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Beyond the Door: French Door vs. Side-by-Side Refrigerators

Both French Door and Side-by-Side refrigerators offer unique benefits, making them popular choices for modern kitchens. You’ll help you pick between the two!

When it comes to choosing the perfect fridge for your kitchen, the decision often boils down to two popular fridge types: French Door fridges and Side-by-Side fridges. Both fridge styles offer unique benefits and design elements that cater to different needs and preferences. In this article, we’ll compare these two popular fridge types to help you make an informed decision at any stage of your buying journey.

Differences Between French Door & Side-by-Side Fridges

Key Differences Between French Door & Side-by-Side Fridges

French Door Fridge Side-by-Side Fridge

Fridge Layout

Easy access fresh items at eye level, bottom freezer for frozen goods requires bending Split door access with vertical storage of fresh and frozen items, both require a degree of bending

Storage Capacity

Larger fridge capacity and smaller freezer capacity Fridge capacity typically larger than freezer

Door Design

Two wide fridge doors and a pull-out freezer drawer Two narrow doors, one for fridge and freezer

Other Features & Functions

  • Many have water & ice dispenser
  • Some may have a separate entertainer’s /customisable drawer
  • Some are smart enabled with remote app control
  • Some have water & ice dispenser
  • Some may have a separate entertainer’s /customisable drawer

Fridge Layout - French Door & Side-by-side

A Comparison: French Door & Side-by-Side Fridges

In the below section, we explore the various aspects of both French Door fridges and Side-by-Side Fridges including their layout, accessibility, storage capacity and other features and functions to consider when embarking on your fridge buying journey.

  1. Fridge Layout

French Door Fridges:

French door fridges boast a spacious, wide layout. The fridge compartment is located at the top, featuring expansive shelves that can easily accommodate wide platters and large items. Below, you’ll find a pull-out freezer drawer, making frozen goods accessible with a bit of bending required.

Side-by-Side Fridges:

Side-by-side fridges split the fridge and freezer sections vertically, with each section occupying close to half of the unit. This design results in narrower shelves, which can be a bit limiting for wide items but is perfect for tall, slender items. Both the fridge and freezer sections are accessible at eye level, although accessing lower shelves may require some bending.

Our Top Picks: 

Electrolux’s 609L French Door Fridge (EHE6899BA)

The entertainer friendly 609L Electrolux French Door Fridge (EHE6899BA) features a middle FlexFresh fully convertible drawer, offering a variable temperature range between -23˚C to 7˚C, letting users customise cooling to suit their needs. Adding to this Electrolux French Door Fridge’s versatility is its plumbed filtered ice and water dispenser for on-demand hydration and drinks making.

Door Design - French Door & Side-by-side

Westinghouse’s 609L French Door Fridge (WQE6170BB)

With its quad (four) door design, this 609L Westinghouse French Door Fridge (WQE6170BB) provides easy access to items without cold air loss – just open the door you need without having to open them all. Adding to this is the plumbed filtered water and ice dispenser for on-demand drinks making. This French door fridge also delivers personalised storage with its FlexSpace™ fully convertible compartment with 5 predefined settings, ranging from frozen foods to deli snacks and chilled wine.

 Fridge Features - water and ice dispensers

  1. Door Design

French Door Fridges:

French door fridges feature two wide doors for the fridge compartment and a pull-out drawer for the freezer. This design not only looks sleek and modern but also allows for easy access to both fresh and frozen items.

Side-by-Side Fridges:

Side-by-side fridges have two narrow doors, one for the fridge and one for the freezer. This design can be particularly beneficial in kitchens with limited space, as the narrower doors require less clearance to open fully.

  1. Fridge Accessibility

French Door Fridges:

One of the standout features of French door fridges is the easy access to fresh items at eye level. The wide, horizontal layout makes it simple to see and reach everything in the fridge compartment. However, you’ll need to bend down to access the bottom freezer drawer, which may be less convenient for some users.

Side-by-Side Fridges:

Side-by-side fridges offer split door access, with fresh and frozen items stored vertically. This design ensures that both fresh and frozen items are accessible at eye level, though lower shelves in both compartments will still require some bending.

Our Top Pick:

Haier’s 574L Side-by-Side Fridge (HRF575XHC)

This 574L Haier Side-by-Side Fridge (HRF575XHC) provides effortless food cooling with a touch of flexibility thanks to its unique 3 door design and adjustable top Switch Zone™ compartment. Boasting an adjustable temperature range between -18°C and +5°C, the Switch Zone™ compartment can be changed to meet your needs. Designed to ensure placement anywhere in the kitchen, this Haier Side-by-Side Fridge features a non-plumbed water dispenser that will keep everyone stay hydrated.

4. Storage Capacity

French Door Fridges:

French door fridges typically provide a larger fridge capacity, making them ideal for those who store a lot of fresh food. However, this often comes at the expense of freezer space, which can be smaller compared to other fridge types.

Side-by-Side Fridges:

Side-by-side fridges usually offer a more balanced storage capacity between the fridge and freezer sections. While the fridge capacity is generally still larger than the freezer, the difference is less obvious than in French door models.

Our Top Pick:

Mitsubishi Electric’s 700L French Door Fridge (MR-WX700C-BR-A)

Boasting 5 different compartments, this Mitsubishi Electric 700L French Door Fridge (MR-WX700C-BR-A) offers incredible food storage versatility. This spacious fridge features a refrigerator and freezer section, as well as a vegetable drawer, a supercool freezing drawer and a 25L ice maker box. Designed to delight entertainers and meet the growing needs of families, this 700L French Door Fridge ensures longer lasting freshness with innovative features such as the VitaLED lighting that slows down produce wilting, as well as the Supercool Freezing which locks in flavour and preserves freshness.

