But which are the most energy-efficient? Our tests show that top-freezer and bottom-freezer refrigerators usually cost less to run than side-by-side and French-door models.
“Side-by-side models have a tall, thin freezer with a lot of external surface area that gets warm, and French-door bottom-freezers usually have energy-hungry add-ons, like an in-the-fridge icemaker and an anti-sweat heater,” Chai says.
Of course, other factors matter, too, and energy usage varies from one model to the next. We calculate the annual energy cost for every refrigerator in our ratings using the national average electricity price at the time of testing. CR members can see these costs in the Ratings & Specs section of our ratings charts, and sort by energy efficiency.
Below, members can also see reviews of the best energy-efficient refrigerators sorted by Overall Score. We chose models that earn high ratings for energy efficiency while also offering solid performance, reliability, and owner satisfaction. The refrigerators are made by GE, LG, Samsung, and Sub-Zero.
For advice before you start shopping for a new refrigerator, anyone can check out our refrigerator buying guide.
