Refrigerator (fridge) is an integral part of every house today. No house is complete without this appliance standing in the corner of your dining room.
Naturally, you have to do your homework right before buying the best Refrigerator of your choice.
There are hundreds of fridge brands available in the market. Frankly speaking, these brands can confuse you a lot with their tall claims.
You need a simple guide to help you narrow down your choices. This article provides the right answers thereby enabling you to make a simple but informed choice.
Best Refrigerators in India (2021) – Double, Single Door!
1. Samsung 244L 3 Star Inverter Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator – RT28T3523S8
Samsung has introduced a new technology, ‘Curd Maestro,’ in its latest range of refrigerators. This feature is available in the Samsung 244L RT28T3523S8 model. It is also available in Samsung models with capacities, 265L (RT30T3A23UT), 314L (RT34A4622BX/HL), and 336L (RT37A4633S8/HL).
Here are its other exciting features.
- Frost-free, double-door with auto defrost
- 244L capacity, including a 69L freezer, ideal for small Indian families
- 3-star energy rating
- Digital Inverter Compressor
- Toughened glass shelves
- Special features include Curd Maestro
- One-year warranty on the fridge and ten years on the compressor
Set the temperature and time settings according to your requirements. For soft curds, you need around six hours, whereas thick curds need about seven hours. The temperature setting should be approximately 35 degrees Celsius. Studies show that you can save up to Rs 5,000 per year by using this facility.
The inverter compressor is an energy-saving feature because it works at different speeds, depending on the cooling you require. While lasting longer, the inverter compressor does not make much noise. The 3-star rated Samsung 244L refrigerator model consumes around 193KWhr (193 units) per annum.
This Samsung 244L model is compatible with your home inverter system. Hence, your food remains fresh even during long hours of power outage. The inbuilt stabilizer function protects the appliance from heavy voltage fluctuations.
You would love the recess handle system that blends with the double-door design beautifully. The hidden hinges make this appliance look elegant.
The toughened glass shelves can withstand heavyweights. Hence, it makes the appliance stable even when you place heavy utensils. This model provides ample space to store large bottles with 2L capacity. The Bottle Guard prevents them from toppling over if you open the door forcibly.
The freezer compartment is spacious with a capacity of 69L. You can conveniently store your ice-creams, milk, frozen food, butter, and other items. The movable ice-maker feature offers additional storage options as you can remove it if not required.
Pros
Cons
The stainless-steel body makes this refrigerator a robust one.
One aspect that Samsung should rectify is to provide lighting inside the freezer compartment. It is challenging to locate your food items in the dark without any lights inside them.
The auto defrost function ensures that there is no accumulation of ice inside the freezer compartment.
The inverter compressor helps save power while making less noise. On average, the Samsung 244L model consumes around 16 units per month (less than half a unit a day).
The compatibility with the home inverter system ensures that your food remains cool and fresh even during power cuts.
The door-open alert mechanism is a helpful feature. It emits a beeping sound to alert you if you keep the door open for a long time.
2. Whirlpool 265L – Intellifresh INV CNV 278 3S
Samsung introduced the concept of convertible refrigerators. Other manufacturers like Whirlpool have come up with their versions of convertibility. One such model is the Whirlpool 265L Intellifresh INV CNV 278-3S. This model is available in different variants and two colors, German Steel and Black Sparkle.
- Frost-free refrigerator with 265 liters capacity
- 3-star energy rating as per 2020 BEE Rating
- Convertible freezer with 5-in-1 modes
- Adaptive Intelligence Technology
- Intellisense Inverter Technology
- Range of user-friendly features
- One-year warranty on the fridge and ten years on the compressor
The freezer compartment has a capacity of 75 liters. The convertible feature allows you to use the entire freezer as a fridge. Thus, it enhances storage space in the fridge from 184 liters to 259 liters. Besides, it saves power up to 23%.
The Intellifresh technology helps keep your vegetables and fruits fresh and crispy. The Zeolite technology prevents the fruits from ripening and keeps them fresh for extended periods.
Refrigerators have a moist environment that can encourage bacterial growth. Whirlpool refrigerators come with Microblock technology that adapts to internal conditions and prevents bacterial growth up to 99%.
The highlight of this refrigerator is its large vegetable crisper. This vegetable storage container features a Honeycomb Moisture Lock cover that does not allow the moisture from the cabinet to escape. It enables your vegetables to remain fresh for longer.
Another exciting feature of the Whirlpool model is its Intellisense Inverter Technology. The inverter compressor ensures to save considerable power. This 265L model consumes up to 190 units of power annually (about half a unit per day). The compressor can connect to your home inverter, whereby your refrigerator can work 24×7 even during power cuts.
