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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Making your kitchen look high-end is as easy as installing a refrigerator with French doors. At first glance, the piece may look like a side-by-side model—where your frozen food is stored behind the left door, and your chilled food is stored behind the right. However, these types of models come with way more functionality and space, and are typically equipped with various shelving and door configurations.
The standard design is two doors on top and a freezer drawer down below. If you're looking for a more advanced design though, there are also models with four doors and a convertible section that can act as a freezer or refrigerator. A household who likes to stock up on certain goods, or wants their piece to blend with the nearby cabinets may benefit from these designs the most.
Here, the best French door refrigerators to give your kitchen a gourmet look and tailored feel.
Best Overall: Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ 24.7 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator with Ice and Water Dispenser
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Spacious interior
Factory-installed ice maker
Water dispenser
No smart features
Have to be pretty gentle with doors and shelves
Our best overall pick is this French door refrigerator from Whirlpool that marries style and functionality. It's certainly hard to beat because it has both a generous amount of storage, and an ice and water dispenser. You could argue that its lack of smart features doesn't make it the most modern appliance on the market. But, its sleek, stainless steel finish and factory-installed ice maker would beg to differ.
You can make use of exterior temperature controls, a dispenser control lock, and a two-tier freezer to tailor your experience to your specific needs. For example, if you live in a home with kids or a busy cook, you can trigger the dispenser lock so filtered water doesn't get unknowingly released. The practicality of this appliance continues with the adjustable door bins and removable shelves in the refrigerator portion, and the two sliding bins in the freezer. Organize your fresh or frozen food based on how accessible you need it to be, and you may find that you still have a bit of space leftover.
All in all, this model was made thoughtfully so your home doesn't have to pick up any of its slack. The price tag is a sign of its quality, but also its high-end features and performance. It won't leave anything on the table—including style and being able to see everything that's in your fridge.
Best Budget: LG Electronics LFCS22520S 21.8-Cubic Foot French Door Refrigerator in Stainless Steel
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Inexpensive
Good for small living
Factory-installed ice maker
No dispensers
No butter keeper
For a French door refrigerator that won’t crush your budget, LG makes an entry-level model that looks sleek and makes few sacrifices. The LG LFCS22520S is more compact than some of the mega-sized French door refrigerators available. However, if you can live with 21.8 cubic feet of space, this stainless-steel fridge offers a lot of perks.
An internal ice maker eliminates the need for ice cube trays, and the freezer, with 7.1 cubic feet of space, is surprisingly large for a French door unit with a smaller footprint. Inside the fridge, you’ll find six adjustable, gallon-sized door bins and a large gliding drawer that is both versatile and able to hold an entire cookie sheet. Although it's important to note that this particular appliance doesn't have a built-in water filter and dispenser, it is equipped with a linear compressor.
This part is considered to be an advantage, thanks to a reduction in moving parts and quieter operation. The brand stands behind the compressor technology with a 10-year warranty. All in all, this refrigerator is a perfect pick if your budget for a new fridge is limited, or if you have a small living space but want the functionality and style of a French door appliance.
Best Splurge: Cafe CYE22TP4MW2 22.2 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator with Hot Water Dispenser
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Customizable hardware
Hot water dispenser
Has smart features
Not as spacious as other models
Expensive
If your budget allows you to splurge on a French door refrigerator for your kitchen space, then look to this stylish model by Cafe. It offers 22.2 cubic feet of interior space, which isn't competitive with other fridges on the market, but is plenty for storing a week's worth of groceries for a family of three or four. It also has a counter-depth design, which will make it fit nicely with your countertops and cabinets. You can select a white matte finish with gold hardware, a black matte finish with stainless steel hardware, or a completely stainless steel design, to also match your kitchen space.
Where this model offers variety in the style department, it also does so in functionality. For example, the fridge and freezer portions work with separate evaporators, to keep the internal environment just right. Bright lighting in the interior and a selection of drawers also make it easy to store and see food. Notably, this high-end refrigerator also has an ice and water dispenser that can dispense hot water. Whether you don't want to buy a separate appliance, or just want to make a quick drink, this feature will prove to be so useful.
Best Counter-Depth: Samsung RF24R7201SR 23 cu. ft. Counter-Depth 4-Door French Door Refrigerator
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Sits flush with countertops
Has a flexible compartment
Ice and water dispenser
Expensive
Back of refrigerator portion can freeze food
For a spacious feel in your kitchen, opt for a refrigerator that has French doors and can seamlessly flush with your counters and cabinets. This appliance from Samsung will do the trick as it has a counter-depth and four-door design. It may only offer 23 cubic feet of space to store your groceries, but has adjustable door storage and flexible shelving so you can make the piece your own. The FlexZone drawer, for example, has four different temperature settings. You can designate it as a spare space for your deli meat and cheeses or post-workout drinks by using the external digital controls or an app on your phone.
While you may pay slightly more for the counter-depth style of this fridge, it'll be worth it for the ice maker, ice and water dispenser, and the surprising amount of room inside. Be aware that the back of this fridge may cause items to freeze so you'll want to keep the air vents relatively uncovered. However, with the proper flow route, the twin cooling system will keep your produce fresh and prevent freezer burn. Pick between a black, Tuscan, or traditional stainless steel finish to prioritize space and style in your kitchen.
