Fridges come in all different shapes and sizes, which can make finding the right one for your home all the more difficult. If you’re wondering what type or size fridge you need, we’ve compiled a simple guide to help you find the right fit for your kitchen and family.
What size fridge do I need?
There are a few things to consider to find the right size fridge for your home, such as how much kitchen space you have, how big your household is and so on. We cover these factors in detail below.
Fridge space in your kitchen
Ok, first you need to consider how much kitchen space you actually have. You don’t want to buy a unit only to discover it can only fit in your garage. The standard dimensions for a fridge cavity/space in most Australian kitchens is about 90cm wide x 180cm high x 60cm deep − give or take.
However, it’s best to measure this space yourself just to be sure. Use a tape measure to determine the exact width, height and depth of the space where your fridge will slot in. Remember to leave 25mm of clearance space around the top, back and sides, to allow for proper ventilation and to have enough space to open the fridge door.
Fridge size
Once you have the exact dimensions of the fridge space in your kitchen, you should then be able to determine the unit size you need. If your kitchen’s fridge space is only 90cm wide, you’ll know you probably only have enough space for a single-door unit and not a French door fridge. Check out the fridge size guide below for reference.
Standard fridge sizes in Australia
Fridge typeStandard widthStandard heightStandard depthTop/bottom mount54 cm – 80 cm130 cm – 180 cm59 cm – 75 cmSide-by-side76 cm – 91 cm170 cm – 178 cm85 cm – 94 cmFour-door92 cm – 96 cm170 cm – 180 cm90 cm – 96 cmFrench door92 cm – 96 cm170 cm – 180 cm90 cm – 96 cmPigeon pair110 cm – 124 cm167 cm – 178 cm70 cm – 86 cmHousehold size and lifestyle
The size and type of fridge you need will also be determined by your household size and lifestyle. For example, if you have children or like to entertain regularly, you will need a bigger capacity fridge than a couple with no kids or someone living alone. If you like to meal prep ahead of the week or tend to freeze food for later use, perhaps you’ll need a fridge with a little more freezer space. You get the gist. Fridge capacity is measured in litres. Use the chart below to size up what size you need for your household.
Design and features
Once you’ve worked out the kitchen space you’re working with and your individual household’s needs, think about what you want from a fridge. Do you need one with a larger freezer space to store family leftovers? Or maybe you’d like a smart fridge that comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and other bells and whistles? If you’re practicable you may just want a unit with a good energy efficiency rating to save money on electricity. These considerations should help with your decision.
Types of fridges
Once you know what size fridge you need, think about what type of unit you want. A top mount? French door? We explain what each design has to offer below.
Top-mount fridge
This is the traditional fridge design, with a freezer on top of the fridge compartment. This layout is popular because it’s compact, without compromising on shelf and freezer space. It’s also the most cost-effective option both upfront and in running costs. A top-mount fridge would fit into most average-sized fridge cavities.
- Cost: $500- $2,000
- Capacity: (200- 500 litres)
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Bottom-mount fridge
This is the most common option in Aussie households and the opposite of a top-mount fridge design, with the fridge compartment on top and the freezer on the bottom. This is also the most convenient option because it places your frequently-used items typically stored in the fridge at eye level, so that you don’t have to bend down to reach for the Vegemite. Bottom-mount fridges are about the same size as top-mount units.
- Cost: $500- $2,000
- Capacity: (200- 500 litres)
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Side-by-side fridge
A side-by-side fridge has a vertical freezer and fridge compartment that sit side-by-side, as opposed to the traditional horizontal design of top and bottom-mount models. This provides easy access to both the fridge and freezer with minimal effort. The centrally opening doors also take up less depth, making it an ideal choice if have a long and narrow kitchen with limited space.
- Cost: $1,000- $5,000
- Capacity: (500- 700 litres)
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French door fridge
A French door fridge features two side-by-side fridge doors on top (at eye level), with a freezer compartment at the bottom, either as a large single freezer drawer, two freezer drawers or with two additional doors containing easy-access freezer drawers. These fridges have extra width which is useful for storing larger items such as trays, pizzas and platters.
- Cost: $2,000- $8,000
- Capacity: (600- 800 litres)
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Four-door fridge
Four-door fridges are most popular for their flexible storage space. These feature two waist-high central opening doors and a complementary two-door freezer at the bottom. Some models even come with a customisable freezer space. They also come with wide shelving and ample storage space, ideal for platters, cakes and trays.
- Cost: 2,000- $8,000
- Capacity: (500- 800 litres)
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Pigeon pair
Instead of the traditional fridge and freezer combination as seen with most models, a pigeon pair separates the two. It features a single-door fridge placed beside a separate but matching single-door upright freezer. This provides a vast amount of both fridge and freezer space, ideal for large households, like a share house. You can also opt to place your fridge and freezer in different locations.
- Cost: 3,000- $10,000
- Capacity: (600- 900 litres)
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Energy efficiency
If you’re shopping for a new fridge, remember to factor in energy efficiency. Look for the energy star rating on each model, to work out the long-term cost of your appliance. There’s no point buying a fridge that’s cheap upfront, but that’ll cost bucket loads to run. The more energy star ratings a fridge has, the smaller your electricity bill will be. If you find two fridges with the same energy usage (shown in kWh per year on the label), opt for the larger size as it essentially provides more cooling (for more space), using the same amount of energy. Win-win.
Also look out for models with an energy-saving eco mode or holiday setting. Keep in mind also that fridges with an integrated ice maker and water dispenser will generally increase your energy usage by about 100-150 kWh per year. As a rule of thumb, top and bottom-mount fridges are more energy efficient than side-by-side or French door models.