Find Out Why Consumer Reports Say This Is The Worst Refrigerator

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If you're seeing signs that it's time to replace your refrigerator, you might feel comfortable turning to a nonprofit, independent organization like Consumer Reports for product advice. Consumer Reports publishes a research-based ranking of which refrigerators offer reliable performance and owner satisfaction, helping consumers find the right model for their needs.

However, you may also find benefits in looking at the opposite end of the rankings, where the lowest-rated models sit, ensuring that you know all about the refrigerators that you'll want to avoid so you don't purchase a lemon. On the Consumer Reports list of the best refrigerators, the Danby 21-Inch DPF074B2WDB-6 received the lowest score, and it wasn't close. Among the 50 top freezer-refrigerator designs that Consumer Reports ranked, the Danby model's overall score was 15 points lower than the next-lowest fridge on the list. 

In developing its scores, Consumer Reports relies on its laboratory testing that measures temperature control and stability, as well as the performance of ice makers and water dispensers. Additionally, Consumer Reports regularly surveys its more than six million members, asking them about their hands-on experiences with the products they own and using that information to help rank the best refrigerators.

When rating the Danby refrigerator, Consumer Reports' laboratory testing ranked the unit poorly for its energy inefficiency relative to its size, the unsatisfactory performance of its crisper, and its lack of convenient features. The Danby DPF074B2WDB-6 is Energy Star certified, and its estimated annual energy usage is 344 kWh, according to Energy Star. This estimated energy usage is nearly identical to one of Consumer Reports' top-rated (and much larger) models, the Samsung RT70F18LRSR. Energy Star estimates Samsung's annual energy usage at 343 kWh. However, the Samsung model has a total volume capacity of 17.5 cubic feet, while the Danby unit's capacity is only 7.4 cubic feet. You might expect that an outdated kitchen appliance could increase your energy bill, but not a small, new model. 

Even though Danby calls it a mid-size refrigerator, it's really only useful for a household of one or two people because of its small capacity of 7.4 cubic feet. Generally, you should plan on 4 to 6 cubic feet of fridge capacity per adult in the household. Large refrigerators typically have 22 to 31 cubic feet of capacity.

YouTube reviewer Critical Reviews agreed with CR that the appliance's energy efficiency is poor, causing increased utility bills for owners. Having an energy-efficient refrigerator is important, as this appliance may account for as much as 10% of your total electric bill. Critical Reviews also said the Danby DPF074B2WDB-6's noise level is worrisome, although Consumer Reports' testers gave the Danby model an average rating for noise generation.

Consumer Reports downgrades the Danby model for its lack of ease-of-use features, as it doesn't have features like an automatic ice maker, a water dispenser, a water filter, or an area for storing a gallon-sized container in the door. Things like ice makers and water dispensers make a fridge far more pleasant to use. Additionally, CR says the Danby refrigerator doesn't have convenient features like WiFi connectivity, a touchpad or touchscreen for controlling settings, and a light in the freezer.

Consumer Reports did not specifically mention why it gave the Danby appliance the poorest possible score in the category of crisper performance. However, in its general description of the crisper performance category, CR says units that receive high scores retain moisture in the crisper, which allows fruit and vegetables to stay fresher longer. Advanced crisper drawer designs offer vents that let you control and adjust the moisture level retained. The Danby DPF074B2WDB-6 does not allow you to adjust the humidity retained in the crisper drawer.

Customer reviewers at Home Depot and Lowe's generally agree with the poor rating that Consumer Reports gave the Danby DPF074B2WDB-6. Between the two websites, almost 40% of all reviewers gave it one star. For comparison, less than 13% of customer reviewers at Home Depot and Lowe's gave the previously mentioned Samsung RT70F18LRSR a one-star rating.