Side by Side Fridges

A Side-by-Side Fridge has two doors: one to access a full length freezer and the other a full length fridge, which is an ideal scenario when relying on fresh and frozen foods equally. The freezer is a great organisation tool, so if you batch cook meals or stash frozen fruits for smoothies then it makes sense to have them as accessible as possible.

What you see is what you get with a Side by Side Fridge Freezer as everything’s on display on shelves, in drawers and in door bins with no hidden surprises. Many models offer adjustable spill proof shelving for both bulky goods and accidental spillage. Many come with a water dispenser, while some contain both water and ice dispensers.

Large usable litre capacities make these fridges ideal for a 3-4 person household. Keep in mind they can take up a fair bit of room so measure the space carefully and if you find it tight, consider a fridge which can maximise internal space without increasing external dimensions.

The most notable difference is in the configuration: Side by Side Fridges have the fridge and freezer next to each other across two doors, while French Door Fridges have the fridge above the freezer with two doors for fridge access and two doors for the freezer below, or one freezer drawer with stacked pull out baskets.

While Side-by-Side Fridges can be great for kitchens that need ample fridge and freezer space with quick access to both, French Door Fridges are more about the fridge with wide and deep shelves at eye level to store plenty of fresh food, drinks and party platters. This is coupled with flexible storage solutions like slide back or flip up shelving in Westinghouse French Door Fridges to cater for unexpected items.

French Door Fridges have more models that dispense both ice and water, as well as having more robust amd flexible storage across convertible temperature compartments in either the fridge or freezer, while Side-by-Side fridges tend not to.

Side by side fridges are best suited to households of three to four people or more, where both fridge and freezer space are in regular demand. The generous freezer capacity makes them particularly practical for households that batch cook, freeze seasonal produce, or stock up on frozen goods to reduce mid-week shopping trips.

Households with two people may find the total capacity more than they can consistently fill, which can affect energy efficiency as a less-full fridge works slightly harder to maintain temperature. For smaller households, a bottom mount fridge or top mount fridge may be a more proportionate fit. For larger families or households with heavy frozen food use, the side by side format is a genuinely practical choice that keeps both fresh and frozen storage accessible and well-organised.

Generally, you’ll find the freezer to the left in a Side-by-Side Fridge. Side by Side Fridges hero the freezer as full length for storing all those frozen essentials that can be a huge help in busy kitchens, especially households that rely on frozen meals for defrosting midweek or storing frozen veg, fruit or pastry for cooking and baking.

The freezer volume of a Side-by-Side fridge is generous enough for loading and stacking various foods on shelves and in pull out drawers for an organised space, so you can place frozen desserts on one, meals on the other and so forth.

Very few Side-by-Side models offer both water and ice dispensing however keep in mind that ones that do may take up freezer space. To get around this, brands like LG have their ice maker built into the freezer door to not sacrifice on freezer storage while also allowing storage in freezer door bins.

With their larger usable litre capacities at around the 570 to 660-litre-mark, Side-by-Side fridges tend to consume more electricity, so they can cost more to run. The majority have 3 to 3.5 Star Energy Ratings, while others can be higher on the upper end of the usable capacity scale with a 4 Star Energy Rating.

To avoid any surprises, it’s a good idea to estimate the average annual running cost. For an estimate, the Australian Government’s Energy Rating site says to multiply the kilowatt hours (kWh) noted on the energy label by the cost of electricity in your area. Remember to compare models of the same usable capacity to get an accurate understanding on the energy efficiency.

Side-by-Side Fridges generally have a higher annual running cost due to their spacious volume, so to make good use of these fridges ensure the usable capacity meet your living requirements before buying.

Getting the most out of a side by side fridge comes down to how consistently you use the available shelving and door storage. Grouping items by type and keeping frequently used items at eye level reduces time spent with the door open, which is better for both convenience and energy use.

Practical Tips for Keeping Things in Order

• Use door bins for daily-use items - condiments, drinks, and dairy products are easier to access from the door than the main shelves

• Assign shelves by category - dedicate one fridge shelf to leftovers, another to produce, and another to drinks to make restocking and meal planning more predictable

• Keep the freezer organised by section - group meals, vegetables, and baked goods on separate shelves to avoid digging through a mixed pile

• Check temperatures in different zones - the back of the fridge tends to be cooler than the door, so store items that need consistent cold towards the rear

Don't overfill - leaving some space between items allows cold air to circulate properly and keeps temperatures even throughout both compartments

A side by side fridge typically lasts between 14 and 17 years with regular use and basic maintenance. This is broadly in line with other large fridge formats, though the lifespan can vary depending on the brand, how heavily the appliance is used, and whether the door seals and condenser coils are kept clean over time.

Keeping the door seals free from food residue prevents cold air from escaping and reduces how hard the compressor has to work. Cleaning the condenser coils at the back or underneath the unit once or twice a year removes dust build-up that can affect cooling efficiency. Replacing door seals at the first sign of cracking or looseness is far less costly than the increased running costs that come from a fridge that can't hold its temperature properly.

Stainless steel is the most widely available finish across the side by side fridge range and suits most kitchen styles. It holds up well to daily handling and is easy to wipe clean, though it does show fingerprints more readily than other finishes. Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel is available on many models and reduces the frequency of wiping down the exterior.

Black stainless steel and matte black finishes have grown in popularity and suit darker or more contemporary kitchen designs. Some models are available in a flat panel or integrated look for kitchens where appliances are built into cabinetry. White remains a practical option for more traditional kitchen styles and tends to show fingerprints less than stainless finishes. Availability varies by brand and model, so confirming which finishes are in stock for your preferred model before committing is worthwhile. Popular options include Samsung side by side fridges and Hisense side by side fridges, both of which offer a range of finishes across their lineups.

Side by side fridges are priced higher than top mount and bottom mount models due to their larger capacity and more complex internal layout. Entry-level models in the range offer solid core storage across both compartments, while mid-range and premium models add features such as ice and water dispensers, fingerprint-resistant finishes, and more sophisticated temperature management.

Higher-priced side by side fridges typically offer a larger combined capacity, better energy ratings, quieter operation, and additional convenience features like in-door ice makers that don't sacrifice freezer space. For households intending to keep the appliance for a decade or more, the additional features and build quality of a mid-range model from brands like LG or Samsung often represent better long-term value than the cheapest available option.