There’s more to the best French door refrigerators than just a roomy design, though. These refrigerators often come with extra creature comforts, such as ice and water dispensers or humidity-controlled crisper drawers to knock down running costs and reduce food waste. More innovative features might include smart controls, like touchscreens on the fridge doors or door-in-door designs where you can spy on your food without touching the fridge handle. Whether it’s the best French door refrigerators from LG, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Cafe, Kenmore, Bosch, Whirlpool or Samsung, all brands that have bagged a place in our line-up, you’ll still have a choice between different capacities. Larger models are likely to have more shelves and door bins for all your food and juice or milk cartons, while those with a smaller capacity will be a better fit for smaller kitchens and smaller families. The best French door refrigerator for those on a budget may have fewer features, perhaps ice dispensers or fingerprint resistant finishes. Organizable, sliding drawers often come as a standard, making it easier for you to shuffle your foodstuff around. If you’re not buying one of the best freezers (opens in new tab) separately, you’ll also need a French door refrigerator with a high freezer capacity of at least six or seven cubic feet.
The best french door refrigerators
We’ve rounded up the best french door refrigerators around so that you can find the perfect option for you. No matter whether you want a budget-friendly appliance with plenty of space, or a high-end fridge with all the bells and whistles, you’ll find a great selection to choose from below.
Best french door refrigerators
This Frigidaire model is a family-friendly choice that has an impressive capacity, as well as a few nice-to-have features. Organization is key in any refrigerator, so this choice has been optimized with a SpaceWise system that keeps every bit of produce in its place, helping you to grab ingredients quickly. There’s also a handy custom-flex temp drawer which you can alter depending on the best use for your home - maybe you need extra wine storage for hosting? Or perhaps you’re stocking up on frozen food ahead of Thanksgiving? This fridge freezer is a firm favorite in busy households. The OpenAccess door means you can quickly grab snacks when on the go while the water filter gives you safer water at the click of a button. The LG LFXS26596S French door refrigerator manages to cram in so many features it actually justifies that steep price. From smart WiFi connectivity, to making more ice as you’re coming home, to the InstaView door-in-door glass front, this does it all. And it looks good while doing it too, thanks to that anti-fingerprint stainless steel finish. The door-in-door feature looks great but it’s functional, allowing you to dip in and out without letting out all the cold air. The result should be a saving on running costs, help to the environment and, crucially, your food kept fresher for longer. Want a quick glance? Knock on the window and it will light up the tempting delights within. All of which is cooled evenly thanks to the Door Cooling+ feature. At 26 cubic feet, with an 8.8 cubic feet for the freezer, this crams a lot into the size.
Read our LG LFXS26596S review (opens in new tab)
Anyone looking for a luxury refrigerator will be blown away with the refined elegance of the Cafe CVE28DP4NW2. Available in four distinct finishes and with an LED backlit wall, this model will wow with it’s aesthetic from the offset. And it’s not all style and no substance either , with features such as a temperature controlled drawer and Wi-Fi connectivity, that go a long way to prove its worth. This French door refrigerator is perfect for families thanks to its huge capacity too, meaning that you don’t have to compromise on space to get a model that you’re proud to have in your kitchen. Those who love being organized will be blown away by the built in dividers with this model too, so you can sort and arrange your foods to your hearts content.
Read our Cafe CVE28DP4NW2 French door refrigerator review (opens in new tab)
With a refined, stainless steel interior and exterior, this KitchenAid French door style refrigerator is a popular choice. With 7 fridge shelves of varying heights, it’s easy to find a spot for ingredients of different shapes and sizes. The pull-out tray also provides an ideal space for storing large platters - great for meal prepping or for hosting. The ExtendFresh temperature management system keeps both the fridge and freezer at their optimum temperature to avoid food going moldy or getting freezer burn. While this is controlled via a sensor in each compartment, the pantry section has a manual temperature setting that gives you total control, depending on what you’re storing. What’s more, the crisper drawers have adjustable humidity levels that let you select a cool or humid environment based on the produce and the season. The Kenmore Elite 73025 is a family-friendly model that sits towards the budget end of french door fridge freezers. The smudge-proof stainless steel finish is great for repelling sticky fingerprints from small hands, and adjustable shelves allow you to customize the storage to fit your needs. There’s no through the door water or ice, but it does have an internal ice maker. Other features have been designed with families in mind, from a pantry drawer that makes for great snack storage to tempered glass shelves complete with thick spill captures to keep any accidental messes from spreading. It may seem a bit feature-light compared to other models, but this is a budget model that still offers everything even a large family should need.
