Few things on the road are as infuriating as waiting at a red light. Especially when it happens after waiting at the previous traffic light, and the one before that, and the one before that, and so on.
It turns out, some cities are actually turning that frustration into a reason to slow down. A traffic signal strategy called “rest in red” gives drivers who follow the speed limit a better chance of reaching green lights, while faster drivers are more likely to have to stop.
Learn how rest in red works, why cities think more green lights could encourage slower driving, which cities are leading the trend, and if this strategy could be adopted everywhere in the United States.
How Rest in Red Traffic Lights Reward Drivers Who Follow the Speed Limit
With rest in red, a traffic light stays red when no vehicles are approaching. Sensors detect an approaching vehicle and can trigger the light to turn green.
“Traffic signals with ‘rest in red’ technology can display red lights in all directions during late night and early morning hours when traffic volume is light rather than cycling through green, yellow, and red the way they do normally during the day,” according to the Portland, Oregon Bureau of Transportation’s website.
Some cities also use speed sensors. Drivers traveling at or below the set speed can get a green light early enough to continue through the intersection.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the signal already rests on red. Drivers traveling at an acceptable speed can trigger an earlier green light.
“If you come to Albuquerque right now and you’re driving that corridor, you will learn pretty quickly that if you are speeding, you stop,” Jennifer Turner, Albuquerque’s director of municipal development, told Jeff McMurray of the Associated Press.
Albuquerque uses the system along Lead and Coal Avenues as part of a broader effort to improve traffic safety.
“The City has already implemented several safety improvements—such as Rest in Red technologies, Automated Speed Enforcement devices and traffic signal coordination at 30 MPH—that have contributed to calmer traffic and increased safety,” according to the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s survey announcement.
Portland has also tested rest in red on Southeast Powell Boulevard during late-night and early-morning hours. The city says reducing speeds can also make crashes less severe when they happen.
“As people travel faster, the risk of death or serious injury rises dramatically,” according to Portland, Oregon Bureau of Transportation’s website. “For example, a pedestrian struck by a person driving 40 mph is eight times more likely to die than a pedestrian struck at 20 mph. Safe speeds lower the risk of crashes. And when crashes do occur, safe speeds make it less likely that people will be seriously injured or killed.”
The approach differs from the familiar “green wave,” which times several traffic lights so drivers traveling at a certain speed can move through them. Rest in red starts with a red light and uses the promise of an earlier green to encourage drivers to slow down.
Cities don’t always need speed sensors, either. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has studied a simpler version that keeps signals red until an approaching vehicle is detected.
Will Rest in Red Traffic Lights Work on Every Road?
Rest in red works best in certain traffic conditions. Portland mainly uses the system when traffic is light and open roads can make speeding more likely. A busy intersection during daytime traffic may need a different signal setup to keep vehicles moving.
Some intersections may also need newer vehicle detectors or signal equipment before cities can use the system.
Researchers are still studying possible downsides, including whether drivers who repeatedly encounter red lights become more likely to run them. Cities will likely need more testing before rest in red becomes a common traffic safety tool across the United States.
The idea for drivers remains straightforward: staying near the speed limit could make it easier to reach the next green light instead of racing toward another red one.
Buying a new car can be a stressful experience. Drivers want something that fits their daily transportation needs, feels roomy and not cramped, hopefully looks nice, and, of course, lasts a long time before starting the process over again with a new vehicle. That makes the car brands most likely to reach 250,000 miles especially relevant for drivers who plan to keep their vehicles for years.
But determining which cars, or brands, will last the longest can be tricky. A new study revealed some interesting findings after analyzing more than 395 million vehicles. The latest rankings show which automakers led the study, which individual models performed best, and what the results mean for drivers.
Which Car Brands Are Most Likely to Reach 250,000 Miles?
Toyota tops the iSeeCars ranking with an estimated 19.7% chance of reaching 250,000 miles. Lexus comes in second at 14.4%, followed by Honda at 13.3% and Acura at 9.5%.
GMC ranks fifth at 5.8% and is the only other brand above the study’s 5.4% overall average.
“Consumers base their car-buying decisions on a range of vehicle attributes,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “For buyers seeking the longest-lasting vehicles, it’s clear which brands they should focus on for their next new or used car purchase.”
The top 10 are:
Toyota: 19.7%
Lexus: 14.4%
Honda: 13.3%
Acura: 9.5%
GMC: 5.8%
Mazda: 5.3%
Lincoln: 4.7%
Ram: 4.2%
Ford: 4.1%
Cadillac: 3.9%
The percentages are estimates, not guarantees that a certain share of new vehicles will reach 250,000 miles. iSeeCars compared odometer readings from vehicles of different ages to estimate how likely each model was to reach that mark, then used those results to rank each brand.
