With so many different types of refrigerators on the market today, you can choose from the right combination of looks, storage space and convenience to find a fridge that fits your lifestyle. A great place to start your search is to pick the best type of refrigerator for your kitchen layout and your food storage needs. Our guide will help explore different types of refrigerators so you can learn more, compare and get started finding the right one.
How many types of fridges are there?
Though the types of refrigerators vary by brand, there are five basic configurations and a few different installation styles. The five types of fridge configurations are top or bottom freezer, French door, side-by-side and undercounter refrigerators. Most refrigerators are freestanding but you can find built-in fridges as well as counter depth models among the types of refrigerators.
Let’s take a closer look at each type of fridge.

French door refrigerators

French door refrigerators usually offer:
- Wide refrigerator and freezer compartments for items like frozen pizza or large casserole dishes and platters
- More refrigerator capacity vs freezer capacity
- Adjustable shelves, compartments, and more for customizable storage
- Exterior ice and water dispensers

Side-by-side refrigerators
Side-by-side refrigerators feature two doors that open from the center with a freezer on one side and a refrigerator on the other. Shelving from top to bottom allows you to place important items—fresh and frozen—at eye level while storing less-used items near the bottom. Like French door refrigerators, side-by-sides usually offer a little more overall capacity and tend to come with more features compared to other types of refrigerators or higher-end touchpoints.
Side-by-side refrigerators usually offer:
- Slightly more freezer capacity vs a french door refrigerator
- Vertical storage to keep both fresh and frozen items at eye level
- Adjustable shelves, door bins, and more for customizable storage
- Exterior ice and water dispensers
- Reduced door swing clearance—great for narrow or tight spaces
Shopping tip: French door vs side-by-side refrigerators
The main difference is the location and dimensions of their compartments. A French door features two wide compartments with double doors on the refrigerator up top and a freezer drawer below. A side-by-side places the refrigerator and freezer compartments next to each other for two tall but narrower spaces accessible by double doors. If you need wide storage or like to keep all of your fresh items at eye-level, a French door fridge may be best for you. If you’d like the option to keep both at eye-level or if you don’t like having a pull out drawer, choose a side-by-side.

Top freezer refrigerators
Sometimes called top-mount, this classic refrigerator style places the freezer above the refrigerator compartment with one door for each that opens from the side. This type of refrigerator makes freezer storage easy to access and provides wide in-door storage. You can often find top freezer refrigerators at an entry price-point since more advanced features like exterior ice and water are less common in this kind of fridge.
Top freezer refrigerators usually offer:
- A traditional refrigerator setup and look
- More refrigerator space than freezer space
- Easy access to frozen items
- Large door clearances, requiring more open space in front of the unit
- A streamlined set of features and an entry price-point

Bottom freezer refrigerators
Sometimes called bottom-mount, these refrigerators are the reverse of top freezer styles. In this type of fridge, the fresh food compartment is on top with the freezer down below accessible by either a side-open door or a pull-out drawer. This setup allows you to get a classic refrigerator look while making fresh items easier to access.
Bottom freezer refrigerators usually offer:
- Larger refrigerator compartment vs freezer compartment
- Easy access to fresh items
- Large door clearances, requiring more open space in front of the unit
- A streamlined set of features and an entry price-point

Undercounter refrigerators
Undercounter refrigerators are much smaller than full-sized types of fridges. As the name suggests, they are installed underneath the counter, making them a kind of built-in refrigerator. Most contain one refrigerator cavity, with some models featuring a freezer zone. Undercounter wine cellars and beverage centers are specialized versions made for storing wine or beer bottles and cans at your ideal temperature.

Undercounter refrigerators usually offer:
- Additional food or beverage storage
- Ability to create specialized temperature zones or overflow cold food storage
- A single reversible door
- Undercounter installation for a seamless integration with cabinets

Installation styles

Freestanding refrigerators
Built-in refrigerators

Counter-depth refrigerators

What is the best way to compare different types of refrigerators?
- Size: French door and side-by-side models tend to offer larger capacities with top or bottom freezer fridges offering more compact options. Explore our guide to refrigerator sizes and dimensions to learn more.
- Style: Choose a top freezer fridge if you want a classic style, or go for a French door if you’re looking for something more modern. For a premium look, consider a built-in installation or counter-depth fridge.
- Space/cubic feet: Side-by-side refrigerators may offer a little more freezer storage compared to other fridges. French door along with top- and bottom freezer refrigerators provide wide cavities but you’ll have to choose whether you want fresh food or frozen at eye level.
- Organization options: Look for the kinds of shelves and storage compartments or bins you’ll use the most. A fridge featuring adjustable storage options will let you customize the layout for your needs. Get help organizing your fridge to help keep your food fresh.
- Features: A top or bottom freezer fridge with a streamlined set of features can still provide excellent cold storage. If you’re looking for some additional options like exterior ice and water, specialized temperature zones and spill-proof shelves, look to French door and side-by-side models.
- Finishes: Most refrigerators are available in white, black and stainless steel. Whirlpool brand also offers select models featuring a fingerprint resistant stainless finish that resists smudges and easily wipes clean.

How do I choose the best type of refrigerator for my family?
- Budget: If you’re looking for a lower entry price-point, you can find some classic food storage options from Whirlpool with select top freezer and bottom freezer refrigerators that still offer features like optional interior ice makers, adjustable door bins, and freezer temperature controls. If you are in search of more advanced features to help with food storage and daily meal prep, consider select Whirlpool® French door and side-by-side models. You’ll find features such as exterior ice and water with Measured Fill and dual ice makers along with pizza or platter pockets for specialized storage.
- Family size: Smaller families can find top and bottom freezer options in smaller sizes to meet their needs. Large families, or ones that often entertain might consider French door or side-by-side models for more options with larger capacities. Select Whirlpool® French door refrigerators feature refrigerated exterior drawers for easy access to snacks and the ability to adjust temperature controls and dividers based on what you're storing. Oversized built-in fridges are a good option for very large households. Undercounter refrigerators from Whirlpool can also offer some extra overflow storage or a specialized place to store beverages. Learn more about large capacity refrigerators to find a good option for your full house.
- Kitchen space/layout: Families with limited space can find compact appliances from Whirlpool, including this 24-inch bottom freezer refrigerator. Learn more about apartment-sized refrigerators to find out how to optimize your space. If you don’t want to sacrifice capacity in a tight kitchen, the narrow doors of a side-by-side refrigerator require less door clearance. Whirlpool® Counter-Depth Refrigerators shave a few inches off the depth to help you fit a side-by-side or French door model into smaller kitchens.
- Food storage needs:
Fresh: If family dinners usually involve a lot of fresh ingredients, look for a fridge that prioritizes refrigerator space and offers specialized temperature zones or food storage spaces. Select Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators feature humidity-controlled crispers and Accu-Chill™ Temperature Management System to store food in its ideal environment.
Frozen: If your busy family relies on frozen ingredients to get dinner together fast, consider models featuring more freezer space and easier access to frozen items such as select side-by-side refrigerators from Whirlpool featuring adaptive defrost or In-Door-Ice® storage that gives you an extra full shelf in the freezer.
Find the best type of refrigerator for you
Model: WRS315SDHM
Color: Monochromatic Stainless Steel
MSRP: $1,299.00
Model: WRF757SDHZ
Color: Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
MSRP: $2,749.00
Model: WRB119WFBM
Color: Stainless Steel
MSRP: $1,554.00
Model: WRT511SZDM
Color: Monochromatic Stainless Steel
MSRP: $1,099.00
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