America spends almost sixty minutes a day in the kitchen in 2023; a fridge is one of those smart devices which has helped bring down this number from the traditional 2-3 hours a day to one hour of kitchen work.
Refrigerators acquire a huge space in every kitchen, so it is necessary to make sure you select the right one for you. A smart fridge is loaded with advanced features such as connectivity to the voice-assistant, remote operation of temperature control settings via a dedicated app, an inside camera to view the contents of the fridge on your mobile device, automatic water and ice dispenser, door ajar notifications, service scheduling requests and the list is endless.
What you really need to know about this smart kitchen appliance is, how it performs in terms of durability, connectivity, the amount of sound it makes, which style suits your needs, maintenance requirements and most importantly, its energy saving values.
Here are 6 tips to buy a smart refrigerator, basic questions which you need to know before you make a decision on buying the perfect smart fridge for your kitchen:
#1 How Noisy Is The Refrigerator?
Once bought, a smart refrigerator that stays in your kitchen for at least ten years is supposed to work its best while being quiet. Smart refrigerators of 2023 come with the latest technology and are more energy efficient, and energy efficiency leads to less noise. A normal smart refrigerator compressor makes a noise between 30 to 50 decibels; any sound above this will make the kitchen environment unpleasant. Always make sure to pay attention to the sound a refrigerator makes before getting it to your home kitchen. Here are some of the best smart refrigerators of 2023 which are efficiently quiet.
Model: LG LRFXC2416S
Model: GE Profile PVD28BYNFS
#2 How To Choose The Best Refrigerator Style?
One of the most important tips to buy a smart refrigerator is pay attention on the design. A perfect style of the best smart fridge is a design that perfectly compliments your kitchen in appearance while satisfying all your needs of storage, features, convenience and budget. The design, color, and size of the smart fridge should complement the aesthetics of the kitchen. For a detailed review on the best smart refrigerators of 2023, check out this blog on Top 7 ridiculously smart refrigerators of 2023. A smart refrigerator is only launched in high-price bracket models till now. They can be distinguished based on their door design. Here are some of the featured refrigerators classified as per door designs:
A) Double Door Side by Side
Model: Samsung RS28A500ASR
Model: GE Profile PSB48YSNSS
B) Triple Door with French Door
Model: Samsung RF27T5501SR
Model: LG LRFVS3006D
C) Four Door Refrigerator
Model: Samsung RF29A9771SG/AA
Model: Samsung Bespoke RF23A967535
D) Four Door Refrigerator with French Door
Model: Cafe CVE28DP4NW2
Model: Samsung RF22R7551SR
Model: LG LRMDS3006S
#3 How To Maintain The Fridge In The Long Run? What About The Service Requirements Of The Fridge?
A smart fridge definitely calls for fewer service visits from technicians. The refrigerator notifies its users automatically when it is time to change filters or if any other maintenance activity is required in relation to the hardware components. They also come with a feature of notifying the service agency of maintenance requirements.
Additionally, regular monthly fridge cleaning helps your best smart refrigerator to work more efficiently. Deep cleaning involves emptying the entire contents of the fridge and wiping down the shelves, drawers, inside walls and all the compartments with a damp cloth. Always check the maintenance requirements and service handling time of the smart refrigerator before buying as one of the tips to buy a smart refrigerator.
#4 What Happens To A Smart Fridge When The Internet Connection Is Down, Or The Smart App Is Not Working?
A Smart Fridge relies on a strong internet connection for its smart features. Most smart appliances only work with a 2.4 GHz Wifi connection. An intelligent tip to buy a smart refrigerator is to make sure to confirm if the internet of your house is compatible with the smart home appliance requirements. Without the internet, even the best smart fridge will work just like a regular refrigerator. It cannot connect to other smart devices, nor take voice commands. All the smart features will be restricted till the internet connection is resumed.
An app not working is only a concern from the mobile end; this shall restrict only the command features of the smart fridge while the app troubleshoots. The refrigerator will still work with the smart features of the preset default settings. The application issue can be resolved by troubleshooting or contacting service assistance.