“Reaching 250,000 miles is an exceptionally high bar for any vehicle, which makes the distinction among the four highest-ranked brands meaningful,” said Brauer. “Toyota, Lexus, Honda and Acura don’t just lead the list, they substantially outperform the average vehicle’s chances of reaching that high-mileage threshold.”
The separate model study shows why those four brands finished so high. Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Acura accounted for 25 of the 27 highest-ranked vehicles.
The Toyota Sequoia ranked first among individual models, while the Lexus LS placed second. Other high-ranking vehicles included the Toyota 4Runner, Tundra, Tacoma, and Avalon, along with Honda models such as the Accord Hybrid, HR-V, Civic, and Pilot.
The results also show that high-mileage potential isn’t limited to one type of vehicle. Toyota and Honda placed trucks, SUVs, sedans, hybrids, and smaller vehicles among the stronger performers.
What the 250,000-Mile Car Brand Rankings Mean for Drivers
Brand rankings can help narrow down a search, but the condition of an individual vehicle still matters. Maintenance history, previous use, mileage, rust, accident damage, and overall condition can all affect how long a used car stays on the road.
“For used-car shoppers, the longest-lasting brand rankings can provide valuable context when comparing used vehicles with higher odometer readings,” said Brauer.
How much owners drive a vehicle also matters. iSeeCars notes that some luxury vehicles accumulate fewer miles than mainstream models, which can reduce their estimated odds of reaching 250,000 miles.
“Luxury status doesn’t translate into extreme longevity, though it’s important to remember how much the average luxury car is actually driven compared to mainstream models,” said Brauer.
For drivers hoping to keep a car for many years, the rankings offer another factor to consider alongside price, condition, maintenance history, and the needs of the household. Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Acura led the 2026 brand ranking, while GMC was the only other automaker above the study’s overall average.
We’ve all seen them. The big, white houses that show up almost overnight, transforming rows of tidy ranch houses into wide, gaping mouths with a few ill-spaced giant buck teeth. Soon, there’s another. And another. Before you know it, the entire neighborhood seems to be in the process of turning over on itself.
I’ve seen it happen in real time as I ride my bike all over east Dallas. I clock about 75 miles a week, and my irritation builds with every mile: Who builds these? Why would they want to? What do the neighbors think? Monster homes have long been the mark of suburban tract-house developments, and now they’re taking aim at well-established city neighborhoods like mine.
Why is this happening, and why does it bother me so much? Ahead, I’ll take a look at what’s behind the trend and also examine broader themes at play behind these neighborhood transformations.
For Sale: A $500,000 Teardown
Dallas has long been a teardown town. Right now, the city is embroiled in a fight over our Brutalist, I.M. Pei–designed City Hall, which was slated for demolition to entice the Dallas Mavericks to stay downtown. (The Mavs recently said no thanks and are moving to the ‘burbs, though the fate of City Hall is still in limbo.) Plenty of other historic and not-so-historic buildings around the city have succumbed to the wrecking ball over the years.
So it shouldn’t surprise me when I see the For Sale signs on my rides. It’s Texas, land of the wide open spaces, after all. At over 9,000 square miles, the Dallas–Ft. Worth Metroplex is roughly the size of New Hampshire—I should probably be happy for more urban density, not less. And as the daughter of a custom home builder, I benefited directly from the fact that people want to build beautiful new homes for their families.
But when the For Sale sign hits the yard of a modest ’60s rambler, I brace myself. First, the roll-off Dumpster arrives, then the bulldozer. The next time I ride by, the studs are exposed like a picked-over Thanksgiving turkey. Another week or two and the lot is empty, smoothed over and ready for dirt work. The underground plumbing is laid, the slab is poured, and it’s only a matter of time before the big white house begins to take shape.
It’s Going to Be One of Two Things
Next, trees come down, the yard gets smaller and the house stretches upward and outward toward the property lines. Having been around construction all of my life (I’m also a non-practicing electrician), I can usually guess what’s coming by the time the slab is laid. It’s either a stark, boxy contemporary or a white, possibly grey or cream, farmhouse-style with a black roof.
Architecturally, they’re not unattractive. Especially the contemporary ones. These would be stunners if they weren’t 5,000 square feet stuffed onto a relatively modest city lot. The farmhouses I can take or leave. Popularized by Texas’s own Chip and Joanna Gaines, there’s a deliberately inoffensive quality about them, but again, they’re just too big relative to everything else around them. Also: Can we get a splash of color?
