Which fridge brand is the most reliable?

We've investigated the performance and reliability of some of the most popular fridge brands, including Beko, John Lewis and Miele.

In our unique appliance survey, we asked 2,548 Which? members and members of the public to tell us whether they're happy with their fridge, and about any issues they've experienced. 

Our survey data takes into account which fridges had faults reported and whether they needed to be repaired or replaced as a result of the fault.

Read on to discover which brands are worth the money.

Already decided on a fridge brand? Discover the best fridges to make sure you get a top-scoring model

Which fridge brands develop the fewest faults?

This table summarises what we found about how quickly fridge brands develop faults, based on fridges bought in the past seven years.

As you can see, fridge brands differ when it comes to chances of developing faults – and it might surprise you to see where popular brands Hotpoint and Liebherr are placed.

Only logged-in Which? members can see the full results of our fridge brand reliability survey. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

To compare all the models we've tested, head to our fridge reviews – you can filter by brand, cooling power, Best Buy recommendations and more

Which fridge brands do owners recommend?

As well as faults, our survey data also reveals which fridge brands owners feel happy with, and which they’d recommend.

These results are shown as each brand’s customer score, and are based on fridges bought in the past seven years.

Only logged-in Which? members can see the full results of our survey. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Concerned about running costs? See the best energy-efficient fridges, as tested by our experts

The three most common fridge faults

1. Broke down (18% of all faults)

Despite your best efforts to maintain your appliance, sometimes they just break down. Of the survey respondents who experienced this fault, around half said it rendered their fridge unusable.

If your fridge has no power, try to keep the door shut as much as possible and keep an eye on the internal temperature. Call an appliance repair expert to come and take a look at it.

2. Ice build-up in the fridge (12%)

This common issue can sometimes be caused by a torn or warped door seal, which lets warm air into the fridge. Replacement seals are widely available and it's a relatively simple problem to fix.

Unfortunately it can also be caused by an issue with a more complex part, such as the defrost heater. Replacing that is much more expensive and requires the help of a professional.

3. Fridge not maintaining the correct temperature (9%)

If your fridge isn't keeping the same temperature, there are a few simple checks you can do.

It might seem obvious, but check your temperature setting is where it should be – it could've been knocked accidentally when putting things in or taking items out. 

Inspect the rubber seal on the door too. If this is warped or broken, cold air could be escaping, causing uneven temperatures.

You can also check the condenser coils at the back of the appliance. A build-up of dust on these can prevent the fridge from cooling properly. A good clean might help them to work more efficiently.

If those simple checks don’t solve the problem, you may have some more complex faults. Issues with the compressor, thermostat or refrigerant gas are just some of the areas that could be to blame. Unless you have the tools and the know-how, it’s probably time to call an engineer.

For further advice, head to our guide on common fridge faults and how to deal with them. If you need professional help, search Which? Trusted Traders to find an approved local repair service.

Which fridge brands offer the best guarantees?

Most fridge brands offer a product guarantee of some sort included in the purchase of the product – this is typically one or sometimes two years. Some will cover the full operation and service of the fridge, while others may just cover the parts, so it's important to read the terms and conditions.

Some may also have a shorter warranty as standard, with the option to extend it for a fee. Many will provide cover for up to 10 years.

We've spotlighted a few manufacturer's warranties to help you see what's on offer:

• LG refrigerators come with a free two-year warranty as standard which covers parts and labour. An additional 10-years' parts-only warranty is provided on the Linear Compressor Motor.
• John Lewis offers a two-year guarantee included with all large appliances, and a three-year guarantee on John Lewis & Partners own-brand large appliances.
• Bosch fridges and home appliances come with a two-year warranty as standard. For a fee, it also offers a range of other parts and operational warranties up to 10 years.

Faulty product? How to get a refund, repair or replacement

How we discover the most reliable fridge brands

Which? has a wealth of information on the UK's favourite brands. Every year we ask Which? members and non-members to tell us about the home appliances they own – from how likely they would be to recommend a brand, to how reliable the products are once they get them home.

This year, 10,249 Which? Connect members and members of the public told us about more than 33,000 individual products, from fridges to washing machines. We calculate each brand's customer score, fault rate and reliability rating using the results of our annual survey.

Our surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best fridge to buy.

For more on what it takes to be a Best Buy, read how we test fridges