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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
With two side-by-side doors on top and at least one freezer drawer below, refrigerators with French doors combine a stylish look with efficient use of space. “The main advantage of a French door fridge is that it allows you to see all of the contents at a glance, making it easier to find what you’re looking for,” says Jeanette Fusco, interior designer at HiHomePicks. “Additionally, French door fridges tend to be more energy-efficient than other types of refrigerators.”
To help you find the best French door refrigerators on the market, we researched dozens of models, evaluating them on capacity, energy efficiency, and extra features like flexible storage configurations.
Best Overall
Whirlpool WRF555SDFZ 24.7 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator with Ice and Water Dispenser
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Walmart
Spacious interior
Factory-installed ice maker
Water dispenser
No smart features
Some report problems with the ice maker
For the perfect marriage of style and functionality, check out this French door fridge from Whirlpool. The appliance has a generous amount of storage, including a deli drawer, two crispers, a number of spill proof glass shelves that are easy to adjust, and gallon door storage. In the freezer, conveniences like a pizza pocket make it easy to store bulky items—a solution for a common complaint in fridges with drawer freezers.
Other conveniences include tap touch controls, interior LED lighting, and Energy Star certification to minimize electricity usage. The dispenser is thoughtfully designed, too. Both the ice and water dispenser are built right into the door, giving you back the precious shelf space inside. (Just note: If you really depend on ice, you may want to look elsewhere, since some people report issues with the ice maker.)
Price at time of publish: $2,699
Total Capacity: 25 cubic feet | Dimensions: 68.63 x 35.63 x 35.25 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Stainless steel, black stainless | Garage Friendly: No
Best Budget
Samsung RF18A5101SR 18 cu. ft. Smart Counter Depth 3-Door French Door Refrigerator
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Best Buy
Inexpensive
Good for small living
Fingerprint-resistant
Some report issues with the ice maker
For a French door refrigerator that won’t crush your budget, Samsung makes an entry-level model that’s sleek and surprisingly feature-filled. Though the Samsung 3-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator is more compact—it has just 18 cubic feet of storage across both the fridge and freezer—it’s a great value for your money, especially if you really don’t need a huge fridge anyway.
The Energy Star-certified unit runs efficiently and quietly, but has unique conveniences to help keep the contents fresher for longer. It has Twin Cooling technology, so you can set independent temperatures in both the fridge and the freezer. It also has Power Freeze or Power Cool options to quickly lower the temperature with one touch. What’s more, there’s a loud door alarm that alerts you if the appliance is accidentally left open.
An internal ice maker eliminates the need for ice cube trays, too. It stores an impressive 5.5 pounds of ice at a time, but it’s worth noting that some users report issues with Samsung ice makers in general.
Price at time of publish: $1,298
Total Capacity: 18 cubic feet | Dimensions: 32.125 x 70 x 28.125 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Black stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel, stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, white | Garage Friendly: No
Best Large Capacity
LG Smart Counter-Depth MAX French Door Refrigerator
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LG
Special features to keep the fridge cooler
Internal water dispenser saves space
Available with viewing door
Slow ice maker
Unfortunately, refrigerators often look a lot bigger than they actually are—especially with counter-depth models, which tend to sacrifice true storage space to save floor space in the kitchen. But this stylish new fridge from LG is an exception to the rule. The brand calls it “Counter-Depth Max” for good reason—it has a smaller profile with the same great space-saving benefits of other counter-depth fridges, but has much more storage space than most—a full 27 cubic feet across the fridge and freezer.
The refrigerator can easily hold a week’s worth of food for an entire family in an organized manner. It has two humidity-controlled drawers, four adjustable glass shelves and plenty of adjustable door storage, too. The water dispenser is internal, which some find tough to reach, but the sacrifice is small, since this is partly how you gain so much extra space on the shelves inside.
