There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a refrigerator—from capacity, configuration and finishes to features like beverage centers and AI assistance. After consulting two appliance experts and completing months’ worth of testing, we crowned the as the best refrigerator overall. Its reliable performance—along with high-tech features like a 32-inch smart touchscreen, voice recognition and auto-open function—make it stand out from the pack. For those looking for a large, family-friendly refrigerator, the is another top pick, thanks to a smudge-proof stainless steel exterior and generous storage organization, including large deli drawer that’s wide enough for party platters.
Why We Named It Best Refrigerator Overall
If you’re a smart home fan like executive editor Dave Johnson—who has been testing this fridge in his own home for months—the would be a joy to own. Featured in 2026 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards, this fridge balances reliable functionality with high-tech features that are actually useful on a day-to-day basis.
The fridge’s defining characteristic is the AI Family Hub, a massive 32-inch touchscreen that runs a library of Android apps like Google Calendar, YouTube, a photo gallery and Post-It–style notes. The Hub also lets you control fridge and freezer preferences, manage security cameras and play Spotify from either the fridge or a connected speaker.
Both top doors have an auto-open function, activated by either passing a hand underneath or using voice recognition. Johnson reports that while he was most enthused by the auto-open feature, his fiancée was excited about the fridge’s AI capabilities.
“The fridge keeps track of everything you store inside, and the Family Hub can suggest recipes tailored to what you have on hand,” says Johnson. “As you add items to the fridge, a camera tries to identify them so you can see a text list of your fridge’s contents.” Though he adds that this feature isn’t perfect; sometimes it mislabels certain items.
All-In-One Beverage Center
On the opposite door is this fridge’s other noteworthy feature: the beverage center, which consists of a beverage-friendly shelf, a water dispenser and an auto-refilling pitcher (behind which is a pass-through into the fridge itself). A split-door design allows you to open a slimmer half-door for easy access to drinks without having to open the entire fridge.
In the freezer, there’s also an integrated ice maker with two large trays of different ice shapes—cubed and smaller Ice Bites—which Johnson says never clump together.
Customizable Flex Zone
With 29 cubic feet of capacity, this smart fridge’s interior is spacious. But beyond that, its FlexZone option lets you adjust one of the lower freezer sections to cooling rather than freezing, in case you need extra fridge space. There are three fixed glass shelves (one folds in half for when you need to store extra-tall items), plus a pair of bins for organizing produce and meats.
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Why We Named It Best Refrigerator For Families
The 25-cubic-foot checks all the boxes of a good fridge—with minimal tech included. The stainless steel exterior is fingerprint-proof, though it’s also available in black and white finishes.
Inside, the model has bright, energy-efficient LED lighting and a variety of temperature- and humidity-controlled zones, including an extra-wide deli drawer that’s large enough to store party platters for birthdays or cookouts. There’s also what Maytag calls a “PowerCold” setting designed to quickly chill newly added groceries.
A Roomy Interior
Director of product management, Matt Flood, tested this refrigerator for the 2024 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards and praised its energy efficiency, quietness, electronic controls, roominess and flexible storage. “It has generous storage; it includes a wire basket and a plastic basket to create plenty of space to organize frozen food,” Flood says. “[It also has] two FreshLock crispers, three adjustable half-width shelves, three adjustable gallon door bins and more to provide ample space for storing items.”
Why We Named It Best French Door Refrigerator
With a spacious cool zone on top, wide shelves and large storage bins for customizable organization, French door refrigerators are a favorite in many homes. This GE model is a category standout, thanks to its superior climate control and organization-friendly storage.
It features twin chill evaporators to offer more accuracy over the climate within the fresh food and freezer sections. The model also features humidity-controlled drawers to keep vegetables fresh, spill-proof glass shelves to prevent liquids from leaking onto lower levels, showcase LED lighting and an interior ice maker and integrated water filtration system.
Great For Kitchens Of All Sizes
Whether you’re low on space or looking for a higher capacity fridge to accommodate your large family, this GE fridge comes in both counter-depth and standard-depth versions. There are also four color finishes to choose from, including black, slate and white.
Why We Named It Best Counter-Depth Refrigerator
Designed to looks seamless against standard countertops, counter-depth refrigerators offer a more streamlined look than standard refrigerators. is one of the most versatile and convenient counter-depth fridges on the market. It offers a flexible storage configuration designed to maximize space, an internal water dispenser, a filter to absorbs food odors and the company’s signature VitaFreshPro system, which automatically balances temperature and humidity.
Just keep in mind that while providing a built-in look, counter-depth fridges have a smaller capacity. It’s also worth noting that in order to access the internal fridge drawers, both doors have to be open.
