French Door vs Side-by-Side Refrigerator: Which One Is Right for You?

Quick Comparison Table

The Wide-Shelf Option

A french door refrigerator has two doors on top that open to one wide fresh-food section. Pizza boxes, sheet cakes and party platters fit easily, and the freezer drawer below keeps frozen food organized.

The LG LRFLC2706S Smart Counter-Depth MAX French Door Refrigerator is a great example, with 27 cu. ft. of space in a counter-depth design.

The Tall, Narrow Option

A side-by-side refrigerator splits the fridge and freezer vertically. You get eye-level access to frozen food, and the narrow doors need less swing room in a galley kitchen.

Weighing the Side-by-Side

Here are the main side-by-side refrigerator pros and cons.

Pros

• Its narrow doors fit tight spaces.
• Frozen food sits at eye level.
• It’s easy to organize tall bottles.

Cons

• Wide dishes and platters don’t fit well.
• The freezer column is narrow.

Energy Use

Layout affects your power bill too. The ENERGY STAR program says top-freezer models tend to use less energy than bottom-freezer or side-by-side models. The U.S. Department of Energy adds that models with ice makers and water dispensers tend to cost more to run.

Choosing Your Style

The best refrigerator style depends on what you store most. Choose French door if you cook big meals and need wide shelves. Choose side-by-side if you have a narrow kitchen or keep a lot of frozen food.

If smart features matter too, the GE Profile Smart French Door Refrigerator adds door and temperature alerts to the French door layout.

LG LRFLC2706S 27 Cu. Ft. French Door Smart Refrigerator in Stainless Steel

$1,899.00

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