The best Good Housekeeping refrigerators for most kitchens are the LG LRFLC2706S for flexible family storage, the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS for smart features and wide-door access, and the Bosch 800 Series B36CL80ENS for a quieter, more premium counter-depth fit.
Good Housekeeping refrigerator recommendations are most useful as a starting point, not as a universal ranking. The right choice depends on whether your kitchen can accept a 36-inch-wide cabinet, how much fresh food you store, whether you need a through-the-door dispenser, and how much usable space you lose to a counter-depth design.
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Top 3 picks at a glance
Best Good Housekeeping refrigerators compared
| Model | Configuration | Approximate capacity | Approximate dimensions (W × D × H) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG LRFLC2706S | French door, bottom freezer | 26.5 cu. ft. | 36 × 34.25 × 70.25 in. | Flexible family storage and a slim-depth body |
| GE Profile PVD28BYNFS | French door, bottom freezer | 27.6 cu. ft. | 36 × 36.75 × 70 in. | Large households and smart organization |
| Bosch 800 Series B36CL80ENS | French door, bottom freezer | 20.8 cu. ft. | 36 × 28.75 × 72 in. | Counter-depth kitchens and premium preservation |
| Samsung RF29A9675AP | French door, four-door | 28.6 cu. ft. | 36 × 34.25 × 70 in. | Households wanting a convertible compartment |
| Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ | French door, five-door | 26.8 cu. ft. | 36 × 36.5 × 70.125 in. | Produce-heavy shopping and easy drawer access |
Dimensions and capacities can vary by finish, handle style, and production revision. Confirm the manufacturer’s installation drawing before ordering, especially if the refrigerator will sit between cabinets.
1. LG LRFLC2706S: best all-around choice
The LG LRFLC2706S is a strong default among the best Good Housekeeping refrigerators because it combines a large interior with a comparatively shallow body. Its French-door layout puts frequently used fresh food at eye level, while the freezer provides broad pull-out storage rather than the narrow shelves found in many top-freezer models.
Choose it if you want substantial capacity without moving to an unusually deep refrigerator. The internal water dispenser keeps the exterior cleaner than a door-mounted dispenser, but it also means you must open the door to fill a glass. That trade-off saves door space and can improve the refrigerator’s appearance.
What to check before buying
- Measure the depth with doors and handles included, not just the cabinet depth.
- Check that the internal dispenser leaves enough room for tall bottles on the door.
- Allow clearance for both French doors to open without striking adjacent walls.
2. GE Profile PVD28BYNFS: best for large families and smart organization
The GE Profile PVD28BYNFS is aimed at shoppers who prioritize capacity, door access, and connected features. Its wide French-door cabinet makes large platters easier to store, and its interior layout is designed for households that buy substantial amounts of fresh food each week.
This is the better choice than the LG when a family regularly stores wide containers, meal-prep boxes, or several gallons of drinks. It is also a more feature-rich option, with app-connected monitoring and specialized cooling controls. However, its depth is considerable. A refrigerator that projects several inches beyond standard cabinetry can make a narrow walkway feel noticeably tighter.
Use the GE Profile’s smart functions for practical tasks such as temperature alerts, filter reminders, and vacation settings. They should supplement—not replace—a physical thermometer if food safety is a concern after a power interruption.
3. Bosch 800 Series B36CL80ENS: best counter-depth premium option
The Bosch 800 Series B36CL80ENS is the most suitable pick here for a kitchen where visual alignment matters. Its counter-depth form sits closer to surrounding cabinets, and its internal design emphasizes even cooling and organized fresh-food storage.
The compromise is capacity. At roughly 20.8 cubic feet, it may feel small for a household accustomed to a 26- to 30-cubic-foot full-depth refrigerator. Counter-depth models also sacrifice some rear-to-front shelf depth, so wide trays may not fit as easily.
Pick the Bosch when cabinet integration, quiet operation, and food organization matter more than maximum volume. For a family of four that buys frozen food in bulk, a larger full-depth model may be more practical.
4. Samsung RF29A9675AP: best convertible four-door layout
The Samsung RF29A9675AP stands out because its lower-right compartment can be configured for different uses. Depending on the selected temperature mode, that space can function as additional refrigerator storage or as a freezer compartment. This is valuable for shoppers whose needs change between holidays, parties, and ordinary weeks.
The four-door arrangement also reduces the amount of cold air lost when opening one compartment. Instead of exposing the entire refrigerator, you can open only the section you need. The downside is that multiple drawers and dividers create more compartments to organize and clean.
Select this model if you frequently alternate between extra fresh-food and extra frozen-food capacity. If you prefer a simple layout with fewer controls and moving parts, the LG or Whirlpool may be easier to live with.
5. Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ: best for produce and frequent access
The Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ uses a five-door layout with a dedicated middle drawer. That drawer is useful for produce, snacks, deli ingredients, or frequently accessed drinks. It can reduce the number of times the main refrigerator doors are opened during the day.
