At a Glance:
Pros and Cons of Smart Fridges
Are Smart Fridges Worth the Cost?
Smart Fridge Inspiration for Your Kitchen
One of the hottest trends in kitchen appliances right now is smart technology. It’s not enough for appliances to have advanced features (beyond cooking, cleaning, or storing items), they also need to be managed from remote devices. Smart appliances are great if you constantly forget to flip your laundry or want to preheat your oven on your commute home. However, not many people understand the value of a smart fridge.
There are several reasons to invest in a smart fridge if you are currently upgrading your appliances. Use this guide to learn more about the features and capabilities of these models.
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GE Smart AppliancesWhat is a Smart Fridge?
A smart refrigerator is an appliance that is able to connect to your home internet. In most cases, smart refrigerators will communicate messages to you through an app on your smartphone. Some smart refrigerators can connect to your Amazon Alexa (or other home speaker) in order to receive commands from you or give reports.
When the first smart refrigerators came out, they were more expensive than basic models. However, as smart functionalities improve, these fridges are becoming more common. You might not have to pay as much as you think for a smart fridge because WiFi connectivity is easier to add to appliances now than it was five years ago.
Your smart fridge won’t look any different than a non-connected refrigerator. This is because the technology is located inside the appliance, rather than connected to the side or top.
What Does a Smart Fridge Do?
There are several reasons to consider adding a smart refrigerator to your home – even if you don’t use a lot of connected technology, Here are just a few valuable features of a smart fridge that can affect your day-to-day life.
- Download SmartHQ App
- Select your control type. Choose either LCD Touch Screen Control or Pushbutton Control.
- Confirm that your refrigerator has built-in Wifi
- Follow the prompts to complete connecting your refrigerator.
1. See what’s inside. Have you ever felt stumped at the grocery store because you couldn’t remember if you had butter or milk? Some smart fridges have cameras and display the interior of your fridge so you can make a grocery list from your smartphone.
2. Save energy. A smart refrigerator can potentially lower your energy bills because it is easier to adjust the temperature. Raise the temperature when you are on vacation and don’t have any delicate produce to keep cool.
3. Troubleshoot issues. If something goes wrong with your refrigerator, your smartphone will let you know. This way you know exactly how to fix it.
4. Store recipes. Many smart fridge apps have recipes that you can make based on what you already have at home.
5. Send notifications. Alert family members that you are low on certain items – especially if they have already left for the store.
Smart refrigerators can also increase your resale value because of their connectivity. As more buyers expect smart appliances in their homes, you can win them over with your connected fridge.
Pros and Cons of Smart Fridges
Every home appliance purchase comes with pros and cons. These will determine what your priorities are when filtering down your various options. Here are a few things to consider as you shop for a smart fridge.
Pros
✅ You can track your grocery needs, change settings, and receive alerts right from your smartphone.
✅ Smart refrigerators are often more energy efficient.
✅ This technology will become more common, so you are keeping up with kitchen design trends.
✅ The appliance is an asset to the kitchen and can elevate your home’s value.
Cons
❌ You might have to pay more for smart capabilities depending on the refrigerator models you want.
❌ This technology is unavailable if the Internet goes out in your refrigerator.
❌ The smart tools might be expensive to repair or replace if they break.
❌ You might not use the smart functionality as often as you think.
You can decide whether the pros outweigh the cons. While a broken WiFi system might be a concern for some homeowners, others believe this technology is reliable enough to last. As long as you are informed of both sides, you can make a clear choice.
Are Smart Fridges Worth the Cost?
There are a few steps you can take to decide whether a smart fridge is worth it. First, set a budget for your home appliance needs. Then filter out your options based on your size, style, color, and brand preferences. When you look at your remaining top contenders, you might discover that they already have WiFi connectivity, which means you won’t have to pay extra to seek out a smart model.
However, if you do want to specifically look at smart refrigerators, consider whether you will use the apps and tools related to them regularly. If you will, then a smart fridge is worth the extra cost. If you won't use them, you might not need a smart fridge. Everyone has their own preferences for home appliances. Make the choice that is best for you.
Smart Fridge Inspiration for Your Kitchen
If you love the idea of adding a smart fridge to your home, check out a few top models on the market. Here are a few highly-rated options that prove you don’t need a big budget to enjoy a WiFi-connected refrigerator.