Best Smart Refrigerator Technologies: Samsung Family Hub, LG ThinQ, GE Smart HQ
#5 How Much Space Will The Smart Fridge Require?
It is very important to measure the space in your home and match it with the dimensions of the smart refrigerator. It is always advisable to leave at least 2 inches gap between a surface or a wall and the fridge. Also, do not forget to anticipate the door opening space of the fridge of at least 4 inches in counter depth and 6 inches in standard depth model. The height and width of the refrigerator should be measured carefully to accommodate the needs of the furniture and home entrance door settings. Smart fridges come in different storage capacities to suit every user’s needs.
A counter depth storage matches countertops and is shallower from the inside, whereas the standard depth is a full-sized fridge which bulges out but has a larger storage capacity. Choosing between both options depends on the area one has and how well each option goes with the overall appearance of the kitchen.
Here a tip to buy a suitable smart refrigerator is to have the best combination of dimensions and storage which satisfies the needs of your sweet home.
Best smart fridges with different storage capacities:
Model and size: Bosch 800 series, 20.5 cu ft storage (counter depth)
Model and size: LG Instaview, 23 cu ft storage (counter depth)
Model and Size: GE Profile, 28.69 cu ft (counter depth)
Model and Size: Samsung, 29 cu ft storage (standard depth)
Model and Size: Cafe, 27.6 cu ft storage (standard depth)
#6 Is My New Smart Fridge Energy Saving?
The final tip to buy a smart refrigerators is to check the energy star rating. All the smart fridges come with an energy star label that represents adherence to strict energy-efficiency requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 5 star rating being the best rating, be sure to read out the energy stars rating in relation to energy efficiency, storage capacity and the number of units it will consume per year. A smart fridge saves more energy than a regular refrigerator and also saves you on the power bill. Its smart features help in detecting errors in the normal working of the fridge, thus aiding timely repair.
Best energy saving smart refrigerators of 2023:
Model: GE Profile PVD28BYNFS
Energy Star: Yes
Model: LG LRMDS3006S
Energy Star: Yes
Model: Samsung RF27T5501SR
Energy Star: Yes
There are a wide range of smart refrigerators available in the market today, but only a few fit into the best configurations. The above considerations will save you time and prevent you from making a mistake while buying the best smart refrigerator for your home.
What Is A Smart Fridge?
Not every fridge with the latest features can be called a smart refrigerator. Before checking the tips to buy a smart refrigerator one needs to assure how to differentiate a smart refrigerator from the rest. A normal refrigerator only contains basic digital functions. For a fridge to be Smart Fridge, here are some of the major criteria in addition to all the regular features:
Wi-fi Connectivity
Wifi connectivity in any form, be it wifi enabled, or in-built Wifi is a must for every smart refrigerator. The wifi connectivity enables all the smart functions, such as connectivity to other smart devices, voice commands, and online notifications, to run smoothly.
Remote Access
A smart refrigerator sends notifications and provides remote access to temperature control settings through the mobile app. This gives users anywhere access to smart refrigerators.
Voice Command
Best smart refrigerators of 2023 work on voice commands such as Alexa or Google Assistant. The voice command feature enables ease of access while you are busy cooking.
Energy Saving
As the best smart fridge is made with the latest technology, it is more energy efficient and designed to provide maximum power with energy saving capabilities.
A Smart Refrigerator is definitely expensive but completely complements the lifestyle requirements of today. The smart abilities with the most stylized looks are a good upgrade you would like in your kitchen home appliances.
Checkout this blog to find the best refrigerator of 2023: Best Smart Refrigerator of 2023
Table of Contents
- 6 Stupid Questions to Ask While Buying A Smart Fridge
- #1 How Noisy Is The Refrigerator?
- #2 How To Choose The Best Refrigerator Style?
- #3 How To Maintain The Fridge In The Long Run? What About The Service Requirements Of The Fridge?
- #4 What Happens To A Smart Fridge When The Internet Connection Is Down, Or The Smart App Is Not Working?
- #5 How Much Space Will The Smart Fridge Require?
- #6 Is My New Smart Fridge Energy Saving?