At a Glance:
Trends and Innovations in Smart Refrigeration
Top Smart Refrigerator Brands and Models
Setting Up and Optimizing Your Smart Refrigerator
Times are quickly changing from boring, traditional refrigeration models. Gone are the days of standard crisper drawers, door bins, and unsturdy shelving. In this day and age, you’ll find an array of different smart features on the market, everything from internal cameras, WiFi connectivity, inventory maintenance, and more. Today we are going to take you through some of the newest smart refrigerator features, as well as show you some brands that create premium, high-end refrigerators that we know you will love!
Discover the Latest in Smart Refrigeration
Discover a world of convenience, save time, and reduce food waste with a smart refrigerator.
Smart RefrigeratorsDefining a Smart Refrigerator and Why You Should Upgrade
A smart refrigerator takes on a couple of different names, ranging from internet refrigerator to connected refrigerator, all meaning one specific thing; a refrigerator that has advanced technologies and internet connectivity to create more advanced beyond traditional refrigeration models. You may be wondering why you might need a smart fridge, or what benefits a smart refrigerator might bring you, so we’re going to go over a couple of benefits upgrading to a smart refrigerator will do for your kitchen space.
- Convenience
- Remote Control
- Maintenance Updates
- Energy Efficient
- Smart Home Integration
- Family Communication
- Entertainment Capabilities
In a nutshell, smart refrigerators are a great way to incorporate a savvy, sleek new appliance to go about your day-to-day tasks, since they have all of the necessities to make your refrigerator function properly, while still giving you new and improved ways to save time and resources.
Trends and Innovations in Smart Refrigeration
Let’s take a look at some of the innovations that are popular among smart refrigerators on the market today.
AI and Voice Assistants
As AI technology is making its way into major aspects of our lives, we shouldn’t be surprised to see them integrated into the major appliances we use daily. With AI technology and voice assistant in smart refrigerators, you can manage and control areas of your home like creating shopping lists, setting important reminders, learning your refrigerator's recommended preferences and patterns of use, connecting smart speakers throughout your home, and more. The possibilities are endless as the advances of AI and voice assistants grow, making daily tasks simpler and more effective.
IoT Advancements and Predictive Maintenance
“IoT” is short for “Internet of Things” which simply means the interconnection of physical devices and objects through the internet. Manufacturers have taken advantage of the progression of IoT advancements, incorporating money-saving predictive maintenance in smart refrigerators. With IoT and predictive maintenance alerts, smart refrigerators can use software and analytics to alert users when your refrigerator needs any maintenance repairs, or if your refrigerator is going to fail. This allows homeowners to always be one step ahead of any possible maintenance issues.
Eco-Friendly Technologies
As we discussed before, smart refrigerators offer energy-efficient aspects that cut down on our carbon footprint, reduce energy bills, and improve the overall health of our environment. Some of these features include Vacation/Holiday Modes, Door-In-Door Designs, Open Door Alerts, Bright LED Lighting, Temperature Management, the use of Sustainable Materials, and much more.
Smart Food Management/Inventory Tracking
Leveraging the advancements of IoT technology, appliance manufacturers have started to incorporate inventory tracking and smart food management into the newer, modern smart refrigerators. Things like Internal Cameras, which allow you to see inside your refrigerator no matter where you are, Expiration Date Tracking capabilities, Out-of-Stock Alerts, Grocery Ordering, and so much more, allow you to keep track of what’s going on inside your fridge so you never overspend on groceries and reduces the amount of food waste from your home.
Top Smart Refrigerator Brands and Models
We are going to look at four different brands that offer smart refrigerators, including Samsung, GE, LG, and Bosch, as well as the features that their smart refrigerators have, and their pros and cons.
Samsung Smart Refrigerators
Features:
- Family Hub: The Family Hub on Samsung smart hub refrigerators allows you to do everything from set calendars, stream videos, movies, create recipes, grocery lists and shopping, and much more.
- WiFi Connectivity & Bixby: Samsung uses WiFi connectivity and virtual assistant Bixby to allow users to have voice control over their refrigerator and other smart devices in their homes.