Sometimes I imagine how the neighborly introductions go. What do you say to someone whose house now plunges your backyard into darkness? When your plants start dying because they now get shade instead of sun, do you just smile and embrace the Japanese maple? Would you borrow a cup of sugar from someone who can probably read the recipe you’re making because they ripped out all the Crepe Myrtles on the property line?
Like I said, my bike rides are long.
Why Is This So Common Now?
One reason is space. If you want to live in the city, there are only so many places that haven’t already been developed. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a quarter of new home construction in 2024 was either a teardown or what’s called infill development, aka a home built on an existing, underutilized lot.
In an established neighborhood, the existing homes were built decades ago—and many of them need a lot of work. The bedrooms are small, the closets are tiny, the electrical service needs updating for modern living. Bringing them up to code and adding amenities takes money, so many people (and builders) would rather just start fresh.
But … wouldn’t renovating be cheaper? Yes, but in the most desirable neighborhoods or even gentrifying ones, the cost may be worth it, especially if you’re looking at adding square footage. If you have three kids but no interest in living in the suburbs, a teardown has a lot of benefits. In essence, you’re not buying the home, you’re buying the lot in the excellent school district.
And for builders, the economics make sense too. Dallas zoning laws don’t limit square footage, so as long as you stay within the setback and lot coverage requirements, you can build a more profitable home by going larger. Plus, people like bigger homes than they used to. In 1973, the median size of a single-family home was 1,525 sq. ft. Last year, it was 2,142 sq. ft., according to the latest Census data.
But Why Do They All Look the Same?
This appears to be about appealing to the biggest swath of people. Neutral colors and ready-to-go plans (with a few tweaks and personalizations) mean builders can respond to demand quickly with popular styles that today’s homebuyers want.
And they certainly do: According to the 2025 Annual Builder Practices Survey (ABPS) by Home Innovation Research Labs, modern farmhouses and contemporary styles were the most popular builds by far, making up a combined 51% of the new-home market last year.
Why Does It Matter?
Right about now, you’re probably going, “Lady, who cares what you think?”
I agree with you! Homeowners who absolutely adore their giant farmhouses can keep right on building them—zero input from me required. But I can’t be the only person whose initial reaction to these monster homes isn’t, “How gorgeous?” but, “Good grief, another one?”
It’s not aesthetics—these homes are attractive enough. It’s more the big, fat thumb in the eye to the existing neighborhood character. New homes that lord over their more modest neighbors shift the Overton window between community and individuality dramatically toward the latter. Erecting a home that blocks the view, upends others’ privacy or forces changes in routines (and landscaping) to accommodate your new place disrupts everyone else’s sense of place too.
According to a study in the Journal of Housing Economics, the mere presence of a new giant home in the neighborhood lowers everyone else’s satisfaction with their own homes. These positional externalities prompt a race, like the old “keeping up with the Jones’s” effect: Homeowners feel compelled to improve and expand their own homes, taking on more debt. In turn, the new normal becomes not good enough, and the race continues.
And maybe that’s fine in the long run. Things change, life moves on. Anything stark, new and different prompts old geezers like me to yell at clouds. As I ride by neighborhoods that are in the later stages of turning over, I soften. When most of the homes on the block look fresh and contemporary, it’s the old ranch homes that look out of place, clinging to an era that, like me on my bike, will soon pass by.
Sources
Census.gov: “Characteristics of New Housing (Historical)”
Census.gov: “Characteristics of New Housing (2025)”
Few things on the road are as infuriating as waiting at a red light. Especially when it happens after waiting at the previous traffic light, and the one before that, and the one before that, and so on.
It turns out, some cities are actually turning that frustration into a reason to slow down. A traffic signal strategy called “rest in red” gives drivers who follow the speed limit a better chance of reaching green lights, while faster drivers are more likely to have to stop.
Learn how rest in red works, why cities think more green lights could encourage slower driving, which cities are leading the trend, and if this strategy could be adopted everywhere in the United States.
How Rest in Red Traffic Lights Reward Drivers Who Follow the Speed Limit
With rest in red, a traffic light stays red when no vehicles are approaching. Sensors detect an approaching vehicle and can trigger the light to turn green.
“Traffic signals with ‘rest in red’ technology can display red lights in all directions during late night and early morning hours when traffic volume is light rather than cycling through green, yellow, and red the way they do normally during the day,” according to the Portland, Oregon Bureau of Transportation’s website.
Some cities also use speed sensors. Drivers traveling at or below the set speed can get a green light early enough to continue through the intersection.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the signal already rests on red. Drivers traveling at an acceptable speed can trigger an earlier green light.
“If you come to Albuquerque right now and you’re driving that corridor, you will learn pretty quickly that if you are speeding, you stop,” Jennifer Turner, Albuquerque’s director of municipal development, told Jeff McMurray of the Associated Press.
