Refrigerator Buying Guide
Summary
- Refrigerator Types: Choosing the Right Installation for Your Kitchen
- Choosing the Configuration That Fits Your Needs
- Do You Have the Dimensions of Your Space?
- Check Whether Your Refrigerator Doors Can Open Fully
- Features and Options to Consider
- Preparing for Refrigerator Installation
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Refrigerator
Refrigerator Types: Choosing the Right Installation for Your Kitchen
Before comparing layouts or features, start with the installation type. Built-in, counter-depth, or freestanding refrigerators each work differently depending on your space and how your kitchen is set up. Here’s how to know which one fits best.
Built-In Refrigerator
A built-in refrigerator sits flush with your cabinetry, creating a clean, seamless look. Some models accept custom panels, so the appliance blends in completely with your kitchen.
This option is ideal if you want your refrigerator to disappear into your cabinets and look like part of the kitchen, not a standalone appliance.
Counter-Depth Refrigerator
Shallower than standard models, counter-depth refrigerators align with your countertops and keep walkways clear. They’re available in both built-in and freestanding designs.
Choose this option if you don’t want the refrigerator sticking out into the room or if your kitchen layout requires a precise counter-depth fit.
Freestanding Refrigerator
With finished sides and flexible placement, freestanding refrigerators are easy to install and easy to replace. They come in a wide range of styles and finishes to suit different kitchens.
This type is right for you if you’re replacing an existing refrigerator without remodeling your kitchen.
Choosing the Configuration That Fits Your Needs
How do you actually use your refrigerator every day? The way you cook and organize your food plays a bigger role than the number of doors or advertised capacity. Some configurations simply work better for certain habits.
French-Door Refrigerators
With two refrigerator doors on top and a freezer drawer below, French door models offer wide storage and clear visibility. Opening just one door helps reduce cold air loss.
You’ll appreciate this layout if you cook for several people or regularly host family and friends.
Top-Freezer Refrigerators
This classic configuration prioritizes refrigerator space, with the freezer located above. About one-third of the unit is dedicated to frozen food, leaving plenty of room for fresh items. It’s straightforward and easy to use.
A good fit if you mainly rely on fresh food and want something simple and efficient.
Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Placing the freezer below keeps fresh foods at eye level, making everyday access easier. The freezer is often designed as a pull-out drawer, which helps with organization.
This setup works well if fresh ingredients are central to your cooking, and you want better organization for frozen items.
Freezerless Refrigerators
By eliminating the freezer entirely, this type maximizes space for fresh food. It’s often chosen when a separate freezer is already in use or when refrigeration is the top priority.
Worth considering if you regularly run out of space for fresh groceries.
Side-by-Side Refrigerators
In a side-by-side layout, the refrigerator and freezer sit next to each other vertically. This makes both sections easy to access and keeps everything in view.
A practical choice if you use the freezer just as often as the refrigerator.
Compact Refrigerators
Designed for small spaces or secondary use, compact refrigerators fit easily under a counter or in an auxiliary room. They’re perfect for keeping drinks and essentials close at hand.
Best used as a secondary refrigerator in an office, bar area, or basement, rather than as a main unit.
The First Question Our Specialists Ask: Do You Have the Dimensions of Your Space?
It’s almost always where our in-store specialists start: have you measured the space where your refrigerator will be installed? Knowing the width, height and depth can immediately rule out many models that simply won’t work in your kitchen.
It’s also one of the most common mistakes our teams see: shopping for a refrigerator before carefully measuring the available space at home. Taking a few measurements before you shop can save you from finding a model you like, only to discover that it won’t fit your space.
But measuring the available space isn’t always enough. You also need to consider what’s around the refrigerator and make sure there’s enough clearance for the doors to open. A refrigerator can fit perfectly into the space… and still not have enough room for its doors to open properly.
Your Refrigerator Fits the Space. Now Make Sure the Doors Can Open
It’s a detail our specialists often see overlooked: a refrigerator can fit perfectly into the available space without having enough clearance for the doors to open properly.
This is especially important when the appliance is installed next to a wall or cabinet. Depending on the door and hinge design, the refrigerator may need to extend slightly beyond the surrounding cabinetry to allow the doors to open fully. You’ll also want to make sure they open far enough to easily remove drawers and crisper bins.
Some models, however, are specifically designed for tighter spaces. Certain LG Zero Clearance™ refrigerators, for example, feature hinges that allow the fridge to be installed nearly flush with the surrounding cabinetry while still allowing both doors to open fully. For the LF24Z6330S, LG recommends just 4 mm (0.16 in.) of clearance between the sides of the refrigerator and the wall.
