The Best Refrigerator Brands of 2023 Reviews by Wirecutter

Their tendency to breakdown is high because they contain parts that are in motion. To reduce future service visits, we recommend purchasing a refrigerator with a high-quality ice maker. The term counter depth results from the observation that they are approximately the same length as your kitchen counter, usually between 27″ and 30″ deep.

It’s common among models of both types to have separate cooling systems for the fridge and freezer compartments (dual evaporators), which their makers advertise as an upgrade over the single systems used in most fridges. This design may improve food preservation, but we haven’t looked into the topic and can’t verify that that’s the case. We don’t have enough evidence to say with confidence that one brand of top-freezer fridges is significantly better than others. In our reader survey, we didn’t receive enough responses about LG or Samsung top-freezer models, for example, for the results to be statistically significant, let alone for smaller brands like Insignia or Magic Chef.

The evaporator fan motor circulates air over the coils to help keep things cool inside your fridge. If this motor starts to go bad, it will make a buzzing sound as it struggles to circulate air. You’ll need to replace the evaporator fan motor to fix this problem. A faulty fan motor is a repair that a professional refrigerator technician can help you complete. PureSource Ultra® water filter reduces contaminants including lead, chlorine and mercury.

The data also reveal that LG French-doors, side-by-sides, and built-ins were more prone to having compressors that break or are faulty than competing models made by other brands. The same went for Kenmore French-doors, which have compressors manufactured by LG. In 2020 LG settled a class-action lawsuit whirlpool mini refrigerator over its refrigerator compressors, but the settlement didn’t cover Kenmore models manufactured by LG. Water filter issues are commonly responsible for a Frigidaire refrigerator dispenser not working. If water doesn’t flow through the filter, it won’t supply the dispenser for water and ice production.

Temperatures averaged close to 0°F and outside of a few small temperature spikes that all stayed below 3°F, things were consistent. Lastly, make sure to check our Repair Help section which gives free troubleshooting advice and step-by-step video instructions for replacing a variety of Frigidaire Refrigerator parts. My sister bought this model couple of months ago and I saw it for the first time when I visited her place and fall in love with it. I was first surprised when I saw how reasonable the price was and I end up purchasing it.

Frigidaire fridge

Its temperatures are remarkably steady in both its fridge and freezer. While it did have the same issue most other side-by-side fridges have—its middle is slightly warmer than its top and bottom—the temperature differential was less than 2°F, Arctic King much less than what we typically see. The fridge also provides significantly more storage than other side-by-sides, although part of the trade-off for this is a smaller freezer. Part of the trade-off for a larger fridge is a smaller freezer.

Problems with core functioning, like an inability to maintain cool temperatures, or with compressors, matter more, but relatively few CR members report them. The dispenser switch is located behind the control panel, directly behind the dispenser lever. When the lever is depressed to dispense water or ice, the switch activates the water inlet valve, allowing water to supply the dispenser. If the dispenser switch is defective, it won’t signal the valve and water won’t flow to the dispenser. If the Frigidiare water dispenser switch doesn’t provide an accurate reading with multimeter testing, it should be replaced by a refrigerator repair service.