If your home’s refrigerator is on its last leg, you’re probably already scouring the internet looking for your new replacement. Since most refrigerators tend to last more than ten years, your priorities may have changed since your last refrigerator purchase.
As the top freezer refrigerator loses popularity, side-by-side and double door (or french door) fridges continue to gain traction. So what is the best refrigerator for your home currently: a side-by-side or a double door, aka french door, refrigerator?
Many homeowners have strong opinions when it comes to side-by-side vs. double-door refrigerators. Some people swear by side-by-side refrigerators, while others won’t settle for anything other than the french door style. But, what are the differences? How can these different refrigerator styles benefit you?
Below, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of side-by-side vs. double-door refrigerators so that you can determine the best refrigerator for your home.
1. Convenience
When it comes to home appliances, convenience is something that many homeowners take into consideration. Before choosing between a side-by-side vs. double-door refrigerator, you should think about which style will fit your kitchen layout best.
Side-by-Side Style
Side-by-side fridges have two equal-sized doors: one is for frozen items while the other is for fresh produce. This might be the best refrigerator for your home if you’re looking to store equal amounts of frozen and fresh foods.
The narrow doors on a side-by-side are typically great for tighter spaces. Plus, newer models of side-by-side refrigerators include ice makers designed to give you more overall space in your freezer. This means you don’t have to sacrifice precious shelf space to accommodate an ice maker.
French Door Style
French door fridges have a top two-door compartment for fresh items, plus a draw-style bottom freezer for storing frozen items. Due to having a smaller freezer size, these styles are great if you want to keep more fresh ingredients than frozen or are looking for bottom freezer refrigerators. Also, similarly to side-by-side models, french door refrigerators come in various sizes and are overall designed to fit in smaller, more compact spaces.
2. Customization
In choosing the best refrigerator for your home, you want your appliance to be able to adjust to your needs. Both side-by-sides and french styles tend to have customizable shelves, which is excellent if you need to accommodate different-sized food items constantly.
However, one complaint homeowners have about side-by-sides is the narrow compartment sizes. Because of this design, some find it hard to store certain wider-sized items such as pizzas or large serving trays. In general, french door styles have wider compartments that allow you to store bigger items.
3. Performance
Of course, we can’t discuss side-by-side vs. double-door refrigerators without comparing performance. The vertical design of the side-by-side can be somewhat of a problem when it comes to an even distribution of cooling. As colder air tends to sink to the bottom of refrigerators, there is often less consistent cooling across the shelves, with the bottom shelves getting the most frigid air.
By design, french door models tend to perform better than their side-by-side counterparts. However, there is no clear winner in the cooling power of french doors and side-by-sides; cooling power is often very similar between the two. No matter which style you choose, any new refrigerator will significantly upgrade from your old model because of its advanced features and high energy efficiency.
4. Personal Preferences
If you’re looking for a new refrigerator in the Cayman Islands, remember to consider the factors that mean the most to you. If energy efficiency is a significant factor, look for fridges with ENERGY STAR® certifications. Similarly, if you’re shopping for a modern design, look for fingerprint-resistant stainless steel models or styles that feature crisp LED lighting.
You may also want to check out:
- Refrigerator counter depth
- Overall storage space
- Humidity controls
Trust the Professionals
Are you still undecided on the best refrigerator for your home? If you need help choosing between a side-by-side vs. a double-door refrigerator, contact Appliance Doctors today. We perform refrigerator installations in the Cayman Islands and carry various refrigerator models to fit your needs!
