Best Overall
SMEG 50's Retro 24"
- Sleek Design
- 3-Adjustable Shelves
- Bottom Freezer
Best In Value
Galanz GLR12TRDEFR
- Low Energy Consumption Processor
- Adjustable Shelves
- Perfect for small family
Best Portable
FRIGIDAIRE EFR756
- Portable and compact design
- Vintage look handles
- Efficient
Retro-Refrigerators in 1950s used to come in boring designs and colors. Manufacturers were constantly coming up with new ways to make their products stand out from the competition.
New-generation brands these days are bringing those retro refrigerators back, giving people the opportunity to add a touch of vintage style to their kitchens.
While the design of retro refrigerators has remained largely unchanged over the years, the technology inside them has come a long way. Today’s models are far more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Quick Overview Of Best Retro Refrigerators
Best Overall: SMEG 50’s Retro 24″ Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
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Best In Value: Galanz GLR12TRDEFR Refrigerator
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Best Portable: FRIGIDAIRE EFR756 Retro Refrigerator
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Best Design: RCA Retro Refrigerator
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Best In Budget: Northair Retro Mini Fridge
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Best Energy Efficient: Classic Retro Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
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Best Small Capacity: Frigidaire Retro Bar Fridge Refrigerator
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Best Compact: Winia Retro Compact Refrigerator
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Best Mini: Kenmore Compact Mini Refrigerator
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Best Vintage design: iio Retro Frost Free Refrigerator
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Best 10 Retro Refrigerators In 2023
Contents
Best Overall: SMEG 50’s Retro 24″ Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
The dimensions of this unit are 30.25″D x 24″W x 77.5″H, and it weighs 230 pounds. Its sleek lines and retro good looks, but it also has all of the modern amenities that you would expect from a high-end appliance.
The bottom freezer compartment is spacious and perfect for storing frozen goods, and the adjustable 3 glass shelves in the main compartment allow you to customize the space to suit your needs.
This fridge has a bottle storage shelf with 1 bin and 2 adjustable bins on the door, so you can easily store all your favorite beverages.
It has an LED lighting system that ensures your food remains visible at all times and as well as a multi-flow cooling system with electronic control.
Pros
- Provides 9 Cubic Feet Capacity
- Includes LED Light And Electronic Control
- Sleek Design
- 3 Adjustable Shelves Available
Cons
- Expansive Than Others
Best In Value: Galanz GLR12TRDEFR Refrigerator
Measuring just 23.74″D x 29.45″W x 66.93″H, and weighing just 140 pounds, it has a sleek, modern design that will complement any décor.
The refrigerator has a capacity of 12 cu ft, making it perfect for storing large amounts of food. It uses a high-efficiency compressor that consumes less energy, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
In addition, the refrigerator features an adjustable thermostat that allows you to set the temperature to your preferences.
The shelves are also adjustable, so you can customize the storage space to your needs.
It features two doors, as well as a removable slide-out glass shelf. This makes it easy to access both the fridge and freezer sections.
Pros
- Highly Efficient
- Uses Low Energy Consumption Compressor
- Adjustable Glass Shelves
- Provides Total 12 Cubic Feet Capacity
Cons
- Customer Service Must Be Improved
Best Portable: FRIGIDAIRE EFR756 Retro Refrigerator
At 23″D x 23.5″W x 57″H, it takes up minimal space, and despite its compact size, it has a generous 7.5 cubic feet of storage space. It’s also relatively lightweight at just 90 pounds, making it easy to move around if necessary.
It features easy-to-use accessible mechanical controls, so you can easily adjust the temperature to suit your needs.
It offers three adjustable, slide-out glass shelves, one transparent vegetable crisper, and four clear-door shelves, giving you plenty of space to store your food.
This fridge comes with two front mount adjustable leveling legs and two castors, making it easy to move around.
