And the worst in our tests ...

All of the models listed below had overall scores of 40 or less. Subpar efficiency or temperature performance were the most common black marks. The worst offenders might cost twice as much to operate annually as comparable models, running up hundreds of dollars in unexpected energy costs over the life of the unit.

Similar models, in italicized type, though untested, are in our judgment enough alike in performance, features, and specs that our test results apply to them, too.

Conventional bottom-freezers

LG LBC22518, LG LBC22520
Fisher & Paykel E522B
Blomberg BRFB1450

French-door bottom-freezers

Fisher & Paykel RF201ADUX
GE Profile PFSF6PKX
Maytag Ice 2 O MFI2067AE
Haier PBFS21EDA
LG LMX28987

Built-ins

Viking Professional VCSB542, Viking DDSB542, Viking DFSB542, Viking VISB542
Viking Professional VCBB536L

Side-by-sides

Frigidaire Gallery FGHS2669K, Frigidaire Gallery FGHS2665K, Frigidaire Gallery FGHS2667K
Frigidaire Gallery FGHS2679K
Electrolux EW23CS65G
Samsung RSG257AA

Top-freezers

Kenmore 7093 Kenmore 6093
Estate T8TXNGFW, Estate T8RXNGFW, Estate T8TXNWFW
Amana A8RXNGMW, Amana A8WXNGFW
GE GTH21KCX, GE GTH21KBX