Like side-by-side refrigerators, French door models have two doors that open from the center. However, unlike side-by-sides, a French door fridge dedicates the entire space between the doors to a roomy refrigerator, and the freezer is relegated to a large pullout drawer on the bottom of the unit.
This unique design offers more usable refrigerator and freezer space than side-by-side models and puts refrigerated items at eye level, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. If you are considering purchasing a French door refrigerator, this guide can help. Just ahead are some key features to consider, along with the top recommendations in terms of size, features, and price.
- BEST OVERALL: GE Profile 27.9 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: LG Electronics 21.8 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator
- UPGRADE PICK: Cafe 27.8 cu. ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator
- BEST LARGE-CAPACITY: Samsung 28 cu. ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator
- BEST COUNTER-DEPTH: Bosch 21 cu. ft. French 4-Door Refrigerator
- BEST SMART: LG Electronics 29.7 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator
- BEST FOR TIGHT SPACES: Whirlpool 19.7 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator
How We Chose the Best French Door Refrigerators
We researched the top-rated French door refrigerators in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their size, finish, capacity, and other special features included by select brands.
While doing our refrigerator comparisons, we found that the most popular options are made with stainless steel and come in counter-depth sizes to fit most kitchen spaces and range from 20 to 29.7 cubic feet in capacity for ample storage space. Many of these 3- and 4-door refrigerators come in multiple finishes including stainless steel, black stainless steel, white, black, and platinum, and some even have fingerprint-resistant finishes, keeping the French door fridge spotless.
While searching for the best French refrigerator available, we also chose refrigerators with ice makers, water dispensers, door-in-door designs, and even smart connectivity for remote adjustability. Plus, nearly all of these models are Energy Star certified for their energy-efficient features.
Our Top Picks
In deciding top picks for the best French door refrigerators, models that have optimal interior configurations, useful add-ons, and are made by reputable manufacturers made the cut. This list includes options that offer a variety of capacities, finishes, configurations, and special features, with the hope that there are French door refrigerators here that suit most all refrigerator shoppers.
Photo: homedepot.com
The GE Profile French door refrigerator has a sleek design with a fingerprint-resistant, stainless steel finish. It has a spacious 27.9-cubic-foot interior and a unique door-in-door feature with a rotating bin. Rather than opening the entire door, the user opens a small panel to access the refrigerator’s front bin to remove or replace items without letting as much cool air out. This model also boasts an in-door ice and water dispenser with smart autofill technology. Place a cup under the dispenser and press the fill button once, and it will automatically dispense the right amount of water to fill the cup.
Beneath the refrigerator’s French doors are two drawers. The top drawer offers flexible food storage space for drinks, large platters, party foods, and so on; its temperature is adjustable, and its bin is removable. The bottom drawer is the 8.57-cubic-foot freezer.
Other features that make the GE Profile worthy of consideration are its Energy Star certification, LED-illuminated back wall, soft-close crisper drawers, easy-to-clean liner, and TwinChill evaporators to help foods stay fresh. This refrigerator also has built-in Wi-Fi and can send alerts to the owner’s phone if the door is left open or the internal temperature rises above a set number.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 70 inches tall by 35 inches wide by 36 inches deep
- Capacity: 27.9 cubic feet
- Finish: Stainless steel
Pros
- Fingerprint-resistant finish for homes with children and pets
- Door-in-door feature allows for added space
- In-door ice maker and water dispenser; smart autofill technology
- 8.57-cubic-foot freezer space
- Energy Star certified for amazing energy-saving capability
Cons
- Some users report poor cooling properties
- Pricey compared to similar options
Get the GE French door refrigerator at The Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Photo: homedepot.com
This 21.8-cubic-foot French door refrigerator from LG Electronics is easy on the wallet but has a lot to offer, making it the cheapest French door refrigerator on our list. Its smart cooling system is designed to help foods stay fresher longer; each shelf has multiple cold air vents to maintain a cool and consistent temperature throughout. Special digital sensors work to monitor the temperature of the refrigerator, the freezer, and ambient room temperature to create an optimal environment for food storage.
Another nice thing about this LG fridge is that its design makes it easy to keep foods and beverages organized and visible. It has six gallon-size adjustable door bins, an ample “Glide N’ serve” drawer, and two humidity-controlled crisper drawers. This Energy Star–certified model also offers a built-in ice maker and recessed LED lights.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 67.25 inches high by 29.75 inches wide by 35.5 inches deep
- Capacity: 21.8 cubic feet
- Finishes: Stainless steel and black stainless steel
Pros
- Smart cooling system; keeps food fresh longer than traditional refrigerators
- 6-gallon-size adjustable door bins for added convenience and space
- “Glide N’ Serve” drawer; suitable for small meats and cheeses
- 2 humidity-controlled crisper drawers for vegetables, fruits, and meats
- Energy Star certified for ample energy-saving power
Cons
- Finish is not fingerprint-resistant
- Some users report design flaws
- Less capacity than comparable options
Get the LG Electronics 21.8-cubic-foot French door refrigerator at AJ Madison.
