Refrigerator buying guide: how to choose a new fridge

What to consider when buying a fridge

A new refrigerator can be a big investment and a central fixture in your kitchen. From measuring your space to choosing a style that suits your household’s needs, there are several key factors to consider before you make a purchase.

1. Kitchen space and layout

A refrigerator should make good use of kitchen space. Before shopping, use a tape measure to get accurate dimensions for your new fridge. Make sure to have the following information on hand:

• Width, height and depth measurements of the space where your new fridge will be installed.

• The amount of space needed to open refrigerator doors and drawers with ease.

• Distance from the fridge to nearby kitchen islands.

This refrigerator measuring guide walks you through the entire process.

2. Counter-depth vs. standard-depth 

You’ll also want to consider whether you want a standard-depth or counter-depth refrigerator. Standard-depth refrigerators stick out further in front of your counters, while counter-depth options in every style sit more flush than standard units.

3. Refrigerator style and configuration

Organize and store your favorite fresh and frozen items just how you like them with the right refrigerator style and configuration for your family. Learn more about pantry-style French door refrigerators, sleek side-by-side fridges, classic top- or bottom-freezer refrigerators or specialized undercounter refrigerator models to find the right fit.

French door refrigerators

French door refrigerators, like the models available from Whirlpool brand, put refrigerated food at eye level and freezer items below. The standard French door design features two doors that open to a single refrigerator compartment on the top, plus a deeper freezer drawer on the bottom.

French door fridges are often a higher-end choice because they usually have many features. Various Whirlpool^® French Door Refrigerators often offer:

• Water dispensers, single and double ice makers and dual cooling.

• Specialized storage. On select Whirlpool^® Refrigerators, you may find features like customizable drawers, adjustable shelves for taller items and organized freezer storage.

• Ample space for wider items like platters and pizza boxes.

• A refrigerator Exterior Drawer on some models, which helps keep items you use most within easy reach.

Shop Whirlpool^® French Door Refrigerators

Often offering large capacities and high-end features, Whirlpool^® French Door Refrigerators can be a great option for larger families or anyone seeking convenience in the kitchen. On select Whirlpool^® models, you can maximize organization and minimize clutter with unique storage zones, including the EasyReach Zone, EasyView^™ Drawers and Pizza Pocket, which make it easy for your family to find and fit the foods they love.

4 Door Refrigerators

Similar to French door refrigerators, 4-door refrigerators have two doors that open to the refrigerator space above with a two-door freezer on the bottom. Other popular features of 4-door refrigerators often include:

• Flexible organization spaces to help cut down on clutter and easily find your favorites.

• Water dispensers with multiple options for ice or frozen storage.

• Optional temperature settings for one of the zones, so you can decide whether to use the space as a fridge or freezer.

• A 4-door quad design that helps keep both frozen and refrigerated items top of mind.

Shop Whirlpool^® 4-Door Refrigerators

The layout of a Whirlpool^® 4-Door Refrigerator like this one helps keep items organized and accessible while offering a sleek, modern look. On select Whirlpool^® 4-door models, you can enjoy features like the Triple Evaporation System, with three different sensors that monitor fridge and freezer temperatures to help keep your food fresh and tasty for as long as possible. The Tuck Shelf on other Whirlpool^® 4-door models also adjusts and slides out of the way to create space for tall items like a 2-liter bottle or large salad bowl.

Side-by-side refrigerators

Side-by-side refrigerators, like the options available from Whirlpool brand, position the freezer on the left and the refrigerator on the right. With easy access to both sides and a selection of the same features available on French door refrigerators, characteristics of this classic include:

• Performance features like humidity-controlled crispers to create ideal fruit and vegetable environments.

• Specialized can storage like the Can Caddy on select Whirlpool^® models, to organize soda.

• Plenty of usable capacity. 

• Space-saving ice maker and water on the freezer door.

• Often less door swing room than top-freezer models of the same width.

Shop Whirlpool^® Side-by-Side Refrigerators

With features on select models like the Pantry Drawer and Configuration Visibility, Whirlpool^® Side-by-Side Refrigerators are ready to meet all your food storage needs and help keep everything within sight. Easily reach everything you need with Counter Depth Design, on select Whirlpool^® models, integrated with your counter for a built-in look.

Top- and bottom-freezer refrigerators

Top-freezer refrigerators, like the models offered by Whirlpool brand, have the freezer on top and a single-door refrigerator on bottom, making the freezer easy to access.

Whirlpool^® Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators have a single-door refrigerator on top and a deeper freezer drawer below—similar to a French door. The refrigerator compartment is easily accessible on these models.

Both top- and bottom-freezer models tend to be lighter on features and smaller in size than French door and side-by-side models. They may be the right fit if you appreciate:

• Thinner widths for small spaces, with good capacity for the size.

• Fitting into spaces without a water hookup, since ice and water dispensers are less common.

Shop Whirlpool^® Top- and Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators

Whirlpool^® Top-Freezer Refrigerators can help make frozen items easier to access in a compact design. Whirlpool^® Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators reverse the layout with a single-door refrigerator on top and a deeper freezer drawer below, keeping fresh foods at eye level. On select Whirlpool^® models, Frameless Glass Shelves let you store more items with wall-to-wall flexibility, while the FreshFlow^™ Produce Preserver helps fruits and veggies stay fresher longer.

