7 Best Refrigerators, According to Lab Testing and Real Consumers

LG is one of the most trusted names in refrigeration, consistently earning top marks in our Lab tests and consumer surveys. It’s a brand known for reliability and innovation, and we’ve had long-term success with several LG fridges in our test kitchen over the years.

Although some of the exact models we’ve tested are now discontinued, this newer version carries the same strong reputation with a few thoughtful upgrades.

The classic French-door layout places your most frequently used ingredients at eye level, and the sleek stainless steel interior helps maintain stable temperatures while giving the fridge a clean, modern appearance.

Inside, four shelves can be adjusted to suit your storage needs, and the bins on the right door are also adjustable. The wide, clear design of the bins makes it easy to spot condiments or small items at a glance.

A standout feature is the full-width crisper drawer. It’s perfect for deli meats, cheeses and snacks — and it’s slightly deeper than the drawers above, making it easier to see and access what’s inside. (I’ve tested this drawer in other LG fridges, and it’s genuinely one of my favorite features.)

The built-in water and ice dispenser is housed in the left door, keeping it out of the way while remaining conveniently accessible. It dispenses standard cubes, and the freezer drawer below includes a separate section for LG’s signature round cocktail ice balls. The main freezer compartment is spacious and has a sliding divider to help keep contents tidy. However, the doors on the left shelf are shallow due to the placement of the ice maker.

We think this LG will suit most people, but if you’re working with limited space, you may find a better fit with the zero-clearance hinge design on this LG fridge. The doors only open to 90 degrees, so they won’t bump into nearby walls or counters.

I’ve had this top-freezer refrigerator in my NYC apartment for over five years, and even though I get to use some of the highest-rated fridges at work, I’m still genuinely happy with this modest model. (One consumer we surveyed even said their Maytag fridge has lasted 24 years—and counting!)

It’s not loaded with bells and whistles, but it does what a fridge should: It keeps my food cold and consistent, even when I’ve accidentally left the door ajar.

The handle-less design is perfect for my small space — I can open the door flush against the wall with no problem. The interior is well lit, and I can easily access most of my food. While it can be a little tricky to reach items tucked into the bottom corners, storage bins help keep things organized. Several shelves are adjustable, both on the door and inside, giving me some flexibility.

The bottom shelf stops just short of the back wall, leaving room to store a few tall bottles upright in the back corner — a super handy feature if the door storage is already full. But my favorite feature is the crisper drawer. Positioned right in the middle of the fridge, it’s easy to access and helps me keep my go-to snacks and produce organized.

As for the freezer, it’s as simple as they come: one adjustable glass shelf and plenty of space for frozen essentials. It may be basic, but it gets the job done.

We've been using this GE refrigerator in our Lab for several years, and it's consistently delivered solid performance. The interior is bright and thoughtfully designed, featuring ample adjustable shelving to help keep items organized.

Inside the main compartment, the shelves are half-width and can be staggered at various heights, providing maximum flexibility. One standout feature is the rolling shelf on the right — it can slide back to a half-depth position, making room for tall items like pitchers or grocery bags without forcing you to rearrange everything else. It’s easily the most-used feature in our kitchen tests.

The fridge also features two large crisper drawers that glide out smoothly, along with a third, shallower full-width drawer positioned below them, complete with a movable divider — ideal for snacks, deli items, or produce you want to keep visible.

Unlike door-mounted dispensers that can eat up shelf space, this model's water dispenser is tucked inside the fridge, keeping the design clean and storage-friendly. The built-in ice maker stores cubes in a bin located in the top freezer drawer, which, along with the spacious bottom drawer, features a movable divider for easy organization.

One minor issue: The freezer handle came loose during initial testing. It was a quick fix, and we haven’t had any problems since.

Side-by-side refrigerators are an excellent choice for kitchens with limited clearance, since the narrower doors don’t swing out as far as those on French-door or top-freezer models. They're also ideal for organizing, keeping your frequently reached-for foods — both refrigerated and frozen — at eye level.

Whirlpool's 36-inch side-by-side models are a favorite among our consumer testers, and for good reason. They feature plenty of adjustable shelving on both the interior and door, so you can customize the layout to fit your grocery haul. The fridge drawers glide smoothly, helping to keep produce and deli items neatly stored.

The freezer section is designed for maximum storage, featuring adjustable shelves and fewer drawers, which provide more usable space from top to bottom. One of my favorite features is the in-door ice bin — it's easy to access and frees up valuable shelf space inside the freezer.

Like some of our top-tested models, this fridge includes digital controls, a built-in water filter and both water and ice dispensers. The one trade-off? The in-door dispenser does take up a bit of storage space on the freezer side.

