Best Refrigerators with Freezers

Which refrigerator type has the most room/most freezer room?

Determining which refrigerator type has the most room is a difficult prospect. As we’ve mentioned, different uses of space can make cubic footage a less clear indicator of the type of space with which you’ll be working. Generally speaking, though, French door and side-by-side refrigerators will have the most room overall. If you specifically need room in the freezer drawer or compartment, we’d recommend sticking with French door refrigerators or other types that utilize freezer drawers. These allow you to utilize every cubic inch of space more efficiently than most other types.

Do French door refrigerators come with ice makers?

French door refrigerators, much like other types, come in variations that do or do not include ice makers. While it is true that French door refrigerators are unlikely to have ice makers as a whole, several exceptions exist—including a few on our list. 

Ice makers in French door refrigerators typically will be found in the freezer drawer. In many instances, these will produce ice at a quicker rate than standard ice makers on side-by-side models, as more space has been allocated for the components. Be sure to check your respective fridge and be sure of ice making and water dispensing capability.

How do I install my refrigerator? Do I need an electrician?

Installing a refrigerator can be done either professionally or manually. Most refrigerator retailers, including online retailers, offer the option of professional installation, which will take the bulk of the burden of installation off of you. To prepare, you can check the size of your door and any tight spaces in your home that may pose a problem to installers. If there is no room in which to maneuver your fridge, there is little you’ll be able to do.

Electricians will not be necessary provided your home or apartment has been adjusted for a refrigerator. Most homes either recommend or require that a refrigerator be installed on a separate circuit than the rest of the home’s appliances in an effort to avoid overloading and tripping the system. If you plan to install a refrigerator in a location not built for one, however, you may need to make a call to your local trusted electrician. 

You will also need to run a basic water line to the refrigerator if your appliance uses a water or ice dispenser.

Do I need to defrost my refrigerator/freezer?

Most of the refrigerators on our list come with automatic defrosting capabilities, which means that whenever ice builds up within the freezer compartment the fridge will detect the problem and get rid of the ice so that you’ll never have to defrost it manually. If the defrost feature is not working as fast as you’d like, though, or your refrigerator operates with a manual defrost, then you’ll need to take the time to handle the ice once it gets near a half-inch of ice. 

You can defrost your fridge by first removing all items from the freezer compartment, as well as sensitive items from the refrigerator compartment. Next, unplug your refrigerator and leave the freezer door ajar. Be sure to place basins below the fridge to collect the melted ice. After about two hours, most accumulation should be gone. You can optionally scrape off any residual mess with a plastic scraper. Just be careful not to use metal, as you could damage the internal integrity of your fridge and void your warranty if applicable.