Refrigerators are the modern world’s best friend. They help us preserve fresh foods and leftovers and provide chilled water during the notorious Indian summers. With so many refrigerator types in the market, choosing the right model can be overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate those choices and find the best fit for your needs.
Types of Refrigerators
There are five main types of refrigerators, which are differentiated by door configuration. Each variant caters to different needs. Let’s understand which type suits the best for you.
| Refrigerator Type | Description | Suitable For |
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Single Door Refrigerator
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These are small and compact refrigerators with a single door. They also feature a small built-in freezer in the main storage compartment. |
Small families, bachelors, users on a budget
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Top Freezer Refrigerator
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These are dual-door refrigerators, where the freezer is placed in a separate compartment above the main storage area. |
Best suited for people who cannot bend to access the freezer
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Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
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The freezer is placed below the main compartment. They feature a similar two-door design. |
Helpful for short people, easier access to the freezer and fresh vegetables section.
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Side by Side Refrigerator
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The refrigerator is divided into two equal vertical sections. This makes it easier to segregate different foods. |
Users who need larger freezer space
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French Door Refrigerator
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These refrigerators have a regular cooling compartment with two doors on the top and a freezer at the bottom. They offer maximum storage flexibility. |
Users who require better aesthetics and more smart features
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There’s also a niche category called mini-refrigerators, often found in hotel rooms, offices, lounges, etc. These usually have capacities of less than 100 litres and can only store 3-4 bottles. They even lack the freezer section. As this guide focuses on refrigerators for personal and home usage, we have excluded mini-refrigerators.
Budget breakdown for refrigerators
Refrigerators are one-time investment products that generally do not require any additional service maintenance apart from cleaning. Hence, getting the right machine that will serve your needs and fit your budget is important.
| Refrigerator Type | Price Range |
|
Single Door Refrigerator
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Rs 10,000 – Rs 15,000 |
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Top Freezer Refrigerator
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Rs 20,000 – Rs 30,000 |
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Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
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Rs 20,000 – Rs 30,000 |
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Side by Side Refrigerator
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Rs 50,000 – Rs 70,000 |
|
French Door Refrigerator
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Rs 60,000 and above |
Single-door refrigerators are budget-friendly options. They are typically available from Rs 10,000 from reputed companies like LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Panasonic, and many others. While they are good enough for most people, they have certain limitations in features and typically max out at a 300-litre capacity.
However, the freezer of single-door refrigerators is not as effective as multi-door refrigerators. This is because the freezer and main compartment are exposed to the environment whenever you open the door. Hence, if the freezer is a priority, you should consider a double-door refrigerator.
Refrigerators with capacitive storage of over 300 litres are generally found in multi-door options. In short, if you want extra storage, you must increase your budget in the Rs 20,000—Rs 30,000 segment. Let’s understand how to select the perfect storage capacity for your next refrigerator.
How to Choose The Correct Refrigerator Capacity
The right capacity for your refrigerator will depend on two factors: the number of family members and the amount of food that you plan to store.
Sometimes, even a family of 2-3 members might require a larger capacity refrigerator if they have a busy schedule, eventually needing to store extra quantities of fruits, vegetables, and other items. In general, the chart given below will be suitable for most people.
| Refrigerator capacity | Suitable for |
Recommended Type
|
| 100-200 litres | 1-2 members |
Single door refrigerator
|
| 200-300 litres | 3-4 members |
Single/Double door refrigerator
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| 300-500 litres | 5-7 members |
Double door refrigerator
|
| 500+ litres | 7+ members |
Side-by-side/French door refrigerator
|
Important jargon to be aware of
Buying a new refrigerator can be confusing after learning about several technologies and the jargon used in stores. To help you make the right purchase, we have summarized some of the commonly used terms in refrigerators.
Inverter Refrigerator
It refers to the technology used by the compressor. An inverter refrigerator regulates the compressor usage based on the surrounding and internal temperature. Traditional compressors operate in cycles at fixed intervals, consuming more power. Inverter compressor refrigerators are more energy-efficient, so buying an inverter refrigerator is recommended.
