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Key things to consider

Fridge Size

Whether you’re replacing an existing fridge or designing a new kitchen from scratch, you’ll need to measure or know the height, width, depth + ventilation clearance required. Remember to allow for door swing (on both sides in the case of French or Quad Door Fridges) and at least 5cm for the air ventilation at the top and back.

Pro tip: Use painter’s tape to mark out your fridge’s dimensions at home.

Fridge Capacity

At the same time as you’re considering refrigerator size, think about your family (have you got hungry teenagers who are aways in and out of the fridge?), how you entertain and the fridge capacity you may need. Fridge capacity is measured in litres and remember, some fridges do offer large internal capacity in a compact footprint. A rough rule of thumb is as follows:

Household Size	Ideal Fridge Capacity
1–2 people	250–350L
3–4 people	350–500L
5+ people or entertainers	500–700L+

Energy Efficiency

Fridges run all day, every day, so energy use matters. Look for the Energy Rating Label - the more stars, the more efficient. A new 400–500L fridge uses around 300–450kWh/year. Inverter compressors, Eco Modes, and LED lighting are some of the features on modern fridges that help reduce energy use. Replacing an old fridge could cut your running costs by 30–50%. You can read more about this here.

Type

There’s no one-size-fits-all refrigerator. Here’s a breakdown of common fridge types to choose from (bearing in mind that your available space may dictate what sort of fridge you can get). There are pros and cons for each: Bottom Mount; Top Mount; Side-by-Side; French Door; Quad Door; Vertical Fridge and Freezer Pairs; Wine Chillers, Bar Fridges.

Special Features

Today’s fridges offer more than just cold storage. You need to do your research and think about what features will genuinely make your life easier. Do you need chilled water and ice on tap? Would humidity control drawers be a must? Would you use a fast chill or quick freeze option? Do you want adjustable shelves and drawers, antibacterial coatings or Smart features? Do you need childproof locks and a door alarm? Do you need low-noise operation?

Design & Finish

Fridges now come in more finishes than just white. If you want an integrated or built-in fridge that matches the cabinetry, you’ll need to make sure it’s available in the model you choose. Modern finishes range from stainless steel, black, or white, and you can read more about the black stainless steel option here. Fingerprint-resistant coatings are also a bonus for busy homes. Finally, make sure the design matches your kitchen aesthetic from not only the finish you choose, but also things like recessed handles vs bar handles.

Additional Considerations

Brand Reputation

Choose a fridge from a reputable brand known for their quality and durability. Do your homework and compare brands - look at product reviews, research online, and speak to friends who are foodies and love to entertain.

Warranty and After-Sales Service

Examine warranty terms and after-sales service. A robust warranty reflects the manufacturer's confidence in the product's durability, providing you with peace of mind. Above the standard two-year warranty, some brands like Beko and Mitsubishi Electric offer a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Price vs Long-term Savings

While budget constraints are a factor, view your purchase as a long-term investment. Energy-efficient fridges may have a higher initial cost but can yield good savings over the appliance's lifespan. Features such as humidity drawers are designed to keep food fresher for longer, resulting in less waste and therefore lower food costs.

Top Mount Fridges

The top mount fridge is a classic affordable layout which has a freezer on the top and fridge below. These are great options for smaller budgets and are often purchased as ‘second’ fridges to manage overflow during holidays and when entertaining. Although entry level, many top mount models now offer features and technology you would expect in a higher-priced model.

Bottom Mount Fridges

The bottom mount fridge has the freezer on the bottom, fridge on the top, and has long been a Kiwi favourite. It does come down to personal preference but generally having the fridge at eye-level is more convenient as it gives you easy access to your fresh food.

There are also a number different options of bottom mount fridge available, offering multi-drawers, ice and water dispensers and humidity drawers and Smart controls.

French Door

Known as the ‘entertainer’s’ fridge, this model offers twin fridge doors above a large bottom freezer drawer which often contains a few internal drawers. The wide internal shelves are ideal for platters and drinks and gives easy access to all fresh food. Plus, the two-door design enables you to open one side only to access frequently used items like milk or butter, minimising the loss of cold air.

These are large fridges and if you have the space, experts would advocate opting for the largest fridge-freezer you can afford. An old fridge is much less energy efficient and so rather than keeping it, it would be more cost effective to just run the new larger fridge, even though you may often have fridge space to spare. If you are opting for a French-door fridge there are many models to choose from with a range of fancy features and finishes. Do your homework and make sure when you measure, you allow for the opening of both doors. If you want to learn more, here is a blog about the difference between French-door and Quad-Door fridges.

