Jan 31, 2025

Refrigerator Financing: 6 Ways to Finance Your New Fridge

Written by Anna Yen
Blog Post Image

Has your trusty refrigerator finally kicked the bucket, leaving you scrambling to find a replacement ASAP? Or perhaps you’re in the market for an upgrade, dreaming of a shiny new model with all the bells and whistles. Whichever the case, refrigerator financing can be just the thing to give your kitchen the upgrade it badly needs. 🌟

We’re going over 6 different options to finance a refrigerator in no time. 🎯


Make sure to check out MoneyLion for personal loan offers for refrigerator financing. You can get matched with offers for up to $50,000 from our top providers. Compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you!


If you notice your fridge isn’t cooling quickly or maintaining the proper temperature, it’s important to take action. Cold temperatures slow bacterial growth and keep you from getting sick. But big kitchen appliances can be pricey and not everyone is prepared to drop that much money on an unexpected expense.

Explore top refrigerator financing options and what to do if you have poor credit. 

Getting a personal loan is one option for many people looking to finance a refrigerator. They have fixed monthly payments so you know what to expect, but can also be paid off quickly if you have the money. However, the application process can take time. You’ll need to gather certain information, like your employment status and annual income.

Not all lenders will require a credit check, but those that don’t often come with higher interest rates or have to be repaid relatively quickly. If you have to undergo a credit check, you’ll likely need a score of 580 or higher

Pros

Cons

The process generally is straightforward and simple.

You have to go through an application process, which may take time.

It’s possible to get a personal loan even if you have bad credit.

If you have poor credit, you may wind up with a higher interest rate.

The payments due each month are the same, so you know what to expect.

If you aren’t careful, you could end up with more debt than you can handle.

Use MoneyLion to explore personal loan offers for refrigerator financing! Compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

If you’re buying your fridge directly from a home improvement store or any other retailer, you may be able to sign up for a financing plan directly through the seller. Store credit cards associated directly with different businesses are an example of this. 

You may also apply directly at checkout for third-party financing. This type of financing is offered by another provider like Affirm, which offers buy now, pay later services. Promotional deals may also offer an especially low annual percentage rate (APR) for the first year.

Pros

Cons

They often come with deals and promotions that could save you money.

You may need credit approval and may wind up with a high APR.

In-store credit cards can help improve your credit.

You may need to front a down payment.

Predictable payments that are the same each month unless your APR changes after a promotional period

Store credit cards can only be used at those specific retailers.

Paying with a credit card is a simple financing option that many people already have access to. If you are looking to open a new line of credit, you can often do so the same day you start the process. Although you can get a credit card even if your score is very poor, such as 500 or so, you will likely face a higher interest rate than someone with a better credit score. 

Some companies will let you get a credit card no matter your credit score, with the caveat that you’ll have to pay extra in fees and interest.

Pros

Cons

Cards let you purchase now and worry about payments later.

Making a big purchase will eat into your credit limit, affecting what you have available to spend on other things.

Making on-time payments can help raise your credit score.

You could pay a high-interest rate if your credit isn’t great.

Getting a new credit card could give you a promotional APR with lower interest rates.

You’ll wind up paying more over time due to interest if you only meet the minimum payment each month.


MoneyLion can help you explore a wide variety of credit card options tailored to different needs and preferences.


Cash advance apps let you access a certain amount of money from your future pay, sometimes with no credit check. For example, Moneylion’s InstacashSM lets you get your money with no fee or interest. If you are looking for cash within minutes, there is a Turbo fee to expedite. It’s not a loan product and you’re essentially getting a portion of your paycheck early. 

Pros

Cons

Cash advances let you get money quickly.

Some cash advances charge higher interest rates.

You often don’t need a credit check.

They typically have to be paid back quickly.

You can do this online.

These are typically best for emergencies.

Renting to own means you’ll make payments weekly or monthly on an appliance either to keep it for a short length of time or to pay it off entirely and own it outright. This is different from leasing, which usually requires a credit check and is for new items that you may or may not intend to purchase outright by the end of the contract. 

Although you don’t need a credit check to rent-to-own, you’ll still have to go through an application process to prove you have a steady income and can make at least the first payment.

Pros

Cons

Finance a refrigerator even if you have bad credit or no credit

Rent-to-own items may have already been used

Possibility of upgrading your appliance if you need to while renting

You need to show a steady income.