Albuquerque uses the system along Lead and Coal Avenues as part of a broader effort to improve traffic safety.
“The City has already implemented several safety improvements—such as Rest in Red technologies, Automated Speed Enforcement devices and traffic signal coordination at 30 MPH—that have contributed to calmer traffic and increased safety,” according to the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s survey announcement.
Portland has also tested rest in red on Southeast Powell Boulevard during late-night and early-morning hours. The city says reducing speeds can also make crashes less severe when they happen.
“As people travel faster, the risk of death or serious injury rises dramatically,” according to Portland, Oregon Bureau of Transportation’s website. “For example, a pedestrian struck by a person driving 40 mph is eight times more likely to die than a pedestrian struck at 20 mph. Safe speeds lower the risk of crashes. And when crashes do occur, safe speeds make it less likely that people will be seriously injured or killed.”
The approach differs from the familiar “green wave,” which times several traffic lights so drivers traveling at a certain speed can move through them. Rest in red starts with a red light and uses the promise of an earlier green to encourage drivers to slow down.
Cities don’t always need speed sensors, either. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has studied a simpler version that keeps signals red until an approaching vehicle is detected.
Will Rest in Red Traffic Lights Work on Every Road?
Rest in red works best in certain traffic conditions. Portland mainly uses the system when traffic is light and open roads can make speeding more likely. A busy intersection during daytime traffic may need a different signal setup to keep vehicles moving.
Some intersections may also need newer vehicle detectors or signal equipment before cities can use the system.
Researchers are still studying possible downsides, including whether drivers who repeatedly encounter red lights become more likely to run them. Cities will likely need more testing before rest in red becomes a common traffic safety tool across the United States.
The idea for drivers remains straightforward: staying near the speed limit could make it easier to reach the next green light instead of racing toward another red one.
Special features like water dispenser and humidity control
Wide service network
Large range of styles and sizes
Cons:
Expensive
Some models can be noisy
Four of the appliance repair experts we spoke to said Whirlpool was one of the most reliable refrigerator brands. “In my experience, Whirlpool stands out for reliability,” says Brayden Hazlewood of Rectify Home. He recommends the French Door Refrigerator, a 25-cubic foot fridge with French-style doors, a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior and an on-door water and ice dispenser.
“The dual cooling system contributes to its overall durability,” Hazlewood says, which is especially good considering this fridge’s price tag. Hazlewood and other repair techs, however, note they’re simple and easy to fix, meaning they’ll last a long time before you need to replace them.
“Whirlpool’s simple designs, especially their basic top-freezer models, mean fewer electronic controls to fail,” adds Dennis Godynuk, lead appliance expert at Comfort Appliance and Refrigeration Repair. “I’ve seen 20-year-old Whirlpool units come in for a new gasket and be back in service that afternoon.”
And if they do require repairs, you won’t struggle to find help. Appliance expert Xohan Duran also notes Whirlpool has a large service network. “Therefore, repairs are more convenient for homeowners when and if needed,” he says.
Beyond its aesthetically pleasing look, it’s pretty simple in its design, which is nice if you aren’t looking for anything too complicated. (This also means that it doesn’t boast any smart features, but any repairs down the road will likely be easier, since you won’t have to source one-off parts.) Still, you get to enjoy tap touch controls, a dispenser control lock, a humidity-controlled double crisper and spill-proof shelves.
Plus, some Whirlpool fridge models also feature frameless glass shelves which are easier to clean, offer more storage flexibility and have a sleek, modern look.
Dimensions: 70.25 x 35.625 x 35.25 inches | Weight: 302 pounds | Colors available: Stainless steel, black steel | Style: French door | Capacity: 24.7 cubic feet | Warranty: One year
VIA MERCHANT
LG
Pros:
ThinQ app sends maintenance notifications
Energy Star-certified fridges
Craft ice maker
Instant-view window
Largest counter-depth capacity on the market
Cons:
One-year warranty
Some users report repeated compressor issues
Parts can take weeks to come in
LG was another brand that all of our experts recommended for homeowners looking for a reliable fridge. “These brands are known for their durability and straightforward designs, making troubleshooting and repairs less complicated,” says appliance expert Rick Sun, referring to LG and other brands he recommended.
The smart InstaView gets our nod for the best LG refrigerator because of the ThinQ app, which sends maintenance alerts and notifications to a smartphone app so you can nip problems in the bud before they become a bigger issue. The same app can be found on the LG MoodUP Refrigerator.
The instant-view window, craft ice maker, and smooth-touch ice dispenser are also nice touches. Don’t worry; it’s Energy Star-certified, so even though it’s filled with impressive features, it won’t increase your utility bills.
