Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart 380L Top Freezer

Good purchase – We were trying to buy a refrigerator and was searching online. Got positive reviews for refrigerator. When went to buy the worker was suggesting to purchase that one. After buying was thinking that’s the good buy but now after few months realising that it’s too small. The capacity is not much as described by company. Good buying but not highly recommended.  Show details

Saves energy and is quite spacious – For now, the product seems to be working fine and the fan isn't too loud until at night, when it becomes more noticable. It is quite conservative in terms of energy which is always a plus. The temperature is moderated well and can be easily adjusted. Overall, I think it is a pretty decent product for a decent price.  Show details

Disappointed – Temperature is excellent in both fridge and freezer. Wouldn't call it quiet, but definitely a lot quieter than its 50 year old Kelvinator predecessor. Fairly easy to clean but the rubbers are staining easily. The major problem for me is the amount of wasted space! Sold as gross volume of 380 litre, listed as net volume of 346 litre. Seems a… Read more

lot less than that even due to the internal contours and the space wasted by the door shelves. And if these contours are meant to be part of the "Smart Active" component of the appliance, then the electricity usage or "Energy Rating" doesn't seem to reflect a "Smart" appliance.

Nice to have a new fridge but sad that the down sides take the shine off the joy of using it.

Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart E381T (Top Freezer) Refrigerator – This unit replaced our 30 yr old fridge which was getting a bit noisy. This F&P one was the only fridge that was small enough in height to fit in the allowable space. It is very quiet and very efficient. When I say quiet, the only time you hear it is when you are close to and you can just sense a slight sound like a gentle breeze. This unit has… Read more

adjustable shelves and a separate temperature control for the fridge and the freezer.

The shelves are clear glass, which allows your to see what is on the shelf/shelves below.

Of course, it is frost free so more scraping ice out of the freezer (and fridge in the case of the one it replaced).

The capacity is 380 litres, which is slightly more than the one it replaced.

The doors have a very positive action which ensures that they always seal well. If you do happen to leave the door open (of either section) the alarm sounds after a minute or so to let you know.

***** Excellent.

Fan Problem? – So far no problems but today every time I open a door, either freezer or fridge the fan goes on very fastr when I close door. So is t.he fan on the blink, I was worried it could be an electrical fault that might cause a fire. Apart from this, on a Sunday of course, it is a great refrigerator  Show details

faulty freezer fan – we have had this refrigerator for under 4 years and the alarm keeps going off and after doing some research it sounds like its a common fault with the freezer. The fan has stopped working and needs to be replaced or a faulty connection it is very common not happy.

Perfect – I bought this fridge at least 15 years ago. It has been moved from pillar to post and it has never missed a beat. I really love it but now need more freezer space. Not happy.... but have to look at getting a bottom mount as I have no room for a small freezer. Just found out they're now made in China:-(. It bever misses a beat A little noise when it turns off from defrosting.

Slippery Slope? – Based on its performance in Consumer tests I opted for this fridge freezer model in November 2011. The first appliance delivered clearly had not been checked closely by F&P quality control (do they exist?) and a quick check (pop a torch inside and close the door) showed that the freezer did not seal properly. The replacement passed the 'torch… Read more

test'. By the way, I emailed F&P about the problem... no response: shows interest doesn't it?

In late May, 2014 (naturally out of warranty) a piece of plastic broke off the bottom of the freezer door (this provided the initial resistance (additional to the magnetic seal) to opening and the 'boost' to close prior to the magnetic seal). At 3mm thick by about 10mm in length virtually impossible to repair in-situ and fiddly to replace.

As to the performance of the fridge/freezer - a big improvement on its predecessor. Better efficiency and thermostatic control - you'd expect that in a newer model wouldn't you?. As to construction - its predecessor (a Westinghouse) despite being over 20 years old did not self-destruct, i.e. lose pieces of itself, during its lifetime and is probably still humming for its new owner..

Would I purchase another? Doubtful. F&P is now owned 90% by Haier (headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong) and the reliability of their goods was already heading south for some years (check Wikipedia for details) prior to the takeover. Efficient (cooling & electrical consumption) and quiet Unit 1 (replaced) - poor construction. Unit 2 (current) - bit fell off

Very pleased – Only had the fridge a week - but very happy with it so far. Despite some reviews I have read - I have found it to be very, very quiet. Nice enough design (a bit retro) with glass shelving and wheels underneath, so easy to move. So far - I would recommend it, I will keep you up-dated and let you know of any problems. Enery efficient, quiet, wheel mounted, glass shelving design is a bit retro Show 2 replies

Nice fridge – We bought this for a small family after moving into a house with a fairly narrow fridge space. It's nice, reasonably quiet and laid out well. In hindsight I'd have preferred something a little larger, perhaps the 411L one (which is the same width but 10cm taller), but all in all a good buy. Fits into a narrow space A little small - only two shelves in the door when I'd have liked three.

Works well with plenty of space – Two models available, with door hinged on left or right Plenty of shelving space and freezer space Great price for 380L fridge Parents have the model below for over 2 years and still works perfectly Runs quietly most of the time, makes an audible noise while the fridge "starts up", but its only for a short duration and bearable. Great for household of 2-4 Left Hinge option, inexpensive, reliable

Bad – i've got the E381TLT model, it's left-handed opening and looks like the picture in the middle. i wasn't very happy with the fridge if i had a bit more money when i shop for fridge i'd go for a 420-500 liter fridge, either westinghouse or electrolux. the fridge is a little noise which is ok for me but as u can see in the 2nd pic the door only has… Read more

2 levels of area u can put drinks, on top u get egg tray and then 1 small shelf for sauces and stuff, and then a big one, the bottom of door is not in use because of the large fruit/veg drawer, which is not bad because u won't need to bend down alot to get drinks, but still it would be better to have more space. also with the freezer, i don't now why my model did not come with the ice maker (twister tray with ice bucket) as it shown on picture 2, there is ice maker, which is even more disappointing now i hav to put ice in a old ice-cream box. overall i would not recommend this fridge as there are soo many better options out there, it's just badly designed, and 380 liter is abit small for 2 or more people :P and also don't forget this, the bigger the fridge, the more energy effeicient. i mean... buying a 400 liter fridge will not use double electricity of a 200 liter, just a little more. so when u buy fridge go for the biggest u can fit in/afford. u will not regret in the end! nice and cold no ice making tray, noise, no shelfs at bottom of door.