Read our Kenmore Elite 73025 review (opens in new tab)
The four-door GE PVD28BYNFS French door refrigerator has the best of both worlds with its large capacity and luxurious in-door features. Though it comes at a cost, you can’t fault this model’s convenience. There’s enough space for all your groceries, as well as the opportunity to grab your favorite snacks and go thanks to the in-door sectioning. There’s even space for wine bottles in the in-door compartment, which is great for when you’re entertaining. Even better, this model is also Wi-Fi enabled, meaning you get real-time updates on the status of your fridge, like when the door is left open. That means, instead of spelling disaster, your mistake can be rectified immediately.
Read our GE PVD28BYNFS review (opens in new tab)
If you’re looking for a French door refrigerator that allows you to max out on space, then the LG LMWS27626S goes above and beyond. With a huge 29.6 cubic feet to fill with all your favorite groceries, this refrigerator is perfect for large families, with enough space to allow you to really get organized. It has a feautreless exterior, which is not for everyone, but good if you want a more minimalist look. There’s convenience built into this fridge with two easy to reach freezer compartments, so you can grab ice or your favorite popsicle with no trouble. It may not have the showy smart features or in-door technology of other models, but there’s a sturdy refrigerator you can rely on in the LG LMWS27626S, as well as a fantastic warranty.
Read our LG LMWS27626S review (opens in new tab)
The Bosch B36CL80SNS 800 Series is a chic french door fridge freezer that proves to have real substance behind the style. It has excellent food preservation performance, keeping produce fresher for much longer, while the smart design of its central chiller unit means the fridge regularly defrosts itself. The streamlined stainless steel finish is in line with Bosch’s general aesthetic, but this means there’s no through the door ice or water dispenser to interrupt the smooth surface. While it does sit towards the more expensive end of the french door fridge freezer market, the glowing user reviews suggest those that have splashed the cash on this model don’t regret their purchase.
Read our Bosch B36CL80SNS review (opens in new tab)
The Samsung RF28R7551SR is a top of the range French door refrigerator, and it has the features to back it up. Wi-Fi connectivity is this model’s biggest selling point, as it can be wired up to an app that houses all of your home tech under one roof. Whether you have a Ring doorbell (opens in new tab), an Arlo camera, or Alexa throughout your house, you can manage all of these plus your fridge-freezer on the Smart Home app. This is great for tech enthusiasts and busy homes alike - you can even leave your family notes and share calendars on the screen so everyone is kept up-to-date. The tech extends into the cooling features of this refrigerator too with stainless steel paneling and a FlexZone drawer that has four different temperature settings. There are also independent fridge and freezer cooling systems that keep food fresher for longer. If you want to make sure you always have plenty of ice and cold water on hand, then the Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ is worthy of your consideration. Featuring the EVERYDROP water filtration system, this refrigerator will ensure you get perfectly clean and filtered water every time. And if you have kids in the house, the dispenser lock ensures you don’t end up with a giant puddle of water all over the floor that you need to clean up. There’s lots more to love about this fridge too. Although the water and ice dispenser takes up a fair amount of space, the generous 25 cubic feet capacity means there’s still plenty of room for you to store all your food and drink. The adjustable gallon-sized door bins can be moved around, offering great flexibility, and the spill-proof shelves help contain any leaks. You’ll find the freezer offers ample storage too, with a decent amount of capacity in the two-tiered bins and a clean layout that makes finding what you’re looking for a breeze. However, it’s not smart-enabled so if that’s important to you, you’ll be better off with an alternative model.
