Pros and Cons of Each Refrigerator Style

If you are buying a new refrigerator for the first time in a while, you may have noticed the abundance of options which are now available to you. Buying a refrigerator is no longer a simple choice, and many things need to be taken into consideration before a purchase is made. One of the first things you will want to consider is the style of refrigerator you will want. Generally speaking, refrigerators come in four categories – top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French door. A basic list of the pros and cons of each type can be found below.
 

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

Top Freezer models are what you likely picture when you think of a refrigerator. These traditional models feature the freezer located above the fresh food compartment.

• Pros – These classic refrigerators are usually the cheapest to buy and repair. On average, they offer the most usable space per cubic foot and the doors swing open wide to allow shelves and bins to be removed.
• Cons – The wide-swinging doors of these models require more space to be opened fully. These models also tend to have less features available to them. 
  
  

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

Bottom Freezer refrigerators are the inverse of their top-freezer counterparts. The fresh food compartment is elevated to a more convenient height, and the freezer is usually accessed via pull-out drawer.

• Pros – As mentioned, much of the fresh food section is at eye level, which is very convenient because it is used much more than the freezer in most homes. This type of refrigerator is also one of the most energy-efficient styles.
• Cons – Because the freezer is now at the bottom, you will have to bend over to access it. Bottom-freezer models are also more expensive than top-freezer alternatives.
  
  

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

French Door refrigerators are a special kind of bottom-freezer model where the fresh food compartment has two doors that can be pulled open to reveal a very spacious interior.

• Pros – The French door refrigerator combines the benefits of bottom-freezer and side-by-side models. The shelf width of these types allow for easy storage of platters and pizza boxes. The narrow doors do not require as much space to be opened and these models offer a variety of features.
• Cons – The biggest drawback of French door refrigerators is their high price tag.

Photo Credit: BestBuy.com

 

Side-By-Side models are unique because the fresh food and frozen compartments both take up the full height of the unit and are divided vertically down the refrigerator.

• Pros – The side-by-side placement of the doors allows for a convenient height to access both the fresh and frozen food compartments. Also, like the French door model, narrow doors require less space for opening. This type allows for the most freezer space of all of the refrigerator styles.
• Cons – The narrow sections do not handle wide platters well and sometimes make items in the back difficult to find. More freezer space results in less fresh food space and these models are typically pricier than top-freezer or bottom-freezer models. Side-by-side refrigerators are not energy-efficient.

Before beginning to shop for a new refrigerator, it may be in your best interest to first make sure that yours can't be repaired for a fraction of the cost. Speedy Sub Zero has been repairing refrigerators in Long Island and New York City for more than 50 years. We offer 24/7 emergency service and can be at your door within one hour of your call. Call 866-782-9376 now to set up an appointment or visit our Facebook page for more information. 

Sources:
Best Buy

Consumer Reports