Learn All About the New Smart Refrigerators and if They Are Worth the Investment for Your Home.

If the door has been left open, or you are running out of something in the fridge, smart refrigerators will tell you. However, is that all they do, and is it worth the money to upgrade? Indeed, the features of the newest models are convenient and are connected to your smartphone as well. But let’s take a deeper dive into the smart refrigerator’s components to see if you add them to your must-have list.

What is a Smart Refrigerator?

Seriously, just how smart can a refrigerator be? Well, it turns out they can be pretty smart. In fact, they are kind of genius. Today’s smart refrigerator can tell you what’s inside, give you notifications, add your calendar to the screen, and even help with the grocery list.

Honestly, today’s kitchens are more connected than ever, incorporating beautiful design and “Jetson” like technology. One day we may be able to walk up to an appliance and ask for a cheeseburger and actually get it. Who knows. But for now, the advancements are nothing less than impressive.

You see, your smart refrigerator is connected to your home internet to provide up-to-date information, sync with calendars, and even broadcast your favorite television programs. As the units are improved and fine-tuned, they get better and better at helping busy families manage their lives, right in the home’s hub, the kitchen.

A smart appliance kitchen is an excellent addition to any home, no doubt. But is it worth the price tag to get all the advancements? Keep reading to discover for yourself if a smart refrigerator is in your future.

The Features Offered in a Smart Refrigerator

Each make and model of refrigerator offers different and competing features. If you wonder whether they are worth the investment for your home, consider the expected benefits and the added options.

Touchscreen and Wi-Fi Capability

With the touch of a screen, you can access settings and features for each model of refrigerator. They range from simple interior viewing and fridge settings to near laptop capabilities. The features of the touchscreen expand with each new invention, make and model released.

The Wi-Fi capability connects your smart refrigerator to the network for integration with your smart devices with wireless access. That capability will enable many of the features listed below.

Built-In Browser

Some models may even have the function to allow users to search the internet. This way, you won’t have to place sticky fingers on your phone or tablet or risk spilling the soup on your device.

Alerts

These refrigerators will, of course, remind you the door has been open a bit too long. That is great, especially for a large family. But they can also let you know when the water filter needs replacement. That is really helpful.

Whiteboard

Would you like to have your family message board up for all to see right there in the kitchen? Yes, you would. And, you don’t have to deal with pesky magnets falling down and people moving your note. With the smart fridge whiteboard, you can leave messages for family, make lists of all types, and keep your calendar updates for all the family to see. And the entire family can interact whiteboard to add events and dates as they come up.

Entertainment

Want to watch your favorite cooking show while in the kitchen? Or perhaps you’d like to watch the news as you make breakfast? You can do that with your TV screen on the door. Stream all your favorite shows, place family photos, and listen to your favorite cooking or cleaning playlist while you are in the kitchen. Now that’s entertainment.

Temperature Control

If you want temperature control by drawer or compartment, some models have that too. You can control the deli meats, veggies, and fruits all separately. And, if you like your soda a bit colder, place the cans in a drawer and drop the temp a bit.

Recipe Index

With the built-in index of yummy recipes, your fridge will read the steps to you as you cook your dinner, and you can watch a video on how to make the dish.

Shopping List

What if you could use a touchscreen or voice command to add items to your week’s shopping list and even sync it to your personal devices in real-time.

Interior Camera

Wouldn’t it be convenient to look inside your refrigerator from across the room or possibly even across town, taking the guesswork out of shopping and meal preparation?

Smart Refrigerator Brands

The consistent evolution of technology has improved nearly every aspect of our daily productivity. A smart refrigerator can help to make your time in the kitchen a sinch. So, suppose you are convinced after reading this that your home needs a smart refrigerator. In that case, there are several brands for you to consider. Each fridge manufacturer offers one, two, or all the functionalities. So, be sure to really express what you want to the salesperson.

You see, your friendly technicians at Gulf Coast Alliance Repair have put together a list of a few of the smart refrigerators on the market for 2021. Remember, each brand comes with its own “bells and whistles” that make it unique. The more smart functionality, the more the unit will cost. Be sure you need all that is included, and you like the design before choosing one.

1. Samsung Family Hub: 21.5-inch screen with profiles and avatars, to-do lists, calendar, and more. Plus, an app for an interior view, speakers tuned to Spotify, numerous sizes and layouts, and FlexZone drawers.
2. Samsung Food Showcase: Food showcase door, FlexZone drawer for cooling warm items quickly.
3. The GE Profile: 28 cubic square feet, excellent layout for fridge organization, a built-in Keurig, and LED screen with Wi-Fi and Amazon Echo function.
4. GE Café: High design, multiple color combinations, 23.1 cubic feet, Wi-Fi, and Amazon Alexa compatible.
5. LG Signature InstaView ThinQ: High tech large screen, recipes, shopping lists, notes, photos, draw and more, glass look inside, an app for internal viewing, speakers, and more.
6. LG Instaview: 30.8 cubic feet, door open light, Freshsheild function, door-in-door, lit shelves, and multi-temperature controls, touchscreen with all the organizational features.
7. The Kenmore Smart 75043: Smart app and Alexa capability, smaller screen, large freezer, and GeniusCool tech.
8. Bosch Series 6: Simple design, connectivity app for interior look, alerts, and temp control.

 According to the tech experts at LifeWire, 

“For unparalleled amenities and connectivity, the GE Cafe Smart French Door Refrigerator is our top pick for anyone looking to add a little intelligence to their kitchen.”

Choosing Your Smart Refrigerator

Now, if you have narrowed the decision down to your favorite smart refrigerators, you will want to make sure the one you choose checks off all the following boxes.

• Consider the look for your kitchen. Does it come in the right size, style, and finish for your kitchen design?
• Does the layout of the fridge interior work for your needs? What did you like and dislike about your old fridge? Is the freezer where you want it? Does it provide the organization you need?
• Which features do you “need” and which do you want? Are there any you definitely do not like?
• Is the storage capacity what you need? Those who eat a large diet of vegetables may need more space in the drawers. And those with a large family may need more storage in the freezer. Each need is different, and there is a style to fit your family.
• Do the shelves adjust the way you need them to? If you keep 2 liters and wine bottles in the fridge, you will want that adjusting shelf to fit it all in.

So, Are They Worth the Investment?

The answer to that question depends on the purchaser. If you lack organization for yourself and your family, have the extra to spend on the fridge, and like the look and function, it may be completely worth it. But if you know full well you will never use the functions and are really not that tech-savvy, you are most likely wasting your time and money on a smart fridge.

Most of the time, smart refrigerators are going to be more expensive than a typical refrigerator. Additionally, smart features may come standard on the higher-end refrigerators on the market.

If you have come to a conclusion after reading this article, then we have done our job. If you still need some information, please go to an appliance store, and talk your questions out with a salesperson. This is a big decision, both spatially and monetarily.

Furthermore, if you are thinking about a new fridge, be sure to have our name and contact information handy. Gulf Coast can service and maintain all makes and models of refrigerators, even the smart ones. Our technicians keep up to date on the new trends and technology so we can service your smart refrigerator.

Contact Gulf Coast Appliance Repair for your appliance service needs.