Best Smart Refrigerators According to Consumer Reports
Best Smart Refrigerators According to Consumer Reports: Ultimate 2025 Guide
What's In This Article:
- Quick Answer: Top 5 Smart Refrigerators
- Smart Refrigerator Buying Guide
- Best French Door Smart Refrigerators
- Best Side-by-Side Smart Refrigerators
- Best Bottom-Freezer Smart Refrigerators
- Best Smart Refrigerators for Small Spaces
- Key Smart Features to Consider
- Are Smart Refrigerators Worth the Investment?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answer: The Top 5 Smart Refrigerators for 2025
Looking for the absolute best smart refrigerators without reading our complete guide? Here at Bargain Boxed, we've combed through all the latest Consumer Reports testing data and user feedback to bring you the top 5 smart refrigerators of 2025:
- Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex with AI Family Hub+ - Best overall smart refrigerator with advanced AI features, interior cameras, and a stunning 32 inch touchscreen display
- LG InstaView French Door with ThinQ Technology - Best for convenience with knock-twice viewing window and strong reliability scores
- GE Profile Smart French Door Refrigerator - Best for tech integration with superior temperature control
- Samsung Side-by-Side Smart Wi-Fi Refrigerator - Best budget-friendly smart refrigerator option with excellent storage solutions
- LG Smart French Door with Dual Ice Maker - Best for families who need ample storage and smart notifications
Note: Our team at Bargain Boxed always recommends checking the specific dimensions of any refrigerator to ensure it fits your space before purchasing.
Smart Refrigerator Buying Guide: What You Need to Know
Smart refrigerators represent the cutting edge of kitchen technology, offering features that go far beyond simply keeping your food cold. These advanced appliances connect to your home Wi-Fi network and provide numerous benefits that enhance convenience, efficiency, and food management.
What Is a Smart Refrigerator?
A smart refrigerator is a refrigerator that connects to the internet via Wi-Fi and offers additional functionality through apps, touchscreens, and sensors. Some models include cameras so you can see inside your fridge when you're away from home. The most advanced smart fridges, particularly Samsung models, function like computers or entertainment centers that connect to apps, play music, display photos, and help you manage various lists and calendars.
Key Considerations When Buying a Smart Refrigerator
When shopping for a smart refrigerator, keep these important factors in mind:
- Size and Configuration: Measure your space carefully and determine which configuration (French door, side-by-side, bottom freezer) works best for your kitchen layout.
- Smart Features: Consider which smart features you'll actually use—from basic Wi-Fi connectivity to full entertainment systems.
- Brand Reliability: Consumer Reports testing shows reliability varies significantly between brands and even between different models from the same brand.
- Energy Efficiency: Smart refrigerators can be more energy-efficient through intelligent temperature management.
- Storage Capacity: Consider your family's needs and shopping habits when determining required capacity.
- Budget: Smart refrigerators range from moderately-priced models with basic connectivity to premium models with all the bells and whistles.
As kitchen appliance experts, we at Bargain Boxed always recommend focusing on reliability and practical features that you'll use daily rather than being swayed solely by the flashiest technology.
Best French Door Smart Refrigerators
French door refrigerators remain the most popular configuration among consumers, accounting for over half of all refrigerator purchases according to recent Consumer Reports surveys. Their wide shelves and eye-level fresh food compartment make them incredibly practical, while their sleek design adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex with AI Family Hub+
Key Features:
- 29 cubic feet of storage capacity
- AI Family Hub+ with 32 inch touchscreen display
- AI Vision Inside technology automatically recognizes food items
- Dual ice maker with both regular and craft ice options
- Customizable temperature zones
- Energy Star certified
The Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex stands at the forefront of refrigeration technology. The AI Home touchscreen streamlines daily tasks with AI Vision Inside, personalized recipe recommendations, and hands-free Bixby voice control. You can watch videos, stream music, and stay connected with your family through the built-in entertainment hub. The refrigerator's interior cameras allow you to check contents from your smartphone while grocery shopping, eliminating the frustration of purchasing duplicates.
For families who entertain frequently, the dual ice maker produces both regular ice cubes and specialized craft ice for premium beverages. The flexible temperature zones allow you to convert sections from freezer to refrigerator space based on your changing needs.
