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How to Choose a Refrigerator

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Types of Refrigerators - How to Choose a Refrigerator

With so many options available on the market today, it can be quite difficult finding the right refrigerator. From bare bones basic to top-of-the-line tech-filled and everything in between, trying to decide which fridge can seem like a daunting task. If you’ve found yourself in this predicament and aren’t sure where to start, we’ve compiled a list of tips, tricks and food for thought to help you find your perfect refrigerator.

Measure Your Space

First thing’s first, you need to know the space you’re working with before going out and buying a fridge. Measure the height, width and depth of the space your new refrigerator will be placed. After taking all of your measurements, subtract at least 1” to allow for wiggle room and space for your refrigerator to properly ventilate.

Take the space around the refrigerator into consideration as well. Are there cabinets that might inhibit the door(s) from opening? Will an open refrigerator door make it hard to move around in your kitchen? Keep these factors in mind before you start looking.

Choose Your Perfect Type

Refrigerators nowadays come in a variety of styles, so it can be difficult trying to figure out how to choose the type that will suit your needs. Here is a quick guide on each refrigerator type and what they’re great for:

Side-by-Side

  • Refrigerator on one side and a freezer on the other side
  • Often have an ice maker and water dispenser built-in
  • Feature smaller doors that are great for tighter spaces

Bottom-Freezer

  • Freezer compartment is located on the bottom of the appliance, with the refrigerator taking the upper ⅔ of space
  • Larger refrigerator capacity
  • Perfect for keeping fresh food within reach

Top-Freezer Refrigerator

  • Freezer compartment is located at the top of the unit, while the refrigerator portion takes the lower ⅔ of space
  • Larger refrigerator capacity
  • Great for keeping frozen food within reach

French Door

  • Combines a side-by-side style and bottom-freezer design into one refrigerator
  • Gives you space to keep fresh foods organized and within reach
  • Smaller doors are great for tighter spaces

Undercounter

  • Compact, built-in refrigerators
  • Take up minimal space
  • Great as beverage or wine fridges

Mini

  • Freestanding compact fridge
  • Range in size from 1.7 cu. ft. to over 5 cu. ft.
  • Ideal for offices, waiting rooms, dorm rooms and other small spaces

Interior Capacity

Up next: capacity. This part may seem the trickiest, but don’t worry! We’ll break it down for you so you can make an informed decision. You’ll need to take a few key points into consideration before you start shopping, such as your household’s size, your lifestyle and your shopping habits. 

First, how many cubic feet of refrigerator space do you need? According to Best Buy’s suggestion:

  • A single adult will need at least 4-6 cu. ft. of refrigerator space
  • Two adults will need around 12-18 cu. ft. of refrigerator space, depending on how often they cook at home 
  • A family of four will require a minimum of 20 cu. ft.  

Next, think about your lifestyle. How often do you cook? Do you use more fresh foods or frozen foods? Do you buy food in bulk? Do you buy a lot of produce or meat? What kinds of foods do you typically keep in a refrigerator? Any sauces, dressings or condiments? Do you use milk? Knowing these tidbits will help you keep in mind how you’ll utilize the interior of your fridge and freezer. 

Features

Refrigerators nowadays come with a myriad of features to consider. While you’re shopping around, keep your lifestyle in mind again to see what features are must-haves for you. Here’s a breakdown of some common features you may find:

  • Interior storage space
  • Adjustable shelves and 
  • Organizational features like drawers and dividers
  • Icemaker with dispenser
  • Water dispenser
  • Touchscreen
  • Wi-fi connectivity
  • Interior camera
  • Door-within-door

Keep in mind that some of these features may raise the cost of the refrigerator, so make sure they fit within your budget.

If you’re furnishing your whole kitchen and need additional advice on appliance-buying, check out our guide on how to choose a dishwasher.

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