Manage Your Fridge From Afar
This model is compatible with Bosch’s accompanying app, Home Connect. With it, you can remotely control your fridge’s temperature and lighting, regularly run diagnostics and receive notifications if someone left the fridge or freezer door open.
Why We Named It Best High-End Refrigerator
For households that value refrigerators that are equal parts attractive, functional and packed with high-tech features, the is a standout pick. Its pleasing aesthetics are evident through both its exterior and interior design: In addition to its smudge-proof finish and elegant-looking water dispenser, the inside has an LED wall light that illuminates every shelf evenly—a feature that’s both useful and visually pleasing, according to users.
It’s also Wi-Fi capable, meaning you can receive instant alerts and customize settings like light brightness and temperature levels using the SmartHQ app on your smartphone.
Convenient Beverage Features
The sleek water dispenser checks both aesthetic and high-tech boxes. It’s hands-free, using sensors to stop filling your glass with filtered water when it has reached the top. This was a standout feature for Lindsay Boyers, Forbes Vetted director of commerce strategy and optimization, who tested this refrigerator at home. “The automatic water dispenser is great,” Boyers says. “The dispenser is big enough to fit my 32-ounce Hydroflask, which I drink out of 99% of the time, so I love that I don't have to hold it while it's filling.”
The interior storage is also equally flexible and visually sophisticated, with a “door-in-door” rotating bin (similar to the ’s split-door design), so you can more easily store and access tall bottles without having to reach deeper into the fridge.
Why We Named It Best Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Bottom freezers have become a lot more popular in recent years, not only because they put your fresh food at eye level, but also because the slide-out drawers tend to be larger and more efficient than top-freezer models.
Case in point: The 33-inch , which features a generous 22 cubic feet of total storage along with a built-in ice maker, is a popular pick with good reason. Bright LED lighting illuminates the interior which includes humidity-controlled crispers and lined-glass shelves designed to contain spills and prevent leaks for easier cleanup.
Smart Temperature Management
A last-minute trip to the grocery store before hosting guests is made easier with Whirlpool’s Accu-Chill Temperature Management System, which senses and adapts to the temperature of foods in the fridge (to save energy, it only activates the compressor when necessary). But the fridge’s amenities aren’t too over-the-top. A highlight, according to Fahad Javaid, general manager of operations at Canadian kitchen equipment company Zanduco, is that it has “fewer features and frills, which can also contribute to [its] longevity, as there are fewer intricate parts that could potentially break or need replacing.”
Why We Named It Best Value Refrigerator
Javaid points out that smaller refrigerators, and those with fewer parts, are likely to be the quietest, best-priced models you can buy. fits the bill—it’s ideal for anyone looking for an affordable, quality refrigerator for their first apartment, a small kitchen or a backup garage refrigerator.
Full Of Features At An Affordable Price
The costs well under $1,000, but it still comes outfitted with features like digital temperature controls for quick access to your settings, two humidity-controlled crisper drawers to extend the lifespan of your produce and an energy-efficient design.
It also comes in three finishes to match the other appliances in your kitchen, including a stainless steel option. And while this fridge doesn’t come with an ice maker (which some users prefer in secondary fridges), you can add one for an additional cost.
Why We Named It Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Side-by-side fridges offer the convenience of having both fresh and frozen foods on the same level, but a common complaint is that this design sacrifices storage space. That’s why this GE model is our top pick—its side-by-side design is still spacious at 25 cubic feet, and it has highly adjustable storage so you can optimize the interior to best suit your needs. Plus, it’s reasonably priced.
Custom Interior Storage
We’re not exaggerating when we talk about its adjustable storage: The GE’s pull-out shelves can fit in one of 10 slots on either side of the fridge walls, so you can easily customize based on your contents’ varying heights. The door shelves are also adjustable too, and there are two produce drawers, as well as an extra freezer shelf above the ice maker.
Just keep in mind that this model doesn’t have a deli drawer, and some users report certain shelves feeling slightly warmer than others.
How We Chose The Best Refrigerators
To find the best refrigerator for each category, our home and kitchen editorial team started by focusing on top-rated models from trusted fridge brands and major appliance retailers.
- We carefully sifted through customer reviews, prioritizing models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
- We consulted two kitchen appliance experts to determine what specific criteria to look for in a good refrigerator. We then evaluated each refrigerator based on the experts’ recommended factors of size, style, capacity, storage, organization and advanced features.
- We made sure to review a variety of refrigerators that cater to different needs and lifestyles, including small-space-friendly models, high-tech fridges and various configurations (e.g., side-by-side, top-freezer and counter-depth designs).