Pros
- Compact And Portable
- Provide Easy To Use Mechanical Controls
- Offers Two Leveling Legs
- Features Adjustable Thermostat
Cons
- Quality Is Questionable
Best Design: RCA Retro Refrigerator
The dimensions of this refrigerator are 22 x 20 x 65 inches, and it weighs 90 pounds. It has a capacity of 10 cubic feet, making it perfect for small apartments or dorm rooms.
It features two doors and a freezer compartment. It is available in three colors: red, blue, and black.
It includes an adjustable thermostat, so you can keep your food at the perfect temperature, and a built-in interior light, so you can easily see what’s inside.
It includes an adjustable foot and interchangeable door side, making it easy to customize the look of the appliance to match your décor.
Pros
- Budget Friendly
- Includes Large 10 Cubic Feet Capacity
- Offers Adjustable Thermostat
- Features Built-in Lamp
Cons
- Get Dents Easily
Best In Budget: Northair Retro Mini Fridge
The dimensions of the fridge are 17.5″ x 18.3″ x 19.6″, making it perfect for smaller spaces. The weight of the fridge is only 32lbs, making it easy to move around if necessary.
Despite its small size, the fridge has a 1.6 cubic feet capacity, making it able to hold a good amount of food and drink.
With seven temperature settings, you can choose the perfect temperature for your needs. It also comes with a drip tray and ice cube tray, making it easy to keep your food and drinks fresh.
It provides a 1-year warranty and compressor cooling. It is also energy efficient
Pros
- Best For Small Places
- Features 7 Temperature Settings
- Provide Manual Defrost Function
- Easy To Port
Cons
- Get Dents Easily
Best Energy Efficient: Classic Retro Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
It has an impressive 63.8” H x 21.6” W x 24.2” D dimension and 112 lb. weight, making it perfect for any kitchen space.
The 7 cubic feet capacity of the fridge allows you to store plenty of food and beverages for your family or guests, and the classic retro design is sure to complement any kitchen décor.
The bottom freezer allows you to easily access all of your frozen food, and the fridge has ample space for all of your fresh food as well.
It is also certified by energy star for energy efficiency. This means that it uses less energy than other refrigerators, making it more environmentally friendly and saving you money on your energy bills.
Pros
- Energy Star Certified
- Classic And Sleek Design
- Includes 7 Cubic Feet Capacity
Cons
- Freezer Drawers Sometimes Don't Fit Well
Best Small Capacity: Frigidaire Retro Bar Fridge Refrigerator
It has a capacity of 3.2 cubic feet and measures 22 x 20 x 35 inches. The fridge weighs 43.8 pounds and comes in a sleek retro design.
It includes a built-in bottle opener, as well as removable glass shelves that make it easy to adjust the height of shelves.
The fridge has an adjustable thermostat, so you can keep your food at the perfect temperature, and it also features retro-style lighting that sets the mood for any party.
Pros
- Portable And Stylish
- Affordable
- Offers Built-in Opener
Cons
- A Bit Noisy
Best Compact: Winia Retro Compact Refrigerator
It measures 22.8 x 19.3 x 36.1 inches and weighs 61.7 pounds, making it compact and easy to move around as needed.
This fridge has a capacity of 4.4 cubic feet, making it perfect for storing small items.
It also features modern amenities, such as an energy star certification. This certification means that the refrigerator is highly energy efficient, using less power than traditional models.
It has an adjustable glass shelf and a stainless wire door bin, so you can customize it to your needs.
It offers a crisper-style bin and hidden handle, which make it both stylish and functional.
Pros
- Easy To Maintain Lower Temperature
- Functional And Economical
- Energy Star Certified
Cons
- Stop Working After Sometime
Best Mini: Kenmore Compact Mini Refrigerator
The fridge’s dimensions are 19.3″D x 22.8″W x 36.1″H, and it weighs 66.1 pounds. It has a pretty roomy interior, with a capacity of 4.4 cubic feet.
