What types of fridge freezers are there?
Type by door style / configuration
From the left, right, top, bottom… fridge freezer doors can be swung open from various configurations. Here are some of the most common fridge freezer types by door style as well as their pros and cons.
French style fridge freezers
French door fridge freezers, or multi-door fridge freezers, usually come in larger capacities and with advanced features, so we recommend them for larger households. Two narrow doors on top and a freezer below with a drawer or more sometimes in between. Their narrow swing doors save you space, but they also save energy by opening only half the fridge as needed. French door models come in 3-door types, 4-door types with a mid-drawer, 4-door types with two-door setups at the top and bottom, and more, so try each of them out and see which setup feels comfortable to you.
Side-by-Side fridge freezers
Two, long narrow doors that split the fridge freezer at the center into a fridge and a freezer. American style fridge freezers (also called Side-by-side fridge freezers or double door fridge freezers) let you organise your items based on your consumption with shelves designed for vertical storage, which help you better organise and locate frozen items for households that consume frozen goods more often.
Bottom Mount Freezers
As the traditional fridge freezer with a freezer at the bottom, Bottom Mount freezers are the most common type in South Africa. They generally pack the most storage space in fridge freezer types, usually come in more reasonable price ranges, and allow easier access to fresh items with a top fridge compartment. Classic fridge freezers come in different height options, so double-check the dimensions based on your space requirements and storage needs, before purchasing.
One-door fridges / One-door freezers
One-door fridges (also called larder fridges or single door fridges) are tall, single-door units that offer plenty of storage even with less interior space, making them suitable for larger households or for cooking in batches. These types do not have both fridge and freezer compartments inside, however, be advised that you could purchase either one door fridges or one door freezers separately, or that you could even put two or three one-door fridge/freezer units together according to your needs.
What are the pros and cons of each type?
We’ve got it down to a table for you, so take a look and choose the one for you.
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Number of doors / Configuration
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Pros
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Cons
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Recommended for
- Number of doors / Configuration : Two doors on top; Two doors on bottom. Bottom left is FlexZone
- Pros : Largest capacity, compartment advanced features
- Cons : Relatively expensive and requires larger installation space
- Recommended for : Large families and households with a spacious kitchen
- Number of doors / Configuration : Two doors on top; freezer drawer on bottom, mid-drawer on selected models
- Pros : Larger capacity, wider compartments, advanced features
- Cons : Relatively expensive and requires larger installation space
- Recommended for : Large families and households with a spacious kitchen
- Number of doors / Configuration : Two doors; fridge and freezer compartments split at center
- Pros : Larger capacity at reasonable price, fresh/frozen items both at eye level
- Cons : Harder to store larger items
- Recommended for : Households that need a larger fridge freezer in a tight kitchen space
- Number of doors / Configuration : Two doors; fridge on top and freezer below
- Pros : A streamlined set of features at an entry price-point
- Cons : Relatively smaller storage space
- Recommended for : Single or couple households or families with limited kitchen space
What are the top 4 checkpoints?
Now that you know which type of fridge freezer is the best for you, let’s look at some other considerations you should check before purchasing your next fridge freezer.
Budget
Size and fitting
Finishes and look
Features
FAQ
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What types of fridge freezers are there?Bottom mount Freezer, One Door Fridge / Freezer, Side by Side Fridge, 4 Door Fridge & French Style.
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What are the top 4 checkpoints?1. Budget - For bigger budgets look into French or American style fridge freezers for larger storage space and advanced features. For tighter budgets,
look for classic fridge freezers or one-door models.
2. Size & Fitting - Check your kitchen and installation path to measure how much space you have.
3. Finishes & Look - If you're interested in seamless looks and sleek design, take a closer look into materials, such as fingerprint resistant finish, as well as colours.
4. Features - It all depends on your family’s needs. Ice and water dispensers, No Frost, and freshness settings are some of the most popular features today.
- Images are for illustration purposes only and the accessories are sold separately.
- Features and specifications are subject to change without prior notification and may vary per country, please check in store for more details.
