Having a Halloween party this year? Don’t forget a costume for your refrigerator. Yep, now there are supersized refrigerator magnets that allow you to dress up your refrigerator as Little Red Riding Hood, a bookshelf, a Lego set, or a creepy scene called Friday the 13th. Sold on kudumagnets.com, the coverings are available for refrigerators of all types from top freezer to French door. But it would be a shame to cover up some of the shining stars from Consumer Reports’ refrigerator tests.
The images are printed on a jumbo flexible magnet and laminated. You choose images from the website or submit your own. To get the right fit, you need to include the model number and dimensions of your refrigerator with your order. And if you’re really in a festive spirit, you can get a matching magnet for your dishwasher too.
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But we like our shiny stainless and bright white refrigerators just the way they are. Take our top-rated French-door refrigerator, the Samsung RF261BIAESR, $2,100. In addition to being sleek, the 36-inch-wide Samsung has superb temperature performance and energy efficiency and a bevy of convenience features, including adjustable shelves, gallon door storage, and touchpad controls. Samsung also makes our top-rated side-by-side, the Samsung RS25H5121SR, $1,900. It matched the French-door in performance and efficiency.
The Kenmore Elite 79043, $1,500, is our top-rated conventional bottom freezer and has excellent temperature performance and top-notch energy efficiency. For top-freezers, consider the GE Profile PTS22LHS[WW], $1,400. The 33-inch refrigerator climbed to the top of our refrigerator tests on the strength of its superb temperature performance and very good energy efficiency plus it's roomier than most top-freezers.
Of course, if you really want a dressed-up refrigerator consider a built-in with panels that match your cabinets. Our top pick is the Thermador Freedom Collection T36BB820SS, $7,400. Temperature control is excellent and extremely quiet operation makes the 36-inch-wide conventional bottom-freezer one of the most attractive built-ins you'll find. No need to cover it with magnets, supersized or otherwise.
—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)
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