Best refrigerators for under $1,000

Best refrigerators for under $1,000, Spending a few thousand bucks on a refrigerator will get you all the latest bells and whistles, including a state-of-the-art ice-and-water dispenser, LED theater lighting, French-door styling, and a door-in-door compartment. But if all you want is a refrigerator that will do its main job of keeping food fresh, there are plenty of fine—and affordable—options in Consumer Reports' latest refrigerator Ratings. Here are five to consider.

Kenmore 69313, $950
This conventional bottom-freezer from Kenmore combines superb temperature control, energy efficiency, and quietness, plus its attractive stainless-steel styling gives it a more expensive look. It doesn't have all the features of pricier models—no temperature-controlled meat/deli bin or adjustable shelves, for example—but it does give you gallon door storage and touchpad controls.

Amana ABB1921WE[W], $850
Another conventional bottom-freezer, this 30-inch-wide Amana costs $100 less than the Kenmore, if you don't mind the basic white finish. There's no trade off with temperature control and its storage capacity is about the same. It has some helpful features too, including gallon door storage, touchpad controls, and a freezer light.

Frigidaire FKCH17F7HW, $770
This is the perfect model if you're shopping for a second refrigerator. That's because it's the only one of its kind that can be converted to a stand-alone freezer with the flip of a switch, say to hold a big haul of frozen foods from the warehouse club. In its refrigerator mode, the Frigidaire delivered excellent temperature control and energy efficiency. Temperature control was also excellent in freezer mode, plus it’s self-defrosting, so you won’t have to periodically do that task by hand.

Haier HT21TS45SW, $700
If you're looking for a conventional top-freezer, Haier has several budget models on our top refrigerator picks list, including this 32-inch-wide unit. It's your basic white box, but the refrigerators is very good at maintaining consistent temperatures, plus it's one of the most energy efficient models we've tested, so its annual operating cost is quite low.

Hotpoint HSH25GFB, $900
Very few side-by-side refrigerators sell for less than $1,000, so this Hotpoint is a real value. It's fairly far down our Ratings chart, but that's because it lacks many convenience features, such as a temperature-controlled meat/deli bin and adjustable shelves. But temperature control and energy efficiency are both solid, plus it's extra-tall water dispenser makes it easy to fill pitchers and other oversized containers.