You can independently sort the models you are interested in according to various parameters in our general catalog. Please note that integrated fridges are included in a separate section. They are characterized by the fact that they are integrated into special kitchen furniture recesses and their doors are fitted with exterior panels in the same style as the facade of the unit. As a result, the appliance looks perfect in the interior. The selection criteria for integrated units are essentially the same. But note that these fridges are generally more expensive, their variety is limited, and the installation process is more complicated (ideally requiring the assistance of specialists).

How to determine the dimensions of the fridge?

The primary and crucial factor in choosing large appliances is their dimensions. Consider the available space in the kitchen or adjacent areas, particularly in compact living situations where every centimeter matters.

First of all, the depth and width of the fridge should be taken into account. It is often not recommended to place the unit close to the wall (even if there is no radiator grille at the back). Plus, it is necessary to take into account the width of the door when opening it (however, many current models allow placement close to furniture or the wall). In any case, it is not superfluous to add a few centimeters to the actual overall dimensions.

It should also be noted that the current selection has mostly fridges with a width of 60 cm. Next are the models with 55 and 90 cm in the decreasing number of offers. In terms of depth, most units are 65 cm or nearly so (60 and 70 cm).

By the way, if the kitchen is really spacious, it is not a fact that you can take literally any model. After completing the finishing touches in your apartment or house, it's essential to check doorway dimensions and ensure there's ample space for entry into narrow corridors and turns. That's why it's important to think about which refrigeration unit to get, ideally even before a general renovation.

A high fridge is not always convenient, but it definitely gives a boost in capacity.

The optimal height is a fridge, the upper shelves of which are at eye level, and for housewives it is most often the range of 151 - 170 cm. But in practice, it is due to the increase in height that it is possible to compensate for the lack of kitchen space and achieve an increase in overall capacity. Therefore, at the stage of determining the dimensions, it is worth figuring out the required volume of the unit.

How many liters does a fridge need?

Manufacturers can specify both the total and useful volume of their models. It is worth focusing on the second indicator, because it reflects the real space for products. The space occupied by empty shelves and drawers is taken out of the total volume.

Capacity will be directly determined by the dimensions. So, there are models on sale with a width of 50 cm and a depth of 45 cm, but their volume rarely exceeds a modest value of 100 liters. But if the kitchen allows you to place a unit of 60 by 65 cm, then the capacity options can already be very different, up to 400+ liters. And a conventional 10 cm increase in width or depth will in practice very seriously add to the volume of the unit.

A bachelor or single woman usually does not need a spacious fridge.

When selecting the volume of a fridge, consider the number of occupants as the primary factor. Calculation of the minimum volume of the fridge chamber is made from the formula of 120 liters for one person + 60 liters for each next family member. So, a family of three people will need a model of at least 240 liters. The optimal value is considered to be about 300 liters. Plus it does not take into account the capacity of the freezer. Usually its dimension is ⅓ or ½ of the volume of the main chamber. That is, in total, for three people you need a unit of at least 320 liters. For four people it is possible to add to this value at least 80 liters (60 +⅓ x 60), and thus we get about 400 liters.

Keep in mind that the provided estimate is a general guideline and doesn't consider individual lifestyle or dietary habits. If you frequently cook and store frozen foods or plan to expand your family, opting for larger capacity in both the fridge and freezer is advisable. On the contrary, if you often dine out or rely on ready-made meals, a smaller unit may suffice.

Let us remind you once again that you can get more useful liters with the same width and depth by choosing high models, including those up to 2 meters or even more. But sometimes, on the contrary, low fridges that fit under the countertop can be a real salvation in a small kitchen.

Popular classic two-chamber fridges

Which fridge to take: vertical “classic”, Side-by-side or French-door?

Currently, refrigerators with a classic vertical layout are the most widely favored. Typically featuring two compartments (main and freezer) stacked one above the other, these models often come with separate doors for each section, though single-door variants exist. The variety of classic models caters to a broad range of needs, suitable for both individuals and large families.

If earlier there were almost no alternatives to the “classic”, now the situation has changed. Side-by-side or French-door models are also suitable for relatively spacious kitchens, including private households and studio apartments and other housing with modern layouts.

Side-by-side fridge is the choice for spacious living.

Side-by-side is a fridge with doors located side by side. Most often, these models are quite spacious and suitable for large families. One door here is quite narrow (behind it is the freezer), and the second is wide (the fridge compartment is located here), and the chambers are located horizontally. Compared to solutions with a classic layout, Side-by-side is always wider (usually 90 cm) and often lower.

