Find the best single door refrigerator in India that fits your budget, space, and cooling needs — perfect for small families, bachelors, and energy savers.
When there is a strong consideration for budget or even a lack of space, single-door refrigerators come to mind. Not only are they affordable and relatively small, but they are also cheaper to run as they are more energy-efficient than larger alternatives.
Moreover, if you want a direct cool refrigerator, then you are limited to single-door refrigerators only, as direct cooling is usually not available in double or multi-door refrigerators.
We have compiled a list of the top ten refrigerators available in India to help you decide which ones you should look at before you make your purchase. However, before you dive into the complete list, here is a quick look at the winners of this review:
Although these are the top picks, it would serve you well to take a look at our Single door refrigerator buyer’s guide as well as the top ten models that we have reviewed for you below.
So, let’s get started.
1. Whirlpool 184L 2 Star Direct-Cool Single-Door Refrigerator (205 WDE PRM 2S SAPPHIRE SERENA-Z)
Whirlpool has been a top home appliance brand in India for several decades now. This one is one of their top-selling models in the affordable segment. It is competitively priced and does not disappoint in terms of necessary features.
With a capacity of 184 liters, it is sufficient for a family of up to 3 members. It is a direct cool model, which means that you need to defrost it manually whenever there is frost build-up. Direct-cool refrigerators use less electricity, which is why this is not such a bad feature if you can handle manual defrosting. It also has a 2-star energy rating.
As far as the design goes, it is available in five colors and comes with a sleek pocket handle, which makes it look stylish. It also comes with the latest technology features, such as Whirlpool’s ‘Insulated Capillary Technology,’ which means the refrigerator will remain cool for up to 12 hours even during power cuts.
This is a great benefit if you live in an area prone to power cuts. It also comes with an advanced moisture slider, which helps you determine how much moisture should reach your fruits and vegetables to help keep them fresh for longer.
A third feature on the technology front is its ability to operate without a stabilizer. That’s right, this single-door refrigerator from Whirlpool offers stabilizer-free operation in the range of 130V to 300V.
One highlight of this refrigerator is the careful thought put into it to make it spacious. For instance, the door comes with two racks that can hold up to 5 one-litre bottles and also three two-litre bottles.
So, you no longer have to keep your large two-litre bottle lying down on the shelves, taking up precious space meant for food. Besides, it comes with an extra-large fruit and vegetable crisper and a large freezer compartment with stackable ice trays for maximum storage.
One feature that we didn’t expect in this price range was its ‎toughened glass shelves; this is unusual in this price range. Moreover, the provision of four shelf slots to allow you to adjust the height as needed is welcome. This model comes with a 1-year warranty and a 10-year warranty on the compressor.
Pros:
- Stabilizer free operation
- 12-hour cooling retention in power cuts
- Well-designed storage space
- Toughened Glass Shelves
- Intellisense Inverter technology
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with a stand.
2. Haier 185 L, 2 Star, Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (HED-19TMS-N, Moon Silver)
Haier is a large company but still a relatively small player in the single-door refrigerator segment in India. This Haier single-door model is an entry-level refrigerator from the home appliance behemoth. Although its 185 liters of storage volume makes it suitable for two or three people or bachelors, it does pack a punch in terms of features. Also, if budget is a constraint, this one is as affordable as it gets.
Like most affordable single-door competitors, this one is a direct-cool refrigerator, which means you will have to manually defrost it from time to time. It has a 2-star energy rating and comes with ‎toughened glass shelves, just like other models in this range.
As far as the design goes, we appreciate Haier making it scratch-resistant, and it also has a ‘moon silver pattern,’ which makes the outer surfaces look really stylish. If you look at the technology you get with this refrigerator, the list is quite impressive. It comes with Stabilizer-free operation in the range of 135V to 290V, which means you don’t need to spend more money to get a separate stabilizer.
It also comes with Haier’s Diamond Edge freezer technology. What this does is keep frozen ice firm for longer. So, you have sharp-edged ice cubes instead of ice cubes with melted edges. It also comes with an anti-fungal gasket to help prevent fungal growth inside the refrigerator cabinet.
Haier offers a 1-year warranty on the refrigerator and 10 years on the compressor.
Pros:
- Creates firmer ice cubes
- Stabilizer free operation
- Affordable pricing
- Anti-fungal gasket
- Toughened Glass Shelves
Cons:
- None
3. Samsung 183 L, 5-Star Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (RR20D2825HV/NL)
Samsung has been steadily gaining ground in the home appliance segment after dominating the smartphone game. They have models in the more premium segment, and this single-door refrigerator is just that: a direct cool model that is still packed with high-end features.
This model has a 183-liter storage volume that is sufficient for a family of 2 to 3 members. Its list of premium features starts with the toughened glass shelves that can withstand up to 150kgs of weight. Since most single-door refrigerators come with wired shelves that are prone to bending, please welcome this refrigerator.
Although the direct cool operation ensures low energy consumption, the 5-star energy rating that this model comes with is a huge thing. Samsung also offers stabilizer-free operation in this model, thus saving you the hassle of getting a stabilizer separately.
As far as the design is concerned, this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs for a single-door refrigerator. Its soft lines and elegant curves, along with the Crown design, make it a pleasure to look at. It has a large ‘Vege box’ to store all your fresh vegetables, and its freezer has a storage capacity of 25 liters.
While most single-door refrigerators come with a 10-year warranty on the compressor, Samsung offers a 20-year compressor warranty on this model.
Pros:
- Toughened Glass Shelves
- Sleek Looks
- 10-year compressor warranty
Cons:
- None
4. LG 185 L 5 Star Inverter Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (GL-D201ABEU)
LG currently rules the roost in the premium segment of home appliances, and this single-door entrant from LG is no less upmarket. It comes loaded with the latest technology and premium features at a slightly premium price point.