Undercounter refrigerators

Whirlpool brand also offers undercounter refrigerators, which are a popular option for storing food and drinks. They are often available with reversible doors, temperature-controlled zones and spill-proof shelves.

Beverage and wine centers, like the models available from Whirlpool brand, are undercounter refrigerators designed to store wine and craft beer at ideal temperatures. They can also work as a secondary fridge for soda and water, which can be great when entertaining.

Learn more about the different types of refrigerators, or find some undercounter refrigerator features to look for.

Shop Whirlpool^® Undercounter Refrigerators

Beverage and wine centers, like the models available from Whirlpool brand, are designed to store wine and craft beer at ideal temperatures and can also work as a secondary fridge for soda and water. On select Whirlpool^® models, a Single-Temperature Controlled Zone lets you choose the custom setting you prefer, while dedicated Wine Storage holds up to 34 bottles of your favorite reds or whites.

4. Fridge capacity and storage options

When you’re buying a refrigerator, look at capacity, measured in cubic feet (cu. ft.), to compare total size. While shopping, you should consider:

• How much you bring home from the grocery store and how many people are in your family—this will help you determine your needed cubic feet.

• Quick access to favorites and who needs to reach them—exterior drawers or storage zones on the door’s interior let you store snacks where they’re easy to reach.

• Whether you need to store extra tall items or large platters—certain styles like French door and side-by-side often have specialized storage solutions like sliding shelves and wide trays.

• Whether you need a standard capacity refrigerator with around 20 cubic feet, or a large capacity fridge closer to 30 cubic feet. If you have limited space, or a small family, small space refrigerator capacities usually run from around 11 to 18 cubic feet. If you’re looking for mini-fridge dimensions, they usually run around 4 to 5 cubic feet. These are just estimates, as some models do vary.

• If you often need room for bulk freezer purchases or extra fresh food storage space, Whirlpool brand has a wide selection of chest and upright freezers that can often convert to a refrigerator when your storage needs change. They sometimes feature sliding baskets on three storage levels to keep food visible and easy to access.

Learn more about large capacity refrigerators and small space refrigerators.

Shop Whirlpool^® Refrigerators with extra storage spaces

Whirlpool^® Refrigerators can help you maximize organization and minimize clutter with smart storage and large capacity. Six unique storage zones on select Whirlpool^® models include the EasyReach Zone, EasyView^™ Drawers and the dedicated Pizza Pocket, making it simple for your family to find and fit the foods they love. The EasyReach Zone with an adjustable divider offers more than a foot of vertical space for tall items—enough room to store two 1-gallon milk jugs and two 2-liter soda bottles at the same time, while the EasyView^™ Drawers give oversized produce the space it needs, with stacked drawers that can hold a 4-lb cabbage, two 5-ounce packages of leafy greens and a 3-lb melon, helping you keep produce top of mind and reduce food waste. With thoughtful storage solutions built in, Whirlpool^® Refrigerators make it easier to keep your kitchen organized and your family’s favorites within reach.

5. Refrigerator features

Before you buy a refrigerator, think about the features you’ll use most. Here are a few refrigerator features to consider:

• Performance features: Many refrigerators are designed with technologies that help maintain the right environment for fresh and frozen food. Select Whirlpool^® Refrigerators feature Dual Cooling, which senses conditions and automatically adapts humidity levels, so food is stored in the ideal environment.

• Convenient ice and water dispensing: Modern refrigerators often include water dispensers to make everyday hydration easier. Select Whirlpool^® Refrigerators include Measured Fill, which lets you select the exact amount of filtered water you need in ounces, cups or liters without a measuring cup, while others, like this Whirlpool^® French Door Refrigerator, have the Whirlpool^® EasyFill Water Dispenser, designed for larger containers and easier access with a front-positioned spout. For easy access to ice, select Whirlpool^® Refrigerators include In-Door Filtered Water Dispenser & Ice Maker that holds up to 3.5 lbs of ice, with a removable bucket that makes filling coolers easy for any family adventure.

• Specialized storage: Many refrigerators offer adjustable storage solutions, and Whirlpool^® Refrigerators take it further with thoughtful designs. Select models feature Infinity Slide Shelves to give you the room you need and Adjustable Gallon Door Bins for increased loading flexibility when and where you need it. The Flexible Temperature Drawer lets you choose your chill with dedicated settings for wine, deli, drinks and meat, to keep up with your meal planning for everything from large family dinners to school lunches.

• Lighting: Good lighting makes it easier to see and find your favorite foods. Select Whirlpool^® Refrigerators like this one include LED Interior Lighting, which casts light inside the refrigerator so food looks as good as it tastes.

Discover even more new refrigerator trends and features.

6. Refrigerator color and finish

Refrigerator finishes vary from traditional black and white to a range of stainless steel hues, giving you options to match your kitchen style. Whirlpool^® Refrigerators come in black, white and stainless steel. Explore all colors available to find the right fit for you.

Shop Whirlpool^®  Refrigerators 

Find just the right combination of size, features and finishes for your kitchen and your family when you explore a full lineup of refrigerator styles from Whirlpool brand. Discover the best Whirlpool^® Refrigerator for your home or shop Whirlpool brand ENERGY STAR^® certified refrigerators to use less energy year-round.