Best Refrigerator Under 15,000
A refrigerator has become a popular item in almost every kitchen. It has a number of functions and is not limited to only keeping things cold. They are great for storing fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and other items that would go off easily if not kept in a cold and cool place.
Buying a refrigerator is not always easy, and some of them are overly priced. Not everyone needs high fi looking refrigerators and was simple ones that will perform the basic functions and add a little style to the house. For this reason, we have prepared a detailed review.
Here you will read about the types of refrigerators and the working of refrigerators, our buyer’s guide, the top eight refrigerators under 15000 and some FAQ’s at the end.
Top 8 Best Refrigerators in India
| Product (Best Brands) | Best Price |
|---|---|
Easy to Use Refrigerator |  |
Classy and Smart | |
The contemporary and modern | |
The Best Cooling Refrigerator | |
Our Choice | |
The Smart Compressor | |
The Best Storage Option | |
The Durable Model | |
Working Of Refrigerators
A refrigerator has not only simplified our daily life, but it has also become an appliance we are indispensable without. So, how does the refrigerator work?
The primary mechanism involved with this appliance is removing heat from one region or compartment and its deposition to another. This is the mechanism that refrigerators use to create artificial cold storage for your foodstuffs and drinks.
To know more about working, you need to know the components of the refrigerator and its function. Thus, we explain the vital parts of the refrigerator:
- Refrigerant: This is commonly referred to as a coolant. It is a liquid rather than a chemical that can be a hot gas and a cool liquid.
- The most common types of refrigerants that were used as refrigerants in the past were fluorocarbons (CFCs). However, these have been replaced by environmentally friendly options as they were responsible for depleting the ozone layer.
- This liquid is the main component that keeps the refrigeration cycle going by constantly changing states from liquid to hot gas. This cycle is responsible for the cooling of the refrigerator.
- Expansion Valve: The refrigerator’s expansion valve is a small device that is extremely sensitive to temperature change. This is referred to as the flow control device that monitors and controls the flow of the liquid refrigerant or coolant.
- Compressor: This is one of the main parts of the refrigerator that consists of the motor. The motor functions to compress the liquid refrigerant in a cylinder to produce hot, high-pressure gas.
- Evaporator: The evaporator consists of narrow tubes that are constructed using metal of high thermal conductivity. These tubes contain the liquid refrigerant, and the primary function is to keep the contents of the refrigerator cool. The refrigerant inside this gets evaporated to turn into vapour due to the absorption of heat.
- Condenser: The condenser of the refrigerator is located at the back of the appliance. It consists of a coiled set of tubes with external fins. It absorbs the heat of the refrigerant when in the gaseous form and expels it into the surroundings. This is how the gaseous refrigerant is capable of converting back into the liquid state.
Thus, the refrigerator’s working involves a cycle of conversion of a liquid refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant. So, what and how this happens? The liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion valve and gets converted into a cool gas.
Now, this gas absorbs the heat from the food items present in the refrigerator and flows into the compressor, which compresses it into a hot, high-pressure gas.
This high-pressure hot gas is cooled down by the coiled condenser and converted back into its liquid state. This liquid refrigerant travels back into the expansion valve for the entire cycle to repeat.
Types Of Refrigerators
The following are the types of refrigerators:
Top Mount Refrigerators
Top mount refrigerators are the most common types of refrigerators seen in almost every household. These are single column refrigerators with a freezer compartment on the top, which takes up nearly a third of the model’s storage space.
They are the cheapest, most economical, energy-efficient refrigerators and are available in a wide range.
Bottom-Mount Refrigerators
They are similar to top mount refrigerators. The only difference between both is the location of the freezer. As the name suggests, the freezer in the bottom compartment of the fridge. You get much easier access to the fridge compartment.
They are energy-efficient, however much more expensive than a top mount refrigerator. These refrigerators have a fewer number of models available hence are less common in houses.
Side-by-Side Refrigerators
These Side-by-side refrigerators come with two doors situated side by side. They reserve one of the sides for the freezer while the other side is devoted to the fridge compartment.
