Smart Refrigerator Market Assessment, By Product Type [Single Door, French Door, Side by Side, Bottom Freezer, Quad Door, Others], By Connectivity Type [Wi-Fi Enabled, Bluetooth Enabled], By Capacity [upto 20 cu. ft., 21 cu. ft. – 25 cu. ft., 26 cu. ft. –

Smart Refrigerator Market Assessment, By Product Type [Single Door, French Door, Side by Side, Bottom Freezer, Quad Door, Others], By Connectivity Type [Wi-Fi Enabled, Bluetooth Enabled], By Capacity [upto 20 cu. ft., 21 cu. ft. – 25 cu. ft., 26 cu. ft. – 30 cu. ft., 31 cu. ft. and above], , By End-user [Residential, Commercial], By Distribution Channel [Online, Offline], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global smart refrigerator market size was valued at USD 3.51 billion in 2023, expected to reach USD 7.63 billion in 2031, with a CAGR of 10.2% for the forecast period between 2024 and 2031. Manufacturers and brands of home appliances and white goods are racing to produce energy-efficient smart refrigerator models that will lower their carbon footprint and consumers' energy costs. Government regulations pertaining to electric home appliances and technological advancements are both responsible for the rise in energy-efficient appliances. Appliances that use less energy are designed to do their jobs as efficiently as possible. Regulations and labels for energy-efficient appliances are already in place in over 80 countries.

The rapid urbanization and growing use of the Internet of Things (IoT) have led to a global smart refrigerator market boom. The improved energy efficiency of these appliances, along with rising disposable incomes, are propelling market expansion. Connectivity with multiple smart technologies is provided by smart refrigerators, increasing user efficiency and convenience. The market is further driven by changing consumer lifestyles and an increasing demand for sophisticated smart home products. Product demand is also influenced by the availability of intelligent appliances and rising consumer awareness in developing nations. The demand for smart, aesthetically pleasing products and architectural innovations in new homes is changing the market.

Changing Consumer Lifestyle Driving the Demand for Smart Refrigerators

Changing consumer lifestyles characterized by hectic schedules and an increasing desire for convenience have significantly driven the appeal of smart appliances, particularly smart refrigerators. In today's fast-paced world, consumers value time-saving and efficient solutions. Smart fridges offer many features that aim to make life and product usability more and more convenient, features like remote monitoring, inventory management and energy savings, simplifying daily routines. They align with the need for streamlined living, where users can effortlessly access and manage their food, receive alerts, and even plan meals. With the growing reliance on technology and the desire for a more interconnected home, smart refrigerators cater to the digital age, making life easier and more convenient. As a result, they've become an attractive choice for consumers seeking to balance their busy lifestyles with modern technology.

In December 2022, Samsung's latest refrigerator model, the Bisfoque Refrigerator Family Hub Plus, was launched with a 32-inch touchscreen display. Family Hub represents Samsung's AI and IoT technology, enhancing the refrigerator's capabilities to offer services related to entertainment, family communication, cooking, and smart home functionalities.

Growing Sales in Developing Regions Acting as a Demand Booster

Global smart refrigerator market is growing at an impressive rate due to rise in sales of smart refrigerators, across the globe. However, the developing nations in Asia and the Middle East are leading the growth charts in the global smart refrigerator market. Consumers in these regions are increasingly looking for contemporary appliances as their economies grow and their disposable incomes increase. With cutting-edge features like remote control, energy efficiency and improved food management, smart refrigerators appeal to the aspirations and lifestyles of customers in developing nations. Urbanization trends, smaller living spaces, and shifting consumer preferences contribute to the demand. To meet regional demands, manufacturers also adjust by providing a greater selection of goods at competitive prices.

In September 2023, Panasonic expanded its range of refrigerators in India by introducing the innovative convertible series. This new series features a bottom-mounted range (400 and 500 litres) and a frost-free 260-litre model. The bottom-mounted range incorporates the company's Prime Fresh technology, offering expandable storage and various operation modes.

Energy Efficiency Feature Fueling the Market Growth

In the global smart refrigerator market, energy efficiency and sustainability are key considerations in developing and adopting smart refrigerators. Smart refrigerators prioritize energy efficiency through features such as advanced compressors, enhanced insulation and adaptive cooling based on user habits. By minimizing energy wastage and operating more sustainably, these appliances play a pivotal role in conserving resources and reducing carbon footprints, contributing to a greener, more environmentally responsible future while benefiting consumers with cost savings. Many smart refrigerators are designed to meet or exceed the criteria for Energy Star certification. This certification indicates that the appliance meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

In January 2023, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced the global launch of the Samsung Infinite Refrigerator in select global regions, having first debuted in Europe. Samsung's latest premium built-in refrigerator comes in fridge, freezer, or wine cellar types and has a timeless, modular design that flows into any décor. The Infinite Refrigerator delivers lasting value to consumers' kitchens with its elegant forms, high-quality natural materials, and features that optimize convenience and streamline food storage.

IoT Revolutionizing Food Management

The broader growth of the Internet of Things plays a significant role in the global smart refrigerator market. As more devices become interconnected, consumers are drawn to appliances that can be controlled, monitored, and optimized remotely through the internet. IoT-enabled smart refrigerators allow users to monitor the contents of their refrigerators in real time through connected mobile apps or web interfaces. Internal cameras capture images, and sensors provide data on temperature and humidity levels. IoT facilitates automatic tracking of the items stored in the refrigerator. Some smart refrigerators use image recognition and barcode scanning technologies to identify and log items as they are added or removed. Smart refrigerators can be integrated with grocery shopping apps, allowing users to create shopping lists directly from their refrigerator's inventory.

In April 2023, Beko Home Appliances USA launched a new line of refrigerators on Earth Day that drastically increased the life of fresh produce and created vitamin content in response to growing public demand for improved food preservation in kitchen appliances. The worldwide appliance company known for its health, wellness, and sustainability tradition produced the first seven of 20 new refrigerators with HarvestFresh technology.

Impact of COVID-19

Global smart refrigerator market has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic just like the electronics market was impacted. Through their necessity, demand for home appliances, including refrigerators remained mostly steady throughout the pandemic, but there were some changes in the smart refrigerator market. There was a rise in interest in smart features that could improve food management and convenience as people cooked more frequently and spent more time at home. The pandemic highlighted the importance of smart refrigerators' remote monitoring and control features as customers looked for ways to cut back on the number of in-person grocery shopping trips. The relevance and appeal of features like recipe suggestions, expiration date notifications, and inventory tracking increased.

Furthermore, touchless control was made possible by integrating voice assistants, which was appealing during a period when concerns about hygiene were especially pressing. The pandemic did, however, impact supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, which in turn affected the affordability and production of smart refrigerators. Financial constraints may have caused some consumers to postpone or reduce their purchases. In addition, there were possible supply shortages and product launch delays in the market.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The landscape of key players in the smart refrigerator market is characterized by strong competition and innovation. Prominent companies such as Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Haier, and Bosch dominate the market, continually introducing advanced features like IoT integration, voice control, and energy efficiency. These players invest heavily in research and development to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. Additionally, partnerships and collaborations with tech companies, such as Amazon and Google, have become a common strategy to enhance connectivity and user experience. The outlook for key players remains optimistic as the market continues to expand, with growing consumer demand for smart appliances.

The key focus areas include sustainability, improved user interfaces, and data-driven insights to cater to changing consumer preferences and environmental concerns. In December 2022, Refrigeration Anytime, LLC, a commercial refrigeration and HVAC system service firm, was acquired by Smart Care, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners (""Wind Point"").