Save 60–70% off retail  ·  Mattresses · Appliances · Furniture Lawrenceville 470-836-3796  |  Morrow 470-526-2367  ·  Open 7 Days
HomeBlog › Refrigerator Buying Guide
Lineup of stainless French door refrigerators at Compare Deals appliance outlet
Appliance Support

Refrigerator Buying Guide: Pick the Perfect Fridge

A friendly, plain-English walkthrough to help you choose smart and save big.

Buying a fridge feels like it should be simple. Then you start shopping and bam, there are french doors, side-by-sides, top freezers, ice makers, water lines, and a dozen finishes. It’s a lot. So we made this refrigerator buying guide to clear up the noise and help you pick the right one without the stress. Even better, at Compare Deals in Metro Atlanta you can land that perfect fridge for 60 to 70 percent off retail.

Here’s the good news. Once you know a few basics, the choice gets easy. Let’s walk through size, style, features, and budget together, one friendly step at a time.

Step One: Measure Your Space

This is the part people skip, and then regret. A gorgeous fridge does you no good if it won’t fit. So before anything else, grab a tape measure.

Three numbers to write down

  • Width. Measure the nook where the fridge will sit, then leave about an inch on each side for air.
  • Height. Watch for cabinets or shelves above the spot.
  • Depth. Make sure the door can swing open without hitting an island or wall.

Don’t forget the path from the front door to the kitchen. A fridge that fits the kitchen but not the hallway is a sad surprise. Trust me, that’s a workout nobody signs up for.

Step Two: Pick a Style

Fridges come in a few main shapes, and each fits a different life. This refrigerator buying guide keeps it simple, so here’s the quick rundown.

The main types

  • Top freezer. The classic. Affordable, roomy, and reliable. Great for tight budgets and smaller kitchens.
  • Bottom freezer. Keeps fresh food at eye level so you bend less. Easy on the back.
  • Side-by-side. Fridge and freezer split down the middle. Skinny doors fit narrow kitchens nicely.
  • French door. Two doors up top, freezer drawer below. Lots of room and a high-end look.

No style is “best” for everyone. The best one is the one that fits your kitchen and how you actually cook. Browse our in-stock refrigerator models to see each type in person and get a feel for them.

Room of white top load washers at Compare Deals appliance outlet
Washers & dryers at Compare Deals

Step Three: Decide Which Features You Need

Features are fun, but they add to the price. So be honest about what you’ll really use. An ice and water dispenser in the door is handy, but it’s one more thing that can need service down the road. Adjustable shelves and gallon door bins, on the other hand, help almost everyone.

Think about your habits. Big family with lots of leftovers? You want wide shelves and deep drawers. Love cold drinks on demand? A door dispenser earns its keep. Keep it simple, and you’ll spend less and stress less.

Quick Recap So Far

Let’s take a breath. You’ve measured your space, picked a style that fits your life, and chosen only the features you’ll use. That’s the hard part done. This refrigerator buying guide is really just about matching a fridge to your kitchen and your habits, not chasing the fanciest model on the floor.

Front load Samsung washer and dryer sets at Compare Deals appliance outlet
Washers & dryers at Compare Deals

Step Four: Set a Smart Budget

Here’s where shopping at an outlet changes everything. A brand-new french-door fridge can cost two grand at retail. The same model with a small cosmetic dent might be half that at Compare Deals. The dent doesn’t touch how it cools. It just makes the price friendlier.

That’s how you get a high-end fridge on a mid-range budget. Plus, new scratch-and-dent units come with a 1-year warranty, and pre-owned units come with a 3-month warranty. So you save money and stay protected. If you want to see washers and ranges too, our complete appliance lineup has matching deals.

Step Five: Check Energy Use

A fridge runs 24 hours a day, every day. So an efficient one quietly saves you money on power bills for years. Look for the ENERGY STAR label, which marks models that sip energy instead of guzzling it.

Want to compare numbers before you buy? The official ENERGY STAR refrigerator resource is a free tool that shows estimated yearly costs. It’s a smart five-minute check that can pay you back for years.

White top load washers and dryers at Compare Deals appliance outlet
Washers & dryers at Compare Deals

Step Six: Make It Affordable

Found the one but the timing’s tight on cash? That’s totally fine. We offer no-credit-needed financing through American First Finance, Acima, Snap, and Koalafi. You take your fridge home today and pay over time, even if your credit isn’t spotless.

It’s quick and stress-free. Our easy payment plans page walks you through the whole thing in plain English. No fine-print headaches, just a simple way to get the fridge you need now.

Come See Us in Metro Atlanta

The best way to finish this refrigerator buying guide is in person. You get to open the doors, test the feel, and roll your pick home the same day. We’ve got two stores ready for you: one in Lawrenceville and one in Morrow, both packed with deals.

Ready to visit? Our store hours and directions page has everything you need to find us. Our friendly team will measure-check with you, talk through styles, and help you land the perfect fridge at a price that makes you smile. Come on by, the cold drinks are on you soon.

Good To Know

Common Questions

Measure the width, height, and depth of your fridge nook, and leave about an inch on each side for airflow. Also check the path from your front door to the kitchen. A general rule is roughly 4 to 6 cubic feet of space per person in your home.

There’s no single best style, just the best one for your kitchen and habits. Top-freezer models are budget-friendly and roomy, side-by-sides fit narrow spaces, and french-door units offer the most room and a high-end look. Pick what matches your space.

Yes. A small cosmetic dent can knock 60 to 70 percent off the price without affecting how the fridge cools. New scratch-and-dent units even come with a 1-year warranty, so you get high-end quality for a mid-range budget.

Only if you’ll really use it. A door dispenser is handy for cold drinks but adds to the price and is one more part that can need service. If you rarely use one, skip it and save money for features you’ll use daily.

Yes. We offer no-credit-needed financing through American First Finance, Acima, Snap, and Koalafi. You can take your fridge home today and pay over time, even if your credit isn’t perfect.

Ready to Pick Your Fridge?

Find the right refrigerator for 60 to 70 percent off retail, with no credit needed to get started.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *