12 cu. ft. retro top-freezer refrigerator
The budget way into a retro fridge. The shape and the colors read right from across the room.
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Overview
Recall check. This model: no recall on record at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (checked September 2026). Galanz recalled about 121,680 of its 7.6 cu. ft. retro fridges in July 2026 for a fire risk; this model is not one of them. Source
Who makes it, and what to know
The US brand is Galanz Americas; Galanz's site describes the parent as Zhongshan Galanz Household Appliances in China. The warranty covers only the first owner, bought from an authorized retailer, and does not transfer if you sell the fridge. Galanz's own Amazon listings give 9.36 cu. ft. of fridge space and 2.65 cu. ft. of freezer. The links on this page go to Amazon, so delivery and returns follow the Amazon seller's terms; the warranty is the maker's. Safety, in full: in July 2026 the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 121,680 Galanz retro refrigerators after 34 fires and one death, warning of a risk of serious injury or death. That recall covers the 7.6 cu. ft. GLR76T models. It does not cover this 12 cu. ft. line, which is the one linked here. We are telling you anyway, because you would want to know. Check your model number against the notice at cpsc.gov before you buy any Galanz fridge. One more thing worth knowing: the color costs more than the fridge does in some cases. At Home Depot in September 2026 the 12 cu. ft. in Vinyl Black was $699.99 and the identical fridge in Hot Rod Red was $1,354.36.
Each color link was opened and checked by a person. If one goes stale, tell us and it comes down.
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Our appliance team is on 833-573-5351, before and after you buy.
Who it suits
The fun second fridge
You want the retro look in a garage, playroom, office or first apartment, and you'd rather not spend Smeg money. It's a popular gift, too: owners often say they bought it for someone else.
Our read, from the Scorecard and from what owners write in their reviews.
For you if
- You want the retro look for a garage, playroom, office, dorm or first apartment
- You want 12 cubic feet and in-home service, without spending Smeg money
- You're buying it as a gift: owners often do
Not for you if
- You want metal and a fridge made in Italy: Galanz's handles are plastic
- You want more than one year of warranty
- You want a bright color at the lowest price: the colors cost more than black
If that's you, look atSmeg FAB28 retro refrigerator (24 in.)The original, made in Italy, with metal where Galanz is plastic.How Galanz rates
Galanz refrigerators, scored out of 10 on eight measures. The reason sits under every score, and price is compared on the Scorecard.
Says it plainly: 'proudly manufactured in Guangdong, China', in its own factory.
One year, with five years on the compressor on some models. No parts and labor split published.
'In-home service is available for all major appliances', in its own words.
July 2026 recall of about 121,680 retro fridges for fire, 34 fires and one death. It covers the 7.6 cubic foot GLR76, not the current 12 and 18 cubic foot line.
4.2 from 4,885 at Home Depot, the biggest review pool here by far, and 3.8 from 1,067 on Amazon.
Around four colors plus stainless, and color costs more than the fridge: $699.99 in black, $1,354.36 for the same fridge in red.
In stock at Home Depot with free delivery or free ship to store. Galanz sells only through retailers.
Sold through Home Depot, whose free appliance delivery normally sets a freestanding fridge in place, leveled and plugged in; whether that applies to this fridge is not stated on its page, and Galanz publishes no level of its own.
Compared across every brand on the Scorecard →
Pros and cons
From the Scorecard, our brand ratings, where every line has a source.
Pros
- Price: $700 for the main model today
- Delivery: In stock at Home Depot with free delivery or free ship to store. Galanz sells only through retailers
- Who makes it: Says it plainly: 'proudly manufactured in Guangdong, China', in its own factory
Cons
- Safety: July 2026 recall of about 121,680 retro fridges for fire, 34 fires and one death. It covers the 7.6 cubic foot GLR76, not the current 12 and 18 cubic foot line
- Color: Around four colors plus stainless, and color costs more than the fridge: $699.99 in black, $1,354.36 for the same fridge in red
- Warranty: One year, with five years on the compressor on some models. No parts and labor split published
What owners say
Read from the Amazon listings this page links to, on September 6, 2026. The score is Amazon’s, not ours. Quotes are short and unedited, with the link to the full review.
“I bought this fridge to replace my 15 yr old one when its compressor gave out. It's really nice fridge. Some initial observations: 1. Handles are plastic, not chrome.”
“So far I'm really enjoying this refrigerator. It's one of the few refrigerators on the market that fits the space I'm working on.”
“Update after one year. Somehow, the freezer control got stuck on colder and it's been freezing to -20.”
Elsewhere: what people say when the brand is not listening
Quoted word for word from public reviews and forum threads, typos and all, with the link. These are not Amazon customers.
4.13 out of 5 across 4,454 Home Depot reviews: 64.9% five star, 13.3% one star, pooled across the Galanz retro sizes and colors
“I have NEVER gotten so many compliments on a refrigerator.”
“It's an odd color - robins egg blue - but it's very cheerful and pretty.”
“I get compliments every time someone sees it for the first time. I've never been one to pick something for aesthetics over functionality and this was once where I got a win win.”
“Nostalgia is there but unhappy with the handles - for the price, I was hoping they'd be metal and not plastic.”
Questions
Do I pay more by buying through this page?
No. Where a link earns us a commission, the seller pays it and your price is the same. Links that earn us nothing are marked.
Who handles delivery and returns?
The seller you buy from, under its own terms and warranty. If an order goes wrong, tell us as well and we will help.
Who do I call with a question?
Our appliance team, on 833-573-5351, before or after you buy.
Speak to us before you buy.
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