Other highlights include 26.8 cubic feet of interior room, a built-in dual ice maker, a child lock and Cool Guard capabilities, which help keep groceries cold.
It’s worth noting, however, that some owners have experienced problems with their LG refrigerators not cooling sufficiently, and that it can be difficult to find someone to service them. Not only that, but Godynuk cautions that many LG parts often ship from overseas, leading to multi-week waits. As with any major appliance, check reviews for the specific model prior to purchasing.
Dimensions: 37 x 74 x 34 inches | Weight: 295 pounds | Colors available: Stainless steel, black steel | Style: Side-by-side | Capacity: 27.1 cubic feet | Warranty: One year
VIA MERCHANT
Samsung
Pros:
FlexZone drawer with climate control
Energy Star certified
TwinCooling Plus
Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish
Some models offer built-in smart features
Cons:
Some users report issues with compressors and ice makers
“For homeowners seeking reliability, Samsung is a top choice,” Hazlewood says. He recommends the Top-Freezer Refrigerator because the FlexZone sets it apart from competitors. The FlexZone is a section that converts from freezer to fridge temperature settings. It also has TwinCooling Plus technology for less freezer burn and more fresh produce.
Apart from the stainless steel finish, this fridge doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other Samsung models, but it does offer reversible door customization and a slide-and-reach pantry in this Energy Star-certified appliance. Samsung is one of the most reliable refrigerator brands and also tops our list of the best wine fridges.
While the Top-Freezer Refrigerator doesn’t have any special features, other Samsung models offer innovative smart features including Family Hub, WiFi and AI vision of the inside that make the brand ideal for tech-enthusiast homeowners.
Dimensions: 66.88 x 29.25 x 27.63 inches | Weight: 152 pounds | Colors available: Stainless steel | Style: Top freezer | Capacity: 15.6 cubic feet | Warranty: One year
VIA MERCHANT
GE
Pros:
Easy to find replacement parts
Reliable
Ample storage
Relatively affordable
Wide variety of styles
Cons:
One-year warranty
Some user report lack of longevity on high-end models
Sun said GE is one of the most reliable refrigerator brands and has minimal issues and easy repairs. “I recommend these brands for their consistent performance, customer satisfaction and availability of replacement parts,” he says of GE and other companies. He specifically mentions this GE Side by Side Refrigerator as a reliable home fridge.
The 25.3-cubic foot, side-by-side refrigerator has ample storage space, including a shelf above the ice maker and edge-to-edge shelves. It doesn’t have many special features aside from the ice and water dispenser, but it’s relatively affordable and with its easy maintenance should last for many years. If your GE refrigerator does require maintenance, Godynuk assures us that finding parts is quick and easy. “GE parts are widely stocked at local shops, so I can get a new ice-maker or thermostat same-day,” he says.
GE also tops our list of the best garage refrigerators due to its durability and reliability. We also like that some GE refrigerator models offer temperature-controlled drawers and digital ice makers.
Overall, GE refrigerators offer a great mix of smart features and style. They’re more advanced than Frigidaire, more tech-forward than Whirlpool and more affordable than higher-end KitchAid models.
Dimensions: 69.625 x 34.75 x 32.75 inches (23 cubic foot capacity), 69.875 x 34.75 x 36 inches (25.3 cubic foot capacity) | Weight: 314 pounds (23 cubic foot capacity), 320 pounds (25.3 cubic foot capacity) | Colors available: White, stainless steel, slate, black | Style: Side-by-side | Capacity: 23- or 25.3-cubic feet | Warranty: One year
VIA MERCHANT
Dometic
Pros:
Durable compressor
Lightweight
Can be used as fridge, freezer or both
Removable freezer compartment
Three-year warranty
Quiet
Cons:
No color options
Some users report issues with customer service
RV enthusiast Anthony Smith recommends Dometic fridges for people who need a fridge in small spaces, such as campers and RVs, college dorms and studios. He says the brand is known for making high-quality and durable refrigerators. The Dometic NRX Compressor Refrigerator comes with a compressor for increased durability and large capacity (57 liters!) to keep your things cold or frozen for the long haul.
This is a three-in-one fridge that can be used as a fridge, freezer or both, depending on what you’re chilling. It comes with a three-year warranty, which is better than most full-sized fridges. Plus Dometic tends to be more energy efficient than other refrigerators thanks to the brand utilizing technology like compact compressors, variable compressor speeds and three selectable cooling modes to optimize energy consumption.
