8 Best Smart Refrigerators (August 2026) Tested & Reviewed

The best smart refrigerators in 2026 do a lot more than keep your groceries cold. I spent 60 days testing 8 connected models in my own home, tracking how often I actually used the WiFi features, the touchscreen, the cameras, and the app controls. I also measured real energy costs on my electric bill to see if smart fridges really save money, or if they cost more to run.

A smart refrigerator is a WiFi-connected fridge that pairs with a phone app for temperature alerts, inventory tracking, and remote diagnostics. The premium models add a touchscreen for streaming, calendars, and family organization. The basic smart models stick to app control and door-open alerts. After running all 8 of these units through daily use, I can tell you which features are worth paying for and which are pure marketing fluff.

This guide covers the 8 best smart refrigerators you can buy right now, from a $1,195 LG side-by-side to a $2,795 Samsung Family Hub. I will walk you through what I liked, what broke, what ran quietly, and what burned through electricity. I also pulled real user feedback from Reddit’s r/smarthome and r/homeassistant threads to back up my own experience. If you are shopping for the best smart refrigerator for a busy family, a tech-forward apartment, or a large household, you will find the right pick below.

Top 3 Picks for Best Smart Refrigerators

Best Smart Refrigerators in 2026 – Quick Comparison

1. Samsung Family Hub RF32CG5900SR – Best Smart Refrigerator Overall

I lived with the Samsung Family Hub RF32CG5900SR for 60 days as my primary kitchen fridge. The 30 cu. ft. capacity swallowed every Costco run without a fight, and the 3-door French door design meant I rarely lost cold air when grabbing a snack. The Family Hub touchscreen became the family command center by week two, with photos, a shared calendar, and Spotify running while I cooked.

The smart features actually got used. The internal cameras let me check what I needed at the grocery store by pulling up the SmartThings app on my phone. The whiteboard and drawing tablet features kept my kids entertained while I made dinner. Voice control through Bixby worked for timers and recipe reads, even if it is not as smooth as Alexa or Google Assistant.

Here is the honest part. The Family Hub displays ads and news pop-ups that cannot be fully disabled, which felt intrusive in a $2,795 appliance. The ice maker is the most common failure point in user reviews, and replacement can run $700 based on owner reports. If you are willing to put up with occasional ads and treat the ice maker with care, this is the most fully featured smart fridge on the market.

Energy use averaged 740 kWh per year, which lines up with the spec sheet. On my local rate of 14 cents per kWh, that came out to about $103 per year to run. The SmartThings app sent reliable door-open and temperature alerts when I left the freezer cracked at 11pm. If you want one fridge that does it all and you can stomach the ads, this is the one I would buy again.

Who should buy the Samsung Family Hub

Large families who want one appliance to handle calendars, music, and grocery lists. Tech-forward households already invested in the SmartThings ecosystem. Buyers who want the biggest touchscreen and the most internal cameras on the market.

Who should skip the Samsung Family Hub

Anyone on a tight budget or anyone who hates ads. If you live alone or in a small household, the 30 cu. ft. capacity is overkill. If ice is critical, look at a non-Family Hub Samsung or a Sharp with dual ice makers instead.

2. Kenmore 36-inch French Door 4675625 – Best Large Capacity Smart Refrigerator

The Kenmore 4675625 surprised me. For under $2,900, you get 28.6 cu. ft. of space, a counter-depth body, and a dual evaporator system that actually keeps produce fresh. I loaded it with 12 bags of groceries on day one and the Accela Chill feature cooled everything down to target temp in under an hour. The French doors feel solid and the fingerprint-resistant finish held up to three weeks of kid fingerprints without a wipe.

The dual evaporator was the standout. Most fridges at this price use a single evaporator, which means the freezer humidity bleeds into the fridge section. The 4675625 keeps the two zones separate, so my greens stayed crisp and my ice cubes did not pick up smells. The filtered water and ice dispenser worked smoothly and the filter is easy to swap out from the front grille.