Whatever you’re storing in this expansive fridge will stay fresh for longer, thanks to silver wall panels and a curtain of cool air that blasts the front of the fridge when it’s open. It’s smart, too: Connect the appliance to your smartphone with the LG ThinQ app to get notifications about usage, maintenance, and more.
Price at time of publish: $2,499
Total Capacity: 27 cubic feet | Dimensions: 70 ¼ x 40 x 31 ⅝ inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Stainless steel (with or without viewing window) | Garage Friendly: No
Best Splurge
Cafe CYE22TP4MW2 22.2 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator with Hot Water Dispenser
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Best Buy
Customizable hardware
Hot water dispenser
Smart features
Stylish
Not as spacious as other models
Expensive
French door refrigerators tend to be more expensive than other options like top freezers or side-by-sides, but if you’re willing to keep sliding up the scale, you’ll unlock an even greater breadth of enviable features and opportunities for customization. Check out this option by Cafe, for example.
The fridge, which offers 22.1 cubic feet of interior space, is undeniably stylish. 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 match your kitchen space. Plus, it has a counter-depth design that blends nicely with your countertops and cabinets.
The appliance also delivers functionality. While 22.1 cubic feet may be smaller than some other French door refrigerators, it’s pretty sizable for counter-depth—and it’s enough to store a week’s worth of groceries for a small family of three or four people. Food stays fresher for longer, too, thanks to fridge and freezer portions that work off of separate evaporators to keep the internal environment just right. You’ll also love additional convenience features, like bright interior lighting and an ice and water dispenser that also dispenses hot water.
Price at time of publish: $3,549
Total Capacity: 22.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 70.5 in x 35.75 x 31.25 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: White with gold, black with stainless steel, stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No
Best With Drawer
GE Profile PVD28BYNFS 27.9 Cu. Ft. Smart 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Door-in-Door
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Amazon
Swiveling door bin
Ice and water dispenser
Very spacious interior
Expensive
Takes up a lot of space
Today, some French door refrigerators, like the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS 27.9 Cu. Ft. Smart 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Door-in-Door, offer an extra drawer sandwiched between the top two and the bottom freezer. This petite drawer is all about adding flexibility and functionality to your appliance, since many of them can be used as either a fridge or a freezer, depending on your day-to-day needs. It’s the perfect spot to store your kids' snacks and drinks, or ingredients for a quick lunch.
This particular model also has an enviable door-in-door design that allows you to reach for items in the swiveling door bin without opening up the entire fridge, making smaller items like condiments or kids’ pouches much more easily accessible. As an added bonus, this feature also helps conserve energy, since you don’t have to open the whole fridge to quickly pull something out.
Users love that this fridge also has an ice and water dispenser with an AutoFill option. The hands-free feature senses the amount of room in your glass and fills it without overflowing. Also nice to have: The interior is equipped with an LED light wall that not only makes it easier to see what’s inside, but also makes the appliance feel more high-end.
Price at time of publish: $4,199
Total Capacity: 27.9 cubic feet | Dimensions: 36.75 x 35.625 x 70 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No
Best Smart
LG Electronics LFXS26973S 26.2 cu. ft. French Door Smart Refrigerator with Wi-Fi Enabled
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LG
Energy Star certified
Dual ice maker
Tons of freezer space
Ice maker can be noisy
Doors can have trouble aligning
Like just about anything else in your home, you can streamline mealtimes with a smart refrigerator like the LG LFXS26973S. This “smart” fridge syncs to your device via WiFi to give you a world of possibilities right at your fingertips. You’ll not only get notifications when the door is left open or the water filter needs to be replaced, but you can also use the compatible ThinQ app to complete tasks like make extra ice or adjust the internal temperature of the appliance.
