Need to know
- Our lab experts have tested more than 100 currently available fridge models to find the best performers and the ones to avoid
- We assess and score fridges based on their performance and efficiency, looking at factors such as temperature stability, how long they keep food fresh, running costs and more
- Become a CHOICE member for exclusive access to our detailed fridge reviews, as well as reviews for thousands of other products
There are a staggering number of fridges on the market – all with different features, finishes and sizes. Not to mention the huge range of prices: anywhere from hundreds to many thousands of dollars.
CHOICE has been testing fridges for decades to help you find the best fridge for your needs
It's a big investment, and if you choose badly you could be stuck with a dud for years. That's why CHOICE has been methodically testing fridges for decades: to help you find the best fridge for your needs.
CHOICE tests fridges in our accredited labs.
We assess key criteria including how fresh they keep your food, whether they maintain a stable temperature, how much energy they use, and how much they'll cost to run.
Over the years, our experts have uncovered some impressive fridges alongside some seriously poor performers that scored below 50%.
Not only do some of them cost thousands of dollars, they'll also struggle to keep your food fresh, costing you even more over the years.
We've reviewed more than 100 popular, currently available fridges in our accredited labs to cut through the advertising spin and help you decide which to buy.
We don't want you to end up with a dud buy, so here are the products that scored lowest in our lab tests. Consider becoming a CHOICE member to see the best performers.
Past contenders
In the past, we've warned consumers to avoid a number of ordinary fridges.
The Smeg FAB32RRDNA1.
Some lowlights include:
- Smeg FAB38RCRAU, AKA "the worst fridge we've ever tested"
- Smeg FAB32RRDNA1, which failed its energy check and scored just 34% overall
- Ikea Nedkyld fridge, which took out a CHOICE Shonky Award.
Fortunately, these fridges have been discontinued since we named and shamed them.
The fridges to avoid buying
Unlike the fridges listed above, these low-scoring models are still on the market – so make sure you steer clear.
The FAB32RPB5AU: a follow-up fridge flop from Smeg.
Smeg FAB32RPB5AU
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 43%
- Temperature stability score: 0%
- Price: $4290
Smeg's done it again with another second-rate fridge.
To give credit where it's due, this one is slightly better than its predecessors – but not much.
While you'd think the company would've improved upon the poor temperature stability that sealed its fate as manufacturer of the "worst fridge ever", it seems Smeg hasn't bothered: the FAB32 scored 0% for temperature stability.
Between the sketchy temperature stability and warm patches, your food is likely to go off faster
The temperature is also not evenly distributed, with the top shelf section recording significantly warmer temperatures than the bottom.
Between the sketchy temperature stability and warm patches, your food is likely to go off faster, adding extra dollars to your grocery bill – which many of us can ill afford with today's cost of living.
And it has a huge price tag for a fridge this size: over $4000 for a fridge we classify as "small". So you're not getting much bang for your buck in terms of size or performance with this fridge.
Read the full Smeg FAB32RPB5AU review.
The temperature in this Haier fridge has more swings than a baseball game.
Haier HRF420BHC
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 43%
- Temperature stability score: 6%
- Price: $1399
This fridge received one of the lowest temperature stability scores of the 101 fridges in our review.
For context, the best fridges we tested scored 90% on this metric – so 6% isn't just bad, it's shockingly bad.
Our lab experts rigorously assess each fridge, measuring the temperature at 12 different points in the fresh food compartment over a period of seven days to get an accurate picture of how much the temperature changes.
This fridge's temperature fluctuated by a huge 10.5°C, and the freezer by 7°C.
This fridge's temperature fluctuated by a huge 10.5°C, and the freezer by 7°C
These kinds of wild variations mean the fridge doesn't do its one and only job: keep your food cold (or frozen).
To keep your food safe, your fridge needs to stay between 0°C and 4°C. But if the temperature rises higher than 4°C, you're entering the food 'danger zone' where bacteria can multiply.