LG InstaView French Door with ThinQ Technology
Key Features:
- 27 cubic feet of capacity
- Knock-twice InstaView window
- ThinQ app connectivity for remote control
- Linear Cooling technology for temperature stability
- Door-in-door design for quick access to frequently used items
- Dual ice maker system
LG's InstaView refrigerator combines innovative design with practical functionality. The signature InstaView feature allows you to knock twice on the panel to see inside without opening the door, helping reduce cold air loss and improving energy efficiency. The door-in-door feature provides quick access to frequently used items like drinks and snacks while keeping the rest of the fridge better insulated.
The ThinQ app integration lets you adjust settings remotely, receive notifications about maintenance needs, and even alerts you if the door has been left open. With LG's strong reliability ratings in Consumer Reports testing, this refrigerator offers both innovative features and dependable performance.
GE Profile Smart French Door Refrigerator
Key Features:
- 27.9 cubic feet of capacity
- Hands-free autofill water dispenser
- Advanced temperature management system
- Wi-Fi connectivity with smartphone alerts
- LED lighting throughout
- Counter-depth design option available
The GE Profile Smart refrigerator balances sophisticated technology with practical design. Its Wi-Fi connectivity allows for remote temperature adjustments and notifications about door status and water filter replacement needs. The hands-free autofill water dispenser precisely fills containers without overflow or the need to stand and monitor.
Consumer Reports testing highlights the GE Profile's excellent temperature consistency, a critical factor in food preservation. The refrigerator's sophisticated airflow system ensures even cooling throughout all compartments, helping your groceries stay fresher longer.
Best Side-by-Side Smart Refrigerators
Side-by-side refrigerators offer excellent value and accessibility, with their vertical organization making it easy to see and reach items in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. These models are particularly well-suited to narrower kitchen spaces where wide door swings might be problematic.
Samsung Side-by-Side Smart Wi-Fi Refrigerator
Key Features:
- 25 cubic feet of storage
- Family Hub with touchscreen display
- Built-in cameras for remote viewing
- SmartThings app integration
- In-door ice and water dispenser
- Energy Star certified
The Samsung side-by-side smart refrigerator delivers ample space with a practical layout featuring multiple shelves and door compartments across sections, making it easy to organize everything from groceries to frozen items. Its Wi-Fi connectivity enables remote monitoring and control through the SmartThings app. The Family Hub touchscreen serves as a digital command center for your kitchen, allowing you to manage calendars, display photos, stream music, and even see inside your refrigerator without opening the door.
For busy families, the ability to check refrigerator contents while at the grocery store proves invaluable, eliminating unnecessary duplicate purchases and reducing food waste.
Whirlpool Smart Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Key Features:
- 36-inch width with spacious interior
- Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish
- Connected app for remote monitoring
- Adaptive defrost technology
- LED interior lighting
- In-door ice storage system
Whirlpool's side-by-side smart refrigerator consistently earns high marks from consumer testers. Its adjustable shelving system on both the interior and door maximizes organization. The freezer optimizes storage space with adjustable shelves and efficient design, while the in-door ice bin provides easy access.
Digital controls and smart connectivity allow you to monitor and adjust settings remotely through Whirlpool's app. An intelligent alarm system alerts you when the door has been left open too long, preventing temperature fluctuations and energy waste.
Best Bottom-Freezer Smart Refrigerators
Bottom-freezer refrigerators offer excellent value with the convenience of having fresh food at eye level. According to Consumer Reports testing, these models often provide better reliability than their French door counterparts while typically coming in at a lower price point.
LG Smart Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
Key Features:
- Multi-Air Flow cooling system
- ThinQ app integration
- Smart Diagnosis system
- Full-width pantry drawer
- LED interior lighting
- Energy Star certified
LG's bottom-freezer models earn exemplary reliability scores in Consumer Reports testing, outperforming even their popular French door counterparts. Bottom-freezer refrigerators tend to be more budget-friendly than French door models and can cost less to run, according to Breann Chai, who oversees refrigerator testing at Consumer Reports.