But there’s more to love than the flashy smart features. The refrigerator has a sleek stainless steel aesthetic that’s resistant to fingerprints, so you’ll spend less time cleaning. It also features an external ice and water dispenser, plus a dual ice maker inside. (Just note: It’s a bit noisier than some other ice makers.) There’s plenty of space for food, too. The refrigerator compartment has 17.4 cubic feet of space—slightly more spacious than the average French door refrigerator. Adjustable door storage and a deli drawer help maximize said space, too. The freezer capacity is also something to note—it has 8.8 cubic feet of space, a number that rivals the most high-capacity models on the market.
If there’s any downside, some users report issues with door alignment, but it’s nothing a little tinkering can’t fix.
Price at time of publish: $2,799
Total Capacity: 26.2 cubic feet | Dimensions: 69.75 x 34.88 x 35.75 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Dual | Available Finishes: Stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No
For a French door refrigerator that'll be equally stylish and functional in your kitchen, pick the Whirlpool WRF757SDHZ 36-inch Wide French Door Refrigerator. This appliance is the perfect marriage of the two, thanks to its water dispenser, factory-installed ice maker, and generous amount of space, which can be organized how you like. If you'd like to spend less, Samsung 17.5 cu. ft. 3-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator offers excellent value. Though you’ll sacrifice on capacity, it’s energy-efficient, has a flexible design, and even has an internal ice maker.
What to Look for in a French Door Refrigerator
Size and 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. That's why we like the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS 27.9 Cu. Ft. Smart 4-Door French Door, which sports an extra drawer, offering plenty of space for cold goodies.
Installation 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. Because 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.
Ice Maker and Water Dispenser
An ice and water dispenser is not a necessity, but is included in 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.
Color, Finish, and Design
Style is important, but the color, finish, and design of your appliance affects more than the aesthetic. This attribute can also affect price and maintenance. For example, while white may not look quite as sophisticated as stainless steel, it tends to be cheaper, plus easier to keep clean, since stainless steel attracts fingerprints. When selecting a fridge, think about your budget and whether style or cleanliness is a priority—and then make your decision. And don’t forget: Today, some stainless steel refrigerators come in a fingerprint-resistant finish to give you the best of all worlds.
Standout Features
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.
Door Alarm
Have you ever walked into the kitchen only to discover the refrigerator door open? Eliminate this energy-busting problem with a fridge that’s equipped with a door alarm. When you leave your refrigerator or freezer door open for too long, a door alarm will notify you via an app on your phone or a loud noise. This is convenient for families with kids who may forget to close the appliance tightly, but it’s also helpful when your model starts to get older and the seals on the door aren’t as reliable.
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What is a French door refrigerator?
You may know the term French door as it relates to other doors in your house—like the doors going out to the patio or an older style of doors to enter a bedroom or family room. These doors are two doors that open outward to reveal one big, open space on the other side. A French door refrigerator functions in the same way. Generally, they have a freezer drawer on the bottom and two doors on top that open outward in both directions to reveal the contents of the refrigerator.
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How much does a French door refrigerator typically cost?
According to Home Advisor, a standard refrigerator costs anywhere between $500 and $12,000, with the average cost being about $1,500 for a brand-new model. That said, the cost will vary based on the size of the fridge, the style of fridge, and the included features. If you’re considering a French door refrigerator, you can expect to spend a little bit more than one with a top freezer or a side-by-side. French door refrigerators typically cost anywhere between $1,200 and $11,000.
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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.
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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 2 inches behind the fridge. If you need to run a water line to your unit, because 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.
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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 by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience writing about consumer products like home appliances. To curate this list, Earley scoured all of the most popular retailers to find the best, most highly-rated French door refrigerators. Then, she vetted each, reading all of the specs and hundreds of reviews. She also interviewed experts like Jeanette Fusco, interior designer at HiHomePicks, to find out what’s most important when shopping for this style of refrigerator. With this information, she further analyzed each product being considered to ensure the final list contained only the most reliable, quality options on the market today.
Additional reporting and writing was conducted by Marisa Viglione, the senior commerce editor for appliances, cleaning, organization, and home tech for The Spruce.
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