Refrigerators are not cheap, which is why it's important that you invest in something that will last. We use our fridges every day, and they are an essential part of our kitchen, so making an informed decision to help you pick out the right fridge is crucial. The U.S. Department of Energy states that the average lifespan of a fridge is approximately 12 years. So, when you're picking a fridge, you're entering into a long-term relationship with this device. You'll want to make sure you get the best option with high performance.
If you've ever had a problem with an appliance, you know how difficult it can be to fix it. Whether it's out of warranty, the parts aren't made anymore, or having to hire a specialist to fix your problem, it can be a nightmare when something goes wrong with your appliance. This is where picking a reliable fridge brand can make a huge impact. Based on customer experience, product history, energy efficiency, and value, here are six refrigerator brands to avoid, followed by some reputable brands to consider.
Samsung
A huge name in the world of technology, Samsung is one of the most popular and well-known brands for technology and household items. If you have anything Samsung in your home, it's likely a TV or phone, or when it comes to appliances, it could be your washer and dryer. Well, don't let the brand's popularity fool you while you're buying your new fridge. Samsung fridges are known for being unreliable, so it's best to beware.
Many customers who have experienced a Samsung fridge have shared feedback that they like the design and the features offered. But, they've also shared that parts have broken down that required replacement, and those parts are often unavailable. This happens so often that many professionals warn users against Samsung fridges because they need to be serviced often. The most common problems with Samsung fridges are leaky/faulty parts and temperature control. It's also known that fridges with French doors and ice makers tend to have more problems. Although Samsung makes a cool tech-savvy fridge, just be prepared for pricey repairs and unavailable parts.
LG
LG is another largely known brand. With a wide range of appliances, LG offers cool tech features and a sleek design that appeals to the customer. But, like Samsung, they often need repairs that end up being pricey after time. Not only are their fridges known to be unreliable, but customers have shared that they also have poor customer service, which only makes situations worse.
LG was in quite a bit of trouble when a line of products had faulty linear compressors. And although they worked to reconcile these issues, LG is still a brand that many professionals say to avoid. Their refrigerators have a high failure rate as well as part replacement availability issues. LG has been open about communicating its effort to show they are working to better its products, and it has shown that numbers in repairs have decreased over the years. But that doesn't make it a reputable enough brand for a 12-year long-term fridge commitment. Actually, one of the common complaints about LG fridges is that they have a short life span, so if you do purchase an LG fridge, you may not even have it for as long as you should.
Frigidaire
The creator of the first electric fridge has to be a reliable company to get your fridge from, right? Well, I would think again. Even with all of the years of experience that Frigidaire has over other companies, they still have quite a few issues to work out with their products. Frigidaire fridges often appeal to the customer for their storage space, fingerprint-free materials, as well as affordable prices. You can buy a reliable fridge from Frigidaire, depending on the model. But there are certain things to avoid if you choose to purchase from Frigidaire.
Most professionals will tell you to avoid any frigidaire fridges if they have an ice maker or other features that will later require service. When it comes to Frigidaire, choosing a simple model without any extra features is the safest way to go. Problems that are most commonly reported with Frigidaire fridges include ice machine repair, leaking water, broken tech features, and temperature control.
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KitchenAid
KitchenAid is another brand that is often known to be avoided when it comes to fridges. As another company that mainly focuses on making kitchen appliances, you'd think that KitchenAid was more reputable, but it is not.
There are a handful of odd problems that users have shared. The most common issues with KitchenAid fridges include loud noises, water leaks, misaligned doors, rusted-out parts, and faulty water dispensers. Although it hasn't been reported that parts are difficult to find, over time, repairs can become expensive. So, if you want to avoid a hassle, it's probably best to avoid KitchenAid refrigerators.
BlueStar
If you're looking for a good and reliable fridge, BlueStar is another brand you might want to avoid. A report from Yale Appliance revealed that approximately 64% of BlueStar fridges required repair work. That percentage is way too high for anyone's peace of mind. For each repair needed on BlueStar fridges, customers reported that it cost around $250 per repair.
When it comes to BlueStar fridges, there are two main problems that continually arise. The first is a noisy device. If you've ever had a noisy machine, whether it be a fridge or another appliance, you know how annoying and frustrating it can be when you just want some peace and quiet. And having to pay to experience something that should just be standard is obviously not ideal. The second most common issue with BlueStar fridges is temperature. Funny, when an appliance's main job is to stay cool, you'd think this function would work. Although there are some manual fixes available for this malfunction, it often requires repair.
Maytag
Don't let the price tag on Maytag fridges seduce you! Although Maytag offers really great prices, this is one of those situations where you get what you pay for. In this case, it's better to invest more in a quality product. Although having a higher upfront cost can be more inconvenient or difficult, spending hundreds of dollars over time on repairs will not only have you spending the same amount of money you could have if you just bought a more expensive fridge, but it will also make you angry about the inconvenience.
Similar to BlueStar, Maytag fridges are known for being unnecessarily loud. Many people have also shared that they struggle with dampness. This is often caused by faulty door seals. Another common problem with Maytag is their icemakers (which sadly seems to be a problem for so many brands). The Maytag icemakers are often breaking, either requiring repair or replacement. Maytag fridges are also known for having a short lifespan.
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Reliable Brands
With some of the big-name brands on this list of brands to avoid, you might be wondering what the best options are if you're in the market for a new fridge. The top two best brands for a fridge are GE and Whirlpool.
GE appeals to many because of its affordable prices and reliable products. With a wide range of products, you can find a fridge for under $700, or if you're looking for something more luxurious, you can find price points around $3,000-$4,000. Although some GE appliances may require repairs, GE is a large company with locations in 46 states, making replacement parts easily accessible. GE has also proven to have great customer service.
Whiprool is another reliable company. Whirlpool is often seen as one of the most reliable companies for all appliances, not even just fridges. Similar to GE, they have a wide range of models with different price points so that everyone can find something they need. A big selling point for Whirlpool fridges is their adjustable inside storage so that you can use your fridge to the best capacity.
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