It’s hard to talk about the leading home appliance makers in the world without mentioning Whirlpool. So, it’s so befitting that we also bring the name up when thinking of the best fridges. The question, however, is, are Whirlpool refrigerators good?
Whirlpool refrigerators are good because they are spacious, energy-efficient, stylish, high-performance, user-centered, reliable, and affordable. Additionally, they offer good organization and storage conveniences.
So, if you want to spend on a fridge that cries ‘money well spent,’ it’s hard to look past Whirlpools.
Whirlpool doesn’t make the most fanciful or smartest fridges on the market. No! They don’t. They also don’t promise trouble-free fridges as their units occasionally suffer issues such as poor ice, failing dispensers, and cooling challenges.
But if you look at these concerns, they are minor as they are fixable.
This review will help you understand Whirlpool as a brand and what you get when ordering their fridge. We’ll also talk about the various Whirlpool fridge types to help you find your match.
Let’s get into it.
Summary of The Pros and Cons of Whirlpool Refrigerators
| Pros | Cons |
| Spacious (good capacity) | Less fancy (fewer smart features if compared to LG and Samsung) |
| Energy efficient (most are energy-star rated) | Low failing dispensers and icemakers, in some cases |
| Stylish though with a minimalist look | Cooling issues in some models |
| User-centered (user friendly) | Poor ice on some units |
| Reliable | High-end Whirlpool fridges are costly |
| Affordable (prices cut across all budgets) | |
| Good organization | |
| Storage convenience | |
| Four styles (French door, side by side, bottom freezer, and top freezer) |
Are Whirlpool Refrigerators Good or Bad?
To answer this question clearly, we’ve to dig deeper into Whirlpool fridges and discuss essential elements like capacity, energy efficiency, style, and price. Here we go!
1. Capacity and Size
Whirlpool fridges have different storage capacities depending on the fridge type and size.
Overall, bottom freezer and top-freezer options have the smallest capacities, given that they average 12 – 22 cubic feet and 11 – 22 cubic feet, respectively, depending on size.
Bottom freezers are 24 – 33 inches wide, while top freezers are 24 – 36 inches wide.
On the other hand, side-by-side and French door fridges have the largest capacities, averaging 19 – 27 cubic feet and 18 – 28 cubic feet, respectively. Both options are 30 – 36 inches wide.
Verdict
All four Whirlpool fridges offer spacious storage spaces, thus convenient for families.
2. Energy Efficiency
Most Whirlpool refrigerators have the Energy Star mark to show their energy efficiency. As with an Energy Star mark, Whirlpool fridges don’t just use less energy but also emit less heat.
So, a Whirlpool family fridge makes financial sense for someone with a big family where every unit counts.
Verdict
Most Whirlpool fridges are energy-efficient, and you can identify them by their energy star rating.
3. Style and Design
Whirlpool employs many design elements to make its fridges quite stylish and modern.
Let’s get one thing straight; Whirlpool fridges are not fancy. Don’t expect LG’s ‘knock to see’ convenience or Samsung’s Family Hub. You get fingerprint-resistant stainless units with a minimalist look but have a modern flair that makes them unique.
What’s more, Whirlpool fridges come in two mounting options (standard depth and counter depth) to allow you to pick what matches your kitchen space.
Standard depth fridges have more room to install but offer the most storage, while counter-depth options are better at the front end of your kitchen cabinets.
Verdict
Whirlpool fridges are not the fanciest or smartest but are minimalistic-ally beautiful in and out.
4. Performance (Climate Control)
The best way to talk about the performance of Whirlpool fridges is by discussing their climate control provisions.
Starting with temperature;
Whirlpool fridges offer unique and more modern temperature control settings such as total Coverage for uniform cooling, Accu-chill for ice-cooling, adaptive defrost for defrosting and freeze shield to minimize temperature fluctuation.
Unto humidity;
Whirlpool fridges feature Crisper Drawers to preserve veggies and fruits, while others use Dual Cooling to achieve the same.
And when it comes to air filtration;
Most models employ FreshFlow filters with a status indicator to keep the indoor air fresh and prevent food spoilage.
Verdict
As far as temperature control, humidity, and airflow go, Whirlpool fridges check all boxes making them high performers.
5. User-Centered Conveniences
In addition to the many convenience features I’ve mentioned, Whirlpool fridges come with impressive icemakers, customizable shelves, panoramic lights, and other features that make them more centered on the user’s needs. These provisions make Whirlpool fridges more user-friendly.
Verdict
A majority of features on these fridges are customer-centered, which matters a lot.
6. Reliability – Are Whirlpool refrigerators reliable?
That’s what every buyer asks when they hear of a fridge they want to buy. Well, Whirlpool fridges are built for the long term.
According to the manufacturer, these fridges can last 14 – 17 years with good maintenance. If that’s not reliable, then I’m not sure what is!
It doesn’t mean they won’t develop issues along the way, as that would be a lie, but their failure rate is much lower than most.
So, yes, Whirlpool fridges are reliable, perhaps the third most reliable after Samsung and LG fridges as they are as good as them.
