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Over its more than century of manufacturing experience, Whirlpool has earned its reputation as a trusted brand. Today’s refrigerators aren’t the basic, boring boxes of decades past; Whirlpool has kept up with changing technology and trends to offer an array of attractive, feature-filled, eco-friendly, and dependable models. Keep reading for some tips for choosing a new fridge and explore some of the best Whirlpool options.
- BEST OVERALL: Whirlpool 36-Inch French Door Refrigerator
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Whirlpool 20.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
- BEST BOTTOM FREEZER: Whirlpool 22 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
- BEST SIDE BY SIDE: Whirlpool 36-Inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator
- BEST FRENCH DOOR: Whirlpool 25 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator
How We Chose the Best Whirlpool Refrigerators
With so many brands and models to choose from, buying a new refrigerator can be overwhelming. Even after you’ve decided to purchase one from the reliable Whirlpool brand, the variety of models can make your head spin. We considered more than 20 refrigerators to find our top picks, choosing among popular types to narrow down the best Whirlpool refrigerators.
Performance was the most important metric when choosing our top picks. Through researching the available products and considering consumer reviews, we selected refrigerators that are highly rated for maintaining a consistent temperature to keep food safe and fresh. Each fridge in the lineup also has humidity control features or filter options that help slow spoilage.
Aside from great performance, a good refrigerator should also be pleasant to use. We looked for user-friendly design features, including smart shelving configurations (adjustable shelves or bins earned extra points), comfortable lighting, easy-to-see contents, and glass wall-to-wall shelving to maximize capacity.
Our Top Picks
The refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in the kitchen, so it pays to invest in a high-performing unit. The best Whirlpool refrigerators in this list boast a bevy of user-friendly features to keep food and drinks fresh so you can choose which refrigerator is the best for your household.
Best Overall
Whirlpool 36-Inch French Door Refrigerator
Packed with user-friendly features, this Whirlpool refrigerator is an excellent choice for families. This large French door refrigerator has a 25-cubic-foot capacity and several handy shelves and organizers.
Items are easy to see on its wall-to-wall frameless glass shelves. Humidity-controlled crispers keep fruits and veggies in ideal condition, while a full-width temperature-controlled drawer is useful for deli items and snacks. Gallon door bins keep large containers in easy reach and free up shelf space. An interior water dispenser provides filtered water at the touch of a button, and the interior boasts eco-friendly, true-to-color LED lighting.
This refrigerator has a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish, and it’s Energy Star certified.
Product Specs
- Type: French door
- Dimensions: 35.5 inches by 35.6 inches by 70.1 inches
- Capacity: 25 cubic feet
Pros
- Attractive design packed with user-friendly features
- Humidity and temperature-controlled bins and drawers
- Filtered water dispenser
Cons
- Water dispenser is inside the fridge, which can be less convenient
Get the Whirlpool 36-Inch French Door Refrigerator at Abt or Best Buy.
Best Bang For The Buck
Whirlpool 20.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
Top-freezer refrigerators might not look as fancy as other types, but they often provide the best bang for the buck. The Whirlpool top freezer unit combines many of Whirlpool’s best refrigerator features in a nicely priced package.
At 20.5 cubic feet, this fridge has a capacity suitable for couples and small families. It features a stainless steel finish and a reversible exterior door. Wall-to-wall frameless glass shelves and LED lighting upgrade the interior and make it user-friendly.
This refrigerator features two clear, humidity-controlled produce crispers. A small Flexi-Slide deli drawer for meats and cheeses can move from one side of the shelf to the other for flexible storage. An adjustable gallon on-door bin stores large containers.
Product Specs
- Type: Top freezer
- Dimensions: 30.6 inches by 32.8 inches by 65.5 inches
- Capacity: 20.5 cubic feet
Pros
- Affordable but still features many of Whirlpool’s best features
- Reversible door can function as a right-hand door swing or be reversed to a left-hand door swing
- Humidity-controlled produce bins and Flexi-Slide bin
Cons
- Lacks water and ice dispenser
- Not Energy Star certified
Get the Whirlpool 20.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator at The Home Depot or AJ Madison.
Best Bottom Freezer
Whirlpool 22 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
While the Whirlpool 22-cubic-foot bottom freezer refrigerator boasts some of the same features as many of the brand’s refrigerators, it has sophisticated fresh food assets and temperature control options.
In addition to humidity-controlled crispers, the fridge features a FreshFlow produce-preserving filter, which absorbs excess ethylene gas to slow produce spoilage. This Energy Star–certified refrigerator includes Whirlpool’s Accu-Chill Temperature Management system. It senses and adapts the fridge temperature, turning on the compressor when necessary to maintain a consistent temperature while saving energy.
Like other Whirlpool models, the refrigerator has glass shelves, a small deli drawer, and LED lighting. It features a reversible door design and a stainless steel finish.
