Modern fridge freezers come in a whole host of different sizes, colours, and specifications, which also means the price range is pretty wide and can cater to all budgets. With all that in mind, you might be wondering what type of fridge freezer is best for your home? Keep reading to find out…
What is a fridge freezer?
As the name suggests a fridge freezer combines the features and benefits of a fridge and a freezer into one handy hybrid appliance.
The very first version of the fridge freezer launched on the market in 1947 when General Electric introduced the first ever household appliance with a separate freezer compartment that could auto-defrost itself.
Since then, fridge freezers have advanced through many, many iterations, and the products we know and love today now even offer fancy features like built-in ice machines and smart controls.
Typically, the fridge and freezer components are two separate compartments of the same unit, normally with the fridge part on top of the freezer. However, sometimes the freezer is on top or the two compartments can even come side-by-side.
Three top benefits of having a fridge freezer
You could simply buy a separate fridge and a separate freezer and still be able to keep your food and drink cold or frozen. However, there are a number of benefits to choosing a fridge freezer instead, including:
Better use of space
Combining your fridge and freezer into one appliance is a more efficient use of space, which is especially helpful in small kitchens where space is at a premium.
If you do only have a modest amount of space to work with, a small fridge freezer will give you the same benefits in a more compact unit.
Energy efficiency
Modern fridge freezers are specifically designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. Not only will this help you reduce your electricity consumption and do your bit for the planet, but it will also lower your utility bills. Win, win!
Fridge freezers manage to be so efficient thanks to energy-saving technologies like enhanced insulation, LED lighting, and smart cooling systems.
Cost-effectiveness
Fridge freezers can sometimes be more expensive to buy than separate units but the boosted energy efficiency and consolidated maintenance means you will save money in the long run.
That’s why if you’re looking for the most cost-effective way to both refrigerate and freeze things, the initial investment into a fridge freezer is a great one.
The different types of fridge freezer
Let’s take a look at some different types of fridge freezers in closer detail…
Classic
A classic fridge freezer style is the most traditional one and generally features two compartments, one on top of the other. Often, this will be an equal 50/50 split with the fridge on top and the freezer below, each with its own separate doors.
Another type of classic fridge freezer is a top-mounted unit, which is normally a larger fridge with a smaller freezer compartment on the top.
Pros and cons
These types of fridge freezers tend to have more of the basic (but still brilliant) features, like adjustable shelves and thermostats, which makes them more budget-friendly. However, some do still have more advanced functions like an ice maker or water dispenser.
They’re also more space-savvy than American or French-style units—some are even designed to fit under counters. That said, their streamlined silhouette also means less storage capacity than larger alternatives.
American-style
This type of fridge freezer is also sometimes known as a side-by-side fridge freezer. This is because instead of the fridge and freezer compartments being stacked one on top of another, they are next to each other.
Each side has its own door so can be used independently and the style of this configuration means that more of the items inside can be accessed without having to bend down.
Pros and cons
Thanks to the larger capacity of American-style fridge freezers, they’re perfect for refrigerating and freezing more items, which is handy for shared living spaces or families.
This style of unit also offers more sophisticated features like a built-in water dispenser, glass window panels, and ice makers. Plus, they look pretty cool, too.
On the other hand, they’re more expensive than classic fridge freezers and take up more space, which means they aren’t usually suitable for flats, apartments, or small rooms.
French-style
French-style fridge freezers are similar to their American-style counterparts in that they have compartments that sit side-by-side.
However, they normally have four compartments, which means they also benefit from the top-and-bottom configuration of classic fridge freezers—two compartments above and two below.
Pros and cons
The various doors and compartments mean this type of appliance is great if you have a lot of stuff to refrigerate and freeze.
The multiple compartments on this type of unit also allow it to be more energy efficient because you don’t have to open it all up at once.
It is worth noting that these styles are pretty large and therefore require a spacious kitchen to live in. They’re also some of the more expensive types of fridge freezer because of the various functions and features designed for your convenience.
Fridge freezer buying considerations
The easiest way to figure out what type of fridge freezer is best for your home is by exploring the most important purchase considerations and prioritising them for yourself. Let us take you through them one by one so you can figure out what factors are most important to you.
So, if you’re looking to buy a fridge freezer from Comet and wondering where to begin, keep reading because we’ve got you covered.
Brand
There are a whole host of different brands on the market to consider and here at Comet, we stock some household favourites including LG, Russell Hobbs, Hotpoint fridge freezers and more.
Our advice would be to only ever buy from the most reputable brands in the business. That way, you can have peace of mind that you will be able to rely on the quality and safety of the electrical appliance you’re purchasing.
Installation
The way the fridge freezer is installed is a key buying decision and this can be broken down into two main categories: an integrated fridge freezer or a freestanding unit.
Integrated fridge freezer
An integrated fridge freezer is one that is built into the units or cabinets surrounding it. This is usually within kitchen counters or storage space in a utility room. It will normally have doors attached to the front that match the rest of the cupboards in the space for a flush, seamless finish.
