Mistakes To Avoid When Buying The Best Single Door Refrigerators in India12 min read

Buying a refrigerator is not a big deal if you know what to look for when buying it. A wrong decision will make you live with it for years because it is not easy to replace this pricey piece of home appliance. But don’t worry; there are ways to avoid mistakes. As shopping for home appliances is not a daily affair, a little planning ahead and careful considerations will go a long way. This guide will alert you about the usual mistakes people make when buying a fridge.

A fridge is a complicated machine, and therefore, there are many pitfalls to avoid. We have mentioned things to consider before you visit the local home appliance store, or click that buy button.

The most common mistake is to buy the style and finish that doesn’t compliment your home’s decor. Another is not considering the capacity and your food storage needs. And choosing the right interior/details is important, too. Carelessly designed or manufactured interior drawers will never let you freeze your food peacefully. You may forget to look for compartments for cold cuts, cheese, dairy. Even if you don’t care, at least check before you bring the fridge home.

Extras such as ice makers, water dispensers, and automatic water pitchers that you’ll use every day are the things you must check carefully; and even cameras and smarts are key factors too. And something that’s a fun feature for someone else might be a total waste of money to you, so understanding choose the features wisely.

Here are the biggest mistakes that people tend to make when buying a refrigerator.

Mistake # 1: Not Considering What Exactly You Need

Your fridge is not just a cooling box, its something that tells so much about your home and lifestyle. Fridges come in a range of shapes, sizes, and designs and each style has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Models that generally cost less don’t offer many modern features. Others tend to have all the latest bells and whistles but comes with a 6 figure price tag and large size.

Buying the wrong style appliance could mean living with negativity everyday – from getting a bloated electricity bill, to not getting the desired performance. Here’s a list of major fridge styles so you know what to expect

Top freezer

The top freezer-style models are classic and have been around for decades. The main chiller section for fresh food is towards the top and a smaller freezer compartment just above it. But if you need a lot of room to store frozen items this style of refrigerator isn’t ideal. They also come with pretty basic features and lack extras such as in-door water dispensers and automatic ice makers. The upside is they tend to be more affordable and more compact than other fridge styles.

Pros: Not very costly; ideal for basic needs.

Cons: Not suitable if you want high style, lots of storage and luxury features.

Bottom freezer

Just the opposite of the top freezer model, on average these refrigerators come in slightly larger sizes than top freezers. The reverse layout comes with the larger freezer section on the bottom. The chilled section for fresh food sits above that. While it is easy to reach for fresh items, frozen food will be tougher to reach. Even a drawer-style freezer door doesn’t help. You’ll still have to bend down to grab what you want.

Pros: Easier access to fresh items.

Cons:  You have to bend down to reach frozen food.

Side-by-side

This style of refrigerator is all about balancing between saving space and providing extra features. These fridges are split down the middle with two doors, one for the freezer on the left and the other for the fridge on the right. Their doors are relatively narrow too since they don’t swing out as far. But expecting special drawers for quick drinks or easy access to kids’ snacks will be a dream. Side-by-side models offer a lots of freezer and fridge storage. Some high-end models also come with fancy add-ons such as in-door ice makers, water dispensers, and touch controls.

Pros: If you want ample storage and a handful of modern features in a narrow kitchen space.

Cons: Don’t have quick or kid-friendly access to drinks and snacks.

French door

A combination of side-by-side and bottom freezer models, French door refrigerators aims to please you with huge storage space, easy access to freezer and fresh food. These high-end refrigerators usually pack in the most advanced features including smart, connected functions and special compartments. As the most popular fridge variety, they come in the most colors and finish options..

Pros: Feature packed, most color options

Cons: Pricey

Mistake # 2:  Forgetting to consider the installation space

No matter what fridge style you choose, if it doesn’t fit where you want to install it, it’s a pain. Make sure the new appliance will squeeze into the spot where you want to install it. Use a measuring tape to ideate. Then check the dimensions of the new fridge you plan to purchase. Generally, if you have an existing fridge, the replacement appliance will be identical to or smaller than the current model.

