The Best French Door Refrigerators (2024)

I’m a senior staff writer covering large kitchen appliances at Wirecutter, as well as a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing about food and cooking. I’ve written guides to induction cooktops and gas and electric ranges. And I also offer advice on how to make the most of large kitchen appliances (including tips on how to avoid cleaning your fridge).

We’ve been evaluating refrigerators since 2013. For this guide, we did the following:

Those considering a French-door fridge are typically seeking a large-capacity refrigerator with a higher-end look. And this often involves choosing between a French-door refrigerator and a side-by-side model (this type has been on the market a little longer). Over the past decade, French-door models have been becoming more popular than side-by-side fridges, and for good reason.

Unlike those on side-by-side fridges, the refrigerator and freezer compartments on French-door fridges are both full-width, so they can accommodate wider items, such as sheet pans, casseroles, platters, and pizza boxes. The refrigerator compartment is located above knee level, so you don’t have to bend down to find the cottage cheese behind the orange juice. The two refrigerator doors allow you to open one side at a time, potentially keeping more cold air in the fridge.

Our 2023 survey also shows that 76.2% of French-door fridge owners reported being satisfied with their refrigerator, regardless of which brand or model they bought. (This is less true with side-by side fridges.)

This guide covers freestanding French-door fridges. Unlike pricier built-in versions, freestanding fridges can be installed anywhere in the kitchen: in a cabinet cutout, between a counter and the wall, or entirely on their own.

We focused on 36-inch-wide models (the most common width). If you need something smaller, we have a 33-inch recommendation. (Some 30-inch French-door refrigerators do exist, but they tend to be taller and more expensive.)

Note that many French-door refrigerators are marketed as being “counter-depth,” but manufacturers use the term loosely. Traditionally, a counter-depth refrigerator would be shallow enough to fit totally flush (including handles) with kitchen countertops and cabinets, most of which are 25 inches deep. But many fridges labeled “counter-depth” may extend beyond the counters by several inches.

To make our recommendations, we’ve drawn on years of research, including two of our reader surveys focused on refrigerators. Here are the factors we prioritized most:

Owner satisfaction: Our picks focus on the brands and models that in our research earned the highest ratings for long-term satisfaction—and even delight. Our 2023 user survey showed that 75.5% of those who owned LG refrigerators were satisfied with their appliances, and that 71.1% of GE owners were satisfied. (No other brand broke out of the 60% percentile.)

Overall, most fridges, regardless of brand or style, perform reliably: Our 2021 and 2023 surveys showed that while any refrigerator could fail, major problems—like compressor failures and other cooling issues—are rare.

Layout: The interior storage is similar in most 36-inch, standard-depth French-door fridges. They all have two side-by-side plastic crisper drawers; a larger, shorter pull-out drawer; and two adjustable glass fridge shelves on either side. Doors usually have adjustable pockets, some of which accommodate the largest containers of milk or juice. Freezers typically have two layers of sliding drawers and adjustable separators. Anything beyond this is a plus. We also took note of small, singular details (a sliding shelf, for example) that owners love.

A door-in-door feature: Some French-door refrigerators have an exterior panel on one door that pops open to reveal a compartment (typically for beverages or snacks) you can access without having to open the main fridge. Theoretically, a door-in-door compartment may make a fridge more efficient (since you’ll likely open the main door less often). And people find it convenient: In our research and survey, owners of fridges with a door-in-door feature reported using it more frequently than they had expected. Similarly, some French-door fridges (like our also-great pick) have a four-door style; part of the fridge space is converted into a separate, temperature-controlled drawer that can hold high-demand items (such as snacks and drinks) or items that benefit from being stored at a slightly different temperature than that of the fridge (such as wine). The low drawer is often easier for many people, especially kids, to open and access.

An even newer style of four-door fridge—sometimes called a quad or a true four-door—is a hybrid of side-by-side and French-door styles. These fridges have two half-width freezers on the bottom, and one of those usually has a broader range of temperature control. We’re just beginning to research these.

