Is the inside of your fridge more like a Tetris tournament than a food storage solution? If dodging fruit and wrestling with frozen pizza boxes is your daily kitchen ritual, then it’s high time you ditch your refrigerator and upgrade to something a little more spacious and organised — a side by side fridge.
Side by side fridges are the ultimate kitchen game-changers, offering plenty of storage space for all your groceries. But beyond just sheer size, they pack a punch with innovative features like integrated ice and water dispensers, adjustable shelving and advanced temperature control systems.
So, if you’re in the market for a more efficient way to manage your food, scroll on for our top suggestions.
6 best side by side fridges to shop in Australia 2024
Samsung 655L side by side refrigerator, $1699 at The Good Guys
This Samsung refrigerator boasts a massive 655L capacity thanks to SpaceMax technology that keeps food fresh with even cooling throughout. Its sleek design with flat doors and recessed handles seamlessly integrates into your kitchen.
It has over 580 five-star reviews on The Good Guys, with one customer saying they did “a lot of research on this fridge” and that “it ticks every box”.
“The layout is smart and convenient, I can easily see everything in the fridge and freezer, lots of space with slim sides, doors are slim so they don’t block access to the kitchen, ice tray can be removed easily for cleaning, wine rack is really handy but best of all is the power chill/power freeze function. I didn’t know I needed this but now I use it all the time I don’t know how I’d live without it. This was a really good buy!”
Key features:
- 4-star energy rating
- SpaceMax Technology maximises interior storage without increasing external dimensions
- All-around cooling
- Rapid cooling for groceries or freezing food
- Convenient wine rack
- Deodorising filter
- 20-year warranty on parts
Also available at:
- $1949 at Samsung
Westinghouse 624L side by side refrigerator, $1569 at Betta Home Living
Ideal for families, this fridge from Westinghouse comes with special crisper drawers to keep your fruits and veggies fresh for longer. No need to worry about spills either — the shelves are spill-proof for hassle-free cleaning. When you want to lock in freshness fast, there are also quick-freeze and quick-chill functions.
Key features:
- Flat door with integrated handles
- Dual crispers
- SpillSafe glass shelves in the fridge and freezer
- Quick chill and quick freeze functions
- Two twist-and-serve icemakers in freezer
- Two-year domestic warranty
- Three-year additional domestic warranty for the sealed refrigerator system
Also available at:
- $1569 at Bing Lee
- $1597 at The Good Guys
- $1700 (usually $2099) at Appliances Online
Hisense 578L side by side refrigerator, $999 at Bing Lee
Keep your groceries fresher for longer with this 578L side by side fridge. It gives you ample storage (370L fridge, 208L freezer) and features adjustable shelves, dual crispers and a built-in water dispenser. Plus, it’s energy-efficient so you can save more money, and it comes with a three-year warranty for peace of mind.
“Loving everything about this fridge,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “It’s easy to clean, looks great and I like the handles as opposed to the integrated handles on a lot of the new designs. Works very effectively and efficiently plus it’s very quiet [so] you can hardly hear it at all. The water dispenser is an added bonus! We’re all drinking more water.”
Key features:
- 3.5 star energy rating
- Stainless steel
- Water dispenser (no plumbing required)
- Double fruit and veg crisper
- Holiday Powersave function
- Three-year warranty
Also available at:
- $1095 (usually $1295) at Betta Home Living
LG 655L side by side fridge, $1799 at Bing Lee
With cold air circulating from both the front and back of this fridge, your food gets a quick chill, keeping it fresher for longer. Stay ahead of any hiccups with Smart Diagnosis, which alerts you to maintenance needs and minor issues before they become major headaches. Worried about odours? The Pure N Fresh air filtration system actively eliminates unwanted smells, while the Smart Inverter Compressor ensures reliable performance backed by a 10-year warranty on parts.
Key features:
- Flat door design
- Flat metal duct
- Linear compressor
- Surround cooling
- Two-year warranty
- 10-year Smart Inverter Comp warranty
Haier 575L side by side refrigerator, $1488 at The Good Guys
With a whopping 574 litres of space, the Haier 575L side by side fridge is a family’s dream. It boasts a generous 385L compartment, while the freezer offers 86L, making it perfect for all your fresh and frozen goods. Plus, with dual doors for easy access, a sleek black finish, and a no-plumbing-needed water dispenser, it’s both stylish and practical.
“Unplumbed water dispenser is great and takes up minimal space,” said a reviewer who left five stars. “Plenty of shelves and door storage. Love the colour and finish.”
Key features:
- 4-star energy rating
- Ice dispenser
- Water dispenser
- Temperature controlled drawers
- Switch Zone and Humidity Zone technology
Also available at:
- $1699 at Bing Lee
CHiQ 559L side by side fridge, $1085 (usually $1999) at Appliances Online
Level up your kitchen with the CHiQ side-by-side refrigerator. This large fridge has a roomy 559L interior and a multi-airflow system that keeps every shelf evenly cool so that you can enjoy the freshest food any time you want. Its sleek silver finish and LED display also bring a touch of modern elegance to any space.
“I was pleasantly surprised to find the overall quality of this fridge was certainly up there with other quality fridges eg. Westinghouse,” wrote a reviewer. “Would’ve preferred no water dispenser but realise it is a must for families. Love these types of fridges all my life.”
Key features:
- Multi airflow
- Efficient inverter system keeps food fresher and saves energy
- Frost free system
- Convenient fast freeze mode
- Three-year warranty
Is a side by side fridge worth buying?
Whether a side by side fridge is worth it depends on your specific needs and preferences. These refrigerators offer convenient access to both the fridge and freezer compartments, making it easier to organise and find items. Additionally, they often come with features like ice and water dispensers, adjustable shelving and advanced temperature control systems.
However, they can be more expensive upfront. Ultimately, it’s essential to consider factors like your budget, available space and desired features when deciding if a side by side fridge is worth it for you.
What are the different types of fridges?
There are five basic configurations of refrigerators and a few different installation styles. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of fridges:
Side by side fridges
Side by side refrigerators have a vertical split, with the freezer on one side and the fresh food compartment on the other. This design can be a good choice for people who freeze a lot of food or who entertain often. However, side-by-side refrigerators can be wider than other types of refrigerators, so they may not be a good fit for all kitchens.
Top-freezer refrigerators
This is the classic refrigerator style that’s been around for decades. It features a freezer compartment located at the top of the unit and a fresh food compartment below. Top-freezer fridges are typically the most affordable option and are a good choice for smaller kitchens or people who don’t freeze a lot of food.
Bottom-freezer refrigerators
Bottom-freezer fridges are becoming increasingly popular. They offer easier access to the fresh food compartment, which is typically used more often than the freezer. Bottom-freezer refrigerators may also have more features, such as built-in ice dispensers and water filters.
French-door fridges
French-door refrigerators have two doors on the top for the fresh food compartment and a bottom freezer drawer. This design offers easy access to both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. French-door refrigerators are typically more expensive than top-freezer or bottom-freezer refrigerators, but they can be a good choice for people who want a stylish and functional refrigerator.
Built-in refrigerators
Built-in fridges are designed to be installed flush with your cabinets. They offer a custom look and can help to create a more streamlined look in your kitchen. Built-in refrigerators are typically the most expensive option.
Looking to save money on your kitchen upgrade? Check out our coupon codes for Bing Lee, Kogan and more.
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