It comes with mechanical temperature control, so you can keep your food at the perfect temperature. The clear crisper drawer is perfect for keeping fruits and vegetables fresh.
It also has a built-in freezer, so you can keep ice cream and other frozen treats on hand.
It has a separate cooling compartment that is ideal for storing drinks and the compact design means it won’t take up too much space in your home or office.
Pros
- Includes Mechanical Temperature Control
- Features Separate Cooling Compartments
- Energy Efficient
Cons
- Not So Durable And Long-lasting
Best Vintage design: iio Retro Frost Free Refrigerator
With a capacity of 10 cubic feet, it is large enough to accommodate all of your food storage needs, and the 24 x 23.80 x 60-inch dimensions make it a perfect fit for any space.
In addition, the appliance has a 128 lb weight, making it easy to move around if necessary.
This retro-style fridge has a 180° opening door, making it easy to retrieve items from the fridge.
It also features four interior shelves, which can easily accommodate 228 standard 12 oz cans.
It includes a low noise energy-efficient compressor and 4 door shelves, making it a perfect choice for those who want a reliable fridge.
Pros
- Low Noisy And Energy Efficient
- Easy To Move With Adjustable Foot
- Features 4 Glass Shelves
- Provides 10 Cubic Feet Capacity
Cons
- Only 1 Door
Things To Consider Before Buying
Here we would like to add a buyer’s guide that covers everything from size and capacity to features and design considerations. No matter what your budget or style preferences may be, we’re confident that you’ll find the perfect retro fridge for your home on our list.
Size
A standard retro-fridge has a capacity of between 12 and 20 cubic ft, but there are options available for both larger and smaller homes.
If you have a 3-4 members in your family, anything between 10 and 12 cubic ft would be more suitable for you.
For a larger family (more than 4 members), you could go for larger french-door retro-refrigerators.
Retro-refrigerators with 7-10 cubic feet would be sufficient if you are a couple (small family).
Budget
Retro refrigerators could be considerably more expensive than traditional ones, so it’s important to plan your budget accordingly. Additionally, they often have unique features that require special care and upkeep.
Handle Type
There come with two types of handles: plastic/synthetic and heavy-duty chrome. Cheaper models will often have plastic or synthetic handles that resemble chrome, but do not offer the same durability.
Expensive models, on the other hand, will have heavy-duty chrome handles that can withstand more wear and tear.
Price
On an average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5000 for a retro refrigerator. That said, the price is usually worth it for the added convenience, vintage looks that these appliances provide.
Color
These stylish fridges come in a wide range of colors and designs, and they can add a real touch of personality to your kitchen.
The most popular choice is still the classic red, blue and yellow variety, but there are also a number of more modern designs that are becoming increasingly popular.
Top Or Bottom Freezer
One of the most sought-after features is the top or bottom freezer. If you find that you need to frequently grab items from the freezer, a bottom freezer might be a better option.
On the other hand, if you don’t need to access the freezer very often, a top freezer might be a better choice, as it generally offers more storage space.
FAQs
Are Vintage Refrigerators Worth Anything?
The value of a vintage refrigerator can vary widely depending on its condition and features, some models can be quite valuable. While some people may prefer the style of these older refrigerators, they generally don’t have the same features as modern models.
Where To Buy Retro Refrigerators?
You could easily find retro refrigerators in several online stores including Amazon, Walmart, etc.
You could also choose to buy it from a physical store. Another option is to purchase a used refrigerator from a consignment shop, antique store, or online auction site.
Conclusion
Vintage refrigerators are the perfect way to add a touch of charm to your kitchen. But beyond their retro looks and classy-feel, they offer some real benefits with modern technology. For one thing, they’re more energy efficient. In fact, many models use less energy than today’s standard fridge.
Because they’re typically smaller than standard fridges, they’re also great for apartments or other small spaces. So if you’re looking for a unique and stylish fridge that will also save you money on your energy bill, a retro refrigerator is a perfect choice.
