Things to Consider
Once you have outlined your budget, including additional costs covering tax, delivery and installation, the next best step would be figuring out a set of key features you prioritize the most for your kitchen.
Configuration
Under $1000 budget refrigerators come in most main configurations: French door, side by side, top mount freezer, and bottom mount freezer. Side by sides have better organized interior storage and demand less swing space, while French door models allow better access to their bottom freezer drawers and provide more door or in-door space for food preservation. Most top freezer units have reversible hinges to accommodate the specifics of your kitchen space and are generally the most affordable type of refrigerators.
Capacity
Total capacity of budget refrigerators can span from 10 cubic feet up to 26 cubic feet, with freezer space ranging between 4 cubic feet and 9 cubic feet. The fresh food cabinet capacity and freezer compartment capacity are not necessarily directly proportionate as some models come with a more equal configuration, such as side by sides, while others give preference to refrigerator space, such as compact top mount units.
Finish
Budget refrigerators are available in a wide selection of popular colors, from classic fingerprint resistant stainless steel and black stainless to the smooth white, black, and bisque.
Functionality
Above all, this includes temperature adjustability and selective humidity controls, namely in produce crispers with flexible humidity environments. Other useful features to have in your refrigerator are integrated ice makers, exterior water and ice dispensers, produce preservers and multi air flow purification systems.
- Review of the Refrigerators Under 1000
- Frigidaire FFSS2615TS Refrigerator Under 1000
- Samsung RF260BEAESR Refrigerator Under 1000
- Whirlpool WRT311FZDW Refrigerator Under 1000
- Maytag MRT118FFFH Refrigerator Under 1000
- Magic Chef HMDR1000WE Refrigerator Under 1000
- GE GTS18GTHWW Refrigerator Under 1000
- Hotpoint HPS15BTHRWW Refrigerator Under 1000
- Amana ASI2175GRS Refrigerator Under 1000
Review of the Refrigerators Under 1000
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Specs
- Configuration: Side by side
- Freezer type: Left cabinet
- Total capacity: 25.5 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 9 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 35.625’’W x 69.625’’H x 31.75’’D
- Energy consumption: 709 kWh/year
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Features
- Improved water filtration
- Exterior water and ice dispenser
- Soft-close doors
- Space-saving ice maker
- Efficient interior LED lighting
The Frigidaire FFSS2615TS is a freestanding refrigerator with side by side configuration and 25.5 cubic feet of total capacity.
The fresh food cabinet is equipped with automatic LED lights and the StoreMore™ storage system with transparent design to give you sufficient visibility of all contents at any time.
The cabinet includes cantilever shelves, 5 door bins with 2 adjustable gallon bins, a dairy compartment, and 2 clear crisper drawers. Temperature display and level controls are located on the upper panel inside the cabinet.
The freezer cabinet features 4 white door bins, 2 wire shelves, and a full-size lower-level basket. Al 9 cubic feet of interior storage are automatically illuminated by efficient LED lights to make restocking more comfortable.
Located at the half-length of the freezer door, the automatic interior ice maker makes sure you never run out of ice supply and connects to the exterior water and ice dispenser.
Supported by the PureSource 3® water filter, the through-door dispenser delivers filtered and chilled water as well as cubed ice and crushed ice. The dispenser comes with a responsive ReadySelect® electronic console for easier navigation and function selection.
This Frigidaire refrigerator is fitted with a stylish stainless steel finish, a combination of color-coordinated exterior elements, and short UltraSoft™ doors, resulting in a smooth modern look.
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Specs
- Configuration: French door
- Freezer type: Bottom drawer
- Total capacity: 25.5 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 7.9 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 35.75”W x 68.66”H x 33.27”D
- Energy consumption: 620 kWh/year
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Features
- Expanded storage options
- Regulatable temp controls
- Spill-proof shelving
- Integrated filter and ice maker
- Energy-efficient operation
- Large freezer with smooth extension
The Samsung RF260BEAESR is a French door refrigerator with 25.5 cubic feet of total capacity and pull-out bottom freezer.
This is a Twin Cooling Plus™ refrigerator that uses two separate compressors for the fresh food cabinet and the freezer, applying multi-flow technology to extend the freshness of produce as well as safely preserve the frozen goods at required temperatures.
The main refrigerating cabinet offers 5 tempered glass spill-proof shelves, 6 door bins with gallon storage, 2 produce crispers, and a fully extendable pantry.
The shelves and bins are adjustable for a greater storing flexibility, while the Cool Select Pantry™ is designed for a variety of products such as deli meat and cheese, pizza, party snacks and beverages. The temperature controls are located on the side of the pantry, offering 3 main settings: fresh mode, chilled mode, and deli mode.
The pull-out bottom freezer offers 7.9 cubic feet of storage, including the ice maker with a sizeable ice bucket and 2 drawers with item dividers to keep different types of frozen goods separate.