Read our Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ review (opens in new tab)
What to look for in a French door refrigerator
The best French door refrigerators have so many different designs and features, it can be hard to know what to look for in a good model. First and foremost, capacity should be first thing on your mind, especially if you bring in large grocery hauls. Depending on your space, you can opt for a counter-depth or standard-depth French door refrigerator. However, it’s worth noting that for a bigger capacity, you’ll pay a slightly higher price. For a hands-on approach, choose a refrigerator with integrated smart tech to take initiative over your climate control and hacks such as auto-filling cups. Other standout features such as ice and water dispensers should also factor into your decision, especially if you want the convenience of cold water on demand. A door-in-door design will also let you simply slide open a panel to grab your drink or snack, rather than swinging open the entire door. Similarly, a model with a viewing door will mean you can pick a snack without letting any chilled air into your kitchen.
What are the benefits of a French door refrigerator?
The main benefit of installing a French door refrigerator in your home, compared to a regular refrigerator, is the improved level of space, which is created by a number of clever features. The first is wider shelves, so you can comfortably fit more in one space. Also, rather than a traditional fridge bin, French door refrigerators tend to have a dedicated refrigerator drawer, with the separation of these areas leading to better organization. They also tend to have better storage features, including gallon bin doors, can caddies, and dividers within the refrigerator drawer. That makes it easier to separate out these items rather than having to find them within the main bulk of the fridge. Another design plus is that there tends to be LED lighting throughout these fridges, so you can fish out your favorite snacks with ease.
How to find the best refrigerator style for you
French door refrigerators have a functional layout that suits most people, and they tend to work well for big families. They fit in most kitchens and give you a lot of refrigerator space that you can organize to suit your family. French door refrigerators have more door space than any other style of fridge, giving you easy access to snacks, drinks and other frequently accessed foods. The main compartment of the fridge along with the door and drawer space all reside at eye level. You don’t have to bend over or, in extreme situations, get down on your hands and knees to find something in the deep recesses of your fridge. For this reason, French door refrigerators are less inclined to harbor expired fugitives that smell up your fridge and even taint the taste of fresher food if they go undetected too long. For many people the open, out-of-the-way freezer space French door refrigerators provide works because you only have to access the freezer from time to time, and there is plenty of space for frozen food when you need it. But if you are someone who stockpiles frozen food items and needs well organized freezer space, a side-by-side refrigerator might be a better choice for you. Side-by-side refrigerators have a lot of door and drawer storage space, both in the fridge and freezer. The fridge often includes crisper drawers to keep fruits and vegetables fresh, but the space is not quite as easy to reach. Many models of side-by-side and French door refrigerators have in-door ice and water dispensers, which is a convenient feature, especially when you have thirsty kids around – a water dispenser may encourage them to drink more water and less soda. The other, more traditional, design includes a small freezer box above or below the refrigerator space. The one advantage (or for some people disadvantage) of this design compared to a side-by-side or French door refrigerator is you get more refrigerator space and less freezer space. If you tend to keep more fresh food on hand and have less of a need for large amounts of frozen food, this style may be a valid option for you.
Which French door refrigerator brand is the most reliable?
The answer is all of them and none of them. In other words, no brand is necessarily more reliable than another. However, specific models and refrigerator types are more reliable. Some people swear by specific refrigerator lines like the GE Profile or Kenmore Elite. Simplicity can also be an indicator of reliability. Special features like water and ice dispensers are a nice convenience, but they also mean extra parts that can wear out. A fridge with simple functionality is often the best choice. Elise Barsch of iFixit said, “All modern refrigerators generally function the same way and have similar levels of energy efficiency. Reliability – aka repairability – depends on the number of extra features: ice makers, water dispensers, smart panels. So those premium, and especially smart, models from any brand are going to be the least reliable.” Barsch said with ice maker replacement costs ranging between about $60 and $200, it is up to the individual whether it is worth replacing. If the issue is a software problem you may not be able to fix it at all, she said.
When is the best time to buy a French door refrigerator?
Since new refrigerator models come out in the summer, it is one of the best times to buy a brand new model or to find good deals on last year’s models. Many stores may even be willing to negotiate a price below clearance if they’re anxious to move old stock. Holidays are also good times to buy all kinds of products, including fridges. Black Friday is the most obvious example of good holiday deals, find the best bargains on our dedicated Black Friday refrigerator deals (opens in new tab) page. Vaughn Johnson, brand manager at Maytag, confirmed that manufacturers sometimes lower the prices of older models when they introduce new refrigerators to the market. And annual holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veterans Day are typically the best times to find good deals on fridges, he said. Vaughn also pointed out that May is Maytag Month, so if you’re specifically interested in a Maytag model, that’s a good time to buy. However, you can’t always wait for the perfect time. If your old fridge dies, you need to replace it. In that case, you can check local eCommerce sites, such as Shopify, for good deals on gently used models. You may be surprised by what you can find. Newspaper circulars and retailers’ marketing emails are also good places to look.