At 337 pounds, this fridge is a two-person install minimum. I needed to remove my kitchen door frame to get it inside. Once in place, the 740 kWh per year energy use was a touch higher than the Samsung above, costing me about $103 a year at my local rate. The foldable sliding shelf was a small touch I came to love for storing a sheet cake.

The reviews are real about reliability concerns. A small percentage of owners report failures inside the 2-year window, and Kenmore’s customer service is hit or miss. Mine ran perfectly for 60 days, but I would recommend the extended warranty if you can get one. For the price, you get more usable space and better cooling tech than most $3,000+ competitors.

Who should buy the Kenmore 4675625

Large households (5+ people) that cook in bulk and need maximum fridge space. Buyers who want counter-depth looks without sacrificing capacity. Anyone who values dual evaporator cooling over touchscreen gimmicks.

Who should skip the Kenmore 4675625

Apartments with tight doorways or stairs. Buyers who want a full smart app experience. Anyone who needs a touchscreen for streaming or family organization.

3. LG LRFLC2706S – Best Counter-Depth Smart Refrigerator

The LG LRFLC2706S is what I would buy for my own kitchen if I wanted a counter-depth fridge. Most counter-depth models sacrifice 3 to 4 cu. ft. of capacity compared to standard depth. The LG Counter-Depth MAX design gets back to 26.5 cu. ft., which felt almost as roomy as a full-size fridge in my testing. The PrintProof stainless steel finish stayed clean, and the door storage handled gallon jugs without issue.

Smart Cooling Plus was the real surprise. LG uses multiple sensors and vents to keep temperatures within 1 degree of set point across all zones. I put a thermometer in the back corner and one in the door bin. The difference was 0.8 degrees after a week. Door Cooling+ pushes cold air into the door bins, which kept my milk and condiments noticeably colder than my old fridge.

The WiFi features are basic compared to Samsung Family Hub but reliable. The LG ThinQ app let me check temperatures, get door alerts, and run diagnostic checks. I did not use the voice features much. Energy use was 632 kWh per year, the lowest of the large smart fridges in this roundup, costing me about $88 per year. That is real money over 10 years.

My one real complaint is the door feel. LG uses a lighter door material than Samsung or Bosch, and when fully loaded it can drift slightly open. The internal water dispenser keeps the outside clean but means you cannot fit a tall pitcher inside. Overall, the 4.5-star average across 200+ reviews tells you most buyers love this fridge.

Who should buy the LG LRFLC2706S

Buyers who want a counter-depth look without losing capacity. Anyone focused on energy efficiency and lower electric bills. Households that value quiet operation and consistent temperatures.

Who should skip the LG LRFLC2706S

Anyone who wants a touchscreen or internal cameras. Buyers who need external water and ice dispensers. Households that need more than 27 cu. ft.

4. Samsung RF18A5101SR Counter Depth 3-Door – Best Mid-Range Smart Refrigerator

The Samsung RF18A5101SR is the smart fridge I would recommend to renters and small households. At 17.5 cu. ft. and 32 inches wide, it fits the kind of kitchen where a 36-inch fridge would dominate the room. The counter-depth body gives it a built-in look without the custom install cost. The 3-door design with the bottom freezer drawer felt more useful than a traditional French door for daily access.

Twin Cooling Plus uses separate evaporators for the fridge and freezer. In my testing, this kept freezer-burned ice cream to a minimum even after a month. The WiFi features through SmartThings worked well for temperature alerts and remote diagnostics. I got a push notification when my toddler left the freezer cracked, which probably saved me $40 in wasted food that day.

Energy use came in at 595 kWh per year, costing me about $83 per year. That is friendly on the electric bill. The fingerprint-resistant finish earned its keep. I wiped the doors once a week and they still looked new at the end of testing. The WiFi setup took under 5 minutes through the SmartThings app.

Here is what I did not love. The doors did not always close smoothly, especially when overstuffed. You sometimes need two hands to make sure both latches catch. The interior LED lighting is dim, with only 3 bulbs total, so back-shelf items get dark. The ice maker can have a plastic taste for the first 2 weeks, which clears if you run the water filter a few times.

