Fridge buying guide

Fridges play a starring role in kitchens, which makes buying a new one a bit of a big deal. Discover the best in Bar Fridges, Wine Fridges, French Door Fridges and more. The Good Guys have all the best fridge brands from LG and Samsung to Hisense and Fisher & Paykel . Need help narrowing the search? Follow our guide to buying the right fridge for your lifestyle and budget.

There are plenty of fridges to choose from, and one of them is the perfect match for your kitchen. Whether you want to understand the difference between French door and top-mount fridges, or you just need to find the right fridge without getting lost in technical details, this fridge guide is here to help you pick the perfect option for your home, budget, and lifestyle.

Top Mount Fridges

Top-mount fridges are the traditional choice, with the freezer up top and fridge down below. They come in a variety of sizes, are the cheapest to buy and the cheapest to run. The downside? You need to bend down to access the fridge, which might not be ideal if you are tall or have a bad back. Typically, these refrigerators demonstrate higher energy efficiency, consuming 10 to 25 percent less energy when compared to bottom-mount fridges.

Bottom Mount Fridges

Bottom mount fridges offer a superior storage solution for those who do not use their freezer frequently, allowing easy access to all items in the fridge without bending down. The freezer is often designed as a pull-out drawer, making it easier to organise and access frozen items.

Side by Side Fridges

Also known as double door fridges, side-by-side fridges have a freezer on the left and fridge on the right. Space is the big plus here, with capacity ranging from 600 to 700 litres, making them ideal for big families and entertainers. Narrow doors make double door fridges a good option for snug kitchens. Many double door models also have handy ice and water dispensers, but keep in mind these can take up valuable space in the freezer.

French Door Fridges

The best fridge for entertainers and hungry households, French door fridges offer plenty of storage and extra-wide shelves for cheese boards and sushi platters. French door fridges have two side-by-side fridge doors on top, with various combinations below. These can include one or two freezer drawers or two more doors that conceal easy-to-access freezer drawers. Everything in the fridge is at eye-level, the narrow fridge doors don’t take up much space when open, and freezer drawers make it easy to keep food organised. Integrated ice and water dispensers are optional with many models.

Bar Fridges

When choosing a bar fridge, think about how much space you need for your drinks and snacks. If it’s going in the garage, a basic white fridge might do. But for a man cave or stylish space, go for a retro look or something in matte black or stainless steel. Beverage centres are also a great pick, letting you keep an eye on your drink supply with handy glass doors.

Wine Fridges

Form meets function in wine fridges that store your red, white and sparkling wines at the ideal 12 to 18 degrees.

Now that you’ve found the perfect fridge, it’s time to set it up for maximum convenience and efficiency. Here are our tips to ensure your fridge is organized and optimized, keeping your food fresh and your kitchen running smoothly.

What size Fridge should I get?

As a general rule, one to two people will need 200 to 400 litres, three to four people will need 520 to 600 litres, and five-plus people will need 700 litres. Average dimensions can vary, so be sure to measure your fridge space for accuracy. Learn how to pick the perfect fridge, as well as freezers and other kitchen accessories to make the space of your dreams.

“When choosing a fridge-freezer, the first thing you need to do is work out the right capacity for the number of people who live in your home,” says Peter Simic, “Consider your needs. If you are a two-person household that eats out every second day, there is no need to buy a 600-litre French door fridge. That would be inefficient and use up electricity unnecessarily.”

Note: The Good Guys calculates capacity using the usable space of the refrigerator, which does not include shelving, drawers etc. Other supplier/manufacturer marketing material, specifications and information, including product packaging, may calculate capacity using either useable/net space or total/gross space.

Top Mount Fridges: Ideal for smaller households, typically ranging from 200 to 400 litres. They often have a freezer compartment on top. Average dimensions are 160-180 cm (H) x 70-80 cm (W) x 60-70 cm (D).

Bottom Mount Fridges: Great for medium-sized families, with capacities between 300 to 500 litres. These fridges have a freezer compartment at the bottom. Average dimensions are 170-180 cm (H) x 70-80 cm (W) x 70-80 cm (D).

Side by Side Fridges: Perfect for larger families, offering 500 to 700 litres of space. These fridges feature two vertical compartments, one for the freezer and one for the refrigerator, providing ample storage and easy access. Average dimensions are 170-180 cm (H) x 90-100 cm (W) x 70-80 cm (D).

French Door Fridges: Excellent for those who entertain often, with capacities from 520 to 600 litres. They combine the benefits of side-by-side and bottom mount designs, with double doors for the fridge and a freezer drawer at the bottom. Average dimensions are 170-180 cm (H) x 90-100 cm (W) x 70-80 cm (D).

Bar Fridges: Convenient for small spaces or additional storage, usually ranging from 50 to 150 litres. These compact fridges are perfect for beverages and snacks, fitting easily under counters or in small nooks. Average dimensions are 50-85 cm (H) x 45-55 cm (W) x 50-60 cm (D).

