Guide

Do smart fridge freezers save money in the long run?

Smart fridge freezers can add convenience and waste-reduction features, but the money question is whether those extras justify the higher price. Check the live AO listing for the latest price, energy rating, delivery and stock details before you buy.

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Last verified: 2026-09-25

What counts as a smart fridge freezer?

In shopper terms, a smart fridge freezer is one that connects to Wi‑Fi so you can use app control, alerts or monitoring features alongside normal cooling. On this AO shortlist, that includes Samsung Family Hub™ RS90F66BEFEU at £2,549, Samsung Family Hub™ RS90F66BETEU at £2,549, and Hisense PureFlat Infinite RS818N4TIC at £1,399. The key point is that all three are connected models, so the real comparison is not "smart or not" but which connected features, size and price fit your kitchen and household.

Can smart features actually reduce bills?

Not by themselves. AO’s guidance uses the A-G energy rating scale, with A the best marker for lower environmental impact and lower bills, so the appliance’s energy rating still matters more than the screen or app. Smart features may help you waste less through reminders or away settings, but Wi‑Fi alone is not proof of lower running costs, especially on premium American fridge freezers like the £2,549 Samsung Family Hub models.

Which connected features are worth paying attention to?

The features that matter most are the ones that change everyday use: app control, alerts, monitoring and energy-use reporting. ENERGY STAR describes connected functionality in those practical terms, and AO’s buying guidance also points to holiday or away settings for reducing use while you are out. If a model gives you a door-open alert or a way to check settings remotely, that may help with waste prevention; if it is only there for novelty, the value case is weaker.

Are premium fridge freezers worth the extra cost?

That depends on whether the extra spend solves a real problem. The price gap in this shortlist is large: the Samsung Family Hub models are £2,549 each, while the Hisense PureFlat Infinite is £1,399, so you need to decide whether the premium buys features you will actually use. If you want a connected American fridge freezer for a larger household, the extra cost may be easier to justify; if you mainly want dependable cooling, a lower-priced connected model may be better value.

What should you compare before buying?

Start with capacity, dimensions and clearance, then check installation type, because the shortlist mixes plumbed Samsung models with a non-plumbed Hisense option. review details also matters: the Samsung Family Hub models show 4.8 from 4,331 reviews each, while the Hisense model shows 4.9 from 779 reviews, which suggests both are well-regarded but with very different sample sizes. For this kind of appliance, compare fit, plumbing needs and the current AO listing before being swayed by smart features alone.

What the evidence suggests about saving money

The strongest source-backed takeaway is that smart fridge freezers may help save money indirectly, not automatically. AO and ENERGY STAR both support convenience features such as app control, alerts and energy-use reporting, while AO’s American fridge freezer guidance mentions a holiday setting that can help when you are away. On this shortlist, the Samsung Family Hub RS90F66BEFEU and RS90F66BETEU are both £2,549 connected models, while the Hisense PureFlat Infinite RS818N4TIC is a £1,399 connected alternative; that price gap shows why shoppers should judge whether smart features are useful enough to justify the spend. What the evidence does not show is independent proof that Wi‑Fi connectivity alone lowers lifetime costs, so the safest reading is that smart features can support better habits and less waste, but the energy rating and household fit still do the heavy lifting.

How to decide whether to pay extra

If your priority is running costs, start by checking the final energy rating on the live AO page before you focus on smart extras. If your priority is convenience, look for features that genuinely save time or reduce waste, such as alerts, monitoring and a clear holiday mode, rather than paying extra for a display you will rarely use. With this shortlist, the question is whether the Samsung Family Hub models at £2,549 deliver enough useful everyday control to justify the gap over the £1,399 Hisense PureFlat Infinite, and whether the plumbed Samsung setup or the non-plumbed Hisense fit better in your kitchen.

Electricals to use as comparison examples

Available Samsung Family Hub™ RS90F66BEFEU Plumbed Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer

Samsung · Fridge Freezers · WiFi connected

Samsung Family Hub™ RS90F66BEFEU Plumbed Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer

from £2,549.

£2,549

Rated 4.8 / 5 from up to 4,331 reviews

Colours tracked: Black

Available Samsung Family Hub™ RS90F66BETEU Plumbed Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer

Samsung · Fridge Freezers · WiFi connected

Samsung Family Hub™ RS90F66BETEU Plumbed Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer

from £2,549.

£2,549

Rated 4.8 / 5 from up to 4,331 reviews

Colours tracked: Silver

Available Hisense PureFlat Infinite RS818N4TIC Non-Plumbed Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer

Hisense · Fridge Freezers · WiFi connected

Hisense PureFlat Infinite RS818N4TIC Non-Plumbed Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer

from £1,399.

£1,399

Rated 4.9 / 5 from up to 779 reviews

Colours tracked: Stainless Steel

Retailer details used

Last checked 2026-09-25. The source list below is included to help you check the details behind the comparison. Always confirm the latest price, delivery cost, stock status and product details with the retailer before buying.

Firmness questions

What does WiFi connected mean on a fridge freezer?

It usually means the fridge freezer can connect to an app or online service so you can monitor settings, get alerts or adjust some functions remotely. On models like the Samsung Family Hub and Hisense PureFlat Infinite in this shortlist, Wi‑Fi is best seen as a convenience feature, not a guarantee of lower bills.

Do smart fridge freezers use more electricity?

The connected features themselves are not the main driver of electricity use; the cooling system is. A larger American-style model can still cost more to run than a smaller fridge freezer, so the energy rating, capacity and fit matter more than whether it is smart.

Can smart features actually reduce energy bills?

They can help indirectly if they make it easier to spot waste, use a holiday setting or avoid leaving the door open, but that is different from a guaranteed bill saving. AO’s A-G rating guidance is still the clearest clue to running costs, so compare that first and treat app features as a bonus.

Are premium connected fridge freezers worth the extra cost?

Only if the extra functions solve a real problem for your household. The Samsung Family Hub models at £2,549 are far pricier than the £1,399 Hisense connected option, so the premium needs to buy features, capacity or convenience you will actually use every week.

How do I judge whether a fridge freezer will fit my kitchen?

Check the full dimensions, door clearance and installation type before anything else, especially if you are looking at an American fridge freezer. Also confirm whether it is plumbed or non-plumbed, because that affects where it can go and how easy it is to install.