The 8 Best Refrigerator Brands On Earth Today

Keeping your food cold and fresh is one of the most important jobs any refrigerator has to do. But these days, the best refrigerator brands go far beyond basic storage and cooling. Modern refrigerators come packed with smart technology, connectivity features and innovations that can simplify meal planning, save you energy and effort, and even improve your daily life in small but meaningful ways.

But with so many brands and models to choose from, how do you know which fridge is right for your kitchen? This comprehensive guide examines the top refrigerator brands on the market right now, including why they stand out and some of their best offerings. Read on to learn what makes for an excellent refrigerator and how to pick the perfect one for your household’s needs.

How to Choose the Best Refrigerator Brand

With major brands offering fridges at every price point and configuration under the sun, settling on the right one can seem overwhelming. Here are the key factors to weigh when evaluating refrigerator brands:

Reliability and Durability
The best brands design refrigerators that stand the test of time, meaning they have exceptional build quality using durable materials that resist dents, scratches and general wear-and-tear. Their cooling components are engineered for long-lasting performance as well. Brands like Sub-Zero, Thermador and Miele are renowned for reliability.

Useful Features
Today’s fridges do a lot more than keep food cold. From smart connectivity to temperature sensors and organization systems, key features differ across refrigerator brands. Decide what’s useful for your household. For example, brands like Samsung and LG shine with high-tech offerings.

Energy Efficiency
An energy efficient refrigerator brand can save you hundreds of dollars over your appliance‘s lifetime. Top brands like Bosch, Liebherr and Whirlpool manufacture fridges that significantly cut energy consumption. Look for the EPA’s Energy Star certification.

Warranties
Most refrigerators come with a 1 year limited warranty. But some brands offer longer warranties (like 2-5 years) that cover full repairs and replacement parts. This protects you from defects or issues down the road.

Customer Reviews
Don’t just take the brand‘s word for it. Independent customer reviews offer transparent insight into real-world performance, longevity, ease of use and overall satisfaction for each refrigerator brand. Brands like Maytag, Amana and GE consistently earn praise.

With those key factors covered, let’s dive into the top refrigerator brands dominating today’s marketplace across various categories.

The 8 Best Refrigerator Brands For Every Need

Best Overall: LG
With sophisticated styling, ample storage capacity and a huge range of innovative smart features, LG takes the crown for best overall refrigerator brand.

LG Signature InstaView Door-in-Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator

Integrated LCD screen lets you see inside without opening doors
Customizable storage options like glide-out freezer drawer
SmartThinQ app for remote access and connectivity

LG instills its refrigerators with user-friendly technology that other brands simply don’t offer. For example, InstaView allows you to knock twice on a tinted glass panel to illuminate the easy access compartment without letting cold air escape. Meanwhile, the stainless steel LG Signature model pictured above stands just 24-inches deep, making it perfect for smaller kitchens.

While some of LG’s high-end, Wi-Fi enabled refrigerators don’t come cheap, you can frequently find great deals on quality fridges at lower price points too. Suffice to say, LG gives you excellent bang for your buck across its stellar product line.

LG Refrigerator Pros:

Cutting-edge smart technology features
Sleek, modern designs fit any kitchen
Spacious storage capacity, even for tight spaces
Reliable cooling performance

Best Budget: Frigidaire
When it comes to excellent refrigerators available at affordable prices, Frigidaire shines as the best budget brand around.

Frigidaire Top Freezer Refrigerator

Reversible door allows right or left swing
Bright lighting fully illuminates interior
Effortless humidity control for crisper drawers

Part of European appliance giant Electrolux, Frigidaire offers outstanding value refrigerators without skimping on useful functionality. Models like the top freezer fridge above provide essentials like adjustable spill-safe shelves, crisper drawers for fruits and veggies, deli bins and door storage at wallet-friendly prices.

While Frigidaire lacks some bells and whistles of pricier brands, you still get great Organization flexibility, LED lighting for visibility, options like in-door ice makers and excellent quality backed by long warranties – all for hundreds less. It‘s why Frigidaire earns such consistent praise from satisfied customers.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Pros:

Very affordable prices
Solid performance and durability
Handy storage options and compartments
Strong customer satisfaction

Best Smart: Samsung
As a leading electronics innovator, it’s no surprise that Samsung dominates the smart refrigerator space. The brand’s Family Hub series takes connectivity and convenience to the next level.

