Every commercial refrigerator, freezer, merchandiser, back bar and prep table gets a score from 0 to 100% built from four factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Units are grouped by type, and the value and efficiency reference points are set for each type, since a freezer costs more and uses more power than a refrigerator of the same size.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | cubic feet of storage per $1,000 | 35% |
| Efficiency | daily energy use per cubic foot | 20% |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 7 sanitation listing and ENERGY STAR | 20% |
| Warranty | parts and labor years, and compressor years | 25% |
Where the numbers come from
Dimensions, shelves, pans, temperature range, refrigerant, electrical ratings, sanitation listings and warranty terms come from the maker’s spec sheet or product page, or the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. Capacity and daily energy use come from the ENERGY STAR product finder when the model is certified there, because ENERGY STAR measures every unit’s volume and energy use the same way. Makers’ own capacity figures are often rounded up, sometimes by 5 cu ft or more, and are shown on each product page next to the certified figure. When a model isn’t certified, the maker’s figures are used. Prices are checked at the stores each page links to, and the lowest is used.
The factors
Value is cubic feet of storage per $1,000 of price, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. The reference points depend on the type:
| Type | Scores zero | Full marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reach-in refrigerators | 4 cu ft per $1,000 | 16 cu ft per $1,000 |
| Reach-in freezers | 3 cu ft per $1,000 | 14 cu ft per $1,000 |
| Glass-door merchandisers | 5 cu ft per $1,000 | 20 cu ft per $1,000 |
| Back-bar coolers | 4 cu ft per $1,000 | 12 cu ft per $1,000 |
| Prep tables | 2 cu ft per $1,000 | 10 cu ft per $1,000 |
Efficiency is daily energy use divided by capacity, in kWh per cubic foot per day. Lower is better:
| Type | Full marks | Scores zero |
|---|---|---|
| Reach-in refrigerators | 0.04 kWh | 0.10 kWh |
| Reach-in freezers | 0.12 kWh | 0.30 kWh |
| Glass-door merchandisers | 0.06 kWh | 0.18 kWh |
| Back-bar coolers | 0.05 kWh | 0.20 kWh |
| Prep tables | 0.08 kWh | 0.25 kWh |
When a maker gives only a yearly figure, it is divided by 365.
Certifications is half for a listing to the NSF/ANSI 7 food equipment sanitation standard, by NSF, ETL (Intertek) or UL, and half for ENERGY STAR certification, checked against the ENERGY STAR product finder. ENERGY STAR doesn’t certify prep tables, so that half is neutral (50) for every prep table and marked estimated.
Warranty is 40% for parts and labor and 60% for the compressor, since the compressor is the costliest part to replace. Each scores zero at 1 year and full marks at 7 years. When parts and labor terms differ, their average is used.
What isn’t scored
Dimensions, shelves, pan count, cutting board depth, temperature range, refrigerant, compressor size and location, current draw, casters and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If capacity or daily energy use isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Warranty is the exception: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero and is marked estimated. A compressor term that isn’t published also counts as none.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.