Why are French door refrigerators popular?
French door refrigerators look stylish and have easy-to-organize layouts and large capacities, which makes them perfect for families. They also have all the door space of a side-by-side refrigerator, but since the doors are smaller, French door fridges are handy for tight spots. Pizza boxes and other large, odd-shape items fit easily inside, since shelves stretch the full width of the refrigerator. Newer models come with in-door water and ice dispensers – a great feature for families that can encourage kids to drink more water. Vaughn Johnson, brand manager at Maytag, feels French door refrigerators are popular in part because they make it easy to organize food. Also, since the freezer is out of the way, popular food is within easy reach. “French door refrigerators are sleek and stylish and boast wide and deep shelving. They have an industrial look that’s been well received by homeowners since their introduction into the market,” he said. In addition, the freezer layout allows you to store a lot of frozen food in a small space. Many models have tiers in their freezers, which let you organize the food better than you can in other types of fridges. However, the food in the freezer section of a French door refrigerator is not as easy to access as it is in a side-by-side refrigerator. Still, since you don’t access frozen food as often as fresh food, this is usually not a deal breaker. French door refrigerators are energy efficient. To access many items, you only have to open one side of the refrigerator, letting out less cold air and thus conserving energy. They cost more to run than some other types of fridges, but given their large capacities, they are at least as efficient as most other styles.
Which French door refrigerators are quietest?
There’s nothing worse than being disturbed by noisy appliances in the next room while you’re trying to relax, whether that be the beep of a dishwasher or the rattle of your refrigerator. Many new refrigerator models have been engineered in order to combat this problem, especially when it comes to ice-makers. From taking a look at user reviews, it’s clear to see that the LG LMWS27626S has earned a spot in customer’s good books thanks to its quietness, which is a good match to its sizable 26.9 cubic feet capacity. Another top ten pick on this list, the Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ, wins favor among users for its ability to fade into the background when it comes to noise too, so both are worth checking out if this is a crucial concern for you. While checking out which French door refrigerator is quietest, it’s worth bearing in mind that the installation process can have a major impact on how loud your refrigerator is. Having your fridge installed properly, including ensuring your surface is level and that there is sufficient ventilation, can remedy a number of noisy issues in the home too.
How long should a French door refrigerator last?
There is no general agreement on the lifespan of a refrigerator. Nachi.org (opens in new tab) lists the lifespan of refrigerators between nine and 13 years. There is no differentiation between different types of fridges, like French door or side-by-side. They should all have comparable lifespans, and some sources estimate the lifespan at up to 15 years. Elise Barsch, Social Media Manager for iFixit, said a study done in Europe, and published on ScienceDirect (opens in new tab), suggests that the lifespan of refrigerators has decreased over the past couple decades, down from an average lifespan of about 20 years in 2000 to about 14 years for the refrigerators sold now. While they don’t last as long, they are more energy efficient than they used to be, Barsch said. “Fortunately, legislators in Europe are working to make sure refrigerators are not only more energy efficient while in use, but also more repairable over the course of their entire lifespan,” Barsch said. She was referring to a set of legislative proposals (opens in new tab) European member states voted on that were designed to make refrigerators more repairable and therefore less impactful on the environment. Future legislation will focus on washing machines and other products.
