Cup in a refrigerator's ice and water dispenser

Refrigerator buying guide

Now is a great time to buy a new refrigerator as more brands pile on high-end features such as LED temperature displays and "theater lighting" for less. Our tests also show that even relatively basic, $500 refrigerators now offer glass shelves with rims to catch spills and enough storage in the door to hold gallon milk jugs.
Refrigerator selector (beta)
Sort our Ratings based on features, brands and other factors.

Getting started

Manufacturers are hot for your dollar as they load their refrigerators with features and fashion. Most, for example, now offer French-door models with side-by-side refrigerator doors above the freezer. And you'll find slide-out glass shelves and temperature-controlled compartments, along with stainless-steel exteriors, in more and more refrigerators selling for less than $1,000. This refrigerator guide will help you with your purchase.

Efficiency is on the rise

Refrigerators made after the end of April 2008 must be 5 percent more efficient to qualify for an Energy Star emblem. But despite advances, refrigerators still use more electricity than any other kitchen appliance because they're always on. The familiar yellow EnergyGuide labels and Energy Star symbols are a useful guide, but our energy-efficiency ratings take usable volume into account and are more helpful, particularly when comparing across different refrigerator categories.
 
Next in this section: Types