack your food items from top to bottom, organize your freezer, and can swing open the doors without requiring much room. However, side-by-side refrigerators can be too wide and may not accommodate bulky items.
Top Freezer Refrigerator
Found in most homes, the top freezer refrigerator has the freezer section at the top and the refrigerator section below it. Each section has one door that opens sideways. In terms of advantages, a top freezer fridge can store huge items in the freezer, has depth in its compartments, and is compact & energy-efficient. The problem with top freezer refrigerators is the lack of advanced features such as ice dispensers in most models.
Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
The bottom freezer refrigerator is the upturned version of the top freezer refrigerator with the freezer compartment at the top and the refrigerator section at the bottom. When compared to the top freezer fridge, the bottom freezer fridge has a modern design. Moreover, you get to keep your food items at eye level. The con is having to bend for the freezer section.
Undercounter Refrigerator
As the name implies, an undercounter refrigerator is stacked under a slab or counter. You might have seen these refrigerators in hotel rooms. An undercounter fridge generally has one compartment with a door that opens sideways. Some variations come with an extra compartment for the freezer.
Refrigerator by Installation Configuration – A Refrigerator Buying Guide is Incomplete without Covering this Section
There are several ways of installing a fridge. Let us have a look at the common refrigerator installation techniques.
Freestanding/Standalone Refrigerator
A freestanding refrigerator comes as a standalone unit that can be placed wherever you see fit. You usually plug the refrigerator cord into a power socket.
Built-In Refrigerator
Built-in refrigerators come installed in cabinet spaces or other cavities. Remodeling or moving a built-in fridge can be cumbersome.
Refrigerator Door Material Type – Choose the Right Material with this Refrigerator Buying Guide
A fridge door material might be aluminum, glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Aluminum refrigerator doors and stainless steel fridge doors are widely popular.
Refrigerator Finish & Color – Another Important Section in a Refrigerator Buying Guide
A refrigerator body is usually available in chrome, glossy, or matte finish. In terms of colors, modern-day refrigerators are available in plenty of shades – black, pink, silver, yellow, and even multi-color!
Refrigerator Features & Add-Ons – Perks of Referring to a Refrigerator Buying Guide
If your budget and needs allow you to splurge more, then why settle for a basic configuration refrigerator? Some of these features are now present by default in today’s refrigerators.
- Ice and water dispenser.
- Door lock and door ajar alarm.
- Automatic defrost.
- Inverter compressor for energy savings.
- Adjustable shelves.
- Digital temperature control.
Refrigerator Energy Star
Energy Star refrigerators undergo rigorous testing to ensure increased energy savings. Generally, Energy Stars range from 1 to 5, with one offering the lowest energy savings and five the highest.
Refrigerator Dimensions
Refrigerators come in multiple variants in terms of height, width, and depth. Different dimension combinations correspond to varying storage capacities.