The Best Compact Refrigerators That Don't Top $1,000

Janice Blakeley
Updated

Considering someone is likely to purchase a new car more often than they purchase a new refrigerator, selecting the right fridge model is not a decision to be taken lightly. Chosen wisely, this all-important appliance can last you and your family a decade or more. But does that mean you need to spend thousands of dollars to get a good one? Nope. To help ease any paralysis by analysis, we rounded up the most trustworthy, high-functioning, good-looking refrigerators for compact kitchens—because who has room for a full-size fridge these days??—and none of them top the $1,000 mark. Some are brands you probably already know, others are sleeper picks; all were selected based on rave reviews and Consumer Reports ratings.

If you're really just sad to be giving up the counter space…
Under-counter: Under-counter models are known more for their space-saving abilities than for their ability to accurately control temperature and keep foods fresh. But if counter space is what you’re looking for above all, these models can be great—they're even usable in offices, bedrooms, really anywhere you'd like a mini-fridge but prefer to call it by this slightly more sophisticated name.

This compact, under-counter refrigerator with a separate freezer compartment wins rave reviews from one Best Buy purchaser, who states, “A great, small, QUIET, attractive refrigerator with a separate freezer, at a reasonable price…perfect for a small studio apartment.” Consumer Reports doesn't have a Best Buy in this category, but recommends the Frigidaire brand as the highest-performing. SHOP NOW: Gallery Top-Freezer Refrigerator by Frigidaire, $700, bestbuy.com

If you're short on space but still need a full-size fridge…
Top-freezer: If lack of space is an issue, top-freezer units are your best bet: They're usually 30 to 33 inches wide and offer an impressive amount of storage (up to 22 cubic feet!) considering their small footprint. These models are also the most affordable.

Kathy, a reviewer on bestbuy.com, gave this refrigerator 4 stars, saying that it "exceeded my expectations" and that the shelving held more items than she expected. To boot: "The noise level isn't too loud and the temperature of both fridge and freezer are on point. Well worth the price.” Consumer Reports rating: 66 SHOP NOW: Gallery FGTR1842TF Refrigerator by Frigidaire, $700, bestbuy.com

If you're worried about how far the door will swing out…
Side-by-side: Most side-by-side refrigerators have those sought-after through-door ice and water dispensers, but perhaps more practically appealing is that their narrow doors require less room for clearance than other models. Unfortunately, these 32- to 36-inch-wide units aren’t as energy-efficient as others, but if aesthetics and features are your priority, they’re a great way to go.

"The French doors are perfect for my small galley kitchen," says five-star reviewer Lpro13 on ajmadison.com. "It has so much room, I haven't filled it to capacity yet!" Consumer Reports rating: 75 SHOP NOW: RS25J500DSR/AA Side-By Side Refrigerator by Samsung, $1,000, bestbuy.com

If you don't want the fridge to stick out beyond the counter…
Counter-depth: European manufacturers have embraced counter-depth fridges for quite some time in smaller spaces. and these models are finally becoming more widely available in the U.S. too. As the name implies, these models are only 24 inches deep, so they don't extend beyond the depth of a kitchen counter.

“I was looking for a true counter-depth refrigerator without going to the expense of a built-in like a Sub-Zero," writes one five-star reviewer of this Haier model. "It is extremely quiet and holds a lot of groceries without losing things in the back where they aren't seen.” Consumer Reports rating: 65 SHOP NOW: Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator by Haier, $944, lowes.com
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