The freezer compartment is larger than a top mount and bottom mount refrigerator. They also might have additional features like water and ice dispensers.
These refrigerators are larger and consume a lot of energy. Moreover, they are more expensive than a top or bottom mount refrigerator.
French Door Refrigerators
French door refrigerators are similar to side-by-side refrigerators; however, they have an entire bottom compartment devoted to the freezer.
The refrigerator has four doors, which is split into sections of the fridge and freezer. They are the most expensive, classy looking models on the list and are gaining much popularity in recent times.
Mini Refrigerators
These are mini-refrigerators that come with a single door. Mini refrigerators are mostly used in hotel rooms. There are different types of mini refrigerators like car refrigerators, bar refrigerators, wine chillers, etc.
They are used mainly for storing drinks and keeping them cold. Bar or mini-refrigerators are easy to carry around and are cheap; however, they are of small size and capacity. They are the ideal choice for portable refrigeration of drinks during summers.
Buyer’s Guide
Cooling Retention
The refrigerator should have maximum cooling retention of 8-12 hours so that the food is kept fresh and cool even during power cuts.
Refrigerators use technology like the insulated capillary technology that keeps the freezer surrounded with cold gas so that the food is preserved for a longer duration.
Some other refrigerators come with a smart connect feature to connect the model to inverters during power cuts. Thus, cooling retention is needed to prevent the spoilage of food.
Design
The model should feature a classic and stylish design that stands out in your home. The handle of the refrigerator should be economical and convenient, allowing you to open the door easily. Go for an attractive colour of your preference, like red or shiny steel.
Type
The first factor to consider before going and purchasing a refrigerator is the type you want. Since you have a budget of 15000, you will not have the liberty to choose from all the types of refrigerators.
The three types of refrigerators available in this price range are double door, single door refrigerators, and mini-refrigerators. However, for a family of 3-4 members, a top freezer single door refrigerator is the best option.
Capacity
Choose a refrigerator with a capacity that is enough to cater to the requirement of your family size. Thus, for an average family of 3-4 members, you can go for a position of 190-196 litres.
This would be an ideal capacity to hold the food items and drinks for your average family size. A smaller family of 2-3 members can go for a lower 188-190 litres capacity.
Energy rating
Checking the energy rating of appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners is essential since they consume a lot of electricity.
Thus, go for an energy-efficient refrigerator with at least a three-star energy rating as it saves power consumption. Hence, you won’t have to worry about huge electricity bills.
Defrost System
The two types of defrost systems of a refrigerator include direct cool and frost-free. In this price range of 15000, you will have to settle for a direct cool defrost system which, unlike frost-free, requires manual defrosting after a week or two.
Inside Space
The refrigerator is an artificially cooled unit that stores all your food and liquid items. Thus, going for a spacious model is a top priority.
It is necessary to go for a refrigerator that comes with separate compartments, including a vegetable crisper, chiller tray, freezer and shelves that has enough storage space to store vegetables, milk, meat, fish, eggs and even cooked food in utensils.
The refrigerator should also have enough side storage for storing water bottles, juice, sauce bottles, jam bottles, etc. An ice tray is also a small but necessary item in a refrigerator as it helps store ice.
Warranty
Go for a brand like LG, Whirlpool, Samsung, Haier, etc. They offer the best warranty and after-sales service. The minimum warranty on the product should be for one year.
However, the compressor warranty is a very important factor since the compressor is one of the refrigerator’s main components. Go for a model that comes with a compressor warranty of 10 years.
Type of Door
Go for a single door refrigerator if you are looking for a model under 15000. However, ensure that the door comes with an easy lock system and an anti-bacterial gasket removed.
This makes it easy to clean, prevents bacteria and fungi growth along with ensuring proper hygiene of your food over a longer duration.
A door handle like an island-type or a pocket handle is also an added benefit since it adds to the convenience and makes your refrigerator blend perfectly well with the decor of your kitchen.
Compressor Type
The compressor is an essential part of the refrigerator. A smart inverter compressor is a great choice as it ensures the unmatched performance of the refrigerator.