Convertible Refrigerator
This feature is mostly found in multi-door refrigerators. Users can toggle a setting to convert the freezer section into a normal refrigerator compartment. This provides extra storage space without worrying about food items getting completely frozen. The exact implementation of the feature varies by manufacturer.
Gross and Net Capacity
Sometimes you may see two different terms while getting a new refrigerator, gross capacity and net capacity. But it’s nothing to be worried about, as in simple words, the gross capacity refers to the total amount of space inside your refrigerator. Whereas the net capacity means the amount of actually usable space that you get within the different shelves and compartments of the refrigerator.
Frost Free Refrigerator
Frost-free refrigerators prevent ice formation on the inner surface, especially around the freezer section. The refrigerator adjusts the temperature to keep the cooling effective without developing ice in the normal compartment.
Adjustable Shelves
Refrigerators have multiple grooves in the main compartment where users can place toughened glass shelves according to their requirements. This system is called adjustable shelves. Some high-end refrigerators also have retractable shelves where users can extend or compress the size of the shelf without physically removing it.
Smart Refrigerator
Many modern refrigerators feature WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to control their cooling and temperature settings via a smartphone app. These are called smart refrigerators. Users can also control the refrigerator remotely when they are not at home.
Features to look for in a refrigerator
As refrigerators are long-term investments, it is important to pick a future-proof one. Here are some modern features you should look for in your next refrigerator.
Energy savings
Home appliances in India have an energy-saving rating of 1-5 stars, assigned by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a government-regulated body. The higher the number of stars on your appliance, the more energy savings you get. In the longer run, it reduces the running cost of the appliance, as refrigerators are generally kept running 24×7.
A 5-star rated appliance consumes up to 35% less power than a similar appliance with a 1-star rating. Hence, you should look for a refrigerator with a higher rating, preferably 4 or 5 stars.
Compressor Warranty
The compressor is the most important part of the refrigerator. Your refrigerator must offer at least a 10-year warranty on the compressor. Some high-end refrigerators from LG and Samsung also offer a 20-year warranty.
Automatic Defrost
While most modern refrigerators are frost-free, several models come with an automatic defrost functionality that shuts down the compressor occasionally to prevent ice build-up. This is a nifty feature in your refrigerator rather than a must-have.
Ice Maker
Some top-end refrigerators feature dedicated ice dispensers that release ice cubes directly. The refrigerator has a built-in ice tray that produces ice using a water valve.
Door Finish
Refrigerators are available in multiple finish options, including steel, glass, and LED panels. Steel finishes are more durable than glass panels but are also prone to rusting over an extended period. Hence, choosing the door finish of your new refrigerator is important based on the conditions surrounding the unit where you plan to use it.
Budget
Your budget is undeniably the most important aspect of getting a new refrigerator. If you are on a tight budget, or in situations where you have confusion between two models, it is recommended to select the refrigerator whose features are more relevant and useful to your usage.
For example, you can save a significant amount of money by opting for a non-smart refrigerator, i.e. without WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. However, trying to cut costs by choosing a model that has less energy-saving ratings will prove more expensive, as the running cost of the refrigerator will be higher.
While selecting a model in your budget, the highest preference should e given to must-have features like energy savings, compressor type, and warranty, instead of going with better aesthetics.
FAQs
1. Which is the best refrigerator brand in India?
LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, IFB, Bosch, Haier, Panasonic, Godrej, and Voltas are among the top refrigerator brands in India. According to our MySmartPrice Home Appliance Satisfaction Study 2024, LG and Samsung are the top-rated refrigerator brands in India.
2. Which company offers the best after-sales service for refrigerators in India?
According to our survey, Whirlpool, Voltas, and LG have the best customer service in India.
3. Which is the best place to buy a new refrigerator?
Offline retail shops are regarded as the best place for buying refrigerators, as you can physically see and experience the product before making your purchase. However, chains like Croma and Reliance Digital offer the best of both worlds with their pan-India online and offline stores.
4. Can I exchange my old refrigerator while buying a new one?
Yes, you can exchange your old refrigerator while buying a new model. Offline shops and even online portals offer exchange values of up to Rs 10,000 depending on the model and condition of your used refrigerator.
