Buying guide for best french door refrigerators
A refrigerator is one of those essential home appliances that you probably don’t think too much about until it’s time for a new one. But not all refrigerators are created equally, and the design and layout of the compartments can make a big difference in how easy it is to organize your food and find it when you need it.
For many people, a French door refrigerator offers the practical, functional layout they prefer for organizing their cold food and beverages. What’s more, it lends an air of attractive elegance to the kitchen that traditional refrigerators just don’t have.
If you’re thinking about buying a new French door refrigerator, we can help. At Best Reviews, we draw upon objective research to take a closer look at the top products on the market. We conduct lab tests, interview experts, and talk with product owners to determine exactly what information you need to make good buying decisions.
Ready to buy a French door refrigerator? The product list above features our top recommendations. For general information about French door refrigerators, continue reading this shopping guide.
Anatomy of a French door refrigerator
A French door refrigerator features a refrigerator compartment on the top and a freezer compartment on the bottom. But unlike other bottom-freezer models, a French door refrigerator has side-by-side doors on top and a single door or drawer on the bottom.
French door refrigerators are usually wider than other double-door refrigerators, though the doors themselves are narrower.
Some French door refrigerators feature one or more drawers between the top and bottom compartments to better help organize your goods.
Did you know?
The layout of a French door refrigerator makes it much easier to see and reach all of the food inside than the layouts of other types of refrigerators.
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Benefits of a French door refrigerator
Why do some people prefer a French door refrigerator over the other types that are available? Here are some of the benefits this appliance delivers.
Saved space: A French door refrigerator can save space in your kitchen because the narrow doors don’t require as much clearance. If you have a tight or confined floor plan, this could be ideal.
Easy reach: Because the refrigerator compartment is on top, it’s much easier to reach the foods you use most often in a French door refrigerator. What’s more, you don’t have to bend down quite as far to access your crisper drawers.
Energy savings: With a French door refrigerator, you open just one door to access a particular item, and cold air escapes from only half the refrigerator. As a result, you save a bit of energy, since the refrigerator needn’t work too hard to maintain its internal temperature.
Flexibility: A French door fridge usually offers more flexibility when it comes to food storage. The shelves can span the full width of the fridge, or they can be split down the middle for a different configuration.
Questions to ask before you buy
You’ll have a much easier time selecting a new French door refrigerator if you know ahead of time what you want – and what you don’t want. If you’re considering a particular model, find out the answers to the following questions before making your decision.
Does the refrigerator have the storage capacity you need?
Refrigerator capacity, or interior space, is measured in cubic feet. French door refrigerators range in capacity from 15 to 30 cubic feet.
In general, a refrigerator that provides 19 to 22 cubic feet of storage capacity is large enough to accommodate a household of four people.
If you shop for groceries in bulk, however, you may prefer an appliance with a capacity of 30 cubic feet.
Did you know?
Some French door refrigerators feature two drawers inside the bottom freezer compartment. The drawers make it very easy to organize your frozen foods.
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Does the refrigerator fit your kitchen space?
French door refrigerators typically range in width from 30 to 36 inches. They average 69 inches in height and 26 inches in depth.
Use a tape measure to determine the width, height, and depth of the area where you plan to place the refrigerator to ensure that the model that you’re considering will fit.
When it comes to depth, you may prefer a counter-depth or cabinet-depth French door refrigerator. This type of refrigerator has a shallow profile that won’t extend beyond the edge of your countertop or cabinets.
Does the refrigerator have the sort of finish you prefer?
French door refrigerators typically come in one of three finishes: stainless steel, black, and white.
Stainless steel is a particularly popular option, and it works with a variety of kitchen color and design schemes. The one drawback to stainless steel appliances is that they tend to show fingerprints easily. If you want a stainless steel refrigerator, you may want to choose one with a smudge-free finish.
Black is an ideal finish if you have a modern kitchen, and white is compatible with a wide variety of kitchen décors.
Does the refrigerator offer the degree of temperature control you want?
While all French door refrigerators offer some type of temperature control, some offer more precision than others.
For the utmost control, choose a refrigerator that allows you to select a specific temperature rather than a general setting.
You can also opt for a French door refrigerator that allows you to control the temperature in certain areas, such as the drawers. For example, you could lower the temperature to better preserve highly perishable foods like meat and fish.
You may also want to look for a model that provides humidity controls so you can keep produce from wilting.
