Best American fridge freezers for every kitchen 2024

The best American-style fridge freezer is a favourite appliance on the Mumsnet forums, with good reason. If you have room, one of these innovative and spacious models will look fantastic as a freestanding statement feature in an open-plan kitchen. Alternatively, they can also be set back into a bank of minimalist kitchen units for a more integrated look.

If you choose well, finding the room for and organising a mega supermarket shop will be stress-free; no more overflowing shelves. So, to help you choose a show-stopping new appliance for your kitchen, we’ve done all the hard work for you and have spent hours researching the best models. Our first stop was the Mumsnet forums, home to the largest online network of parents in the UK, where we searched for the fridge freezer brands our users had tried, tested and loved. 

We know the value of a genuine, independent recommendation, so every Swears By guide we produce - including everything from the best dishwasher to the top kettle and toaster - starts with Mumsnet user suggestions. We then also analysed the opinions of domestic technology experts, scrutinised the models on trusted bestseller lists and consumer reviews, and conducted our own extensive testing to bring you the best American fridge freezer.

Be warned though: American fridge freezers do take up quite a bit of kitchen space. If you'd like something more streamlined, check out our guides to the best freezer or best chest freezer for more compact options.

What are American-style fridge freezers?

American fridge freezers are spacious and usually feature side-by-side storage, though some have drawers too. In most cases, they are dark silver or black, come with ice and water dispensers and are the most stylish option for your kitchen, but they can be very expensive compared to smaller models.

An American freestanding fridge freezer is usually around 90cm wide, though some slimline models are 70cm and the height of a standard tall/upright fridge freezer. They are freestanding and will be standalone in a kitchen as a feature, though some can be tucked into a run of floor-to-ceiling units for a more integrated look.

Extra storage space is one of the main reasons families consider an American fridge freezer. However, take note of the difference in fridge and freezer space, as the freezer section may be smaller than the average UK-style tall 60cm freezer. 

Another common complaint about American-style fridge freezers is that they tend to have glass shelves rather than drawers (this will vary between models, though). A French door style may be more practical if a large freezer capacity is crucial to you - these have a side-by-side fridge above and a large pull-out freezer drawer underneath.

How big are American-style fridge freezers? 

Most American fridge freezers will be approximately 90cm wide, 178cm tall and 70cm deep. UK homes are generally smaller than properties in the US, and in older homes, the kitchen is unlikely to suit the bulk of American-style appliances. It is, therefore, crucial that you measure your space carefully before making a purchase. Remember to factor in the airflow space required around the machine.

Even if you have a beautiful new open-plan kitchen area, delivery of American fridge freezers can be a hassle due to their height and width. When you buy one, you usually receive a courier call to discuss potential access issues.

The best American fridge freezer features to look out for

• No frost/frost-free: Frost and ice build-up will interfere with the efficient running of your fridge freezer and will eventually start to impinge on storage space. Manually defrosting an appliance is an almighty faff and takes time, so a frost-free or no frost model is much easier to manage.

• Energy rating: An 'A' class is the most energy-efficient rating possible, and American fridge freezers will be either 'E' or 'F', though some newer models are achieving a cost-effective 'C' rating. It’s also helpful to look at the annual running costs in kWh as this can show the differences between a model at the top and bottom of an 'F' rating.

• Water and ice dispensers: Providing a cool water supply directly from the fridge is a great way to encourage your family to hydrate. This feature may mean your appliance needs plumbing; if so, it could restrict where you can put it, and you will need to change the water filter every six months. Ice dispensers produce crushed or cubed ice and will either be attached to the water dispenser or have their ice bucket inside the freezer. 

• Noise level: Your new appliance should only produce a gentle hum. However, if it sits in an open-plan living space, checking its decibels is a good idea. 41 dB is the average level. Often, it is the ice maker on an American fridge freezer which creates the most noise. 

• Storage features: These may include fruit and veg crisper drawers with flexible humidity levels that allow you to store salad veg and root veg in optimum conditions, or chiller drawers for meats. Adjustable shelves are also handy for customising your fridge space.

• Fast freeze/fast cool: This clever feature will be automatic after sensing a temperature rise, or you will have a super freeze button that needs pressing. Placing ambient food will warm the fridge space and the items around it, and boosting the cold will lessen this impact significantly. Freezing food quickly also means it will be fresher and in better condition when defrosted. So, for example, your chicken breasts won’t stick together, and you won’t get freezer burn (a frosty top) on your ice cream.

• Twin cooling: Having separate cooling systems for the fridge and freezer will stop dry, cool freezer air from dehydrating the food in your fridge. It also prevents smells from circulating and is more energy efficient as your freezer won’t have to work at stopping warmer fridge air from defrosting your oven chips.

• Fingerprint-proof surfaces: In a busy kitchen, it's easy for sticky fingers to make unsightly marks which can be difficult to remove. Some models have surfaces that have been treated, so wiping them clean is easier. 

• Smart features: High-end American fridge freezers have features such as lighted cabinets which illuminate when you knock on the door (we'd recommend keeping some glass cleaner handy to keep it looking it's best). Some also have digital displays on which you can write and save a shopping list, watch cooking tutorials on YouTube or simply write reminders. 

How we chose the best American fridge freezer 

Authentic consumer reviews 

To find the best American fridge freezers for busy and hungry families, we scoured all the most recent American fridge freezer reviews to see what the experts and consumers were saying and what was new to the market and assessed them against our criteria for what we’d choose for our own homes.

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

We then sought out parents' advice on the Mumsnet forums to discover what American fridge freezer brands they had bought and whether they were still happy with those purchases some time on. We also made notes on any products that Mumsnetters didn’t rate too, so we could ensure our top pick was the right model for family homes.

Expert opinions

From there, we consulted in-depth analysis on domestic technology sites. We then collated both lists to develop a shortlist of American fridge freezers that had won industry awards, accolades from experts and applause from real parents. We also chose the American fridge freezers that represented the best value for money.

How we tested

Then, to make sure our top overall choice really was the best, MNHQ editor Rebecca Roberts put the InstaView™ Door-in-Door™ GSXV91BSAE through rigorous testing, using it in her family home. After three weeks of extensive use, Rebecca then analysed the model, evaluating its features, value for money, capacity, day-to-day use, and ease of cleaning.

About the author

Gemma Lumley is a Content Writer on Mumsnet; she writes consumer, home and lifestyle articles and specialises in product round-ups and reviews. 

With many years of experience as a content and copywriter for her family business Urban Media Publishing, Gemma has written articles and blogs on travel, the outdoor industry, parenting and finance. 

Finding the products that will make the lives of parents easier is important to Gemma. She loves the research and detective work that goes into our best buy lists. 

Gemma is a mum of two grown-up children and has two dogs and a tortoise. Alongside her writing, she spent many years as a home and travel expert and breastfeeding counsellor at a leading nursery retailer. Gemma is also a sensory analyst (chocolate taster!). 

When she isn’t writing in-depth product reviews, Gemma loves to hike and enjoy the great outdoors.

Why you should trust us 

Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000, and, in that time, we've investigated, tried, and reviewed thousands of products.

As someone interested in creating a stylish and efficient home and providing plentiful, nutritious food and drink for her ever-hungry family, our writer Gemma was determined to provide honest and independent advice on the best American fridge freezers available in the UK.

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