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The fridge is the most important appliance in the kitchen, but people don't always put too much thought into choosing one. Given their long lifespans, it makes sense to assess the type, functionality and size of fridge that would be best for you, so we've got some helpful information to help make your decision.
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The first consideration is size. Most kitchens have designated fridge cavities so you should measure this space since it can be the main limiting factor when purchasing. Don't buy a fridge that won't fit in your kitchen or through doorways when being installed. You will need 25mm of additional free space around the top, back and sides of the fridge to allow for excess heat to escape.
Finding the right fridge capacity for your household size or refrigerating needs is also crucial. Its harder to cool air than liquids/solids, and so it will be more energy efficient (and typically cheaper) to have a small fridge thats full, instead of a big fridge that you're only using half the space of. You're able to filter for household size, capacity and dimensions on the left of your screen. As a general guide: 1-2 people will use 200-400L, 3-4 will use 520-600L, and 5 or more people will use 700L.
Also consider the type of fridge that's best for you.
Top Mount Fridges are a popular and affordable type of fridge. Its freezer compartment sits above the fridge cavity, which increases the accessibility of frozen food while limiting the amount of freezer space available.
Bottom Mount Fridges have their freezer section at the base of the unit, and tend to be more expensive than Top Mount designs. It has less freezer space than other types of fridges, and will require some bending and crouching to access the slide-out freezer drawers. Everyday fridge items are very accessible.
French Door Fridges are wide, spacious and typically expensive types of fridge. The two fridge doors and large bottom mounted freezer drawer allow for huge storage space, and they often come with a range of modern design features and built-in water and ice dispensing.
An Upright or Fridge Only fridge has only one compartment. Its lack of freezer makes it cheaper than other models, and would be best used as a second unit or to fit a specific refrigeration-only need.
Side-by-Side Fridges have a dedicated fridge and dedicated freezer section that stand beside each other. They are a big, wide and expensive model of fridge, often fitted with modern design features and built-in water and ice dispensing. Though they have ample and accessible storage space, they may use more energy and make more noise than other fridges.
Think about what space you have to open the door, as cabinetry and walls can often get in the way. Some doors only open to the right or left, while others come with reversible fittings - and all of this information should be available when looking at a specific model.
The energy efficiency of your fridge will be clearly marked in the product's information. Typically, Top and Bottom Mount fridges are more efficient than French Door or Side-By-Side models.
Modern fridges come in a range of styles and finishes. Traditionally, the exterior material of your fridge get trendier and more expensive as they get darker - with white being the cheapest. You should be able to find a finish that fits your kitchen's aesthetic.
Finally, these are some popular and functional features to consider. Some fridges have adjustable shelving that can make a huge difference in your use of storage. Child proof features allow you to keep kids away from temperature controls and certain compartments. Many modern fridges come with an antibacterial wall and door coating to stop bacteria forming in your fridge. Water and ice dispensers are a common additional feature, and are able to be plumbed in or not depending on your preference. A good internal LED light can make all the difference, as can the right crisper. Some temperature controls are very advanced, and allow for quick cooling and automatic adjustments to save power. A few very expensive Smart fridges are also Wi-Fi connected, can play music, show what's inside the fridge when you're away, and show online recipes.
The above could be considered nice to have, and you should choose only the additions that make sense for your type of fridge and budget.