The ThinQ app connectivity allows you to monitor temperature settings, receive maintenance alerts, and troubleshoot any issues remotely. The Multi-Air Flow cooling system maintains consistent temperatures throughout the refrigerator, helping preserve food freshness and reduce energy consumption.
Amana Smart Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
Key Features:
- Wi-Fi connectivity for basic monitoring
- EasyFreeze pull-out drawer
- Adjustable gallon-size door bins
- Humidity-controlled crispers
- LED interior lighting
- Budget-friendly price point
Amana offers an affordable entry point into smart refrigeration technology with their bottom-freezer model. The basic Wi-Fi connectivity provides essential functions like temperature monitoring and door-open alerts without the higher price tag of more feature-rich models.
Consumer Reports testing shows Amana's bottom-freezer refrigerators deliver solid temperature performance and reliability. The EasyFreeze pull-out drawer system makes organizing frozen items simple and accessible, addressing one common complaint about bottom-freezer configurations.
Best Smart Refrigerators for Small Spaces
Not every kitchen can accommodate a full-size refrigerator, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice smart features. These compact models deliver impressive technology in smaller packages.
Samsung Bespoke Compact Smart Refrigerator
Key Features:
- 24-inch width for smaller kitchens
- Customizable panel colors
- SmartThings app integration
- Precise temperature control
- Flexible storage system
- Energy Star certified
Samsung's compact Bespoke refrigerator brings smart functionality to smaller kitchens without compromising on features. The customizable exterior panels allow you to match your kitchen décor perfectly, while SmartThings app integration provides remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Despite its smaller footprint, this refrigerator maintains excellent temperature consistency according to Consumer Reports testing, ensuring optimal food preservation. The flexible storage system maximizes usable space, a crucial feature for compact refrigerators.
LG Studio Smart Counter-Depth Refrigerator
Key Features:
- Counter-depth design for flush installation
- ThinQ app connectivity
- Door-in-door feature for quick access
- Smart Cooling Plus system
- Premium finishes available
- Slim ice maker design
LG's counter-depth Studio refrigerator combines sophisticated design with smart functionality, perfect for kitchens where space is at a premium. The counter-depth design creates a built-in look without the cost of a true built-in refrigerator, while still offering ample storage capacity.
The ThinQ technology monitors usage patterns to optimize cooling and energy efficiency. Door-open alerts and maintenance reminders help prevent common issues before they become problems, extending the life of your investment.
Key Smart Features to Consider
When evaluating smart refrigerators, focus on features that will genuinely improve your daily life rather than novel but seldom-used capabilities.
Interior Cameras
Cameras inside the refrigerator let you see what's inside without opening the doors, allowing you to check contents while grocery shopping. This practical feature helps reduce unnecessary purchases and food waste. In our experience at Bargain Boxed, this ranks among the most useful smart features for busy households.
Touchscreen Displays
Modern smart refrigerators often feature touchscreen displays of varying sizes. Samsung's Family Hub represents the most advanced system with its 32-inch display, while other manufacturers offer smaller screens with more limited functionality. Consider how you'll use this feature—whether for recipes, family calendars, or entertainment.
Voice Control Integration
Advanced models offer voice command capabilities that let you open doors or adjust water and ice dispensers hands-free—particularly useful when your hands are full of groceries. Most smart refrigerators integrate with major voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing you to control functions by simple voice commands.
Temperature Zone Flexibility
Some smart refrigerators feature zones that can convert between refrigerator and freezer functionality based on your needs. As Breann Chai, who oversees Consumer Reports' refrigerator testing, notes, 'We've even seen models that give you the capability to convert some compartments from freezer to fridge and vice versa.' This flexibility allows you to adapt your storage as needs change throughout the year.
Smart Diagnostics
Advanced diagnostic systems can detect potential issues before they become major problems. Many models will automatically alert you when maintenance is needed or when unusual temperature fluctuations occur. Some can even communicate directly with manufacturer support for faster troubleshooting.
Energy Management
Smart refrigerators can optimize energy usage by learning your household patterns and adjusting cooling cycles accordingly. Samsung's AI Hybrid Cooling system uses an AI Inverter Compressor and Peltier element to enhance efficiency while preserving your food longer. These intelligent systems can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to traditional refrigerators.
Are Smart Refrigerators Worth the Investment?
