How to choose a narrow refrigerator: tips for buyers + 10 best models on the market

Features of compact refrigerators

The narrow refrigerator attracts a lot of attention, especially among city dwellers who live in small apartments and those who travel a lot. Compared to a standard refrigerator, narrow refrigerators have a number of advantages as they can be easily used in many places where a regular size refrigerator is not practical. Below are the benefits that you will get by purchasing a narrow refrigerator:

Below are the benefits that you will get by purchasing a narrow refrigerator:

• Convenience is an indispensable advantage that many consumers enjoy when purchasing a compact refrigerator.Due to its compact size, this refrigerator is quite light and can be easily moved by one person.
• Unlike conventional refrigerators, which are bulky, the narrow ones are available in compact designs that make it easy to place anywhere in the home. Plus, since a narrow fridge doesn't take up too much space, you'll still have enough room to fit other kitchen appliances or furniture.
• Many compact refrigerators have energy saving features. You can choose an energy-saving narrow refrigerator that will store your food without wasting too much energy. Buying an energy efficient compact refrigerator will make a huge difference in your monthly energy bill.
• On average, narrow refrigerators are much cheaper than standard ones. However, a few high-quality narrow refrigerators can easily beat the price of standard ones due to their extremely useful features.

In general, the models of mini-refrigerators that are available on the market are very convenient and functional. Most brands offer stylish exteriors and well-planned, compact interior storage and compartments.

What do we look for when choosing?

When the buyer has decided on the type of refrigerator, we move on to other parameters that are similar in importance, such as size or type.

The compressor is the heart of any refrigerator. The entire operation of the device depends on it, and at the same time it is the most vulnerable spot. Most often, a breakdown occurs with the compressor, rather than with the rest of the parts. Today, there are two types - classic and inverter. Opinions about which one is better differ and sometimes masters cannot give an unambiguous answer.The classic version is considered noisy, and in terms of electricity it has a higher consumption. But they are cheap to repair and are not afraid of malfunctions in the electrical circuit. In the conditions of Russia, this is relevant. If you ask the advice of experts, they often recommend this type, since the crank-rod is time-tested. It is believed that their service life is less than that of inverters, but in terms of warranty, it usually does not differ - 10 or 12 years depending on manufacturer devices. Inverters generally last longer, as the brands that use them say, they are quieter (not much, but there is a difference), and more importantly for many buyers, they have low electricity consumption. The downside of the inverter is that it is very sensitive to power, and if there is no stabilizer or surge protector in the house, then the probability of a breakdown is very high. Which option to choose is the business of each person, all the pros and cons were given above.
Defrost type. There are drip devices on the market with the no frost system. The first option is familiar to everyone - the formation of ice, frost leads to the need to periodically defrost the refrigerator and wash the chambers. The know frost system means that there will be no ice in the device, so you just need to wash it. A few more important points are a quick temperature rise, the absence of zones with varying degrees of cooling, the slow development of microbes due to the fact that the humidity in the chambers will be significantly lower. In my opinion, it is better to buy a refrigerator with no frost, since there really are benefits from it, but you should understand that there are few budget and high-quality ones with such a system.
consumption class. This is where the compressor comes into play.Of course, everyone wants to save on utility bills, so among other things, it makes sense to look at electricity consumption.
climate class. The parameter tells in what conditions the equipment can be used. All models that are supplied and manufactured in Russia are designed for operation both in the conditions of the far north, where it is constantly cold, and in the southern regions with a hot climate.
Control. In modern refrigerators, it uses an older version with mechanical temperature control in the chambers, in which case a switch or an electronic panel is located inside the chamber. The second option looks more modern and is usually located on the refrigerator door, however, sometimes it is hidden behind it.

