These Are the 12 Best Places to Buy a Refrigerator (2024)

The Home Depot

The Home Depot’s online selection is vast and easy to navigate. You can shop for refrigerators based on type, specific features, finish, price, and brand (which include Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, Bosch, Frigidaire, and more). If you’re in the market for a basic, large-capacity fridge that does the job well, we recommend the LG LRFCS25D3S 25-cubic-foot French Door Refrigerator. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles found in newer models—such as InstaView, which allows you to see inside the fridge—but it does come with standard components like an ice maker and two crisper drawers, plus its finish is fingerprint-resistant.

Thanks to The Home Depot’s price-match guarantee, which takes into account online competitors’ pricing, you know you’re getting the best deal on any one model. But you’ll still score the best savings during the store’s holiday sales and on items labeled "Special Buy,” which traditionally signals that an appliance is 25 percent off or more. Many of the refrigerators include free delivery, and The Home Depot will haul away your old refrigerator for an additional fee. One downside to purchasing from the retailer is its 48-hour return policy: You have just two days to report any defects or damages in order to get your money back.

Lowe's

Lowe’s carries over 900 refrigerator models, including ones with child-lock capabilities and Wi-Fi-connected smart control. We like the Samsung Bespoke 4-Door French Door Standard-Depth Smart Hub Refrigerator due to its Alexa- and Google Assistant-compatible smart display screen and customizable door panels (there are more than 10 color options to choose from, though the finish depends on the hue). Similar to The Home Depot, Lowe’s offers a price-match guarantee, so if you find a specific refrigerator model listed for less on an approved competitor site, Lowe’s will honor that price.

If you’re not sure which model best fits your needs, Lowe’s has an online chat function that allows you to request shopping help. Another huge benefit to purchasing a refrigerator from Lowe’s is that the company offers free local delivery on appliances costing $396 or more, which includes most full-size fridges. Unpacking, leveling, and connecting the refrigerator are all part of the service. Like many of the retailers on this list, Lowe’s does charge a fee if you want your old appliance hauled away—unless you’re a Lowe's Pro customer.

AJ Madison

AJ Madison sells refrigerators from GE, Samsung, LG, Viking, and other top fridge brands, just like its competitors. You’ll find everything from wine coolers to $22,000 models with nearly 20 cubic feet of capacity. Customers can use the more than 20 search filters—like price, style, dimensions, availability, and special offers—to narrow down the selection. You can also browse by feature, with options ranging from spill-safe shelves to a built-in Keurig brewing system (yes, you can make coffee with your refrigerator).

If a standard model is all you need, consider the Whirlpool WRS321SDHZ 21.4-cubic-foot Side-by-Side Refrigerator. It comes in four color/finish combinations, all of which are fingerprint-resistant, and has an ice and water dispenser. One downside: AJ Madison has an even shorter return window than The Home Depot, meaning you have just 24 hours to report defects or change your mind about a purchase.

Best Buy

Electronics may be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Best Buy, but the retailer also has a wide range of appliances. You get free delivery with any refrigerator priced over $399—which includes unboxing—and you can tack on professional installation services for just $25 more. The store’s famous Geek Squad is also available to help with common refrigerator repairs you might need long after you purchase the fridge, such as water leaks, strange noises, and Wi-Fi connectivity problems.

One refrigerator on the site that immediately caught our eye was the LG 25.5 Cu. Ft. French Door Counter-Depth Smart Refrigerator with Mirror InstaView, which has a classic stainless steel design. One thing we did notice about Best Buy’s inventory is that while around 900 refrigerator models appear on the site, less than half of them are usually in stock, which can be incredibly frustrating. When you’re browsing, we highly recommend filtering out out-of-stock items.

Wayfair

Wayfair’s inventory for most home products is massive, but it actually has a smaller assortment of refrigerators than some of the other retailers on this list. However, it does carry brands that you won’t see everywhere like Unique Appliances and SMEG, which specialize in retro designs. If you want to add a pop of color to your kitchen, we recommend SMEG’s 50s Style 12.8 cu. ft. Energy Star Refrigerator that comes in eight different finishes, including pink, pastel green, and orange.

One of the things we like most about Wayfair’s website is that once you click on a specific fridge, it automatically generates a comparison table with similar products so that you can make the best buying decision. If you’re only interested in sale items, the company makes it easy for you to filter out full-price options. No matter what model you pick, it comes with free shipping and a 30-day return policy—though refrigerators that have been installed cannot be returned, which is a common stipulation for most appliance companies on this list.

Amazon

If you’re looking for a compact fridge that’ll fit in a dorm room or a counter-depth refrigerator, Amazon is a great place to shop. Plus, the online mega-retailer is overflowing with customer reviews, so you can sort through other people’s experiences with the product before committing to it yourself. Take, for instance, the Antarctic Star Mini Refrigerator.

Most refrigerators purchased at Amazon are eligible for 30-day returns, though the same can’t be said about free delivery, even for Prime members. Some shipping rates are rather exorbitant, like the $129 Wanai fridge that tacks on $70 for delivery. However, we do appreciate Amazon’s two appliance protection plans (one for two years and one for three years), which cover parts, labor, and shipping.

P.C. Richard & Son

P.C. Richard & Son is a solid choice for customers who live in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania. The company offers free refrigerator deliveries to residents of those states, and will unbox and place the appliance in the correct room. Installation and haul-away services are also available for an additional fee. Unfortunately, if you live outside the retailer’s local delivery zone, freight delivery is your only option—meaning the refrigerator will be shipped to your curb. For this reason, we don’t advise shoppers outside of New York’s metropolitan area to get their appliances from P.C. Richard & Son.

