6 Best Energy-Efficient Refrigerators in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Switching to an energy-efficient refrigerator is an excellent first step in reducing your home’s electricity consumption and carbon footprint. Appliance manufacturers are focusing on improving their products’ energy usage alongside their features, making it an excellent time to make the upgrade.

Energy Star-certified refrigerators deliver all the performance you expect from a modern refrigerator with a lower power cost than standard units. If you want to make a positive change for the planet and your wallet with your next purchase, check out our reviews of the best energy-efficient refrigerators today.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		LG 22.8 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator	Door Cooling+ cools door contents Linear compressor increases efficiency and provides superior cooling PrintProof™ exterior prevents fingerprints and smudges	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Kenmore 20.8 Top-Freezer Refrigerator	Relatively inexpensive Frost-free freezer reduces ice buildup and freezer burn Slide-out shelving eases access	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		GE Profile 27.6 4-Door Refrigerator	Wi-Fi-enabled for remote control In-door ice maker saves interior space Smartfill dispenser provides hands-free filling	CHECK PRICE
		LG 26 Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator	Fingerprint and smudge-resistant stainless steel Door Cooling+ keeps the front of the fridge cool Multi-Air Flow system maintains ideal humidity and temperature	CHECK PRICE
		Samsung 24 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Refrigerator	Wi-Fi-connectivity for smartphone control Twin evaporators extend freshness Smudge-proof exterior	CHECK PRICE

The 6 Best Energy-Efficient Refrigerators

1. LG 22.8 Cu. Ft. French Door Energy-Efficient Refrigerator – Best Overall

LG’s 23-cubic-foot French door refrigerator is everything you could want in space and energy efficiency. It earns our pick for the best overall energy-efficient refrigerator thanks to the reliability of LG’s designs and its clean interior and exterior look. The fingerprint-resistant counter-depth profile and smooth face provide a sleek aesthetic, and the bright LED lighting makes it a pleasure to raid the fridge.

LG optimizes the system’s cooling in several ways to keep your food fresh for as long as possible. The Multi-Air Flow System maintains the ideal humidity and temperature levels. Meanwhile, the linear compressor, backed by a 10-year parts warranty, provides faster response times and more consistent cooling. The unit also includes LG’s Door Cooling+, an extra cold air supply targeted at the door, where heat transfer is most likely to occur. It keeps everything cool and fresh from front to back while staying more energy-efficient than many comparable fridges.

2. Kenmore 20.8 Top-Freezer Refrigerator – Best Value

It may not have any smart capabilities, advanced cooling tech, or even an icemaker, but with an ample 21 cubic feet of space and thoughtful storage features, Kenmore’s top-freezer refrigerator is the best energy-efficient refrigerator for the money.

Kenmore’s frost-free top-freezer refrigerator gives you as much function as possible in its low-key design. The LED-lit interior features slide-out glass shelving to make it easier to pull out awkward items and gallon door bin storage. And with extra-tall storage accommodation on the bottom shelf, there’s no more guesswork around how to store your favorite foods and beverages.

3. GE Profile 27.6 4-Door Energy-Efficient Refrigerator – Premium Choice

The 28-cubic-foot 4-door fridge from GE Profile costs more than your average refrigerator, but it crams in nearly every feature you could want while staying remarkably energy-efficient. The LED interior lighting, soft-close crispers, and fingerprint-resistant stainless keep it looking incredible throughout, while features like door-in-door storage and hands-free water filling supply convenience you won’t see in many other models.

Like other 4-door fridges, the GE Profile includes a cooling drawer for storing deli meats, beverages, or anything you might want to put in a soft freeze. Dual evaporators ensure optimal humidity and temperature in the freezer/refrigerator climate zones for extended freshness, and GE’s Turbo Cool maintains the ideal temperature after several door openings. Adding to the convenience, you can control and monitor many of these features on the Wi-Fi-enabled refrigerator through the SmartHQ app!

