The Best Refrigerators for Less Than $500

Our picks go beyond the basics and offer upgraded features.
Our picks go beyond the basics and offer upgraded features.

Shopping for a refrigerator can be stressful, especially when it comes time to compare many different models. That's why The Daily Meal is helping you by researching and comparing fridges on a budget.

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We wanted to find the best refrigerators for less than $500, so we checked with major appliance retailers for fridges that are affordable, have good storage, will look great in your kitchen, and will keep your food fresh.

With a budget of less than $500, you can't get deluxe selections like a side-by-side model, a bottom freezer, or a French door fridge, which is a side-by-side with a freezer on the bottom. You won't get any fancy add-ons, either, like a variety of colors to choose from, stainless steel, or external water or ice dispensers. But there are options out there for those on a budget.

So what kind of refrigerator can you get for less than $500? A pretty nice model that has all the basics and a few upgraded features, too.

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All of these refrigerators are "Top Freezer" models, which is a standard format that puts the freezer on the top of the fridge.

While most refrigerators in this price range are white, you can often snag a black or beige one instead if that's more your style. The majority of these fridges come with reversible door hinges, so you can have the handle on the left or the right side, depending on what works for your kitchen setup.

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You'll also benefit from adjustable shelves for storage, crisper drawers that help control humidity to keep produce fresh longer, and door storage to keep your most-used items like milk and condiments close by for easy access.

Before you buy a fridge, consider how you'll use it. For example, do you eat more fresh food than frozen? If so, you'll want a larger fridge with a smaller freezer. Be sure to measure the space in your kitchen, too, so you'll know which models are too tall, short, wide, narrow, or deep.

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Ready for a new fridge? Check out our picks for the best refrigerators for less than $500.

Frigidaire 14.8 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator

Available in white, this Frigidaire top freezer features an icemaker, single-knob temperature control, and two humidity-controlled crisper drawers for storing fruits and vegetables.

There's also a lot of storage, including two sliding wire shelves and enough door shelf room to keep a gallon of milk. Plus, this fridge has bright interior lights so you can clearly see everything you have.

Regular price: $499 at The Home Depot

Whirlpool Top Freezer Refrigerator 14.4 Cubic Feet

Available in beige or white, this compact Whirlpool refrigerator is ADA compliant and Energy Star efficient. It has reversible door hinges so you can have a left or a right side handle, depending on the needs of your kitchen.

There's a dairy compartment to store butter, yogurt, and other dairy products, and two crispers provide storage for fruits and vegetables. Plus, it has an automatic defrost system to help control freezer burn and support freezer conditions.

Regular price: $499.99 at Sears

Whirlpool 10.7 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator

A compact model, available in white or black, this Whirlpool has many customer-friendly features, like Spillmizer glass shelves, humidity-controlled crisper drawers, an automatic defrost system, and up-front controls for simple temperature adjustment.

The majority of customers' ratings are positive. As of press time, 91 percent of Best Buy customers who bought the fridge say they would recommend it to a friend.

Regular price: $449.99 at Best Buy

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Danby 10 Cubic Feet Top Freezer Refrigerator

This white counter-depth fridge has glass shelves and a "Frost Free" operation. It's compact, too, measuring "just under 60 inches tall and less than 24 inches wide," which makes it ideal for condos and apartments or for use as an extra refrigerator.

Benefits of this model include a reversible door hinge for left or right hand door swing, tall bottle storage, adjustable glass shelves in the refrigerator, and wire shelves in the freezer.

Regular price: $499 at The Home Depot

Click here to see more of the Best Refrigerators for Less Than $500

-Kristen Castillo, The Daily Meal