The Best Refrigerators of 2011

The most common type of refrigerator is the classic with the freezer on top and the refrigerator on the bottom. These models have a good amount of storage and are inexpensive. The only inconvenience is that you need to bend down to get items out of the refrigerator, which you use more often than the freezer. One of the best top freezer refrigerator models on the market is the Maytag M1TXEMMWW, which retails for around $700. The main refrigerator door is reversible so it can open either left or right. This means it can fit in just about any kitchen space. It has two crisper drawers with humidity control for storing produce and keeping it fresh. It is Energy Star qualified. It comes with an icemaker. The temperature controls are located in the front of the unit, so you don’t need to reach past food, bottles and jars to adjust the levels. It has easy to clean adjustable glass shelves. There is also a deli drawer for meats and cheeses. The door bins can hold gallon-sized containers. It comes in white, black, bisque and stainless steel.

Bottom freezer refrigerators flip the design and put the refrigerator unit at eye-level. The disadvantage to these models is they seldom come with an icemaker or water dispenser. The LG LBC22520SW, however, does come with an icemaker in the freezer. It retails for around $800. It has a capacity of 22.4 cubic feet. It is Energy Star qualified. It has a digital temperature controls that are in the front for easy access. There are four split shelves made of tempered glass. There’s a snack bin for easy access to your favorites. The doors have gallon-sized bins that you can arrange horizontally or vertically. It comes in black, white and stainless steel.

A side-by-side refrigerator has a full-length refrigerator alongside a narrower full-length freezer. These models commonly have water and ice dispensers. Since the doors are not as wide as a top or bottom freezer model, they are narrow enough to open in small kitchens. Of course, a narrow fridge means it can be difficult to fit wide items in either compartment. The Kenmore Cold Spot 5942 retails for around $700 at Sears. It has a water and ice dispenser in the door. There are spill-proof shelves, bins and crispers. It has a 25.1 cubic foot capacity. It is Energy Star qualified. It is available in black and white finishes.

A new style of refrigerator is growing in popularity. The French door style combines the best parts of the side-by-side and the bottom freezer models. The refrigerated section is at eye-level but it comes with two doors. The freezer on the bottom is typically a drawer. The Samsung RF266AEWP comes with self-closing doors that seal tightly. The unit is Energy Star qualified. It has special Power Freeze and Power Cool features that make the temperature drop by 10 degrees quickly, which helps cool or freeze items more swiftly. The EZ-open handle is at a kid-friendly height so little ones can grab their own snacks. It comes with five glass shelves, five gallon-sized door bins, two crispers, an egg container and a dairy compartment. It comes with an icemaker. It retails for around $1500.