What are the best French-door fridges?
We look at the pros and cons of this type of fridge, and which models CHOICE experts recommend.
Last updated: 16 Jun 2026
If you’re buying a new fridge and you want to opt for something bigger and fancier than the old-school top- or bottom-mount models, you may be considering a French-door fridge.
Favoured for their stylish looks with multiple doors, good storage capacity and added features (always dreamt of having a built-in water dispenser?), these fridges are billed as a great option for large households or keen entertainers.
But here’s the catch: they’re among the priciest models on the market, with some costing more than $5000.
So, are French-door fridges worth it, and which is the best to buy?
CHOICE experts have put French-door fridges through their paces in our labs and note that each has slightly different features and performs differently.
And price doesn’t always equal performance – some that cost several thousand dollars failed to impress our testers.
The cheapest model recommended by our experts costs $1699, outperforming the most expensive model we’ve tested, which costs $5199.
Here we explain some pros and cons and, exclusively for CHOICE members, we reveal which ones came out top in our tests.
If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.
What is a French-door fridge?
French-door fridges have double doors that open outwards to reveal wide shelves inside. You can open a single door at a time, or both doors at the same time. They may have one or two large freezer drawers on the bottom, or another ‘cupboard-style’ freezer.
French-door fridges are typically larger than other types:
- Average width: 920–960mm
- Average height: 1700–1800mm
- Average depth: 900–960mm.
Best things about French-door fridges
1. Modern and stylish
If you’ve spent thousands on a luxe kitchen renovation and want a top-of-the-range fridge that looks the biz, a French-door fridge fits the brief.
2. Large with good storage capacity
It’s easier to fit wide platters or dishes in both the fridge and freezer than in a single-door unit, and they usually have larger door bins than traditional fridges.
3. Multiple configurations and styles available
Their large size means they have many options for shelving configurations based on your needs, and you can opt for a drawer-style freezer or cupboard-style freezer.
Our experts have even tested the Electrolux EHE6191BB with a flexible compartment with a variable temperature selection that allows you to set the bottom quarter of the fridge to a fridge, freezer or wine cooler.
4. Lots of added features available
These include built-in ice and water dispensers and multi-use compartments. One brand’s French-door fridges also include an ‘auto-fill’ water jug.
Disadvantages of French-door fridges
1. They’re bigger so they use more energy and cost more to run
The 10-year running cost for French-door models in our current test ranges from $1248 to $2276. By comparison, the 10-year running cost for top- or bottom-mount fridges in our current test ranges from $612 to $1560.
2. Ice makers and water chillers can take up a lot of fridge space
Ice makers, for example, can take up to 30% of your freezer capacity.
They can take up a lot of space and can’t fit in a tight corner.
4. More expensive than other styles
The French-door fridges we’ve tested in our labs range in price from $1269 to $5199, with the average price being about $2950.
By comparison, the top-mount fridges in our test cost from $449, with bottom-mount fridges starting at $599.
What are the best French-door fridges?
We independently test and review dozens of new fridges each year in our onsite labs, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.
Our detailed fridge testing data is available exclusively for CHOICE members. If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more.
Or log in to unlock this article and find out which French-door fridges are our experts’ top picks.
Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.
She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.
Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.
Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Find Pru on LinkedIn.
Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.
She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.
Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.
Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Find Pru on LinkedIn.
Rebecca Ciaramidaro is a Content producer in the Household team at CHOICE. Rebecca writes about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. And also grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents.
Previously at CHOICE, Rebecca worked as a Test officer in the kitchen lab.
Rebecca has a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) from the University of Western Sydney. LinkedIn
Rebecca Ciaramidaro is a Content producer in the Household team at CHOICE. Rebecca writes about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. And also grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents.
Previously at CHOICE, Rebecca worked as a Test officer in the kitchen lab.
Rebecca has a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) from the University of Western Sydney. LinkedIn