The 6th sense Deep Freeze technology enables the cool air to flow in a circular pattern. Thus, it does not escape when you open the freezer door. As a result, your ice creams do not melt and retain their taste for long periods.
The stainless-steel body does not rust and hence, proves durable. You can conveniently store up to four 2L bottles in the top door rack and six 1L bottles on the bottom shelf. Its nearest competitor, the Samsung 275L model, RT30T3743S9/HL, has a lower capacity.
Pros
Cons
The 5-in-1 convertible feature is its most significant benefit. Depending on your cooling requirements, you can set your freezer compartment to work as a fridge. Thus, you get more storage space, and the appliance consumes less power. You can switch over to the original settings whenever required.
Though the Whirlpool Intellifresh INV CNV 278 3S model is a convertible refrigerator, the Samsung 275L 3-star model, RT30T3743S9/HL, offers better features and complete convertibility. The Whirlpool models offer partial convertibility because you cannot completely shut off the fridge/freezer portion when not required.
This 265L fridge should be ideal for small Indian families. If your requirements are more, you can try out the Whirlpool 340L INV CNV 355 3S model.
The range of technologies on offer ensures up to 15 days of garden freshness where your fruits and vegetables do not ripen or lose their moisture content. Thus, you do not observe them shrinking and losing their freshness.
The intelligent inverter compressor changes its rotational speed depending on the cooling requirements to save power. It also makes less noise.
The inbuilt voltage stabilizing feature enables the appliance to work on an extensive voltage range and protect the expensive components from damage due to fluctuations.
3. LG 360L – GL-T402JDS3 Inverter Linear Frost-Free Double Door Refrigerator
LG offers its unique range of convertible refrigerators that work differently from the Samsung and Whirlpool models. The average Indian family comprising up to five members can go for the LG 360L GL-T402JDS3. Features like inverter linear compressor and door cooling make this 3-star refrigerator a desirable appliance in its niche.
Here are the exciting features available in the LG 360L model.
- Frost-free with auto defrosting system
- 360L capacity, suited for the average Indian family size of five members
- 3-star energy rating
- Inverter Linear Compressor
- Door Cooling Technology
- Convertible refrigerator
- One-year warranty on the fridge, ten years on the compressor
The 260L GL-T292RPZL is suitable for families up to three persons, while larger families can opt for the 437L LG GL-T432APZY model.
Generally, refrigerators concentrate their cooling towards the interiors while ignoring the door compartments. LG’s Door Cooling+ Technology is unique because it reduces the temperature gap between the door and the inner chambers. Besides keeping your food fresh for longer durations, this technology cools the refrigerator 35% faster than the traditional cooling systems.
The Door Cooling+ Technology gets ample support from the inverter linear compressor that ensures precise temperature control and helps reduce internal temperature fluctuations.
This compressor saves up to 51% energy compared to the model (GBB530NSQWB) with a reciprocating compressor.
The LG 360L consumes around 215 units annually.
The inverter linear compressor functions within a temperature range of + or – 0.5 degrees Celsius. While saving power, this compressor makes up to 25% less noise than conventional compressors.
This LG 360L is a convertible refrigerator with a freezer compartment storage capacity of 87L, about 25% of the total capacity. The convertible function allows you to use the entire freezer as a fridge. Thus, it enhances storage capacity considerably.
Pros
Cons
As part of its power-saving features, this LG 360L model uses LED lights instead of conventional lighting. Besides being energy-efficient, LED lights have a longer lifespan.
The convertible button controls are located inside the fridge. You have to open it and remove your food items placed on the specific shelf before operating it. LG can modify the design and include these options on the door outside the fridge.
The toughened glass shelves can withstand heavy loads without any danger of breaking or spillage. The removable shelves add to your convenience as you can rearrange them depending on your storage requirements.
You can remove the ice maker from the freezer if not required. However, the twin holders stay connected. It can affect the storage options. Though it is a minor disadvantage, LG can take note and improve the design.
Making ice in this LG 360L model is easy. Removing them is easier because of the double twist ice tray. One twist is enough to let the ice collect into the container placed below the tray.
The pull-out tray provided in this LG 360L model is an asset because it offers more flexibility. You can pull it out to place your milk packets or ice creams without disturbing the other contents.
Moving the refrigerator is easy because it comes with concealed coaster wheels.
Features like Door Lock, catechin deodorizer, anti-bacterial gasket, and the Open Door alarm add to your convenience levels
4. Haier 258L – HEF-25TDS
Haier is another reputed brand that offers convertibility. The high-end refrigerators come with 8-in-1 convertibility features, whereas the Haier 258L HEF-25TDS features 5-in-1 convertibility. You have another option available in the 320L HRB-3404BMSE available in both convertible and non-convertible modes.