Verdict
Whirlpool fridges are reliable (backed by a 14 – 17-year lifespan).
7. Price
Whirlpool ensures that their fridges suit users with different budgets. So their units cut across all budgets. Here’s a breakdown of the starting prices of their various fridge types:
- Top freezer fridges – From $549 (most budget-friendly)
- Bottom freezer fridge – From $999
- Side-by-side fridges – From $1,299
- French door fridges – From $1,699 (Costliest)
Verdict
While side-by-side and French door fridges are peculiarly costly, top freezer fridges are pretty affordable while bottom freezer units are reasonably priced.
8. Organization
All the four fridge types that Whirlpool make promise different organizational elements that make them unique.
Top freezer options, for example, enjoy a Flexi-Slide Bin for storing items that you can quickly move sideways to create more storage room.
Bottom freezer refrigerators, on the other hand, have the FreshFlow Produce Preserver for storing your veggies and fruits under ideal conditions.
Meanwhile, side-by-side units have Adjustable Gallon Door Bins that you can move at will, while French door fridges feature Tiered Freezer Storage to organize frozen foods for quick access.
Verdict
All Whirlpool fridges offer unique organizational elements that make food organization seamless.
9. Storage Convenience
Like all the Whirlpool fridges promise different organization elements, they also promise different storage convenience. For example, top-freezer units come with Humidity-Controlled Crisper Drawers for keeping veggies and fruits in an ideal environment.
On the other hand, bottom-freezer units feature Spill-Proof Glass Shelves for easy cleanup and juices and blended foods storage.
In the meantime, side-by-side fridges relish the In-Door Ice Storage that offers easy access to ice, while French door fridges flaunt the Infinity Slide Shelf for easy fitting of taller items.
Verdict
All Whirlpool fridges offer unique functional storage conveniences that make food storage and access easy.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Problems
If anyone tells you that Whirlpool fridges have no problem, that would be a lie as all fridge brands have issues.
The difference is that not everyone complains about them. The most typical Whirlpool refrigerator problems include:
- Poor ice quality, primarily due to failing icemaker, faulty water filter, clogged water valve, or insufficient water supply
- A continuously running motor due to incorrect temperature or temperature fluctuation from opening the door too much
- The unit is not cooling well either due to clogged air vents, dirty condenser, or wrong setting
- Failed water dispenser due to a defective water filter, or low water pressure
Types of Whirlpool Refrigerators
Whirlpool makes the following four types of refrigerators:
- French door fridges
- Side-by-side fridges
- Top-freezer fridges
- Bottom-freezer fridges
Are Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator Good?
French door Whirlpool fridges have the layout of a pantry. They feature two top doors that open up into one massive fridge and have a drawer freezer at the bottom.
They are among the most high-end (alongside side-by-side units) and the most spacious, befitting large families.
Their top-selling features include Tiered freezer storage, an Infinity Slide Shelf for convenient storage and organization, and external water and ice dispenser. The fridges generally offer eye-level storage.
Are Whirlpool Side by Side Refrigerators Good?
Side-by-side Whirlpool fridges have two separate doors, which open at the center, offering a refrigerator unit on one flank and a freezer on the other.
They are so high-end and spacious as French door options and even feature adjustable shelves. Their advantage over French door fridges is that they don’t require larger door clearance, thus suitable for narrow spaces.
You’ll find them with fingerprint-resistant stainless finishes and indoor ice storage.
Are Whirlpool Top Freezer Refrigerators Good?
Also known as Top mount fridges, top freezer fridges have a freezer above the fridge but separate doors. They promise easy freezer access, and they are generally the most budget-friendly.
Overall, they offer more fridge room than freezer room and require a larger open space for the door clearance. Whirlpool top mount fridges come with a Flexi slide bin organizer, humidity controller, crisper drawer, and fingerprint-resistant finishes.
Are Bottom freezer Whirlpool Refrigerators Good?
Bottom-freezer or bottom-mount fridges are the direct opposite of top-freezer fridges. Unlike their counterparts, bottom-mount fridges have a bottom pull-out drawer and a fridge (with a side door) at the top.
They are slightly more spacious and cost slightly more than top-mount fridges, but both are best for tiny and average-sized homes. You’ll, however, need more clearance for the door.
FAQs
1. How Long Will a Whirlpool Refrigerator Last?
With regular maintenance and servicing, a Whirlpool refrigerator can last 14 – 17 years. Keeping the fridge clean and the components working well is key to using the fridge longer.
2. Where Are Whirlpool Refrigerators Made?
Whirlpool refrigerators are made in the US in Amana, Iowa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Fall River, Massachusetts, and various cities in Ohio.
3. Who Makes Whirlpool Refrigerators?
Whirlpool Corporation, the American company behind Kitchen Aid, Maytag, and Amana, makes Whirlpool refrigerators.
Are Whirlpool Refrigerators Good? Closing Thought
Whether good storage, better climate control, energy efficiency, style, or reliability, Whirlpool fridges tick many boxes.
These units are available at all price points and come in four styles with fingerprint-resistant finishes making them good, despite the few problems they have.
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