You may be able to choose how often you make payments

Must prove you have money on hand to make the first payment

Buy now, pay later is essentially an installment loan. You get to take home the item right away, but you break up the payments instead of putting all the money down at once. You’ll usually be able to apply for this right at checkout, paying an upfront down payment but then deferring the rest of the cost to pay off in the future.

Pros

Cons

Usually no interest payments

Buy now, pay later is usually an agreement made with a third party, not with the company from which you’re purchasing your refrigerator. That means you may have difficulty getting refunds on purchases, even if it’s defective.

Buy now, pay later doesn’t typically require a hard credit pull.

This may encourage people to spend more than they can afford since the upfront payment is only part of total payments.

You can get approved quickly.

You may have to pay a fee.

Not everyone’s financial situation or even day-to-day life is the same. Reflect on your own finances and research the different financing options available before committing to purchasing your refrigerator. 

The first thing you should do is figure out what your budget is. Determine how much you can pay upfront and how much you can afford month-to-month without stretching yourself thin and risk missing payments. 

You should also take a look at your credit score. If it’s good, you may be able to get a reasonably low-interest rate. If it’s bad, however, you could be pressured to turn to a lender that will look past your poor score if you simply pay them a much higher APR. If you’re in that boat, you may want to seek out something that offers a deal or promotion for first-time users.

Even within the same type of loans or credit options, you’ll find some variance in interest rates offered by different companies. Shop around between banks and sellers to see who can offer you the best rate.

The terms of repayment will affect how much is coming out of your pocket each month. Some loans have to be repaid extremely quickly, which can be difficult for some families. Some require collateral that you might not be willing to risk. Assess repayment terms with different financing options before committing to one.

Remember that many new clients will get to spend some time with discounted services. That could be a chunk of money taken off the front end of the bill or a promotional interest rate with a delayed start. This could be a great option as you try to finance your new refrigerator.

When it’s time to buy a new refrigerator, you’ll find plenty of ways to help you get it into your home without having to pay for everything upfront. Research and decide which refrigerator financing option would work best for you before making a big purchase.

And remember to always inquire and compare important terms, conditions, rates, repayment periods, and more! The more prepared you are when it comes to how to finance a refrigerator, the better position you’ll find yourself financially.

Yes, there are plenty of financing options available without a credit check. Just know you may have to pay a higher interest rate if your credit is poor.

Some financing options will require a down payment, but not all.

The warranty and whether one is offered will vary depending on the seller. Financing plans should not affect your warranty.


Anna Yen
Written by
Anna Yen
Anna Yen, CFA, has nearly 2 decades of experience in financial markets, primarily with JPMorgan and UBS. Currently, she manages digital assets and her goal at FamilyFI is to empower families with financial literacy. She’s worked in 5 countries and visited 57.
Advertisement
Advertisement

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. You should consult your own financial, legal, and tax advisors before engaging in any transaction. Information, including hypothetical projections of finances, may not take into account taxes, commissions, or other factors which may significantly affect potential outcomes. This material should not be considered an offer or recommendation to buy or sell a security. While information and sources are believed to be accurate, MoneyLion does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information or source provided herein and is under no obligation to update this information. For more information about MoneyLion, please visit https://www.moneylion.com/terms-and-conditions/.

MoneyLion does not provide, own, control or guarantee third-party products or services accessible through its Marketplace (collectively, “Third-Party Products”). The Third-Party Products are owned, controlled or made available by third parties (the "Third-Party Providers"). Should you choose to purchase any Third-Party Products, the Third-Party Providers’ terms and privacy policies apply to your purchase, so you must agree to and understand those terms. The display on the MoneyLion website, app, or platform of any of a Third-Party Product or Third-Party Provider does not-in any way-imply, suggest, or constitute a recommendation by MoneyLion of that Third-Party Product or Third-Party Financial Provider. MoneyLion may receive compensation from third parties for referring you to the third party, their products or to their website.

Instacash® is an optional service offered by MoneyLion. Your available Instacash Advance limit will be displayed to you in the MoneyLion mobile app and may change from time to time. Your limit will be based on your direct deposits, account transaction history, and other factors, as determined by MoneyLion. Expedited delivery requires Turbo Fee. See Instacash Terms and Conditions for more information and eligibility requirements.

By clicking on some of the links above, you will leave the MoneyLion website and be directed to a new third party website. MoneyLion’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy do not apply to the new website; consult the terms of service and privacy policy on the new website for further information. MoneyLion does not endorse or guarantee the products, information, or recommendations provided in linked sites, nor is MoneyLion liable for any failure of products or services advertised on these sites.