Freestanding fridge freezer
Unlike an integrated unit, a freestanding fridge freezer isn’t built into the kitchen units around it, it stands on its own, independently. This kind of fridge freezer can be placed anywhere where it can be plugged in and won’t have any custom cupboard-style doors attached to it.
Freestanding versus integrated fridge freezers
Naturally, the choice between a freestanding or integrated fridge freezer will be steered by aesthetics.
For those looking for something that can be blended into their interior design scheme, an integrated unit will be the most appealing option. It means that no matter what the size, style, or colour of the fridge freezer, it can be made to look like part of the furniture—quite literally.
However, when considering your fridge freezer installation it’s also important to think about practicality.
Freestanding units don’t have to be fixed into place, which makes access, maintenance, and replacement far easier and less likely to cause damage or disruption to the surrounding cupboards and appliances.
Plus, if you choose an integrated unit, you might have to choose a small fridge freezer to fit into the required space, which might not meet your capacity needs.
Colour
A fridge freezer is such a big part of your daily life and the design of your kitchen or utility space that it’s important you like looking at it each day. Colour and finish are a huge part of this.
A black fridge freezer will provide a totally different finish to a silver unit, for example. A red fridge freezer makes a bold statement, while a cream one creates a more subtle look.
When it comes to colour, the choice is yours, but we wouldn’t recommend prioritising this over things like features, functionality, or installation type.
Configuration
As well as colour and general aesthetic, the style of a fridge freezer also includes configuration and this is another essential thing for you to think about when choosing the right unit for you.
In terms of configuration, consider how you plan to use the appliance as well as how it looks.
If you freeze a lot of food, for example, a top-mounted unit with a small freezer compartment probably won’t be sufficient. In this case, you should go for a style with a more equal split of fridge and freezer compartments instead.
On the other hand, if you only need to freeze a small amount of items infrequently, a small fridge freezer should be just fine.
Features
All fridge freezers, no matter their size, spec, or price, should come complete with standard features like removable glass shelves, vegetable drawers, door storage, and an egg balcony, for instance.
If refrigerating and freezing items in an organised way is all you want to do, these kinds of basic features should tick your boxes. However, if you’re looking for something that can offer more, keep an eye out for advanced features like the following.
Anti-frost
If you never want to have to deal with the hassle of defrosting your fridge freezer ever again, look for a unit that has no-frost or anti-frost technology that will do all the hard work for you.
Ice maker
Some fridge freezers have built-in technology that makes and dispenses ice cubes. Not only is this a convenient way to get instant ice whenever you want it, but it also saves a lot of space in your freezer drawers that would otherwise be occupied with bags or trays of ice cubes.
Temperature regulation
Some fridge freezers offer advanced technology that keeps the unit at a more constant temperature and avoids fluctuations. This helps the appliance run more efficiently and means your food and drink will stay fresher for longer.
Antibacterial UV light
Keeping your fridge freezer clean and hygienic can be quite time-consuming. First, you need to take everything out, remove the shelves and drawers to deep clean those too, and then make sure all the nooks and crannies inside are sparkling.
A fridge with UV light helps to kill off bacteria inside the unit, which is particularly beneficial in water and ice dispensers where germs can thrive without you even knowing.
Window panels
Need to quickly check if there’s any milk left in the fridge for your tea or coffee? That’s where a sleek glass window panel comes in handy, so you can get a look at what’s inside without having to even open the door.
Smart technology
Some of the fanciest fridge freezers on the market feature smart technology that enables you to operate and control the appliance remotely, whether it’s from the office or the comfort of your own bed via your smartphone.
Energy efficiency
If energy efficiency is a must for you, look out for fridge freezers that have features designed specifically to improve this.
Energy-optimising features you will find across our diverse collection of fridge freezers include:
- LED lighting.
- Inverter linear compressors to reduce vibration and noise.
- Active inverter compressors to maintain more constant temperatures.
Check out the Energy Rating of each appliance—all the fridge freezers here at Comet are E or F energy-rated, which means they are classed as super-efficient electrical products.
Cost
The price of a fridge freezer will vary depending on a variety of things like brand, the features it has, the size, and whether it’s a new or repurposed appliance.
To give you a rough idea of what you might expect to pay, the price of a new fridge freezer from Comet ranges from around £74.99 for a combi mini cooler to around £2,399 for a state-of-the-art American-style fridge freezer (correct at the time of writing, June 2024, and subject to change).
Prioritise what you want out of your new appliance and set a budget. Then, it will be easier to figure out where you should compromise if you’re trying to keep the cost down.
Fridge freezers at sub-zero prices
We stock a wide selection of fridge freezer options here at Comet from a range of different brands, including Hotpoint, Indesit, Russell Hobbs, LG, Swan and more.
So, whether you’re looking for something small and simple or a big American-style fridge freezer with all the fancy features, you’re sure to find something to suit you.
We also offer a number of different flexible finance options to take all the pressure and hassle out of paying for your new fridge freezer. You can use Klarna Pay in 3 or PayPal Credit to spread the cost over three, interest-free payments—whatever works best for you.
Shop high-quality fridge freezers at Comet today
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