Fridge buying guide
Refrigerators are one of the key appliances in our homes and, with many models now featuring tech to help you get the most out of your food, it can be hard to know where to start.
Available in a variety of sizes, colours and styles, we offer everything you need to know in one handy place.
The size of fridge you will need depends on a number of factors: the size of your family, your available storage space and, of course, your budget. Generally speaking, the bigger your family, the bigger a fridge you’re likely to need. You also need to factor in how often you shop for groceries; a weekly ‘big shop’ consisting of a lot of fresh produce will obviously require more storage space than a daily shop. You might also need to keep space in your budget for a freezer if you plan to meal prep or, alternatively, consider buying a fridge freezer to incorporate both appliances in one space.
Although many fridges are a standard width, it’s important that you measure the space you want your fridge to fit in. We offer fridges in different widths to ensure the perfect fit for your kitchen.
- Slim width (up to 550mm)
- Standard width (550-600mm)
- Large width (600-700mm)
You also need to consider whether you’d like a full height (a tall or larder model), under-counter or integrated fridge to suit your pre-existing kitchen setup. Thinking about the storage capacity you need will help determine which size fridge is best for your home.
Energy labels help people choose products which can save both energy and money as well as being kinder to the environment. These labels provide incentives for manufacturers to develop even more energy efficient products. Spanning from an A rating (the most energy efficient) to G (the least energy efficient), this scale was redesigned in 2021 to help adapt the labels to the new industry standards that are now much more environmentally friendly than in previous years.
Frost free fridges give you the joy of effortless upkeep. While some models need users to manually defrost the appliance in order to ensure it continues to run effectively, frost-free fridges do this automatically with no effort needed. In some cases, these may be slightly more expensive, but they will soon pay you back in time, money and ease.
The noise output from a fridge is measured in decibels and shown as dB, allowing you to compare the average noise output from different machines. The higher the dB, the louder the operating noise. Levels below 40 dB are very quiet and manufacturers have made huge advances with new technology in recent years to keep noise levels to a minimum.
Fridges with reversible door hinges allow you to place your appliance wherever you want without worrying about the layout of your home. Change whether your fridge door opens to the left or right for greater flexibility in minutes. All of our product listings state clearly whether or not the fridge has reversible doors.
Did you know that many of our products are also available for rental? Enjoy the latest tech with low, monthly payments and regular opportunities to upgrade, find out more about Hughes Rental here.