LG’s 664L French Door Fridge (GS-B599PL)

Fit for the growing household, this Stainless Steel LG 664L French Door Fridge features Multi Air Flow cooling technology, adjustable shelves on both sides, as well as pull-out drawers and door baskets to help neatly store all items. Boasting a high 5-Star Energy Rating, this LG fridge is as energy efficient as it is spacious.

  • Other Fridge Features & Functions

French Door Fridges:

Many French Door Fridges include convenient water and ice dispensers for quick hydration and easy drink making. For those who love to entertain, some fridges feature a separate entertainer’s drawer that can be customised to suit specific needs. And for tech-savvy consumers, smart-enabled French Door Fridges provide remote app control for added convenience and flexibility.

Side-by-Side Fridges:

Side-by-Side fridges may include convenient features like water and ice dispensers for easy access to cold drinks. For those who need extra storage space, some Side-by-Side fridges feature a separate flexible entertainer’s compartment that can be customised to suit individual needs.

Our Top Picks:

Samsung’s 636L French Door Fridge (SRF9400BFH)

Food storage meets smart home integration with the AI Family Hub™ 636L Samsung French Door Fridge (SRF9400BFH). This fridge boasts the AI Vision Inside feature whereby an in-built camera intelligently detects food to help you manage meal creation or create a shopping list. The fridge’s CoolSelect+ Flex Zone offers adjustable cooling conditions whilst the Family Hub screen makes it easy to manage your household. The one-of-a-kind Internal Beverage Centre™ with a plumbed water dispenser and an autofill 1.4L infuser jug further adds to the food storage and home entertaining experience.

Fisher & Paykel’s 609L French Door Fridge (RF730QNUVB1)

Built with a flat door design, this 609L French Door Fridge from Fisher & Paykel (RF730QNUVB1) features a Variable Temperature Zone with a range of food modes such as Fridge, Chill, Soft Freeze and Freezer to suit your needs. The fridge’s slim water dispenser is designed to effortlessly meet hydration needs, and being a Wi-Fi enabled French Door Fridge, cooling conditions, notifications and troubleshooting can all be handled on the Fisher & Paykel SmartHQ app via a compatible smart device.

Fridge Benefits Summary

French Door Fridges:

  • Enhanced Storage: More fridge space for fresh food
  • Better Organisation: Wide, horizontal layout for easy access
  • Energy Efficiency: Design reduces cold air loss
  • Sleek Design: Modern and stylish appearance

Side-by-Side Fridges:

  • Convenient Access: Fridge and freezer sections at eye level
  • Narrower Doors: Ideal for kitchens with limited space
  • Slim Design: More suitable for smaller kitchens and households

Choosing between a French Door fridge and a Side-by-Side fridge ultimately depends on your specific needs, kitchen layout, and budget. French Door fridges offer enhanced storage, better organisation, and a sleek design, making them a premium option for those who prioritise fresh food storage and modern aesthetics. On the other hand, Side-by-Side fridges provide convenient access with narrower doors and design that’s best fit for tight spaces.

Ready to make a decision? Check out our selection of top pick French Door and Side-by-Side fridges below to find the perfect fit for your home. Happy fridge hunting!

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A French Door fridge is a type of refrigerator that features two doors that open outward horizontally, similar to a French door in a house. This design often provides a wider interior space and better organisation compared to traditional Top Mount or Side-by-Side fridge models.

French Door fridges typically offer wider interior space, better organisation, and are often more energy-efficient. Side-by-side fridges have similar sized fridge and freezer compartments, convenient access to both sections, and are generally smaller in design when compared to French Door fridges.

The "best" large capacity fridge depends on individual needs and preferences. Factors to consider include storage requirements, freezer size, energy efficiency, design, and budget. Researching specific models and reading customer reviews like those on National Product Review can help you make an informed decision.

The top brands of refrigerators in Australia, based on reputation and popularity include: Fisher & Paykel, Westinghouse, Electrolux, Samsung, LG, Mitsubishi Electric and Haier.

French Door refrigerators are generally considered better for large families due to their larger fridge compartment, which provides more space for storing fresh food. They also offer better organisation and often have features like flex zones that can be customised to accommodate different types of food. However, Side-by-Side refrigerators can also be suitable for large families, especially if they have a high demand for frozen food. Their larger freezer compartment can accommodate more frozen items, and they offer convenient access to both the fridge and freezer sections. Ultimately, the best choice for a large family depends on their specific needs and preferences. If you prioritise fridge space and organisation, a French door refrigerator might be ideal. If you need a larger freezer and prefer convenient access to both compartments, a side-by-side refrigerator might be a better fit.

Comparing energy-efficient fridges involves looking at a few key factors:
  1. Energy Star Rating: This rating system indicates a product's energy efficiency. A higher rating means the fridge uses less energy.
  2. Refrigerant Type: Newer fridges often use environmentally friendly refrigerants like R600a or R290, which have a lower global warming potential.
  3. Door Seals: Ensure the fridge's door seals are tight to prevent cold air from escaping, which can increase energy consumption.
  4. Features: Some features, like automatic defrost and sensors that adjust cooling based on internal temperature, can improve energy efficiency.
When comparing fridges, consider your specific needs and budget. While energy-efficient models might have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money on electricity bills in the long run.

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