Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Is the Smeg FAB38RPBAU worth buying? Only if you specifically want its 1950s-style design and very large bottom-freezer layout, and you can verify the condition, dimensions and support for an older appliance. It offers roughly 504–510 litres of total capacity, frost-free operation, a near-zero-degree Life Plus drawer and useful electronic controls. The trade-offs are substantial cabinet depth, a 569 kWh/year legacy energy figure, inconsistent published specifications and discontinued availability. For most new purchases, compare the current FAB38 5AU models first; their capacity and energy label are different and must not be assumed for the RPBAU.
What is the Smeg FAB38RPBAU?
The FAB38RPBAU is a large, freestanding, 1950s-style refrigerator with the freezer below the fresh-food compartment. It was sold in Australia as part of Smeg’s FAB38 family, with a retro exterior wrapped around a modern frost-free cabinet. CHOICE describes the exact model as large (451–525 litres), tested in 2021, and discontinued: CHOICE’s FAB38RPBAU listing records 504 litres of total volume, a claimed 315-litre refrigerator compartment, a claimed 151-litre freezer, 569 kWh/year, two energy stars, a two-year warranty and a historical price of $3,990.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Those figures are historical model information, not a current retail offer. If you are considering old stock or a used unit, identify the complete model code on the rating plate and obtain a written warranty and service answer before paying.
Is the Smeg FAB38RPBAU discontinued?
Yes. CHOICE marks the exact FAB38RPBAU as discontinued. That does not prove that every remaining unit is unusable, but it changes the buying decision: availability, spare parts, colour matching and warranty handling become seller-specific questions rather than normal new-product assumptions.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Smeg still sells FAB38 models with a “5AU” suffix. They are successors in the product family, not the same refrigerator with a refreshed label. Their storage, energy classification, depth and compressor specifications differ, so use the exact suffix on the appliance and energy label when comparing offers.
How much can the FAB38RPBAU hold?
Plan on about 500 litres of total capacity, but keep the two published measurement conventions separate. Smeg and a retailer quote 510 litres gross, while CHOICE reports 504 litres in its storage-style test. Gross volume includes space that is not equally usable around shelves, drawers and air channels.
Recommended Free Tools
| Source and measurement | Total | Refrigerator | Freezer | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHOICE, tested 2021 | 504 L | 315 L claimed | 151 L claimed | CHOICE’s published capacity figures; the compartment claims do not add exactly to the total because measurement methods and rounding differ. |
| Smeg technical sheet | 510 L gross | 355 L | 155 L | Manufacturer gross-capacity specification. |
| Appliances Online listing | 510 L | 355 L | 155 L | Retailer specification for the exact FAB38RPBAU. |
The practical layout is generous for weekly groceries: the larger upper cabinet is for fresh food, while two freezer drawers and a fast-freezing compartment occupy the bottom section. Shelves, door bins and drawers reduce the open-cavity figure, so compare internal photographs and shelf positions if you are replacing a refrigerator whose usable layout matters more than its headline litres.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What are the FAB38RPBAU’s dimensions and access requirements?
The cabinet is tall and deep enough that access planning is as important as kitchen fit. Smeg’s technical sheet gives 706 mm width, 2,050 mm height and 811 mm depth including the handle. Appliances Online lists the exact model at 2,050 × 706 × 771 mm and 113 kg, showing why you should measure the transport route and clarify whether a quoted depth includes the handle.
| Dimension or handling item | Published value | Buying implication |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 706 mm | Measure the narrowest doorway, hallway and cabinet opening, not just the refrigerator recess. |
| Height | 2,050 mm | Check ceiling height, overhead cabinetry and the ability to tilt the appliance during delivery. |
| Depth | 771 mm on the retailer listing; 811 mm including handle on Smeg’s sheet | Confirm the measurement convention and add the space required for doors, handles and ventilation according to the installation documentation. |
| Weight | 113 kg | Arrange suitable lifting equipment and protect floors; the loaded refrigerator will weigh more. |
Measure the route, not only the final position
- Measure the delivery entrance, lift or stairs, every turn and the final opening at their narrowest points.
- Ask the seller or carrier for the packed dimensions and whether doors, handles or packaging can be removed safely.
- Check the floor is level and strong enough for a 113 kg appliance plus food. Do not rely on a tight recess to hold the cabinet upright.
- Confirm door-swing clearance and hinge position. The available data does not establish a universal hinge-reversal specification, so obtain the exact installation diagram for your suffix.