There are models with the ability to control from a smartphone.
What to look for in addition to technical parameters and control - the ergonomics of the device. Each manufacturer strives to make its equipment as convenient as possible for the client - retractable and folding shelves, the type of bottle holder attachment, the quality of the plastic on the boxes, the system to prevent odors from mixing, a removable seal

All this speaks of how customer-oriented the company is.
The presence of a zone of freshness. Often in the reviews they write that the drawers inside the refrigerator compartment eat up space, but the fact is that most buyers do not understand the purpose of this compartment and do not know how to use it correctly. The fact is that this compartment has a separate humidity control, and the temperature in it remains at about 0 degrees.This allows you to store vegetables and fruits for longer, and in addition, it is convenient to store fresh meat and fish, which will soon be cooked for several days, without freezing.
Not infrequently in the store, buyers say help me choose equipment and are interested in whether one or two compressors are better. Today, it is very difficult to find models with two compressors, since manufacturers have created a vacation function that allows you to temporarily turn off the refrigeration compartment so that the motor does not wind up electricity in vain while a person goes on vacation. Older models had two compressors. One was responsible for the refrigeration, the second for the freezer. One can be turned off if needed.

The best refrigerators costing from 40,000 to 60,000 rubles.

This rating includes expensive premium models. All of them have a number of modern options, the Total No frost defrost system, electronic control, increased capacity and efficiency.
To highlight the top three expensive refrigerators, we proceeded from the principle "Maximum functionality for a relevant price."
Believe me, this approach is justified, since there are models that have a very high price tag that absolutely does not correspond to their capabilities. Especially beautiful side-by-side refrigerators with colored facades, luminous displays and useless options like Bluetooth, Vitamin Plus or an ice generator “suffer” from this. Why pay more if the main thing is quality and reliability (service life)?

Haier C2F636CWRG

We give the third place to the Chinese refrigerator company Haier. It has a high percentage of recommendations (88%), and, to the surprise of many, is very well made (assembly ? Naberezhnye Chelny). Here's what's special about this model:

• Overall volume ? 364 l;
• Dimensions: 59.5×67.2×190.5 cm;
• Total No Frost;
• Energy class A (342 kWh/year);
• Modern design;
• Antibacterial coating;
• Spacious freshness zone for storing vegetables and fruits;
• 12 years warranty for inverter compressor;
• From 45 000 rub.

Some experts note that if this refrigerator was 5 thousand cheaper? he would be the best. Perhaps we agree with this opinion and, in any case, we advise you to take a closer look at this model.

Second place goes to a refrigerator from Hotpoint-Ariston. This is a very popular model with an interesting design, good assembly and functionality, as well as a high rating among buyers. This is a really good product that we cannot pass by.

• Approval level? 95%;
• Capacity: 322 l. (the smallest among the whole trio);
• Dimensions: 60x69x200 cm;
• Autonomy margin: 13 hours;
• Total "know frost" superfreeze;
• Function of “ozonation of air” (it is difficult to check its performance);
• Price: from 44 000.

• 100% recommendation rate for buyers;
• The largest volume? 367 liters;
• Most economical: 314 kWh/year;
• The highest indicator of autonomy: 18 hours;
• Total No Frost;
• Quiet (38 dB);
• Convenient electronic control display (allows you to set the optimal temperature in the refrigerator);
• Assembly ? Poland;
• Price: an average of 40,000 rubles.

It's almost the perfect refrigerator. Some buyers believe that the price is too high, but we have to disagree. It is worth its money, to the last ruble (or zloty). So that ? recommend!

What to look for when buying

Several types of equipment should be placed in the kitchen: a cutting worktop, a gas or electric stove with an oven, a dining table, etc. To fit all this, for example, on 6 square meters, it is better to purchase narrow refrigerators. Then it does not have to be installed in the corridor, because thanks to its small width it can easily fit anywhere. Of course, the capacity here will be a little worse, but if a person lives alone, then he will practically not notice the difference.

When buying such a device, pay attention to:

• Body material. It is desirable that it be made of durable material and not scratched.
• Convenience is provided by the ability to easily move the door from one side to the other.
• The handle must be strong and withstand constant opening, because if it breaks, it is difficult to find a similar model.
• It is better to purchase models with low energy consumption in order to reduce electricity costs.
• Capacity should be enough for 2-3 people. Of course, it is difficult to find such an option, but it is possible.
• Freezer available. This compartment will help store blanks or semi-finished products so that a person does not have to constantly cook.

