Are modern refrigerators really worth the upgrade?

[deepanshu472]

I’ve been paying attention to the household refrigerators and freezers market lately, and it seems like almost every brand is pushing something “new”—smart fridges with touchscreens, Wi-Fi connectivity, temperature-control apps, inverter compressors, energy-efficient models, and even fridges that can suggest recipes based on what’s inside.

But here’s what I’m curious about: for the average household, do these upgrades actually make a noticeable difference in day-to-day life? For example, does an inverter compressor really save that much electricity, or is it more of a long-term benefit that most people won’t notice on their bills? Are the smart features more convenient, or do they just end up being gimmicks that most people stop using after a while?

Also, I’m debating whether it’s better to invest in a big, feature-packed fridge with all the bells and whistles, or stick with a smaller, simpler model that’s more reliable and less likely to break down. Some of the bigger fridges look amazing and are packed with compartments, multi-zone cooling, and ice/ water dispensers, but I wonder if all that really just adds complexity—and potential repair headaches.

I’d really love to hear from people here who actually use these modern fridges at home. Have you noticed real improvements in energy savings, convenience, or food preservation? Or do you think sticking with a basic, reliable fridge is just smarter in the long run?

And for those who have gone smart or feature-rich, what’s your honest take on whether these upgrades are worth the price difference? Are they truly life-changing, or more of a luxury that’s nice to have but not essential?

Would also be interesting to hear if you think size matters more than features—like, would you rather have a bigger fridge with basic functionality or a smaller one packed with tech?

 

[goatfarmer]

The more they have on them, the more things that could go south.

 

[phillymatt53]

The more they have on them, the more things that could go south.

Those worthless technology gadgets are fluff and troublesome BS, indeed.
My 1985 GE, a plain old fridge without that BS, is still running fine.
People who are "bought into" the "upgrade" never-ending cycle of life need to wake up and smell the corporate greed behind having to outlay rediculous money to replace something that is perfectly good.

I don't need to have wifi, bluetooth, internet, or a tv screen on my fridge.

 

[wayupnorth]

I dont want any of that crap on any appliance I have. NO wi-fi or apps. I got a plain 18 cu ft top freezer Frigidaire a few years ago for $499 and its made in the USA not China , that suits me just fine

 

[phillymatt53]

I dont want any of that crap on any appliance I have. NO wi-fi or apps. I got a plain 18 cu ft top freezer Frigidaire a few years ago for $499 and its made in the USA not China , that suits me just fine

Good for you, Tim!

I'm a "Dont Follow The Crowd" type, just because others have been conditioned through advertizing to "upgrade" when it's not needed.

 

[ea56]

I completely agree about having simple, no frills appliances. We bought our GE 16 cu ft Top Freezer refrigerator 9 years ago this month. It was made in the USA, no extras what so ever, it even has wire shelves. It’s the best fridge we’ve ever owned! When we bought it I ordered an extra wire shelve and this gives as much fressh food storage space as the 18 cu ft model it replaced.

I fail to see why anyone needs to have their fridge wi-fi and bluetooth capable, it’s a refrigerator, not a computer! This goes for washers too! As far as ice, I just make ice the old fashioned way with ice cube trays, one less thing to break down.

Eddie

 

[phillymatt53]

I completely agree about having simple, no frills appliances. We bought our GE 16 cu ft Top Freezer refrigerator 9 years ago this month. It was made in the USA, no extras what so ever, it even has wire shelves. It’s the best fridge we’ve ever owned! When we bought it I ordered and extra wire shelve and this gives as much fressh food storage space as the 18 cu ft model it replaced.

I fail to see why anyone needs to have their fridge wi-fi and bluetooth capable, it’s a refrigerator, not a computer! This goes for washers too! As far as ice, I just make ice the old fashioned way with ice cube trays, one less thing to break down.

Eddie

Corporations want to gain control of society, like a bunch of puppets.
They've already done that with smart phones, among other things.
All cloaked in the name of "convenience".
And honestly, look at how society is today.
The brainwashing, the manipulation, and all the other things that go with that give the "masters" more control.
No, it's not some Twilight Zone episode, it's reality.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

What upgrade?

You only want something to cool, keep things cold and freeze!

Not tell the whole world that you're out of milk, or use your phone to "stock your fridge" the way you "wash and/or dry your laundry" but you have to actually be there...

Like the way you'd find yourself running an empty dryer with your phone because your laundry is still in the washing machine--and you probably forgot to "call the washer"--oh, imagine doing all this with dial phones and land-lines to boot!

(I'll let you still decide)



-- Dave

 

[phillymatt53]

What upgrade?

You only want something to cool, keep things cold and freeze!

Not tell the whole world that you're out of milk, or use your phone to "stock your fridge" the way you "wash and/or dry your laundry" but you have to actually be there...

Like the way you'd find yourself running an empty dryer with your phone because your laundry is still in the washing machine--and you probably forgot to "call the washer"--oh, imagine doing all this with dial phones and land-lines to boot!

(I'll let you still decide)



-- Dave

LOL!..... dial phones!.... I love it!
Modern living - not having to use your arms, legs, and hands to do chores anymore.
Just use one finger, and what's left of your brain cells after having a SmartPhone Lobotomy.
And why even visit an amusment park or a store? - when you can just slip on those wonderful Virtual Reality glasses, and pay by using your eyeballs.

 

[pstehle]

I agree, the more stuff the thing has, the more potential there is for something to go wrong. Lots of manufacturers won't have that computer board available in 8-10 years when it quits. I recently watched a YouTube review of a Speed Queen, and couldn't understand the reviewer's focus on it's lack of an App. My life just isn't so important or complex that I need the damn dryer to text me when it's done! (though we had a storm a couple days ago, which caused the power to go on and off a half-dozen times, addling the family room tv beyond it's ability to cope. there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth -and yelling and cursing... until I finally just unplugged it for 5 minutes so it could collect it's thoughts... worked fine after that. does one really want to have to learn to do that to their fridge??)

 

[phillymatt53]

Whenever I suspect a bad storm is coming, I'll unplug my most important devices, like this computer, the tv, stereo, etc.
It take a few measily minutes to do, and insures that I don't have to spend a lot of money replacing things later on.
I call it being proactive, and using common sense, something lacking in society these days.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Whenever I suspect a bad storm is coming, I'll unplug my most important devices, like this computer, the tv, stereo, etc.
It take a few measily minutes to do, and insures that I don't have to spend a lot of money replacing things later on.
I call it being proactive, and using common sense, something lacking in society these days.

that's right--we are expecting a lot of things to be done for us these days...

truth is, the more technology, the more greater expectations, but also more chances of failure, and it being the devices fault...

when in reality, we are becoming less its master, and more its slave...

that is, there will always be need to use our own brains...



-- Dave