Best Large Capacity: GE GNE25JSKSS 24.7 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator in Stainless Steel
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Very spacious
Three produce drawers
Factory-installed ice maker
No ice and water dispenser
Can be noisy at times
If your household needs a refrigerator with the maximum capacity, then a French door design is certainly the way to go. French door refrigerators tend to be larger to start, but this GE model takes roominess to a new level. It has 24.7 cubic feet of space—7.3 cubic feet of which is designated to the freezer. Whether your grocery cart is overflowing, or you entertain or bake often, it'll fit your lifestyle.
Now, there are models on the market that near around 30 cubic feet in size, but this GE appliance is roomy while still being practical. It measures at 70 x 33 x 38 inches, which means it can fit in most kitchens without being a tight squeeze. At the same time, it has four spacious refrigerator shelves and three fresh produce drawers. There's a factory-installed ice maker, and the whole appliance runs fairly quiet. That's essential for a home that entertains frequently and doesn't want the conversation to be disturbed.
All in all, this piece is straightforward with its design and priorities. It has a short list of amenities that you'll thoroughly enjoy and doesn't make any compromises on space, style, or what your kitchen really needs.
Best with Drawer: GE Profile PVD28BYNFS 27.9-Cubic Foot Smart 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Door-in-Door
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Swiveling door bin
Ice and water dispenser
Very spacious interior
Expensive
Takes up a lot of space
Add flexibility and functionality to your French door refrigerator with this model that has an additional drawer for chilled food. It's the perfect spot to store your kids' snacks and drinks, or ingredients for a quick lunch. This model also has a door-in-door design, that allows you to reach for items in the swiveling door bin without opening up the entire fridge. This feat of engineering makes this model so much more accessible and a total game-changer.
On top of its great design, the GE Profile Smart 4-Door Refrigerator has an ice and water dispenser with an AutoFill option. The AutoFill senses the amount of room in your glass, and fills it properly so you can tend to other things. Now, at about 70 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 37 inches deep, it's not space-efficient and will require a pretty large spot in your home. The perk of its almost 28-cubic-foot capacity, though, is you likely won't need an additional appliance like a chest freezer to store extra goods.
The interior of this appliance is graced with a LED light wall, which will illuminate your groceries and make your fridge look and feel high-end. Grab fresh produce without straining your eyes or your hands thanks to the soft-closing drawers, too.
Best Custom: KitchenAid KBFN506EPA 20.8 cu. ft. Built-In French Door Refrigerator in Panel Ready
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Can match your cabinetry
Platinum interior finish
Automatic ice maker
Very expensive
Not very spacious
Hide your fridge in plain sight with a panel-ready French door refrigerator, like the KitchenAid KBFN506EPA. This refrigerator arrives at your front door, ready to be finished with custom cabinet panels and hardware to match your cabinetry. There is no better way to make your space look streamlined, stylish, and customized to your specific tastes.
However, it should be noted that the look doesn’t come cheap. This is one of the most expensive types of French door refrigerators to buy. Along with the exterior, the interior has an upscale feel, thanks to its platinum finish opposed to the usual white one. For functionality, the unit also includes a Preserva Food Care System that is equipped with a separate cooling system for the fridge and freezer.
One thing to keep in mind when shopping is that this refrigerator only has a total of 20.8 cubic feet of space, which is small for a French door fridge. Still, a variety of adjustable shelves and bins can help maximize the room you're given. Overall, for the most custom look possible, choose this KitchenAid refrigerator and finish your kitchen space with a piece that prioritizes style.
Best Smart: Samsung RF23M8570SG 22-Cubic Foot Family Hub Counter Depth 4-Door French Door Refrigerator
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Smart home compatible
Ice and water dispenser
Able to stream music and shows
Expensive
Average capacity
Make your fridge a part of your smart home family with this fridge from Samsung. The RF23M8570SG aims to keep your family connected and entertained on the outside of the fridge, while keeping the contents inside cold. Equipped with WiFi and the Samsung Family Hub, you can peruse four subjects: Food Management, Family Connection, Entertainment, and Connected Living technology. Put simply, these subjects can keep track of where your family members go, play music and stream television shows, let you see what is inside your fridge via three cameras, and connect with other apps for even more functionality.
While other French door refrigerators may be equipped with WiFi, the Samsung Family Hub is the most multi-faceted smart appliance system on the market. And while the smart features alone make this fridge a quality choice for your home, it also performs well as a refrigerator and freezer. There's 22.2 cubic feet of space, which is plenty of room for groceries and frozen goods—though there are larger capacity models available. This French door refrigerator also comes with a water and ice dispenser.
Inside the fridge, an auto water fill pitcher adds to the dispenser—another bonus not seen in other models. Additionally, this unit is equipped with two evaporators to separately maintain the fridge and freezer's humidity levels. One final note: the Samsung appliance is Energy Star-certified. It's definitely an investment, but one that'll treat you to an abundance of features.