7Gorenje NRK 6191MC

An excellent unit that will relieve the owners of the need to frequently defrost the freezer and refrigerator. This model is a complete No Frost. The automatic defrost system prevents the formation of frost on the walls by means of forced air circulation. The refrigerator compartment with two freshness zones and an ionizer for even distribution of air flows is equipped with plastic shelves, holders for bottled products, cans, a container for odorous products and two trays for storing eggs are placed in the door. A large 98 liter freezer with three baskets will hold enough “freeze” for an average family.

pros

• Stable work
• Beautiful beige color
• External LCD display
• Sound alert when door is opened

Minuses

What to look for when buying a narrow refrigerator

The size

A small refrigerator is purchased in a small kitchen. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully measure the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room where the unit is planned to be installed, and only after that proceed with the selection of a suitable device.

Freezer

It is necessary to decide whether the refrigerator will be used for long-term storage of products or whether they will be stored for a day or two. In the first case, a freezer is needed, in the second, a refrigerator compartment is enough.

Compressor

The mechanism on which the economy, durability and reliability of the entire device depends. It moves the refrigerant through the system, which ensures the speed and level of cooling and freezing. The best compressors are inverter or linear inverter. They are economical, quiet and durable.

Energy consumption

The operating mode of the refrigerator is round-the-clock throughout the year.To reduce electricity consumption, you should opt for products with energy efficiency class A (A +, A ++, A +++). The annual energy consumption of such devices is very moderate - about 100 kW / h.

Climate class

The correct operation of the refrigerator also depends on the ambient temperature.

When buying, you need to pay attention to the temperature ranges at which the manufacturer guarantees the operation of the device. 4 bands standardized, designated as climate classes N, ST, SN and T

For example, class T allows the use of equipment in dry regions with air heating up to 43 ° C.

Defrost system

Refrigerators need to be defrosted. Due to the small dimensions in narrow devices, the no frost system cannot be used, therefore manual and drip defrosting are used.

1. Manual. 1 or 2 times a month, the refrigerator is disconnected from the electrical network until the ice is completely thawed.
2. drip system. Ice forms on the evaporator. The compressor periodically turns off, the evaporator heats up, the ice melts, the resulting water flows through the drainage system into a special container at the bottom of the device.

The second method is convenient because it does not require human intervention. It is only necessary to prevent debris from entering the drainage and periodically clean the hole through which melt water enters the container.

Acquisition of a small-sized refrigerator that fully satisfies the needs of the buyer is a rather difficult task. Stores offer a wide range of models from many manufacturers with different technical characteristics, performance and cost. The rating of the most popular narrow refrigerators in depth and width presented in the article will help you make the right choice.

The main types of units

The choice of a refrigerator is determined by many factors. Depending on the number of cameras, they are:

Single chamber. Do not assume the existence of a separate freezer. It is either absent or combined with a department for cooling products. There are both full-sized and small-sized devices. Relatively low cost and low energy consumption

If your funds for the purchase are limited, and you are thinking which budget refrigerator is better to choose, pay attention to this type.

Two-chamber. There are two chambers, one of which is a self-functioning freezer. It can be both below and above. Convenient enough for preparations in the form of freezing. In the ranking of the best refrigerators 2020 in terms of quality and reliability, it is this variety that prevails.

Multichamber. As a rule, they contain 3-4 departments in which it is possible to place products with different storage requirements. The most popular are devices with three cameras. They contain: a freezer, a cooling compartment and a zero chamber, or, as it is also called, a “freshness zone”. These devices can be classified as professional.

side by side. These premium units are a wardrobe with two doors. Both compartments, cooling and freezing, are placed vertically and occupy the entire right or left side of the device. The volume of a refrigeration unit of this type is much larger than the analogues described above.

All these varieties differ in size, energy class, freezer location and cost.It is easy enough to get lost in the variety of offers, and advice on which refrigerator is best to choose will come in handy.

Recommendations for buyers of refrigerators

When planning the purchase of a refrigerator, you need to initially highlight a list of important criteria that you can focus on in the future.

