Every undercounter refrigerator, drawer and freezer gets a score from 0 to 100% built from six 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: door refrigerators, refrigerator drawers, and freezers (all-freezers and convertible drawers that can run as a freezer). All three groups use the same scale except for energy use, where freezers have their own.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per cubic foot of interior | 30% |
| Capacity | interior capacity | 15% |
| Installation | front venting for built-in use, plus an outdoor rating | 20% |
| Energy use | rated kWh a year | 15% |
| Noise | rated noise level | 5% |
| Warranty | parts and labor years, and compressor coverage | 15% |
Where the numbers come from
Capacity, dimensions, energy use, temperature range, installation type, outdoor rating, noise and warranty come from the maker’s spec page or spec sheet, or from the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. When a maker’s figures conflict, the figure in its spec table is used. Capacity given in liters is converted to cubic feet. Prices are checked at Amazon, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the interior capacity, in dollars per cubic foot, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. $600 per cu ft scores zero and $100 per cu ft full marks.
Capacity is the total interior capacity the maker publishes: 2.5 cu ft scores zero and 5.5 cu ft full marks.
Installation is 70% for front venting, which lets a unit sit flush in a cabinet opening, and up to 30% for outdoor use: 30% when the maker cites an outdoor safety standard such as UL 471, and 20% when the maker rates it for outdoor use without citing one. A unit sold only as freestanding gets nothing for venting. When a maker doesn’t say either way, venting gets half credit and the factor is marked estimated.
Energy use is the rated kWh a year. For refrigerators and drawers, 350 kWh scores zero and 200 kWh full marks. Freezers hold a much lower temperature, so for them 450 kWh scores zero and 250 kWh full marks.
Noise is the maker’s rated noise level: 45 dB scores zero and 32 dB full marks.
Warranty is 60% parts and labor coverage (1 year scores zero, 2 years full marks) and 40% compressor or sealed-system coverage (1 year scores zero, 5 years full marks). A warranty that covers parts but not labor counts toward the compressor part only.
What isn’t scored
Width, height, depth, weight, temperature range, defrost type, locks, panel-ready doors, door swing, ENERGY STAR certification and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as a one-year warranty, and is marked estimated.
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.