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Features and Options to Consider
Choose features that match how you actually use your refrigerator and make everyday life easier.
Built-In Water Dispenser: Ice and Water at Your Fingertips
A built-in dispenser gives you cold water—and ice on select models—on demand. It’s especially convenient for families and when hosting guests.
Humidity Control for Fresher Produce
Proper humidity control helps fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer by reducing odors and moisture loss. Crispers with independent humidity settings are particularly effective for extending the life of fresh produce.
Custom Temperature Zones
Some refrigerators offer dedicated zones with adjustable temperatures, designed to store different types of food at their ideal conditions. This helps preserve items like meat and dairy more effectively.
Deli and Cheese Drawer
A dedicated deli or cheese drawer keeps delicate foods at the right temperature and separates them from other items to prevent odor transfer—handy for entertaining and special occasions.
Adjustable Temperature Drawer
This flexible drawer lets you set the temperature based on what you’re storing, whether it’s wine, soft drinks, or fresh vegetables—keeping everything at the right chill.
Adjustable Shelves and Door Bins
Adjustable shelves and door bins provide maximum flexibility to help you organize and store your food. Some models allow you to customize the interior layout, making room for tall pitchers or adjusting shelf height to accommodate large platters.
Smart Refrigerator: Remote Access and Monitoring
A connected refrigerator can be controlled through a mobile app. Receive alerts for maintenance and temperature changes, and monitor energy usage in real time.
Style and Design: From Retro Charm to Modern Aesthetics
Today’s refrigerators go beyond functionality—they contribute to your kitchen’s overall look. If you enjoy a retro vibe, a vintage-inspired refrigerator with bold colours and rounded edges can add a nostalgic touch to your space.
Preparing for Refrigerator Installation
A few simple checks before installation can prevent adjustments later and ensure comfortable daily use.
Choose the Right Door Swing
Before plugging in the refrigerator, confirm the door swing works with your kitchen layout. The door should open wide enough to access crisper drawers and removable accessories easily.
Allow Proper Clearance
Refrigerators need space to operate correctly. Plan for about 1 to 2 inches of clearance on the sides and at least 2 inches at the back to allow airflow and reduce the risk of overheating.
Let the Refrigerator Settle After Transport
After delivery, wait before plugging in the unit. A rest period of 4 to 6 hours is usually sufficient, and up to 24 hours if the refrigerator was laid on its side. This allows internal components to stabilize before startup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Refrigerator
Even with a healthy budget and plenty of options, certain mistakes come up again and again when buying a refrigerator. They often surface after a few weeks of use, based on real customer feedback shared with our appliance specialists, when the appliance doesn’t quite match the household’s habits. Spotting these issues early can help you avoid unnecessary compromises and enjoy long-term comfort.
Choosing a Configuration Without Considering How You Actually Use Your Refrigerator
French-door refrigerators with a bottom freezer are currently the configuration most sought after by our customers. Their large, eye-level fresh-food compartment and pull-out freezer drawer work well for the everyday needs of many households. But the most popular configuration isn’t necessarily the one that will work best for you. Before making your choice, think about which part of your refrigerator you open most often, the foods you typically buy and the way you cook.
Comparing Exterior Dimensions Without Looking at the Space You Actually Get Inside
Our specialists see it in store: storage capacity is an important consideration for many of our customers. Yet two refrigerators with similar exterior dimensions can offer very different amounts of usable interior space depending on how they’re designed. LG’s Counter-Depth MAX lineup is a good example. It’s designed to maximize capacity while maintaining a counter-depth profile. Beyond comparing cubic feet, look at how much of that space is actually usable, the layout of the shelves and drawers, and how much room the ice maker takes up.
Choosing a Water Dispenser Without Considering What Comes With It
Having fresh, filtered water right from your refrigerator is convenient: there’s no pitcher to refill and, depending on the model, you can have ice readily available as well. But our specialists also point out a few things worth considering before choosing this feature. You’ll need a compatible water connection, filters will have to be replaced periodically, and the system itself may take up some space inside the refrigerator. If storage capacity is a priority, compare the usable interior space before deciding between a model with or without a dispenser.
Overlooking Refrigerator Noise
Refrigerator noise is easy to overlook while you’re shopping, but it can become much more noticeable once the appliance is installed, especially in an open-concept kitchen connected to the living or dining area. For customers who are particularly sensitive to noise, one of the things our specialists consider is the type of compressor. Models with a variable-speed compressor can adjust their operation based on cooling demand rather than simply cycling on and off at full power. Depending on the manufacturer, this technology may also be referred to as an inverter compressor or a linear inverter compressor. If a quieter kitchen matters to you, it’s a feature worth considering when comparing refrigerators.