434 listings
- Award Winner 2019
Top Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsLG 515L Top Mount with Door Cooling · includes 6 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.7 (3)
- Value for Money4.3 (3)
- Ease of Use4.7 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (3)
- Noise Level4.0 (3)
- Internal Layout4.0 (3)
- Energy Rating4 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm and Frost Free
- Colour / Finish Black, Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge Yes
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves4
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 516 L
Bottom Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsElectrolux 453L Bottom Mount · includes 3 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.6 (5)
- Value for Money3.8 (5)
- Ease of Use4.4 (5)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.2 (5)
- Noise Level3.8 (5)
- Internal Layout4.4 (5)
- Energy Rating4.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm, Frost Free and Wine Rack
- Colour / Finish Dark Stainless Steel and Stainless Steel
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves2 to 3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 453 L
French Door Fridges / RefrigeratorsFisher & Paykel ActiveSmart 519L French Door (RF522 Series) · includes 11 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.0 (17)
- Value for Money3.9 (18)
- Ease of Use4.1 (18)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.2 (17)
- Noise Level4.2 (17)
- Internal Layout4.3 (13)
- Energy Rating2 star(s), 2.5 star(s) and 3.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDisplay Panel, Door Alarm, Frost Free, Ice Dispenser, Water Dispenser and Wine Rack
- Colour / Finish Black, EZKleen Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves2 to 4
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 2
- Total Capacity 519 L
French Door Fridges / RefrigeratorsElectrolux 524L French Door · includes 3 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.0 (7)
- Value for Money3.4 (7)
- Ease of Use4.0 (7)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.7 (6)
- Noise Level3.5 (6)
- Internal Layout4.0 (3)
- Energy Rating4 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm, Frost Free, Water Dispenser and Wine Rack
- Colour / Finish Dark Stainless Steel and Stainless Steel
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves2 to 3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 524 L
Top Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsHisense 230L Top Mount · includes 2 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.2 (5)
- Value for Money4.4 (5)
- Ease of Use4.8 (5)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.8 (5)
- Noise Level4.6 (5)
- Internal Layout4.6 (5)
- Energy Rating2 star(s)
- FeaturesFrost Free
- Colour / Finish Stainless and White
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 230 L
French Door Fridges / RefrigeratorsSharp 624L French Door · includes 2 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality2.4 (5)
- Value for Money2.2 (5)
- Ease of Use4.0 (5)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.6 (5)
- Noise Level2.2 (5)
- Internal Layout4.0 (4)
- Energy Rating3 star(s)
- FeaturesDisplay Panel, Door Alarm, Foldable/Retractable Shelf and Ice Dispenser
- Colour / Finish Stainless Steel
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1 to 3
- Total Capacity 624 L to 676 L
Bottom Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsWestinghouse 528L Bottom Mount · includes 10 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality2.3 (16)
- Value for Money2.4 (16)
- Ease of Use3.8 (17)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.9 (16)
- Noise Level2.7 (17)
- Internal Layout3.8 (13)
- Energy Rating3.5 star(s) and 4.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm, Frost Free, Water Dispenser and Wine Rack
- Colour / Finish Dark Stainless, Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type External and Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 528 L
French Door Fridges / RefrigeratorsHisense 630L French Door · includes 2 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.0 (17)
- Value for Money3.2 (17)
- Ease of Use3.6 (16)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.1 (15)
- Noise Level4.6 (14)
- Internal Layout4.0 (11)
- Energy Rating2.5 star(s) and 3 star(s)
- FeaturesDisplay Panel, Door Alarm, Foldable/Retractable Shelf, Frost Free, Ice Dispenser, Water Dispenser and Wine Rack
- Colour / Finish Black Steel and Stainless Steel
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves2 to 3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1 to 3
- Total Capacity 630 L
Bottom Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsPanasonic 407L Bottom Mount · includes 2 listings
Price (RRP) $1,399.00 to $1,699.00
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money2.5 (2)
- Ease of Use4.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.0 (1)
- Noise Level3.0 (1)
- Internal Layout2.5 (2)
- Energy Rating3.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDisplay Panel and Frost Free
- Colour / Finish Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 407 L
Bottom Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsWestinghouse 340L Bottom Mount · includes 6 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.3 (7)
- Value for Money3.1 (7)
- Ease of Use3.0 (7)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 3.9 (7)
- Noise Level3.3 (7)
- Internal Layout3.6 (7)
- Energy Rating2.5 star(s) and 3.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm and Frost Free
- Colour / Finish Pacific Silver, Silver, Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3 to 4