Capacity: Measured in cubic feet, capacity is the amount of fillable space in your fridge and freezer. Our 2021 owner surveys showed that bigger fridges tend to make people happier than smaller ones, but that happiness levels off above 20 cubic feet. The average basic top-freezer refrigerator has around 20 cubic feet of capacity. We focused on French-door fridges with at least 25 cubic feet of capacity, which our research shows is ample enough for most households. We prioritized models that could offer more than that in an elegant way.

Ice makers and dispensers: Despite their ubiquity and convenience, ice makers and dispensers are still a primary “point of failure” in a fridge, said Dan Conrad, an appliance reliability and testing expert at the commercial refrigeration company Hussmann. They’re likely to need repairs or costly parts, work poorly, or stop functioning altogether. And they require a water-line connection.

We prioritized models with water dispensers located inside the fridge and ice makers in the freezer, rather than through-the-door dispensers for both water and ice. If they do fail or break, they’re hidden, and you won’t end up with unusable real estate in one of your doors. But we also recommend several models with through-the-door dispensers.

Noise: A clear trend in our 2021 and 2023 owner surveys is that many fridges are noisy—and it bugs people. We paid attention to refrigerator models that our survey respondents and other reviewers noted for their quietness.

Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness: We focused on fridges that are Energy Star–certified. These models usually have insulation designed to keep more cold air inside the fridge, as well as more sophisticated (and more expensive) components that are designed to work more efficiently. A variable-speed or inverter compressor is one of the most important of these. Compressors power the flow of refrigerant through the refrigerator and freezer. Traditional versions essentially have just one high speed. Inverter compressors can change their speed based on how much cooling your fridge actually needs, whether it’s a little (when you open the fridge to grab a drink) or a lot (when you load it up with still-warm leftovers).

Nearly all new refrigerators use climate-friendly R600a refrigerant, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the refrigerant leaks, it will have no effect on the ozone layer and a negligible effect on global warming.

Smart-home technology and Wi-Fi connectivity: We prefer fridges with smart features (only our runner-up pick isn’t connected). Fridges are an ideal appliance to monitor remotely via a smartphone or tablet because they must operate continuously. With many fridges, you can get remote alerts if they fail or if a door is ajar (a common problem with French-door models); you can change temperature or ice-maker settings; you can get diagnostics, to help service technicians diagnose issues remotely; and you can even pair with some types of home-energy efficiency systems.

Before you buy a French-door refrigerator, be sure to consider the following:

Exact dimensions: Make sure to measure carefully. Every French-door fridge will have slightly different dimensions, according to Jessica Petrino Ball, who runs the education program at the appliance retailer AJ Madison. Your fridge must fit in between your cabinets and counters, as well as through the doors and hallways of your home, she said. You should also confirm that there’s enough room to fully open both doors—otherwise you won’t be able to pull out the drawers completely or remove the shelves for cleaning.

Installation and service: Before you buy a fridge, determine who’s going to install it (especially if you’re hooking up a water line for ice and filtered water) and who will haul away the old one. You’ll also want to figure out which local repair companies will be able to service your fridge if it breaks. Many of our 2023 survey respondents noted that they should have learned more about these points before they bought their fridges. Familiarize yourself with your new fridge’s warranty and service plan (and any available extended warranties from the brand or the seller).

Water and air filters: With nearly all water- and ice-dispensing systems, you’ll have to change a filter, usually every six months. A few refrigerators, including our pick, also have replaceable air filters, which theoretically should reduce odors inside the fridge. The filters are an extra yearly expense that many of our 2023 survey respondents said surprised them. (Replacing a filter is still cheaper than regularly buying bottled water or ice, and it’s easier than replacing a box of baking soda every three months.)