It also prevents the fridge from creating too much noise, and it also comes with a stabilizer free operation. This increases savings as well as the durability of the product.
Compressors also use smart connect technology that allows you to connect your refrigerator to the home inverter in case of power cuts, which ensures convenient storage of food without having to worry about spoilage.
Shelf Type
Go for a refrigerator that comes with a wired or toughened glass shelf. These shelves are designed to hold a weight of up to 150 kg.
They are also removable to increase or decrease the storage space of a compartment as per your requirement.
1. Whirlpool 190 L 3 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator
This contemporary and modern looking single door refrigerator comes with ample storage space for storing all your food items and drinks conveniently.
The model ensures stabilizer fee operation and manages to maintain the moisture of vegetable using its lock-in technology. The effective cooling is retained for up to 9 hours, preventing the spoilage of food. Moreover, the model is easy to use and clean.
- It is a single door direct cool refrigerator
- Capacity: 190 L
- The advanced insulated capillary technology ensures up to 9 hours of cooling retention
- Comes with toughened glass type shelves
- The modern and sleek design model features a vertical handle for convenient opening
- In-built stabilizer ensures stabilizer free operation so that it can operate even under voltage fluctuations between 130 V-300 V
- Comes with a removable anti-bacterial gasket that prevents the growth and entry of bacteria and fungi
- Two dedicated door racks for ample bottle storage
- The modern design adds to the contemporary style of your home
- The easy defrosting makes it easy to use with proper cooling
- The lock-in technology of the vegetable crisper maintains the optimum moisture of the vegetables
- It is easy to clean
- Suitable for single people
2. Haier 170 L 3 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator
Haier is a leading brand that has provided us with a wide range of economical home appliances. This Haier 170 L 3-star refrigerator comes with a burgundy red leather finish cabinet that ensures efficient cooling to keep your stored food fresh for a longer duration.
The anti-fungal gasket prevents bacteria and fungi’ build-up, while the diamond edge freezing technology ensures better cooling. Thus, you are always provided with fresh food.
- This is a single door direct cool refrigerator
- Capacity: 170 Liters
- Shelf type: wired
- It comes with a 3-star energy rating
- Ensures stabilizer free operation as its voltage ranges from 135-290 volts
- The anti-fungal basket prevents the entry and growth of bacteria and fungi
- Comes with a leather finish cabinet making it scratch resistant
- The smart and classic looking refrigerator ensures powerful performance and efficient cooling
- It comes with ample bottle storage space
- Uses diamond edge freezing technology to ensure better cooling and faster ice formation
- The door lock prevents your kids from accessing unhealthy food
- Requires manual defrosting
3. Whirlpool 190 L 3 Star Single Door Refrigerator
The Whirlpool WDE 205 ROY 3S is another great recommendation for an under 15000 refrigerator. This model comes with toughened shelves instead of wired to hold greater utensils with ease.
The Sapphire Regalia colour, along with the pocket handle, adds to the model’s contemporary and modern look. This refrigerator blends perfectly well in any home because of its stylish and elegant design.
- It is a free-standing standard single door refrigerator
- Energy efficiency: 3-star rating suitable for a family of 2-3 members
- The total capacity of the refrigerator is 190 litres
- It comes with two glass shelves, two ice-trays, a large vegetable crisper, a large capacity freezer, and a chiller
- The colour of the model: Sapphire Regalia
- The refrigerator comes with a Direct cool defrost system that requires manual defrosting
- It comes with a 1-year warranty on the product and a 5-year compressor warranty
- It comes with a base stand and drawer
- The in-built stabilizer reduces the need for an extra stabilizer(130-300 V)
- The vegetable crisper comes with a honeycomb moisture lock-in technology that keeps your vegetables moist and fresh for a long time
- The model comes with toughened glass shelves that can hold heavy utensils easily
- The pocket handle has a modern and contemporary design that adds to the style of your home
- It comes with a removable airtight gasket that is easy to clean and prevents the build-up of fungi and bacteria inside the refrigerator
- No such cons were observed
4. LG 190 L 3 Star Direct-Cool Single-Door Refrigerator
LG is a popular brand when it comes to refrigerators, TV, and other electronic products. This Direct Cool Single door refrigerator comes in a shiny steel colour so that it stands out in your home.
