At a Glance:
Viking: Types of Refrigerators
Thermador: Types of Refrigerators
Thermador vs Viking: Pros and Cons
Thermador vs Viking: Who Are They For?
Thermador and Viking are well-known luxury and high-end refrigeration brands with manufacturing locations in the US. Both Viking and Thermador are similar brands when looking at what types of refrigerators they offer.
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About Thermador
Founded in 1916 by William E. Cranston Jr., Thermador originally was known for producing electric heaters. Since then, Thermador has produced a variety of appliances such as ranges, ovens, refrigerators, and more. Appliances are made in the USA. Thermador offers modular refrigeration and freezer systems, built-in units, and the Home Connect® app—a way to sync your Thermador appliances with your smartphone.
About Viking
Viking has been producing luxury and professional-grade appliances for the last 40 years. Their appliances are manufactured in Greenwood, Mississippi, so Viking appliances are truly made in the USA. Viking has won a host of awards over the years including the 2021 House Beautiful “Best Built-In Refrigerators You Can Buy Right Now” award. While they haven’t been around as long as Thermador, Viking still offers an impressive selection of high-end refrigerators.
Thermador vs Viking: Price
When it comes to pricing, Viking refrigerators tend to be more expensive than Thermador refrigerators. For example, Viking Bottom Freezer Refrigerators range between $12,000 to $15,000 whereas Thermador Bottom Freezer Refrigerators range between $9,000 to $12,000. As for column refrigerators, Viking refrigerator prices range from $9,000 to $12,000 whereas Thermador refrigerators range from $6,000 to $9,000. For those wanting to save some money, it’s clear that Thermador is the least expensive refrigeration brand compared to Viking.
Viking: Types of Refrigerators
Viking offers 4 major types of refrigerators including built-in, freestanding, freezerless, and under counter refrigerators. We’ll talk about each type of Viking refrigerator briefly and feature a couple of Viking refrigerator models below.
Built-In Refrigerator
The Viking Built-In Refrigerator collection includes the 5 Series, 7 Series, and Custom Panel lines. They fit flush with nearby cabinetry and make the overall kitchen space look smooth with clean lines.
The Viking® Professional 5 Series 17.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Refrigerator is a built-in refrigerator that does not include a freezer. It opens out towards the left, rather than the right, as many fridges do. Some features of this Viking model include ProChill™ Temperature Management, Adjustable Humidity Zone™ Drawers, and a Plasmacluster™ Ion Air Purifier. This purifier helps to eliminate airborne bacteria and mold spores in addition to removing odors and helping keep food fresh.
- Model: VCRB5303LSS
- Dimensions: 30” W x 84.06” H x 26.5” D
Freestanding Refrigerator
Viking Freestanding Refrigerators are 36” wide and 24” deep and can be easily moved as they’re not built into the cabinetry like built-in refrigerators.
Freezerless Refrigerator
Freezerless refrigerators are simply standard refrigerators without a freezer compartment. These styles are great for those who don’t need a freezer option or who have a separate freezer unit.
The Viking® 7 Series 16.4 Cu. Ft. Freezerless Refrigerator is similar to the built-in refrigerator we just featured but is a bit smaller in capacity. It comes with Viking’s exclusive Bluezone™ Fresh Preservation Technology (removes microbes, ethylene gas, hydrocarbons, and odors from the air), Pro Chill™ Temperature Management System, Feather Touch™ Internal Water Dispenser (one-touch water dispenser), Brilliant LED Lighting (from top and sidewalls), and Spillproof Plus™ Shelves (keeps liquids from spilling over shelves with an invisible barrier).
- Model: MVRI7300WLSS
- Dimensions: 30” W x 84.75” H x 27.31” D
Undercounter
Viking’s Undercounter Refrigeration collection includes beverage centers, refrigerated drawers, and wine cellars. Undercounter refrigerators are great for small kitchen spaces or for entertaining spaces.
Thermador: Types of Refrigerators
Thermador produces 4 major types of refrigerators: bottom freezer, wine refrigeration, freestanding, and refrigerator columns. Below we’ll briefly discuss each type and feature a couple of Thermador refrigerators that are currently on the market.
Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Thermador Bottom Freezer Refrigerators offer a classic stainless-steel look with refrigerator space on top and freezer space on the bottom.
For a high-quality bottom freezer refrigerator, the Thermador® Freedom® 16.0 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Built-In Refrigerator includes Quick Chill and Cool Air Flow technology so that air is evenly distributed throughout the unit. The open-door assist allows you to pull it open with the handle or by pushing on it. When it comes to water and ice, this Thermador model includes an improved water filter that removes 99.9% of sediments. In addition, the Filtered Automatic Ice Maker features twist tray technology so each ice cube has a unique diamond shape to it. This model can also connect to any smartphone with Wi-Fi.
