For those on a tight budget who yet want a dependable refrigerator, the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW (which retails for $656.99 at Best Buy) is a solid option. The HPS16BTNRWW is an affordable refrigerator that doesn’t compromise on temperature performance, in contrast to most other less-priced models. Its temperatures are very stable, varying by less than 2°F overall in the refrigerator and freezer. As would be expected given its price, this refrigerator lacks amenities. Additionally, there is a simple remedy for its freezer running a little warm before calibration. The Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW is a great option if you’re searching for a bargain deal; it’s currently our top pick for the best value counter-depth refrigerator. We also suggest taking a look at the Haier HA10TG21SS, which is among our best-rated refrigerators and offers even better performance at an even lower price.

Some of the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW’s most notable characteristics

Steady temperature Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW offers an extended shelf life

The refrigerator, which is positioned adjacent to other refrigerators in our testing lab, is shown up close. The door is open, displaying door bins and a well-stocked interior. The freezer and refrigerator provide exceptionally stable temperatures. The chilly air in the refrigerator compartment is evenly dispersed, with the warmest and coldest areas being separated by less than 2°F. These temps fluctuate by less than 1°F throughout time. Less than 2°F was the difference in temperature in the freezer. These jumps are proportionately more substantial than they would be in the fridge because the freezer has lower temperatures, but they are still smaller variances than what is often found in freezers.

Without correct calibration, the freezer’s Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW operates excessively heated

An up-close view of the food-filled freezer section and its door bins. The freezer’s average temperature was 6.38°F, which is considerably warmer than the recommended 0°F. Although this is too warm for your food to freeze properly, there is an easy fix: adjust the freezer’s temperature to be a little bit lower. We were able to get significantly higher temps after doing this. We still dock points from refrigerators that need to be calibrated even though the remedy is fairly simple because most users never do it.

The wire racks on the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW can be difficult to use

Close-up of the wire shelves in the refrigerator. They have food on hand. The majority of refrigerators now use glass spill-capture shelves instead of wire ones since they are much easier to clean. The traditional wire racks on the HPS16BTNRWW aren’t the best in a world when glass shelves with spill-capture are standard. Smaller containers may be difficult to balance because of the spaces between the wires, and spills may leave large messes that need to be completely cleared out of the refrigerator to adequately clean. We would have gladly spent a little bit more for nicer shelving, but we can see the inherent cost savings in, say, omitting smart features or a dispenser.

Warranty for the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW

Parts and labor are covered by Hotpoint’s industry-standard one-year guarantee. Though those benefits are usually limited to models costing almost twice as much as the HPS16BTNRWW, some manufacturers may offer up to five or ten years of coverage on specific parts.

The HPS16BTNRWW hotpoint Yes, if you’re looking to buy a cheap refrigerator

While being inexpensive, the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW delivers excellent performance. This fridge indeed lacks common features like an app-enabled analytics system and a through-the-door dispenser, but the low cost of this refrigerator indicates those shortcomings. Although the Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW is simple, it handles simple tasks quite well: In comparison to other low-cost choices, which occasionally experience extreme temperature changes because of poorly thought-out defrost processes, the temperatures here are very stable. Our only complaint about this refrigerator is that it skews warm in the freezer, but that’s easily fixed with a fast calibration. The Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a refrigerator at a cheap price. If you want to save even more money and still receive excellent performance, we also suggest taking a look at the Haier HA10TG21SS.