Counter-depth French door refrigerators
If you have limited kitchen space or are concerned about aesthetics, you should consider a cabinet depth French door refrigerator. Counter depth refrigerators are typically 25 inches deep and stand flush against your cabinets. They have the advantage of giving a uniform look to your kitchen and eliminating the problem of the refrigerator door swinging open too wide and potentially interfering with other appliances. One problem is this type of fridge tends to have less interior space. Most of the French door fridges in our comparison are deeper than the average counter depth refrigerator. The Samsung RF23HCEDBSR (opens in new tab) is one exception. The average top freezer refrigerator offers between 18 and 21 cubic feet of space, including the freezer. These single door refrigerators are more commonly flush with cabinet space. In contrast, French door refrigerators range from about 22 to 30 cubic feet of space. One cubic foot of space would roughly fit about one bag of groceries, so a few cubic feet can make a lot of difference. French door refrigerators do offer uniquely arranged space that is well suited for families, so if you are in the market for a cabinet depth French door refrigerator, there are plenty out there to choose from.
French door refrigerator storage
The best refrigerators are designed to let you use every square inch of interior real estate to store food in a logical and convenient way. For example, families commonly need plenty of door space for gallon bottles, since this frees up room in the main compartments for food. Also, the more organized the drawer space, the better. Temperature-controlled crisper drawers not only give you designated space for fruits and vegetables, but they also preserve produce for longer. Fridges with adjustable shelves and bins let you customize the space so it fits the foods you keep on hand. Some of the fridges we reviewed have shelves you can retract to fit tall items like pitchers, and most French door refrigerators have removable shelves, which make it easy to customize the space to fit bulky items like coolers and blenders. Since French door refrigerators have a more open freezer space than other types of fridges, it’s nice when it has two or three tiers of compartments to keep it organized. Vaughn Johnson, brand manager at Maytag, said there are many innovations underway focused on improving food storage. He said a couple new features on the Maytag MFT2772HEZ model are the Store-N-Door ice dispenser and a durable, full-length, metal slide-out shelf. The ice dispenser frees up space in the fridge for food storage, and the slide-out shelf gives you quick access to your favorite foods.
Energy efficiency and French door refrigerators
Even if you are not especially concerned with the environmental impact of your appliance, you are likely to welcome a lower energy bill. While French door refrigerators don’t have a reputation for superb energy efficiency, some are better than others. French door refrigerators cost more to run than other types, with the exception of side-by-side refrigerators, which cost even more. This is partly because French door refrigerators tend to have a larger capacity than other types. However, all types of fridges are much more energy efficient than they used to be, as estimated by this Energy Star calculator (opens in new tab). Prior to 1980 a 24.5-cubic-foot French door refrigerator cost close to $450 per year to run. Today a French door refrigerator of that capacity costs around $80 a year to run. The information about energy use is easy to find on most of these units, whether you’re looking online or in a store. Look for the label that lists the estimated cost to run the refrigerator annually. The LG LFXS28968S, the top refrigerator in our side-by-side comparison, has a capacity of nearly 28 cubic feet and it only costs $88 a year to run, making it one of the most energy efficient models in our lineup.
French door refrigerator warranties
Most French door refrigerators come with a few different layers of warranty – an overall warranty, which is usually only a year, and different coverage for the compressor, water filter and other elements of the unit. Since refrigerators represent a major purchase for most people, it is worth searching out a company that offers good warranty coverage and other forms of customer support. While extended warranties are not always the best idea for many products and services, refrigerator extended warranties with the right company can work in your favor. Most issues you encounter with refrigerators tend to happen in the first few years, so an extended warranty can get you through that stretch. Stores like Home Depot and Lowes offer useful extended warranties. For example, a three-year extended warranty at Lowe’s costs $120 and a five-year extended warranty is $210. If you don’t use the extended warranty at all, you get a 30 percent reimbursement. You also get up to $300 food spoilage reimbursement for food that goes bad while the fridge is being repaired. You get up to 50 percent reimbursement on replacement filters during the extended warranty period. Home Depot’s warranty offers similar coverage.
Why are French door refrigerators more expensive?
French door refrigerators are typically more expensive than standard models or even side-by-side fridges because they are more spacious and have lots of convenient features. The real benefit of French door refrigerators is the wide shelving and large freezer drawers. This means you won’t be restricted to smaller fridge shelves and fitting bulkier foods in the freezer drawers shouldn’t be an issue either. You can get French door refrigerators for more affordable prices if you’re willing to compromise on the capacity and extra features such as fingerprint-resistant finishes. Choosing a model with an in-built ice maker will make any type of refrigerator more expensive, so if you want to save costs, consider choosing a model without an ice dispenser.