At The Good Guys, we calculate refrigerator capacity based on the usable space, excluding shelving, drawers, and other elements. Keep in mind that other suppliers or manufacturers might measure capacity differently, using either usable/net space or total/gross space. Since these are average sizes, actual dimensions may vary, so we recommend measuring your space and checking product details to ensure a perfect fit.

Fridge installation tips and tricks

When measuring for a new fridge, you need to allow for air gaps at the sides, back and top for ventilation. “Also, make sure there is enough room to open the fridge doors,” says Peter Simic. “It sounds like an obvious thing but it’s a mistake you don’t want to make.”Fridges with plumbed ice and water dispensers must be fitted by a plumber. The Good Guys Home Services can take the stress out of installation by organising a licensed professional to do it for you, and also take away your old fridge and all the bulky packaging. “If you’ve ever had to do that yourself, you’ll know how hard it is,” says Peter.

Must have Fridge features

“The ice and filtered water dispenser would be the number one feature that people look for when upgrading their fridge,” says Peter Simic. “Especially the ice. Some models make cubed and crushed ice, and even ice balls. Having the dispenser on the outside of the fridge also means you don’t have to open the fridge itself, so cold air does not escape.” Other top features to look for include:

• LED touchscreens with Wi-Fi connectivity so you can display photos on the door, leave notes, access recipes online, stream music and watch TV shows.

• Hands-free opening with your foot for when your hands are full.

• A warning beep if you leave the door open too long or forget to close it.

• A crisper that seals well to keep vegetables fresh, and can be easily removed for cleaning.

• Adjustable or split shelves that let you make better use of the space.

• Spill-proof shelves with a lip at the end to contain any spills.

• Quick-chill setting in the fridge for drinks and a quick-freeze setting in the freezer for meats.

• Child-proof locks on temperature controls, water and ice dispenser, and medicine compartment.

• LED lights that create a more natural light in the fridge and generate less heat so the fridge stays cool.

Energy-efficient Fridges

If you want to keep your energy bills down, choosing an energy-efficient fridge is a good place to start. Fridges account for up to eight per cent of your electricity bill, with larger fridges using more energy than smaller ones. By law, every fridge or freezer for sale in Australia must meet a minimum level of energy efficiency and display an Energy Rating Label in-store. The star rating shows you how the fridge performs and the more energy stars, the more savings.Fridges and freezers are about 70 per cent more efficient than they were 30 years ago and continue to improve. “A fridge that you bought five years ago is consuming more energy compared to models on sale now,” says Peter Simic. “To save on running costs, you might want to consider an upgrade.”

The best Fridge colours and finishes

“Black is big for fridges – matte black, black glass and black stainless steel textures,” says Peter Simic. “Dark shades bring a real sophistication to a space, and it’s a look you can carry through all your kitchen appliances.” Just keep in mind that black appliances can make a space seem darker if natural light is limited.Looking for a MasterChef-worthy finish? Slick stainless steel, a mainstay of professional kitchens, is the go. If colour is your thing, vintage-style fridges in gelato shades are a fun choice. “Just be sure to choose a colour you’ll be happy to live with for 10 or so years,” says Peter.

Smart Fridges

the supermarket and can’t recall if you need milk? With a smart fridge, you can check via an app on your smartphone. Wi-Fi connectivity makesSo you’re at it all possible, and also lets you sync to-do lists and calendars to a touchscreen display, access recipes based on your fridge contents, stream Bluey for the kids while lunch is being made, or stream soaring ballads while you whip up the world’s best risotto.“Fridges have evolved and if you are after the latest in tech and you want a connected home, a smart fridge is for you,” says Peter Simic.Other smart features include a door-in-door compartment that gives you easy access to drinks and condiments, and a “knock twice” feature that lets you see through the door. “Both these features help to save energy by not opening the full door or limiting how often you need to open it,” says Peter Simic.

We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.

Energy efficiency Using less energy to perform the same task. This essentially leads to eliminating energy waste. In the process, you can cut down your energy bills and help reduce pollution.

Crisper A compartment in the refrigerator designed to keep fruits and vegetables fresh by maintaining optimal humidity levels.

Shelf liner A protective material placed on refrigerator shelves to prevent spills, leaks, and make cleaning easier.

Door gasket The rubber seal around the refrigerator door that helps maintain the internal temperature by preventing cold air from escaping.

Ice maker A built-in device that produces ice cubes or crushed ice, typically located in the freezer compartment.

Water dispenser A feature often found on the refrigerator door, providing chilled water without the need to open the fridge.

Defrost timer A component that controls the automatic defrosting cycle in the freezer to prevent ice build up and maintain efficient operation.

Compressor Motorized pump responsible for circulating the refrigerant and maintaining cooling.

Condenser Coil Coils that release heat from the refrigerant, aiding in cooling.