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  • Introduction

  • Front

  • Interior

  • Back

  • Sides

  • Running Cost

  • Power Use Per Cu Ft

  • Fridge Temperature

  • Freezer Temperature

  • Vegetable Drawer

  • Power Loss

  • Freezing Performance

  • Usable Space

  • Ease of Access

  • Controls

  • Water Dispenser

  • Ice Maker

  • Cleaning

  • Noise

  • Other Features

  • Specs

  • Design

  • Performance

  • Storage Space

  • Usability

  • Specs

  • Design

  • Performance

  • Storage Space

  • Usability

  • Specs

  • Design

  • Performance

  • Storage Space

  • Usability

  • Conclusion

  • Introduction
  • Front
  • Interior
  • Back
  • Sides
  • Running Cost
  • Power Use Per Cu Ft
  • Fridge Temperature
  • Freezer Temperature
  • Vegetable Drawer
  • Power Loss
  • Freezing Performance
  • Usable Space
  • Ease of Access
  • Controls
  • Water Dispenser
  • Ice Maker
  • Cleaning
  • Noise
  • Other Features
  • Specs
  • Design
  • Performance
  • Storage Space
  • Usability
  • Specs
  • Design
  • Performance
  • Storage Space
  • Usability
  • Specs
  • Design
  • Performance
  • Storage Space
  • Usability
  • Conclusion

Introduction

Front

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The {{product.name}} has a standard top-freezer industrial design: nothing but two handles and a product logo adorn the front. The stainless steel finish manages to appear clean without being too fancy, something you might find in a residence trying to keep to a tight budget.

The stainless steel easily picks up fingerprints, though they're easy enough to wipe off the smooth surface.

The handles are black and made of plastic; they feel light, are easy to grip, but are not terribly attractive and stand out in contrast to the stainless steel doors.

Interior

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Almost everything about the inside of the {{product.name}} screams of minimalism, with few moving parts and as many flat surfaces as possible.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

The interior of the main portion consists of two full-width adjustable shelves set above a lower, fixed third shelf. Below these, at the bottom, are two matching crisper drawers. The single light and the unit's temperature control rounds out the details; there's no deli drawer, no humidity controls for the crispers, and only one other rack slot for shelf placement.

The fridge door is the most creative element in the whole design. Four shelves and a dairy tray make up the usable surfaces. The middle two shelves are split-level, allowing for the storage of items with varying heights. Smaller items may be harder to store, as not all the shelves actually extend far enough to meet the front shelf guard. Small jars or loose items run the risk of slipping out, but larger items like ketchup bottles and milk cartons will be fine.

The freezer is split into an upper and lower portion by a metal shelf. The top left also houses an ice maker with a removable ice tray. The shelf can be adjusted to make the shelves more evenly spaced, but the ice tray only fits when the shelf is on the lower level.

Two matching shelves with spill guard are found on the freezer door; no frills here, just basic storage space.

The ice maker is found in the upper left portion of the freezer. It's operated using a basic metal switch that flips up when off and down when on. Just in case you forget which position is which, instructions are clearly marked on the front of the device.

Back

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The back has a water cable going to the ice maker.

Sides

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The sides are covered in a black matte finish. They match the black handles, which make the contrast a little less stark than they would be if everything on the front were stainless steel.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Running Cost

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While we've reviewed fridges that were cheaper to power, the {{product.name}} has an acceptably middle-of-the-road running cost. Using an average rate of $0.09 per kW-h, this unit would cost about $36.05 every year. This certainly isn't a power-guzzling behemoth, but there are other entry-level fridges of similar size that cost less. There are even higher-end models that will cost about the same in electricity use that have a greater number of features and storage space.

Power Use Per Cu Ft

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Similarly, the {{product.name}} managed to display a level of efficiency that neither wowed nor dismayed. Taking into account the fridge and freezer combined, this model used 0.10 kW-h per cubic foot of usable space.

Fridge Temperature

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Generally, smaller refrigerators can circulate air more efficiently. This means you can expect a fairly consistent temperature reading throughout the entire unit. In this respect, the {{product.name}} did fairly well. Temperatures remained almost perfectly consistent between the bottom and the mid-section, with the top running just a hair colder. Also, the overall unit ran a little warm, a problem very easily fixed: we had the temperature control on the manufacturer-recommended "normal" setting, so just turn it down a little bit and you should be fine.

Freezer Temperature

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Not only did the temperature in the freezer run a bit warmer than is ideal, it fluctuated enough that, even in just a few days the containers we placed in the freezer had developed a coating of frost.

Vegetable Drawer

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The {{product.name}} lost water at a rate expected from a fridge of this size and class; about 0.22 grams per hour. Normally, to test moisture retention in a vegetable drawer, we adjust the settings to the most humid level, the end of the scale typically suitable for vegetables. The {{product.name}} didn't have an adjustable vegetable drawer, so while your salad ingredients may be fine, you may notice your fruits are prepped for pies a little faster than you may like.