4. LG 26 Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Energy-Efficient Refrigerator

The bottom freezer style isn’t as sleek as the French door equivalent, but LG’s 26-cubic-foot offering delivers all the best of the brand’s efficiency aspects. The refrigerator features the Multi-Air Flow Freshness System and Door Cooling+ cold air stream for even cooling, with the inverter linear compressor running the show. The energy-efficient LED lighting keeps the interior looking its best, while the PrintProof™ finish does the same for the exterior stainless steel.

5. Samsung 24 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Refrigerator

Samsung’s counter-depth French door refrigerator can go toe-to-toe with GE Profile’s 4-door in energy efficiency and capabilities. It features a modern fingerprint-resistant finish to reduce cleaning, and a twin evaporator cooling system maintains moisture and temperature in the freezer and fridge for longer-lasting food. With Wi-Fi connectivity, you can monitor and control your fridge from your smartphone.

Flexibility is essential in Samsung’s energy-efficient 4-door refrigerator. The FlexZone drawer, featuring four temperature settings, offers the brand’s easy-to-use and fully adjustable Smart Divider for unlimited organizational options. In the refrigerator portion, slide-back shelving gives you room to add taller bottles that won’t fit on a standard shelf. The only glaring downside to the storage system is the bulky ice maker for the door, which steals at least a cubic foot of space from the interior.

6. Whirlpool 25 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Energy-Efficient Refrigerator

Whirlpool brings together many of the best sides of competing energy-efficient refrigerators. Like the GE, it has an in-door water dispenser with a measured fill feature for hands-free fill-ups. The fourth drawer gives you flexible space and temperature controls to store anything you need readily on hand. Unfortunately, the ice maker takes up a decent amount of interior space, resulting in a relatively low capacity for its size.

Although there isn’t any Wi-Fi capability built in, Whirlpool’s refrigerator does the most to increase energy savings. The adaptive defrost sensor prevents unnecessary work, while the Accu-Chill™ system continually senses the refrigerator’s climate to cool food quickly and efficiently.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Energy-Efficient Refrigerators

What Kind of Refrigerators Are the Most Energy-Efficient?

The Energy Star label is the easiest way to determine whether a refrigerator uses less power than the typical refrigerator in its class. You can use the complete searchable list of Energy Star-certified refrigerators to compare energy savings between models and find the most efficient models by type. When out shopping, check the yellow Energy Guide label to understand the annual cost of operating each fridge.

Style

Top-freezer models are your best bet if you care only about energy efficiency. They use the least amount of power and often provide the most storage capacity for their size. Unfortunately, the arrangement isn’t as convenient, as it typically forces you to bend and hunch to look through the fridge.

French door refrigerators are the most popular style nowadays, and while they aren’t as energy-efficient as top freezers, you’ll be glad to know they are the next best thing. Unlike single-door bottom-freezer refrigerators, French door models only require you to open one side of the fridge, preventing heat transfer. Many higher-end French door models also include a door-in-door feature that allows you to access interior door items without fully opening the refrigerator.

Size

Larger refrigerators use more energy, and you tend to get the best energy efficiency out of a fully stocked unit. You should buy for the space you have to fill in the room, but, more importantly, you should buy for the size of your family.

A good rule of thumb is that every person should have 4–6 cubic feet of refrigerator space. For a family of four, a refrigerator at least 20 cubic feet in size will likely be necessary.

Conclusion

Switching to Energy Star appliances can save you up to $450 a year and minimize your impact on the environment. As the biggest energy consumer in the kitchen, the fridge is the perfect place to start making a change for the better. The LG French door’s combination of reliability and energy-efficient cooling earned it our top pick, but strong showings from Kenmore, GE, Samsung, and Whirlpool prove there’s an exceptional eco-friendly model for any style, budget, or storage need.

Featured Image Credit: Sashkin, Shutterstock