Best refrigerators of 2014
It was a busy year in Consumer Reports' refrigerators lab, with more than 100 units passing through our temperature-controlled chambers. In the process, our testers packed the refrigerators with 35,000 10-ounce boxes of frozen spinach to find the years' top models. We also measured every square inch of usable capacity and checked for energy consumption. Some refrigerators stood out for superb performance, others for their innovative features, exceptional value, or record-high storage. While a total of 22 models made our coveted recommended refrigerator list, we pulled out the best of the best for this end-of-year roundup.
Capacity champ. Manufacturers continue to one-up each other in the capacity department by designing bigger and bigger refrigerators. As 2014 comes to a close, Samsung leads the pack with its Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $5,400, whose 23.4 cubic feet of usable capacity is the most we've ever measured. The four-door fridge has a unique configuration, with with an upper fresh-food section behind traditional French-doors and two side-by-side bottom freezer compartments, one of which can convert to an additional refrigerator chamber. And its through-the-door ice and water dispenser can serve up sparkling water.
Streamlined design. At the opposite end of the extreme, our testers also found a lot of compact refrigerators that make great fits for smaller kitchens. That includes a pair of cabinet-depth models with superb peformance: the Samsung RF23HSESBSR, $3,330, a four-door unit with a pullout middle drawer and the side-by-side Samsung RS22HDHPNSR, $2,400.
If you want a compact French-door model, look no further than the 33-inch-wide Kenmore Elite 71313, $1,600, which combines exceptional temperature control and energy efficiency, plus it’s one of the quietest models we tested. Though it misses our recommended list, the $1,800 LG LFC22770ST is among our highest-scoring 30-inch-wide French-door bottom-freezers, with superb temperature control and quietness.
Smartest storage. Door-in-door compartments hit their stride in 2014. Among our favorites is the Samsung RH29H8000SR ShowCase side-by-side, $2,500, whose entire fresh-food section features the innovative two-door design, allowing you to access beverages, condiments, and other everyday items without reaching into the main chamber. We also like the LG LSC22991ST, $2,700. At first glance, the cabinet-depth models looks like a four-door bottom-freezer, but the upper-right quadrant of the fridge is actually a door-in-door compartment that opens with the press of a button; to open the entire fresh-food section, you pull on the horizontal handle.
Best domestic. If you want to buy an outstanding American-made refrigerator, look no further than the $2,600 GE Profile PWE23KMDES French-door bottom-freezer, which is manufactured in GE's new factory in Louisville, KY. The cabinet-depth fridge is tied for the highest overall score, thanks to its superb temperature control and energy efficiency. It's also available in GE's exclusive slate finish, a matte, fingerprint-resistant alternative to stainless steel, which it also comes in.
Bottom-mount bargains. Some of the best bargains of the year came in the conventional bottom-freezer category. The Kenmore 69313, $950, is the only bottom-freezer on our picks list that sells for less than $1,000; not only that, the 30-inch-wide unit boasts superb temperature control, efficiency, and quietness. Spending more for the Kenmore Elite 79043, $1,510 gets you even better performance in a 33-inch-wide refrigerator.
Top of the tops. In the market for a traditional top-freezer? Among models tested this year that are still on the market, the $800 Haier HT21TS45SW earned impressive marks, including very good temperature control and excellent efficiency. If you're looking to spend even less, consider the Haier HT21TS77SP, $700, and the Haier HT18TS77SP, $600, both of which also made our recommended list.
—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)
Refrigerator highlights of 2014
The most—and least—reliable refrigerator brands
Best refrigerators for people who love to entertain
The hidden cost of refrigerator water dispensers
Best refrigerators for big families
The perfect freezer for ice cream lovers
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Most and least reliable refrigerator brands
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