In addition, the Power Freeze option allows you to add newly bought products and have them frozen immediately without sacrificing the internal temperature in the drawer. The inline water filter is connected to the ice maker, removing harmful contaminants from the water supply.
Easy-to-use digital sensor controls are located on the top panel inside the main compartment, while the interior LED lights illuminate the cabinet from top to bottom for easier restocking.
Outfitted with durable and stylish stainless steel, this Samsung refrigerator offers a smooth color-matched design with cyclopentane insulation and ENERGY STAR® certified power consumption rates.
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Specs
- Configuration: Single door
- Freezer type: Top compartment
- Total capacity: 20.51 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 6.09 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: White
- Dimensions: 32.25”W x 66.25”H x 32.75”D
- Energy consumption: 388 kWh/year
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Features
- Sizeable fresh food cabinet storage
- Humidity controls
- Optional ice maker
- ADA compliant design
- Automatic defrost
The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW is a freestanding refrigerator with a top freezer design and 20.51 cubic feet of total capacity.
The fresh food cabinet features 3 frameless glass shelves, 6 clear door bins, humidity-controlled crispers, and the pantry section with a Flexi-Slide™ bin that allows you to store snacks within a quick reach.
The top freezer compartment comes with an automatic defrost function for improved ease of operation. The storage features a mid-level wire shelf with extra space underneath and 2 wide door bins, amounting to 6.09 cubic feet of space. The ice maker is optional and can be installed with the EZ Connect Icemaker Kit.
Both the refrigerator compartment and the freezer are equipped with temperature controls to let you regulate the interior cooling environment however you see fit.
The pristine white finish, combined with matching reach-through handles, is further improved with interior and rear insulation to provide a calm and worry-free cooling. This Whirlpool refrigerator is also ADA compliant and energy-efficient.
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Specs
- Configuration: Single door
- Freezer type: Top compartment
- Total capacity: 18.15 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 5.09 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: White
- Dimensions: 29.75”W x 63.375”H x 31.375”D
- Energy consumption: 411 kWh/year
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Features
- Fine air filtration
- Humidity controls
- Fast cooling options
- ADA compliant design
- Low energy intake
The Maytag MRT118FFFH is a freestanding refrigerator with a top freezer and powerful cooling.
Offering up to 18.15 cubic feet of space, the fresh cabinet comes with 3 glass shelves, 6 door bins with a clear compartment for dairy, 2 humidity-controlled crispers, and a full-width deli drawer located under the top shelf. In addition, the integrated fresh flow air filter ensures the even circulation of air as well as optimal temperature distribution.
The 5.09-cubic-foot top freezer compartment features a mid-level glass shelf, 2 fixed full-width door bins, and automatic defrost function. Ice maker installation is also possible with the separately purchased Icemaker Kit ECKMF95.
Both compartments are sufficiently illuminated with BrightSeries™ LED lights whenever you swing the refrigerator or freezer door open to grab a snack or restock the cabinet.
The performance is enhanced by the PowerCold® function that allows you to speed up the chilling process in order to compensate for the cabinet door being opened too frequently. It also works as a cooling booster for the freshly bought products as they are immediately and safely preserved.
Interior upfront controls with electronic buttons let you adjust refrigerator temperatures to achieve the best possible cooling environment for various deli foods, produce, beverages, and oven-ready meals.
Completed with a clean white finish and smooth swing doors with reversible hinges and hidden handles, this Maytag refrigerator is ADA compliant and meets height, side and front reach standards for accessible design.
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Specs
- Configuration: Single door
- Freezer type: Top compartment
- Total capacity: 10.1 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 7.4 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: White
- Dimensions: 23.6’’W x 59.4’’H x 26’’D
- Energy consumption: 297 kWh/year
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Features
- Space-saving dimensions
- Low energy intake
- Reversible hinges
- Automatic defrost
- Flexible main cabinet storage
The Magic Chef HMDR1000WE is a freestanding refrigerator with compact design and low energy consumption.
The 10.1-cubic-foot fresh food cabinet features 3 glass shelves, 2 produce crispers with glass covers, and 4 door storage sections including a full-width bottle rack, a glass-covered dairy bin, and 2 in-door can holders.
Upfront electronic controls and LED lights are located above the upper shelf on the top interior panel for easier stocking and temperature customization.
With its automatic defrost function and adjustable temperature controls, the top mount freezer compartment offers enough storage for your frozen foods and desserts in 2 full-width clear door bins and on the full-width wire shelf with ample space underneath.
Both swing doors are reversible to suit your kitchen configuration, with the main cabinet door featuring a wide easy-to-pull pocket handle and the freezer section offering a smoother look with a seamless hidden handle design.
This ENERGY STAR® certified Magic Chef refrigerator comes in clean white finish and considerably reduces power usage thanks to its compact and undemanding design, consuming only 297 kilowatt hours annually.