- Double-door refrigerator with twin inverter technology
- 258L capacity, suited for a medium-sized Indian family
- 3-star energy rating
- PUF Insulation
- 5-in-1 convertibility option
- Uses refrigerant R600A
- One-year warranty on the product
- The compressor and fan feature a 10-year warranty.
The plus point of the Haier 258L HEF-25TDS is its twin inverter technology to save power. It ensures that both the fan motor and compressor run at DC and hence, cause fewer fluctuations. This model consumes 182 units annually, less than the comparable Samsung 244L – RT28T3523S8 (193 units).
If you are looking for power-saving technology in refrigerators, it is advisable to go for models that offer inverter compressors. Haier 258L HEF25TDS works on a twin inverter compressor system where the compressor and the fan run on DC. It reduces power fluctuations and ensures uniform power distribution.
For a 258L refrigerator, this model offers a fridge capacity of up to 190L. It is around 74%, an ideal fridge to freezer ratio. Anyway, you have the convertibility option to enhance storage space when required.
This model can make ice within 60 minutes as it comes with Turbo Icing technology. The detachable icebox helps create more storage space, primarily when you use the convertibility option.
The large vegetable box is a positive aspect because you can store more vegetables and fruits in it for extended periods. The multi-airflow design ensures to maintain optimum temperature and moisture levels inside the Fresher Box.
Another unique feature observed in this Haier 258L model is the extra-thick PUF layer compared to conventional fridges. It helps retain the low temperature efficiently for better cooling performance.
Pros
Cons
]The 5-in-1 convertibility option makes this fridge a customizable appliance. You can set the temperature levels depending on your requirements. Besides saving power, this option can help increase storage capacity.
The convertible button controls are located inside the fridge. You have to open it and remove your food items placed on the specific shelf before operating it. LG can modify the design and include these options on the door outside the fridge.
The 12-hour retention mode is the highlight of this refrigerator. It proves handy during an extended power cut. Activating this mode prevents your milk and other perishable items from getting spoilt due to power failure.
The fridge to freezer ratio of 75% is one of the best available today.
5. Samsung 198L – RR21T2H2WCB/HL Single Door Refrigerator
Small families who do not require large freezers can explore the Direct Cool single-door models like the Samsung 198L RR21T2H2WCB/HL. These models offer less freezer space without compromising on the fridge compartment.
A significant advantage of single-door refrigerators is that they are energy-efficient. The 5-star models cost less than Rs 20K. You have excellent options starting from 165L to 215L capacities at competitive prices.
- Direct Cool technology
- 198L capacity, perfect for small Indian families
- 5-star energy rating
- Digital Inverter Compressor
- Base Stand Drawer
- One-year warranty on the fridge, ten years on the compressor
If you look at the specifications, you find that this 198L model offers 174 liters of fridge space. In comparison, the Samsung 244L – RT28T3523S8 provides 175 liters of fridge space, despite being a double-door refrigerator. The 24L freezer capacity should prove enough for preparing ice and storing ice creams, etc.
This Samsung 198L model works on a digital inverter compressor that adjusts its speed depending on the cooling demand. Thus, your refrigerator saves power and works noiselessly.
A unique aspect of the Samsung 198L single-door refrigerator is that it can work on solar energy. It is also compatible with your home inverter system. Thus, it can keep working continuously even during power cuts.
Usually, you find single-door refrigerators featuring exposed copper tubes at the backside of the appliance. This Samsung device has aesthetic looks with a fully-covered rear. Thus, it protects the essential components from damage.
The steel body gives a robust appearance to this appliance. The sleek Garo handle adds to its glamor quotient while being convenient to use at the same time.
This appliance makes optimum use of space because it includes a base stand drawer to store potatoes and onions.
Pros
Cons
The large vegetable storage box is a positive aspect because it enables you to store large quantities of vegetables and fruits.
This Samsung 198L model requires manual defrosting. If you forget to defrost the machine, there can be a buildup of ice inside the freezer compartment.
The large vegetable storage box is a positive aspect because it enables you to store large quantities of vegetables and fruits.
The energy-saving capacity of the Samsung 198L refrigerator should influence your decision to purchase this model. The 5-star model costs more than the 3-star or 4-star models, but they compensate by saving sufficient power over its lifetime.
The inbuilt stabilizer protects the appliance from voltage fluctuations. It cuts off the electric power supply if the voltage fluctuates beyond the acceptable range.
The door compartments have sufficient storage room for keeping your water and cold drink bottles. The bottle guard feature prevents the large 2L bottles from falling over when you open the fridge.