Does the refrigerator include extra drawers?
Some French door refrigerators have one or more extra drawers between the top refrigerator compartment and bottom freezer compartment. These extra drawers can help boost your organization. What’s more, you can save a bit of energy by keeping frequently used foods in the drawer. That way, you don’t have to open the entire refrigerator compartment just to access a bottle of ketchup.
Did you know?
Because the doors on a French door refrigerator are narrower than those of side-by-side models, they aren’t as heavy. This can be helpful once they are loaded with food.
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Does the refrigerator have adjustable shelves?
If you like the thought of customizing your refrigerator configuration, choose a model with adjustable shelving. You can opt for shelves that span the entire appliance, or you can create shelving that divides into sections on either side. You can also adjust shelf height to accommodate taller items, such as bottles of soda or juice.
Does the refrigerator have a water/ice dispenser?
Many French door refrigerators have a water and/or ice dispenser built into the door. This is convenient, as you can get ice and water without actually opening the door. Notably, the components can take up some storage space inside the refrigerator.
If you purchase a French door refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser, we suggest that you look for one with a built-in water filter.
Extra features
If you want a top-of-the-line French door refrigerator, you can find models that boast a variety of helpful features.
Door-in-door storage
A refrigerator with door-in-door storage provides access to a special storage area within the door itself. It usually opens with the press of a button, so you can easily grab items like beverages, condiments, and other snacks without having to actually open the main refrigerator compartment.
Built-in coffee maker
If having a water and ice dispenser isn’t enough, you can also find French door refrigerators that have a single-serve pod coffee maker built into the door.
Sparkling water dispenser
Some models have a built-in sparkling water dispenser, so you can get fresh seltzer from the fridge whenever you want it.
WiFi/TV
For the utmost in high-tech, you may want to consider a French door refrigerator that’s WiFi-enabled and/or features a TV built into the door. Through WiFi, you can control the refrigerator through an app on your smartphone or tablet and receive alerts when there are possible problems. You may also be able to create shopping lists and stream music through a WiFi-enabled refrigerator.
French door refrigerator prices
French door refrigerators vary in price based on their size and features, but you can typically expect to spend between $1,200 and $8,000 for a good one.
$1,200 to $2,000
In this price range, you can find a small-capacity French door refrigerator without many extra features.
$2,000 to $3,500
French door refrigerators in this price range are typically considered “medium-capacity” appliances and tend to have just a few extra features.
$3,000 to $8,000
In this broad price range, you will find many large-capacity French door refrigerators with plenty of extra features.
Tips
Play around with the height and sectioning of your shelves. One of the main benefits of owning a French door refrigerator is how much adjustability you have.
Store condiments in the doors. Because the doors are the warmest part of a French door refrigerator, that area is a good place to store your ketchup, mustard, and other items that won’t be negatively affected by the slightly warmer temperature.
Store dairy products at the back of your French door refrigerator. Milk, yogurt, sour cream, and similar items will benefit from this location, which is the coldest part of the refrigerator.
Accessorize your refrigerator with storage bins and baskets. Because a French door refrigerator offers so much storage space, it’s a good idea to add bins and/or baskets to the shelves for even deeper organization. Frequently used foods are ideal candidates for the bins because you’ll be able to reach them easily.
FAQ
Q. Isn’t a French door refrigerator the same thing as a side-by-side refrigerator?
A. Not quite. Both French door and side-by-side refrigerators have two doors. However, a French door refrigerator has a freezer compartment on the bottom of the appliance with a separate door or drawer. The doors of a side-by-side refrigerator span the entire appliance, with one door covering the refrigerator compartment and one door covering the freezer compartment.
Q. Can a French door refrigerator work in a small kitchen?
A. A French door refrigerator is usually wider than a side-by-side refrigerator; widths range between 30 and 36 inches. As such, this type of refrigerator won’t work in all kitchens. However, the doors don’t require as much clearance to swing open, which does allow them to fit in some tighter layouts.
Before you buy a new refrigerator, measure the area in your kitchen where it will go. Make sure the appliance you buy will fit your available dimensions.
Q. What is the benefit of a French door refrigerator with extra drawers in the middle?
A. Extra drawers provide extra storage space that allows you to further organize your groceries. The center of the refrigerator is an ideal spot to keep frequently used items. You won’t have to open the larger refrigerator compartment all the time, thereby saving a bit of energy.