- Model: T30BB925SS
- Dimensions: 29.75” W x 84” H x 24.69” D
Wine Refrigeration
Thermador produces high-end wine refrigerators that can hold up to 92 bottles in one unit. Thermador knows that not all wines are the same, so their wine refrigerators feature 2 to 3 zones to accommodate varying types of wine; each zone’s temperature can be independently adjusted. These wine refrigerators are also Wi-Fi-enabled and include push-to-open doors.
Freestanding Refrigerator
Unlike built-in refrigerators that fit flush with nearby cabinetry, freestanding refrigerators are not built into the cabinetry. Instead, they can be easily moved around when needed.
Refrigerator Columns
Thermador Refrigerator Columns are convenient for small kitchens or spaces that can do without having a freezer compartment in their fridge. Unlike standard-sized refrigerators that can be around 30” wide, refrigerator columns, like the one featured below, are 6 to 7 inches thinner.
The Thermador® Freedom® 13 Cu. Ft. Panel Ready Built-In Refrigerator is a column refrigerator (no freezer) so it’s only 23.25” wide, which is great for small kitchen spaces. Installation is a breeze with Thermador’s all-leg leveling so installation time is cut down. Some features included with this Thermador refrigerator include SoftClose® drawers (soft closing), Cool Air Flow technology (evenly distributes air), and the ability to connect your phone to the refrigerator via Wi-Fi (for notifications and remote temperature settings). With the ThermaFresh system, the humidity level and temperature are well-managed.
- Model: T23IR905SP
- Dimensions: 23.25” W x 83.75” H x 24” D
Thermador vs Viking: Pros and Cons
Like any brand, Thermador and Viking both come with pros and cons. Here are some major pros and cons for each refrigeration brand that you should take note of.
Thermador Pros and Cons
Pro: Wi-Fi Connectivity
Most Thermador refrigerators are able to sync with any smartphone via Wi-Fi. Through the Thermador Home Connect® app, homeowners can receive notifications and easily control their refrigerator remotely.
Pro: Made in the USA
Thermador manufactures their refrigerators out of Greenville, Mississippi; Findlay, Ohio; and LaVergne, Tennessee.
Pro: In Business Since 1916
Thermador has been in business for over 100 years whereas Viking has only been in business for 40 years.
Con: Custom Panel Minimally Available
Thermador only offers under counter and mini refrigerators with custom paneling.
Viking Pros and Cons
Pro: Custom Panel Refrigerators
Viking offers the option to purchase custom panel full-size refrigerators for those who want their refrigerator to match nearby cabinetry.
Pro: Made in the USA
Viking refrigerators are manufactured in Greenwood, Mississippi.
Con: No Wi-Fi Connectivity
Unlike Thermador, Viking refrigerators are not currently set up with Wi-Fi capabilities so they cannot be controlled remotely with a smartphone.
Con: More Expensive
Viking refrigerators are more expensive than Thermador refrigerators by about $3,000 or so.
Thermador vs Viking: Features
Both Thermador and Viking offer attractive features yet outshine one another in certain ways. Thermador refrigerators have Wi-Fi capabilities and customizable bins which takes this brand up a notch. On the other hand, Viking has some impressive temperature management and air purifying features even though these refrigerators can’t connect to Wi-Fi for remote control.
Thermador Refrigerator Features
Thermador has some great refrigeration features such as:
- SoftClose® drawers
- Cool Air Flow technology
- ThermaFresh system
- Wi-Fi capability
- Theatre lighting
- Customizable bins
Viking Refrigerator Features
Viking also has some great features including:
- Brilliant LED lighting
- Spillproof Plus™ Shelves
- Bluezone® Fresh Preservation
- Pro Chill™ Temperature Management System
- Feather Touch™ Internal Water Dispenser
- Adjustable Humidity Zone™ Drawers
- Plasmacluster™ Ion Air Purifier
Thermador vs Viking: Who Are They For?
Before purchasing a Thermador or Viking refrigeration, you must decide which brand is right for you. Here are some things to consider:
What’s Your Budget?
If you want to spend less on a luxury refrigerator, Thermador will provide you with a high-quality unit and help you save some money.
Do You Want a Custom Panel Refrigerator?
If you’re looking for a refrigerator that you can customize to match nearby cabinetry, Viking has more custom panel options, especially for full-size refrigerators.
Are You Looking for Wi-Fi Connectivity?
If you would love a refrigerator that can connect to your smartphone, you’ll want to choose Thermador as Viking refrigerators are not Wi-Fi capable.
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Learn More: A True Refrigeration Guide for the Upscale Kitchen