Samsung Family Hub Smart Fridge

Integrated touchscreen with app connectivity
View contents remotely via 3 built-in cameras
Stream music and entertainment
Integrates with Samsung smart home ecosystem

The Family Hub’s signature feature is its large built-in touchscreen that serves as the refrigerator‘s nerve center. You can view live streaming footage from interior cameras to see what’s inside without opening doors, saving energy. The screen mirrors content from your smartphone and doubles as a digital family calendar for leaving notes. You can even stream TV shows and music apps like Spotify.

Meanwhile, Bixby voice control lets you look up recipes, add items to integrated shopping lists, catch up on news and more completely hands-free. SmartThings app integration also allows Samsung fridge owners to control and monitor hundreds of compatible smart home devices.

For the ultimate high-tech refrigerator experience packed with extras that actually prove useful for daily family life, Samsung sets the bar.

Samsung Smart Fridge Pros:

Futuristic features like touchscreens and cameras
Voice assistant and smart home ecosystem integration
Entertaining content streaming capabilities

Best Flexible: LG Door-in-Door
While most refrigerator configurations present pros and cons, LG’s Door-in-Door design provides the best of both worlds for flexible storage.

LG InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator

Knock to see inside eliminating open doors
Full width "real" freezer drawer
Adjustable door bins for drinks, jars, etc

Door-in-Door fridges have a compartment in the front that serves as an easy access beverage cooler and storage zone for frequently grabbed items. When you want something from the main fridge, just tap the InstaView panel to briefly illuminate the contents instead of letting out all the cold air.

Meanwhile, full-extension freezer drawers make storing and retrieving frozen foods much more convenient than traditional models. Spacious interior capacity houses all your fresh and frozen goods easily. For unmatched fridge flexibility and access, LG Door-in-Door rules.

LG Door-in-Door Refrigerator Pros:

Dual compartments reduce cold air loss
Full-extension freezer drawers
Knock twice to view main compartment
Generous sizing and storage space

Best Built-In: Thermador
When designing a luxury kitchen with integrated appliances, accept no substitutes – Thermador is the best built-in refrigerator brand available.

Thermador Masterpiece Refrigerator

Flawlessly integrates into cabinetry
Unique adjustable storage Freedom® Shelves
SuperQuiet 40 decibel cooling system
Star-K Kosher certification available

Thermador specializes in ultra-high end appliances built to fit seamlessly into any custom kitchen with panels that completely match existing cabinetry for a unified look. Uniquely adjustable Freedom Shelves slide and flip up or down to accommodate tall items with ease. Meanwhile, the Masterpiece Collection comes backed by a strong 5 year warranty.

With incredible attention to detail, Thermador engineered refrigeration results in exceptional temperature stability and reduced vibration. Bottom Freezer units even have a blast chiller function to rapidly chill beverages and foods after shopping trips. Simply put, no luxury integrated kitchen is complete without Thermador.

Thermador Built-In Refrigerator Pros:

Perfectly flush built-in aesthetic
Shelving adjusts to fit anything
Extremely quiet yet powerful performance
Prestigious luxury brand pedigree

Most Reliable: Sub-Zero
When it comes to unrelenting refrigerator durability able to withstand years of regular use and still keep things cold, Sub-Zero reigns supreme as the most reliable brand available.

Sub-Zero PRO 48 Refrigerator

Commercial grade stainless steel construction
Dual refrigeration zones
Air purification system
Star-K Kosher certification available

Used extensively in restaurants and commercial settings, Sub-Zero translates that rugged dependability into high-end home appliances like its PRO Series. The thick stainless steel exterior resists corrosion, dents and scratches even under heavy use. Meanwhile, independent cooling systems for fridge and freezer compartments offer true temperature stability.

Sub-Zero refrigerators even feature an air purification system using a NASA-inspired technology called photocatalytic oxidation that eliminates ethylene, mold, bacteria and odors to keep produce fresher longer with consistently ideal humidity levels. It’s clear why Sub-Zero built an sterling reputation for extreme reliability.

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Pros:

Commercial grade stainless steel construction
Dual self-contained cooling systems
Air purification technology
Workhorse-level durability

Most Stylish: JennAir
For refrigerators that seamlessly blend world-class performance with gorgeous designer looks to elevate your kitchen, JennAir leads the pack as the most stylish brand available.

