If there’s one thing we’re excited about for 2021, it’s the latest refrigerator features expected to drop from the top refrigerator brands in the industry. This year’s remarkable lineup of fridge models have come to change the way we preserve food, in surprising ways that embrace the future of the kitchen.
From the clever, to the downright genius, this is our list of favorite refrigerator features of 2021.
Best Refrigerator Features of 2021
The best refrigerators do more than simply store food: They make the experience easy and enjoyable. The latest refrigerators aim to check all those boxes with these fridge extras that add a special touch to the process.
Glass Doors
Okay — glass doors on a refrigerator aren’t the newest refrigerator feature, but with every new lineup that rolls out, this feature gets better and better. Initially, glass doors were a hallmark of high-end brands, but mid-end manufacturers, such as LG refrigerators with InstaView deliver the luxury experience at a fraction of the price.
Why are glass doors still a winning refrigerator feature? Because the biggest enemy of refrigeration is warm air. A refrigerator works hard to pump out heat to keep the inside at optimal temperatures to preserve foods. With a see-through glass door, users no longer have to open the fridge to see what’s inside, and instead can check the contents with the door efficiently shut.
Innovative Configuration
French door refrigerators have long been a popular refrigerator style for their classic look and ample interior that provides easy access to items inside. However, some of the latest French door models are breaking tradition by featuring an asymmetrical door configuration. Instead of each door providing 50 percent access inside, models such as the Electrolux ERMC2295AS refrigerator grant up to 75 percent access inside from a single open door.
This unique configuration serves two purposes. First, users get more access with less effort, which is especially practical when restocking the fridge with hands full. Secondly, since less cold air can escape when fewer doors are open, the uneven door design helps retain more cold air for better energy efficiency.
Along with the Electrolux model above, buyers can find this latest French door feature on Frigidaire and Frigidaire Pro refrigerators.
Surprising Uses of Light
LED light technology has been a staple in modern refrigerators, providing unbeatable longevity with better visibility than traditional refrigerator lighting. One of the more exciting uses of LED can be found on select GE Café and GE Profile refrigerators with an innovative LED light wall.
Instead of one focal point, the entire back wall casts rich, vibrant light. On top of being impressive (and a little fun), the enhanced light showcase makes finding foods extremely easy. Check out this GE Profile refrigerator with the exclusive LED light wall, plus other winning features of a good refrigerator.
Better Sanitation
From Beko refrigerators with an ActiveFresh Blue Light that replicates photosynthesis, to the snazzy Sapphire Glow inside Thermador dishwashers, manufacturers have always been crafty when it comes to using light. In 2021, shoppers can expect another surprising use for lights on refrigerators: ultraviolet water dispenser sterilizers.
While many refrigerators with a water and ice dispenser work with proprietary water filtration, there’s no guarantee how sanitary the nozzle where it dispenses out of actually is. With ultraviolet light scanning once every hour, eliminating up to 99.9 percent of bacteria, users can rest assured that the water and ice they enjoy is pure from the moment it’s made to when it’s poured.
Currently, only LG refrigerators with UVnano technology provide this capability, and despite an official release date, this premium refrigerator extra is sure to create a buzz.
Exciting Smart Refrigerator Features for 2021
These smart refrigerator features effortlessly keep up with the growing demands of intelligent users. Take a look at the cutting-edge technology — it just might surprise you.
Get Immersive with Touchscreen Controls
Brands such as the Samsung and LG are familiar with how important the kitchen is. Between cooking, enjoying meals, and even finishing homework at the dinner table, it’s a busy epicenter. That’s what makes touch screen refrigerators so practical.
For instance, the latest upgrade of Samsung Family Hub refrigerators with an interactive touch screen provide a planning center for everything that goes on around the home. Schedule days on a digital calendar, get meal inspirations, and enjoy interactive video and music output, ideal for step-by-step cooking videos, or a little boogie to go along with your meal prep.
Take a Peek Inside — from Anywhere!
Prepare for the amazing user convenience of smart camera refrigerators. After improving on design, brands such as LG and Samsung have developed cameras with artificial intelligence (also known as AI cameras). Now, these cameras are not only capable of letting users see inside a fridge from a smart device, but they can also automatically detect when food supplies need replenishing. Smart fridge cameras can even help answer, “What’s for dinner?” by surveying the available ingredients and looking up recipe ideas instantly.
Smarter Refrigerator Features
Since the first lineup of smart refrigerators, voice-enabled fridges that sync to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant have become popular additions to the refrigerator catalog. In 2021, the latest generation of voice-compatible fridges will reach a new level of convenience and luxury with voice-activated refrigerators capable of hands-free opening. No more worrying about cross contamination from chicken hands, or dropping a dozen eggs trying to open the refrigerator after a grocery haul.
Like LG’s UVnano technology, this feature will be available on select LG InstaView refrigerators anticipated to drop later in 2021.
2021 Refrigerator Features Roundup
That’s quite a list of new refrigerator features that promises to be an exciting year for refrigeration. Here’s a handy refrigerator features comparison, including the brands with our favorite refrigerator features for 2021.
| LG | Samsung | GE Cafe | GE Profile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass doors | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| LED light wall | X | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| UV sterilization | ✓ | X | X | X |
| Touchscreen doors | X | ✓ | X | X |
| AI cameras | ✓ | ✓ | X | X |
| Voice-command door open | ✓ | X | X | X |
*Note: Due to COVID-19, availability of appliances with these features may vary.
Shop Smart — Shop East Coast Appliance
The smartest appliance buying tip for 2021? Shop at your local East Coast Appliance! As the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia, we’re your destination for the hottest appliances with the latest features. Shop online or in-store today!