French Door vs Side-by-Side Refrigerators: How to Choose
French door refrigerators put fresh food at eye level, while side-by-sides give tall columns. Compare six real models by size, depth and dispenser.
French door and side-by-side refrigerators both come in stainless steel and a range of sizes, but they organize your food differently. A French door model has two narrow doors on top and a freezer drawer below, so fresh food sits at eye level. A side-by-side has two tall doors, with the freezer in one column and the fridge in the other.
This guide compares three French door and three side-by-side refrigerators using the details on each product page. For more on side-by-side layouts, see our side-by-side refrigerators guide, or browse all French door refrigerators and side-by-side refrigerators.
- The Frigidaire FRFG1723AV and Samsung RF18A5101SR are counter-depth French door models with about 17.5 cu. ft. and no water dispenser.
- The GE GNE27JYMFS is a standard-depth French door with 27 cu. ft., an internal water dispenser and a factory-installed icemaker.
- The Frigidaire FRSS2623AS (25.6 cu. ft.) and Samsung RS27T5200SR (27.4 cu. ft.) are side-by-side models with an external water and ice dispenser.
- The Whirlpool WRS321SDHZ is a side-by-side with 21.4 cu. ft., an external dispenser and a fingerprint-resistant finish.
- Counter-depth models trade some capacity for a shallower footprint.
Our top picks at a glance
Compare them side by sideCounter-Depth French Door Pick: Frigidaire FRFG1723AV
Frigidaire FRFG1723AV 32 inch Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with 17.6 Cu. Ft. Capacity, Sabbath Mode, Energy Star (Brushed Steel)
The FRFG1723AV is a counter-depth French door refrigerator with 17.6 cu. ft. in brushed steel. It lists Sabbath mode, Energy Star certification and an ice maker, and it has no water dispenser. It is 31 3/10" wide, 31" deep and 67 9/10" tall.
- Counter-depth
- Energy Star
- Sabbath mode
- No water dispenser
Smart French Door Pick: Samsung RF18A5101SR
Samsung RF18A5101SR 33 inch Smart French Door Refrigerator with 17.5 cu. ft. Capacity, Counter Depth, LED Lighting, ADA Compliant, Energy Star (Stainless Steel)
The RF18A5101SR is a smart counter-depth French door refrigerator with 17.5 cu. ft. It lists LED lighting, ADA compliance, Energy Star certification and an ice maker, with no water dispenser. It is 32 1/8" wide, 28 1/8" deep and 70" tall.
- Counter-depth
- ADA compliant
- Smart refrigerator
- No water dispenser
Standard-Depth French Door Pick: GE GNE27JYMFS
The GNE27JYMFS is a French door refrigerator with 27 cu. ft. in fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. It lists an internal water dispenser, a factory-installed icemaker, spill-proof shelves and Energy Star certification. It is 35 3/4" wide and 35 7/8" deep.
- 27 cu. ft.
- Internal water dispenser
- Spill-proof shelves
- 35 7/8" deep
Whirlpool Side-by-Side Pick: Whirlpool WRS321SDHZ
Whirlpool WRS321SDHZ 33 inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator with 21.4 cu. ft. Capacity, LED Interior Lighting, External Ice and Water Dispenser, Adaptive Defrost (Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel)
The WRS321SDHZ is a side-by-side refrigerator with 21.4 cu. ft. in fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. It lists LED interior lighting, an external ice and water dispenser, cube and crushed ice and adaptive defrost. It is 32 3/4" wide, 33 5/8" deep and 66 5/8" tall.
- External dispenser
- Cube and crushed ice
- Fingerprint-resistant finish
- 33 5/8" deep
Standard-Depth Side-by-Side Pick: Frigidaire FRSS2623AS
Frigidaire FRSS2623AS 36 inch Standard Depth Side by Side Refrigerator with 25.6 Cu. Ft. Capacity, Energy Star, NSF Certified (Stainless Steel)
The FRSS2623AS is a standard-depth side-by-side refrigerator with 25.6 cu. ft. in stainless steel. It lists an external water and ice dispenser, Energy Star certification and NSF certification. It is 36 1/8" wide, 35" deep and 69 7/8" tall.
