If the home is a family’s universe, the refrigerator is the sun. Everything revolves around it, from breakfasts to-go, healthy lunches, and rowdy dinners around the table. That’s why getting a new refrigerator is kind of a big deal. There are tons of factors to consider — everything from configuration and dimensions to finishes and special features. Of course, there’s no getting around the price: They’re expensive. But if you want a top pick from a reliable brand that will stand steady in your family’s orbit for years to come, you’re in the right place.
Overall, we think these are the best refrigerators to buy in 2019:
Best for Families: Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator
Best Value: Maytag Wide French Door Refrigerator
Door-in-Door: LG InstaView Door-in-Door
1 Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator
Think of Samsung’s Family Hub Refrigerator as your family’s kitchen command center. With Bixby, Samsung’s smart voice assistant, you can ask your fridge to add groceries to a shopping list, order food on Grubhub, or play Pandora (on the built-in speakers). In our tests, we were impressed with its ability to maintain super steady temperatures in the fridge and freezer, which is a must to keep foods fresh.
2 Maytag Wide French Door Refrigerator
For a solid fridge without a hefty price tag, this Maytag model is the one to beat. It has slide-out shelves and a built-in water and ice dispenser with filter. In our tests, fridge and freezer temps held steady and door shelves were cool enough to safely store dairy (which is a no-go on most fridges). Lettuce lasted five days in the crisper, but the controls were a little tricky to adjust so keep the manual handy.
3 LG InstaView Door-in-Door
You can depend on the LG InstaView Refrigerator to do an excellent job of keeping your food fresh, but what really distinguishes it is the unique door-in-door feature: The easy-access compartment lets you quickly grab a snack or beverage without having to open the full door. The InstaView technology lets you knock on the window of the see-through door to make the interior lights come on.
If you are looking for a cost-effective refrigerator, you can’t go wrong with Maytag Wide French Door Refrigerator. It offers great results for your money, but if you have a more flexible budget, then Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator and G InstaView Door-in-Door are worth the extra cost.