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Updated on August 20, 2024

Buying guide

How to Choose the Right Refrigerator for Your Kitchen

Refrigerators offer a wide range of options: style, finish, lighting, pull-out shelves, water or ice dispenser, and more. Other features, such as capacity and energy consumption, are also worth considering. Check out our buying guide to choose the right fridge for you!

Refrigerators: A Kitchen Must-Have

What is more essential in the kitchen than the fridge? It keeps your food safe and fresh so you can prepare great meals for the whole family. On the other hand, the sheer number of options, features, and functionalities can make buying a new fridge daunting. But don’t worry: in this guide, you’ll find everything you need to choose the right refrigerator. Make sure to read on!

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Types and Styles of Refrigerators

There are several different types of refrigerators available on the market. Each has its own particularities and offers different advantages. Be sure to choose the model that best suits your needs and your space.

Top-Freezer Refrigerator

Top-freezer refrigerators provide more space for fresh produce, while the freezer takes up approximately 1/3 of the space. This type of refrigerator offers more traditional characteristics. The doors can be reversed based on your preferences or kitchen configuration.

Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator

Bottom-freezer refrigerators offer easier access to the refrigerated part of the fridge, located at eye level. No need to bend down to reach your food. The freezer section offers a hinged door or drawer, depending on the chosen model.

French Door Refrigerator

French door refrigerators offer superior characteristics and easy access to the refrigerated section. Generally more spacious, they offer configuration options that meet everyone’s needs. The freezer drawers allow you to view your food without bending down.

Side-by-side Refrigerator

The side-by-side fridge offers countless advantages—including a more spacious freezer section—and allows you to see everything in both the refrigerator and freezer at a glance. Some models also include a water and ice dispenser.

Freezerless

Freezerless refrigerators are large format appliances that offer great capacity and several storage solutions. Usually, this type of refrigerator is purchased with the twin freezer.

Compact

Compact refrigerators are smaller in size and have a smaller capacity. They fit nicely under a counter or can be used as an addition to the main refrigerator to store beverages or extra food. A great option for students, offices, or bars!

Basic Criteria for Choosing the Best Refrigerator

Refrigerators come with many different options. Here are the most common ones:

Energy Savings

Your refrigerator is always in operation. To reduce your energy consumption—and your electricity bill—choose an ENERGY STAR® certified fridge. To find out more about an appliance’s energy efficiency, consult the EnerGuide tag.

Look and Design

Color, style, design: Your new refrigerator should match your tastes and decor. To avoid unpleasant surprises during the installation, make sure to measure the available space preceding purchase and delivery.

Power Supply

Make sure an outlet is available to supply your appliance.

Water Inlets

If your chosen model offers a water or ice dispenser, you’ll need to connect a water supply to your refrigerator.

Minimalist stainless-steel fridge

Black fridge in a vintage-looking kitchen

Additional Refrigerator Features to Look Out for

A child lock and door alarm are just some of the many useful features you can find on a refrigerator!

Water and Ice Dispenser

A water and ice dispenser is the ideal solution for those who love nothing more than a tall glass of ice-cold water always within reach, without even opening the fridge. Some refrigerators can make different types of ice cubes for every need, while also allows to free up freezer space. Some models can create up to 10 lbs of ice cubes per day!

Water Filter

Many models are equipped with an internal or external water filter to eliminate most bacteria. An indicator light will let you know when it should be replaced. Our private brand Project Source offers highly affordable water filters for refrigerators. Since it is recommended to change filters every 6 months, this is a great opportunity to save money.

Counter-Depth Model

Counter-depth refrigerators integrate perfectly within your space since their measurements correspond to those of your cabinets. They’ll undoubtedly add a touch of elegance to your kitchen.

Perfected Soundproofing

If you’re sensitive to surrounding noise, choose a model equipped with sound-reducing materials designed to diminish the noise produced by the appliance.

Door or Temperature Indicators

Accidentally leaving the fridge open leads to energy and food waste. Appliances equipped with door or temperature indicators sound a signal if the door remains open longer than a few minutes.

Child Lock

Appliances with a child lock system keep your budding chefs from inadvertently leaving the door open or helping themselves to snacks without permission.

Quick Cooling Compartment

If you often need to refresh drinks or produce rapidly, choose a refrigerator with this type of compartment. Colder than the rest of the fridge, this space enables you to cool ingredients quickly, without freezing them.

ENERGY STAR®

An ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerator consumes up to 10% less energy than a non-certified appliance.

Pro Tip

Still having a hard time choosing? When you see a model you like, scroll down to the Reviews section. You will be able to read the comments of our other customers!

Illustrations of different fridge types and sizes

Understand Fridge Sizes

Now that you know what type of refrigerator you want, it’s time to verify the available space in your kitchen.

Note: Measurements are for information purposes only. Refer to the manufacturer’s guide for the exact measurements of the appliance of your choice.

Smart fridge with see-through door

Discover Smart Technology

Smart technology is there to make your life easier. While some smart fridges come with diagnostic capabilities to identify any problems via phone or an app, others offer the ability to control and monitor temperature remotely. We also love the touch-screen models, which are perfect for people with busy lifestyles or who lack inspiration. Thanks to the screen, you can create a calendar and track family activities and events, but also see ingredients and find recipes that are quick and easy to make.

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Did You Know?

Have your new fridge delivered and we’ll pick up your old model for free! Thanks to this safe and convenient service, there’s no need to haul your old appliance to an ecocentre.

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