We’ve been touting Samsung’s smart fridge technology for years, and this Bespoke model is one of the most impressive yet. The vivid touchscreen takes up nearly the entire right door, transforming into a piece of digital art when idle, but it’s much more than just a pretty face.

Once connected to Wi-Fi, it functions like an oversized tablet: You can stream music and YouTube, leave digital notes, sync calendars, manage your grocery list and display family photos. I especially love that it tells you the weather right on the screen.

After we tested it in our Lab, we sent it to a consumer tester who has two kids under 6, and now it's their family favorite. She uses it to stream music while she cooks, the kids love doodling on the touchscreen and flipping through the camera roll, and the smart features have become part of their daily routine.

One of the most impressive capabilities? The fridge can identify what you put inside and recommend recipes based on what you already have. You can read more about that in our smart fridge story, where we dig into the AI-powered features.

Beyond the tech, this counter-depth, four-door fridge is spacious and thoughtfully laid out. The left door features another built-in door, allowing you to quickly access the autofill water pitcher, water dispenser, and several interior shelves, which are ideal for grab-and-go items. The water filter is tucked neatly between the two crisper drawers, which helps maximize space but slightly reduces drawer size.

The left side of the freezer has pull-out shelves and produces two types of ice. The right side is a convertible zone with five different temperature settings, so you can use it as extra fridge space if needed. We had this model in our Lab for over a year and didn't encounter any issues. That said, we continue to keep an eye out since some Samsung owners we surveyed have reported long-term concerns with the ice maker.

Café refrigerators combine standout style with impressive functionality, and this model has truly proven itself. After testing it in our Lab, we set it up in our nutrition director's home for long-term feedback. She's had it for about a year now, and it's become a beloved centerpiece in her kitchen.

The platinum glass finish looks incredibly sleek. "I have a mix of stainless and gold accents in my kitchen, and somehow this fridge ties everything together,” she says. She also loves the handle-free design, which uses recessed grooves to open and close the doors. “It’s way easier to clean and I don’t bump into bulky handles anymore — something that used to happen all the time when navigating around the kids.”

Looks aside, this four-door model offers tons of practical storage. The interior is spacious, featuring adjustable shelves, and the lighting — especially the soft glow of the back panel — adds a designer touch. "Even when the fridge is open, it looks elevated," she says. "And that light helps me find things quickly, even during middle-of-the-night milk runs for the baby."

One of the highlights is the built-in auto-fill water pitcher, which lives discreetly inside the fridge for a clean, uninterrupted exterior. “I love that it refills on its own,” she notes. “And since it’s tucked inside, the outside still looks sleek and sophisticated.” There’s also a standard water dispenser and easy-access filter system.

The middle drawer is convertible with a temperature range from 23°F to 42°F. Our pro consumer tester uses it to stash healthy snacks at kid height. “It’s super easy for the little ones to grab their own fruit or yogurts, which I love.”

As for the freezer, it's both spacious and well-organized, featuring an upper drawer (complete with a built-in ice maker) and a large bottom drawer with customizable compartments. "It holds way more than I expected, and the ice maker has been reliable," she said.

The only thing to note is that you can hear the fridge when it refills the pitcher, and the filter needs to be replaced frequently, every one to two months.

This fridge remains one of my all-time favorites. It’s absolutely stunning — sleek and modern on the outside, and even more beautiful inside.

One of its most unique features is the middle drawer, which is lined with wooden shelves specifically designed for wine and other beverages (up to 17 bottles) and features adjustable temperature settings. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes this model feel more like a luxury appliance. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but after more than three years in our Lab, it still impresses every time we use it.

Inside, the fridge features a stainless steel back panel and four glass half-shelves with silver trim that add to the high-end feel. The shelves are fully adjustable, allowing you to customize the layout to suit your specific needs. Instead of the usual two crisper drawers, this model features a single large drawer, making it easier to store wide or oddly shaped produce. Even the door bins have a sleek, modern look that complements the overall design.

Inside, the fridge features a stainless steel back panel and four glass half-shelves with silver trim that add to the high-end feel. The shelves are fully adjustable, so you can customize the layout to fit your needs. Instead of the usual two crisper drawers, this model has one large drawer, which makes it easier to store wide or awkwardly shaped produce. Even the door bins have a sleek, modern look that complements the overall design.

One notable feature is the adaptable flex bar on the back wall. It comes with accessories, including an egg organizer and additional storage bins that can be hung or repositioned as needed.

The water dispenser is discreetly built into the interior wall, keeping the exterior clean and maximizing shelf space. Like many internal dispensers, it’s a bit slow, but it gets the job done.

The freezer is spacious and well-organized, featuring a soft gray interior, two upper drawers, a built-in ice maker and bin, and a large bottom drawer with ample room for bulkier items.