5 cu. ft. Frigidaire Chest Freezer FFC0522D
12 Stores $179 - $315
Refrigerator Buying Guide
Refrigerators have evolved considerably from the tin-lined iceboxes used by our grandparents. Most refrigerators on the market do an admirable job of keeping your perishables from perishing, so the best way to start shopping for your new refrigerator is to consider how many—or how few—high-tech “extras” you need. Pronto’s Refrigerator Buying Guide will take you through the innovations available so you can find the refrigerator that’s right for you.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Start with storage
Consider how much storage space you need when shopping for a refrigerator. Think of the largest items you’ll refrigerate or freeze and remember that a smaller refrigerator means more trips to market.
Style
Traditional freezer on top and refrigerator on the bottom design still accounts for half of the refrigerators sold. Other options include side-by-side refrigerators and freezers with smaller storage spaces, French door models that offer superior access and built-in refrigerators that hide a lot of storage space inside your kitchen wall.
Make sure it fits
Measure the area where the refrigerator will live, then measure the entry doors to your home. Compare the measurements of refrigerators to make sure they will fit.
Extras
Look for adjustable shelves and door trays that give added flexibility to a refrigerator. Through-the-door water and ice may require additional plumbing and filtration connections to work, costs to consider before choosing these features. Spending more gives you more temperature control in a refrigerator, ranging from analog dials in budget models to digital temperature and humidity monitoring at the high end.
Is next-generation right for you?
Tech-junkies with big budgets can simplify their lives by networking their kitchens with a refrigerator that also doubles as a television set, shopping-list generator and electronic recipe repository. Weigh the value of these pricey extras before buying unless you’re building a modern kitchen for a home you plan to sell soon.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the Amana AFD2535DE Refrigerator, a French door refrigerator and freezer that offers exceptional access to stored foods. With two full-length refrigerator doors, you’ll find it easy to store foods large and small, and Amana’s EasyGlide shelves pull out for quick access to foods in the back. An internal filtered water dispenser and a separate temperature control for the meat and deli bin...
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experts say
Industrial Designers Society of America—“Market research found that typical refrigerators were not efficient in storing the increasing volume and variety of small food and beverage containers popular with today’s consumer. Thus the [Panasonic] NR-P550T Refrigerator was born. Its two-way fully accessible slide-out pantry system makes storing and accessing bottles and other small items easier and more efficient.”Source: Industrial Designers Society of America, 2006 Industrial Design Excellence Awards
Good Housekeeping—“Kids can easily reach into both sides of the Sears Kenmore Elite. Plus, there's a Pur Ultimate water filter, a fridge door bin that keeps milk icy cold and bright lights that make it easy to find leftovers. In the freezer, there's a vertical section for stashing pizzas.”Source: Good Housekeeping
How Stuff Works—“The Frigidaire PLHT19WE is a nicely priced medium-size top-freezer refrigerator with an upscale look and an innovative design.”Source: Howstuffworks.com
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of refrigerators?
Old and cool is new and cool again at Big Chill Retro Appliances, where refrigerators, freezers, and stoves offer stylish 1950s-style looks with state-of-the-art technology behind the funky facades. These freezers and refrigerators are available in a bold palette of eye-catching hues, so there’s one for every decor.
Source: Big Chill Fridge
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Refrigerators) |
| $ | Entry level refrigerators and freezers are small and simple. Their size makes them an excellent choice for apartment dwellers, small homes, or people who need a second refrigerator in a garage or basement. You won’t find as many choices in color and finish and adjustability will be limited to a few shelves. Make sure refrigerators and freezers at this price range have accurate, reliable temperature dials. |
Compare prices at 2 stores $459 - $570 |
| $$ | In the midrange, you’ll find refrigerators and freezers with electronic controls and modern designs. Refrigerators and freezers with French doors offer the best access and storage at this price point, with side-by-side models another popular choice. Look for adjustable shelves and bins, digital temperature controls, and through-the-door ice and beverage delivery. Larger refrigerators and freezers in this range may lack some features found on smaller models. |
Compare prices at 6 stores $1,113 - $1,359 |
| $$$ | At the high end, you’ll have a choice of finishes and the option of built-in refrigerators and freezers. You’ll also find the latest technical advances, including built-in televisions, Internet access, digital message boards, and multi-zone temperature and humidity control. At this price point, digital controls, multi-zone cooling and through-the-door filtered water and ice dispensing are a must. |
Compare prices at 6 stores $5,529 - $6,484 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Adjustable shelves
Refrigerator and freezer shelves that can be removed and remounted at different heights to accommodate varying storage needs.
Bin
A closed-off compartment within a refrigerator and freezer that holds meat, dairy or vegetables. On basic refrigerators and freezers these may simply be storage units; advanced models offer separate temperature and humidity controls in bins.
Built-in
A refrigerator and freezer with a body that extends into the wall of a home, allowing greater storage space without a footprint that extends beyond cabinets.
Customizable panels
Front door surfaces on a refrigerator and freezer that can be replaced or mounted with the same materials used in kitchen cabinets to create a seamless integration with the rest of the kitchen.
Counter depth
A refrigerator and freezer designed to fit flush with standard kitchen cabinets. These refrigerators and freezers have a depth of 25 to 27 inches, while traditional refrigerators have a depth of 30 to 32 inches.
French door
A style of refrigerator and freezer that typically has the freezer mounted at the bottom beneath two doors that swing open to reveal the entire refrigerator area. These models offer the largest usable storage space and the best access to foods.
Side-by-Side
A design with a vertical refrigerator mounted next to a vertical freezer. These refrigerators and freezers offer good access to stored foods but may not offer enough storage space for larger items.
Through-the door
A system that delivers ice cubes, water, or cold beverages to the outside of a refrigerator and freezer. These systems can be self-contained or require additional plumbing to operate.
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