- Energy-Saving Features: Some energy-saving features are things like bright LED lighting, Vacation Mode, Smart View Cameras, and Inverter Compressors.
Pros:
✅ Versatile touchscreen displays
✅ Inventory management
✅ Remote Control
✅ Great way to modernize your home
Cons:
❌ Hefty upfront cost
❌ Potential maintenance issues with smart software
Recommended Samsung Smart Refrigerator: Samsung 25 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Stay connected with your family on the go or while at home with Samsung’s Family Hub screen, which allows you to do everything from calendar management, to picture sharing, and even music streaming from Spotify. The three built-in cameras allow you to see inside your refrigerator at all times, so you never overbuy while at the grocery store, always knowing exactly what’s in your fridge. On this Samsung smart French door refrigerator, you can set lights, monitor different rooms of the house, receive laundry notifications, and even see who’s at your front door.
- Model: RF27CG5900SR
- Dimensions: 70” H x 35.75” W x 31.75” D
- Total Capacity: 25 Cu. Ft.
➝ Learn More: Revolutionizing Food Storage: Samsung Refrigerators + Reviews
LG Smart Refrigerators
Features:
- ThinQ Technology & WiFi Connectivity: LG smart refrigerators are integrated with ThinQ technology, which allows everything from remote monitoring, receive notifications, and much more, all from the convenience of your smartphone.
- Smart Diagnosis: LG smart diagnosis refrigerators have technology that alerts users of any potential issues and also connects them with customer service representatives to get help troubleshooting or setting up repairs.
- Virtual Assistants: Enjoy voice control and seamless integration with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Pros:
✅ Energy Efficient Technology
✅ Includes Freshness Features
✅ Ideal Interior Organization
Cons:
❌ Learning Curve
❌ Higher Upfront Cost
❌ Potential Security and Privacy Concerns
Recommended LG Smart Refrigerator: LG 30.7 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
Shop LG's 30.7 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
Staying connected has never been easier with this LG smart inverter refrigerator. The InstaView and Door-in-Door allow you to see inside your refrigerator with a simple knock from the outside, while LG’s ThinQ app goes to work ensuring you are always alerted of any potential issues, in order to keep your appliance running smoothly. Stay ahead of the game with preventable repairs, proactive solutions, and hassle-free experience from LG’s ThinQ Proactive Smart Alerts.
- Model: LRYKS3106S
- Dimensions: 70.25” H x 35.75” W x 36.75” D
- Total Capacity: 30.7 Cu. Ft.
➝ Learn More: What Does LG Refrigerators' ICE Plus Mean?
GE Smart Refrigerators
Features:
- WiFi Connectivity: Through GE’s wide range of refrigerators, including GE, Cafe, and GE Profile smart refrigerators, you will find WiFi capabilities that allow you to monitor and control your appliance through GE’s smartphone app, use voice commands to communicate with your fridge through Amazon Alexa or Google Assitant, and many more convenient necessities.
- Touch Screen Displays: You’ll even find smart refrigerators with screens that will allow you to connect to smart apps and other features to integrate calendars, schedules, meal prep, create recipes, and more.
- Internal Cameras: This convenient feature encompasses certain models of GE’s smart refrigerators, allowing you to see inside your fridge from anywhere in your home or away, right from your smartphone. This is great for inventory management, food tracking, expiration data, and more.
Pros:
✅ Modern Features for Smart Integrated Homes
✅ Internal Cameras Reduce Food Waste
✅ Remote Control offers Convenience
Cons:
❌ Limited Smart Home Capabilities (Only compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant)
Recommended GE Smart Refrigerator: Café™ 20.2 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Built In Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Shop Cafe's; 20.2 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Built In Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
This Cafe smart refrigerator is the ultimate way to stay connected while staying in style. The beautiful seamless, integrated appearance makes for a beautifully blended look with your existing cabinetry, along with a timeless stainless steel finish and professional handles. Built-In WiFi connection keeps you aware of everything going on inside your refrigerator, including any temperature changes, while you focus on customizing everything about this fridge to make it your own. Choose from an array of finishes and hardware to create a piece that is uniquely yours.