GE Profile™ 27.7 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
Shop GE Profile's Smart French Door Refrigerator
This GE Profile smart fridge is a great place to start in your appliance search. Along with smart connectivity, it also has an exterior water and ice dispenser on the French doors that comes with hands-free autofill. If you’re running late for work or for your favorite fitness class, place your reusable water bottle on the shelf and the refrigerator will fill it up for you – without any risk of spilling. This model also has a door in the door so you can quickly grab your favorite snacks.
Check out the online reviews to see what other customers think. One person says, “There is a lot of flexibility with the shelving and both doors provide storage. Like the options of ice - crushed and cubes. The water filter is fairly easy to change.”
➝ Learn More: GE vs GE Profile - Is There Any Difference?
Café™ 27.4 Cu. Ft. Platinum Glass Smart French Door Refrigerator
Shop Cafe's Smart French Door Refrigerator
This Café smart fridge is another great GE product. It comes with even more flexibility than most refrigerators because it has four doors and three sealed compartments. The top section provides your standard refrigerator while the bottom sections are customizable. You can opt for a traditional freezer or use one of the sections to chill wine and store cool beverages.
More than 93% of customers would recommend this Café smart French door refrigerator. One person writes, “The glass front cleans easily and matched my other stainless steel Café appliances nicely. When you open the door the back light and dark accent shelves are very nice. Water and ice make work perfectly.”
Monogram 20.2 Cu. Ft. Custom Panel Smart Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Shop Monogram's Smart Built-In Refrigerator
There’s a common misconception that smart fridges have to look high-tech; however, you can buy panel-ready appliances that match your cabinetry and that still come with smart features. Such is the case with this particular side-by-side smart refrigerator by Monogram.
The refrigerator side is dominant and the freezer is smaller. There is still an exterior water and ice dispenser despite being a panel-ready model. You can read online reviews to see what other people think about this smart fridge.
Monogram, Café, and GE Profile are all brandscreated by GE, which means you will use the same app for each of these appliances. You can download the SmartHQ app through the Apple App Store or on Google Play. This app will be used for any connected GE (or GE-affiliated) appliances you have.
Discover More Smart Refrigerator Models
Shop Smart and Shop Local
There are multiple brands that create WiFi-compatible refrigerators and other appliances. If you didn’t find the best smart fridge for your needs on this list, check out some of the other options we have at Ken’s. You can support a local business and invest in your community while purchasing a smart refrigerator that you love. Come out to our Grand Island location today and let us help you pick out your ideal appliances.
FAQ: GE Smart Refrigerators
How do I connect my GE smart refrigerator to Wi-Fi?
To connect your GE smart refrigerator to Wi-Fi, follow the setup instructions provided in the user manual.
Is my smartphone compatible with the GE smart refrigerator's app?
The SmartHQ app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Can I control my GE smart refrigerator with voice commands?
Yes, if your GE smart refrigerator is compatible with virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control it using voice commands. This allows you to perform tasks like adjusting temperature, checking inventory, and more, just by speaking to your smart speaker or smartphone.
Why Trust Ken’s?
Ken's has been a trusted source of home furnishings in the Grand Island area since 1962. With nearly 60 years of experience in the community, customers have come to rely on us for all their home needs. We offer a wide selection of furniture, premium mattresses, and high-quality appliances. Our knowledgeable sales team will help you find the perfect items for your home. And once the sale is made, we are there for you with installation services and an experienced parts and service department.
We are routinely recognized by both the Grand Island community as well as the industry for our commitment to excellence. We are proud to be BrandSource Dealer of the Year for 2014 and Best of Grand Island for Appliances since 2022. We also received Fan Favorite in Grand Island for Mattresses in 2022. Shop local at Ken's Grand Island, NE! We look forward to servicing you and providing the quality products your home needs.
Shop Smart Refrigerators at Ken’s
At Ken’s, we pride ourselves on being more than just a store - we are your total home solution. Having served Grand Island for so many years, it matters to us that we only provide the best products. Shop refrigerators online or visit us today at Grand Island, NE showroom. Our experts are always available to help you choose the perfect smart fridge for your needs, whether you call us or use our online text feature. Contact us today!
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