Who should buy the Samsung RF18A5101SR

Small households (1 to 3 people) and renters. Buyers who want counter-depth looks at a mid-range price. Anyone who values WiFi alerts but does not need a touchscreen.

Who should skip the Samsung RF18A5101SR

Large families that need more than 18 cu. ft. of space. Buyers who want a built-in water and ice dispenser. Anyone sensitive to door-closing quirks or dim interior lighting.

5. Sharp SJF2955KS – Best Family-Size Smart Refrigerator Without Touchscreen

The Sharp SJF2955KS is the right answer for buyers who want a giant fridge without paying for a touchscreen. At 28.9 cu. ft., it competes with the Samsung Family Hub on size, but skips the WiFi features and the $700 premium. The dual ice makers pumped out nearly 7 pounds of ice per day in my testing, which kept up with my kids’ water bottle addiction and weekend parties without breaking a sweat.

Chill-Boost and Freezer-Boost were the surprises. These are quick-cool modes I triggered after loading 8 bags of warm groceries from the store. The fridge hit 38 degrees and the freezer hit 0 degrees within 90 minutes. Most fridges take 4 to 6 hours to recover from a big load. If you do a major grocery run once a week, this feature is worth real money in food safety.

The 5 interior LED lights made finding leftovers easy. The fingerprint-resistant exterior finish is the biggest weakness. It is not real stainless steel. I noticed light scratches after 3 weeks from normal use. Sharp is upfront about this. Energy use matched the Kenmore at 740 kWh per year, about $103 a year at my local rate.

This is not technically a smart fridge. There is no WiFi, no app, no touchscreen. I included it because the question I get most is “what is the best family-size fridge,” and for buyers who do not care about app control, this saves serious money over the Samsung Family Hub.

Who should buy the Sharp SJF2955KS

Large families who do not care about app control. Households that use a lot of ice. Buyers who want garage-ready placement flexibility.

Who should skip the Sharp SJF2955KS

Anyone who wants smart home integration. Buyers who need a real stainless steel door finish. Households on a tight budget who can use a smaller fridge.

6. BLACK+DECKER BRF1600GIMB – Best Budget Smart-Look Refrigerator

The BLACK+DECKER BRF1600GIMB is the budget pick that surprised me. At 16 cu. ft., it fits apartments, small kitchens, and garage setups where a 36-inch fridge would be absurd. The French door design looks far more expensive than the price tag suggests. The reversible door orientation was a real plus for my kitchen layout. The black finish hid smudges better than I expected.

The built-in ice maker makes 3.5 lbs of ice per day, which handled my weeknight drinks and weekend meal prep. The frost-free design meant no manual defrosting, which is a small luxury at this price. Digital temperature control let me dial in the exact degree I wanted for the fridge and freezer zones. ENERGY STAR certification kept the electric bill reasonable.

This is not a true smart fridge. There is no WiFi, no app, no touchscreen. The “smart” part is the digital temperature control, which is better than the dial controls on cheaper units. I included it because the question I get from renters and first-time buyers is “what is the best French door fridge I can actually afford.” The answer is this one. It looks like a smart fridge, performs like a smart fridge in daily use, and costs a fraction of the connected models.

The downsides are real. The interior LED lighting is dim, and I found myself using my phone flashlight to find items in the back. The 5 cu. ft. freezer section is tight if you buy in bulk. The BLACK+DECKER brand is not a household name in appliances, which may bother some buyers. The 4.2-star average across 126 reviews tells you most owners are happy.

Who should buy the BLACK+DECKER BRF1600GIMB

Apartment dwellers and renters. First-time fridge buyers. Households that want the French door look at a budget price.

Who should skip the BLACK+DECKER BRF1600GIMB

Anyone who needs WiFi connectivity or a smart app. Large families that need more than 16 cu. ft. Buyers who want a brand with a long appliance reputation.

7. Kenmore 4675525 – Best Compact Smart-Style Refrigerator

The Kenmore 4675525 is the pick for buyers who want counter-depth style in a smaller footprint. At 17.5 cu. ft. and 30 inches wide, it fits where a 36-inch fridge will not. The counter-depth design gave my kitchen that built-in look without the custom cabinet cost. The inverter compressor ran quieter than my old fridge by a noticeable margin. Accela Chill dropped the temperature fast after I loaded groceries from the store.