Power Loss

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After 36 hours of leaving the {{product.name}} unplugged, all items in the freezer were still thoroughly frozen.

Freezing Performance

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The freezer took 1 hour and 39 minutes to freeze room-temperature items. For a refrigerator this size, where air has less area to circulate, this is a little longer than would be ideal. Your food should be fine, as the time period it takes to freeze items is very acceptable and comparable to other models, but it's fair to expect a freezer that has a little less space than average to have a freezing time that's a little less than average, too.

Usable Space

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The refrigerator totals about 7.59 cubic feet of usable space. For a fridge this size, that's somewhat surprisingly small. With only three shelves in the main section, the open expanses total less space than a lot of other entry-level fridges of comparable size and price.

That number also includes the storage space found on the door shelves and dairy tray. Usable space refers to the amount of space that can actually hold your food items; manufacturer's measurements don't take shelves, lights, and other space-taking elements into account, which is why they're always larger than the numbers we come up with.

Some space in the freezer is lost due to the large ice maker in the upper portion. Taking that into account, the freezer offers an additional 3.11 cubic feet of usable storage space.

The freezer door, housing two of the shallowest shelves in the whole unit, offers some extra room for your frozen treats.

Below are the manufacturers own figures for capacity, and our own measurements for usable capacity. The manufacturers figures do not take account of the shelves, drawers and other removable features, but our measurements do account for the space these take up.

Ease of Access

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A very small number of shelves mean food is always going to be readily accessible. The shelves themselves may be cumbersome due to their being full-width, but are still fairly light. There's only one slot for alternate shelf placement, but it's good to know that it's easy to do if necessary. The crisper drawers are just plastic on plastic, and aren't very smooth to move in and out. They don't get stuck on things, but that has more to do with the fact that there's nothing for them to really get stuck on.

Controls

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A basic knob turns the temperature from cold to colder. There's a "normal" setting, but no degree listing, so without investing in a thermometer you won't actually know how cold the compartments are. It's a good investment, in this case, because the normal setting ran just a bit warmer than you would want.

Water Dispenser

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Ice Maker

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The ice maker is found in the upper left portion of the freezer. It's operated using a basic metal switch that flips up when off and down when on. Just in case you forget which position is which, instructions are clearly marked on the front of the device.

Cleaning

Noise

Other Features

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Specs

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The Maytag M0RXEMMWB has an MSRP of $949, about $250 more than the {{product.name}}, but we did manage to find it for quite a bit less. It's a larger fridge with only slightly better energy efficiency and comparable ease of access, but with greater temperature consistency and more storage space.

Design

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The Maytag has a glossy black finish while the {{product.brand.name}} has stainless steel, and both models are top-freezers with an interior ice maker. The Maytag, using primarily half-width shelves as opposed to the {{product.brand.name}}'s full-width ones, offers a greater degree of shelf customization, but the otherwise the interior feels about the same in terms of quality.

Performance

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Both models needed their thermostats turned to something lower than the recommended "normal" setting. The difference here, however, is in consistency: the Maytag had even temperature readings throughout the entire refrigerator compartment While turning the temperature down means the freezer temperature gets a little colder than would be perfect, the Maytag's interior barely fluctuated, meaning food has a much smaller chance of freezer burn than with the {{product.brand.name}}.

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Storage Space

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The greater energy cost and price tag may have something to do with the Maytag's greater amount of storage space. Of the two, it is the larger fridge, and as such has just over 2 more cubic feet of usable space in the fridge and 1 more in the freezer.

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Usability

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Easy to clean, open spaces, and vague temperature controls are elements of both models. However, the half-shelves on the Maytag, though smaller than the {{product.brand.name}}'s full-width variety, are somewhat difficult to adjust due to their back mounts.

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Specs

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With an essentially identical interior, better energy efficiency and more storage space, the Frigidaire FFHT1817LS almost feels like the {{product.name}}'s big brother. To top it off, the Frigidaire has an $849 MSRP, only $150 more than the {{product.brand.name}}. We even managed to find some retailers selling the Frigidaire for just $600.

Design

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Both models are top-freezers, and despite having stainless steel finishes, both look rather cheap. The interiors are almost identical: three shelves in the fridge without side spill guards, and doors that are basically clones of each other, right down to the split-level mid shelf and lack of spill guards on the sides of the fridge shelves. A bottom shelf made out of glass, as well as humidity controls for the crisper drawers, gives the Frigidaire a slightly less blatant budget feel overall.

Performance

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Both models ran a little warm, something rectifiable by turning the temperature knob down a bit. The Frigidaire, however, had somewhat more consistent temperature performance throughout the refrigerator. Unlike the {{product.brand.name}}, however, its freezer also ran a bit warm. It's important to note, though, that while the Frigidaire wasn't at 0 degrees (something which also may be fixed by turning down the temperature), nothing was ever in danger of thawing; it also ran more consistently, meaning less risk of freezer burn.