- Forbes Vetted team members tested three of our top recommendations: The , our choice for the best refrigerator overall, the , our pick for the best refrigerator for families, and the , our pick for the best high-end refrigerator. Our testers recorded data on the models’ storage design, capacity, features, noise, reliability and more.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Refrigerator
The most important considerations when you shop, according to , home expert and co-founder of , are size, capacity, style, additional features, installation and, of course, available space.
Size
Your fridge needs to fit into the designated space in your kitchen while also offering enough storage to accommodate everyone in your household. “Start by looking at the dimensions of your old fridge to get an idea of the size you need,” says Hicks. “If you’re in a new space, or if you didn’t like the size of your old fridge, you’ll need to measure your space to make sure your fridge fits properly.” This includes height, depth and width, making sure to account for few inches of clearance on either side so the fridge is not wedged in.
Capacity
Both fridge and freezer capacity can determine whether a refrigerator is right for your lifestyle. Consider the following when deciding what size refrigerator to buy.
- Follow a formula: “A good rule of thumb is to aim for a minimum of 6 cubic feet per adult and 4 cubic feet per child,” says Hicks.
- Adjustability: Keep in mind that the configuration of the shelves, drawers and ice dispensers (if located inside the freezer) impact how much of an appliance’s listed capacity you can actually use. This can be mitigated by the fact that many refrigerators offer adjustable and removable shelving, as well as the option to turn off the ice maker.
Style
Prioritizing which items you want most easily accessible will help you determine what style fridge is best for you. French door refrigerators allow fresh foods to be stored up top and frozen items to be stored on the bottom, while a side-by-side fridge allots equal visual space for both fresh and frozen foods.
As with most kitchen appliances, refrigerators also come in a variety of finishes to match the look of the rest of your home. (Stainless steel tends to be the most popular choice, but black and white follow close behind.) Determining your preference in advance will help you narrow down the field.
Energy Efficiency
While shopping for your new refrigerator, you may notice the label on some models. If a fridge is awarded this badge, it means that it meets strict energy-saving requirements established by Energy Star and is, on average, 9% more energy efficient than refrigerators that solely meet the federal energy efficiency standard.
These refrigerators often have features like high-efficiency compressors and better quality insulation to improve energy efficiency overall, resulting in a lessened environmental impact and lower energy bills.
Additional Features
Modern refrigerators offer a wide variety of added amenities, from integrated AI to auto-fill water dispensers. “This is really where personal preference comes into play,” notes Hicks. “Some refrigerators are basic, while others offer more advanced features.”
- Water and ice dispensers: Some fridges house their water and ice dispensers inside the unit, offering a sleeker exterior, while others feature more convenient stations on the doors’ exterior. There are also newer models that have dual doors for easier access to auto-filled water pitchers without having to fully open the fridge, and ice makers that produce multiple types of cubes, like the .
- Smart features: Newer fridge models also have a multitude of smart capabilities, like the Samsung Bespoke AI Flex’s touch screen family hub or the ’s accompanying app, Home Connect, which allows you to remotely control your fridge settings and receive helpful notifications. These features often come at a higher price point, but if high-tech appliances are valuable to you, it may be worth it.
Installation
Not to be overlooked, installation is key when buying a new fridge. This is especially true, says Hicks, “if it’s large or if you’re inexperienced with appliance installation.” Many retailers offer an installation add-on at checkout for an extra fee. If the option is not available, Hicks advises hiring a professional both to remove your old fridge and to install the new one.
If you do install the fridge yourself or oversee installation, you’ll want to confirm that the doors open comfortably and that there’s enough clearance on either side of the fridge. “Even if you measured the dimensions and the fridge technically fits, you need to make sure you’ll be comfortable while using it,” says Hicks.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written dozens of shopping guides for our home vertical, including an extensive catalogue of kitchen and dining stories and a review of the best side-by-side refrigerators.
- Our refrigerator and freezer coverage, including continuous updates on this piece, is overseen by a seasoned group of home and kitchen editors and writers, including deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, home and kitchen editor Monica Petrucci and home and kitchen writer Kathleen Knowles.
- For this story, our staff relied on our team’s deep subject matter expertise and diligent research, scoping out popular refrigerator models from the most trusted names in kitchen appliances, including LG, GE, Bosch and Maytag.
- We regularly refresh this story to keep our recommendations and shopping guidance current and accurate. It was last updated in May 2026.
Our Experts
- , home expert and co-founder of , the home services website.
- Fahad Javaid, general manager of operations at , a Canadian kitchen equipment company.