Hisense HRBM 503L Bottom Mount Series
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- +7
I’ve owned two of these fridges. The first was returned due to large temperature fluctuations and failure to reach the temperature set on the control panel. The second I have been using since mid-2024. The replacement is more consistent, but it still never reaches the set temperature throughout the fridge.
To keep food at or below 4 °C, the fridge must be set to 2 °C, which is the lowest available setting. At a 3 °C setting, the fridge stays mostly above 4 °C, with the top shelves often exceeding 5–6 °C.
This has been confirmed using both digital and analogue thermometers, over extended periods. In practice, setting the fridge to 3 °C results in unsafe temperatures. Only the 2 °C setting delivers acceptable real-world results.
• Temperature distribution is poor. • Cold air clearly settles at the bottom. • The bottom shelves may sit near 2.5 °C, while the top shelves remain much warmer. • The advertised “Metal Tech Cooling” appears cosmetic. • No active airflow is detectable at the vents.
Hisense support advised not to run the fridge at 2 °C, stating it would “overwork the inverter”. That effectively prioritises energy efficiency over food safety, which is unacceptable.
The freezer is mostly stable at -19 to -20 °C. However, despite being labelled “frost free”, ice regularly forms on the freezer drawer fronts. My 21-year-old Westinghouse frost-free fridge never did this.
Design-wise, the fridge looks great. Drawers move smoothly, although the top freezer drawer can stick. The stainless finish is modern and appealing.
This fridge is rated 8-star energy efficient. I would like to know what settings were used to achieve that rating. At the commonly recommended 4 °C setting, this fridge does not keep food within safe limits. A fridge has one primary job. Keep food safe, between 0 and 4 °C, as per health guidelines.
Hisense phone support staff were polite and helpful. However, when I emailed detailed temperature graphs and findings, I received no meaningful response. Also, I was told their refrigeration expert would not speak with me.
Credit to Harvey Norman, who replaced the first fridge without hesitation.
After extensive testing of two identical units, I would not buy another Hisense fridge.
Follow-up · Does the freezer ice buildup affect storage space: no, it doesn't fill up with ice like old style fridges. Some foods do "frost up" though, and the drawers frost over when it is going through its cycle. This is when the freezer temps rise to -14 to -10. How easy is it to clean inside the fridge: very easy. Nice, easy lines in the fridge and its easy to keep clean. How noisy is the fridge during operation: it was whisper silent when new, but about 12 months in, it started to make loud "crack" noises, which apparently is normal (plastics expanding and contracting). The inverter itself is very quiet... you can hear it when you are close to the fridge, but it is not loud at all.
Purchased in at Harvey Norman for $1,470.
- Household Size: 1 person(s)
Unhappy – Rubbish, noisy, runs veritably 24/7. Poor handle location left or right, but the noise is worst, followed by continual operation its really intrusive. Then the noises from the cabinet of the fridge started loud popping/cracking sound also it at times sounds as if a rodent is running around in the machine. The lay out is not very functional. This is the replacement as the original didn't cool below 4deg I really regret buying it. Do not be tempted buy the apparently low price,,,,, you most certainly get what you pay for though over a grand is not cheap. I do not expect it to last long. Bitter and not chilled.
Purchased in .
Disappointing Experience with Hisense 503L Bottom Mount Fridge – I recently purchased the Hisense 503L Bottom Mount Fridge (Model: HRBM503S) with high hopes for a reliable and efficient appliance. However, my experience with this refrigerator has been far from satisfactory. The most significant issue I encountered is with the door shelves, which are surprisingly short and impractical. These shelves cannot accommodate bottles properly, making it inconvenient to store beverages. Opening the door results in bottles tipping over and sometimes even falling out, creating a mess and potential safety hazard.
Besides, the fridge failed to withstand normal usage, as it broke within the first few days of ownership. This unexpected and premature malfunction was a major disappointment, especially considering the investment made in this appliance.
Comparing the customer service experience with my previous refrigerator from Samsung, I am left thoroughly unimpressed with Hisense. The response from customer service has been lacklustre at best, failing to address my concerns promptly or effectively. This sharp contrast with the level of service I received with a Samsung appliance is particularly disheartening.
Finally, based on my experience with the Hisense 503L Bottom Mount Fridge, I cannot recommend this product. The impractical door shelves, fragility of the appliance, and poor customer service have collectively left me dissatisfied with my purchase. If you're in the market for a reliable refrigerator, I would advise looking elsewhere and considering brands with a more reliable track record.
Purchased in at The Good Guys for $1,400.
- Household Size: 2 person(s)
Great spacious Fridge very silent and energy saving – Very well build fridge, great capacity at 503L, flat design and beautiful stainless steel. I do wish it was slightly taller to fill in the cavity in full. This is a new model and has silent technology it is indeed very silent and has the new motor which is 4.5 star energy, for a fridge this size it’s insanely efficient Controls are digital so you are able to accurately set temperature
Well priced too, I saved $800 by buying this bottom mount fridge over a French door with similar capacity. French door fridges are overpriced anyway, and have reliability issues, all you’re doing is paying nearly double for splitting the doors in four with not much more capacity
IMO Chinese appliance brands like Hisense are really starting to destroy well known brands like fisher and Paykal and Bosch
Purchased for $1,000.
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