Photo:Vitaly NefedovWe decided to do this with the help of an impromptu "capacity" test. To do this, we tried to simulate a situation when guests are gathering at your place, and while waiting for them to arrive, you make large-scale "culinary preparations". For the test, we took a wide frying pan with a non-removable handle (total length 51 cm), a large five-liter saucepan with a convex lid and three plastic bottles with drinks (we tried to choose bottles of the most unusual shape). And the highlight of the program was a watermelon weighing 15 kg. The objects of the "watermelon expansion" were six models of refrigerators of famous brands with a declared total capacity of the refrigeration and freezer chambers of 320-340 liters. We also traditionally assessed the ergonomics, versatility and design of the devices. This is what we got…
GA-449USPA (LG)
Refrigerators with a large camera
Technical specifications.Energy consumption – 360 kWh/year, energy efficiency class  AB». Volume of the refrigerator compartment (net) – 243 l, volume of the freezer compartment (net) – 99 l, noise level – 39 dB(A). The time of maintaining the temperature during a power failure is not specified, climate class – N. Dimensions (H x D x W): 185 cm. One compressor. Color: stainless steel. Description. Refrigerator with a bottom freezer. Equipped with an electronic control system, Multi-Flow air filtration system, door seal with Bio Shield antibacterial properties. There is a quick-cooling compartment (OptiFresh zone). The model is equipped with a quick freeze function and a Vitamin Plus function, which allows you to keep vegetables and fruits fresh longer. Test. The refrigerator chamber turned out to be surprisingly roomy: the products fit into it quite freely. The width of the side compartment allowed to install all the bottles in the door. Summary. The refrigerator is very practical and easy to use. At the same time, it has an attractive price.
- design – 4
- functionality – 4
- ergonomics – 5
- test – 5
- 27 000 rub.
ENB 35405 S Brita (Electrolux)
Technical specifications.Energy consumption – 375 kWh/year, energy efficiency class AB;A». Capacity of the refrigerator compartment (net) - 240 l, capacity of the freezer compartment (net) - 78 l, noise level – 42 dB(A). The time of maintaining the temperature during a power failure is not specified, climate class - N, SN, ST. Dimensions (H × D × W): 185 × 63,2 × 59.5 cm. One compressor. Color: silver. Description. Refrigerator with a bottom freezer. Equipped with electronic control with an LCD screen, which displays information about the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer chambers. Intensive cooling and super freezing modes are provided, there is a bottle lock on the door, the shelves are made of shock-resistant glass. A special feature of the model is the presence of a built-in water dispenser with a Brita filter. Test. This model turned out to be one of the most compact in our review: the capacity of the refrigerator chamber is only 240 liters. When trying to put a watermelon in it, some difficulties arose, which were resolved after rearranging the shelves. Summary. The main advantage of the model is the presence of a water dispenser with a filter. Thanks to this, the refrigerator acquires an additional function of a source of drinking water.
- design – 4
- functionality – 5
- ergonomics – 4
- test – 4
- 29 700 rub.
ARC 7698 / IX (Whirlpool)
Technical specifications.Energy consumption – 387 kWh/year, energy efficiency class AB;A». The volume of the refrigerator compartment (net) is 267 l, the volume of the freezer compartment (net) is 79 l, the noise level is 44 dB(A). The time of maintaining the temperature during a power failure is 12 h, the climate class is N, ST. Dimensions (H × D × W): 204 × 65 × 60 cm, weight - 81 kg. One compressor. Color: stainless steel. Description. As befits a premium refrigerator, the ARC 7698/IX model has an interesting design and capacity. Other features include an electronic control system with an LCD display and 6 sense technology. The refrigerator has an antibacterial filter, compartments with humidity and freshness control, a Total No Frost system, and shelves made of impact-resistant glass. A distinctive feature is a well-thought-out system of shelves on the doors with many compartments. There are also shelves on the doors in the freezer compartment (for pizza). Test. Despite the convenient and spacious refrigeration chamber, it took a long time to place a watermelon and a saucepan. But there were no problems with the bottles on the door shelf. Summary. Externally, a very interesting model with an attractive price. The design of the shelves on the doors is probably the most successful.
- design – 5
- functionality – 4
- ergonomics – 5
- test – 4+
- 33 500 rubles.
KGF 39P90 (Bosch)
Technical specifications.Energy consumption – 321 kWh/year, energy efficiency class AB;A+». Capacity of the refrigeration compartment (net) – 234 l, freezer (net) – 72 l, noise level – 42 dB(A). Time of maintaining the temperature during power failure – 24 h, climate class – SN-T. Dimensions (H x D): 200 x 62 x 60 cm. One compressor. Color: stainless steel. Description. The KGF 39P90 model belongs to the premium class devices. Distinctions: "VitaFresh" freshness preservation zone, consisting of "dry" and "wet" compartments with a capacity of 57 and 35 liters, respectively. Characterized by low energy consumption, Antibacteria antibacterial coating, electronic control, shockproof glass shelves, cold accumulators, No Frost system (in the freezer), super cooling and fast freezing. Test. It was not possible to fit the shelves in the refrigerator compartment comfortably enough - the saucepan and the watermelon were close together. At the same time, it was felt that the refrigerator has a power reserve in the form of a freshness zone; the watermelon just barely fit into its humid compartment. Summary. The refrigerator lives up to its class. Its advantage is the large freshness zone compartments. But there could have been more slots for the shelves.
