Refrigerators: French door, side by side, top freezer, bottom freezer – we put them to the test!

When shopping for refrigerators in Perth, there is a lot more than just the design and appearance of a fridge to take into consideration. One should be mindful of size, functionality, capacity and of course, how energy efficient it is.

For many, the energy efficiency is their main priority. If this is how you intend to shop for a refrigerator in Perth, then you will want to purchase a fridge with at least 2.5 stars. Every star thereafter will then reduce your running costs a further 20% (source: Sustainability Victoria). However, if you’re wanting a broader understanding of what to look for when shopping for refrigerators in Perth then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I will walk you through four of the most common types of refrigerators available in Perth. After reading this article, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on which to choose. Are you wondering how I know all this? It’s because I’m the head of purchasing at Ross’s and I’ve helped several customers make their purchase.

French door

French door refrigerators are quite luxurious and are the most popular refrigerators in Perth. Featuring side by side doors, these refrigerators have the freezer at the bottom of the unit. I have one myself and I can honestly say I’d never go back to having a standard refrigerator again!

French door refrigerators offer a range of benefits. They are usually packed with plenty of features and offer excellent storage capacity. The freezer and the fridge are both large enough to accommodate bulk foods and platters. Also, these refrigerators offer all the advantages of a bottom mount unit.

While I love my French door refrigerator, I must admit that there are a few disadvantages to them. First of all, they are far more expensive than any other type of refrigerators. Also, they take up a lot of space and cannot be placed in corners. The ice cube maker and water chiller also consume much fridge space.

A recent Consumer Report survey stated that 54 percent of participants owned a French door bottom-freezer refrigerator.

If the price tag isn’t a concern and you’re looking for the more fashionable refrigerators in Perth, French door models are meant for you.

Side by side

Side by side refrigerators are also quite popular with Perth homeowners. While side by side refrigerators are perfect for narrow kitchens, they are the least space efficient on the inside. They typically contain the fridge on one side and a vertical freezer on the other. While some models offer equal storage on both sides, most offer a narrower freezer section.

When it comes to the pros of side by side refrigerators, there are quite a few of them. These refrigerators offer good storage capacity and are great for small walkways and narrow areas. They also have varied features and offer the best access for the disabled.

However, side by side refrigerators also suffers from many drawbacks. First of all, the internal space is really narrow and cannot accommodate a frozen turkey or a pizza box. Moreover, a lot of the freezer space is consumed by water chillers and ice cube makers. Also, the temperatures may be different at the top and bottom of the fridge. You won’t be able to use these refrigerators in tight corners either.

While this is a decent choice, the Consumer Report survey revealed that only a quarter of all people who bought a fridge between 2010 and 2016 bought a side by side refrigerator.

If you’re in need of feature-rich refrigerator for a narrow space, then I recommend you start looking at side by side refrigerators in Perth. In fact, check out our 584lt Side By Side Refrigerator. It is a great unit that offers stunning looks and superior quality.

Top freezer

When it comes to value for money, top freezer refrigerators simply cannot be beaten. While these models score lower in terms of features and style, they are incredibly affordable. Typically, the top one-third of the refrigerator includes the freezer, while the bottom two-thirds make up the fridge. I’ve sold many of these to customers at Ross’s.

Top freezer refrigerators offer are many advantages. First, they are the cheapest to buy and to run. Also, there is a wide range of models that you can choose from. However, the biggest disadvantage that they offer is that you always need to bend down to access the fridge.

While top freezers were once the most popular refrigerator in Perth, today the survey results show just 16 percent of participants bought a top freezer refrigerator between 2010 and 2016.

If you’re a bargain shopper and you don’t want anything too flashy, top freezer refrigerators are meant for you. At Ross’s, several of our top freezer refrigerators in Perth are bestsellers with our customers. I recommend you consider our 311 litre white finish and our 420 litre stainless steel finish models.

Bottom freezer

Bottom freezer refrigerators are simple and offer easy access to the fridge. Thanks to the freezer being located at the bottom of the unit, you’ll find that everything is within easy reach. While there are fewer bottom freezer models available in the market, many people with back pain prefer these over others.

These refrigerators are all about convenience. Thanks to a well-thought-out and logical design, all fridge items will be at eye level. Also, modern day units include draw-out freezers with sliding baskets.

However, bottom freezer refrigerators are quite expensive, falling second in price range only to French door refrigerators. These units are also more expensive to run and the freezer takes much more time to chill completely.

If you’re someone who values simplicity and convenience over everything else, shop for bottom freezer refrigerators in Perth.

Conclusion:

When it comes to the type of refrigerators available in Perth, you have four options to choose from – French door, side by side, top freezer and bottom freezer.

French door refrigerators are elegant, grand and the most popular choice. These refrigerators offer ample space and are packed with features. However, they are also the most expensive.

Side by side refrigerators are ideal for narrow kitchens and walkways, but they suffer from lack of internal space and lesser features.

Top freezers are no frills refrigerators which offer great value for money. However, you will always need to bend to access the fridge.

Bottom freezers are the least common of all types, but they are very convenient to use. These are, however, more expensive than top freezers and the choice is limited.

If you’ve made a decision on which type of refrigerator to purchase, visit our showroom in Guildford, Perth. We stock one of the largest ranges of French door, side by side and top freezer refrigerators in Perth. The best part about purchasing from us is that we offer high-quality items at the best prices. Nowhere else in Perth will you get such value for your money.

Call (08) 9378 2233 if you need any more information or if you would like to make a purchase. We’d love to hear from you.