The highest rated fridge freezer in 2024 is the Samsung 21 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator With FlexZone and Ice Maker, according to U.S. News. This model offers versatility, convenience, and performance, making it the best overall choice for most consumers. But how does it compare to other fridge freezers on the market? And what factors should you consider when buying a new fridge freezer? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, to help you find the best fridge freezer for your needs and budget.
A fridge freezer is a combination of a refrigerator and a freezer in one appliance. The refrigerator is the part that keeps food and beverages cold, but not frozen, while the freezer is the part that keeps food and beverages frozen, or below 32°F. Fridge freezers come in different sizes, shapes, and configurations, depending on the manufacturer and the model. Some common types of fridge freezers are:
Top freezer: This is the most traditional and common type of fridge freezer, where the freezer is located above the refrigerator. This type of fridge freezer is usually cheaper, more energy-efficient, and more spacious than other types, but it may be less convenient to access the freezer, especially for shorter people.
Bottom freezer: This is the opposite of the top freezer, where the freezer is located below the refrigerator. This type of fridge freezer is usually more convenient to access the refrigerator, which is used more frequently, but it may be more expensive, less energy-efficient, and less spacious than the top freezer.
Side-by-side: This is the type of fridge freezer where the refrigerator and the freezer are located next to each other, with separate doors. This type of fridge freezer is usually more stylish, more organized, and more accessible than the top or bottom freezer, but it may be more costly, less energy-efficient, and less spacious than the top or bottom freezer.
French door: This is the type of fridge freezer where the refrigerator has two doors that open outward, and the freezer is located below the refrigerator. This type of fridge freezer is usually the most modern, elegant, and spacious of all types, but it may be the most expensive, the least energy-efficient, and the most complicated to maintain and repair.
A fridge freezer is an essential appliance for any household, as it provides many benefits, such as:
Preserving food quality and safety: A fridge freezer helps to keep food fresh and safe for longer, by slowing down the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that cause food spoilage and illness. A fridge freezer also helps to retain the flavor, texture, and nutrients of food, by preventing oxidation and dehydration.
Saving money and reducing waste: A fridge freezer helps to save money and reduce waste, by allowing you to buy food in bulk, store leftovers, and plan meals ahead. A fridge freezer also helps to prevent food waste, by letting you freeze food that you cannot consume before it goes bad, and thaw it when you need it.
Offering convenience and variety: A fridge freezer offers convenience and variety, by giving you access to a wide range of food and beverages at any time, without having to go to the store or order takeout. A fridge freezer also lets you enjoy seasonal and exotic food, by allowing you to freeze them when they are available, and use them when they are not.
How to choose the best fridge freezer?
Choosing the best fridge freezer depends on several factors, such as:
Size and capacity: The size and capacity of a fridge freezer determine how much food and beverages it can store and how much space it takes up in your kitchen. You should measure the available space in your kitchen, and compare it to the dimensions of the fridge freezer you are considering. You should also consider the size and number of your household members, and how much food and beverages they consume and store. Generally, the larger the fridge freezer, the more storage space it offers, but the more energy it consumes and the more expensive it is.
Features and functions: The features and functions of a fridge freezer determine how well it performs and how convenient it is to use. You should look for features and functions that suit your needs and preferences, such as:
Temperature and humidity control: This feature allows you to adjust the temperature and humidity levels of different compartments of the fridge freezer, to optimize the preservation of different types of food and beverages. For example, some fridge freezers have a FlexZone feature that lets you convert the freezer into a refrigerator, or vice versa, depending on your needs.
Ice maker and water dispenser: This feature allows you to get ice and water without opening the fridge freezer, which saves energy and prevents cold air loss. Some fridge freezers have a built-in ice maker and water dispenser, while others have an external ice maker and water dispenser, which may take up more space and require plumbing installation.
Adjustable shelves and drawers: This feature allows you to customize the layout and organization of the fridge freezer, to accommodate different sizes and shapes of food and beverages. Some fridge freezers have slide-out shelves and drawers, which make it easier to access and view the contents of the fridge freezer.
Door alarm and child lock: This feature helps to prevent accidental opening of the fridge freezer, which can cause cold air loss, energy waste, and food spoilage. A door alarm alerts you when the fridge freezer door is left open for too long, while a child lock prevents children from opening the fridge freezer without supervision.
Energy efficiency and environmental impact: The energy efficiency and environmental impact of a fridge freezer determine how much electricity it consumes and how much greenhouse gas it emits. You should look for a fridge freezer that has a high Energy Star rating, which indicates that it meets the strict energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. You should also look for a fridge freezer that uses a natural refrigerant, such as propane or isobutane, which has a lower global warming potential than synthetic refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons or chlorofluorocarbons.
Based on our research and analysis, the highest rated fridge freezer in 2024 is the Samsung 21 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator With FlexZone and Ice Maker. This model has the following advantages:
Versatility: The FlexZone feature allows you to switch the freezer to a refrigerator, or vice versa, depending on your needs. This gives you more flexibility and storage space for different types of food and beverages.
Convenience: The ice maker and water dispenser provide you with ice and water without opening the fridge freezer, which saves energy and prevents cold air loss. The adjustable shelves and drawers let you customize the layout and organization of the fridge freezer, to fit different sizes and shapes of food and beverages.
Performance: The Twin Cooling Plus system maintains higher humidity in the refrigerator and a dryer environment in the freezer, to prevent fresh foods from going bad too quickly and prevent freezer burn on frozen goods. The refrigerator also has two humidity-controlled vegetable bins and an upper slide-out shelf for deli meats or other shallow items.
However, this model also has some drawbacks, such as:
Cost: The Samsung 21 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator With FlexZone and Ice Maker is more expensive than other comparable models, costing about $1,100 in stainless steel and $1,160 in white.
Energy consumption: The Samsung 21 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator With FlexZone and Ice Maker consumes more energy than other comparable models, using 478 kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year). This is higher than the average energy consumption of top freezer refrigerators, which is 387 kWh/year.
Lack of door alarm and child lock: The Samsung 21 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator With FlexZone and Ice Maker does not have a door alarm or a child lock, which may increase the risk of accidental opening of the fridge freezer, causing cold air loss, energy waste, and food spoilage.
The Samsung 21 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator With FlexZone and Ice Maker is the highest rated fridge freezer in 2024, according to U.S. News. This model offers versatility, convenience, and performance, making it the best overall choice for most consumers. However, this model also has some drawbacks, such as cost, energy consumption, and lack of door alarm and child lock, which may make it less suitable for some consumers. Therefore, before buying a new fridge freezer, you should consider your needs, preferences, budget, and available space, and compare different models and features, to find the best fridge freezer for you.