French-door fridge typically features 4 doors, although other layouts exist, including double doors and multiple drawers. These models are characterized by a vertical division into chambers, with a freezer at the bottom and a fridge compartment at the top. Often associated with Side-by-side units due to similar dimensions and increased width, French-door fridges are well-suited for spacious kitchens and large families.

A French-door is another spacious unit for a large family.

Refrigerated cabinets are a separate category. They have a classic vertical layout (usually with one chamber) and a transparent door, which makes them an excellent choice for sales. In the home, they are practically not used.

Side-by-side fridges

How many chambers are needed and where should the freezer be located?

All fridges are divided into single-, two- and multi-chamber (most often with three compartments). The most popular variants today are those with a pair of chambers, in other words, with a main and a freezing zone. The second place in popularity belongs to single-chamber models. This is a good option for the following categories of users:

  • users that have a freezer or chest. By the way, a tandem of a single-compartment fridge and a freestanding freezer of the same height can be used to create a Side-by-side solution: usually, manufacturers even offer special fasteners to place the appliances side-by-side without gaps;
  • users who need an additional refrigerated compartment. This is relevant, for example, for large families;
  • those who do not need freezing. This option is relevant, for example, for country houses, where only a "weekend" fridge is required.

Three-chamber fridges typically include an additional zero chamber with a clear focus on temperature regulation. This compartment, isolated from the main chambers, is ideal for storing fresh meat, fish, poultry, seafood, as well as dairy products, sausages, cheeses, cooked meats, and herbs. In some cases, the third chamber may serve other purposes, such as a wine cabinet.

Freezers

Fridges with multi-zones feature a compartment that can operate in various modes, such as serving as the main compartment, zero chamber, or freezer. In advanced models like those from Samsung, this function may be integrated into the freezer. While not always in high demand, the multi-zone feature adds versatility. You can initially use the fridge as a standard 2-chamber model and later, perhaps after expanding your family or completing a country house, use the universal compartment as an additional refrigeration chamber. For frozen foods, you can then opt for a separate device.

Traditionally, when choosing a fridge, it is important for some users to decide where the freezer should be located. There are actually three main options:

  • at the bottom — the most popular option today. It is considered to be the most convenient, because we use fresh food more often than frozen food, so users will have to bend down less often. The majority of classic fridges and almost all hinged models have a bottom freezer. And some units have bottom sliding boxes for storing frozen goods;
  • on the top. This is a slightly outdated option, which was popular before. In general, these units provide more convenient access to the freezer compartment. They should be chosen by those who often use frozen foods (fruits and vegetables, semi-finished products, etc.);
  • on the side. This is an exclusive feature of Side-by-side fridges, and this is not found in other models. It is quite convenient to use such models, although at first it will be necessary to get used to it. The most required products both in the main and low-temperature compartment can be placed on the middle or upper shelves.
The top-mounted freezer will force you to bend over before using the fridge compartment, squat or...

What defrosting system is needed: No Frost or drip?

Defrosting the fridge is considered one of the most labor-intensive maintenance procedures. In older models, due to icing and frost caps, this had to be done quite often. Today, manufacturers provide various systems and functions that reduce the rate of ice formation in the working compartment. The most famous of them is No Frost technology.

Today, the No Frost function is very popular. There are many models on sale with Full No Frost technology implemented in all compartments and this function only in the freezer. The principle of operation is reduced to air circulation and elimination of excess moisture, which becomes ice when it freezes. As a result, the compartment with No Frost does not need defrosting at all, but there are some nuances. Firstly, the moisture removal causes drying of open food products (that's why it is recommended to cover them). Secondly, it is still necessary to clean the fridge at least once a year.

The No Frost system provides ventilation and removal of excess moisture from the working compartments.

An alternative to this technology is the drip system. The compressor is periodically switched off, and moisture (condensate) simply flows down the back wall of the working compartment into a special tray. The system does not protect 100% from ice, so after about 6 months manual defrosting will be needed. Today, however, there is sometimes a combination of drip system and dynamic cooling, which slows down the formation of frost much more.

The drip system is cheaper and does not lead to over-drying of food. But it cannot be implemented in a freezer, where it is necessary to constantly maintain sub-zero temperatures.

You can read more about these technologies in our material “Educational programme on No Frost technology: principle of operation, components, pros and cons.”

Note that it is not necessary to chase the Full No Frost models that are so popular today. The combination of No-frost technology in the freezer compartment and drip defrost in the fridge compartment looks very balanced. As a result, manual defrosting is often unnecessary and there is no need to hide food from drying out.

