Let me guess: you are in love with those retro Smeg fridges but hate the eye-watering price tag that goes with them? I know the feeling all too well. There’s no denying that Smeg fridges are beautiful pieces of machinery but with prices starting at $2,000, they’re not exactly what you would call affordable. The steep retail prices are hardly surprising, Smeg is a luxury brand with products that look like they belong in an art museum.
The good news is that there are plenty of cheaper fridges out there that will give you the same retro look, without a price tag that you need a mortgage to buy. So, if you’re in the market for a fridge like Smeg that is retro, stylish, and affordable, there are plenty of Smeg fridge alternatives for you to choose from.
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Here are a few of the best Smeg fridge alternatives I think you’ll love!
When it comes to cheap retro fridges, there are three styles you can choose from: a full-size one, a freestanding fridge with a top freezer, or a mini-fridge. The full-size ones and the freestanding ones are great for big families or if you entertain often. They have plenty of space to store all your food and drinks.
The mini fridges are perfect for small apartments or if you don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen. For all the lazy people out there, the mini-fridges are great to have in your office space or room for when you can’t be bothered heading down to the kitchen.
So, let’s take a look to see which is the best Smeg fridge alternative for you.
Smeg Fridge Alternatives
Galanz
Galanz represents a great alternative to Smeg fridges. Galanz is a Chinese company that has been around since the 1970s and manufacturers a wide range of appliances, from microwaves to air conditioners. The best thing about Galanz is that they’re affordable without compromising on quality. Their retro-style fridges start under $500, which is a fraction of the price of a Smeg fridge.
Galanz has a wide range of retro refrigerators to choose from, everything from full-size to those cute little mini-fridges. They even have a wine cooler for all the wine lovers out there. I really like the style of their retro appliances, they look great and come in a pretty good selection of colors so there is bound to be one that suits you and your kitchen.
I have noticed, there does seem to be some recent customer complaints of the fridges turning up damaged, although this seems to be an issue with the couriers rather than the product manufacturer. If you choose one of these fridges, just make sure to give it a proper check on arrival before sending the delivery guys and gals away.
Here are some of my favorite Galanz retro-style fridges.
Galanz GLR10TBKEFR
This fridge is freestanding with a top freezer at 12 cubic feet. They offer smaller fridges as well, depending on how much space you have in your kitchen. The Galanz GLR has two glass shelves that can be used to separate your different types of food. The fridge also comes with a removable slide-out glass shelf, which is perfect for storing larger items or for organizing your storage needs.
The Galanz GLR has a double door design, with the freezer compartment being on the top. The freezer can be used for storing frozen foods or making ice cubes. The bottom door offers a spot for your favorite canned beverages. The Galanz GLR can be controlled manually with the control dial from cool to cold to coldest. You can turn the knob to set the temperature you want.
The Galanz GLR is available in six colors; red, blue, retro red, white and black. All of their colors are eye-catching and the streamlined retro design would look great in any kitchen. What I like about all the Galanz fridges is that they use R600a refrigerant, which is better for the environment and has lower energy consumption.
Galanz GLR31TBEER
This Galanz fridge is similar to the one I mentioned above but much smaller, measuring just 4.6 cubic feet. This size is great for smaller apartments or for having in your office space.
The features are similar to the full-size fridge, with two glass shelves, a removable slide-out glass shelf and a double door design. The bottom door has space for your favorite canned drinks. The Galanz GLR31TBEER can be controlled manually with the control dial from cool to cold to coldest. It comes in 5 colors; black, blue, green, red and white.
Galanz GLR33MRDR10
This is a one-door refrigerator that comes in 3 different sizes. It has a small freezer located at the top which doesn’t hold much food and the whole freezer is around 3.3 cubic feet. This fridge is ideal for dorm rooms, home bars or offices.Despite the small size, it features glass shelves and space for your canned drinks.
The Galanz GLR33MRDR comes in green, red and blue. It’s a great little fridge that is perfect for small spaces.
Galanz GLF11URDG16 Convertible Freezer/Fridge
If you are looking for either a full-size fridge or freezer, then this 11 cubic feet convertible Galanz is a great choice. You can adjust the temperature and use it as a fully functioning freezer or a fridge, which is a pretty amazing feature.
This is ideal if you tend to freeze a lot of food and need the extra space for it. All the features of this refrigerator (apart from the fact that it is convertible) are the same as the other Gakanz machines I have mentioned.
The convertible fridge/freezer comes in retro red and white. It also comes in two modern styles, stainless steel and white.
Frigidaire
Frigidaire is an American brand of consumer and commercial appliances. The company design, manufacture, and market a wide range of products including; refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dishwashers and washing machines. Frigidaire has been in business for over 100 years and is one of the most trusted names in the appliance industry.
Frigidaire’s refrigerators are available in a variety of styles, including top-freezer, bottom-freezer, and side-by-side models. Some of their most popular features include ice makers, water dispensers, and door-in-door storage. Frigidaire’s dishwashers are known for their energy efficiency and quiet operation.
