Whether you’re completing your kitchen remodel or settling into a new home, comparing different refrigerator types can be exhausting. But hopefully, with a little help from us, you can pick the best fridge for you and your family.
Difference Between Standard- and Counter-Depth
Before you immerse yourself in the plethora of refrigerator types, you should know the difference between standard- and counter-depth refrigerators. Standard-depth refrigerators have depths ranging from 30 to 34 inches, which gives you extra room to store leftovers. These come in a variety of styles, including top-freezer refrigerators, French door, and bottom-freezer refrigerators. Counter-depth refrigerator are built-in fridges that fit flush with your cabinetry (only the doors stick out), are wider than standard models, and have depths ranging from 23 to 27 inches. French door and side-by-side refrigerators are the more common counter-depth styles.
Built-in Refrigerator Styles
Similar to counter-depth refrigerators, built-in refrigerators are designed to create a seamless look in your kitchen. While deeper than counter-depths, they are also taller and wider than standard refrigerators. Built-in refrigerators come in multiple styles, including French door, side-by-side, bottom-freezer, column, and all-refrigerators (alternatively, freezerless refrigerators). Look for French door and side-by-sides for easy access to your food in a compact kitchen space, bottom-freezer fridges for wider shelf space, or column and freezerless fridges for freezerless options.
Compact and Other Refrigeration Styles
Sometimes you need extra food and drink preservation space in a garage, dorm, or home bar, and that is where compact and other refrigerators styles come in. If you need extra fridge space, consider the versatility of a mini fridge. Or if you want a more permanent solution for your outdoor kitchen or bar, look for undercounter refrigerators.Just want chilled drinks? Beverage centers handle all types of drinks, while wine coolers and kegerators keep your vintages and brews perfectly chilled.
Freezers, Ice Makers, and Accessories
Have your fresh foods covered but find that you need more freezer space? That’s where freezers—whether upright, chest, or column—come in. Simply decide if you need the depth of a chest freezer or the shelf organization of column or upright configurations. Love cold beverages, the clinking of cubes, or chewing on ice? Check out built-in or portable ice makers to provide you with what you need. You can even switch things up with different ice cube types, like crushed, cubed, or crescent. If you need more accessories for your refrigerator, shop ice trays, refrigerator ice maker kits, and more. Have more questions about your refrigeration needs? Wondering how to better organize your fridge? Consult our refrigerator shopping guide, our hacks and how-tos, or give us a call! Our team of experts is always happy to answer all your questions.