The capacity of 190 litres allows you to store food conveniently, and the smart connect prevents spoilage of food during power cuts. This refrigerator is known to make ice in the fastest time duration of just 108 minutes.
- It is a direct cool single door refrigerator
- Capacity: 190 L
- Ensures stabilizer free operation as it can operate at a voltage range of 90~310 V
- It comes with toughened glass shelves that can take a load up to 175 kg
- Has a 3-star energy rating
- Has an antibacterial gasket hor hygiene
- It comes with a 1-year warranty and a 5-year compressor warranty
- The smart connect allows you to connect the refrigerator to the home inverter during power cuts so that you can enjoy fresh food without worrying about spoilage
- It can make ice in 108 minutes
- The vegetable basket has a capacity of 9.6 litres
- It has a lattice-type box cover that maintains the optimum level of moisture of your stored food
- May be a little unstable
5. Whirlpool 190 L 3 Star Single Door Refrigerator
Whirlpool is a well-known brand that has offered us a wide range of home appliances, including air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, etc.
The model comes with a large and spacious interior with compartments divided to include a large freezer, chiller, bottle racks, and vegetable crisper to store various food items and bottled drinks.
- It is a free-standing standard single door refrigerator
- Energy efficiency: 3-star rating
- The total capacity of the refrigerator is 190 litres
- The colour of the model: Blue
- It has an inbuilt stabilizer (130 V-300 V) to reduce the need for other stabilizers
- The refrigerator comes with a Direct cool defrost system
- The Whirlpool WDE 205 CLS 3S BLUE-E model comes with a 1-year warranty on the product and a 5-year compressor warranty
- The wired shelves, large freezer, chiller, bottle racks, and vegetable crisper are all designed to maximize storage space to store your utensils, ice trays, milk packets, cans, bottles, and even your vegetables easily
- The unique advanced moisture slider and the Vegetable Crisper with Honey Comb Moisture Lock-in Technology help to maintain moisture and keeps the vegetables fresh for a long duration
- It comes with a removable airtight gasket that is easy to clean and prevents the build-up of fungi and bacteria inside the refrigerator
- The pocket handle provides a sleek and modern look to the refrigerator that blends perfectly well with your kitchen
- It comes with 9-hour cooling retention even during power cuts
- It is prone to scratches and needs a cover
6. LG 188 L 3 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator
LG is a leading South Korean multinational electronics company that focuses on manufacturing a wide range of home appliances that strive to make our lives simpler.
It has a three-star rating with a special feature called the smart inverter compressor that ensures an unmatched performance, zero noise, along with stabilizer free operation.
- It is a free-standing standard single door refrigerator
- The Energy rating of the model is three stars which save electricity
- Total capacity is 188 L
- The shelf type is toughened glass
- It can operate at a voltage range of 90-310 V, which means it can work without a stabilizer
- The colour of the model: Scarlet Orchid
- It has a direct cool defrost system that requires manual defrosting
- The refrigerator comes with a smart inverter compressor
- It has a 1-year warranty on the product and a 10-year warranty on the compressor
- The smart inverter compressor is efficiently designed for providing unmatched performance, silent and stabilizer free operation along with durability and savings
- It comes with a smart connect technology that connects your refrigerator to the home inverter in case of power cuts; this allows you to store food without the worry of spoilage
- The LG Direct Cool refrigerator is known to make ice in just 108 minutes
- It has a special lattice-type box cover that keeps the vegetable fresh and moist
- The toughened glass shelves are capable of holding loads as heavy as 175 kg as per LG internal test standards
- The anti-bacterial gasket is easy to clean and ensures healthy and hygienic food over a long duration
- The refrigerator has a small capacity
7. Godrej 196 L 3 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator
The Godrej group, managed by the Godrej family, has its headquarters in Mumbai. It is known for its wide range and diversity of products in agriculture, aerospace, consumer good, etc.