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Specs
- Configuration: Single door
- Freezer type: Top compartment
- Total capacity: 17.5 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 4.02 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: White
- Dimensions: 28’’W x 67.375’’H x 32.5’’D
- Energy consumption: 399 kWh/year
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Features
- Space-efficient design
- Humidity controls
- Spill proof shelving
- Adjustable temperature
The GE GTS18GTHWW is a freestanding refrigerator with a top freezer and 17.5 cubic feet of total capacity.
The fresh food cabinet offers 3 spill proof glass shelves with 2 adjustable sections, 4 door bins with 2 gallon storage pockets and dairy compartment, 2 adjustable humidity-controlled crispers, and a clear half-width drawer located under the top shelf designed for storing various snacks.
Located on the top interior panel, the upfront temperature controls allow you to customize the cooling conditions of both the refrigerator cabinet and the freezer section.
The frost free top freezer comes with a full-width wire shelf, 2 fixed door bins, and easy to clean spill proof floor. Optional ice maker is also available, ready to be upgraded with the IM4D ice maker installation kit.
This GE refrigerator with coil-free rear is encased in a durable steel coated in white finish to match the textured rounded doors with reach-through handles. More operational flexibility is possible thanks to reversible door hinges, smooth door stops, never clean condenser, and easily removable door gaskets.
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Specs
- Configuration: Single door
- Freezer type: Top compartment
- Total capacity: 14.6 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 3.98 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: White
- Dimensions: 28”W x 61.75”H x 29.5”D
- Energy consumption: 375 kWh/year
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Features
- Space-efficient design
- Flexible storage
- Temp adjustment
- Low energy consumption
The Hotpoint HPS15BTHRWW is a freestanding refrigerator with 14.6 cubic feet of total capacity and top freezer compartment.
The fresh food cabinet comes with 2 adjustable wire shelves, a see-through glass cover shelf, 2 clear crispers, and 3 large door bins with gallon storage and a dairy pocket.
Featuring the frost free function, the top freezer offers a full-width wire shelf and 2 fixed door bins for storing various frozen foods, pre-prepared meals, and desserts. The compartment supports ice maker installation with the IM4D ice maker kit.
Located above the top shelf in the fresh food cabinet, the upfront temperature controls let you adjust the cooling conditions in the main compartment as well as the freezing intensity in the top freezer section.
This ADA compliant and energy-saving Hotpoint refrigerator achieves a more seamless, clean look by combining smooth white finish and textured rounded doors with reversible hinges and recessed handles. The coil-free back panel and never clean condenser ensure further performance and design efficiency.
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Specs
- Configuration: Side by side
- Freezer type: Left cabinet
- Total capacity: 21.4 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity: 6.77 cu. ft.
- Exterior finish: Black-on-stainless
- Dimensions: 33.125”W x 65.625”H x 34.625”D
- Energy consumption: 660 kWh/year
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Features
- Space-saving design
- Dual pad exterior dispenser
- Adjustable temperature and humidity
- Extended produce freshness
The Amana ASI2175GRS is a freestanding refrigerator with 21.4 cubic feet of total capacity and side by side configuration.
The fresh food cabinet offers 14.64 cubic feet of space, 4 glass shelves, 5 door bins with 3 adjustable sections, and 2 humidity-controlled drawers. Equipped with a produce preserver system, this Amana refrigerator makes sure your produce doesn’t over-ripen and remains fresh for much longer.
The freezer cabinet offers 3 wire shelves, 4 white door bins, a bottom-level basket, and a factory-installed ice maker. In addition, the automatic defrost function allows more freedom in operation.
Hooked up to the external water filter, the through-door dispenser features dual pads and delivers measure filled water and pre-measured amounts of ice, either cubed or crushed. The dispenser control panel has the options of night light and a child lock.
The black-on-stainless exterior design consists of smooth stainless steel finish found on the casing and double doors as well as contrasting black elements of the dispenser and interior door lining.
In Conclusion
What's the best refrigerator for the money?
While most budget models might be varyingly beneficial for specific settings, the overall best refrigerator under $1000 would be the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS that offers large storage, smooth design, and more than basic cooling functions.
How much do refrigerators cost?
Typically, the pricing depends on the refrigerator configuration. Top freezer refrigerators are generally the least expensive, ranging from $300 to $700. Bottom freezer refrigerator prices can also be affected by the main cabinet configuration, whether they come with French doors or single-swing doors, resulting in the price range between $800 and $4,200. Side by side refrigerators are roughly similar in price to French door models, ranging from $900 to $3,500 and sometimes $4,000.
Which brand of refrigerator is the best?
According to both consumer reports and independent testers, the leading refrigerator brands today are GE, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, LG Electronics, Samsung, and Maytag. One of the most sought-after budget brands among the top manufacturers is Whirlpool, both French door models and side by sides.