Photo: homedepot.com
Cafe’s French door refrigerator has plenty of bells and whistles, including Wi-Fi connectivity and smart-home compatibility to enable users to monitor and control the refrigerator from a smartphone or tablet. Another cool feature of this 27.8-cubic-foot fridge is its adjustable-temperature drawer, which can be set between 23 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit to store anything from ice cream to chilled drinks. The drawer also has sliding glass dividers to keep whatever’s inside well organized.
Other thoughtful details on Cafe’s French door fridge include an exterior water dispenser with autofill sensors, which fills a cup with the right amount of water. To keep produce and other foods fresh, this appliance boasts two humidity-controlled bins with a sealed high-humidity “Wet Zone” for vegetables and a low-humidity “Dry Zone” with vents for storing fruits. Plus, take advantage of a 4-door French refrigerator with ice maker technology, a LED light tower along the back wall, TwinChill evaporators, a full-width tray in the freezer, and a unique fingerprint-resistant matte white finish.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 38.6 inches high by 35.6 inches wide by 36.75 inches deep
- Capacity: 27.8 cubic feet
- Finishes: Stainless steel, matte black, matte white, and platinum glass
Pros
- Wi-Fi and smart-home compatibility; adjust temperature from smartphone
- Adjustable-temperature drawer for meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Exterior water dispenser; autofill sensors to prevent spillage
- Wet and Dry Zones; suitable for different food types
- Fingerprint-resistant finish for homes with children and pets
Cons
- Pricey compared to similar products on the market
Get the Cafe French door refrigerator at Lowe’s or Best Buy.
Photo: homedepot.com
Those who have lots of mouths to feed and need a roomy fridge should give Samsung’s French door fridge a good look. To keep foods fresher longer, its Twin Cooling Plus system allows for independent control of the refrigerator and freezer sections.
This large-capacity refrigerator from Samsung also has a full-width CoolSelect Pantry drawer, which can be set to one of three temperatures for defrosting food, storing deli meats, or chilling beverages. The 28 cubic-foot refrigerator’s large-capacity ice storage option is likely to appeal to large households or those who entertain frequently. With the Ice Max setting, it can store up to 4.2 pounds of cubes.
This Energy Star–certified refrigerator has both Wi-Fi and Bixby connectivity options and can be monitored from a smartphone or tablet. Other nice-to-have features include adjustable shelves, interior LED lighting, a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish, and ADA-compliant temperature controls.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 70 inches high by 35.75 inches wide by 36 inches deep
- Capacity: 28 cubic feet
- Finishes: Stainless steel
Pros
- Fingerprint-resistant finish for homes with children and pets
- Twin Cooling Plus system for controlling temperature in the fridge and freezer
- Full-width CoolSelect Pantry drawer for meats, beverages, and other foods
- Ice maker; stores 4.2 pounds of ice cubes
- Energy Star certified for ample energy-saving capability
- Wi-Fi and Bixby connectivity
Cons
- May be tough to adjust the interior shelving
Get the Samsung French 3-door fridge at Samsung.
Photo: homedepot.com
Bosch’s 800 Series counter-depth French door refrigerator has a 21-cubic-foot capacity, of which 6 cubic feet is the freezer. One of the 800 Series’ most attractive features is its FarmFresh System, which employs four different technologies to preserve foods and keep them fresher longer: FreshProtect absorbs ethylene to slow the rate at which produce ripens, VitaFreshPro strikes an ideal balance between humidity and temperature levels, MultiAirFlow promotes even circulation and consistent temperature levels, and an AirFresh Filter absorbs food odors.
Other thoughtful features on this Bosch fridge include an internal water filter and dispenser, an ice maker with uniquely shaped pyramid ice cubes, a stainless steel back wall, and an adjustable flex bar to hold wine bottles, eggs, jars, and more. This stainless steel, counter-depth refrigerator is Energy Star certified and also offers smart connectivity to allow users to monitor and adjust the interior temperature.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 72 inches high by 35.625 inches wide by 28 inches deep
- Capacity: 21 cubic feet
- Finish: Stainless steel
Pros
- FarmFresh system; has 4 different technologies for keeping food fresh longer
- VitaFreshPro and MultiAirFlow technology; promotes even and consistent cool-air circulation
- AirFresh filter continuously removes food odors
- Internal water filter, ice maker, and dispenser for added convenience
- Energy Star certified for ample energy efficiency
Cons
- Less capacity than comparable options
- Pricey compared to similar sizes
Get the Bosch French door refrigerator at The Home Depot, Best Buy, or Lowe’s.
