How to buy a fridge well: price, delivery and carrying up
Measure before you choose
A fridge has many parameters, but start with simple millimetres. Measure the height, width and depth of the space, and also the doorways and the lift. Leave a margin for the doors to open and for ventilation at the sides and back. Size is the most common reason appliances get returned.
Type and layout of compartments
- A double-door fridge with the freezer at the bottom is the most common: fresh food at eye level.
- A single-door fridge suits a small kitchen, a hostel or an office.
- Side-by-side has two tall doors next to each other, large capacity and width.
- A mini fridge is right for a room or a car.
- A built-in one hides in the cabinets, and its size has to be matched to the space.
Capacity and features to consider
For one person 150–200 litres is enough, for a couple 250–300, for a family with children 350 litres or more. No Frost saves time because you don't have to defrost, but such models usually cost more. An inverter compressor is quieter and more economical. The energy rating affects your electricity bill, especially as a fridge runs round the clock. There are also ice makers, displays and fresh zones.
What to put in your request
- Type — double-door, single-door, side-by-side, mini or built-in.
- Dimensions — limits on height, width and depth.
- Capacity — total or of the freezer.
- Features — No Frost, inverter, energy rating.
- Model or brand.
- Colour — white, stainless steel, black.
- New or used.
- Delivery — carrying up to the floor, whether there is a lift.
- City, budget.
Example: “I need a new double-door No Frost fridge, height up to 185 cm, width 60 cm, about 350 l, stainless steel. Melbourne, delivery with carrying up to the 5th floor, no lift. Budget up to $860.”
How to compare offers
First make sure the offers match in dimensions and features. Then look at delivery: it may already be in the price or charged separately, and carrying up without a lift is often charged by the floor. Ask about unpacking and taking away the old appliance.
For a used one, ask for a photo of the label with the model, a video of it starting and information about its age. Always ask whether the seller gives a warranty and whether the compressor was ever repaired.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write a request once, and sellers reply in chat: which model, what it costs, how they deliver. Each one sees their place among the others and can improve their terms, so the price often comes out better. Contacts stay hidden, and only the seller you choose gets them. More in How it works.
For the kitchen you may also find freezers and dishwashers useful.
