Side By Side Vs French Door Refrigerator 2024

The refrigerator is often considered the favorite spot of all the family members. So, the selection of the best-suited refrigerator for your family is a tedious job.

Side-by-side and French door refrigerators both have their own specialties. But some major differences can make you think twice about your purchase. This article guides you more about side by side vs French door refrigerators based on their pros, cons, price, size, capacity, energy efficiency, etc.

Definition:

Definition of Side-by-side Refrigerator:

Side-by-side refrigerators feature a top-to-bottom design and consist of double doors that open from opposite sides. This type of refrigerator has a vertical freezer on one side and a refrigerator on the other side. Together, these two narrow compartments represent the full height of the unit.

Some advanced features like indoor ice and water dispensers are also available in this type of refrigerator. A side-by-side refrigerator also has shelves that run along the length of the refrigerator door. Thus, it offers more door storage.

If you have limited space in your kitchen, then you should buy a side-by-side refrigerator as it requires less space for the doors to swing open.

Side By Side Vs French Door Refrigerator

Definition of French Door Refrigerator:

A French-door refrigerator comprises a refrigerator compartment with double doors on the top and a freezer compartment with a large pullout drawer below it. These refrigerators are usually wider than other refrigerators.

The design of a French-door refrigerator makes it more energy-efficient than side-by-side refrigerators. As you can open one side of the door at a single time, it does not allow much cold air to escape. Thus it saves energy and reduces electricity bills.

Pros and Cons

Pros of Side-by-side Refrigerator

It has a large freezer compartment. So, you can store more frozen items inside it.
The freezer compartment has several shelves to organize frozen items easily.
It has narrow doors so it takes less space to open the doors.
It also has a large fresh food compartment, so that you can store more food items.
It has an exterior ice and water dispenser feature.

Cons of Side-by-side Refrigerator

The side-by-side refrigerator’s compartments are tall and narrow. So, you may face difficulty in storing wide and over-sized items.
You have to bend down to find out foods that are stored on the lower shelves.

Pros of French Door Refrigerator

It has a larger refrigerator capacity and offers more storage space to store fresh foods.
This refrigerator has wider shelves and compartments so that can you store large items inside it.
The doors of a French door refrigerator are wider and offer more storage space.
You can keep your favorite foods at eye level so that you will not find any difficulty in finding out the food items.
It has an exterior ice and water dispenser feature.

Cons of French Door Refrigerator

Its freezer capacity is smaller. So, if you have to store more frozen items you should buy a side-by-side refrigerator.
As the freezer compartment is located at the bottom side, you have to bend down to take out any item from the freezer.
French door refrigerators are expensive.

Dimension

Dimension of Side-by-side Refrigerator

A side-by-side refrigerator has an average width of 30 to 36 inches and its height ranges between 67 to 70 inches. The depth of this type of refrigerator is between 29 to 35 inches.

This type of refrigerator has a narrow freezer compartment on one side and a wider refrigerator compartment on the other side. The size of a side-by-side refrigerator is almost similar to the French-door refrigerator.

Dimension of French Door Refrigerator

A French door refrigerator’ width varies from 30 to 36 inches. Its height varies between 67 to 70 inches and the depth of this refrigerator is approximately between 29 to 35 inches. A French-door refrigerator has a larger freezer compartment to store frozen foods.

Capacity

Capacity of Side-by-side Refrigerator

The capacity of side-by-side refrigerators varies between 20 cu. ft. to 28 cu. ft. In this type of refrigerator, the capacity of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is almost equal. In some models, the freezer compartment is narrower than the refrigerator compartment.

Capacity of French Door Refrigerator

A French door refrigerator is typically wider than a side-by-side refrigerator and it offers approximately 30 cubic inches of storage space. In this type of refrigerator, maximum capacity is allocated to the refrigerator compartment so that you can store more fresh foods.

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency of Side-by-side Refrigerator

A side-by-side refrigerator is comparatively less energy efficient than the French door refrigerator. If you need any item from the fridge you have to open the entire front door which causes more cold air to escape. But if you don’t open the fridge frequently, then it uses the same amount of energy as a French door refrigerator.

Energy Efficiency of French Door Refrigerator

A French-door refrigerator is considered more energy-efficient than a side-by-side refrigerator. Rather than opening the entire front side, you can just open only one side. This means one side is exposed and less cool air is lost at a single time. Thus, it uses less energy to operate and also saves energy bills.

Price

Price of Side-by-side Refrigerator

A side-by-side refrigerator is comparatively less costly than a French-door refrigerator. Its price range is between $800 to $8000 based on the model and advanced features.

Price of French Door Refrigerator

A French-door refrigerator is more expensive than a side-by-side refrigerator. Its price varies from $1000 to $8000. Usually, the premium models are available for a higher price range.

Side By Side Vs French Door Refrigerator

	Side-by-side refrigerator	French-door refrigerator
Definition	It features a top-to-bottom design and consists of double doors that open from opposite sides. It has a vertical freezer on one side and a refrigerator on the other side.	A French-door refrigerator comprises a refrigerator compartment with double doors on the top and a freezer compartment with a large pullout drawer below it.
Large compartment	It has a large freezer compartment.	It has a large refrigerator compartment.
Capacity	The capacity of side-by-side refrigerators varies between 20 cu. ft. to 28 cu. ft.	A French door refrigerator is typically wider than a side-by-side refrigerator and it offers approximately 30 cubic inches of storage space.
Energy efficiency	A side-by-side refrigerator is comparatively less energy efficient than the French door refrigerator.	Its energy efficiency is higher.
Price	A side-by-side refrigerator is comparatively less costly than a French-door refrigerator. Its price range is between $800 to $8000	A French-door refrigerator is more expensive than a side-by-side refrigerator. Its price varies from $1000 to $8000.

Conclusion:

Selecting between a side-by-side and French-door refrigerator is completely based on your personal preferences. French door refrigerators are wider and it offers more storage space. Rather than opening the entire front side, you can just open only one side. This means these refrigerators are more energy efficient. These refrigerators are more expensive than the side-by-side refrigerators.

Side-by-side refrigerator has narrow doors so it takes less space to open the doors. It has a large freezer compartment so it offers more storage space for frozen items. These refrigerators are less energy efficient and also less costly than the French door refrigerator.

Both types of refrigerators offer some common advanced features like an exterior ice and water dispenser, adaptable shelving, fast cooling, crisper drawers with humidity controls, etc.

FAQS

What is the disadvantage of a side-by-side fridge?

The disadvantages of side-by-side refrigerators are:

The side-by-side refrigerator’s compartments are tall and narrow. So, you may face difficulty in storing wide and over-sized items.
You have to bend down to find out foods that are stored on the lower shelves.
Side-by-side refrigerators are less energy efficient than French door refrigerators.

2. What is the disadvantage of a French door refrigerator?

The disadvantages of French door refrigerators are:

Its freezer capacity is smaller. So, if you have to store more frozen items you should buy a side-by-side refrigerator.
As the freezer compartment is located at the bottom side, you have to bend down to take out any frozen item from the freezer.
French door refrigerators are expensive.