The RD GD 1963EW 3.2 W Red is a wine red single door refrigerator that is ideal for a family with 3-4 members because of its large capacity of 196 litres.
- It is a free-standing standard single door refrigerator
- The Energy rating of the model is three stars which save electricity
- Total capacity is 196 litres
- The shelf type is wired
- The model is wine red and made of plastic
- It has a direct cool defrost system that requires manual defrosting
- It comes with a 1-year warranty on the product and a ten-year compressor warranty
- The wire shelves can be removed and placed in a way that increases the storage space of a compartment
- The refrigerator is 100% environment-friendly
- The 20-litre vegetable basket or crisper allows you to store vegetables by keeping them moist and fresh
- It has a lot of storage space for water bottles and other drinks
- This refrigerator ensures that it operates at a low voltage of 140 V
- The compressor promises ten years of uninterrupted cooling
- Makes a noise
8. Samsung 192 L 3 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator
Samsung is a name known by all when it comes to electronics and home appliances like refrigerators, mobile phones, TV, or tablets. The Samsung refrigerator model is a silver single door refrigerator that is constructed using steel.
This model offers durability with its advanced digital inverter compressor, which ensures precise cooling adjustments. The vital components are always protected against bumps and shocks because of the safe, clean back, which acts as a cover.
- It is a free-standing standard single door refrigerator
- The Energy rating of the model is three stars which save electricity
- Total capacity is 192 litres
- The shelf type is toughened glass
- It comes with an island-type handle
- It has a direct cool defrost system that requires manual defrosting
- It can operate at a voltage of 100 V and has a Stabilizer Free Operation
- The model is Elective Silver in colour, and the material of construction is steel
- It comes with a 1-year warranty on the product and a ten-year compressor warranty
- This model comes with an advanced Digital Inverter Technology that makes precise cooling adjustments to ensure your food is kept fresh for a longer duration
- The refrigerator model reduces energy wastage, minimizes noise, and also reduces wear and tear for long-lasting performance
- The island-type handle adds convenience in opening the fridge door along with making your refrigerator blend perfectly with the modern decor of your kitchen
- The toughened glass shelves are capable of holding a weight of up to 150 kg safely
- The safe, clean back is like a smooth safety cover for keeping the vital internal components of the refrigerator clean along with protecting them from bumps and shocks
- The stabilizer free operation prevents electrical damage during voltage fluctuations by automatically cutting off the power if the voltage increases too much
- The outer body of the model heats up quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes a refrigerator compressor to fail?
Many causes might lead the compressor to fail, including clogged refrigerant lines, dirty condenser coils, electricity fluctuations, too much or too little lubricant, etc.
Motor burn out can also be another cause of compressor failure. Hence, the mechanic would require to identify the cause before repairing it.
2. How do you know if your refrigerator is dying?
The most common sign is the food going bad or the water not getting cold due to lack of cooling. Other ways to know if your refrigerator is dying would include checking if its defrosting or the lights are not functioning when you open the door.
3. What happens when a compressor goes out in a refrigerator?
The compressor of the refrigerator operates continuously to cool the stored items of the refrigerator. If the compressor goes out, it would mean that the compartments or the freezer fail to reach the required temperature required for preserving food or cooling water.
4. Does a refrigerator create noise?
In case your refrigerator starts making too much noise than required, you need to check the motor fan responsible for spreading air over the coils while the compressor functions. A faulty motor fan could be the reason for a noisy refrigerator.
Conclusion
A refrigerator is a must-have, especially with the summers getting hotter and more humid. It is important to keep cold drinks and other items available for yourself at such times.
Choosing the right one can be a little tricky. Our top picks for you are Whirlpool 190 L 3 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator, Haier 170 L 3 Star Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator and LG 190 L 3 Star Direct-Cool Single-Door Refrigerator.
Remember to read through all the features properly before buying a refrigerator. Since there are a number of different types available, it is important to go for one that suits your needs proerply.
