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Friday, August 19th
If you're looking for a fridge with decent features and a budget-friendly price tag, Kenmore could be the right choice - if you can find it available for purchase, that is. Also, these appliances are usually manufactured by other brands, so you'll need to do a bit of research to make sure the behind-the-scenes maker is one you can rely on for a long-lasting refrigerator. And, be sure to prioritize the Elite models in the Kenmore line, to take advantage of longer warranty coverage on certain components.
KitchenAid is probably best known for its fantastic stand mixers, but they offer a good array of refrigerators and other appliances as well. If you're looking for high-end built-in fridge options, they've got several; the selection also includes a few dozen freestanding models with some interesting features. But, these refrigerators have not only gotten a bad reputation for needing multiple repairs in the first two years of ownership, but they've also been the focus of more than one class action lawsuit. That puts this brand at a worse-than-average position among the competition.
Whether you're equipping the kitchen in your brand-new home or replacing the trusty appliance you've had for years that finally gave up the ghost, you're making a major purchase that needs to be reliable and give you a good value for your money.
Today's refrigerators range from your basic side-by-side (or even a more old-fashioned freezer-on-top, fridge-on-bottom style) all the way up to cutting-edge designs that have a touchscreen in the door - for displaying recipes, checking the weather, or even listening to your favorite Spotify playlist.
Choosing the right fridge requires taking several factors into account. First, what's your budget? Believe it or not, you can find models for less than $500 and for more than $5,000, so having an idea of what you want to spend can help you narrow down the possibilities.
Next, how much room do you have? Taking accurate measurements is a must, otherwise your fridge may not fit on installation day - and don't forget to account for the room needed to open the doors. Also, how much room do you need inside? A good rule of thumb is four to six cubic feet of interior space for every adult in the household. Finally, what features are must-haves (or must-avoids)? Not everyone wants an in-door water/ice dispenser or a Wi-Fi capable appliance.
Once you've come up with a general overview of the refrigerator that will best suit your needs, it's time to see which brands fit the bill. Some manufacturers are more reliable than others: a few makers have a reputation for dropping the ball when it comes to customer service after the sale, and at least one has experienced major recalls due to fire hazards. No matter which brand and model you eventually decide, it's a smart idea to see what extended warranty coverage is available to help mitigate any costly problems you might experience down the road.
To recap, here are the criteria you should have in mind as you shop for a new refrigerator:
TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the most popular brands of refrigerators on the market today. We hope this information helps you choose the right model for your next major appliance purchase!
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