Consider the following key points:

1. Dimensions, volume and design. Select the height, width, depth of the product according to the parameters of the kitchen room. Correlate the design style with the interior of the kitchen. Capacity should meet the needs of the family.
2. Freezer defrost type. Think about what you prefer: appliances that require manual defrosting, or equipped with a No Frost system or drip thawing technology.
3. Energy class. This indicator is labeled from A to D. The higher the class, the more economical the device. A+++ is considered the highest.
4. Compressor type. These mechanisms are linear, inverter.

The first type of compressor uses the on / off principle in operation. The second - functions constantly, maintaining the temperature due to a smooth change in power. Thanks to this principle of operation, inverter refrigerators consume electricity more economically and do not make much noise.

Before buying a device, check if the model you like has additional functions and modes that you need - super cooling, express freezing, freshness zone, open door indicator and others

After you decide on the purchase budget, the optimal technical characteristics and the necessary functions for yourself, proceed to the choice of the equipment manufacturer.

Remember to analyze all positive and negative arguments.

Advantages of refrigerators without a freezer

Small refrigerators without a freezer have a huge number of advantages:

• Diversity. Very often, small refrigerators are purchased so that they can be installed in a kitchen set. And here it is very convenient that such units come in various sizes and shapes. Low or high, wide or narrow, small or large (such a refrigerator can hold up to 500 liters). For any kitchen cabinet or curbstone, it is possible to choose the right option.
• Convenient to use. A freezerless device is a smaller version of a conventional refrigerator. It also has shelves, drawers, various compartments for food storage - everything to make operation convenient.
• Application in various fields. This refrigerator is perfect for both home and country, you can even take it with you on a trip. Small units are bought for work in shops, offices, schools and other places where short-term storage of products may come in handy.
• Easy delivery. To transport a refrigerator, you do not need to order a large car and loaders - a refrigerator without a freezer can easily fit into any car, even the smallest brand. It has a small weight and dimensions, so if necessary, raise it to the floor - it will also be easy to do.
• Minimum noise. Because this refrigerator does not have a freezer, the motor does not have to periodically turn on at full power to cool the freezer to the desired minus temperature. It is much easier for him to maintain +3 ... +5 degrees, so another of the advantages of such a unit is noiselessness.
• Saving.Due to the fact that the refrigerator does not have to work at full capacity to maintain sub-zero temperatures in the freezer, the energy consumption is much less.
• Freezer analog. In many models there is a zone in which the temperature is within zero degrees. Of course, if there is a need to freeze something, this is unlikely to succeed, but it will be possible to keep a pack of semi-finished products frozen without problems.

The best models of Russian-made two-chamber budget refrigerators

3 factories are engaged in the production of household units in the Russian Federation:

• Biryusa (Krasnoyarsk);
• SEPO-ZEM (Saratov);
• Pozis (Tatarstan).

The positive properties of Biryusa refrigerators include a high-quality coating that is resistant to mechanical damage, energy efficiency class A, the presence of No Frost technology, a brand of refrigerant (isobutane), and electronic control. Biryusa 132 is considered the best model of this brand.

Refrigerators of the Saratov brand are distinguished by a minimum set of functions and a low price. The advantages of two-chamber refrigerators include a long service life, rare breakdowns, maintainability, improved thermal insulation of the body. Among the minuses, high energy intensity is distinguished. In the ranking of the best two-chamber units, Saratov 209 (KSHD 275/65) takes first place.

The Pozis factory has been producing refrigerators for over 50 years. The equipment is produced on the basis of isobutane refrigerant, differs in a variety of designs, wide functionality, tempered glass shelves, a freshness zone and a Full No Frost system. The bestseller in 2019 was the Pozis RK FNF-172 W unit.

For comparison, consider the technical characteristics of refrigerators in the table.

Shivaki

The model range of refrigerators of this company is very diverse. Among them there are 4 models of the most popular design - two-door devices with a lower location of the freezer compartment with automatic defrost, and more than 30 with the No Frost system. There are many options suitable for commercial purposes - small single-chamber refrigerators with a miniature freezer.

pros

• Affordable price
• Economical power consumption
• The practicality of the presented models - nothing superfluous, only the necessary set of functions
• Large selection of models both among the economy segment and among the premium class

Minuses

In the manufacture of inexpensive materials, budget plastic