Frigidaire FFHT1425VV Top-Freezer Fridge review

Top-freezer refrigerators may not experience the fanfare of their modern French-door counterparts, but this fridge is proof they can still hold their own in the kitchen. The Frigidaire FFHT1425VV is an impressive fridge for its size. While it's about 50% the size of a typical refrigerator, it maintains a fairly high capacity—certainly enough for a couple or small family to store food without issue. The EvenTemp Cooling System keeps fridge temperatures consistent, fluctuating only one-tenth of a degree in our tests. If you’re looking for a small fridge for an apartment or for a smaller space like a garage, the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV is a great pick.

About the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV

Dimensions: 60.5" x 27.625" x 31.25" (H x W x D) Usable space: We measured 9.9 cu. ft. in the refrigerator partition and 3.03 cu. ft. in the freezer. Finishes: Brushed Steel

What we like

It's sized well for smaller areas

Measuring its external dimensions, the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV is about 57% the size of a full-size refrigerator. This smaller size is perfect for areas where a full-size fridge might be too big or not make as much sense, like in a garage or small apartment. If a mini-fridge is too small and a full-size fridge seems like overkill, the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV might be just right.

Capacity is fairly high for its size

Despite being so small, the interior of the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV is efficient when it comes to creating storage space, managing 12.93 cu. ft. total. To put this in context, the Kenmore Elite 72483, a full-size fridge, has 29.9 cu. ft. of storage; and our top-rated fridge, a counter-depth, has 13.41 cu. ft. total capacity. So for such a small footprint, you'll be getting roughly what you'd expect from a full-height counter-depth fridge.

It has a self-closing door

It’s a minor feature, but we really liked the self-closing door. When the door is very slightly ajar, the fridge will pull the door shut with a satisfying snap. No more returning to the fridge to see the door open just a crack, full of groceries that aren’t quite cold enough.

It's energy efficient

You’d expect a smaller fridge to use up less energy, so it’s no surprise that the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV will only cost an estimated $18.11 a year—quite a bit less than the average cost of $40. But the savings are not just due to its smaller size, as it’s also very efficient with how it uses it energy. If you compare the ratio of energy to the capacity of fridge, the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV is twice as efficient as the average fridge.

What we don’t like

A smaller size means less capacity in general

Despite using what space it has very efficiently, the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV still doesn't have a lot of raw storage space. It's a concession you'll have to make for the reduced size. This might be an issue if you plan on hosting large dinner parties regularly, but may not be a problem if you know you have less need for the space.

Drawers and controls are difficult to operate

The plastic drawers and bins feel flimsy and hitch a bit as they slide. So while we like that the deli drawer can be repositioned, we found it difficult to move around. In the door, storage consists of three large bins that can't be readjusted, and there are no smaller compartments like a butter drawer. We also thought the controls were a bit imprecise by modern standards, opting for an old school dial instead of a digital readout. The fridge is also very bare bones, so no modern extras like a water or ice dispenser, or WiFi connectivity. Again, for its price, this is somewhat expected, but we would've liked better execution of the details, like smoother-sliding drawers or a few customization options.

What owners are saying

Currently the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV has a pretty good reception online, averaging about 4.6 out of 5 stars across major retailers. Many owners claim the fridge is perfect as a secondary fridge for their garage or rec room. There were no aspects that seemed to get consistent complaints.

Warranty

Frigidaire will offer a one-year warranty for parts and labor. Some refrigerator brands offer warranties that cover certain parts for much longer—Samsung, for example, ensures some parts for up to a decade. We understand this is a more basic refrigerator, but we still would've liked to see a more robust warranty.

Should you buy the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV?

Yes. If the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV's size is part of its selling point for you and not a downside, it's a great fridge. Not only does it make the most out of its limited space, it also has some stellar temperature consistency and energy efficiency. If you see the small size as a downside, and you’re just looking for an inexpensive fridge, however, we’d recommend checking out the Insignia NS-RTM18SS7, our pick for the best affordable fridge.