Two-chamber fridges with No Frost

What kind of compressor is needed? What are the advantages of an inverter?

Modern units are more often equipped not with a simple, but with an inverter compressor. It should be reminded that it is actually a pump that supplies the cooling circuits with the refrigerant Freon. The usual compressor is turned on and off, and due to the alternation of these cycles the necessary temperature mode in the compartments is maintained. The inverter works all the time, providing smooth power regulation. This gives the following advantages to a fridge with such a pump:

  • increased reliability and durability;
  • more precise adjustment of operating modes;
  • low noise level;
  • high energy efficiency;
  • low inrush currents (important for old wiring, standby power supply systems).
The reliability of inverters is usually confirmed by a long warranty from the manufacturer.

An inverter compressor is more expensive than a regular one. The additional cost for an inverter seems justified for several reasons. Firstly, manufacturers often offer an extended warranty for the inverter, sometimes up to 10 years or more. Secondly, there are significant energy savings associated with inverter models. While a high-quality 300+ liter fridge with an A++ energy efficiency rating consumes about 300 kWh per year, an inverter unit with a B (new) rating consumes 2.5 times less, totaling 130 kWh. This makes it a more energy-efficient and cost-effective choice in the long run.

It is worth saying that occasionally the increased efficiency of fridhes results in a slight reduction in volume (about 5 liters) with equal dimensions. Probably, this capacity is “stolen” by additional thermal insulation materials, which improve cold retention and allow the compressor to operate at lower power.

If you still have questions about energy consumption, we recommend reading the following material: “Energy labeling reform: new gradations of energy efficiency classes for household appliances.”

A pleasant bonus of inverter technology is the low noise level, which is usually below 40 dB, and in the best models — no higher than 36 dB. This is definitely true for studio apartments, because a noisy fridge can interfere with sleep.

It is also worth saying that most modern 2-chamber fridges provide two cooling circuits — independent for the main and freezer compartments. This feature allows you to separately adjust temperature conditions, and if the temperature in the fridge compartment rises, the power in the freezer does not change. In single-circuit models, although the temperatures are different, the cooling intensity (power) setting is common.

Occasionally, fridges are equipped with two compressors at once, which is typical for premium solutions. In this case, the number of cooling circuits is also at least two (and maybe more). But here complete independence of adjustments is ensured. In addition, one of the compressors can be turned off (for example, to wash the internal walls), and the second will continue to function. Also, such a model will remain operational even if one pump driving freon fails.

Two-chamber fridges with inverter compressor

What should be inside the fridge? What shelves, drawers and compartments are needed?

Efficient organization of internal space is a crucial factor in selecting a fridge. Freezers are generally easier to navigate with retractable transparent drawers and, at times, a spacious compartment for large items. Additional features may include an ice maker and a slim shelf, which, despite its small height, provides convenient storage for items like puff pastry, herbs, or homemade frozen goods such as dumplings.

The arrangement of the fridge compartment's internal space offers more flexibility. Typically, there are several adjustable glass shelves and at least one drawer for storing vegetables and fruits. In modern models, there is often a designated freshness or humidity zone, providing better control over moisture levels to prevent fruits and vegetables from drying out (especially relevant for No Frost). This freshness zone can function as a zero chamber for storing meat, fish, and dairy products when maintained at around 0 degrees. Alternatively, if the temperature in the Fresh Zone is slightly higher, it becomes an ideal container for fruits and vegetables.

The internal organization of the fridge is made up of shelves and drawers that allow you to avoid clutter and quickly find what you need.

Folding shelves can also be provided in the fridge compartment. They are partially or completely removed, freeing up more space for large utensils or products, like a whole watermelon. Other standard equipment features include a hanging bottle holder and, of course, door pockets. On these shelves it is convenient to place various sauces, eggs, butter and other small products that need quick access.

In high-end fridges, you may find minibars accessible through an extra transparent door for easy drink retrieval, water dispensers that supply cold liquid (sometimes integrated with a remote ice maker), and the aforementioned wine chambers.

Another notable aspect of internal organization is the use of telescopic guides. While not widespread, they can be found in both the main and low-temperature compartments of fridges. Telescopic guides enable drawers to effortlessly slide out, even when fully loaded. However, these components significantly raise the cost of the appliance and are most commonly found in models within the highest price range.