Photo: homedepot.com
This 29.7-cubic-foot French door refrigerator from LG Electronics is Wi-Fi enabled and offers Smart Home connectivity. One of its standout features—and one likely to entertain visitors to your home—is LG’s special InstaView tinted-glass panel on the right door.
Simply knock twice on the door to see what is inside the refrigerator without opening the door and letting cold air out. Another way LG cuts down on the needless door opening (and energy wasting) is its door-in-door feature, which allows users to open a panel, rather than the entire door, to grab or replace a drink or snack. Dual ice makers are also integrated into the design and can make crushed ice, standard cubes, or special round “Craft Ice” that chills beverages more efficiently and melts more slowly. An in-door ice and water dispenser offers easy access to filtered ice and water.
This Energy Star–certified model also features LG’s linear cooling compressor, which ensures the temperature stays within 1 degree of the set level. This feature and the fridge’s door-cooling vent work together to keep produce and other foods fresh. LG’s PrintProof smudge- and fingerprint-resistant finish, hidden hinges, and contoured doors all add to the refrigerator’s modern look; overall, it’s a sleek and stylish addition to most any kitchen.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 70.25 inches high by 35.75 inches wide by 36.625 inches deep
- Capacity: 29.7 cubic feet
- Finishes: Stainless steel and black stainless steel
Pros
- Wi-Fi enabled; adjust settings and temperature from smartphone
- InstaView tinted glass panel shows users the inside of the fridge without opening
- Door-in-door feature provides additional storage space
- Dual ice makers; multiple ice types for different drinks and preferences
- Energy Star certified for excellent energy efficiency
Cons
- Pricey compared to similar options
- Some users reported issues using the ice makers
Get the LG Electronics 29.7-cubic-foot French door refrigerator at The Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Photo: homedepot.com
Those who don’t have enough kitchen space for a large French door refrigerator may find that Whirlpool’s 19.7-cubic-foot model, which is just 30 inches wide, offers just the right fit. It has numerous features to help keep food organized, including adjustable gallon door bins, a tuck shelf that slides back to accommodate tall items, and humidity-controlled crisper drawers.
Its full-width drawer is a terrific feature and roomy enough to hold large items, such as appetizer platters or sheet cakes. One of the door bins has a carrying handle and can be removed, allowing for easy transport of condiments or beverages to the dinner table.
Whirlpool’s compact fridge has a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish with an exterior filtered-water dispenser. With its adaptive defrost feature, this Energy Star–certified model is also able to track the temperature of the freezer and only run the defrost feature when it’s needed. Other convenient features include a built-in ice maker, spill-containing shelves, FreshFlow air filter to reduce food odors, and rapid-cool setting.
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 38.375 inches high by 30 inches wide by 34.375 inches deep
- Capacity: 19.7 cubic feet
- Finishes: Stainless steel
Pros
- Fingerprint-resistant finish for homes with children and pets
- Adjustable gallon door bins provide additional and customizable space
- Tuck shelf provides room for tall containers, beverages, and storage bins
- Humidity-controlled crisper drawers for fruits, vegetables, and meats
- Energy Star certified for ample energy efficiency
Cons
- Less capacity than comparable options
Get the Whirlpool French door refrigerator at AJ Madison or Lowe’s.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best French Door Refrigerator
French door refrigerators mainly differ in capacities, configurations, energy-efficiency levels, and the finishes in which they’re available. Additionally, some models may offer smart technology or be more aesthetically pleasing than others. Before getting too deep into a search for the best French door refrigerator, be sure to measure your space and determine your priorities and preferences; this will help you select the model that will best meet your needs.
Material
One of the first items to consider is the preferred material and color for the refrigerator’s finish. Finish is one of the first things one notices about the refrigerator, and it will greatly affect how the appliance looks in a space. Some common material and color finishes for French door refrigerators include:
- Stainless steel
- Black stainless steel
- Matte black stainless steel
- White
- Black
- Slate
Size and Capacity
The size and capacity of a French door refrigerator are also very important to consider. Capacity refers to how much interior space the average refrigerator and freezer offer, which affects the amount of food you’ll be able to store inside.
Capacity is measured in cubic feet, with most French door refrigerators’ capacities ranging between 21 and 30 cubic feet. To determine the ideal fridge capacity for your household, keep in mind that 1 cubic foot generally equates to about one bag of groceries. A 19- to 22-cubic-foot refrigerator is usually sufficient for a family of four with average shopping habits.
In addition to considering how much fridge capacity you think you’ll need, it’s also important to measure a refrigerator’s overall size and dimensions to confirm that it will fit in the space you have. Measure the space in your home carefully, and consult the length, height, and depth dimensions for each French door refrigerator you’re considering. If you have limited space in your kitchen or prefer an appliance that’s flush with your countertops, you may want to consider a counter-depth refrigerator.
