Buying guide for best freezerless refrigerators
Freezerless refrigerators make stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables a cinch. If you have the space for a separate refrigerator, you’ll be able to keep several days’ worth of fresh produce organized and at your fingertips. But when it comes to making a big purchase, it can be hard to know where to start.
That’s where we come in. At BestReviews, we’re always on the lookout for the best products on the market. We test products, consult experts, and assess consumer reviews to bring you the honest, unbiased opinions you need to make an informed decision. Rest assured that we don’t accept free manufacturer samples, so we’re testing the same products you purchase in stores or online.
We’ve provided a shopping guide to give you an overview of the available features of freezerless refrigerators. Don’t forget to take a look at our top picks to see which models we recommend.
Types of freezerless refrigerators
Standard
Standard models do not have a freezer space but devote all cubic feet to refrigeration. These refrigerators also lack water dispensers or ice makers and have a single door. Some models have wire racks while others have glass shelves, drawers, and bins. Basic models usually only come in white, but some pricier models may offer a choice of white, black, or stainless steel.
Built-in two-drawer
These models give you two large temperature- and humidity-controlled drawers for your refrigeration needs. Bins are used to organize the interior. Built-in two-drawer models come in stainless steel or an overlay panel exterior. These are some of the most expensive models on the market.
Compact
With a capacity of 3.5 to 11 cubic feet, these models work well in rec rooms, dorms, or any other space where you do light entertaining. They can keep a few drinks and snacks cold and ready to go.
When researching freezerless fridges, we note the appearance and quality of the finish. Popular finishes include stainless steel, smudge proof, white, black, and wood panels.
We consider both full-size and compact freezerless refrigerators in our research. Compact models range in size from 3.3 to 11 cubic feet, whereas full-size models range from 16 to 18.8 cubic feet.
We note the depth, width, and height of each freezerless refrigerator in our research, and we urge potential buyers to note their available space before buying a freezerless fridge.
Noise output and energy efficiency are two specs we research in our quest to find the best freezerless refrigerators.
Adjustability is a desirable feature that we look for. Some freezerless fridges have racks you can move around; others have shelves with drawers and bins you can rearrange.
Some freezerless fridges come with wheels (often called castors) that give consumers the ability to easily move the appliance around.
We evaluate the design of the drawers and bins for versatility. High-end models have drawers and bins designed to retain the freshness of meat or vegetables.
We keep an eye out for energy-efficient freezerless refrigerators. These models use less energy and cost less to run over time.
On some appliances, a built-in door alarm alerts you if the door has stood open for a certain amount of time. Some models have a blackout alarm that sounds when food is about to spoil. We note these user-friendly features in our research.
Since most full-size freezerless refrigerators require some assembly, we find out how easy each model is to set up. In many cases, the buyer must attach the door (and door handle) in addition to installing shelves and drawers.
Freezerless refrigerator measurements
Depth, width, and height
It’s worth taking the extra time to measure your kitchen space more than once. Measure depth, width, and height from several points in case the floor or top cabinets are uneven. Measure the width from the wall and to the front of the space. Last, make sure to take into account any baseboard and/or chair rail when measuring.
Door clearance
Some freezerless refrigerators have drawers that aren’t accessible unless the door is fully open. Measure how far into your kitchen the door will open to be sure it won’t hit an island or other appliances or cabinets.
Ventilation
Refrigerators need at least an inch of clearance above and behind for proper ventilation. If the unit is too close to the wall and overhead cabinets, it can take extra energy to cool and eventually wear out the motor and/or compressor.
Doorways and hallways
Before deciding on a model, measure any doorways or hallways through which your refrigerator will have to pass before it can be installed. The last thing you want to do is to buy a model that won’t even make it through the door.
Freezerless refrigerator features to consider
Capacity
Freezerless refrigerators vary in size. Compact models have a capacity of 3.3 to 11 cubic feet. Full-size models range from 16 to 18.8 cubic feet.
Adjustable shelving
Adjustable shelving lets you make room for the Thanksgiving turkey or other special dishes and platters. Some models have simple wire racks that can be moved to different levels. Others have glass shelves with drawers and bins that can be adjusted to meet your needs. High-end models often have drawers and bins designed to retain the freshness of meat or vegetables.
Door alarm
Models with a built-in door alarm let you know when the door has been left open for a certain amount of time, usually five minutes. Some models continue to sound until the door is closed. Others will sound every two minutes until the door is closed.
Blackout alarm
Blackout alarms sound during a power outage. A refrigerator with this feature is a good idea if you experience frequent outages in your area. This kind of alarm also comes in handy if you have sensitive breakers. If a breaker is tripped, the alarm will let you know before your food spoils.
Temperature alarm
This alarm sounds if the temperature inside the refrigerator rises to an unsafe level for a specified amount of time.
Exterior finish
Freezerless refrigerators come in stainless steel, smudge proof, white, black, and wood panel. A few of the compact models come in a variety of colors with a metallic finish.
Energy efficiency
Energy Star-certified models use less energy and cost less to run over the long term. They must meet strict guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To be certified, manufacturers must verify the appliance’s energy savings, test results, energy consumption, and performance.
Freezerless refrigerator prices
You can expect to pay from $350 to $2,000 and up for a freezerless refrigerator, depending on size and features.
Inexpensive: You can find small models with a capacity of 3.5 cubic feet for around $350. For less than $650, you can find a 17- to 18-cubic-foot freezerless refrigerator in white (other finishes cost more). It may have a few adjustable shelves, but it may not include drawers and bins.
Mid-Range: Between $650 and $1,000, you can find full-size models with a capacity of 16 to 17 cubic feet, as well as many compact models in stainless steel. The full-size models may not come in stainless steel, but many contain full-width drawers and a few adjustable shelves.
Expensive: Between $1,000 and $2,000, you can find full-size models with a capacity of 17 to 18 cubic feet in stainless steel with adjustable glass shelves, drawers, and bins. You’ll also see built-in two-drawer models in stainless steel. Models at this price often have door and blackout alarms.
Premium: For more than $2,000, you’ll find models with a capacity of 18.5 cubic feet or more, built-in drawer models with overlay panels, and commercial-grade models. These refrigerators have all the bells and whistles (and alarms), adjustable glass shelving, and a quiet-run feature.
Tips
Check your measurements at least twice before buying. You don’t want to get caught with a model that won’t fit in your kitchen or through the front door.
Match the finish of your refrigerator to the rest of your appliances. If you’re going to keep your freezerless refrigerator in a basement or garage, the finish isn’t that important, and plain white models usually cost a few hundred dollars less than stainless steel.
- If your kitchen is big, match your freezerless refrigerator to your freezer. It will give your kitchen a sleek, professional look.
FAQ
Q. Are freezerless refrigerators better at keeping food cold than freezer/refrigerator combos?
A. Any appliance devoted to a single purpose, in this case, refrigeration, performs better than one that does double duty. That doesn’t mean a freezer/fridge combo won’t perform well. It just means a freezerless refrigerator only has to maintain one consistent temperature throughout the whole unit rather than two, which is easier to do.
Q. Do freezerless refrigerators come fully assembled?
A. Many models require some assembly, which usually includes attaching the door, installing the shelves and drawers, and attaching the door handle.
Q. Are all freezerless refrigerator doors reversible?
A. No. Some models have a door that can be reversed, but with others you’ll need to specify which way you’d like the door to open when you order the refrigerator.