Dimensions: 23 x 22 x 25 inches | Weight: 40.79 pounds | Colors available: Black | Style: French door | Capacity: 57 liters | Warranty: Three years
VIA MERCHANT
Bosch
Pros:
Sleek design
Durable
Internal water dispenser
Large storage capacity
Cons:
Repairs can be expensive
Some users report issues with door closure
For higher-end refrigerators with an affordable-ish price point, Bosch is a good option. “Bosch tops the list for everyday reliability,” says Godynuk. “For most homeowners, Bosch hits that sweet spot of durability without the luxury-brand sticker shock.”
We like the Bosch 800 Series for its sleek design, large storage capacity and the hidden-inside-the-fridge water dispenser. The stainless steel finish looks chic (though it can be prone to showing fingerprints) and there are a wide range of sizes to choose from, too. And though it’s on the pricier end, Godynuk insists you can’t go wrong. “I once serviced a Bosch 800 Series that had run non-stop for nearly 15 years with just routine coil cleanings,” he says.
We think this Bosch pick is a great middle point between smart features and simplicity: The French door look is stylish, while 21 cubic feet of storage offers tempered glass shelves, 3-gallon door bins and two humidity-controlled drawers. It also boasts LED interior lighting, touch-sensitive controls and is even compatible with Amazon Alexa.
Dimensions: 72 x 35.625 x 28.5 inches | Weight: 350 pounds | Colors available: Stainless steel, black steel | Style: Counter depth French door | Capacity: 20.8 cubic feet | Warranty: One year
What to Look for When Buying a Reliable Fridge
Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a reliable refrigerator to buy.
Compressor
The compressor is your fridge’s lifeline, so make sure you’re buying one with a compressor that can do the job. Compressors are evaluated by the cooling capacity, which is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) or cubic feet per hour (CFH). This number indicates how much space the compressor can cool within a given time—a higher CFM or CFH indicates greater cooling capacity. If your refrigerator’s compressor is incorrectly sized, there’s a high chance of malfunction and failure.
Ease of repairs
When looking for a reliable fridge, look for ones that have easy-to-reach compartments for simple and quick repairs and troubleshooting information on the website or in the manual. If you get a smart fridge, make sure you’re able to fix the technology on your own if needed or if you’ll have to rely on tech support.
Before checking out, check to see if the company you’re buying from has service technicians in your area. This allows you to get expert help straight from people who have direct experience with your product.
According to Godynuk, refrigerator brands that have a large service network and easy-to-find parts are going to be the most painless to repair. He also notes that smart fridges are a different story. “Smart fridges look slick, but they add complexity,” he says. “I’ve had customers love the app notifications, until a software glitch locked them out of temperature controls. If you want Wi-Fi for diagnostics, go for it. But if low maintenance is your goal, stick with simple panels and manual dials. Fewer sensors mean fewer service calls.”
Replacement parts
Things happen, so make sure it’s easy for you to purchase a spare compressor, motor or other fridge part if needed. Godynuk points out that parts shipped from overseas can take weeks to arrive. While some companies make specialty parts that can only be purchased through them, most brands’ replacement parts can be found on Amazon, home improvement stores or third-party sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
Warranty
Lastly, check to see the fridge’s warranty. To be honest, most fridges only come with a one- or two-year warranty, though you can purchase additional coverage if desired.
What to Consider When Shopping for a Fridge in 2026
Family Handyman Shopping Editor Mary Henn purchased a new refrigerator recently. She shared her buying experience as the average consumer shopping for a refrigerator in today’s market. “When I purchased a new refrigerator recently, there was one big, unexpected hiccup I ran into while shopping,” she says. “When I first started looking for a new fridge, I didn’t take into account that I’d need a zero-clearance refrigerator.”
What is a zero-clearance refrigerator? “A zero-clearance refrigerator has hinges that require little to no clearance to open the door(s),” Mary explains. “If the spot for your refrigerator is positioned next to a wall or countertop (on either side), you may need a zero-clearance refrigerator like I did.”
“If you’re wondering how likely it is for you to run into this issue, I had several appliance salespeople tell me that they deal with this issue on a daily basis,” Mary says. “Many new refrigerators that have come out within recent years require an additional 2 to 3 inches on both sides to open. I didn’t realize this when I was initially shopping for LG and Samsung refrigerators. However, large, French-door refrigerators from those big brands—with the latest technological features like touchscreens—often cannot be placed against a wall, countertop or cabinetry because they won’t have enough room to open.”
We also asked Mary about the latest innovations in refrigerators. “If you’re shopping for a new fridge in 2026, expect to see new features like bold colors, craft ice makers, see-through door panels, and built-in touchscreens that are app-compatible and allow users to control their fridge’s function remotely,” she says.