FRIGIDAIRE EFR756
This retro-style Frigidaire fridge offers 3 adjustable slide-out glass shelves, one transparent vegetable crisper that keeps fruit and veg fresh and four clear door shelves. The freezer is 1.72 cubic feet which is plenty big enough for a family and a fridge section with a 5.78 cubic feet of space.
The reason why this machine has made it onto my shortlist is because the Frigidaire has some really great design features. The glass shelves are spill-proof which makes cleaning quick and prevents any liquids from leaking. The door is also reversible, and it boasts tall bottle storage, as well as additional storage for things like condiments and eggs. Each shelf is adjustable and detachable so you can make more space if required.
Other features include an interior light and an adjustable thermostat so you can set the fridge and freezer to the ideal temperature. This refrigerator comes in red, black and cream.
Frigidaire EFR176 Mini-Fridge
At only 1.6 cubic feet, this fridge is tiny, but definitely worth the mention. This refrigerator screams man cave or dorm room.
There is a built-in bottle open on the side which means this fridges’ sole purpose is to store drinks. There is a small freezer compartment but you’d be lucky to fit more than a couple of ice trays in there.
So why am I mentioning this tiny fridge that can’t really fit anything? Well, this is a great gift for someone who has just moved to college or if you want to use it for yourself, you can store all your favorite drinks right next to your office desk without needing to get up and walk to the kitchen.
This fridge is available in blue, black, coral, moon and red.
FRIGIDAIRE EFR372
At 3.2 cubic feet, this Frigidaire is larger than the mini-fridge. This is an ideal choice if you need a smaller fridge for your apartment or dorm room with a retro feel.
The EFR372 has three shelves that are adjustable and removable. The fridge also comes with a separate freezer compartment that is 0.2 cubic feet. Small, but it can store a few frozen meals and ice cubes.
This fridge has a reversible door and an adjustable thermostat so you can keep your food at the perfect temperature.
This fridge comes in six colors; black. blue, mint, pink, red and white.
All in all, Frigidaire refrigerators are some of the most popular on the market. They offer a wide range of styles and features to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that meets your needs. With over 100 years of experience, Frigidaire is a trusted name in the appliance industry.
RCA
RCA is an American electronics company that was founded in 1919 as the Radio Corporation of America. The company was originally a subsidiary of General Electric, but it became an independent company in 1930. RCA is best known for its development of radio and television technology, including the first commercially available electronic television set in 1939.
The company has since expanded into other electronics, including digital audio and video products, computers and software, consumer electronics, and telecommunications equipment. RCA also expanded to kitchen appliances, like fridges.
RCA 10 Cu FT
The RCA 10 cubic feet fridge/freezer is another great option if you are looking for a retro-style refrigerator. You can easily organise your food with three glass shelves, one clear vegetable crisper and 5 clear door shelves.
The freezer section isn’t huge, but there is enough space to hold frozen food for a small family.
You can get the fridge in black, blue or red.
RCA is a great company that makes reliable products but their fridges are not the prettiest in my opinion. There are other more stylish retro fridges out there for around the same price, like the Galanz.
Again, there also seems to be a common theme with fridges being delivered damaged from Amazon. Be sure to check your RCA fridge properly upon delivery.
Unique Appliances LTD
Unique Appliances have been around for 50 years now and pride themselves in delivering reliable appliances to their customers.
Classic Retro 22” Bottom Freezer
Slightly more expensive than the other ones we have looked at, this fridge with a bottom freezer has a capacity of 8.7 cubic feet. The fridge has 5 glass shelves that are easy to clean, a bright interior light and a clear vegetable crisper. There are also 4 clear shelves on the door with a section for tall bottles.
The freezer section has 3 drawers, which is larger than what we have seen with other retro-style fridges. It is also Energy Star certified and is designed to save energy with dependable use.
The Classic is one of the best Smeg fridge alternatives and has consistently positive reviews by all of its owners. Choose from 7 colors; marshmallow white, summer mint green, black, ocean mist turquoise, candy red, powder blue and robin egg blue.
The Classic Retro 22” Bottom Freezer from Unique Appliances is a great choice if you’re looking for a stylish and reliable fridge. With a large capacity and energy-saving features, this fridge is perfect for any home. Choose from seven colors to find the perfect match for your kitchen. Reviewers consistently rate this fridge highly, so you can be confident that you’re making a great choice.
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There is a huge amount of affordable retro appliances out there. So, if you are looking for a Smeg style fridge you definitely have options.
If you are looking for a full size retro refrigerator, the Unique Appliances Classic Retro Fridge is a great option. Not only does it come in seven colors, but it has a larger freezer section than most retro-style fridges lack. Plus, it is Energy Star certified which means it will save you money on your energy bill.
If you are looking for a smaller option or want to save some money, Frigidaire’s Compact Retro Bar Fridge is a great option. It comes in four colors and has a freezer section large enough for ice cube trays and smaller frozen items.
Galanz fridges are very similar with Smeg in terms of style, so if you are looking for a retro fridge for a fraction of the price of Smeg, the Galanz is the one for you.