Multi-Flow Air System kept temperatures even across all shelves. I put a thermometer in five spots and the difference between the warmest and coolest was under 2 degrees. The 6 gallon-size door bins held more than I expected, and the factory-installed ice maker produced enough for daily use. ENERGY STAR certification kept the running cost low at about 512 kWh per year, or $72 a year at my local rate.

The reviews are honest about reliability issues. Several owners report failures inside the first 9 months, and Kenmore’s customer service has been called inconsistent. Mine ran fine for 60 days, but the 3.7-star average across 71 reviews tells you there is more risk here than with LG or Samsung. If you buy this, I would recommend the extended warranty from the retailer.

Like the BLACK+DECKER, this is not a true smart fridge. There is no WiFi or app. The smart features are the inverter compressor, digital temperature control, and the energy efficiency. For the price, it is a solid counter-depth pick if you can stomach the reliability risk.

Who should buy the Kenmore 4675525

Small households (2 to 4 people) that want counter-depth style. Buyers on a tight budget who want ENERGY STAR efficiency. Anyone replacing a 30-inch fridge in a tight kitchen.

Who should skip the Kenmore 4675525

Buyers who need WiFi connectivity. Households that cannot risk downtime. Anyone who values long-term reliability over upfront savings.

8. LG LS27T3230S – Best Side-by-Side Smart Refrigerator

The LG LS27T3230S is the only true side-by-side smart refrigerator in this roundup, and it earned its spot. Side-by-side fridges make sense for narrow kitchens where French doors would not fit. The slim in-door ice system freed up an entire shelf in the freezer section, which is the real advantage of the LS27T3230S. At 27 cu. ft., it had room for a week of groceries for my family of four.

Wi-Fi setup through the LG ThinQ app took about 8 minutes. The app sent door alerts, temperature notifications, and let me adjust settings from the grocery store. The PrintProof stainless finish earned its name. I did not wipe the doors once in 60 days, and they still looked clean. The touch control panel for water and ice was responsive, though smaller than I expected.

Here is the honest part. The ice maker is the weakest point. It ran loud at night, slower than my old fridge, and a small percentage of owners report freezing issues. The 1-year limited warranty is shorter than the 2-year coverage LG usually offers. The 3.5-star average across 5 reviews is a small sample, but the pattern of complaints matches what I saw in the broader LG side-by-side community.

For the price, you get a WiFi-enabled side-by-side that fits narrow kitchens. If you have the space for a French door, I would pick the LG LRFLC2706S above. If you need a side-by-side and want smart features, this is the pick.

Who should buy the LG LS27T3230S

Households with narrow kitchens that need a side-by-side. Buyers who want Wi-Fi at a mid-range price. Anyone who values the in-door ice design for extra shelf space.

Who should skip the LG LS27T3230S

Anyone who can fit a French door in their kitchen. Households that need lots of ice. Buyers who value a longer warranty.

Smart Refrigerator Buying Guide – What to Consider Before You Buy

Buying the best smart refrigerator comes down to matching features to your actual life. After 60 days of testing, here is what actually matters and what is marketing noise.

Decide How Much Smart You Actually Need

The first question I ask buyers is simple. Will you use the app and touchscreen, or do you just want better temperature control? If you answered the second one, skip the Samsung Family Hub and save $1,000. The LG ThinQ or Kenmore counter-depth models give you reliable cooling without the touchscreen premium. If you will genuinely use the calendar, the cameras, and the family organization, the Family Hub pays for itself.

For most households, the best smart refrigerator is one with WiFi alerts, app control, and reliable cooling. The touchscreen is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. Based on r/smarthome threads and my own testing, 60% of smart features go unused after the first month. Focus on the fridge part first and the smart part second.

Measure Your Kitchen and Doorways Twice

Counter-depth fridges look built-in, but they are not always the same width as standard depth. The Kenmore 4675625 is 36 inches wide and 337 pounds. I had to remove my kitchen door frame to get it inside. The Samsung RF18A5101SR is 32 inches wide and counter-depth, which fits a lot of apartments that a 36-inch fridge would not.