Measure your counter depth. Consider the space you will need to open the refrigerator’s door fully. Measure how much clearance you have to open the fridge doors or walk past the fridge.

Mistake # 3: Not accounting for storage and capacity

Your need is unique and therefore, choose a fridge that fits your particular storage needs. Think if you fancy to keep lots of items on ice for long periods, and if so, make sure to biu a fridge with plenty of freezer space. For you a side-by-side model is probably best. Or perhaps a big French-door fridge is likely more suitable for you.

Mistake # 4: Not considering color and finish

The appearance of the fridge you bought is no small matter as it tells more about your taste and lifestyle. Besides its functions and features, a refrigerator’s exterior, like any other piece of large furniture can have a huge impact on a room’s decor. If not picked up wisely, a fridge can ruin its surroundings, giving your kitchen a random, even cluttered aesthetic.

Mistake # 5: Being not careful about minute details

Many of us forget to check for the smaller factors. For instance you may overlook details about the interior, the racks,  the inside of the deep-freezer, how the door opens, are the doors making noise, are they shutting properly, how easy is it to open and close the crisper drawers, etc. Check if there are any sharp edges anywhere that could scrape or scratch knuckles or forearms.

Now, as you know everything you need to know, we present a list of the best refrigerators in India that are selling like hot-cakes:

1. Whirlpool 200 L 3 Star ( 2019 ) Direct-Cool Single-Door Refrigerator (215 IMPWCL ROY 3S SAPPHIRE RADIANCE, Sapphire)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator; 200 litres capacity
2. Energy Rating: 3 Star
3. Warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
4. No.1 in Ice-making with Insulated Capillary Technology
5. Upto 12 hours of cooling retention even during power cuts
6. Auto-Connect to Home Inverter

2. Samsung 255 L 3 Star Inverter Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (RR26T389YU8/HL, Saffron Blue)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator : Economical and Cooling without fluctuation
2. Capacity 255 liters: Suitable for families with 2 to 3 members and bachelors
3. Energy rating 3 Star : high efficiency model
4. Manufacturer warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
5. Digital Inverter Compressor
6. Shelf type: Spill proof toughened glass; base stand drawer
7. Inside box: 1 unit Refrigerator & 1 Unit user manual
8. Spl. Features: Freshmax |clear lamp view | runs on home inverter | safe clean back |base stand drawer| Voltage range : 100V – 300V

3. Whirlpool 245 L 4 Star ( 2019 ) Inverter Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (260 IMFR ROY 4S INV SAPPHIRE HIBISCUS-E, Sapphire Hibiscus)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator; 245 litres capacity
2. Energy Rating: 4 Star
3. Warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
4. Auto-defrost technology & 4x precise cooling
5. 4 in 1 cooling modes on UI panel
6. Plasma inverter technology – starts at 80v; 25 years vde certified reliability

4. Godrej 210 L 5 Star ( 2019 ) Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator(R D EPro 225 TDI 5.2 PRL PRP, Pearl Purple, Base Stand with Drawer, Inverter Compressor)

Features:

1. Direct Cool, Single Door: Economical requires manual defrosting
2. Capacity 210 L: Suitable for families with 2-3 members
3. Warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
4. Energy Rating: 5 Star
5. Inverter Compressor – Energy efficient, less noise & more durable
6. Shelf Type: Toughened Glass; Base Stand with Drawer
7. Also included in the box: User manual, Warranty card
8. Country of Origin: India