For a French door refrigerator that'll be equally stylish and functional in your kitchen, pick out the Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ (view at AJ Madison). This appliance marries the two, thanks to its water dispenser, factory-installed ice maker, and generous amount of space, which can be organized how you like with the inclusion of removable shelving and sliding bins. If you'd like to spend less, the LG Electronics LFCS22520S (view at Home Depot) is a great pick with no dispenser. However, it does feature a stainless steel exterior.
What to Look for in a French Door Refrigerator
Capacity
The capacity of a French door refrigerator usually ranges from 20 to 28 cubic feet. This measurement includes both the fridge and freezer portions, so the higher it is, the more room you have for fresh and frozen food storage. An average model will have around 22 cubic feet of space—which is enough for a family of three or four. When shopping, you'll not only want to consider how much space you need, but how a model uses and divides that space with shelving, produce crispers, and bins. You can maximize an interior by adjusting the shelving, to fit a gallon of milk or give you an extra layer for containers.
Ice and water dispenser
An ice and water dispenser is not a necessity, but is included on a large selection of French door units. It's usually located on the door, and is paired with auto-filling technology that'll sense your cup and fill it just right, and usually a filter. A dispenser can affect the capacity of your refrigerator, which is well-worth considering if you want to maximize your space, as well as its price tag. The more expensive units will have a dispenser that can dispense multiple types of ice, like crushed or cubed, as well as hot water.
Counter-depth vs. standard-depth
Refrigerators can have a counter-depth or standard-depth design. The design that's best for you and your household depends entirely on the layout of your kitchen, and how you'd like the space to look. A counter-depth model will sit flush with your cabinets and counters, and give your appliance a built-in look. However, since it's not as deep, it will be less spacious on the inside. A standard-depth model will give you more interior space, but may be a bulkier addition to your kitchen, and require a bigger space to install.
Standout Features
Flexible compartment
Refrigerators with more than two compartments likely have a flexible compartment that can be designated as extra fresh or frozen food storage. To make use of this compartment, you need to adjust the temperature setting to 0 degrees Fahrenheit for frozen food, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit for fresh food. Most flexible compartments have fast-freeze technology that allows them to reach the right temperature in a timely manner, and are suitable for homes with children or a customized kitchen.
Door-in-door design
There are French door refrigerators on the market with a door-in-door design, which allows you to access the items in your refrigerator’s door bins without opening up the entire model. Sometimes, this design is accompanied by a swiveling door bin, so you can reach more items with one movement. Since you are only opening a portion of the door, this feature is great for conserving energy and minimizing activity in a busy household.
Viewing door
When you’re creating a grocery shopping list or looking for a snack, a viewing door can be very handy. This technology, which can be found in French door refrigerators, is activated by a knock on the exterior of the door. A window will appear right after, so you can see your groceries without opening the entire model and letting out cold air. Consequently, this new feature helps to conserve energy, and pairs well with a smart home.
FAQs
What's the advantage of having a French door refrigerator?
French door refrigerators are known for their style and spaciousness. They make use of every corner of their fridge and freezer compartments, giving you plenty of room to store large and irregular items when baking or prepping for the holidays. Additionally, they're most likely to have extra features such as adjustable door bins, a dispenser, and a flexible compartment. For more, see our guide on choosing the best refrigerator style for your kitchen.
How do you arrange food in a French door refrigerator?
When arranging food in a French door refrigerator, you'll want to keep temperature and convenience in mind. Typically, the door bins are the warmest section of the fridge, so you'll want to put juice and condiments there. Your dairy and meats should sit on the bottom shelf, and yogurt and leftovers can go on the upper shelves. Then, designate one crisper for high-humidity fruits and vegetables, which can include strawberries and broccoli, and another for low-humidity ones. Lastly, label everything, so you know when items need to be tossed.
For more, see our guides on how to organize the fridge and how to organize the freezer.
Can a French door refrigerator go next to a wall?
A French door refrigerator can be installed next to a wall. However, you will need to follow guidelines for clearance, so that the fridge can operate and be accessed properly. For most models, you'll want to allow at least a half-inch between the wall and fridge's sides, and two inches behind the fridge. If you need to run a water line to your unit, since it has a dispenser or ice maker, these measurements may change a bit.
It's always best to check your manual before installing your fridge, and measure your kitchen before purchasing a fridge so you know it'll fit.
What's the first thing to check when a refrigerator stops working?
If your refrigerator stops working out of the blue, the first thing you'll want to check is its plug and power source. Your model may have been unplugged by accident, or your home's breaker could've turned off the electricity to the fridge. If your model just feels warmer than it should be, and is not completely turned off, then you'll want to clean the condenser coils, make sure the temperature is properly set, and check your door seals for wear and tear. For more, you can check out our ultimate refrigerator repair guide.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written and updated by Marisa Casciano, who is the large appliance expert for The Spruce. Throughout her career, she's researched the ins and outs of air purifiers, dishwashers, cooktops, and more in the home and lifestyle space. Since she grew up with a French door refrigerator, she understands how this piece should be stylish and functional.
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