There are so many alternatives available if you’re looking for a basic counter-depth fridge that it might be difficult to narrow them down. You’ll likely “get what you pay for.” Still, we’re happy to report that the Haier HA10TG21SS top-freezer refrigerator (available at Best Buy for $656.99) is an affordable option that provides excellent value for your initial investment. Its storage capacity won’t blow anyone away, but its rock-solid refrigerator temperature performance does. This Haier top freezer has earned a spot on our list of the best refrigerators under $1,000 since it is uncommon in this price range. We also suggest taking a look at the Insignia NS-RTM18SS7, another excellent low-cost option, if you’re still not convinced.

Some of the Haier HA10TG21SS’s greatest characteristics

The Haier HA10TG21SS model maintains a constant temperature within the refrigerator

A view of the refrigerator’s interior highlights the several ridges that allow you to move the shelves around. Because of the shelving’s considerable rearranging flexibility, you can always make room for larger goods. Naturally, one of a refrigerator’s most crucial jobs is to keep food cold throughout. We use a variety of temperature sensors in our lab to evaluate this, making sure there are no warm patches and that the refrigerator can sustain its temperature over time.
Our experiments revealed that, throughout time, the refrigeration compartment’s temperatures remained impressively constant. The refrigerator maintained the temperature within 3°F of the optimum range, which is 36.77°F on average. Cheap refrigerators can have trouble maintaining a consistent temperature and may need to be significantly calibrated before they perform up to par. We were relieved to see that the HA10TG21SS is free of this prevalent problem.

Height-adjustable Haier HA10TG21SS spill-guard shelving

A close-up of the operating spill capture shelf. A milk glass is overturned, causing its contents to spill across the shelf. Instead of spilling over, the milk is gathering around the shelf’s edges.
Spill-guard shelves are a standard feature of mid-range refrigerators, but they are uncommon in budget refrigerators—especially ones that allow for such precise positioning. The Haier is one of the most flexible solutions in this price range because the majority of other low-cost models don’t allow you to move the shelves at all.

The Haier HA10TG21SS has a modest raw storage capacity

Because the Haier HA10TG21SS is counter-depth, it is substantially smaller than a standard-size refrigerator in physical terms. Although those who want to make the most of their kitchen space may find it advantageous, its smaller footprint has a noticeable effect on how much food it can hold. 3.85 cubic feet of room are available in the freezer and 10.58 cubic feet in the refrigerator of a typical top-freezer refrigerator. The Haier has slightly more total storage capacity than the HA10TG21SS, which features a 5.97-cubic-foot refrigerator compartment and a 2.09-cubic-foot freezer.
These figures are more in line with comparable counter-depth units, but you’ll definitely be scrounging around for storage if you’re not explicitly looking for a counter-depth unit. Instead, we suggest looking into full-size refrigerators in this situation. The Whirlpool WRT311FZDM is a fantastic standard-size economical option.

The freezer temperatures on the Haier HA10TG21SS are a little bit off.

The HA10TG21SS’s refrigerator temperature impressed us, but its freezer could use some improvement. Its temperatures varied by around four degrees throughout testing, which is high for a freezer; an excellent freezer would have variations of no more than one degree Fahrenheit. The freezer of the HA10TG21SS is a little on the warm side right out of the box; we advise adjusting it to be one degree lower than the factory settings.
Overall, the freezer performance of the HA10TG21SS isn’t bad, especially considering how inexpensive the refrigerator is, but it also doesn’t wow us as much as the fridge compartment did. In most situations, it should function just fine, but when storing things for an extended period, be prepared to encounter freezer burn.

HA10TG21SS of the Haier Warranty

Haier offers a one-year parts and labor warranty on their appliances. This is the typical guarantee for major appliances; however, certain manufacturers, including as LG, Samsung, Maytag, and Hisense, provide extended warranties.

The Haier HA10TG21SS model Yes, if you’re seeking a straightforward counter-depth refrigerator

The Haier HA10TG21SS is a rather basic refrigerator, but you are still getting amazing value for your money. Here, you won’t find any smart features or a through-the-door dispenser. It’s difficult to find a more affordable basic fridge that keeps food colder than the HA10TG21SS.
We also suggest taking a look at the Whirlpool WRT311FZDM, a fantastic, low-cost standard-size model, or the Insignia NS-RTM18SS7, another terrific counter-depth fridge for its price.