We live in a world that’s charging at light speed towards artificial intelligence, so it seems only natural that our homes progressively get “smarter” too. If you’ve already kitted your home out with smart home hubs and other gadgets, you might be starting to wonder if your biggest gadget AKA the fridge needs that smart home update too.
Why choose a smart fridge for your home?
You’ve probably seen the videos of those friges with see-through glass panels that double up as a control centre that lets you pretty much govern your grocery checklist, display weather forecasts or even play music. Yes, smart fridges go way beyond food storage. They’re designed with nifty features to enhance your daily living, and make your home run more efficiently.
Most of the smart fridge models you’ll find on the market come packed with features like Wi-Fi, mobile app control, and even voice-activated functions making it easier to manage your fridge from wherever you are. Other models take it a step further with built-in cameras or barcode scanners that track what’s inside and send you reminders before items expire—saving you from unpleasant surprises and dreaded food wastage down the line.
Can you live without a smart fridge? For sure, but the real question here is, why should you?
Here are some of the best smart fridges on the market worth checking out.
1. Samsung 636L FDR RF65DG9HC4B1SS with AI Family Hub
Image credit: Samsung
Price: $7,670
Capacity: 636L
Best features: Interactive touchscreen, dual ice maker, triple cooling system
We’re kicking things off with the Samsung AI Family Hub fridge, which comes with an interactive touchscreen on the front door. More than simply sporting a sleek design, the smart fridge is compatible with both Alexa and Bixby and works with voice commands. It also comes with an internal camera called “View Inside” that captures what you have in your fridge at any point in time.
The touch screen is basically a built-in tablet that has a timer function, lets you watch YouTube and blast your favourite tunes from Spotify without you even touching your phone.
Another bonus feature is the recipes tab that allows you to figure out what to cook and sync that ingredients list to your phone, so you won’t forget anything. Additionally, a “cook mode” will walk you through each and every step of the process turning you from noob to master chef.
You can also leave notes, share photos and videos, and even doodle right on the display—like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.
It comes with all the basics such as a dual auto ice maker, a built-in water dispenser that features a 1.4L BPA-free pitcher, and a lauded triple cooling system keeps different compartments at ideal temperatures and humidity levels, helping food stay fresh longer.
Verdict: We definitely appreciate all the frills that this smart fridge brings. We recommend it for gadget geeks, or those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. While we love the smart image capturing the smart fridge offers, the downside of view inside is that it only captures the image of the main two shelves in the fridge so it’s not a true comprehensive checklist of everything you might have in your fridge.
Nonetheless, it’s definitely a formidable contender in the smart fridge category and one that offers you a host of undeniable perks.
Get the Samsung 636L FDR RF65DG9HC4B1SS with AI Family Hub.
2. LG 508L InstaView refrigerator
Image credit: LG
Price: $2,749
Capacity: 508L
Best features: UVnano water dispenser, instaview panel, LG ThinQ app for remote control
If you don’t have a tonne of kitchen space to spare, the LG508L fridge is a smart fridge that sports a slim profile, making it a great fit for tighter spaces, while still offering a sleek, modern look.
This LG smart fridge comes with an InstaView panel, which is its biggest sell. With a simple “knock knock”, the darkened panel of the fridge clears up and shows you what you have in the top right quarter of your fridge. That panel also comes with an easy-access button that lets you open just one section of the fridge, without opening the entire fridge.
Unlike the Samsung smart fridge that gives you full tablet access on the fridge, all the smart features of this LG alternative are on the LG ThinQ app. The app will analyse your usage patterns, help optimise your fridge settings, and will send you push notifications if you’ve left your fridge door open-a universal nightmare.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the UVnano water dispenser not only filters your water, but also keeps the nozzle clean by using UV light to eliminate any bacteria.
Inside, its linear cooling system maintains consistent temperatures to reduce bacterial growth, while the Smart Learner System tracks your usage patterns to optimise energy efficiency over time.
Verdict: The InstaView is quite a novel addition to the LG smart fridge, and it’s a good in-between option for those who prioritise practicality over frills. At a fraction of the price, you can get a reliable and robust smart fridge with a cool features that will help you conserve electricity.
Get the LG 508L InstaView Refrigerator.
3. Panasonic PRIME+ edition NR-YW590YMMS
Image credit: Panasonic
Price: $2,389
Capacity: 537L
Best features: Prime functions, nanoeX technology, moisture control
Just because there’s no tablet built in, doesn’t mean the fridge isn’t smart. The Panasonic PRIME+ refrigerator prioritised science-backed performance upgrades with its suite of functions such as Prime Freeze which rapidly freezes food about 5 times faster than conventional models, while Prime Fresh keeps meats semi-frozen to preserve nutrients and flavours for up to 7 days. There’s also a fresh safe moisture control filter that helps keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
Meanwhile, their nanoeX technology helps prevent bacteria growth, neutralise pesticides, and eliminate odours, ensuring food is stored safely and hygienically. Inside, adjustable shelves give you the flexibility to customise the storage based on your needs.
Verdict: A true workhorse that will let your groceries stay fresher for longer.
Get the Panasonic PRIME+ edition NR-YW590YMMS.
4. Hisense 634L Side By Side Inverter Refrigerator
Image credit: Hisense
Price: $2,699
Capacity: 634L
Best features: AI integrated system, self-closing door, frost-free technology
Based on its traditional appearance, you might be asking “where are all the smart features?”. There’s more to the Hisense smart fridge than meets the eye. For one, it has in-built AI sensors to regulate the temperature of your fridge to ensure that you’re not using more electricity than required.
Its also got humidity sensors that help balance the internal moisture levels within the fridge, keeping you greens and produce fresher for longer. Plus, the self-closing door mechanism is well-appreciated and comes in super handy when your hands are full.
Verdict: Special mention goes to its frost-free technology so you save so much time defrosting. We also like how its interior is super spacious and the movable icebox lets you customise your freezer layout to suit your storage needs.
Get the Hisense 634L Side By Side Inverter Refrigerator.
Best smart fridges for your smart home
Even if you’re a skeptic, we can’t deny the benefits smart fridges bring. Whether you’re after advanced tech features or just want a more intuitive way to store your groceries, these smart fridges bring convenience while also future-proofing your kitchen.
For more articles on home appliances:
- Space-saving kitchen appliances
- Minimalist home appliances for Muji aesthetic
- Best everyday home appliances voted by Singaporean homeowners
Cover image adapted from: Samsung, Hisense
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