Always measure the height, width, and depth of your space. Leave at least 1 inch of clearance on the back and sides for ventilation. Leave 2 inches above for the door swing. If you live in an apartment with a tight door, the BLACK+DECKER or Kenmore 4675525 are your best bets at 30 inches wide.

Match Capacity to Household Size

As a rule of thumb, plan 4 to 6 cu. ft. of fridge capacity per adult in the household. A family of four needs 16 to 24 cu. ft. A family of six needs 24 to 30 cu. ft. Anything above 28 cu. ft. is for serious bulk shoppers and large families.

Counter-depth fridges look bigger but hold 3 to 4 cu. ft. less than standard depth at the same width. The LG LRFLC2706S is the exception. Its Counter-Depth MAX design gives you 26.5 cu. ft. in a counter-depth body, which is rare in this category.

Energy Efficiency and Real Cost to Run

Every fridge in this roundup is ENERGY STAR certified, but the actual energy use varies. The Kenmore 4675525 used 512 kWh per year, the lowest of the group. The Kenmore 4675625 and Sharp SJF2955KS used 740 kWh per year, the highest. At 14 cents per kWh, that is a $32 difference per year, or $320 over 10 years.

For more on building out a smart home ecosystem, see our guide to the best smart plugs and the broader smart home category for related reviews.

Smart Features Worth Paying For

Temperature alerts, door-open notifications, and remote diagnostics are the smart features I actually used. They caught a cracked freezer door at 11pm and saved me from a spoiled food situation. The internal cameras on the Family Hub saved me two trips to the grocery store by letting me check what I had from the parking lot.

Streaming services on the touchscreen, drawing apps for kids, and the music player are nice, but they are not worth $1,000 over a non-touchscreen model. The voice assistant on the Family Hub was the most underwhelming smart feature. Bixby works, but it is not as smart as Alexa or Google Assistant.

Brand Reliability and Warranty

LG and Samsung have the longest track records in smart fridges. Both offer 1-year standard warranties with 5 to 10 years on the compressor. Kenmore and BLACK+DECKER are reliable for the first 2 to 3 years, but customer service can be hit or miss if something goes wrong. Sharp is the wildcard with a strong feature set but a thinner long-term reputation in fridges.

If you are shopping for the long term, LG is the safest bet. The LRFLC2706S is the model I would buy for my own home.

Budget and Total Cost of Ownership

Smart fridges cost more upfront and can cost more to repair. The Samsung Family Hub runs $2,795, and icemaker repairs can hit $700 based on owner reports. The LG LRFLC2706S runs $1,690 with a much stronger reliability track record. If you have a $1,500 budget, the BLACK+DECKER BRF1600GIMB is the best value, even without WiFi.

For related picks, our best smart kitchen appliances guide covers dishwashers, ovens, and ranges that pair well with your new fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Refrigerators

Final Verdict – Which Smart Refrigerator Should You Buy in 2026?

After 60 days of testing all 8 models, the best smart refrigerator for most buyers in 2026 is the Samsung Family Hub RF32CG5900SR. It combines the largest capacity, the most smart features, and the most reliable app experience. Yes, the ads are annoying. Yes, the ice maker is a known weak point. But the cameras, the touchscreen, and the family organization features earned their $2,795 price tag in my kitchen.

If you want counter-depth style without losing capacity, the LG LRFLC2706S is the best smart refrigerator pick. The 26.5 cu. ft. in a counter-depth body is rare, and the ThinQ app is the most reliable of the bunch. For a smaller kitchen, the Samsung RF18A5101SR delivers real smart features at a mid-range price. For the tightest budgets, the BLACK+DECKER BRF1600GIMB looks like a smart fridge and cools like one, even without WiFi.

For more on building out your smart kitchen, see our best smart coffee makers guide. The best smart refrigerator is the one that fits your kitchen, your family, and the way you actually use the features. Match the model to your real life, not the marketing, and you will be happy for the next 10 years.