GE GTS21KBXWW

Uneven temperature performance, too many fixed shelves and an inelegant solution for reversible doors mean the GE GTS21KBXWW is easily outclassed by competitors.

Just because you may not be familiar with a brand doesn't mean it's not any less worthy of your attention than a more established name. Haier is a fairly recent addition to the American appliance market, but some of its products are as good as the more recognizable models. The Haier RRTW18VABW, for instance, is an excellent entry-level fridge that can more than hold its own with the major competition. Like all entry-level fridges, it has its flaws - a somewhat cheap interior design and inconsistent freezer temperatures were the biggest issues we came across - but with online sale prices hitting the $370 mark, it's a pretty fantastic bargain for consumers on a budget. Give this Haier a try, and see if this younger brand is a good fit for your kitchen.

For under $850, you can get a top freezer fridge that's energy efficient and keeps a consistent temperature. Absent are precision controls and a customizable interior.

This Frigidaire is a solid purchase for an entry-level fridge. Excellent energy ratings, decent space, and solid temperature performance in the refrigerator section mean you're going to get at least what you pay for with the MSRP price tag of $849, if not more. Be warned, though: questionable freezer performance may mean you want to avoid shopping for meat in wholesale store-sized quantities.

The GTS21KBXWW seems like a nice value at first look, but fairly poor performance erases that value entirely.

The Maytag M0RXEMMWB is an average top-freezer with a modern design, an internal icemaker and good energy efficiency. You might have to crank up the temperature control, but what this Maytag lacks in temperature accuracy, it makes up for in consistency.