Your refrigerator runs every hour of every day, so it is worth taking a few minutes to choose the right style. The three most common types are French door, side-by-side and top freezer. Each one fits a different kitchen and a different way of cooking.
French door refrigerators
French door models have two doors on top that open to a wide fresh food section, with a pull-out freezer drawer underneath.
- Pros: wide shelves for party trays and pizza boxes, fresh food at eye level, and the doors need less swing space than one big door.
- Cons: the freezer drawer means some bending, and they usually cost more than other styles.
Best for: families who cook often and want a lot of easy-to-reach fridge space.
Side-by-side refrigerators
Side-by-side models split the cabinet in half from top to bottom, with the freezer on one side and fresh food on the other.
- Pros: narrow doors work well in tight kitchens and galley layouts, and both sections are easy to reach without bending.
- Cons: the narrower shelves can make it harder to fit wide items.
Best for: kitchens with limited door swing space and shoppers who use the freezer a lot.
Top freezer refrigerators
The classic design, with the freezer on top and the fridge below.
- Pros: usually the most affordable style, simple to use and easy to fit in smaller spaces.
- Cons: you bend down to reach the lower fridge shelves, and there are fewer extra features.
Best for: apartments, rental properties, garages and budget-focused buyers.
Measure before you shop
The most common refrigerator mistake is a unit that does not fit. Before you visit, measure:
- The width, height and depth of the opening
- Extra space for airflow at the top, sides and back, as listed in the model specs
- Door swing room, especially if the fridge sits next to a wall
- Every doorway and hallway on the path into your kitchen
Also check whether you need a water line for an ice maker or water dispenser.
Save more with outlet pricing
Many shoppers find their dream fridge as a scratch and dent or open box unit, especially when the cosmetic mark is on a side panel that will be hidden by cabinets. Browse the refrigerators in stock, compare appliance conditions, or ask about financing from $0 down.
Want help choosing? Visit Houston Appliance Outlet at 2395 Hwy 6, Suite A1, Houston, TX 77077, or call (713) 820-7959.
Khloe Rogers is a content writer and editor who writes the buying guides and how-to articles on the Houston Appliance Outlet blog. Her guides explain things in plain language and focus on what to check before you buy.
