# Toshiba or Sharp Refrigerator? The Real Difference Before Buying

> The Bottom Line: If you want a brand that is still manufactured and sold in Egypt through Elaraby Group with a 10-year comprehensive warranty, get Sharp (SJ-GV58G for a medium family or SJ-GV48G for a smaller one). If you find the new Toshiba models (GR-RT622 or GR-RT559) cheaper for the same capacity, they are inverter and feature humidity control, but check the warranty card to see who the guarantor is.

**4 min read**

## Were Toshiba and Sharp the Same Company in Egypt?
Yes, until the end of 2025. For many years, both brands were manufactured and sold in Egypt through Elaraby Group. In December 2025, Elaraby announced that it had ended all its manufacturing and commercial contracts with Toshiba Home Appliances by the end of the year, stating that it would continue after-sales service for all appliances sold with an Elaraby warranty.

- **Sharp:** Still with Elaraby. Sharp itself states that the partnership manufactures and sells Sharp-branded refrigerators in Egypt, and in 2024 they agreed on a joint venture called "Horizon" for a large refrigerator and upright deep freezer factory in Quesna.- **Toshiba:** Toshiba Egypt's official website is now named "Midea Electrics Egypt," and it has its own branches in malls like City Centre Almaza and Cairo Festival City. Midea is the one that bought Toshiba Home Appliances starting in 2016.

So if you are asking "Are they the same thing?": older Toshiba and Sharp refrigerators were from the same group, but the new ones are no longer like that.

## Warranty and Maintenance
Both are listed with 10 years on sales pages, and the difference lies in who stands behind them. Sharp writes "10 years comprehensive warranty" in the title of models like SJ-GV58G and SJ-GV48G, and maintenance is handled through Elaraby. The new Toshiba is listed with 10 years, and Toshiba Egypt's official website features a maintenance request and product registration. If you find a Toshiba from old stock, ask the seller exactly who provides the warranty before you pay.

## Features That Make a Difference
- **Sharp:** Plasmacluster and Ag+ filters for odors, Hybrid cooling, Tropical compressor for hot weather, and a digital display on most models.- **New Toshiba:** AirFALL cooling, Pure Bio filter, humidity control, a special cooling zone, and voltage stabilization in the GR-RT559 model. Control is electronic via a button rather than a large screen.- **Inverter:** All four models in the comparison are inverters, so the electricity difference between them won't be huge. Compare the annual consumption in kilowatt-hours on the energy label.

## Design and Size
In the 450-liter category, both are close in capacity. Sharp SJ-GV58G is available in silver with a glass door as well as black, Toshiba GR-RT622 is gray, and there is a nearby Toshiba model with a black glass door (GR-RT624WE). Before you choose, measure the width, depth, and height, and leave space behind and above the refrigerator for ventilation.

## Noise and Spare Parts
We didn't find published noise figures for these models, and inverters are generally quieter than regular motors. As for spare parts, older models from both brands have shelves and parts available even on Amazon because they sold in large numbers. The new Toshiba models (GR-RT) are recent in Egypt, so ask before buying about the nearest authorized service center to you, especially if you live outside Cairo.

## Frequent Complaints on Sales Pages
- Conflicting numbers for the same model: Toshiba GR-RT622 is listed as 450 liters on one page and 463 on another, and Sharp SJ-GV48G is listed as 396 and 385 on the same page.- In Toshiba GR-RT559, a buyer wrote that the freezer door was replaced due to a manufacturing defect, and another complained about the invoice. Always request the invoice, because the warranty runs on it.- Dents from transportation happen with large appliances in general, so inspect the refrigerator before signing for delivery.

## How to Choose?
If your priority is a trusted warranty provider from years ago and a digital display, choose Sharp. If you find the Toshiba GR-RT at a lower price for the same capacity and need humidity control, Toshiba is a reasonable choice. In both cases, make sure it is 220 volts, measure the space, and check who the seller is on Amazon and the type of warranty.

## FAQ

### Are Toshiba and Sharp the same factory?
Until the end of 2025, both brands were with Elaraby Group in Egypt. Elaraby announced that it ended its contracts with Toshiba by the end of 2025, while Sharp remains with it. Toshiba Egypt's official website is now named Midea Electrics Egypt.

### I have a Toshiba refrigerator with an Elaraby warranty, who repairs it?
Elaraby stated in its announcement that it continues after-sales service for all appliances sold under its warranty. Contact them with your warranty card and invoice.

### Is the Sharp 10-year warranty really comprehensive?
This is what is written in the title of sales pages for models like SJ-GV58G and SJ-GV48G. Read the terms on the card itself and see if it covers spare parts, labor, and visits, or spare parts only.

### Which is more electricity-efficient: Toshiba or Sharp?
The four models here are inverters, so the difference is small. Toshiba GR-RT622 is rated A+ by one seller, and Sharp's rating is written in different formats. Compare the annual consumption figure in kilowatt-hours on the energy label.

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Source: https://hanakoleah.com/en/article/toshiba-vs-sharp-refrigerator-egypt
Edited by: Marwa Mohamed
Last updated: 2026-10-30