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 340 L
French Door Fridges / RefrigeratorsHisense HR6CDFF695 · includes 3 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.6 (5)
- Value for Money4.4 (5)
- Ease of Use4.4 (5)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.6 (5)
- Noise Level4.8 (5)
- Internal Layout4.8 (4)
- Energy Rating3 star(s)
- FeaturesDisplay Panel, Foldable/Retractable Shelf, Frost Free and Ice Dispenser
- Colour / Finish Black, Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type Recessed
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 2
- Total Capacity 695 L
Side by Side Fridges / RefrigeratorsSamsung SRS603HLS
Price (RRP) $1,899.00
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money5.0 (1)
- Ease of Use4.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (1)
- Noise Level5.0 (1)
- Internal Layout5.0 (1)
- Dimensions 1789 x 912 x 700 mm
- Energy Rating2.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm, Frost Free and Hatch Door
- Colour / Finish EZ Clean Steel (ALF)
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves5
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 2
- Total Capacity 603 L
Top Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsWestinghouse 340L Top Mount · includes 7 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.8 (4)
- Value for Money5.0 (4)
- Ease of Use4.8 (4)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.5 (4)
- Noise Level4.8 (4)
- Internal Layout4.3 (3)
- Energy Rating3.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm and Frost Free
- Colour / Finish Silver
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves5
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 339 L
Top Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsLG 332L Top Mount with Door Cooling · includes 2 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.8 (8)
- Value for Money4.6 (8)
- Ease of Use5.0 (8)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.9 (8)
- Noise Level4.1 (7)
- Internal Layout5.0 (5)
- Energy Rating4 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm
- Colour / Finish Shiny Steel
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge Yes
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves4
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 332 L
Top Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsSamsung 343L Top Mount · includes 2 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.7 (3)
- Value for Money3.0 (3)
- Ease of Use4.3 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.3 (3)
- Noise Level1.7 (3)
- Internal Layout3.7 (3)
- Energy Rating3.5 star(s)
- FeaturesFrost Free
- Colour / Finish Easy Clean Steel and Snow White
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Total Capacity 343 L
Bottom Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsFisher & Paykel ActiveSmart 442L Bottom Freezer (RF442 Series) · includes 4 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality5.0 (1)
- Value for Money4.0 (1)
- Ease of Use5.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 5.0 (1)
- Noise Level3.0 (2)
- Internal Layout5.0 (1)
- Energy Rating3 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm and Frost Free
- Colour / Finish EZKlean Stainless Steel, EZKleen Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves4
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 2
- Total Capacity 442 L
Bottom Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsFisher & Paykel ActiveSmart 442L Bottom Freezer (E442 Series) · includes 7 listings
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.0 (1)
- Value for Money4.0 (1)
- Ease of Use5.0 (1)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.0 (1)
- Noise Level4.0 (1)
- Internal Layout5.0 (1)
- Energy Rating3 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm, Frost Free, Water Dispenser and Wine Rack
- Colour / Finish EZKleen Stainless Steel and White
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves4
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 2
- Total Capacity 442 L
Bottom Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsSamsung SRL451BLS
Price (RRP) $1,198.00
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.3 (3)
- Value for Money4.5 (2)
- Ease of Use4.7 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.7 (3)
- Noise Level5.0 (2)
- Internal Layout5.0 (1)
- Dimensions 1700 x 700 x 705 mm
- Energy Rating3 star(s)
- FeaturesDisplay Panel, Door Alarm, Foldable/Retractable Shelf, Ice Dispenser and Wine Rack
- Colour / Finish Silver
- Handle Type Recessed
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves4
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 1
- Weight87 kg
- Total Capacity 458 L
French Door Fridges / RefrigeratorsSamsung SRF583DLS
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality2.1 (15)
- Value for Money1.9 (15)
- Ease of Use2.5 (15)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 2.0 (15)
- Noise Level3.0 (14)
- Internal Layout3.3 (9)
- Dimensions 1798 x 817 x 825 mm
- Energy Rating2.5 star(s)
- FeaturesDoor Alarm, Frost Free, Ice Dispenser and Water Dispenser
- Colour / Finish Stainless Steel
- Handle Type External
- Smart Fridge No
- Shelf MaterialGlass
- Number of Shelves3
- Number of Fruit & Vegetable Bins 2
- Weight106 kg
- Total Capacity 583 L
Top Mount Fridges / RefrigeratorsSamsung 318L Top Mount · includes 3 listings
Price (RRP) $799.00
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.0 (3)
- Value for Money4.0 (3)
- Ease of Use4.3 (3)
- Cleaning & Maintenance 4.3 (3)
- Noise Level3.0 (3)
- Internal Layout3.0 (2)
- FeaturesConvertible Fridge/Freezer
- Colour / Finish Refined Inox