- Leave the manufacturer’s required ventilation and service clearances; do not push the rear or sides hard against cabinetry simply because the width fits.
What features does the FAB38RPBAU include?
The feature set is stronger than the decorative styling suggests. It combines independent electronic control of the refrigerator and freezer with frost-free air circulation and several temperature-management modes.
- Double-zone electronic temperature control: separate controls let you manage the fresh-food and frozen sections independently.
- Multi-Cooling No Frost: circulated cool air prevents ice build-up, so the freezer does not require routine manual defrosting. Smeg states that the system is designed to maximise storage capacity: Smeg’s FAB38 technical sheet.
- Life Plus 0°C drawer: a dedicated near-zero-degree drawer for foods that benefit from colder, stable storage without being placed in the freezer.
- ECO mode: a lower-energy operating setting when your household’s usage pattern allows it.
- Fast freezing: a temporary high-performance mode for newly added food; use it according to the control-panel instructions rather than leaving it permanently active.
- Temperature alarm: warns if the temperature rises beyond the appliance’s threshold.
- Door-open warning: the specification includes an alarm function; the exact visual or audible behaviour can vary by control version.
- Storage equipment: three quick-chill glass shelves, a crisper and Life Plus drawers, LED interior lighting, two freezer drawers and a fast-freezing compartment.
The appliance has no plumbing requirement and no water dispenser on the Appliances Online specification. That simplifies installation, but it also means there is no built-in plumbed water or ice service to factor into the purchase.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How much energy does the FAB38RPBAU use?
The legacy RPBAU figure is 569 kWh per year. CHOICE records a two-star rating, while Smeg’s technical sheet also lists 569 kWh/year. Multiply 569 by your electricity tariff to estimate an annual running cost; because tariffs vary by retailer, region and time of use, a single national dollar figure would be misleading.
Do not copy the newer FAB38 5AU energy data onto the RPBAU. Current white FAB38RWH5AU information shows energy class E and 328 kWh/year, but that is a different label generation and model suffix. A lower number on a successor label is useful for comparison, not evidence that a legacy RPBAU consumes 328 kWh/year.
Energy use in a real kitchen changes with ambient temperature, door openings, food load, control settings and installation clearances. If an older unit is unusually warm, runs almost continuously or has a damaged door seal, resolve that fault before judging its normal efficiency.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How does the FAB38RPBAU compare with current FAB38 5AU models?
Current models preserve the retro format but reduce the published storage volume and use a newer energy label. The following figures come from Smeg’s current Australian product pages and are not specifications for the RPBAU.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →| Model | Total storage | Fresh-food storage | Frozen storage | Energy/noise and other data | Published dimensions or price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAB38RPBAU (legacy) | 504 L storage-style or 510 L gross | 315 L claimed by CHOICE or 355 L manufacturer gross | 151 L claimed by CHOICE or 155 L manufacturer gross | 569 kWh/year; two stars in CHOICE’s record; 42 dBA on Smeg’s sheet | 706 × 2,050 × 811 mm including handle on Smeg’s sheet; historical CHOICE price $3,990; discontinued |
| FAB38RBL5AU | 481.1 L | 343.7 L | 137.4 L | Inverter compressor, 41 dB(A), 9 kg/24 h freezing capacity | 2,050 × 706 × 711 mm before handle; $4,990 list price shown for black |
| FAB38RWH5AU | 481 L | 344 L | 137 L | Class E, 328 kWh/year; electronic controls, fast freezing, temperature alarm and acoustic/visual door-open alarm | Current Australian product-page specification; colour is white |
The comparison exposes the main trade-off: the RPBAU offers the larger published capacity, while the 5AU models have current availability and a newer energy-label generation. The newer black model’s 711 mm pre-handle depth also shows that successor cabinets cannot be selected by width alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is a used or old-stock FAB38RPBAU worth buying?
It can be, but the decision depends more on condition and support than on the badge. Choose it when the retro appearance, large capacity, frost-free freezer and 0°C drawer are priorities and the seller can demonstrate stable cooling. Prefer a current FAB38 5AU model when lower published energy use, a current warranty and easier parts or service access matter more than maximum volume.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Reasons to consider it
- Distinctive 1950s-style design that is difficult to replicate with ordinary contemporary refrigerators.
- Very large cabinet capacity for households that need substantial fresh and frozen storage.
