At a Glance:
French Door vs Side by Side Refrigerators: What's the Difference?
Top 4 Favorite Side by Side Refrigerator Brands
A new refrigerator provides an opportunity to improve your technology, kitchen design, and lifestyle. While French door refrigerators are the most popular, side-by-side refrigerators have been standard in upscale homes for decades, and for a good reason. French door models were previously more expensive than side-by-side models, but new offerings from Samsung and LG are closing the price gap and making them more affordable.
French door and side-by-side refrigerators are neither better nor worse than other types of refrigerators. They are, however, very different from one another. So, before you fall in love with the appearance of a refrigerator, make sure you understand how it works because your kitchen's happiness may depend on it.
Discover the Benefits of a Side by Side and a French Door Fridge
Whether you need more space for juice boxes or a deeper freezer to store your food, decide with us! Explore refrigerators at Idler's, today!
Experience the Best Fridge ModelsOur Idler's kitchen design team will walk you through some of the most important considerations as you compare side-by-side vs. French door refrigerators. Learn more about the configurations, features, and benefits of each to increase your confidence in finding the best fit for your home.
French Door Refrigerators
French door refrigerators come in a variety of sizes and configurations, but they all have a top refrigerator compartment with double doors that open outward, are split down the middle, and can be opened independently or together for easy access to all refrigerated items. The freezer is housed in a large pull-out drawer beneath the double doors.
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Design
French door refrigerators appear to be the most amenable to a creative redesign of any refrigerator style. Brands have introduced several variations that play with the number and arrangement of compartments, most likely due to its growing popularity. A standard French door refrigerator has three doors, but several four-door and even five-door models are now available.
The quadrant style is another option. This design has been tested by Haier, Samsung, Frigidaire, and LG. The freezer is actually two separate compartments in this configuration, which will require some creative food sorting on your part. A five-door model is the rarest and possibly most extreme iteration of the French door. It's up to you whether it connotes the ultimate in food storage or just overdesign.
Pros and Cons
French door refrigerators are gaining market share year after year. As a result, owning a French door refrigerator has numerous benefits and drawbacks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| French door refrigerators have large food shelves that are big enough to hold pizza boxes and baking trays. | Built-in refrigerators are typically the most expensive type. |
| French door fridges have a variety of size, finish, and feature options available. | The freezer is smaller than the French-door refrigerator and is not at eye level. |
| All refrigerator items are now at eye level. | There are a few options for organizing food in the freezer. |
Side by Side Refrigerators
Side-by-side refrigerators have two tall, narrow compartments that span the entire height of the unit, one for the refrigerator and one for the freezer. Advanced features such as indoor ice and water dispensers can be incorporated into the top-to-bottom design.
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Design
Almost all side-by-side refrigerators are built in the same way. While their height, width, and depth vary, their arrangement does not. As far as we can tell, the freezer is always on the left and the fridge is always on the right.
Pros and Cons
Side-by-side refrigerators are preferred by homeowners for specific reasons. For one, they complement both modern and traditional kitchens due to their classic and sleek design. On the other hand, being a timeless configuration has both advantages and disadvantages.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The majority of the freezer food is at eye level. | Narrow shelf space may cause issues with frozen pizzas and baking trays. |
| Larger freezer capacity. | Bending over is required to access parts of the refrigerator and freezer. |
| Typically less expensive. | Temperatures in the fridge and freezer will vary more dramatically from top to bottom due to their size. |
French Door vs Side by Side Refrigerators: What's the Difference?
Aside from the obvious configuration differences, French doors and side-by-side refrigerators have a few key differences. The two configurations have different capacity distributions, start at different price points, and have different standard feature offerings.
Configuration
While the exterior of a side-by-side refrigerator is always contoured and has two doors, French door configurations can vary and may occasionally include an exterior drawer or four doors. Both configurations typically include adjustable bins and shelving for flexible storage solutions, but French door models frequently take advantage of the increased width to include advanced customization options.
Size
Refrigerator dimensions differ depending on the type and capacity, but standard measurements are available for each configuration. French door refrigerator dimensions are typically slightly larger than a typical side-by-side configuration. Both are available as freestanding or built-in units, with standard or counter-depth options.
Capacity
French door refrigerators are well known for their large capacity and open design, but side-by-side configurations frequently offer a comparable capacity range. French door refrigerator capacity typically ranges from 20 cu. ft. to 28 cu. ft., with the refrigeration compartment taking up the majority of the space. Side by side refrigerators also range in size from 20 to 28 cubic feet, but the capacity is distributed more evenly between the freezer and refrigerator compartments.
Features
French door and side-by-side refrigerators have useful features, especially compared to other common refrigerators. Despite differences in brand and model, French door models typically have the most features, particularly in the performance category. Examples of these include an in-door ice and water dispenser, adaptable shelving, crisper drawers with humidity controls, fast cooling, and other model-specific features.
In-door water and ice dispensers, spill-proof shelves, specialized temperature zones, and other model-specific features may be found in side-by-side refrigerators.
Price
Pricing for side-by-side and French door refrigerators varies depending on the finish, features, and capacity. Side-by-side refrigerators are typically less expensive than French door configurations. Prices for French door configurations are frequently higher because base models have more features and capacity than their side-by-side base model counterparts.
Top 4 Favorite Side by Side Refrigerator Brands
When looking for a side by side fridge for your Central Coast home, our kitchen designers recommend taking home refrigeration models from these brands.