Quad Door

A quad door is like a French-Door fridge in some ways, having two opening doors for the fridge at the top. However the freezer section has two doors as well and some models even offer a flex compartment which means you can turn one of these freezer compartments into fridge storage and vice-versa.

Along with all the bells and whistles that these models can offer, the design aesthetic is sleek and modern with recessed handles being a feature of most. In addition, there are more compact versions such as the Fisher & Paykel Series 7 which offer all the benefits of a quad-door fridge in a smaller footprint. To read more about the differences between Quad Door and French Door fridges, read our blog.

Side-by-Side

Side-by-side fridge-freezers with chilled water and ice dispensers are a lot more energy-efficient than many previous models. Although they do have a large footprint, having this convenience can sometimes mean a loss of usable capacity in a fridge/freezer combo whose compartments are deeper and narrower than traditional fridges.

But there are a lot of models to choose from that offer these dispensers and still offer decent usable space. The key thing to remember with these models is that it’s what suits you - having both a vertical fridge and freezer without buying two appliances is the perfect solution for many households. Just make sure these large models can get through the door.

Vertical Fridges & Freezers

Many households opt for a vertical fridge with no freezer as they already have a freezer and would prefer more fridge space. Whatever the reason, there is a wide range of vertical fridge-only or freezer-only options to choose from.

These models can also be installed side-by-side for huge capacity and are great for big households and frequent entertainers. Used this way, they are generally installed in larger kitchens – however, they are less bulky to manoeuvre than a large French Door or Side-by-Side fridge.

Many customers in this scenario opt for integrated or built-in models where the fridge and freezer become an integral part of the kitchen cabinetry. They are often not installed side-by-side either, and sometimes the freezer is installed in a pantry area, while the fridge is part of the main kitchen.

Wine Chillers & Bar Fridges

Wine and beverage chillers provide temperature-controlled zones ideal for storing wine and other beverages. They provide secure and easy-to-access bottle storage ranging from 33 to over 100 bottles. There are under-counter and taller vertical models to suit any kitchen that has the space, although many people locate them in other entertaining areas away from the kitchen.

A must-have for the serious wine buff and entertainer, they do free up a large amount of fridge space as they can be used to store other beverages as well. The wide range on offer means there are affordably priced options along with the higher-end models.

Bar fridges are small, compact fridges which are ideal for kitchenettes, home offices and outdoor BBQ areas.

Today’s fridges offer more than just cold storage. The technology has become smart and offers you a whole lot of choices. But before you buy, do your homework and think about what features will genuinely make your life easier.

• Plumbed or refillable
• Crushed or cubed ice options
• Great for families and entertaining
• If they come with filters, they will need replacing

• Keep veggies crisp and fruits fresher and last longer
• Some models offer multi-drawers with dual or triple crisper drawers

• Colder compartments (0–1°C) for products that need colder temperatures than the rest of the fridge such as meat, poultry, seafood or some deli goods.

• Wi-Fi control via app
• Temperature alerts
• Internal cameras for grocery shopping
• Voice assistant integration (Alexa, Google)

• Customise your fridge layout for tall bottles, cakes or large platters

• Rapidly cool drinks or quickly freeze those groceries that can easily spoil.

• Deodorising filters, silver-ion linings, and easy-clean glass shelves

• Lock control panels to prevent little fingers exploring, and alarms to prevent fridge or freezer doors from being left open

• This is more Important than ever in our modern homes with open-plan living, so look for models under 42 dB

Modern fridges are smarter and more efficient than ever. Here's what’s trending:

• Inverter Compressors – Offer quieter, more efficient cooling
• Dual-Cooling Systems – Keeps fridge and freezer zones separate
• Convertible Zones – Switch between fridge and freezer based on need
• Wi-Fi App Control – Manage settings, get alerts, even view the inside of your fridge
• UV Light & Ion Filters – Combats bacteria and odours for fresher food
• Internal Cameras – See what’s inside while you shop

Not sure which fridge model suits your home? Have a look at our wide range, read our blogs and best of all, chat to the team at your local 100% Home store. Our stores are all independently owned and operated and have been in the business a long time, with many stores being second or third-generation. We know our stuff and rest assured, we will be able to help you compare styles, measure your space, and choose features that fit your lifestyle. We’re not just selling fridges, we’re providing a solution.

Come and visit your local store today.