This layout suits a household that stores many small items rather than a household that mostly needs one large open cavity. Before choosing it, measure the drawer swing carefully. A middle drawer can be convenient, but it requires unobstructed space in front of the appliance.
Match the refrigerator to your kitchen
| Your situation | Best layout or model direction | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen walkway is narrow | Counter-depth French door, such as the Bosch 800 Series | Less projection into the room |
| Family buys large quantities of fresh food | GE Profile PVD28BYNFS or LG LRFLC2706S | More usable fresh-food width and capacity |
| Freezer space changes from week to week | Samsung RF29A9675AP | Convertible compartment adapts to demand |
| Produce and snacks are accessed constantly | Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ | Dedicated center drawer reduces door opening |
| Household prefers simple controls | Basic French-door configuration | Fewer compartments and connected features to manage |
How much capacity do you actually need?
A useful starting point is about 4 to 6 cubic feet of refrigerator capacity per adult, with extra room for children, entertaining, or bulk shopping. This is not a strict formula because usable capacity depends heavily on shelf arrangement.
For example, a couple may be comfortable with 18 to 22 cubic feet. A family of four often benefits from roughly 22 to 28 cubic feet, while a larger household or frequent host may want 28 cubic feet or more. A counter-depth refrigerator with 21 cubic feet can still work well if its shelves are easy to reach; a deeper model can waste space if food disappears behind other containers.
Energy use: compare the label, not just the size
Use the yellow EnergyGuide label to compare annual electricity consumption. A refrigerator listed at 600 kWh per year and another at 450 kWh per year differ by 150 kWh annually. At an electricity rate of around $0 per kWh, the estimated difference is:
150 kWh × around $0 = $27 per year
Over ten years, that is about $270 before utility-rate changes. The larger appliance is not automatically the less efficient one, but dispensers, ice makers, convertible compartments, and extra cooling zones can affect energy use. If your household rarely uses those features, a simpler model may provide better value.
Installation measurements shoppers often miss
- Opening width: Measure at the narrowest point between cabinets, not at countertop level only.
- Height: Include the top hinge cover and allow the manufacturer’s recommended ventilation gap.
- Door clearance: French doors may need room to open past 90 degrees so bins can be removed.
- Delivery path: Measure entry doors, hallways, stair turns, and elevator openings.
- Water connection: Confirm that the shutoff valve is accessible and compatible with the supplied line.
- Floor level: Uneven flooring can prevent doors from sealing correctly and may cause drawers to slide open.
Frequently asked questions
Which refrigerator has an internal water dispenser instead of an exterior dispenser?
The LG LRFLC2706S has an internal water dispenser. It keeps the exterior cleaner and saves door space, but you must open the refrigerator door to fill a glass. Before buying, check whether the dispenser leaves enough room for tall bottles on the door. This model may suit shoppers who prefer a simpler exterior over immediate access to water.
Which model can change part of its freezer into refrigerator storage?
The Samsung RF29A9675AP can configure its lower-right compartment for either refrigerator storage or freezer use. That flexibility can help when storage needs change between ordinary weeks, holidays, and parties. Its four-door layout also lets you open only the section you need, although the additional drawers and dividers create more compartments to organize and clean.
Will a counter-depth refrigerator always have enough storage for a family?
No, a counter-depth refrigerator may feel smaller even when its layout is well organized. The Bosch 800 Series B36CL80ENS has approximately 20.8 cubic feet, compared with approximately 26.5 to 29 cubic feet for several full-depth models in the comparison. Counter-depth shelves may also provide less rear-to-front depth, making wide trays harder to fit.
Which refrigerator is most suitable for frequently accessed snacks and produce?
The Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ is designed around frequent access, with a dedicated middle drawer for produce, snacks, deli ingredients, or drinks. The drawer can reduce how often the main refrigerator doors are opened. It needs unobstructed space in front of the appliance, so measure the drawer swing before choosing this five-door layout.
What should I check if the refrigerator must fit between cabinets?
Confirm the manufacturer’s installation drawing and measure the narrowest opening between the cabinets. Include the refrigerator’s doors, handles, top hinge cover, ventilation gap, and door-opening clearance. Also measure the delivery path through entry doors, hallways, stair turns, and elevator openings. Dimensions can vary by finish, handle style, and production revision.
Bottom line
The LG LRFLC2706S is the safest all-purpose recommendation for shoppers who want capacity without an especially deep cabinet. Choose the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS for a larger, feature-rich family refrigerator, the Bosch B36CL80ENS for a premium counter-depth installation, the Samsung RF29A9675AP for flexible freezer-to-refrigerator capacity, and the Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ for convenient produce and snack access. Compare the installation drawing, EnergyGuide estimate, and interior layout together; those details matter more than capacity alone.
