Consumer Reports Compared Affordable Refrigerators And One Came Out On Top
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The refrigerator is often one of the most expensive appliances owners use on a daily basis, so finding a reliable and durable model is important. And considering the typical cost of a new fridge is around $1,500, it's understandable to want a highly-rated refrigerator that is worth the money.
Consumer Reports factors in member reviews, hands-on testing, and pricing information to help readers find the right products for their needs and budget. If you're searching for the most popular refrigerator brands at an affordable price, the organization found that the LG LT18S2100W scored the highest with its members in several categories. This is a top-freezer refrigerator with 15.9 cubic feet of usable capacity and an price tag of less than $800.
According to Consumer Reports, top-freezer refrigerators are not as popular with consumers as their French-door counterparts, but they're usually less expensive and more reliable. In fact, the LG received an almost perfect score for predicted reliability. This model also earned excellent ratings for thermostat performance and energy efficiency, as well as positive marks for temperature uniformity and noise. If you're comfortable foregoing some of the bells and whistles, such as a water dispenser, adjustable shelves, and smart features, this reliable refrigerator is a great budget option.
Other well-rated, affordable refrigerators, according to Consumer Reports
While the LG received top marks from owners, other refrigerator models in a similar price range also performed well. If you're looking for an alternative, you could consider the Frigidaire FFHT2022AW. This top-freezer refrigerator has 16.4 cubic feet of usable space and costs between $728 and $854, depending on where you shop. While this model scored well for predicted reliability, it did earn very low owner satisfaction scores among Consumer Reports members, suggesting issues with usability or features.
If you have your sights set on a French-door refrigerator, the GE GNE25JYKFS received excellent scores for thermostat performance and temperature uniformity. This model does cost more than the LG model (prices range from $1,752 to $1,799), but it's cheaper than many other French-door refrigerators and offers some additional features like a water dispenser, icemaker, digital controls, and 16.5 cubic feet of usable capacity in the fridge and freezer.