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Storage Space

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The Frigidaire is a larger fridge overall, and its expected, then, to have more storage space. Nothing mind blowing here: it had about 1.5 cubic feet more in the fridge and 1 cubic foot more in the freezer.

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Usability

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In this category, we again find the two different models operating like twins. The identical designs, both in terms of shelf layout and temperature control, mean they're equally easy to manage in terms of food storage and cleaning.

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Specs

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The Whirlpool WRT351SFYW, like the {{product.name}}, is a top-freezer that suffers from the typical design flaws found in entry-level budget fridges. It has an MSRP of about $850, slightly more expensive than the {{product.brand.name}}, but is about 50% larger overall. If you've got the space for it in your kitchen, the Whirlpool gives you substantially more fridge without substantially more cost.

Design

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Both models are top-freezers, though the glossy white finish on the Whirlpool looks cleaner and sharper than the {{product.brand.name}}'s stainless steel finish. Its clear glass shelves and plastic drawers also give it a sleek, modern look not found in the {{product.brand.name}}. Both use full-width shelves and have an interior ice maker, but the Whirlpool has a slight edge in that the door shelves are adjustable and self-contained, meaning they're easier to clean and arrange to your liking. On the other hand, the Whirlpool doesn't come with an ice maker, unlike the {{product.brand.name}}.

Performance

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The freezer of the Whirlpool was much more consistent than the one in the {{product.brand.name}}; it also managed to freeze items about 15 minutes faster, meaning freezer burn is less likely and food may have a better consistency when thawed. The fridge, however, was another story: while both units would benefit from turning the thermostat to something a bit below the recommended setting, the consistency from top to bottom in the Whirlpool was a bit shakier than in the {{product.brand.name}}.

{{score_bars comp_num="3", scores="Power Use Rating, Running Cost Rating, Fridge Temperature Rating, Power Loss Rating, Freezer Temperature Rating, Freezing Test Rating"}}

Storage Space

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When two fridges are compared and one is larger overall, it doesn't necessarily mean that it has more usable storage space. The Whirlpool WRT351SFYW, however, doesn't have this problem when compared to the {{product.brand.name}}. Its larger size carries over into its storage capacity, having about 3.5 more cubic feet of usable space in its fridge, and another 2 more in the freezer.

{{score_bars comp_num="3", scores="Freezer Usable Space Rating, Fridge Usable Space Rating"}}

Usability

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The Whirlpool offers a greater degree of customization, having more slots for the shelves in the fridge and adjustable shelves on the fridge door. However, the full-width shelves in the Whirlpool are somewhat heavier, making it a bit more difficult to adjust them. They do have all-encompassing spill guards, though, and the self-contained door shelves make them easier to clean and less prone to spills. This, in conjunction with the extra space and the sturdiness of the shelves, may make the Whirlpool a better choice for families with small and enthusiastic children.

{{score_bars comp_num="3", scores="Usability Ease of Access Rating , Usability Controls Rating, Usability Water Rating, Usability Icemaker Rating, Usability Cleaning Rating"}}

Conclusion

Energy Efficiency

Entry-level budget refrigerators can very often yield a low energy cost. The {{product.name}}, however, has an annual operating cost and energy efficiency rating that can be matched by higher-quality models, and beat by fridges of similar sizes and smaller price tags. The manufacturer's website even acknowledges that this model isn't Energy Star approved, surprising when there are so many other fridges this size that are.

Performance

The {{product.name}}'s refrigerator functions adequately for an entry-level fridge of its size, and despite lacking adjustable humidity control, the crisper drawer retains sufficient moisture for regular vegetables. The greatest flaw is found in the freezer: a noticeably fluctuating freezer temperature means food will quickly develop ice crystals that lead to freezer burn. Families that freeze meats and leftovers for long-term storage may find themselves throwing out quite a bit of food; this is a model that may, for instance, be better suited to college students looking for their first apartment, where the frozen pizzas that are usually the largest space-taker are eaten almost as soon as they're bought.

Storage Space

While the {{product.name}} certainly couldn't be described as a mini-fridge, it's available storage space is a little underwhelming. Units marketed as being similar in size, or with a similar price tag, tend to offer a little more space than is found here, both in the fridge and freezer.

Usability

The basic design makes this a very easy fridge to master. Shelves are easy to move, and fairly simple to clean as long as messes don't get large enough to spill over the sides. Controls are straightforward, but the lack of actual degree settings in conjunction with the performance issues mean your food could be warmer than it should be without you knowing.

Meet the tester

Matthew Zahnzinger

Matthew Zahnzinger

Logistics Manager & Staff Writer

@ReviewedHome

Matthew is a native of Brockton, MA and a graduate of Northeastern, where he earned a degree in English and Theatre. He has also studied at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin and spends most of his free time pursuing a performance career in the greater Boston area.

See all of Matthew Zahnzinger's reviews

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