In our reader survey, 24% of respondents said that their ice maker had jammed or completely broken, by far the most common hardware-based failure. That’s particularly notable considering that 17% of respondents didn’t even have an automatic ice maker or said that they didn’t think about this feature. But the list has plenty of other efficient models in other styles, as well. According to the EPA, a general rule of thumb is that the larger the refrigerator, the more energy it uses; the most energy-efficient models have a capacity of 16 to 20 cubic feet.
We’ve updated the efficiency and sustainability section of this guide with more recent information that is especially relevant to those who own a refrigerator that is more than 15 years old. However, the noise issue might occur, but the other amazing features are non-negotiable. So we’re happy to see that they’ve come up with a few new models that will satisfy even the pickiest buyers. It also has an auto-humidity moisture maintenance system, which means it will automatically adjust the humidity level to keep things fresh.
The lines between these styles are blurry and pretty much disappear around $4,000, where many freestanding fridges are both well equipped and well appointed. In 2020, LG settled a class-action lawsuit regarding faulty compressors that may have affected up to 1.6 million fridges sold from 2014 to 2017, all of which were 33- and 36-inch-wide French-door and side-by-side models. But there are some rules of thumb to follow if you want to maximize your energy savings, such as choosing a smaller capacity, passing on a door dispenser, and avoiding side-by-side models. Currently, he is working as a content writer for WorstBrands, where he provides insightful reviews of different products, including home appliances, outdoor gear, fashion, and kitchen products.
Read on for the most common underlying causes and solutions to get your ice maker working again. And today’s fridges are much, much more efficient than models were 15 years ago and earlier. Side-by-sides and top-freezer models were somewhat more prone to minor, nuisance-type problems like noise, broken shelves or handles, and flickering lights than French-door or bottom-freezer models. Beko and Blomberg are both made whirlpool mini refrigerator by one of Europe’s largest appliance companies (Arçelik) and have been nibbling at the fringes of the US market for about a decade. Our reader survey didn’t turn up any useful information on how they compare to other brands in the US, but the parent company has a good reputation in other countries. The challenge with these brands might be getting service under warranty or spare parts for repairs in the future.
Certain types aren’t available in certain sizes or at certain prices, so in choosing a model you don’t quite have carte blanche, but you usually have some wiggle room. Small models (10 cubic feet) from smaller brands, such as the Magic Chef MCDR1000WE, start around $400. Arctic King The customer ratings for these lowest-end fridges tend to be decent, though some models (like this retro-styled Galanz) seem more prone to cooling failures than a typical fridge. You can find even cheaper fridges, but they tend to be very small, almost like mini fridges.
According to our reader survey, slightly fewer Whirlpool French-door owners said they were very or somewhat satisfied than their GE counterparts, and they trailed even further behind LG French-door owners. We don’t have great data on LG’s reputation for top-freezer models—we got too few survey responses whirlpool mini refrigerator regarding such models to reach statistical significance. And LG doesn’t sell as wide a variety of that type of fridge as other brands do. But judging from the little info we do have, those models seem to be solid, too. LG’s bottom-freezer models also earned high marks in our reader survey.