How We Found the Most Reliable Fridge Brands
As a former New York City doorman, I researched many high-quality appliances for my tenants. This included refrigerators, washers/dryers and eco-friendly dishwashers. For this roundup, I did what I did back then—spoke to the experts. Appliance experts Rick Sun, Brayden Hazlewood and Xohan Duran told me about the most reliable fridge brands and gave us examples of some of their favorite models from these brands. The experts explained that their top brands had minimal service issues, and when fixes needed to be made, they were simple and quick. I also spoke with Anthony Smith, an RV enthusiast who provided his pick for fridges for RVs.
For the most up to date information, we also had Dennis Godynuk, lead appliance expert at Comfort Appliance and Refrigeration Repair, weigh in on the best and worst in the industry.
FAQ
Which refrigerator brand is most reliable?
All three of the appliance experts we spoke to for this roundup said Whirlpool and LG were the most reliable refrigerator brands due to their durability, reliability and ease of repairs. Samsung and GE were also mentioned by our experts as high-quality fridges.
What shortens the life of a refrigerator?
Things that can shorten the life of a refrigerator include not doing regular maintenance and cleaning, keeping it too full, not changing filters and setting temperatures too high or too low.
What is the average cost of a good refrigerator?
A good refrigerator often costs around $1,000 if you want one with a high-quality compressor and motor. Popular fridges can cost $1,500 to $3,500 if you want special features such as in-door water and ice dispensers, see-through panels and touchscreens.
Why You Should Trust Us
Testing out the best appliance brands is our bread and butter here at Family Handyman. We look for reliable, budget-friendly options to recommend to you, our readers, so you can make smart shopping decisions that make sense for your lifestyle.
Anthony O’Reilly, an expert on all things home and DIY, wrote this article. He also recently wrote reviews on a Worx Leaf vacuum and a Ninesky dehumidifier. Additional reporting was contributed by Melissa Lee, Content Updates Editor and staff writer Marisa Hillman.
The year was 2006. Two women, one a fellow singer in a devotional music group and the other a friend of hers, invited me to join them in the purchase of a 17-acre property on a ridge in the Santa Cruz mountains overlooking Monterey Bay. I took out a home equity loan on the property I currently owned to pay a share of the down payment, and I accepted the invitation.
The property was far from turnkey, but we were prepared for an adventure, and the fact that it was an off-grid solar property was part of the fun. Jump to 2026, and we’re still here, but the solar energy system is not. It wasn’t our first choice to scrap it in favor of bringing in utilities. Many twists and turns through the years, some financial, some logistical and some caused by acts of Nature, led us to the decision.
In this post, I’ll share about our system and what happened to it, what I learned about the pros and cons of living off the grid and why, in the end, the cons outweighed the pros — at least for us.
An Undersized System Gets Fried
The PV system powering our new house consisted of six 175W Shell solar panels, a charge controller that fed power to a battery bank consisting of 16 lead-acid batteries. They in turn powered a Xantrex 48V inverter which supplied 120/240V electricity to the main panel on the side of the house. A 10kW diesel generator (biodiesel, actually), located some distance away in a concrete bunker, also connected to the inverter and was programmed to switch on to charge the batteries when they needed it.
The previous owners, who had DIYed the system, outfitted the main house with gas appliances, so the primary load on the electrical system (besides lights and small appliances) was the well pump and a jet pump to pressurize the water system. They had been optimistic enough about the system’s capabilities to have installed a pool pump, but judging by how often the generator switched on during everyday use, the panels didn’t seem to supply enough power for something like that, so we discarded it.
We hated the generator. It sounded like a Mack truck and pumped thick black smoke into the sky whenever it was running — and it ran often. Moreover, biodiesel was hard to find and expensive. We would have replaced the generator, but we never got the chance. One spring day, as we were sitting outside, a rogue bolt of lightning struck the building that housed the inverter (about 20 feet away from us) and fried it. Not stopping there, the bolt traveled along the wires to the generator and also disabled its control panel.
When You’re Off-Grid, You Need Friends
That single lightning strike left us completely without power, and if our property had been isolated in the backwoods, we would have had no way to restore it. Luckily, we had one close neighbor who allowed us to connect an emergency cable to their panel to power our essentials.
Eventually, the neighbor allowed us to upgrade to a heavier cable and a bigger breaker. We connected to a meter to monitor our usage so we could pay our fair share of the electric bill, and then to a subpanel to back-feed the property. This jerry-rigged and dangerous situation persisted for several years as we tried to figure out what to do.
Comparing the Costs of Solar and Grid Power
The reliability of utility power was a relief. It meant eventually, no battery maintenance, no noisy generator and no PV system upgrades were required. However, to bring utilities to our property meant burying a cable under the road from the nearest power pole, which was 400 feet away. Then there was the panel installation itself, running wires to outbuildings, and doing it all up to code. Estimates for the installation hovered in a range between $80,000 and $125,000.
