At a Glance:
Side by Side vs French Door: The Main Difference
French door refrigerators and side-by-side refrigerators are two common refrigerator designs that most homeowners have in their kitchens. Both offer advantages and disadvantages so what are the differences between these two styles of refrigerators? Below we will feature a French door refrigerator and a side-by-side refrigerator. For each model, we will share pricing, pros and cons, and features that customers love. We will also share a review from an actual owner of each fridge model. Next, we will discuss why you should buy a French door refrigerator or a side-by-side refrigerator. Finally, we will share the main differences between each style of fridge.
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French door refrigerators are designed with two fresh food doors that open from the center out. Below the fresh food section is a pull-out drawer where freezer goods can be stored.
Samsung 28.2 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
The Samsung Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator features 28.2 cubic space of fridge space. There is plenty of drawers, shelves, and door storage for fresh food and drink. The freezer door pulls out easily with the EZ Open Handle and offers 8.6 cubic feet of space. Unlike the GE model that we will feature next, this model clearly offers more fridge space than freezer space.
This model is available in Black Stainless Steel, Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel, and White.
- Model: RF28T5001SR
- Dimensions: 35.75” W x 70” H x 35.38” D
Features
Large Capacity. The Samsung Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator includes 28.2 cubic feet of storage space for fresh food and freezer food. The refrigerator capacity is 19.6 cubic feet, and the freezer capacity is 8.6 cubic feet.
Fingerprint Resistant Finish. A fingerprint-resistant finish is practically necessary if you have little kids running around. This fingerprint-resistant finish makes wiping away fingerprints easy without the need to scrub.
EZ Open Handle. The handles on this Samsung model have been designed in a way that makes them easy to grab and pull open. This can be convenient for children, the elderly, or those who typically struggle to open fridge doors.
Ice Max Ice Maker. Need to have a lot of ice on hand? With the Ice Max Ice Maker, homeowners can expect their refrigerator to hold up to 5.5 pounds of ice at once. This is a great feature for large families or for those who invite guests over often.
Full-Width Drawer. A full-width bottom drawer in the fridge is not only easy to access but it is convenient for storing platters, small drinks, fruits, snacks, and more.
Pro: Large Capacity
With 28.2 cubic feet of space, the Samsung French Door Refrigerator has a ton of space for fresh food and frozen goods. This is 2.9 cubic feet larger than the GE side-by-side refrigerator.
Pro: Easy-to-Access Spaces
The EZ Open Handles are nice for homeowners who may have trouble pulling open standard fridge and freezer drawers. The handles are also convenient for children to open.
Con: Freezer Space
Not only is there less freezer space in the Samsung fridge than in the GE fridge, but the Samsung freezer space is also not as easy to grab frozen goods from. Items cannot be organized as easily, and homeowners must bend and dig through their goods to find what they need.
Con: More Expensive
This Samsung French door refrigerator is more expensive than the GE side-by-side refrigerator below. For homeowners who are looking for a quality fridge on a budget, the Samsung French door refrigerator is not the lowest-priced fridge.
Customer Review
This customer said: “I bought this refrigerator a month ago and have been enjoying it every since. It has tons more space inside than my previous fridge, and the shelves allow for staggered placement due to different heights of products. The freezer can house meats and veggies separately and is very convenient. Also to not forget the tray next to the ice container that allows for ice cream or other frozen items, which are not meats of veggies to be placed.”
Why Buy a French Door Refrigerator
French door refrigerators offer a ton of food and freezer space which is convenient for young families with children. Larger families will also enjoy a French door refrigerator because of the large capacity. French door refrigerators are not always best for older couples or those who cannot bend down often to retrieve frozen goods from the freezer.
Related: Thermador vs Viking Refrigerator
Side By Side Refrigerators
A side-by-side refrigerator is designed with a full-length freezer space and a full-length refrigerator space. On one hand, this design limits how much available space there can be for frozen and fresh goods. On the other hand, foods are better organized, especially in the freezer space, with there being multiple storage shelves.
GE® 25.3 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Side by Side Refrigerator
The GE Fingerprint Resistant Stainless-Steel Side by Side Refrigerator is designed with 25.3 cubic feet of space for storing food and drink. While this model is about the same size as the Samsung French Door Refrigerator, its side-by-side design limits its capacity. Even so, there is more freezer space (9.25 cu. ft.) than the Samsung fridge. This GE model includes an exterior water dispenser, unlike the Samsung model.
This model is available in Black, Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel, Slate, and White.
- Model: GSS25GYPFS
- Dimensions: 35.75” W x 69.88” H x 34.75” D
Features
LED Lighting. LED lighting that is flush mounted makes it easy to locate any item you need since. The LED lighting shines evenly throughout the entire refrigerator.
External Dispenser. The outside of the fridge door features an easy-to-access water and ice dispenser. An electronic display on the dispenser makes it simple to adjust settings that can be easily viewed.
Advanced Water Filtration. Both water and ice are filtered with the advanced water filtration system. The system removes 98% of pharmaceuticals that may be in the water such as ibuprofen and progesterone.
Bonus Freezer Shelf. For even more freezer space, there is space above the icemaker for storing frozen goods.
Slide-Out Freezer Basket. At the bottom of the freezer is a freezer basket where frozen goods can be placed. The basket slides out making it easy to grab needed frozen foods.
Door Alarm. If the fresh food door or freezer door has been left open too long, a door alarm sounds off as a reminder to shut it.
Pro: Water Dispenser
This side-by-side fridge includes an exterior water dispenser whereas the French door refrigerator does not.
Pro: More Freezer Space
The GE side-by-side fridge offers more freezer space (9.25 cu. ft.) than the Samsung French door fridge (8.6 cu. ft.).
Con: Smaller Capacity
The side-by-side design limits the capacity size of this GE fridge even though it is just as large as the Samsung fridge.
Con: Less Fridge Space
While the GE model has more freezer space than the Samsung, it has less fresh food space (16.07 cu. ft.) than the Samsung (19.6 cu. ft.).
Customer Review
This customer said, “This side by side meets my needs. As a person who uses a wheelchair I needed a fridge I could access easily. This was it! Pull out shelves adjustable. Large door bins. Pretty quiet. Has door alarm. My arms are weak so the alarm is good.”
Why Buy a Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Side-by-side refrigerators cannot hold as much food as french door refrigerators, but they can be more convenient for organizing food and drink. With the freezer section and fresh food section being side-by-side, items are easier to retrieve from both sections. This makes a side-by-side refrigerator more convenient for older couples. It is also better for smaller families since it doesn’t hold as many goods.
Side by Side vs French Door: The Main Difference
When it comes down to it, side-by-side refrigerators offer less overall capacity. With that being said, the freezer section is larger in a side-by-side refrigerator than it is in a french door refrigerator. Side-by-side refrigerators tend to be less expensive than french door refrigerators. Side-by-side refrigerators offer more shelving and drawers in both the fresh food section and freezer section than french door refrigerators.
French door refrigerators hold more food overall, especially in the fresh food section. The fresh food section is much larger than the freezer section. While french door refrigerators have a smaller freezer section, it is larger in width than a side-by-side refrigerator, making it easier to store pizzas and other large food items. For families who need a lot of food storage, the french door refrigerator is the one to purchase.
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Learn More: 8 Perks to GE French Door Refrigerators