JennAir Contemporary French Door Refrigerator

Sleek pro-style appearance
ProChill temperature management
Dynamic cooling technology
Integrates beautifully into overall aesthetic

With flowing handles, minimalist lines and an elegant glass and metal exterior available in unique rich finishes like Rykon glass pictured above, JennAir fridges rival the beauty of luxury cars or high-end home furnishings.

But these refrigerators offer way more than stunning looks. JennAir packs its fridges with food preservation technologies like filters to maintain ideal humidity, LED lighting that fully illuminates without hot spots and multi-shelf air towers that promote uniform cooling from front to back so foods retain quality and texture. When you want a refrigerator as refined as your personal style, JennAir delivers.

JennAir Refrigerator Pros:

Captivating designer aesthetics
Advanced cooling and food preservation technologies
Flawlessly integrates like built-in without dedicated cabinetry
Fine styling matched with performance

Best For Families: Maytag
When searching for a reliable daily driver refrigerator equipped to handle the demands of a bustling family household, Maytag is the best brand to beat.

Maytag Top Freezer Refrigerator

Robust builds to withstand years of regular use
Spacious interiors with adjustable layouts
Bright LED lighting strips for clear visibility
Optional in-door ice and water dispenser

With reinforced stainless steel handles and robust construction that resists dings, leaks and exterior damage, Maytag’s refrigerators are made to cope with continuous use across years of nonstop family activity. User-friendly storage options like full-width shelves, transparent crisper drawers with humidity controls and gallon door bins provide customizable organization convenience.

Meanwhile, readily available replacement parts ensure any necessary repairs down the road barely disrupt daily refrigerator access. When you want tried and true cold storage able to stand up to ravenous kids, active lifestyles and repeated access, Maytag has families covered.

Maytag Refrigerator Pros:

Sturdy builds and high reliability
Spacious, flexible storage configurations
Easy to service and find replacement parts
Affordable prices for great value

What To Consider When Buying a Refrigerator

Carefully measure your kitchen space so you get the perfect size fridge that actually fits. Account for doors, hallways, corners etc. during transport.
Pick the right configuration for your needs and preferences like side-by-side, French door, bottom freezer etc. Measure appropriately.
Decide which features and settings matter most – do you want specialty drawers? Smart connectivity? Shelving customizations? through-door ice? Flexible storage options like Door-in-Door designs strike an excellent balance.
Consider how much you cook and prep ingredients. Frequent grocery shoppers and avid cooks may benefit from zonable temperature controls and humidors.
Browse refrigerators within your targeted budget range. $2000+ unlocks premium brands and innovations, $1000-1500 provides excellent midrange quality, while $700-900 secures reliable budget-friendly fridges.

Using a Modern Smart Refrigerator

Between adjustable shelving, expansive touch screens, food preservation technologies and smart home ecosystem integrations, fridges have come incredibly far from simple boxes that keep things cold. Here‘s a quick look at what it’s like interacting with one of today‘s high-tech refrigerators on the regular:

Wake up and ask your LG InstaView ThinQ fridge via voice assistant what’s on the grocery list as you’re prepping to leave for the store. The display panel confirms needed items.
As you’re unpacking groceries, you receive a smartphone notification that the Bosch refrigerator has already cooled to optimal temperature after briefly opening doors.
You knock on the LG InstaView panel and see jars of preserved summer tomatoes. Decide to grab some for the salad your Thermador smart oven is preheating to cook dinner.
Check internal cameras before going to bed and notice nearly empty produce drawers. Open the fridge‘s specified smartphone app and add veggies to tomorrow‘s grocery list.
Without taking eyes off the cooking show you’re streaming via Wi-Fi on the Samsung Family Hub display, you ask Bixby to add milk to your grocery list as you notice you’re nearly out while making breakfast in the morning.

While basic features like cooling, shelves and bins aren’t going anywhere, refrigerators continue getting smarter and more helpful with each passing year.

The Bottom Line

Modern refrigerators provide far more utility and convenience thanks to innovations from top brands leading appliance evolution. After weighing reliability, efficiency, configuration, features and more, LG emerges as the strongest fridge brand overall based on extensive market evaluations.

But plenty of alternatives exist. As outlined above, brands like Frigidaire, Thermador, Sub-Zero, JennAir and Maytag each earn top marks in various niches. Matching one’s unique preferences and kitchen needs with the optimal refrigerator ultimately comes down to priorities. Consider them carefully, and you’re sure to keep food perfectly chilled while streamlining meal prep for years with the best fridge brand.