Finishes: Our 2023 survey indicates that many fridge owners are frustrated with stainless steel finishes—no matter the brand or model of fridge. Regardless of whether a finish is labeled fingerprint-resistant, you will likely see smears, smudges, streaks, or even scratches. As one survey taker put it, “The ‘no fingerprint’ surface is more difficult to keep clean than I imagined. It requires the use of a degreasing cleanser, rather than a simple wipe-down.” Our runner-up pick comes in several finishes, as do many of the other refrigerators we recommend.

The relatively compact yet spacious LG LRFLC2706S offers the best combination of capacity and design that we’ve seen in this price range (usually around $2,000). And this brand has high rates of owner satisfaction.

Those who own it love it. In our 2021 and 2023 surveys of several thousand appliance owners, LG fridges ranked at the top for customer satisfaction. We’ve been recommending LG fridges since 2021. The LRFLC2706S and its 2018 predecessor, the LG LFCC22426S, specifically got top marks from our survey respondents. (Several owners used all capital letters or multiple exclamation points to express their happiness with the LRFLC2706S—a level of positive enthusiasm that’s rare in this sector.)

It holds a lot for its size. The LRFLC2706S packs 26.5 cubic feet of space into a frame that’s just 29 inches deep (without the handles). LG calls this style “counter depth max.” Though this model won’t sit entirely flush within standard-depth counters, it’s several inches shallower than other models with similar capacities (such as our runner-up pick). It’s also nicely designed to look more compact: The frame (the base of the fridge, not including the doors) is 24.75 inches deep, just shy of the depth of most countertops.

It’s quiet. Users laud the relative quietness of the LRFLC2706S. (As one owner review on Home Depot puts it, “I didn’t realize how loud my old refrigerator was until I got this one.”) That’s likely due in part to its inverter compressor, which can operate at lower speeds than traditional compressors.

It’s efficient. The LRFLC2706S is Energy Star–certified, and it’s the most efficient French-door refrigerator we recommend. Energy Star estimates that this fridge will use 632 kWh of energy per year, notably less than similar refrigerators use. The LRFLC2706S has an inverter compressor (which cools more efficiently than a traditional compressor), and the fridge is well insulated and designed to better keep cold air inside.

It’s smart in useful ways. The Wi-Fi–connected LRFLC2706S syncs to LG’s ThinQ app, so you can receive push notifications (such as when a door is left open), monitor and change temperatures or settings, or run diagnostics. You can also work with energy-efficiency programs to capture energy savings through automatic temperature adjustments, based on the season or your typical energy usage.

It has an attractive interior. The LRFLC2706S has a standard layout for a French-door fridge in this price range, but this model is particularly good-looking. Its back wall features a metal panel, instead of a white plastic one. Its four glass adjustable shelves (which can be split in half and staggered at different heights) have a modern straight edge, as do the door pockets (which can hold two 1-gallon containers). The full-width deli drawer (for meats and cheeses) and the two half-width crisper drawers (with an adjustable slide, to control humidity for fruits and vegetables) are nicely designed with clear-plastic handles (instead of the typical white). The freezer has two similar sliding drawers, with a clear-plastic rectangular box (as opposed to a more-traditional white basket).

It has a nice lineup of helpful (if fairly common) features. This fridge’s digital temperature display is more precise than a dial, and an alarm sounds if the door is left ajar. It also has a replaceable air filter to control odors, as well as a system to blast cool air around the door when it’s open (to keep things cool).

It has a great setup for filtered water and ice. The LRFLC2706S’s internal filtered-water dispenser is sensor-activated, so you can easily use it one-handed. There’s an ice maker in the freezer; it makes 2½ pounds of ice per day, and on its temporary “ice plus” setting, it can make 5 pounds in a day.

Its warranty is slightly better than most. The LRFLC2706S’s warranty covers the refrigerator for one year and the compressor and cooling system for five years. The warranty also covers parts (but not labor) for the compressor and cooling system for an additional five years, which is rare.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

If our top pick is unavailable, or you prefer a different brand, or you want a finish other than stainless steel, we recommend the GE GNE27J. This fridge has essentially the same layout and features as our top pick, but there are a few key differences.

