Haier RRTW18VABW 18.2 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer White Review
$704.74
- Sections:
- Specs
- Design
- Performance
- Storage Space
- Usability
Specs
Many high-end fridges exhibit the same positive and negative attributes, and the same could be said of fridges on the other end of the spectrum. The Kenmore 72623 and the Haier RRTW18VABW are two entry-level appliances that offer decent performance for their cost, albeit with some glaring performance issues that deal primarily with the freezer. The Kenmore manages to come in with a slightly lower MSRP - at $692.99, it's about $50 cheaper than the Haier - but since the Kenmore brand is sold exclusively through Sears, it may be easier to find the Haier at a sale price.
Design
The Haier uses a white matte finish, while the Kenmore has a steel front with a very visible grain. These two top freezers use nearly identical internal layouts, with three full-width shelves in the fridge. The difference there is that the Kenmore's are glass while the Haier's are wire, something that could affect your storage of smaller items. Shelves on both appliances doors are non-adjustable. The freezers are actually quite different - unlike the Haier, which has what can essentially be called a cold storage box, the Kenmore has a single shelf dividing the compartment, as well as a pre-installed ice maker.
Performance
The internal temperature in both models suffers from similar issues. The fridge in the Kenmore had a warm spot at the top, while the Haier had a warm spot near the bottom, and both displayed a wide variance in freezer consistency. The Haier pulls ahead with its moisture drawer, though, which only lost 0.14 grams of moisture per hour while the Kenmore lost 0.22.
Storage Space
The Kenmore is a very tiny fridge, and it's very much reflected in the available storage space. It has almost three cubic feet less in its fridge than the Haier, a very substantial difference, and just under one less cubic foot in the freezer. If you're not economizing space in your kitchen, the Haier is a clear choice here.
Usability
These two models both minimize the number of fridge shelves, using three full-width shelves each. Unlike the Haier, however, the Kenmore's are solid, offering much greater spill protection. Both appliances have poor damage control on the doors, with an open front in the Kenmore and slits on the bottom of the Haier. This means small items or liquids have an easy escape route. Controls are easy to read on both, and neither have any degree correlation, but the Kenmore gets points for having the bit you grip facing out rather than hidden underneath.
Latest News & Reviews
-
GE Profile PSHS6PGZSS Refrigerator Review
May 17, 2013
This GE Profile side-by-side has good performance, modest storage, and a solidly mid-range design. On the whole, it'd make for a great buy if it just weren't so overpriced.
Read More... -
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker on Sale at TigerDirect
May 16, 2013
This product can make ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt for that perfect summer dessert.
Read More... -
How to Prepare Your Fridge for a Trip
May 14, 2013
Whether it's a two-day business trip or a months-long voyage, it pays to prep your fridge before you leave.
Read More...
Top Rated Refrigerators
1 |
$3,099.00 | |
2 |
$3,499.99 | |
3 |
$3,499.99 |
-
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker on Sale at TigerDirect
May 16, 2013 -
Frigidaire 8-Bottle Wine Cellar on Sale at Best Buy
May 10, 2013