- Bottom-freezer ergonomics: frequently accessed fresh food is at eye level, while frozen food stays below.
- No-frost operation avoids scheduled manual freezer defrosting.
- Electronic dual-zone control, fast freezing, alarms and a dedicated 0°C drawer provide more control than a basic single-thermostat refrigerator.
Reasons to be cautious
- The 569 kWh/year legacy figure is materially higher than the 328 kWh/year published for the current FAB38RWH5AU, although the label generations and models differ.
- The cabinet is 2,050 mm tall, more than 700 mm deep in published measurements and 113 kg before food, so delivery failures are expensive and disruptive.
- Published capacity and energy ratings vary by source and measurement convention.
- Discontinued status can make warranty interpretation, replacement shelves, door seals and electronic parts harder to verify.
- A low price on used stock may reflect age, cosmetic damage or missing documentation rather than a bargain.
What should you check before buying a discontinued unit?
- Read the rating plate. Photograph the full model code, serial number and electrical data. Confirm it says FAB38RPBAU rather than a visually similar suffix.
- Request the actual energy label. Record the stated annual kWh and star or class rating on that appliance; do not rely on a generic FAB38 listing.
- Test both temperature zones. Run the refrigerator and freezer long enough to confirm that each reaches and maintains its set point. A refrigerator thermometer is useful because a cold interior does not prove that the freezer is operating correctly.
- Listen and inspect. Check for abnormal compressor cycling, fan rubbing, cracked shelves, damaged drawer runners, brittle door gaskets and condensation around the cabinet.
- Operate every control. Verify ECO, fast-freezing, alarm and temperature adjustments respond normally, and make sure the display does not show a persistent warning.
- Confirm contents and paperwork. Ask whether all shelves, drawers and the fast-freezing compartment are present, and obtain manuals, purchase evidence and written warranty terms.
- Plan transport. Use the measured route, packed dimensions and a carrier equipped for a 113 kg appliance. Do not assume a standard delivery crew can manage a narrow stairwell.
- Price the risk. Compare the complete delivered cost, any installation charge and likely repair exposure with a current FAB38 5AU model, not just the seller’s sticker price.
How should you use and maintain the FAB38RPBAU?
No-frost means the freezer does not need routine manual defrosting, but it does not make the appliance maintenance-free. Keep air outlets clear, avoid packing food tightly against the rear circulation area and clean spills before they harden around drawers or seals.
- Let hot food cool before loading it, then use fast freezing for a new batch when the instructions call for it.
- Keep doors closed while the compressor is recovering from a large shop, and investigate repeated temperature alarms instead of silencing them indefinitely.
- Clean door gaskets and check that shelves or bags are not preventing a full seal.
- Use the Life Plus 0°C drawer for foods suited to near-zero storage, following the food’s handling guidance; it is not a substitute for the freezer.
- If cooling becomes weak, first check door closure, blocked vents, unusual room heat and visible gasket damage. Continued poor performance requires qualified appliance service rather than dismantling the sealed refrigeration circuit.
What is the final verdict on the Smeg FAB38RPBAU?
The FAB38RPBAU is attractive and unusually spacious, with a useful feature set and frost-free convenience. It is a sensible buy only when you can verify a healthy individual appliance, fit the 2,050 mm-tall cabinet through your home and accept the older 569 kWh/year energy specification and discontinued support risk. If those conditions are not met, start with current FAB38 5AU availability and compare the exact label, capacity, depth, warranty and price before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FAB38RPBAU need a water connection?
No. The exact-model retailer specification lists no plumbing and no dispenser, so installation is an electrical and positioning job rather than a water-line installation. Verify that the unit you are buying matches the RPBAU specification rather than a different refrigerator.
Is the Life Plus drawer a freezer compartment?
No. It is a dedicated 0°C drawer in the refrigerator section, intended for very cold fresh-food storage. Food that must remain frozen belongs in the bottom freezer drawers.
Why do some listings show 504 litres and others 510 litres?
CHOICE reports 504 litres using its test and storage-style presentation, while Smeg and Appliances Online publish 510 litres gross. The different methods, plus rounded compartment claims, mean the figures should not be treated as a contradiction or added together.
What documents should I get with an old FAB38RPBAU?
Ask for a photo of the rating plate, the appliance’s energy label, purchase proof, warranty terms and any service history. Those records help establish the exact suffix and clarify whether support follows the appliance or only the original purchaser.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
