Hisense RT21N3E vs Hisense RT12A2CSE
Two of the full-size refrigerators in our best full-size refrigerators comparison, lined up spec by spec. Every figure comes from the manufacturer pages linked below, and the scores use the same published formula as the full ranking.
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Best for: Official 10% less energy than the U.S. federal standard, 21.2 cu ft total volume, 478 kWh/year, ENERGY STAR lists an ice maker
Check price at AmazonBest for: Official 10% less energy than the U.S. federal standard, 11.6 cu ft total volume, 308 kWh/year
Check price at AmazonSpec-by-spec comparison
Green marks the better published figure. "Not listed" means the manufacturer doesn't publish it.
| Spec | Hisense RT21N3E | Hisense RT12A2CSE | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent less energy than U.S. federal standardOfficial ENERGY STAR figure for how much less annual energy the model uses than the U.S. federal standard for its product class. Higher is better. A missing value takes the category minimum. | 10 % | 10 % | 36% |
| Certified total volumeOfficial ENERGY STAR certified total volume in cubic feet. A larger cabinet is not automatically the right refrigerator for a small kitchen. Missing values take the category minimum. | 21.2 cu ft | 11.6 cu ft | 28% |
| Annual energy useOfficial ENERGY STAR annual energy use in kilowatt-hours per year. Lower is better. Because a larger cabinet often uses more energy, this field is scored alongside volume and the percent-better figure. Missing values take the category minimum (the highest energy use in the set). | 478 kWh/year | 308 kWh/year | 22% |
| Ice makerYes when the official ENERGY STAR record lists an ice maker. Unstated counts as no. | Yes | No | 14% |
| Percent less energy use than U.S. federal standard (ENERGY STAR) | 10% | 10% | info |
| Annual energy use (ENERGY STAR) | 478 kWh/year | 308 kWh/year | info |
| Certified total volume (ENERGY STAR) | 21.2 cu ft | 11.6 cu ft | info |
| Annual energy use per cubic foot (computed) | 22.5 kWh/year per cubic foot, computed as certified annual energy use ÷ certified total volume | 26.6 kWh/year per cubic foot, computed as certified annual energy use ÷ certified total volume | info |
| U.S. federal standard energy use (ENERGY STAR) | 522 kWh/year | 343 kWh/year | info |
| Adjusted volume (ENERGY STAR) | 25.3 cu ft | 13.5 cu ft | info |
| Type (ENERGY STAR) | Top Freezer | Top Freezer | info |
| Product class (ENERGY STAR) | 3I - Refrigerator-freezer - automatic defrost with op-mounted freezer with automatic icemaker without through-the-door ice | 3 - Refrigerator-freezers - automatic defrost with top-mounted freezer without an automatic ice maker | info |
| Defrost type (ENERGY STAR) | Automatic | Automatic | info |
| Ice maker (ENERGY STAR) | Yes | No | info |
| Counter depth (ENERGY STAR) | No | No | info |
| Thru-the-door dispenser (ENERGY STAR) | No | No | info |
| Connected functionality (ENERGY STAR) | No | No | info |
| Dimensions (ENERGY STAR) | 66.5 × 29.7 in (H × W) | 66.8 × 23.4 in (H × W) | info |
| Refrigerant (ENERGY STAR) | Not listed | Not listed | info |
| Meets ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 criteria | Yes | Yes | info |
| Certified model number | RT21N3**E | RT12A2CSE | info |
| Official brand name on the ENERGY STAR record | Hisense | Hisense | info |
| Related official records with the same certified ratings | Same official certified ratings also appear on Hisense RT210N3SEH; Mora RT210N3AEM. We keep one product page for this rating set so color, finish or brand rebadges are not given separate nearly identical pages. | Same official certified ratings also appear on Hisense BCD-320WP4NA1/HC1(H); Hisense HRT120P3AVE; Mora MRT115P3AVE; Summit FF1142PL. We keep one product page for this rating set so color, finish or brand rebadges are not given separate nearly identical pages. | info |
| CrispPick score | 5.1/10 | 3.1/10 | 100% |
Where each one comes out ahead
Hisense RT21N3E
Better published figure on: Certified total volume, Ice maker.
What we like
- ENERGY STAR lists this model with an ice maker
- Official record meets ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 criteria
Watch out for
- No additional scored gaps in the official record we used
Hisense RT12A2CSE
Better published figure on: Annual energy use.
What we like
- Official record meets ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 criteria
Watch out for
- ENERGY STAR does not list an ice maker on this record
Verdict
Both official ENERGY STAR records list these models as Top Freezer. The Hisense RT12A2CSE record lists 10% less energy than the U.S. federal standard, 11.6 cu ft total volume and 308 kWh/year. The Hisense RT21N3E record lists 10% less energy than the U.S. federal standard, 21.2 cu ft total volume and 478 kWh/year. ENERGY STAR lists an ice maker on the Hisense RT21N3E and does not on the Hisense RT12A2CSE.
- Hisense RT21N3E: ENERGY STAR Product Finder: RT21N3E
- Hisense RT21N3E: ENERGY STAR certified residential refrigerators dataset
- Hisense RT12A2CSE: ENERGY STAR Product Finder: RT12A2CSE
- Hisense RT12A2CSE: ENERGY STAR certified residential refrigerators dataset