Two-chamber fridges with a freshness zone (zero chamber)

Useful features and controls

Fridges offer more than just temperature adjustment for various compartments; they often include other useful functions. Rapid cooling and freezing, in particular, are designed to prevent an increase in temperature within the chambers when introducing a large quantity of new items, such as after a significant grocery shopping trip for the week.

Many more models have a holiday mode (in the absence of food, the unit operates at a higher temperature and eliminates the formation of bad odors inside), child lock and an indication of door opening. So, if you do not close the latter, a sound alarm (and sometimes a light indication) is triggered.

Controls play a crucial role in using these features, varying in type (rotary, push-button, touch, or with a TFT display) and location (inside or outside). External touch panels are notably more convenient than internal buttons, eliminating the need to open the refrigerator to adjust settings such as temperature. Notably, one of the clear distinctions in built-in units is the absence of external panels, as they would be concealed by a decorative kitchen unit front.

Increasingly, there are models with the ability to remotely control and integrate into the smart home ecosystem. They allow you to adjust temperatures and/or activate additional options via the Internet.

You can even watch movies on top-end fridges. Whether it is necessary is another matter.

Performance, autonomy and climate class

Important functions of a fridge include freezing power and autonomous cold storage time. The first parameter determines the performance of the freezer — how much food (in kg) can be frozen per day. A value of 15 kg and above is considered high for normal household needs.

The cold retention period indicates the thermal insulation effectiveness of working compartments, typically referring to low-temperature areas. It denotes the duration products are safe from spoilage during a power outage, often specifying the number of hours the freezer temperature will stay above -9 °C.

It's crucial to choose the appropriate climate class to ensure the refrigerator's optimal performance and adherence to specified characteristics. Often overlooked, this parameter is significant. For moderate climates, SN or N class units are ideal, while ST and T are recommended for hotter regions. To mitigate issues in both hot and cold conditions, especially during transitional seasons, it's advisable to consider models with an extended temperature range, such as SN-ST, which combines multiple climate classes.

Our material “Climate classes of fridges and freezers” will allow you to understand this issue in more detail.

Design features

Appearance is also an important point for free-standing fridges. Today, the user can not only choose a device by color, but also count on other interesting design features. In terms of colors, the most popular solutions, as before, are white. But silver (stainless steel), black, graphite, and beige variations are also popular. If necessary, you can choose something even more extravagant — a red, turquoise, green or even multi-colored model.

Plus, when choosing the design of the unit, customers have access to:

Retro design is popular again.
  • different handles. There are ordinary and hidden. The first ones are more visible and can act as an additional design element, while the second ones are more laconic and practical — they don't protrude, so you can't accidentally hit them while passing by. In addition, there are occasionally appliances with illuminated handles, which increases convenience when visiting the kitchen in the evening or at night;
  • retro design. There are quite a lot of such fridges on sale, they are stylized in an antique style, ideally combined with a kitchen interior with the same design;
  • glass finishing of the front surface. It looks more impressive than the usual design. By the way, along with gloss, there are now also frosted glass surfaces, which are beautiful, but more laconic;
  • replaceable panels. This is a feature of Samsung's BeSpoke line of fridges. So, if you like to change your interior design more often than buy new household appliances, then this feature (a different front panel) will refresh your kitchen design.

Note that a color display, minibar or dispenser also transforms the appearance of the fridge. But almost any design element (including non-traditional colors) usually makes the device more expensive.

Conclusions

After considering the key parameters mentioned earlier, it's essential to also factor in the brand reputation and pricing of the models. In the mid-price range, standout choices come from Korean brands LG and Samsung, along with Gorenje and Whirlpool. Bosch fridges, while comparable in features, tend to be slightly pricier. In the premium segment, Liebherr is often regarded as the top choice. For more budget-friendly options, Beko and Indesit offer relatively inexpensive units.

In conclusion, here are some tips:

  • start choosing a fridhe by measuring the kitchen and determining the location for the unit;
  • vertical 2-chamber models remain the most universal choice, while for larger spaces you can consider Side-by-side or French-door;
  • the No Frost system is very popular today, but if you are worried about the problem of drying out food, then you can consider a drip defrosting system for the fridge compartment;
  • it is better to take a model with a compressor investor, which is more reliable, quieter and more economical;
  • thoughtful organization of space with practical shelves, drawers and compartments is a guarantee of order and convenient access to all products;
  • before purchasing, it would be a good idea to look at the freezing performance and the autonomous cold storage time;
  • additional functions and design features of modern refrigerators are very diverse, but they almost always increase the cost of the device.