- design – 4
- functionality – 5
- ergonomics – 5
- test – 4+
- 49 000 rub.
Santo 86378 KG (AEG-Electrolux)
Technical specifications.Energy consumption: 315 kWh/year, energy efficiency class: AB A+BB. Net refrigerator compartment volume: 242 l, net freezer compartment volume: 87 l, noise level: 40 dB(A). The time it takes to maintain the temperature during a power failure is not specified, climate class: N, SN, ST, T. Dimensions (H x D x W): 200 x 62.3 x 59.5 cm, weight: 94 kg. Two compressors. Color - stainless steel. Description. Refrigerator from the Santo series with a bottom freezer. It is distinguished by the traditional AEG-Electrolux low energy consumption. Equipped with a fairly spacious (82 l) "freshness zone" (zero zone Longfresh), electronic control, Taste Quard air filter. There are functions No Frost, intensive cooling, quick freezing, "Vacation". Test. The refrigeration chamber of the 86378 KG model turned out to be an ideal place for storing "oversized goods". All shelves can be moved up and down at intervals of 4 cm. A watermelon, a saucepan and a frying pan were placed in a record short time (and we had options to choose how best to arrange them). The width of the side compartment allowed to install all the bottles in the door. Summary. Very practical, economical, roomy refrigerator. But also expensive.
- design – 4
- functionality – 5
- ergonomics – 5
- test – 5+
- 55 300 RUB
RK2000P2 (Gorenje)
Technical specifications.Energy consumption: 350 kWh/year, energy efficiency class: AB;ABB. Net capacity of the refrigerator compartment: 245 l, net capacity of the freezer compartment: 86 l, noise level: 40 dB(A). Time of maintaining the temperature during power failure: 18 h, climate class: N, SN, ST, T. Dimensions (H x D x W): 200 x 64.5 x 60 cm, weight: 109 kg. Two compressors. Color: aluminum. Description: This model belongs to the Gorenje design line by Pininfarina II. With the Quick View window, owners can look into the depths of the refrigerator chamber without opening the door. The device is equipped with electronic control, a touch screen, two compressors, a 33-liter freshness zone, a deodorant filter, an antibacterial coating on the inner surface of the chambers, and a multi-flow air circulation system. Intensive cooling, quick freezing, and other programs are provided. Test: It took some effort to place all the products in the refrigerator chamber. Some of the shelves had to be pulled out. The width of the side compartment on the door was not enough to place all the non-standard bottles. Summary: The refrigerator looks very impressive - the design is simply wonderful. I was pleased with the presence of the Quick View window. But the design of the shelf mount could have been better.
- design – 5+
- functionality – 4
- ergonomics – 5
- test – 4
- 60 000 rub.
Let's sum up the results
Results of the "express analysis"turned out to be quite unexpected for us. Perhaps, we were able to identify a clear winner only in the category "design" - it was the RK2000P2 (Gorenje). The design of the ARC model A0 7698 / IX from Whirlpool also makes a favorable impression. In all other cases, the victory was awarded "by points". "Fives" for functionality were received by Electrolux, AEG-Electrolux and Bosch models; the first - for a dispenser with a filter, the last two - for a spacious "freshness zone". The toughest fight broke out for "ergonomics" - it is difficult to determine the leader here. The most memorable thing was the successful door design in the ARC 7698/IX model. Finally, the test produced two winners - the 2013 GA-449USPA model from LG and the Santo 86378 KG from AEG-Electrolux, in which we managed to place the "experimental items" with minimal effort. You can see the results of our test in the photographs provided.
- Photo 1. GA-449USPA (LG). The refrigeration chamber in the GA-449USPA model feels more spacious due to the compactness of the OptiFresh compartment.
- Photo 2. Santo 86378 KG (AEG-Electrolux). A large number of guides for the shelves significantly simplifies their placement, despite the spacious freshness zone.
- Photo 3. ARC 7698 / IX (Whirlpool). The location of the illuminating lamp from above in the center ensures good lighting of the refrigerating chamber.
- Photo 1. KGF 39P90 (Bosch). Large "freshness zone" and lower lighting are the characteristic features of the new KGF 39P90 model.
- Photo 2. ENB 35405 s Brita (Electrolux). The shelf for storing bottles can be very useful during pre-holiday preparation.
- Photo 3. RK2000P2 (GORENJE). A watermelon and a bottle of mineral water are comfortably placed on a removable tray shelf.