Whirlpool Side by Side Refrigerator
Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerators are designed specifically for you. Its side-by-side refrigerators are designed to keep fresh vegetables, frozen pizzas, and other foods organized and at eye level for easy access to ingredients for your signature dishes. Furthermore, the streamlined side-by-side refrigerator exteriors make cleaning your refrigerator a breeze. Its appliances are also available in a variety of sizes and colors, allowing you to find the best side-by-side refrigerator for your kitchen.
Whirlpool counter depth refrigerators are designed to fit seamlessly with the edge of your countertops and cabinets. Learn more about counter depth styles to determine if they are appropriate for your kitchen. The exterior Ice and Water Dispensers with every drop are available on select Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerators. Filtration allows you to get fresh filtered water and ice without having to open the refrigerator door. Other models include the Accu-Chill Temperature Management System, which uses technology to sense and adapt to create the ideal environment for food.
GE Side by Side Refrigerator
The classic GE side-by-side refrigerator design maximizes food storage capacity and complements a wide range of kitchen designs. Don't be concerned about freezer burn or expired dates! A side-by-side refrigerator makes it simple to see and access your chilled and frozen foods. You can expect gallon bins to provide ideal space in the door for large containers while freeing up valuable shelf space. GE fridges are equipped with slide-out, spill-proof shelves keep up to 12 ounces of spills in place and make cleanup a breeze. Also, three refrigerator pull-out drawers with clear fronts provide the ideal, sealed environment for organizing your produce. Additionally, there are seven flush-mounted LED lights that shed more crisp, even light throughout the interior without wasting space, making it easy to find even the smallest food items.
Samsung Side by Side Refrigerator
Samsung is a household name, and they take pride in producing appliances that are designed for and by you. Samsung's home appliances are adaptable to any personal style, so your refrigerator can reflect who you are and what you require.
Samsung side by side refrigerators have several technologically advanced features worth mentioning, including Energy Star certification, which ensures no energy waste, and external digital displays that do not sit in the back of the fridge. And, of course, Samsung's signature Twin Cooling System keeps the air in your freezer and fridge separate, preventing the transfer of odors or tastes from one side to the other. It also aids in the reduction of frost in the freezer and the preservation of produce in the refrigerator.
LG Side by Side Refrigerator
LG's side-by-side refrigerators are designed for the form and function of your home, with the large capacity and intuitive features you've been looking for. Many customers believe it is a unit that combines the custom look of a built-in fridge with all of the cutting-edge features you deserve. Make the most of your kitchen time with an LG side-by-side refrigerator.
LG now offers homeowners side-by-side refrigerators jam-packed with smart technology that come in a variety of sizes, capacities, and styles, while offering multiple must-have features for a modern-day fridge. These refrigerators are designed to maximize your compartment spaces for more refrigeration storage with LG’s Slim SpacePlus ice system that allows for more shelf and bin space without overcrowding your fridge or kitchen. However, if you are in need of freezer space, you can also choose a side-by-side model with a bottom freezer section and large bins for better accessibility to your ice creams, cheesecakes, and popsicles.
LG's side-by-side Door-in-Door refrigerator streamlines your path to your favorite snack or beverage without opening your entire fridge, and compact side-by-side refrigerator dimensions free up space for an even more tailored experience. Browse our entire collection of LG Refrigerators to find your ideal large capacity side-by-side smart refrigerator.
Finally, whether you choose a French door refrigerator or a side by side model is a matter of budget, space, needs, and preferences. If you are still unsure about which configuration truly fits and meets the needs of your home lifestyle, visit one of our California locations, where our Idler's Home team is ready and waiting to assist you in finding the missing refrigeration piece in your kitchen.
FAQs
We've covered a lot, but there's always more you can learn to help you make a more informed decision when buying side by side refrigerators. Let's take a look at some of the questions we've received from customers.
Do side-by-side refrigerators have less space?
On the other hand, side-by-side refrigerators have 20 percent more space than french door refrigerators. They are very spacious and complement any type of kitchen.
How long should a side-by-side refrigerator last?
If you prefer side-by-side storage, this refrigerator will not disappoint you anymore than other frosty food keepers on the market. Most major reliable brands have an estimated life span of eight to 12 years with regular maintenance.
Where to buy a refrigerator near me?
If you're looking for a new refrigerator, french door, side-by-side, or something else, visit Idler's Home, today for a wide range of options from leading brands.
Why Trust Idler's Home?
At Idler's Home, we believe in providing the highest quality products and service to our community. Over the span of 70 years (and counting), our business has seen successful growth, with over 100 employees and with five locations along the central coast of California. Not only do we offer major appliances, quality furniture, and the best mattresses but we also provide hot tubs and swim spas and perform kitchen design services. In addition, our trained professional installers can set up all appliances we sell while our factory-trained technicians service and repair them if they ever break down. Suffice it to say: Idler's is dedicated to help you make the vision you have for your home a reality.
Shop Side by Side Refrigerators at Idler's
Envision the possibilities for your home and shop refrigerators online at Idler's. Our friendly team is always happy to help you take home the right side by side refrigerator from — whether you call us, email us, or use our online chat feature. Or better yet, stop by any of our five Central Coast locations to experience the quality of our products yourself. Visit us today!
→ Learn more: Your Guide to Choosing the Right Refrigerator Size