When shopping for a new refrigerator, there are multiple elements for customers to consider, including size, design, price, and finish. What kinds of feathers do customers attach the most importance to? And what kind of refrigerators are in style in 2023?
We’ve analyzed the best refrigerators on the market to help narrow down the selection for you when you are deciding on what kind of refrigerator you will order from your refrigerator manufacturer.
Finish&Color
Stainless steel is one of the most popular options because it has a sleek-yet-neutral look. For those customers who are looking to live out a minimalist’s dream with pristine white cabinetry or yearn for a rustic ambiance with wicker bar stools, stainless steel is among the most popular appliance finishes, as it can work with most design schemes.
But some customers prefer a black fridge (or the recently popular black stainless steel and even carbon fiber). Built-ins typically offer exterior paneling that matches your kitchen cabinets. Many modern finishes are fingerprint-resistant.
No matter the era, white never goes out of style. White is also one of many top color choices of the year for 2022 kitchen appliances. White ice appliances are introducing a new way to reflect cleanliness in the kitchen while also adding a touch of class.
These white ice designs are a thing of the new year.
Configuration
The big players are side-by-sides, top-freezers and bottom-freezers. Side-by-sides require less space for the doors to swing open and fit better in a smaller kitchen because of their narrow doors, but users need to bend down to find food at the base of the fridge and freezer. Bottom-freezers (like French-door models) put the most-used compartment at eye level. Top-freezer fridges cost less but require you to bend to get into the fridge. French-door models are top-rated because of their high-end aesthetic.
Compared to the common models, built-in refrigerators come into popularity in 2022.
With optional front panels to match the kitchen cabinets, built-in refrigerators fit almost flush with cabinets and counters. These sleek beauties come in bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French-door styles. They are usually tall (above 70 inches) and wide (30 to 48 inches), with capacities of up to 27 cubic feet (of which only about 70 percent is usable).
Consider Size
Most refrigerator configurations come in a range of sizes and capacities. As for capacity, most manufacturers recommend 19 to 22 cubic feet for a family of four. But COVID-19 changes many families’ shopping habit and more and more families tend to do big weekly shopping trips or buy in bulk. Thus, a capacity of up to 30 or 33 cubic feet is quite popular in 2021.
The amount of usable storage is often less than the amount claimed and don’t forget to remind the customers to measure where they plan to put the refrigerator, including the width and height of any doorways, hallways, stairways, etc., that the new one will have to travel through to get to the kitchen. Allow room for the refrigerator’s doors to swing open and for a 1-inch clearance around the sides and back for adequate airflow.
The Refrigerator Revolution
From the beginning, appliances have always had a single function. The fridge cools down and keeps food healthy for longer. The oven to bake. The dishwasher for washing dishes. The washing machine to wash clothes and it goes on and on.
The situation has changed gradually. when it comes to trends in the refrigerator market, we are already seeing some models that combine various functions thus becoming 2-in-1 appliances, such as ovens that have a dishwasher, or even ovens with a dishwasher and a ceramic or induction hob, also refrigerators that have an ice maker or water dispenser.
Specific Features
More and more customers tend to consider the shelving and internal drawers to see if they work for their family’s eating habits. Refrigerators that can store a few bottles of wine in the fridge, with ample height and/or adjustable shelving, or refrigerator that can offer humidity controls on crisper drawers, meat or deli drawers are popular.
Short or limited warranties
The length and comprehensiveness of the warranty is one of the prime determinants of the repair cost. More and more customers attach importance to the warranty. So you need to confirm with the manufacturer if the part of the refrigerator that needs replacing is covered under the warranty and the longest warranty your customers can be granted. These factors will greatly influence the purchase decision.
If you’re planning to purchase refrigerators for your business, we recommend that you do market research first and then prioritize those must-have features. The longer your list of wants, the more difficulty you’ll have finding models that meet your criteria. But if you find refrigerator manufactures that meet the requirements your target market has, the painstaking efforts will pay off. If you want to know more popular models, welcome to leave us a message.