Product Specs
- Type: Bottom freezer
- Dimensions: 30.8 inches by 32.6 inches by 70 inches
- Capacity: 21.9 cubic feet
Pros
- Energy-saving temperature control system saves energy
- FreshFlow filter system slows produce spoilage
- Reversible door can be installed to open either direction
Cons
- Lacks water and ice dispenser
Get the Whirlpool 22 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator at The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Best Side By Side
Whirlpool 36-Inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator
This Whirlpool refrigerator features an ample 28-cubic-foot capacity and a purposeful interior design that makes it ideal for larger families. Wall-to-wall frameless glass shelves and several adjustable gallon door bins provide flexible storage.
Instead of a shelf-mounted ice bin in the freezer, this refrigerator’s ice bin is in the door. An exterior filtered water and ice dispenser (with a handy LED night light) makes it easy to grab a cold drink. This fridge also has humidity-controlled crispers to keep produce fresh.
Product Specs
- Type: Side by side
- Dimensions: 34.9 inches by 36 inches by 69 inches
- Capacity: 28 cubic feet
Pros
- High capacity is ideal for larger families
- Organized interior design features adjustable shelves and bins
- In-door ice storage has a handy LED night light
- External water and ice dispenser
Cons
- Not Energy Star certified
Get the Whirlpool 36-Inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator at Appliances Connection, The Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
Best French Door
Whirlpool 25 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator
French door refrigerators are a popular choice for their stylish appearance and roomy interiors, and the Whirlpool 25 cubic foot French door refrigerator is an upgraded model. This refrigerator goes beyond a classic three-door configuration, boasting an additional temperature-controlled exterior drawer that’s convenient for storing deli meats, cheeses, and favorite snacks.
This Energy Star–certified fridge has an exterior filtered water and ice dispenser. A fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish makes the refrigerator attractive and easy to clean.
The inside of the 25-cubic-foot refrigerator is as well designed as the exterior. Spill-containing glass shelves simplify cleaning, and humidity-controlled crispers keep produce fresh. Adjustable gallon door bins store large containers, and a two-tier freezer design helps users keep the bottom freezer organized.
Product Specs
- Type: French door
- Dimensions: 32.1 inches by 35.6 inches by 70.1 inches
- Capacity: 25 cubic feet
Pros
- Exterior filtered water and ice dispenser
- Exterior-access extra drawer convenient for accessing snacks
- Adjustable gallon door bins big enough for large containers
Cons
- Long list of features stack up to an expensive price
Get the Whirlpool 25 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator at Best Buy or Abt.
Types of Whirlpool Refrigerators
Shopping for a new fridge can be overwhelming. Who makes the best refrigerator? Shoppers have so many models to choose from, even within the Whirlpool brand. A good starting point is deciding on the type of refrigerator that works best in the kitchen. The refrigerators in this list are labeled according to the configuration of the fridge and freezer, with common styles including French door, side by side, bottom freezer, and top freezer. Remember to keep the kitchen layout in mind when deciding on a fridge type. Make sure that nearby walls, appliances, and cabinets won’t obstruct the door when opening it.
French Door
French door refrigerators have a fridge on top with a freezer compartment below. Some models feature side-by-side double doors, which provide a clear view of the shelf contents and door compartments. French door and side-by-side fridges require less clearance space for the doors to open, so they are a good choice for smaller kitchens.
French door fridges contain a slide-out freezer drawer with a fairly ample capacity. However, those who can’t bend easily may not like this type.
Side by Side
As the name suggests, a side-by-side fridge features a full-length vertical fridge and a full-length freezer positioned side by side. Side-by-side fridges usually have more freezer capacity than other types. However, side-by-side fridges have relatively narrow shelves, and some models may not accommodate wide items like pizza boxes.
Bottom Freezer
In a bottom-freezer refrigerator, the refrigerator compartment sits above a smaller freezer drawer that pulls out on sliding tracks. These fridges have a larger freezer capacity than top freezer options. Bottom freezer models have a freezer drawer instead of a shelf compartment, which means the freezer section may get disorganized. Some models contain a shallow slide-out tray at the top of the compartment to provide easy access to frequently used items.
Top Freezer
With a smaller freezer above a larger fridge, top-freezer refrigerators are a popular configuration. Top-freezer fridges cost less to manufacture, so they typically cost less to purchase. Top freezers usually have the smallest freezer capacity of all the refrigerator types. Their simple configuration typically has a basic interior, and they often lack the more robust shelving and storage bin options of other models.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Whirlpool Refrigerator
Choosing the refrigerator type is an important first step in finding the best fridge for a kitchen, but shoppers also should consider several other features. To determine the best Whirlpool refrigerator, consider size, storage options, climate control settings, energy usage, and additional features like smart connectivity and water and ice dispensers.