Smart refrigerators typically command a premium price compared to their conventional counterparts. At Bargain Boxed, we've analyzed the cost-benefit ratio to help you make an informed decision.
Potential Benefits:
- Convenience: Remote monitoring, shopping list integration, and door-open alerts streamline daily tasks
- Food Preservation: Advanced temperature management helps food stay fresher longer, potentially reducing waste
- Energy Efficiency: Smart systems optimize cooling cycles based on usage patterns
- Family Organization: Calendar integration and messaging features help busy households stay coordinated
- Future-Proofing: Software updates can add new features over time, extending the functional lifespan
Considerations:
- Initial Cost: Smart refrigerators generally cost $500-$2,000 more than comparable conventional models
- Repair Complexity: Smart components add complexity that may increase repair costs
- Wi-Fi Dependency: Many features require reliable internet connectivity
- Technology Obsolescence: Software support may not last the entire physical lifespan of the refrigerator
For many households, the practical benefits of features like interior cameras and door-open alerts justify the additional investment, particularly for busy families who struggle with food management. However, if budget is a primary concern, consider models with basic smart functionality rather than fully-featured premium options.
Reliability Considerations
According to Consumer Reports testing, refrigerator reliability varies significantly between brands and even between different configurations from the same manufacturer. Based on their most recent survey results, Consumer Reports estimates that 33 percent of all refrigerators will require repairs by the end of the fifth year of ownership, making them one of the least reliable products analyzed in their surveys.
For smart refrigerators specifically, the most common issues relate to ice makers, dispensers, and connectivity systems. When investing in a smart refrigerator, consider the manufacturer's track record for reliability and the accessibility of qualified service technicians in your area.
At Bargain Boxed, we've found that LG and Samsung generally offer the best balance of innovative smart features and dependable performance, though individual models may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a smart refrigerator?
A smart refrigerator connects to your home Wi-Fi network to provide enhanced functionality beyond basic cooling. Features can include remote temperature control, interior cameras for viewing contents from your smartphone, touchscreen displays, voice control capabilities, and integration with smart home systems.
How much do smart refrigerators cost?
Smart refrigerators typically range from $1,500 for basic models with limited smart features to over $5,000 for premium models with advanced technology and larger capacity. The most feature-rich options with large touchscreens and multiple cameras generally start around $3,000.
Will a smart refrigerator work if my internet goes down?
Yes, all smart refrigerators continue to perform their basic cooling functions without internet connectivity. However, features like remote monitoring, app control, and content streaming will be unavailable until the connection is restored. Local controls on the refrigerator itself will continue to function normally.
Can smart refrigerators be hacked?
Like any internet-connected device, smart refrigerators could potentially be vulnerable to hacking. However, major manufacturers implement security measures to protect your privacy. Samsung's Knox security system provides the highest level of security from the IoT Security Rating Program to keep all information safe. All Samsung WiFi-enabled appliances use this protection. We recommend keeping your refrigerator's firmware updated and using strong passwords for associated accounts.
How long do smart refrigerators last?
The average lifespan of a quality refrigerator is 10-15 years. While the physical cooling components of smart refrigerators may last this long, the smart technology may become outdated sooner. Check manufacturer policies regarding software updates to understand how long your smart features will be supported.
Are smart refrigerators energy efficient?
Many smart refrigerators actually improve energy efficiency through intelligent temperature management and usage pattern learning. Look for Energy Star certification and check the estimated annual energy usage on the yellow EnergyGuide label for specific consumption details.
Do smart refrigerators require special installation?
Most smart refrigerators require the same basic installation as conventional models: a properly sized space with adequate ventilation and access to a power outlet and water line (if the model has a water/ice dispenser). Additionally, you'll need reliable Wi-Fi coverage in your kitchen to enable smart functionality.
At Bargain Boxed, we're committed to helping you find the perfect appliances for your home at unbeatable prices. While we don't offer returns to keep our prices lower than anywhere else online, we ensure every product meets our strict quality standards. Our inventory is constantly revolving, bringing you exceptional deals on premium brands without membership fees. For smart refrigerators and all your kitchen needs, Bargain Boxed delivers unmatched value and selection.
This article was last updated: May 2025