If you do decide to browse through the company’s selection, we suggest you check out its smart refrigerators, which are easily searchable using the website’s filters. The Samsung 30 cu. ft. Smart 4-Door French Door Refrigerator is noteworthy thanks to its Wi-Fi connected display screen, which can set reminders, play music, and more, instantly making your appliance multipurpose. If you have questions about specific features, P.C. Richard & Son offers a live chat on its website to provide quick answers.

Walmart

One of the perks of shopping at Walmart for refrigerators is the free shipping and generous 90-day return policy. Apart from Costco, no other retailer on this list offers that long of a window. In addition to no shipping fees, Walmart consistently has deals on appliances—just look for the “Reduced Price” label. Most of the refrigerators on the site also come with two protection plan options, which cover mechanical and electrical failures and malfunctions, along with around-the-clock customer support. Plans typically range from two to four years.

One of Walmart’s best-sellers is the Frigidaire 7.5 cu. ft. Refrigerator, which may look incredibly basic on the outside, but features adjustable shelves to allow for tall bottle storage, a reversible door for flexible placement, and even a removable egg holder.

A frustration we do have with Walmart’s purchasing process for appliances is that most refrigerators are sold and shipped by third-party retailers, making it difficult to find information about advanced delivery options and installation services.

Costco

It doesn’t make sense to sign up for a Costco membership just to purchase a refrigerator from the retailer, but if you’re already a member, you’ll get to take advantage of some great perks. Most appliances come with free delivery and basic installation services—the retailer may even haul away your old fridge at no extra charge. Looped into the online price, which you won’t be able to see unless you’re signed in, is also free tech support and a manufacturer’s warranty (often two years). Similar to Walmart, Costco’s return policy is 90 days, which is the longest return window featured in this guide.

One splurge-worthy refrigerator we’ve got our eye on is the Café 27.8 cu. ft. French-Door Refrigerator. This model is unique in that it features a hot water dispenser (perfect for tea!) and gold or silver hardware, depending on the color you order (we’re partial to the white).

Sears

While Sears may not have as many brick-and-mortar stores throughout the country as it once did, the retailer’s online presence is still strong and features a wide selection of refrigerators from Samsung, GE, Frigidaire, and more top-notch brands. There are a few advantages to shopping for an appliance at Sears, including the ability to select your own delivery date, full setup of your fridge, and 30 days to return the appliance if it doesn’t satisfy your needs. The only service you have to pay extra for is haul-away.

When browsing through the inventory, we were immediately struck by GE’s 11.9 cu. ft. Built-In Bottom Freezer Refrigerator with its sleek, stainless steel finish and external temperature control panel, which allows you to adjust certain settings to your liking.

One thing to note is that Sears does charge a 15 percent restocking fee for built-in appliance returns, so make sure you’ve done your research on a fridge before submitting an order.

Appliances Connection

Appliances Connection offers a large selection of refrigerator brands at a variety of price points. The retailer often offers savings opportunities and will offer pop-up bundles while shopping on the site. Their “Buy Now, Ship Later” program allows customers to schedule when they’d like to receive new appliances. This feature would be especially useful for new homeowners or customers currently remodeling their home. While Appliances Connection offers a 30-day return window, they won’t accept used appliances, and your return must be in new condition with the original packaging.

If you’re looking for a compact refrigerator, consider the Frigidaire FFET1022UV 10.1 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator, which is Energy Star-certified and has two door shelves for storing condiments and beverages.

ABT

For Chicagoland customers, ABT is a solid option thanks to free delivery within a 100-mile radius of the company’s Illinois headquarters. Rather than simply listing the key features of a certain fridge model, ABT provides detailed descriptions for each part of the appliance, from the shelving to the cooling system. If you’re still looking for more information, the retailer’s live chat function can help. No matter where you live, customers do have to pay extra for installation and haul-away services, and the rates may be slightly higher for those who don’t qualify as local.

One of the advanced refrigerators featured on ABT’s website is the LG 26.2 cu. ft. Smart Wi-Fi Enabled French Door Refrigerator, whose temperature can be controlled via your smartphone. The fridge will also send you notifications if the door is left open or maintenance is required on a specific portion. To help with the latter, ABT’s free tech support is available seven days a week to identify and (hopefully) guide you through a quick fix. If you’re not happy with the model you received, you may be able to return it if it’s been less than 30 days since the delivery date.

FAQ

• When is the best time to buy a refrigerator?

  New refrigerator models arrive in stores during the summer, which means the best time to buy a refrigerator is late spring because retailers are looking to get rid of last year’s crop. You may even be able to knock down the clearance price at this time.Memorial Day weekend is also a popular time for refrigerator sales, but if you can’t wait until May to shop, refrigerators are typically discounted during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, the Fourth of July, and President's Day.
  

• How long should a refrigerator last?

  With proper care, you can expect your refrigerator to last over 10 years. Just make sure to regularly vacuum the air intake at the base, maintain the rubber door gaskets by wiping them with a mild cleanser, and check the drain pan on the bottom to ensure it doesn’t fill with water and spill out. If your refrigerator isn’t keeping its cool, that may be because the air vents are blocked by food you've stowed inside. The condenser coils could also be dirty. Call in the professionals if you’re having trouble diagnosing and fixing the problem.
  

• What are the most reliable refrigerator brands?

  You can find lots of high-quality refrigerators on the internet, but the most reliable ones tend to come from well-known appliance brands like Maytag, KitchenAid, GE, and Frigidaire. These brands have been around for years and produce dozens of models with a wide variety of features. They have ample inventories and offer solid warranties, leading to great overall value.
  

Home Appliances: Product Reviews