Should You Buy a Refrigerator with an Ice and Water Dispenser?

Researching a new refrigerator can be an easy process if you know the right questions to ask. One important question to consider is whether or not you want a refrigerator with ice and water dispenser capabilities.  If you like the added convenience of having fresh ice, often cubed or crushed as well as filtered water close at hand in your refrigerator, you'll want to consider models with an ice and water dispenser. Believe it or not, some new models even come equipped with a Keurig attachment to allow your refrigerator to brew and dispense coffee for you!

We'll go over the pros and cons of having these dispensers in your new refrigerator. For more info on choosing a new fridge, check out our refrigerator buying guide, too! 

Table of Contents

1. Types of Dispensers
2. Pros & Cons of Dispensers
3. Which Refrigerators Have This Feature?
4. Innovative Features to Consider
5. Shopping Tips

Types of Dispensers

There are many options to consider when it comes to refrigerators with ice and water dispensers. Some models offer internal water dispensers in the fresh food compartment to maintain a smooth look on the exterior.

External dispensers may dispense water only or water and ice. Many of today's refrigerators with these dispensers include filters to improve the taste of the water and ice. 

If you are considering purchasing a refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser or an ice maker in the freezer, make sure that you have access to a cold water line or are able to install one. If you have an ice maker in your current refrigerator, make sure that the water line is in good condition if you intend to reuse it. If not, arrange to have a new one installed by a licensed professional.

Pros & Cons of Dispensers

Pros:

• A convenient source of filtered cold water and ice - In some homes, it could be an alternative to keeping a water cooler in the kitchen or relying on bottled water

• No need to waste cold air by opening the fresh or frozen food compartments to access ice or water

• Water filters can take the taste of your tap water to the next level

Cons:

• Dispensers take up some amount of space in the door or on a shelf, which is not ideal if you want to maximize your storage capacity - Although many brands have come out with compact, space-saving dispenser options

• Replacement water filters will be an ongoing cost over the life of the refrigerator

• Refrigerators with dispensers tend to have higher repair rates than those without, especially if they dispense ice through a fresh food door

• If you do not already have a cold water line, this is an additional installation cost

One of the most common issues with these external dispensers is leaking. If you want a refrigerator with a dispenser but want to reduce the likelihood of leaks, choose a model with a water dispenser only. When you're moving ice from the freezer to a warmer area, it's hard to avoid leaks. 

Which Refrigerators Come with Dispensers?

Factory installed ice makers are easy to find on any style of refrigerator, and many others come with the option of adding an ice maker at a modest additional cost. From traditional top freezers to single door bottom freezers to side by sides to French door styles, it's easy to find an ice maker. However, if you want a refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser through the door, your options are going to be more limited. Typically, only side by side and French door refrigerators come with this capability, with external dispensers on the left-side door.

A refrigerator with a dispenser will usually cost $100-200 more than a similar model without this feature. You can find French door refrigerators with dispensers starting at around $1,699 MSRP and side by side options as low as $1,099 MSRP. Consider the ongoing costs of the water filters as well.

Innovative Features to Consider

• Hot water: Select GE refrigerators come with hot water dispensers and Keurig brewing capabilities - click here to learn more about refrigerators with Keurig built-in!

• Precision fill: Some brands, like Whirlpool and GE, offer the option to customize the amount dispensed from the refrigerator in ounces, cups, and more. No measuring cups needed!

• Tall dispensers: LG is a pioneer in this area, offering taller dispensers so you can fill pitchers, water bottles, and other oversized items more easily. 

• Compact ice and water systems: Especially if you're in need of a refrigerator for a smaller space, making sure that any ice maker or dispenser features are compact and easy to work around can be important. In-door ice is one feature that frees up refrigerator shelving by placing the ice maker and ice storage in the door.

• Craft ice: This is a feature in a freezer icemaker, but it's so cool that we had to mention it! LG Craft Ice refrigerators can make spherical ice, adding class to any beverage.

Shopping Tips

Here are some things to consider when you go shopping.

• How much space is there under the dispenser to fit a container?

• Some refrigerators feature a control panel over the external dispenser - Does that appeal to you, or would you rather have the controls inside? How do you want the dispenser controls to look?

• How much do replacement water filters cost?

• Are you looking for smart features like precision dispense, or do you just want the basics?

• Do you want ice, water, or both?

• If there's an ice dispenser, is it an in-the-door ice maker, or is it located on a shelf? How does that impact the storage space?

We hope you enjoyed this brief discussion of refrigerators with ice and water dispensers. Please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Editor's Note: This blog was originally written in November of 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.