And if the temperature in your fridge dips below 0°C, your food could freeze and then thaw again, leaving you with limp lettuce and soggy cucumber.
In your freezer, temperature changes can shorten the lifespan of your frozen food and – even worse – ruin your ice cream.
We've found plenty of other fridges around the same price as this Haier that will actually keep your food cold, so check our review to find the best fridges for your budget.
Read the full Haier HRF420BHC review.
Bosch KFN96VPEAA: $3000 for a fridge that scored just 13% for temperature stability.
Bosch KFN96VPEAA
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 43%
- Temperature stability score: 13%
- Price: $3099
Bosch also makes several appearances in our list of poor performers.
In a previous review, we found a $2198 Bosch fridge that scored just 45% overall and was rated just 5% for temperature stability.
This time it's a $3000 French-door model that's marginally better on temperature stability, but only just: it scored 13% on this test. Like the Haier and Smeg above, it couldn't hold a stable temperature in the freezer or fresh food compartment.
It performed worse than a number of cheaper French-door fridges, so avoid making a $3000 mistake by checking our detailed fridge reviews before you buy.
Read the full Bosch KFN96VPEAA review.
The Hisense HRTF325: low price, low performance.
Hisense HRTF325
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 44%
- Temperature stability score: 48%
- Price: $699
It's a sixth of the price of the Smeg but this Hisense is definitely no bargain.
Of all the small fridges in our review, it actually has the lowest score for keeping your food fresh (even lower than the Smeg, which is really saying something).
It couldn't hold a stable temperature in our testing and it has warm and cool spots throughout. But worst of all, it can't handle the heat: it was so poor at handling changes in room temperature that our experts had no choice but to rate it 0%.
That means that when summer rolls around, you can expect melted ice cream, tepid soft drinks and wilted lettuce. What you'll save on buying this discount disappointment you'll spend on replacing food that's gone bad before its time.
Read the full Hisense HRTF325 review.
Haier price, lower performance: the HRF680YZC scored lower on temperature stability than the cheaper HRF420BHC.
Haier HRF680YZC
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 45%
- Temperature stability score: 0%
- Price: $3399
Another Haier joins our list of fridges not to buy, this time with a model that's bigger and more expensive – and yet somehow less impressive than its cheaper, low-scoring sibling when you consider what you'll get for your money.
Like the Smeg above, this fridge scores a shocking zero for temperature stability, so after shelling out $3000, your grocery bills will likely go up too, since you'll be frequently replacing food that's gone off before its time.
To be fair, it's not all bad: it performed well on a number of our tests, it has a compartment that can be set as a fridge or freezer, and it has a water and ice dispenser. And there's no denying that it looks good.
But considering that you can pick up a number of similarly sized fridges that are recommended by our experts for the same or less money, no amount of fancy features or good looks can save this Haier from earning its place in this sorry bunch.
Read the full Haier HRF680YZC review.
Another Bosch bites the dust: This French-door model couldn't hold a stable temperature in our labs.
Bosch KFN96AXEAA
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 45%
- Temperature stability score: 6%
- Price: $3299
Just like the Haier above, this Bosch is more expensive than its other low-scoring cousin, but scores even worse on temperature stability.
It is rated slightly higher for temperature evenness, but with a score of 65% it's still not exactly going to set the world on fire.
So not only does the overall temperature of the fridge and freezer fluctuate, there are also warmer and colder spots throughout – meaning your ice cream and fresh produce will really feel the heat (or cold), depending on where you put them.
It does efficiently cool warm food when it's added to the fridge, so it'll bring your hot spag bol down to a lower temperature reasonably quickly, but that's not much help when it won't keep it steady from there on.
We suggest you put your money towards a different fridge. Here are the best French-door fridges from our tests.
Read the full Bosch KFN96AXEAA review.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family. And our recent sunscreens test showed just how important it is to keep business claims in check.
So you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
Learn more about CHOICE membership today
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
