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How to choose the best fridge for your family
Can't decide which fridge to buy? Which? experts help you compare fridge features, so you can decide which are essential and which features you're less likely to use.
Video guide to choosing the best fridge
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Not sure which fridge to choose? Whether you have questions about fridge capacity, features, energy efficiency or noise, our video explains the pros and cons of various types, to help you compare fridges to make sure you get the best fridge for you.
Choosing the best fridge for your kitchen and lifestyle
Compare fridge features and types
Huge capacities may seem attractive features when comparing fridges, but there's more to consider when choosing the best fridge for your home than going for American fridge styles. Seemingly mundane fridge features like removable shelves, bottle grips and castors can make all the difference for a busy household.
Of course, style may be important – whether you're choosing a fridge, freezer or combined fridge freezer – but consider how practical a retro American fridge might be when reading fridge reviews.
How reliable is your Hotpoint, Electrolux or Beko fridge?
Our thorough testing compares fridges to help make sure that you choose the right model for your home – but only with Which? members' help can we indicate how well a fridge might handle everyday family use.
The Which? fridge reliability survey can help you compare the most reliable fridge brands, and we also ask fridge owners how satisfied they were with their model, to find out their favourite fridge brands.
What is the cheapest fridge to run?
Many people tell us that energy efficiency is a key reason for choosing a fridge – annual running costs range between around £15 and £50.
See how running costs of A-rated fridges can vary as we compare fridge running costs, or compare fridges by energy ratings. We also have our pick of the best energy-efficient fridges, which includes leading brands.
Should I get a fridge freezer instead?
If you don't have enough floor space for a separate fridge and freezer in your kitchen, a fridge freezer could be the ideal solution. You can buy freestanding or built-in models, and can choose to have the freezer at the bottom or the top. You can also buy American fridge freezers (click on 'Fridge freezer type'), where the compartments are side by side.
However, fridge freezers tend to be less reliable than standalone fridges and freezers, so check our reliability ratings before you buy.
Keep your fridge-stored food in top condition
The Which? fridge reviews also includes advice on how best to store your food, including setting the best temperature, and where food should be stored in a fridge to avoid cross contamination.
You may buy a large fridge thinking you can spread your food around to avoid this – but don't forget that features such as water coolers take up a lot of space, and fridges need to be fairly full to be energy efficient.
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Which? tests more thoroughly than any other organisation
We've conduct independent and extensive tests on hundreds of fridges, so you can be sure Which? Best Buys are the best fridges out there.
We make sure fridge temperature is even so food is kept in top condition
Which? is so stringent when testing how well a fridge will keep your food cool that we monitor temperature at the top, middle and bottom of the cabinet, just in case the odd warm spot develops. We also listen to how annoying a fridge’s pitch and tone are. These are both things you can’t typically detect when you’re out shopping for fridges.