Configuration
The way in which a French door refrigerator is configured affects how functional it is and how well it is able to meet your demands. As you’re browsing fridge configurations, consider the overall layout of the shelves, the size and arrangement of the storage bins in the doors, and the design and location of the produce and/or meat drawers.
Because they can accommodate containers of various sizes, refrigerators with adjustable shelves are the most versatile and are preferred by many households. In addition to adjustable shelves, some French door refrigerators may also have shelves that partially slide back to fit tall items, such as stockpots.
It’s also important to think about the way in which the fridge’s freezer is configured and designed. Though all French door refrigerators feature a pullout drawer freezer, the insides of the freezers may be laid out differently. If there is an ice maker, make sure it is easy to access.
Look for freezers that have stacked shelves inside that slide in and out separately, which make it easier to access and organize the freezer’s contents. Some French door refrigerators may even have two separate drawers: one freezer drawer and a smaller drawer with an adjustable temperature, which enables households to apportion that additional space to beverages, frozen foods, vegetables, or other frequently used items.
Energy Rating
A French door refrigerator’s energy rating discloses the approximate annual electricity costs of operating the refrigerator. Every appliance should be accompanied by an Energy Guide sticker or pamphlet that shows the cost range for operating similar French door refrigerators. Comparing refrigerators’ Energy Guide data can help you select an energy-efficient appliance that will save you money on your electric bills each year.
While shopping, you may notice that some French door refrigerators have an Energy Star designation. This label indicates that the refrigerator has met rigorous energy-efficiency standards that reduce energy costs and a household’s environmental footprint. Energy Star refrigerators typically use about 33 percent less energy than older, less efficient models.
Smart Technology
Smart French door refrigerators, also called connected refrigerators, offer more advanced features than you’ll find on a standard refrigerator. Smart refrigerators can connect with other smart devices in the home to allow users to adjust the appliance’s temperature through their smartphone, tablet, or personal home assistant.
Other features you may find in a smart refrigerator include autofill sensors for filling cups, the ability to create and share shopping lists or memos, and advanced climate-control settings. A few smart refrigerators are designed to allow users to tap on the door to see inside the refrigerator, which allows you to browse for food without opening the door and letting cold air out.
Aesthetics
You’ll have to look at your new French door refrigerator multiple times a day, so don’t discount the aesthetics of the refrigerators you are considering. One detail that can affect a refrigerator’s appeal is the finish color, as mentioned above. Choosing a finish color that coordinates or matches your other appliances, countertops, and cabinets can go a long way in creating a cohesive-looking kitchen.
Many people prefer the look of a built-in refrigerator because it blends in better with the cabinets and makes the refrigerator look like it truly belongs in the space.
Additional Features
Once factors like the refrigerator’s finish, capacity, and energy rating are decided, consider whether there are any extra features you’d like to see in the French door refrigerator you purchase. Some add-ons worth seeking out include:
- Door-within-door: Some French door refrigerators have a small panel on one of the doors that can be opened separately to provide quick access to a few items stored in the door’s bins. Opening just the panel rather than the whole door reduces how much cold air escapes from the refrigerator and, in turn, keeps energy costs down.
- Ice and water dispensers: Many French door refrigerators have water and/or ice dispensers for convenient access to these necessities. Some water dispensers are on the exterior of the refrigerator, while others may be in the interior.
- Water filters: French door refrigerators may have built-in water filters to remove impurities for cleaner and better-tasting drinking water.
- Programmable controls: French door refrigerators with programmable controls allow users to adjust the refrigerator’s temperature, lock the water or ice dispensers, check on the water filter’s status, and set a predetermined amount of water to be dispensed each time the water fill button is pressed.
- Fingerprint-resistant finishes: Refrigerators that are fingerprint-resistant feature a unique finish that reduces smudges and fingerprints and keeps the surface looking tidy.
FAQs
Read through these frequently asked questions to learn more about French door refrigerators and how to choose the right one to match your needs.
Q. What are the advantages of a French door refrigerator?
There are a number of advantages to owning a French door refrigerator. French door refrigerators offer a spacious refrigerator space that’s well laid out and easy to organize. With the refrigerator portion of the unit on top, foods and drinks are at eye level and within easy reach. The in-door bins on a French door refrigerator are also typically larger than those you’d find on other refrigerators. Finally, French door refrigerators have spacious freezers.
Q. What size refrigerator do I need for a family of four?
In most cases, a 19- to 22-cubic-foot refrigerator should be sufficient for a family of four. However, families who prefer to shop in bulk or stock up on their supermarket trips may find that a larger refrigerator, such as one with a capacity closer to 30 cubic feet, better suits their needs.
Q. How long does a French door refrigerator last?
The lifespan of a French door refrigerator can vary, but most models typically last somewhere between 9 and 13 years.
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