It has a generous capacity but a bigger footprint. The GNE27J has slightly more capacity than our top pick (27 cubic feet, compared with 26.5 cubic feet). But at 33 inches deep (without the handles), the GNE27J is over 4 inches deeper, so it will stick out more from your counters.

It has more-versatile shelving. Unlike our top pick, the GNE27J can easily fit wine bottles (or other tall items) standing upright, thanks to a partially retractable sliding shelf.

It’s nearly as efficient as our top pick. Like our top pick, this model is Energy Star–certified. Energy Star estimates that this fridge will use 633 kWh of energy per year, well below the standard for similar refrigerators.

The company has a strong customer-service track record.Though you can find complaints about any company, in our 2021 and 2023 surveys, GE Appliances ranked high for customer service. GE has its own repair fleet in many cities, and that may have something to do with those favorable customer-service reviews. Also, the company provides a phone number for repairs, as opposed to an online form. Our 2023 survey showed that about 71% of GE fridge owners are satisfied with their appliances. This model has a standard one-year parts-and-labor warranty.

It isn’t quite as quiet as many would like. A handful of our 2023 survey respondents noted that they wished this model were quieter.

Its filtered water dispenser isn’t as easy to use. Our top pick’s internal water dispenser is sensor-activated, so you can use it one-handed. But the GNE27J’s dispenser has a button, so you have to hold it down with one hand and hold your glass in the other. (It uses GE’s XWFE water filter.)

But its internal ice maker churns out more ice. The GNE27J makes 4.4 pounds of ice per day, about double the amount our top pick makes.

It lacks smart features. The GNE27J isn’t Wi-Fi–enabled, so you can’t take advantage of remote monitoring, alerts, diagnostics, or automated energy-efficiency management.

It comes in four finishes. The GNE27J is available in fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, white, black, and slate.

Other GE French-door refrigerators to consider

If you need a 33-inch French-door fridge, we recommend the GE GNE25J, which is essentially the same as the GE GNE27J but smaller.

If you like the GE GNE27J, but you really want a through-the-door water and ice dispenser, the GE GFE26J is nearly identical, with the addition of an in-door dispenser. However, it has less capacity (26 cubic feet, versus 27 cubic feet).

The LG LRYKC2606S has all of the best qualities of our top pick—it’s quiet, smart, compact yet spacious, handsome, and beloved by owners. It also has some bells and whistles that owners really like (though they come with added potential for problems).

It has plenty of storage in a super-sleek package. The LG LRYKC2606S has 25.5 cubic feet of space—a bit less than our top pick, but still plenty for most households. At 29 inches deep, it’s similarly compact. Yet it looks even sleeker than our top pick because it has pockets hidden in the doors, instead of handles. This may also make it easier to coordinate with other appliances from different brands. (Plus, there are no handles to fall off or get dirty.) But the pockets could be harder for some people to use.

It has some clever design and organizational features. The LRYKC2606S has three shelves in its freezer (our other picks have two). Like our runner-up pick, this fridge has a retractable shelf that slides back, so you can store tall items like wine bottles upright. The refrigerator shelves have metal edging, instead of plastic, and it looks and feels more durable. When you approach the fridge, blue lights glow automatically (this may benefit midnight snackers who don’t want to turn on the kitchen lights).

The LRYKC2606S has a door-in-door feature—an exterior panel on one door that pops open to reveal a compartment. This gives you quick access to whatever’s stored inside (typically beverages or foods like yogurt and snacks), so you don’t have to open the main fridge compartment. Theoretically, door-in-door compartments may make the fridge more efficient (since you’ll open the main door less often). And some find it more convenient: In our survey, those who owned a fridge with a door-in-door feature said they used it more frequently than they’d expected to.

The LRYKC2606S’s door-in-door compartment has what LG calls an “InstaView” panel—a mirrored surface that lights up and becomes translucent when you knock on it twice. This allows you to see what’s inside a portion of the fridge without having to open it. In our survey, only a few owners reported specifically liking the InstaView feature, and several noted that it malfunctioned. (One user said it turned off and on anytime someone laughed or coughed.)

