At a Glance:
Black Stainless Steel vs Black Refrigerators
Cost of Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators
Pros and Cons of Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators
Tips to Consider When Choosing a Black Refrigerator
7 Recommended Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators
Stainless steel remains at the top of the list for kitchen appliance finishes, but many style-conscious homeowners are looking for a fresh alternative. Black stainless steel offers a relatively new option that checks the box for form and function, whether you are looking for a unique, modern, or timeless finish.
In this article, we will explain the basics of black stainless steel finishes, contrast the pros and cons of black stainless steel, offer tips for choosing a black refrigerator, and recommend seven of our favorite black stainless steel refrigerators from John’s Appliance & Bedding.
Black Stainless Steel vs. Black Refrigerators
Traditionally, appliances have been widely available in stainless steel, black, and white finishes. When you think of a black or white refrigerator, you’re probably imagining a smooth or textured finish with a somewhat glossy look. Stainless steel offers a durable and shiny metallic finish. How is a black stainless steel appliance different?
Black stainless steel and traditional silver stainless steel finishes are made of the same material, except black stainless steel appliances have a highly durable, protective, polymer-based black paint coating. This matte coating is stylish and resistant to fingerprints and smudges. You can easily mix black stainless steel and silver stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, especially if your silver appliances feature black knobs or trim.
Cost of Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators
Black stainless steel is slightly more expensive than stainless steel, white, and black refrigerators, but not by much. Among the seven recommended refrigerators in this article, opting for a refrigerator black stainless steel option only raised the price by $10 to $650 with average increases of $90 to $300.
Pros and Cons of Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators
Like everything, even black stainless steel refrigerators have their pros and cons. Let’s find out if the pros outweigh the drawbacks to see if you want to invest in one of these refrigerators.
Pros
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Resists smudges and fingerprints: Unlike stainless steel, which smudges easily, black-coated stainless steel appliances are easy to keep clean.
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Timeless look: Black is a timeless staple of design, especially kitchen design. It is versatile and can be incorporated into any design style, from modern to traditional. Whether black is the statement color in a minimal design or a neutral backdrop for a colorful design, a black appliance can be at home in your kitchen.
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An alternative to stainless steel: Stainless steel is still by far the most popular finish for kitchen appliances, but some might be tired of it. Stainless steel is so pervasive that some are on the hunt for the kind of fresh take black stainless steel offers.
Cons
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Prone to scratches: The biggest complaint with black stainless steel is that although it may be smudge-resistant, it is prone to scratches that are nearly impossible to remedy. Unfortunately, deep scratches will show. A scratch in the black coating will reveal the stainless steel beneath, and there are no clear guidelines for repairing scratches.
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Hard to mix brands: Different brands vary in the color and grain of black stainless steel appliances, so we don’t recommend mixing and matching brands unless you’ve compared them in person.
Tips to Consider When Choosing a Black Refrigerator
If you are considering a black stainless steel refrigerator, there are a few things to keep in mind:
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Brand: While mixing silver and black stainless steel appliances in a kitchen is easy, mixing different brands of black stainless steel is harder. Different brands interpret black very differently. Some appear more matte, while others have more of a shine. Some are a true black, while others have gray or green undertones.
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Complimentary Colors: Almost anything matches with black stainless steel, so you can choose a stark contrast with white cabinets and countertops or infuse bright pops of color into your kitchen.
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Size: When shopping for a new refrigerator, it is crucial that you measure your kitchen to ensure that your chosen fridge will fit in your allotted space.
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Refrigerator Style: Black stainless steel appliances are available in all refrigerator styles, including compact refrigerators, top freezers, bottom freezers, French doors, side by side, counter depth, and built-in models.
7 Recommended Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators
Keep reading for seven of our favorite black stainless steel refrigerators from John’s Appliance & Bedding by refrigerator style.
Best Black Stainless Steel Compact Refrigerators
The Danby® Designer Series 3.1 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel Compact Refrigerator is easy to mix with stainless steel appliances. Unlike other compact refrigerators, this Danby black stainless steel refrigerator features a dual-door design for separate fridge and freezer units. We love the modern aesthetic of the recessed door handles. The eco-conscious buyer can enjoy this compact fridge, knowing that it is ENERGY STAR certified. To maximize storage, this refrigerator features a convenient CanStor beverage dispensing system and tall bottle storage that can accommodate large soda bottles or water pitchers.
Best Black Stainless Steel Top Freezer Refrigerators
The Whirlpool 17.6 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel Top Freezer Refrigerator is a budget-friendly option if you’re in the market for a black stainless steel fridge. You’re in charge of electronic temperature controls to keep your favorite foods at the ideal temperature. We love the sleek look of the pocket handles and wall-to-wall frameless glass shelves. Adjustable door bins and humidity-controlled crispers offer convenience to keep your food fresh and organized.
Best Black Stainless Steel Bottom Freezer Refrigerators
The Whirlpool 12.7 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel Bottom Freezer Refrigerator is the perfect black stainless steel refrigerator for small spaces. This black stainless steel refrigerator Whirlpool is strong but mighty with TotalCoverage cooling and a Fast Cool and Fast Drink option to chill groceries or drinks quickly. You can see everything clearly with LED interior lighting and frameless glass shelves. Despite its small size, this freezer features a large storage drawer and ice maker, and the fridge features a deli drawer and a gallon door bin.