Size and Capacity
When shopping for a new fridge, measure the space carefully and add an extra inch or so on each side of the unit for airflow. Fridges vary widely in size, from minibar and compact models suitable for an apartment, to roomy refrigerators for large families.
Standard refrigerators, which usually measure between 30 and 33 inches in depth, extend past the depth of most counters. For a built-in look, consider a counter-depth fridge. The best counter-depth refrigerator options measure less than 27 inches to sit flush with adjacent counters.
Refrigerator capacity is arguably as important as size because it affects its day-to-day utility. Standard-size refrigerators generally have a capacity between 19 to 25 cubic feet, but it can range up to 33 cubic feet (size goes up with capacity). A typical four-person family likely needs a 20-cubic-foot or larger fridge.
Shelves and Storage Options
A well-designed interior makes a refrigerator more pleasant to use. Most modern refrigerators feature adjustable plastic or glass shelves instead of metal racks to resist stains and odors. Raised shelf edges help keep spills contained.
Also consider door storage for large beverage containers and condiments. Some refrigerators have gallon-size door bins and adjustable door storage for larger items.
All full-size refrigerators contain produce drawers, but additional drawers can be useful. For instance, some fridges also have a deli drawer to store deli meats, cheeses, and snacks. Some fridges allow access to the deli drawer from the outside of the refrigerator, so the doors don’t have to be opened to reach favorites.
Water and Ice Dispenser
For easy access, some water and ice dispensers are mounted on the front of the refrigerator door, which means the fridge door doesn’t have to be opened to access fresh, chilled water and ice cubes. Simply touch a lever or button.
Dispensers may release cold, room-temperature, or hot filtered water. Some can dispense a precise amount of water, while others have built-in lighting to prevent spills. Some ice dispensers also provide crushed ice as well as cubes. While water and ice dispensers are an attractive feature, they can be finicky and prone to having issues.
Climate Control
Refrigerators feature adjustable temperature controls via a manual dial, digital control, or touch-screen climate control. Some models allow users to access climate controls from outside the fridge or even remotely, so the doors don’t have to open to adjust the temperature. Some refrigerators also feature adjustable humidity.
A well-made fridge maintains a consistent temperature in all its zones. Many high-end options allow users to set the temperature for different areas of the refrigerator, such as extra-cool for the drawer that stores cold cuts and meat.
Energy Usage
Whirlpool has a good track record for creating eco-friendly, energy-efficient refrigerators. To compare energy usage between models, look for the fridge’s Energy Guide label. This displays energy requirements and average operating costs, which are broken down into an Estimated Yearly Operating Cost (a dollar estimate) and Estimated Yearly Electric Use (measured in kilowatt-hours [kWh]).
The best energy-efficient models carry Energy Star certification, which means that the refrigerator was tested and proven to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) energy standards.
Additional Features
Refrigerators may have additional features that range from convenient to luxurious. Adjustable shelves are a basic convenience, while wine-chilling compartments make a refrigerator rather fancy.
Bright LED lighting lights up every corner of the refrigerator without using a lot of energy. Humidity control and filter features help extend the life of produce, keeping veggies, greens, and fruits fresh for longer. An air filtering system helps keep refrigerator funk to a minimum.
As with other kitchen appliances, some refrigerators feature smart Wi-Fi connectivity, apps, touch screens, and voice-enabled systems that offer a wide array of controls and features. Some fridges have built-in screens to control settings or even play media.
A Recap of Our Recommendations
- BEST OVERALL: Whirlpool 36-Inch French Door Refrigerator
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Whirlpool 20.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
- BEST BOTTOM FREEZER: Whirlpool 22 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
- BEST SIDE BY SIDE: Whirlpool 36-Inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator
- BEST FRENCH DOOR: Whirlpool 25 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator
FAQs
Refrigerators are an expensive purchase, so it’s important to find the right fit for your kitchen. If you’ve decided to go with a Whirlpool, you’ve chosen a brand with an excellent track record for ease of use and reliability. For more info on the brand or on refrigerators in general, these commonly asked questions may provide answers.
Q. How long is the warranty on a Whirlpool refrigerator?
Whirlpool offers a 1-year warranty on its refrigerators.
Q. How long does a Whirlpool refrigerator last?
Whirlpool is known for its dependable appliances, so you can expect a refrigerator to last the average lifespan. Most refrigerators last around 10 to 15 years, but up to 20 years is possible when the refrigerator is well maintained.
Q. What’s the difference between a standard-depth and a counter-depth refrigerator?
Counter-depth refrigerators have a shallower depth, usually at around 23 to 27 inches, compared to a standard depth of 30+ inches. This allows them to align with adjacent counters to look built in. Less depth, however, often means less capacity.
Q. Is Gladiator a Whirlpool brand?
Yes, Gladiator is a Whirlpool Corporation brand that was launched in 2003.
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