It has three ice makers, and it makes four kinds of ice. The LRYKC2606S has an ice maker in its door (it makes cubes and crushed ice), and there are two in its freezer (they make mini cubes and large spheres). Our surveys reveal that people love this feature, especially the spheres. However, in our 2023 survey, some owners noted that it took a long time to make the spherical ice in particular and that the ice was occasionally malformed or took on odors from the freezer.

The LRYKC2606S’s through-the-door ice maker is slim compared with many others (so you won’t hate looking at it every time you open the left-side door). Because of the ice makers and dispensers, the fridge has slightly less capacity than our top pick (25.5 cubic feet, versus 26.5 cubic feet), but this is not a significant difference. (In general, ice makers and dispensers are prone to breakdowns, and this level of complexity probably doesn’t help. But at least if one breaks there are two others.)

It’s efficient, for a feature-rich model. This fridge is Energy Star–certified, despite having many extra features. Energy Star estimates that this model will use 699 kWh of energy per year, which is well below the standard for similar refrigerators.

The GE Profile PVD28BYNFS—a four-door, French-door fridge with a door-in-door feature—is similar to our upgrade pick, but it has an extra level of customizable compartmentalization. Our fridge-owner surveys revealed that this model, which is Energy Star–certified, has been highly regarded since it debuted, in 2019.

It’s spacious, but it has a large footprint. The PVD28BYNFS has the largest capacity of all of our picks (27.9 cubic feet). But it’s 34¼ inches deep (without the handles), so it will stand out from counters significantly more.

It has a customizable drawer between the fridge and the freezer. As a four-door French-door fridge, the PVD28BYNFS has a separate, temperature-controlled drawer that can store high-demand items, such as kids’ snacks and sodas or items you want to keep at a different temp than that of the fridge (like wine or party trays). For customizable levels of refrigeration, you can set the drawer to one of four temperatures (29 °F for meats, 33 °F for beverages, 37 °F for snacks, and 42 °F for wine).

The layout and interior are thoughtfully done. The PVD28BYNFS has an adjustable shelf that you can slide back to make room for taller items, such as wine bottles. Other thoughtful details include crisper drawers that close gently and a back wall of LED lighting, which better illuminates all corners (owners really seem to like it). This fridge’s door-in-door feature lets you grab beverages or condiments from the door compartment without having to fully open the door, and the door has a swivel shelf (which you can swing out for easier access). But owners seem to be less enthusiastic about this feature than the same one on our upgrade pick—perhaps because it’s much more understated (you can’t really tell it’s there).

It has a really good ice and water dispenser. In customer reviews, the PVD28BYNFS earns praise for its ice and water dispenser. It has a hands-free autofill feature and a light that comes on automatically when you use the dispenser. (Its water filter should be replaced every six months.)

It has a lot of smart features. Connectivity via the Smart HQ app is a hallmark of the GE Profile brand (an upscale subset of GE Appliances). This fridge has many features you can access only from the app, such as a TurboCool setting.

It’s efficient, for a feature-rich model. This fridge is Energy Star–certified, despite having many extra features, including a fourth door. Energy Star estimates that this model will use 758 kWh of energy per year, well below the standard for similar refrigerators. Like our top pick, this fridge uses an inverter-style compressor, which is more efficient and less noisy (though this model didn’t get as much praise for quietness as the LG fridges do).

The PVD28BYNFS is also rare in that it has two cooling elements (or evaporator coils), one in each compartment. Most freestanding refrigerators have a single system that circulates the same cold air from the freezer into the fridge. And a dual system like the PVD28BYNFS’s makes temperature management more efficient and odor transfer easier to avoid, according to Jason May, head of product management for bottom-freezer fridges (including French-door models) at GE Appliances.