What Customers Are Saying:
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"The compact size is perfect for a city dweller’s small home. I look forward to purchasing other Whirlpool appliances that have a European look without compromising the function."
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"We are very impressed with this Fridge as it is exactly what we were looking for, great ice maker, storage and convenient compartments make it a wonderful addition to our bar setup. It is very quiet and seems to make ice like a champ. Would highly recommend."
Best Black Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerators
The KitchenAid 27 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel with PrintShield Finish French Door Refrigerator makes a statement with its stainless pro-style handles and modern exterior door ice maker. You can use the light-touch controls to select a specific amount of water for a measured fill. You can even choose two custom presets for items you frequently fill, like your coffee pot or water bottle. This black stainless steel French door refrigerator keeps everything at the ideal temperature with sensors in the fridge and freezer. You can stay organized in the freezer with a two-tier design and storage dividers in the lower basket.
What Customers Are Saying:
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"We are truly enjoying the bright open space of our new refrigerator. Lots of space and clear shelves make it look so neat and clean!"
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"We bought this about a month ago to replace our old fridge. Love that the ice maker doesn’t take up space on the shelf part of the fridge...the pull out shelf has been very useful. Overall, a great purchase."
The Bosch 800 Series 20.8 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator projects understated elegance with its monochromatic matte finish. As a black stainless steel counter depth refrigerator, this fridge will seamlessly integrate with your counters and cabinets for a streamlined look. Inside, this Bosch black stainless steel refrigerator offers revolutionary temperature control features, like VitaFreshPro that automatically balances temperature and humidity with pre-programmed settings based on your storage. The Home Connect app allows you to monitor your Bosch refrigerator from anywhere to stay connected while you're on the go.
What Customers Are Saying:
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"Very pleased with our Bosch refrigerator. It’s very quiet and well lit inside. Great water and ice dispensers. Highly recommend."
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"Had to by a new fridge when our old LG died on us. Never had a bottom freezer before so I was a little bit nervous to have one, and guess what? Fell in love with it. Puts everything in the refrigerator part of the fridge within easy reach. And the controls are super easy to see and use. It works great and I would highly recommend this refrigerator to anyone."
Learn More: 3 Stylish Counter Depth Refrigerators
Best Black Stainless Steel Side By Side Refrigerators
The Samsung 28.0 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Black Stainless Steel Side by Side Refrigerator is simple on the outside with a redesigned interior that fits 10% more groceries than other 28 cu. ft. fridges. This Samsung black stainless steel refrigerator is ENERGY STAR certified and resistant to smudges. We love the bright LED lighting and space-saving in-door ice maker. If you are looking for a black stainless steel side by side refrigerator with room for all of your favorite foods, this is an excellent option.
What Customers Are Saying:
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"Very clean look inside and out.This refrigerator has more space than other brands in the same footprint. Glass shelves and large shelves on the doors. 10 Cubic Feet of freezer space was important to us as this is our second unit which is in our laundry room. Keeps perfect temperatures. We did not connect the ice maker since we do not need one. Also the ice maker takes up very little space in the freezer and is on the door which leaves your shelf space for frozen foods. A very good buy."
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"I wasn’t sure about a refrigerator without a water dispenser. We have no problems with the ice maker freezing up. There is ample room in both the sections. The door holds 2 gallons of milk on one shelf. There are 2 large roomy drawers in the fridge section then a large drawer in the freezer section. We can fit 3 weeks worth of frozen goods in the freezer section. The door holds almost as much as our old fridge. It is easy to keep clean. The fingerprints wipe right up. The shelves will contain any spills. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a new refrigerator."
The KitchenAid 29.52 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel with PrintShield Finish Built In Side by Side Refrigerator is the most spacious refrigerator on our list. This Kitchenaid black stainless steel refrigerator features a professionally-inspired design that will make you feel like a chef in your own kitchen. This refrigerator delivers premium style and storage for a luxury kitchen redesign. The Produce Preserver absorbs ethylene gas to keep your fruits and veggies fresher for longer. Everything is easily accessible in this black stainless steel side by side refrigerator thanks to LED lighting and SatinGlide crisper drawers.
If you are looking to replace an old refrigerator or completely redesign your kitchen, a black stainless steel finish is an excellent option. It is a fresh take on stainless steel, offering a unique look without taking too big of a style risk. Even though black stainless steel is less common, it is a timeless choice that won’t go out of style like other kitchen design trends. For an easy to clean finish that blends well with a variety of design styles, you can find the right black stainless steel refrigerator for you at John’s Appliance & Bedding.
Why Trust John’s Appliance & Bedding?
Our family-owned and operated store started with a pick-up truck and a dream. When John Hinton Jr. first opened his storefront in 1972, he never envisioned that over the next 50 years, he would outgrow his flagship location and need to open several other locations. However, that’s just what he did.
Thanks to John and his team, John’s Appliance & Bedding has been able to provide our customers with the best appliances, mattresses, and cabinet solutions in South Florida. We view our customers as an extension of our family and seek to provide the best service and expertise that we always have.
Shop Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators at John’s Appliance & Bedding
At John’s Appliance & Bedding, we provide high-quality, name-brand products for the best possible price. Shop black stainless steel refrigerators online or visit one of our four South Florida showrooms and experience world-class customer service. Our friendly product experts are always happy to help you find the right finish for your kitchen appliances — whether you call us, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
Learn More: 5 Top French Door Refrigerators Under $2,500