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Refrigerators Reviews

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When it comes to performance, it can be difficult to decide which low-cost refrigerators are the most reliable. There seems to be great disparity between testing-site recommendations and user feedback.

Fridges touted as a good value by experts often get lukewarm user reviews, and models that rate highly with consumers are often ignored by testers. Complicating things further, refrigerator offerings are revamped or renamed on an almost yearly basis. By the time a model has accumulated a respectable amount of refrigerator reviews, or has undergone formal testing, it's already being phased out or discontinued. This is what happened with many expert favorites in the discount category, like the Kenmore 74192 and the LG LTC22350(SW).

To determine which reduced refrigerators give buyers the best bang for their buck, it's necessary to make some leaps of faith. It's fairly safe to assume that when a discontinued model garners positive refrigerator reviews, a more recent comparable model will also be a worthwhile purchase. Tracking a brand's repair history is also a good indicator of dependability. For instance, one testing site reports in refrigerator reviews that Amana has been dogged by compressor issues in recent years, whereas Kenmore brands consistently score well in customer satisfaction, according to a JD Power and Associates study.

Our research revealed that several cheap fridges are solid contenders, ranking well in temperature regulation, energy efficiency, and overall reliability. These cheap refrigerators get the job done, despite lacking the sex appeal of pricier models. They are hard-working and dependable, though perhaps a little boring.

Refrigerators Temperature Regulation.

The primary function of any cost-conscious refrigerator/freezer combo is keeping fresh food cold and frozen food colder. The majority of inexpensive refrigerator users are pleased with the climate control of their units, including owners of the Maytag M1TXEMM(WW), according to refrigerator reviews on Homedepot.com. Still, some cheap refrigerator buyers report inconsistent temperature regulation on their appliances. Owners of the Kenmore 6580, for example, write in refrigerator reviews on MySears.com that cooling and freezing are sometimes inadequate, and one consumer says the freezer problem persisted on a replacement unit. (A reviewer of the similar Kenmore 65802 notes that leaving the rear freezer vents with some breathing room resolves the problem.) The Hotpoint HTS18GBS(WW) fridges quickly adjust to the correct temperature once installed, report several refrigerator reviews on the Home Depot site, although a user of the same model comments on Nextag that he can't find the middle ground when it comes to temperature control.

As one LG LBC22520(SW) buyer discovered, according to a refrigerators review on the LG site, temperature problems could be due to something as simple as poor installation. On the other hand, there could be more serious mechanical problems. A refrigerators review on Amazon warns against purchasing from "scratch and dent" warehouses after experiencing a slew of issues with an Amana ABB2227DEQ. If there's difficulty maintaining the temperature of a refrigerator or freezer, the unit's compressor is usually to blame.

Refrigerators Freezer.

Two common complaints pertain to a budget refrigerator's freezer section. The first issue, as reported in a refrigerators review of the Hotpoint HTS18GBS(WW) on Home Depot, is that the freezer door sometimes pops ajar as you shut the refrigerator door. If you don't notice this right away, you could wind up with thawed frozen food. An owner of the now-unavailable Kenmore 68972 reports in a refrigerators review on Sears that this annoyance disappeared once the freezer was fully stocked.

The second common grievance concerns ice makers. Refrigerator reviews of models in all price brackets report ice makers that freeze up, stop producing, or produce at an inconsistent rate; one dissatisfied owner of an LG LBC22520(SW) registers an ice-related beef on the manufacturer's website.

Bargain Refrigerators Energy Efficiency.

Purchasing an energy efficient refrigerator is not only environmentally-friendly, it can lead to significant cost savings over time. The Energy Star program, a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, has set an international standard for energy efficient appliances; refrigerators rated as Energy Star qualified must generate an energy savings of at least 20% over the minimum federal standard. Although Energy Star units may cost slightly more up front, the savings you'll see in your monthly bill should eventually offset the higher price. Additionally, you're often eligible for rebates from your energy company just for buying an Energy Star compliant appliance, as a Home Depot shopper discovered when buying a Maytag M1TXEMM(WW). Of the recommended low-cost refrigerator options, only the Maytag M1TXEMM(WW) and the LG LBC22520(SW) are Energy Star qualified. Even though the Hotpoint HTS18GBS(WW) is not Energy Star rated, a refrigerators review on Epinions claims that it saves the consumer money.

Note that 21 LG Electronics refrigerator models initially labeled as Energy Star qualified , including some bearing the Sears Kenmore label , were recently found to have failed Department of Energy tests. The Energy Star rating of these units was revoked as of January 20, 2010. A list of disqualified models can be found here.

If you're concerned about the energy efficiency of your cheap refrigerator, consider the style of your appliance as well. French door-style fridges, which require opening only a half door at a time, let less energy escape than do top- and bottom-freezer models.

Refrigerators Noise.

Lower-priced refrigerators earn one frequent reproach from users: excessive noise. The noise problem can be caused by several factors -- insufficient insulation, overactive ice makers, or poorly functioning compressors, to name a few. One owner of an LG LBC22520(SW) attributes the clatter to its energy efficiency, according to a refrigerators review on the LG site, although three Best Buy refrigerator reviews of the same unit rave about how quiet it is. Whatever the cause, noise is a deal-breaker for many purchasers. A refrigerators review posted on Sears says the owner couldn't live with the racket of the discontinued Kenmore 68972, despite its many positive attributes, so opted for a quieter but pricier model instead.

In summary: The basic thermodynamics functionality of a home refrigerator is much the same today as it was at the time of its introduction in 1915. Manufacturers have made improvements over time to the types of refrigerants used, the amount of energy consumed, and the features offered, but ultimately the refrigerator hasn't changed much. A $500 top-freezer model will preserve your veggies just as well as a $3,000 cabinet-depth French-door unit. Once you've educated yourself on what to expect from a low-cost refrigerator, and you've taken the time to decide what you can and can't live without, you may discover that quality costs less than you thought it would. Now that's cool!

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Maytag MSD2572VE
Hotpoint HSS25GFTWW
LG LRBP1031W
Whirlpool ED5KVEXVQ
Frigidaire FRT18HS6JS
Westinghouse WWSS2601KW
Amana ABB2221FE
Kenmore 6580
LG LBC22520
Cheap Mini Fridges
Maytag M1TXEMMWW
Hotpoint HTS18GBS

 

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