Its exterior is beautifully designed, and its stainless-steel body does justice to the price point. Its impressive 5-star energy rating means low electricity bills all year long! It has a storage capacity of 185 liters, offering enough room for a family of 2-3 members.
Its list of high-tech features starts with the Smart Inverter Compressor, which eliminates the noise coming from the compressor and offers silent operation at high efficiency and high performance. Another impressive and really useful feature is the Smart Connect Technology that connects your refrigerator to your home inverter during power cuts. It can run on inverter power for up to 36 hours.
Another highlight is LG’s spill-proof toughened glass shelves that can withstand up to 169kgs of weight. Another impressive feature is its fast ice-making capability. LG promises an ice-making time of 108 minutes, which is good for a single-door refrigerator.
Other noticeable features include a lattice-pattern box cover for the vegetable crisper, which allows humidity from the vegetables to condense and maintains the moisture in fruits and vegetables. The door also has an anti-bacterial gasket to prevent bacterial growth and protect your food from contamination.
LG offers a 1-year warranty on the fridge and a 10-year warranty on the compressor.
Pros
- 5 Star Energy Rating
- Smart Inverter Compressor
- Runs on inverter power for up to 36 hours
- Spill-proof toughened glass shelves
Cons
- Manual Defrosting
5. Haier 190 L, 4 Star, Direct-Cool Single-Door Refrigerator (HED-204DS-P, Dazzle Steel)
Haier is yet another growing brand in India’s home appliances market. This single-door direct-cool offering from Haier does offer some premium features but disappoints in terms of technology, with no Smart features available.
It has a capacity of 190 liters, which would be sufficient for a family of 2-3 members. The look of the refrigerator is definitely premium, with a classy, shiny steel finish. This finishing also makes it an easy-to-clean surface, which can be cleaned by wiping it with any regular cleaner. What is impressive is its 4-star energy rating, which will definitely help you save on your electricity bills in the long run.
The interior is well-designed, too. It comes with three toughened glass shelves that can bear up to 120 kg of weight. The door racks are thoughtfully placed, also allowing you to easily store two large 2-litre bottles. However, what is most impressive is Haier’s claim that it can make ice in under an hour! This is particularly impressive for a single-door refrigerator, and Haier apparently uses extra long condenser coils and PUF installation that is designed to be heavy-duty in order to achieve this.
Its Polyurethane Rigid Foam (PUF) installation is 6.5cm thick, thus making the refrigerator highly energy efficient. Moreover, it uses high-quality refrigerant gas, which is environmentally friendly, reduces ozone layer depletion, and does not cause global warming.
The refrigerator offers stabilizer-free operation, thus saving you the hassle of installing a separate stabilizer. It also has an anti-fungal gasket that can be removed and cleaned easily.
Haier offers a 1-year warranty on the refrigerator and 10 years on the compressor.
Pros:
- 5 Star Energy rating
- Environment-friendly refrigerant
- High-Quality PUF installation
Cons:
- No Smart Features
Frequently Asked Questions about Single Door Refrigerators
How much does a single-door refrigerator cost?
A single-door refrigerator, depending on the brand and the features it offers, can cost anywhere between 9,000 rupees for most entry-level refrigerators with small storage volumes, right up to 25,000 rupees for the most high-end premium models with the latest features.
How many people can a single-door refrigerator serve?
While most single-door refrigerators with less than 190 liters of storage space can serve couples or small families of up to 3 people, you could also get slightly larger single-door refrigerators with up to 230 liters of storage space if you have higher storage volume needs.
Are single-door refrigerators energy efficient?
Yes, single-door refrigerators consume the least amount of energy in the lot. They are usually more energy efficient than larger refrigerators, but it would still serve you well to check the energy rating of a refrigerator as 5 Star-rated ones are the most energy-efficient single-door refrigerators.
What spare parts are needed in single-door refrigerators?
While it would serve you well to have at least 1-year warranty on the refrigerator, do remember to check if the brand you are buying has a service center in your city. Spare parts that you may commonly need to replace include wired shelves, gaskets, bottle or chiller trays, freezer doors, door handles, etc. Also, these days, a lot of these accessories and spare parts are available to purchase in online marketplaces.
How do you manually defrost a single-door refrigerator?
Defrosting a single door direct cool refrigerator is simple. Whenever you find a large amount of frost buildup in the freezer area, you should defrost your refrigerator. All you need to do is follow these four quick steps:
- Switch off your refrigerator and unplug it.
- Remove all the food items from the shelves, including the shelves. This is also a good time to clean the shelves, ice trays, racks, and vegetable baskets.
- You could simply press the defrost button to allow the frost to melt away. If it does not melt in 10-15 minutes, use a hair dryer to melt it.
- Clean your refrigerator and put all your food back! Remember to check the expiration date on packed food so you can remove the old ones.
In this day and age, refrigerator technologies are evolving every couple of years, and the models we have reviewed above are the best options currently available, which will serve you well for the coming ten years and more.
Make sure you decide on a budget before you begin looking for a refrigerator. Also, remember to consider the amount of space you have in your home that you want the refrigerator to take up.
Besides, you may want to consider the color scheme of the room to pick a refrigerator color that goes well in that space.
Conclusion: So, what’s the best single door refrigerator?
We hope that we have been able to give you a thorough rundown of our top ten single-door refrigerator options available in the market. We have also made sure to include all the points you need to know before you make your purchase so you can make an informed decision. We hope you can now order the perfect refrigerator for your home.
Shrithu Freezer Door For Whirlpool Single Door | Part Code A223039-2