Key points
- Top-mounted fridges are typically more energy efficient than bottom-mounted fridges, but come with less freezer space.
- A side-by-side or French door fridge might be better for kitchens with little space between the fridge and counter due to the shorter door length.
- While bar fridges are convenient and easy to move, they are typically the least energy efficient type of fridge.
Buying a new fridge is a big investment that should last you a long time. That’s why understanding the ins and outs of the different types of fridges is so important. In this guide, we break down different types of fridges and everything you need to know if you’re thinking of buying a new one.
Types of fridges
This guide assesses five types of fridges:
- Top-mount fridges
- Bottom-mount fridges
- Side-by-side fridges
- French door fridges
- Bar and drinks fridges
Top-mount fridges
A top-mounted refrigerator is a single-column refrigerator, with the top third (approximately) dedicated to a separate freezer compartment. This type of fridge typically costs from $500 to upwards of $2,000. Top-mounted fridges also tend to be the most energy-efficient type of fridge due to the heat from the compressor being further from the cooling system.
Benefits of a top-mount fridge
Top mount fridges offer a range of benefits including:
- Often cheaper than bottom-mount or French door fridges
- Have an easy access top-mounted freezer
- Economical to run and usually energy efficient
Bottom-mount fridges
As the name suggests, a bottom-mount fridge is just like a top-mount fridge, with the obvious exception being that the freezer compartment is at the bottom. Generally speaking, these models are less common, which means less variety from different brands. They also tend to be less efficient or more expensive than a top freezer model.
Benefits of bottom-mount fridges
Although bottom-mount fridges are less energy efficient, they still have a number of benefits:
- Bottom freezer means easier access to the fridge section
- Easy storage with a larger freezer space
- Easier to clean and service
Side-by-side fridges
Side-by-side fridges are essentially fridges split in half, with one half being the fridge side and the other the freezer side. For those who tend to freeze leftovers in high volume, this type of fridge may be ideal. Some side-by-side fridges allocate slightly more room for the fridge section, however, the freezer will still be larger than that of any top or bottom freezer model.
Benefits of side-by-side fridges
Side-by-side fridges are a larger model of refrigerator that offer benefits including:
- Easy access to both fridge and freezer
- Larger capacity for families and meal preppers
- Include features such as an ice maker and filtered water tap on the door
French door fridges
Possibly the most versatile – and most expensive – type of fridge, French door fridges are similar in width to side-by-side models and typically have the entire bottom third devoted to freezer space. Most French door fridges retail from $2,000 to upwards of $5,000 depending on the added features. As with side-by-side fridges, the fridge door is split into two, opening from the centre. Some French door fridges have a single door for the freezer section, while others will have two.
Benefits of French door fridges
As a more premium mode, French door fridges offer a wealth of benefits including:
- Added features such as filtered water tap and ice maker
- Double the storage space with a large bottom-mount freezer
- Less clearance is required between the fridge door and surrounding surfaces like benchtops
Bar Fridges
Bar fridges can be a tempting purchase as the summer season rolls around and you find yourself spending more time on the back deck and wanting quick access to a cold drink. Bar fridges benefit from being very cheap and they get the job done when it comes to keeping food and drinks cold.
Many bar fridges are under 100L, with some as small as 50L, however, bar fridges are rather energy-inefficient relative to their size. In fact, they often use similar amounts of electricity as regular-sized fridges, but at less than a quarter of their capacity.
Benefits of bar fridges
While bar fridges may be somewhat energy inefficient, they offer a number of benefits including:
- Useful for drinks and entertaining in outdoor spaces
- Cheap to purchase
- Easy to move around
What type of fridge should I buy?
Which type of fridge you buy comes down to a number of factors including how many people are in your household, storage space and energy efficiency. For those looking for something basic, a top- or bottom-mounted fridge is ideal. For those looking for a longer-term investment for a family, a French or double door may be the best choice. Compare different types of fridges to make the right choice today.
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