It has a strong customer-service track record. GE Appliances ranked high for customer service in our 2021 and 2023 surveys. This model may be easier to get serviced and repaired. GE has its own repair fleet in many cities, and the company also provides a phone number for repairs, as opposed to an online form. This fridge is assembled in the United States (our other picks are manufactured in Asia). And because there are factories on this continent, it may be easier or faster to get replacement parts (particularly when international supply chains are stressed).

Other GE Profile French-door refrigerators to consider

If you like the GE Profile PVD28BYNFS, but you’d rather not have a through-the-door ice and water dispenser, consider the GE Profile PGE29BYTFS. Instead of an external dispenser, it has an internal pitcher that holds 60 ounces of cold filtered water. You can fill a glass directly from the pitcher or remove the pitcher to use at the table. (This fridge also has a whopping 29 cubic feet of space, with the same footprint as the PVD28BYNFS.)

If you want a fridge that’s widely available and easy to repair: French-door refrigerators from Whirlpool fare well in our research (just not as highly as our picks). Whirlpool models are typically widely available, well priced, and available in lots of finishes (including white). Whirlpool is a long-standing brand made in the United States, and that generally equates to a larger pool of service techs and easier access to replacement parts.

We like the Whirlpool WRF535SWHZ, which has an internal ice maker and a filtered-water dispenser inside its door. We also like the Whirlpool WRF767SDHZ, which has two ice makers and a through-the-door dispenser for ice and water; it’s available in two finishes (fingerprint-resistant stainless steel and black stainless steel).

If you’re willing to pay more for a luxury look and feel: French-door fridges by Café have elevated extras, including a broad range of handle finishes. Café appliances are made by GE Appliances, and this brand’s models fared well in our hands-on tests of other appliances (like dishwashers). In particular, the Café CGE29DP3TD1 is a four-door French-door fridge with an auto-fill water pitcher in the door and a freezer compartment built for sheet pans.

If you want something with a modern finish (or a TV screen in your fridge door): The new Samsung Bespoke refrigerators come in an array of colors, and they look and feel great. And they have advanced features that seem to live up to their promise. We’ve heard from owners who love the Bespoke RF30BB69006M. It has a Wi-Fi–connected tablet in the door, so you can stream cooking videos and music, automate grocery shopping, or utilize nearly any other function found on a smart tablet. In our surveys (and in anecdotal evidence), Samsung falls at the lower end of customer satisfaction. But according to our 2023 owner survey, nearly 65% of Samsung owners like their fridges. Bespoke fridges also come in models without through-the-door dispensers (which tend to break down) or with an internal auto-fill pitcher.

If you want a fridge that will last a lifetime: Sub-Zero says it builds its products to work for at least two decades—about double the current typical lifespan of a refrigerator. And we’re reasonably confident that this is true. Sub-Zero also tests every model before it’s shipped. These fridges are, however, significantly more expensive than our picks.

This article was edited by Ingrid Skjong and Courtney Schley.

1. Jason May, executive director of product management for bottom freezers, GE Appliances, video interview, August 11, 2023

2. Thomas Morbitzer, partner, AMMOR Architecture, phone interview, July 27, 2023

3. Sarah Snouffer, principal, Third Street Architecture, phone interview, July 26, 2023

4. Daniel Conrad, global engineering director of design quality, reliability, and testing, Hussmann Corp., video interview, July 5, 2023

5. Jessica Petrino Ball, editorial director and head of the education program, AJ Madison, phone interview, June 16, 2023

6. Shane Higby, senior vice president, home appliances, Samsung, video interview, May 17, 2023

7. Lindsay Pruniski, product marketing senior manager, refrigeration, GE Appliances, video interview, May 8, 2023

8. Bethany Ketchum, brand manager, Whirlpool, video interview, April 26, 2023

9. William Kwon, senior manager, product management, LG Electronics, video interview, April 20, 2023

10. Amelia Hensley, mechanical engineer and cleaning expert at GE Appliances, Zoom interview, April 14, 2023