- Model: CIC36LP2VS1
- Dimensions: 83.88” H x 35.75” W x 24.75” D
- Total Capacity: 20.2 Cu. Ft.
Bosch Smart Refrigerators
Features:
- Energy Efficient Technologies: In Bosch smart refrigerators, you’ll find premium energy-efficient technologies like VitaFresh or VitaFreshPro Drawer, Open Door Alarm, MultiAirflow System, as well as SuperCool and SuperFreeze.
- WiFi/Home Connect App: Bosch’s Smart refrigerators have built-in WiFi connectivity allowing users to use their Home Connect App to remotely control every aspect of their refrigerator, including temperature regulations, recipe suggestions, notification alerts, and access to other smart features.
- Touch Screen Display: Easily access all of your refrigerator's information from the sleek, modern touchscreen display on Bosch smart refrigerators.
Pros:
✅ Efficient Freshness Technologies for Fruits and Veggies
✅ All Smart Features are Integrated into Touchscreen Display
Cons:
❌ High Price Point
❌ Frequent Software Updates
Recommended Bosch Smart Refrigerator: Bosch® 800 Series 20.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Shop Bosch's 800 Series 20.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
This Bosch French door refrigerator oozes convenience with energy-saving features like Eco-Mode, which automatically adjusts to an ideal economical temperature, and HolidayMode, which allows protects frozen food and energy waste any time you are gone for an extended period. Other features like VitaFreshPro balances both the temperature and humidity inside your refrigerator via a programmed setting, while the AirFresh Filter and MultiAirFlow keep odors at bay and fresh air circulating. If you are looking for a refrigerator that is all about convenience and food freshness, then this Bosch model is just for you.
- Model: B36CT80SNS
- Dimensions: 72” H x 35.63” W x 31.13” D
- Total Capacity: 20.8 Cu. Ft.
Setting Up and Optimizing Your Smart Refrigerator
Let’s go over some quick steps on how to set up and optimize your smart refrigerator once you get it home.
Initial Installation and Setup Process
- Unpackage from the box and place it in your designated cutout, ensuring there is enough space for proper ventilation, and then plug it into a power outlet.
- Next, you’ll want to follow your manufacturer's instructions to connect your refrigerator to your home WiFi network.
Syncing With Mobile Apps and Smart Home Systems
- Download the compatible smart app for your refrigerator, and create a login in order to connect your smartphone to your refrigerator.
- Next, you’ll want to set up your refrigerator's voice assistant (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant) following your manufacturer's instructions.
- Link voice assist and smart apps for seamless control no matter where you go.
Maximizing Energy Efficiency Settings
- In order to optimize energy-efficient savings, enable your energy-saving features like vacation mode or eco-mode.
Conclusion
It’s hard to know which smart refrigerators are the best on the market, which features are truly necessary, and how often you will really use them. While it may seem overwhelming, the great thing about smart refrigerators is that they are truly built to make our lives easier and bring the utmost convenience to daily tasks. So, whether you are tech-savvy and constantly keeping up with trends, or are rather new to the smart appliance industry and just want to dip your toes in, smart refrigerators truly do have something for everyone to love.
Why Trust Albert Lee?
Since 1939, Albert Lee Appliance, a three-generation, family-owned business, continues to grow and serve the greater Seattle area with quality you can count on and service you can trust. We are proud to have served this community for so long and wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers. There is a reason why we are Washington’s largest independent appliance dealer, and it’s not a secret. Simply put: We have the experience. We are the original appliance experts for over eight decades (and counting).
Shop Refrigerators at Albert Lee
At Albert Lee Appliance, we provide quality name-brand appliances for great prices. Shop refrigerators online or visit us today at one of our six locations in Puget Sound, WA. In the meantime, browse our website to shop Albert Lee appliance sales and check out Albert Lee appliance reviews online to ensure every purchase is an informed one. More available than ever, our experts at Albert Lee Appliance are always happy to help you find the right smart refrigerator, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
Learn More: Energy Star Refrigerator: What Does It Mean