- External water and ice dispenser
- Energy Star
- NSF certified
- 35" deep
Gallon Bin Side-by-Side Pick: Samsung RS27T5200SR
Samsung RS27T5200SR 36 inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator with 27.4 cu. ft. Capacity, LED Lighting, Door Alarm and Gallon Door Bins in Stainless Steel
The RS27T5200SR is a side-by-side refrigerator with 27.4 cu. ft. in stainless steel. It lists LED lighting, a door alarm, gallon door bins, cube and crushed ice and an external water and ice dispenser.
- Gallon door bins
- Door alarm
- External dispenser
- 33 1/2" deep
French Door and Side-by-Side Refrigerators Compared
Frigidaire French Door | Samsung French Door | GE French Door | Whirlpool Side-by-Side | Frigidaire Side-by-Side | Samsung Side-by-Side | |
| Model | FRFG1723AV | RF18A5101SR | GNE27JYMFS | WRS321SDHZ | FRSS2623AS | RS27T5200SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,393 | $1,295 | $1,693 | $1,498 | $1,253 | $1,195 |
| Style | French door | French door | French door | Side-by-side | Side-by-side | Side-by-side |
| Capacity | 17.6 cu. ft. | 17.5 cu. ft. | 27 cu. ft. | 21.4 cu. ft. | 25.6 cu. ft. | 27.4 cu. ft. |
| Width | 31 3/10" | 32 1/8" | 35 3/4" | 32 3/4" | 36 1/8" | 35 7/8" |
| Depth | 31" | 28 1/8" | 35 7/8" | 33 5/8" | 35" | 33 1/2" |
| Height | 67 9/10" | 70" | 69 7/8" | 66 5/8" | 69 7/8" | 70 1/16" |
| Water dispenser | Not included | Not included | Internal | External | External | External |
| Ice dispenser | Not included | Not included | Not included | External | External | External |
| Ice maker |  | | | | | |
| View | View | View | View | View | View |
French Door Refrigerators
French door models put fresh food at eye level and open with narrow doors, which helps in tight aisles. The three French door models here run from 17.5 to 27 cu. ft. The two counter-depth models, the FRFG1723AV and RF18A5101SR, list depths of 31" and 28 1/8".
Side-by-Side Refrigerators
Side-by-side models split the cabinet into two tall columns, so you can reach both fresh and frozen food at the same height. The three here run from 21.4 to 27.4 cu. ft. and all list an external water and ice dispenser.
Which Layout Fits Your Kitchen?
Measure the width and depth of the space and the clearance for the doors. Counter-depth models line up with cabinets but hold less. Standard-depth models hold more but stick out further. For help with space planning, read our refrigerator size and layout guide.
- French door: FRFG1723AV, RF18A5101SR, GNE27JYMFS
- Side-by-side: WRS321SDHZ, FRSS2623AS, RS27T5200SR
How to Choose Between French Door and Side-by-Side
- 01
Measure the spaceCheck width, depth and height, and leave room for the doors.
- 02
Choose the layoutPick French door for eye-level fresh food or side-by-side for two tall columns.
- 03
Pick the depthChoose counter-depth for a flush look or standard depth for more storage.
- 04
Pick the dispenserChoose internal water, an external dispenser or none.
Our picks by budget
Related guides
Compare French door and side-by-side refrigerators by size and features.
Shop French door refrigeratorsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between French door and side-by-side refrigerators?
French door models have two narrow doors above a freezer drawer. Side-by-side models have two tall doors, with the freezer in one column and the fridge in the other.
Which layout has more capacity in this guide?
The French door GNE27JYMFS lists 27 cu. ft. and the side-by-side RS27T5200SR lists 27.4 cu. ft.
Are there counter-depth French door refrigerators here?
Yes. The FRFG1723AV and RF18A5101SR are counter-depth French door models.
Do these refrigerators have water dispensers?
The GNE27JYMFS has an internal water dispenser, and the three side-by-sides have external dispensers. The two counter-depth French door models have none.
Do they all have ice makers?
Yes. All six models list an ice maker.