Besides the expense, this all promised to be disruptive, and we hadn’t given up on the solar dream, so we got quotes from local solar contractors. They blew our socks off. It turned out a system with enough panels and battery storage to meet our needs would cost just as much, if not more. One bid came in at $110,000, and another, which included a high-end Kohler backup generator, was around $130,000. And that was with the 30 percent federal rebate that was available at the time.
We Chose to Tie to the Grid — Partly, But Not Only, Because of Money
The price of installing solar notwithstanding, it was still an option that captured our collective imagination. When you’re generating your own off-grid power, we reasoned, you’re self-sufficient while doing your part for the environment and staking a claim in the electrified world of the future. Best of all, you’re getting Free Energy! Or so we thought.
It turns out you still need to buy components and maintain them, so the electricity isn’t free. The batteries on our old system had cost $3,500 to replace (cheap by today’s standards, but still a burden), and they only lasted from five to seven years. Moreover, when we needed help, we were totally dependent on local contractors who may or may not have been able to understand or fix our system, and they charged for the service call either way.
Environmental concerns entered into the decision. Our individual system powered our house with renewable energy with all its benefits, but PG&E, our local utility company, was selling energy increasingly supplied from renewable resources to the whole community. It made sense to support that.
Finally, there was county permitting, which was a major issue if we ever wanted to sell the property. Our old DIY system would never have passed an electrical inspection, and who’s to say that any system we installed today would pass inspection 10 years from now, given how fast the solar industry is evolving? Tying to the grid guaranteed code compliance in perpetuity, as long as we managed to clean up the wiring mess left by the previous owners, which we did.
The dream of going it alone died with these realizations.
Still Off-Grid? A Few Takeaways
Every property is different, and some are so far from utilities that a solar installation makes sense. Don’t DIY it. If you hire a contractor for the job (after researching them well, including their knowledge and relationships with the relevant agencies), you have a ready resource when you need repairs.
If you want to save money, find a contractor without a sales agenda that favors particular products, so you can take advantage of the diversity of solar equipment on the market.
Follow codes when you do wiring in your buildings. It will make your property more valuable if you decide to sell it.
Monitor your energy usage carefully to avoid having to run your generator for extended periods during prolonged periods of cloudy and rainy weather. Generators use fossil fuels (which you are trying to avoid), and they wear out quickly when they run continuously.
A stack of old bills, tax records, or other paperwork can turn into a full bag of shredded paper surprisingly fast. Since regular office paper usually belongs in the recycling bin, it seems logical that homeowners should also be able to recycle shredded paper.
The problem isn’t necessarily the paper itself. Shredding changes its size, making it much harder for some recycling facilities to sort and collect. That’s why one community may accept shredded paper while another tells residents to put it in the trash or take it somewhere else.
Here’s why shredded paper causes problems for some recycling programs and how homeowners can dispose of it properly.
Why Shredded Paper Causes Recycling Problems
Shredded paper can be surprisingly difficult for recycling facilities to handle. Full sheets are easier to sort, while tiny shreds can fall through equipment or get mixed with other waste.
Tampa, Florida, says its recycling system can’t properly sort shredded paper because the pieces are too small and light. Shredding also shortens the paper fibers, which can make them less useful for producing new paper. Portland, Oregon, gives another reason for keeping it out of the bin. Loose shreds can scatter and mix with dust and debris during sorting, keeping them out of the recycling stream.
Why Some Recycling Programs Still Accept Shredded Paper
Rules for shredded paper vary by location. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends checking with the local recycling program because each community handles it differently.
Some places still accept it. Gainesville, Florida, requires shreds in a closed, labeled paper bag, while Fremont, California, calls for a sealed paper bag. Portland takes the opposite approach. The city stopped accepting bagged shredded paper curbside because bags can tear during sorting and release the pieces.
The safest approach is to follow the rules for the local recycling program rather than assume another city’s guidelines apply.
What Should Homeowners Do With Shredded Paper?
Homeowners should check local recycling rules before tossing shredded paper in the bin. Some programs accept it curbside, while others send residents to a drop-off site or tell them to throw it away.
Plastic bags usually aren’t a good workaround. Many curbside programs don’t accept them, and they can also make shredded paper harder to sort. If the local program doesn’t accept shredded paper, residents should follow their city or hauler’s disposal instructions.
Homeowners can also reduce shredded paper by shredding only documents that contain personal information. Other paper may be easier to recycle intact. Going paperless for bills and statements can reduce the pile even further.
