There are so many kinds of refrigerators on the market today that you can find one that fits your needs in terms of looks, storage space, and ease of use. A good place to start your search is to figure out what kind of refrigerator will work best for your kitchen layout and how much food you need to store. Our guide will help you learn about the different kinds of refrigerators so you can compare them and start looking for the right one.
How many kinds of refrigerators are there?
Even though each brand makes different fridges, there are six basic configurations and a few different ways to put them together. There are six different ways a fridge can be set up: with a top or bottom freezer, French doors, side-by-side doors, under-the-counter, or four doors. Most refrigerators are freestanding, but there are also built-in refrigerators and counter-depth models.
Comparison chart for types of refrigerators
Type of Refrigerator: French Door
Basic door style: Two doors on top; freezer drawer on the bottom
Features:
Wide refrigerator and freezer compartments for items like frozen pizza or large casserole dishes and platters
More space in the fridge than in the freezer
Adjustable shelves, compartments, and other features make storage more flexible.
Ice and water dispensers on the outside
Refrigerator type: Side by Side
Basic door style: Two doors that open from the center; freezer on one side refrigerator on the other
Features:
Compared to a French door fridge, it has a slightly bigger freezer.
Both fresh and frozen items can be kept at eye level with vertical storage.
Adjustable shelves, door bins, and more let you store things in a way that suits you.
Ice and water dispensers on the outside
Reduced door swing clearance—great for tight or narrow spaces
Refrigerator type: Top Freezer
The freezer is above the fridge and the fridge is below it. Each has its own door.
Features:
A fridge that looks and works like it always has
There is more space in the fridge than in the freezer.
Making it easy to get frozen food
Large door clearances, so the unit needs more space in front of it.
A simple set of features and a low starting price
Refrigerator type: Bottom Freezer
The refrigerator is on top and the freezer is on the bottom. Each has a door that opens to the side.
Features:
The fridge compartment is bigger than the freezer compartment.
Fresh things are easy to get.
Large door clearances, so the unit needs more space in front of it.
A simple set of features and a low starting price
Type of fridge: Undercounter
Standard door style: Usually only a refrigerator, installed under a counter; door opens from the side
Features:
Extra space for food or drinks
Ability to make different temperature zones or store extra cold food
One door that opens both ways
Installation under the counter for a smooth fit with cabinets
Refrigerator type: Four Doors
Basic door design: Four doors open from the center, with two doors on the bottom for the freezer and two doors on top for the refrigerator.
Features:
Flexible places to organize
Easy-to-get-to shelves
Unique look
The four doors help keep things organized and easy to get to.
It's easy to clean because you can empty just one quadrant at a time.
French door refrigerators
This kind of refrigerator is set up like a pantry. Two doors on top open to reveal a fridge compartment, and a freezer drawer pulls out from the bottom. Most of the time, French door refrigerators have more space and features than other kinds of refrigerators. They can be a good choice for bigger families or people who want something nicer.
Door Refrigerators
Afacold's French door refrigerators are similar in style to 4-door or quad-door refrigerators.
They have a fridge on top with two doors that open from the middle and a freezer on the bottom with the same kind of doors. Four-door fridges are great for keeping things organized and easy to get to. In addition to being useful, 4-door refrigerators have a unique, modern look that may match the style of your home.
Side-by-side refrigerators
Side-by-side fridges have two doors that open from the middle. One side has a freezer and the other has a fridge. When you arrange your shelves from top to bottom, you can put fresh and frozen items that you use most often at eye level and less-used items near the bottom. Side-by-side refrigerators are like French door refrigerators in that they tend to have a little more overall capacity and more features than other types of refrigerators or high-end touchpoints.
Find out more about how side-by-side and French door refrigerators are different so you can decide which is best for your space and needs. Afacold has a variety of side-by-side refrigerators for your kitchen that are both stylish and useful.
Top freezer refrigerators
This classic style of refrigerator puts the freezer on top of the refrigerator and has one door for each that opens from the side. This style is sometimes called "top-mount." This type of refrigerator makes it easy to get to the freezer and has a lot of room inside the door. Since this type of fridge doesn't have as many high-tech features as others, like ice and water dispensers on the outside, they tend to be cheaper.
Bottom freezer refrigerators
Some people call these fridges "bottom-mount." They are the opposite of top freezer fridges. In this type of refrigerator, the fresh food section is on top and the freezer is on the bottom. You can get to the freezer by opening a door on the side or pulling out a drawer. This setup gives your fridge a classic look and makes it easier to get to fresh food.
Under-the-counter fridges
Undercounter fridges from the brand Afacold are a lot smaller than full-sized fridges. As the name suggests, they are put under the counter, making them a kind of built-in refrigerator. Most only have one fridge space, but some models also have freezer space. Under-the-counter wine cellars and beverage centers are made to keep bottles and cans of wine or beer at the right temperature.
Styles of refrigerators by installation
When deciding what kind of fridge is best for you, you should also think about how you will put it in. Refrigerators are made so that they can be used in a few different ways.
Freestanding refrigerators
To put this type of fridge in, you only need the right amount of space around it and the power and/or water hookups. Freestanding refrigerators don't have to be put inside cabinets, but you should measure the area where you want to put them to make sure they will fit. This is the most common type of fridge, and it has the most options for how it can be set up and what features it can have.