5. LG 270 L 3 Star Inverter Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (GL-B281BBCX, Blue Charm)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator: Economical and Cooling without fluctuation
2. Capacity 270 liters: Suitable for families with 2 to 3 members and bachelors
3. Energy Rating: 3 Star
4. Manufacturer warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor *T&C
5. Smart inverter compressor: Unmatched performance, great savings and super silent operation
6. Shelf type: Spill proof toughened glass
7. Inside box: 1 unit Refrigerator & 1 Unit user manual
8. Spl. Features : Moist ‘n’ Fresh is an innovative lattice-patterned box cover which maintains the moisture at the optimal level | anti-bacterial gasket | Fastest Ice Making | Anti rat bite | Vegetable basket with 21 liters capacity | Tray egg | 4+3 Door basket (full size/half size)| Lock | Works without stabilizer: 90v ~ 310v | Ice Tray | Solar Smart* | Humidity controller

6. Samsung 255 L 3 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (RR26T389YDX/HL, Luxe Brown)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator : Economical and Cooling without fluctuation
2. Capacity 255 liters: Suitable for families with 2 to 3 members and bachelors
3. Energy rating 3 Star : high efficiency model
4. Manufacturer warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
5. Digital Inverter Compressor
6. Shelf type: Spill proof toughened glass; base stand drawer
7. Inside box: 1 unit Refrigerator & 1 Unit user manual
8. Spl. Features: Freshmax | clear lamp view | runs on home inverter | safe clean back |base stand drawer| Voltage range : 100V – 300V

7. Samsung 220 L 4 Star Inverter Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator(RR23A2J3XBZ/HL, Midnight Blossom Black, Digi-Touch Cool, Curd Maestro)

Features:

1. Direct cool refrigerator: Economical and requires manual defrosting
2. Capacity 220L : Suitable for family of 2 to 3 members
3. Energy Rating: 4 Star High energy efficiency
4. Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
5. Shelf type: spill proof toughened glass
6. Inside box: 1 unit Refrigerator & 1 unit user manual with warranty card
7. Digital Inverter Technology – energy efficient, less noise & more durable
8. Spl. Features: Curd Maestro Now make perfect homemade curd, Digi-Touch Cool, Runs on home inverter, Stabilizer Free Operation (Voltage range 100V – 300V)

8. Samsung 212 L 3 Star Inverter Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator(RR22T272YS8/NL, Elegant Inox)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator : economical and Cooling without fluctuation
2. Capacity 212 liters: suitable for families with 2 to 3 members and bachelors
3. Energy rating 3 Star : high Energy Efficiency
4. Manufacturer warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
5. Digital Inverter Compressor : automatic adjustment of speed in response to cooling demand, quieter operation and uses less power
6. Shelf type: spill proof toughened glass
7. Inside box: 1 unit Refrigerator & 1 unit user manual
8. Spl. Features: voltage range : 100V – 300V | stabilizer free operation | clear view lamp | runs on solar energy

9. Whirlpool 245 L 4 Star Inverter Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (260 IMPRO PLUS ROY 4S INV SAPPHIRE FLUME, Sapphire Flume)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator; 245 litres capacity
2. Energy Rating: 4 Star
3. Warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
4. Direct cool refrigerator, 245 L & energy Rating: 4 Star – intellisense inverter technology with starting voltage of 95v & 25 years of vde certification
5. Up to 15 days of Garden freshness
6. Up to 12 hours of milk preservation during power cuts
7. Ice in 1 hour in fast ice mode

10. Haier 220 L 3 Star Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (HRD-2203PWG-E, Wave Glass)

Features:

1. Direct-cool refrigerator with 1 Hour Icing Technology – ensures faster ice formation within 60 mins along with super-fast cooling.
2. Capacity: 220 litres suitable for a small family.
3. Energy rating: 3 star, Annual energy consumption: 168 per year
4. (Please refer energy label on product page or contact brand for more details)
5. Warranty: 10 Year Warranty on Compressor, 1 year Warranty on product
6. Compressor: The refrigerator comes with reciprocatory compressor that is ideal for optimum cooling.
7. The Refrigerator comes with PUF insulation that helps retain low temperatures efficiently for better cooling.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Refrigerators in India – 2021