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If you’re thinking of investing in a new refrigerator, you might be curious as to how long smart fridges last.
The answer is a little more complicated than you might think. The fridge itself will probably last around the same time as regular ‘dumb’ fridges. That’s about 15 years. We reckon that’s pretty decent for a high-end home appliance.
However, the software which the ‘smart’ features run on might expire sooner. That means that the manufacturer will stop updating it, meaning the internet connectivity might not work as well and the device may be more vulnerable to bugs and viruses. In fact, in a recent survey of smart fridge manufacturers, only Miele said they would provide security updates for ten years after purchase.
This means you might have to disconnect your smart fridge from the internet after a while. However, you will still get to enjoy the other great features it may have for years to come!
What is the lifespan of a smart fridge?
Smart fridges vary in their official lifespans. This LG 27.8 Cu. Ft. 4-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator with InstaView comes with a warranty of 6-10 years for the linear compressor, which powers the refrigerating function itself. However, the general warranty is only a year, and LG have only mentioned vague ‘patch‘ updates when it comes to software. This isn’t ideal, and is a big factor for people who consider smart fridges a ‘white elephant’ piece of tech.
Samsung’s warranty for most of their smart fridges only lasts a year. Although this is disappointing, higher-end fridges from Miele offer a longer warranty and security software update period, so might be a better bet if you’re concerned.
PC Guide Expert Opinion
Smart fridges technically last as long as ‘dumb’ ones, at least when it comes refrigeration function. This means that they aren’t a bad option if you’re looking for a long term kitchen appliance.
However, you might want to consider the shorter lifespan of the ‘smart’ functions themselves. Most manufacturers are not clear on how often they update security software. Older smart fridges still connected to the internet might be more vulnerable to viruses, which could cause problems for the fridge and other devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
Remember, you can always disconnect the fridge from the internet to prevent such problems a couple of years after purchase.