Built-in refrigerators
Built-in refrigerators are attached to the wall and put in cabinets so that they look like they belong there. They are usually taller and come in a wider range of widths, with some as wide as 48 inches. This is partly to make up for lost depth since built-ins are usually 24 inches deep so they can be flush with kitchen cabinets. For this upgraded look, you may have to pay more, and this installation is thought to be more permanent. If you're planning to remodel or move soon, this might not be the best choice.
Refrigerators with a counter-depth
Counter-depth refrigerators can help you get a built-in look for less money and less space. This kind of fridge is usually about 24 inches deep so that it can fit flush with kitchen cabinets. Most counter-depth fridges are a little bit wider to make up for the depth they lack, but their heights are usually the same as standard fridges. They are a type of freestanding fridge, which makes them easier to install if you plan to move or change your kitchen soon. Read this guide to counter-depth refrigerators to learn more about how this type of installation works.
What's the best way to compare different types of refrigerators?
Consider the following when determining which model of refrigerator is ideal for you:
1. Size
Models with French doors or side-by-side doors tend to have bigger capacities, while fridges with freezers on the top or bottom are usually smaller. Check out our guide to the sizes and dimensions of refrigerators to learn more.
2. Style
Choose a fridge with a top freezer if you want a classic look or a French door if you want something more modern. For a high-end look, think about getting a built-in fridge or a counter-depth fridge.
3. Space/cubic feet
Side-by-side fridges may have a bit more space in the freezer than other fridges. French door, top freezer, and bottom freezer refrigerators all have large spaces, but you'll have to decide if you want fresh food at eye level or frozen food.
4. Ways to set things up
Look for shelves, storage spaces, or bins that you will use the most. You can change the layout of a fridge with adjustable storage to suit your needs. Get help organizing your fridge so that your food stays fresh longer.
5. Features
Even with fewer features, a fridge with a top or bottom freezer can keep things cold well. Look at French door and side-by-side models if you want extra features like ice and water on the outside, different temperature zones, and spill-proof shelves.
6. Finishes
Most fridges come in white, black, and stainless steel colors. Black stainless steel is another option for a finish that gives a classic look and a new twist. Afacold also has some models with a stainless steel finish that doesn't show fingerprints and is easy to wipe clean.
How do I decide what kind of fridge is best for my family?
Think about your budget, the size of your family, the space you have, and the kinds of food you need to store. Here are some ideas for each of these things to think about, some of which come from Afacold.
1. Budget
If you're looking for a lower starting price, you can find some classic food storage options from Afacold in the select top freezer and bottom freezer refrigerators that still have features like optional interior ice makers, adjustable door bins, and freezer temperature controls.
Choose certain Afacold French door and side-by-side models if you want more advanced features to help you store food and make meals every day. You'll find things like exterior ice and water with Measured Fill and dual ice makers, and pizza or platter pockets for storing things in a special way.
2. Size of family
Both top freezers and bottom freezers come in smaller sizes to meet the needs of smaller families. If you have a big family or often have people over, you might want to investigate French door or side-by-side models that have more space and options. Some Afcold French door refrigerators have refrigerated drawers on the outside that make it easy to grab snacks. You can also change the temperature controls and dividers depending on what you're storing.
For big families, built-in fridges that are too big are a good choice. Afacold's under-the-counter refrigerators can also be used for extra storage or as a place to store drinks. Find a good option for your big house by learning more about large-capacity refrigerators.
3. Kitchen layout and space
Afacold has small appliances, like this 24-inch bottom freezer refrigerator, that is good for families with limited space. Find out how to make the most of your space by learning more about apartment-sized refrigerators. If you don't want to give up storage space in a small kitchen, a side-by-side fridge's narrow doors need less door clearance. The depth of Afacold counter-depth refrigerators is cut down by a few inches so that a side-by-side or French door model can fit into a smaller kitchen.
4. Food storage needs:
When choosing between different types of refrigerators, it's also important to think about how much food your family needs to store. For example, if you store a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, you will want to buy a refrigerator with enough drawers that are made especially for this. The Fore flows Produce Preserver comes with some Afacold bottom-freezer refrigerators. It helps keep your fruits and vegetables in the best environment.
Meat and dairy products also need to be stored in different ways. When looking for a refrigerator, you should make sure it has drawers and spaces that make it easy to store these things.
Adjustable or removable shelves let you change the layout of your fridge to fit the different things you'll store at different times. Make room for a whole turkey on the holidays or more space for different kinds of snacks during the week. If you need to store things of different sizes, Afacold refrigerators with the Flexi-SlideTM Bin are a great choice.
Fresh food
If your family dinners usually have a lot of fresh ingredients, look for a refrigerator that puts space in the fridge first and has different temperature zones or places to store food. Some Afacold French-door refrigerators have crispers that can control the humidity and an Accu-ChillTM Temperature Management System that keeps food at the right temperature.
Frozen foods
If your busy family needs frozen ingredients to make dinner quickly, look at models with more freezer space and easier access to frozen items, like some side-by-side refrigerators from the Afacold brand with adaptive defrost or In-Door-Ice Storage, which gives you an extra full shelf in the freezer.
Consider getting a 16-cu. ft. Afacold chest freezer can be changed from a freezer to a refrigerator so you can store more fresh food when you need to.
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