Are American-style fridge freezers worth the investment?

The best American-style fridge freezers deliver everything a regular model does but better. They provide ample storage for both fresh and frozen foods, along with features like cold water and ice cube dispensers. More advanced models even boast smart screen technology to help you plan shopping lists, find recipes and check inventory – without ever opening the door!

However, buying an American-style fridge freezer is a significant investment, especially considering they cost much more than standard models. They also require plenty of space, which we aren't known for having, especially in the kitchen area.

If you're unsure whether it's worth the purchase, keep reading. We'll explore the best options on the marker, as well as the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. Who knows, we might even help you find your answer along the way.

What are American-style fridge freezers?

Americans are known for buying food in larger quantities, whether it’s stocking up on groceries or getting big containers like gallon-sized ice cream. To accommodate these larger purchases, a spacious, twin-access fridge/freezer is the ideal solution, offering ample storage for all their food and drinks.

Most American-style models come with long cupboard-like doors with the fridge usually on the right and the freezer on the left – in the US they’re normally described as being ‘side by side’. However, some models are equipped with two doors above and a pull-out freezer drawer or two below. These are known as French-style or, to make matters even more confusing, American-style French door.

The main issue (at least here in the UK) is that American-style fridge-freezers are extremely wide – around 85cm on average against the usual 60cm width most of us are familiar with – and usually expensive, too (over a grand on average).

Nevertheless, when it comes to practicality, storage space and kitchen kudos, the American-style refrigerator is the monarch of domestic white goods and one of the best ways to tell your guests that you’re really loaded and that your kitchen is much bigger than theirs.

American-style fridge-freezers use the same compressor-based technology as normal-sized models, only in most instances they also feature a raft of other clever tech like full air circulation to prevent the build up of frost and fancy 0˚ fruit and veg drawers for optimum long-lasting freshness. They also quite frequently feature ice cube dispensers, chilled drinks dispensers and other fun, dispensing-based gimmickry.

What are the pros and cons of owning an American style fridge freezer?

Owning an American-style fridge freezer comes with both pros and cons, so the best decision ultimately depends on your personal needs and preferences. To make it easier for you, we’ve put together a breakdown of the key advantages and drawbacks to help you decide.

Pros:

1. Large storage capacity – these fridges offer huge amounts of space, perfect for large families or anyone who likes to stock up on groceries.

2. Advanced technology – some high-end models come with smart features like touchscreen controls, inventory tracking and recipe suggestions, which make managing your fridge and freezer more efficient.

3. Side-by-side design – the layout is typically side-by-side, making it easier to organise and access both the fridge and freezer sections without bending or digging around.

Cons:

1. Expensive – they tend to be significantly more expensive than regular fridge freezers, both in terms of upfront cost and energy consumption.

2. Size – their large size means they require a lot of space. Most models are wider than traditional fridges, so you'll need to ensure your kitchen has enough room.

3. Energy usage – these appliances tend to use more energy due to their size and features, which can lead to higher utility bills.

What is the best American style fridge freezer?

Right now, we believe the best American style fridge freezer on the market is the Haier HFR5719ENMP. This model has more than enough interior 'meal estate' for your voracious needs and features key benefits like no-frost freezing, full air circulation in both the fridge and freezer compartments (it actually uses the cold air from the freezer to help chill the fridge) and rapid air cooling for newly added groceries.

The fridge section comes with a considerable 306 litres of storage, with four shelves, a large salad crisper box with individual temperature control, and six shelves in the doors. The frost-free, 140-litre freezer is equally well equipped with two large drawers that provide easy access to your frozen goodies.

To the untrained brand-spotting eye, the silver-clad Haier looks much more expensive than it is – an asset doubtlessly helped by the subtle logo that refuses to draw attention to itself.