American style fridge freezers buying guide

American-style fridge freezers house the freezer and fridge compartments side-by-side in two-door models, giving you more space for both fresh and frozen food than freestanding fridge freezers.

They’re also available in three- and four-door configurations. These may include models with freezer drawers on the bottom, or a variable temperature compartment in the middle. Compartment sizes may vary, so choose according to how much food you need to chill and how much you need to freeze.

American fridge freezers with thin insulation can offer more usable storage space, so check for variances between appliances of the same size. Features like ice makers and special storage boxes can also affect your fridge freezer’s usable capacity.

Fast Chill and Fast Freeze features rapidly cool new items to keep your groceries fresher for longer, locking in nutrients and protecting current items. They are perfect for when you’ve returned from the shop and need to chill your groceries quickly.

Some American-style models have food preservation features that create optimum humidity, slowing down bacterial growth, reducing bad odours and preserving vital nutrients in fresh food such as meat, fish and vegetables.

Flexible temperature zone compartments in some models can be switched between freezer and fridge functions at the touch of a button. Choose from several temperatures to freeze, refrigerate or chill food and drink as you need.

Adjustable shelves help accommodate larger items, from last night’s roast chicken or a lasagne dish to tall cold drink bottles, pineapples and big tubs of butter.

Door racks are ideal for securely holding bottles, jars and cartons. Most appliances include an egg rack to keep those essential breakfast items safe.

Glass shelves help prevent liquids dripping onto items stored below, and they’re easy to wipe clean. Wine and bottle racks keep drinks organised and safe, giving you more room below to store other items.

Keep fruit and vegetables fresh with salad crisper drawers, while a dairy compartment is perfect for butter and cheeses. Dedicated compartments prevent the transfer of odours between foods, and some salad crispers feature a humidity control for best food freshness.

Transparent freezer drawers provide a clear view of your food to check their condition and quantity, letting you use space more effectively.

These appliances must be plumbed to a water supply not more than 1.5 metres away to make use of fresh water and ice dispensers. As water filters need to be replaced periodically, check the cost of replacement parts before buying.

Fridge freezers using a removable filtered jug or container for their water or ice dispenser allow you to position your appliance more conveniently. The container must be topped up on a regular basis, so consider what will be most convenient for you. Look out for models with space-saver tanks.

LED lighting is brighter and more energy efficient.

LED and LCD displays, external touch controls and thermostats help you keep your appliance running at the right temperature for maximum food freshness.

Innovative compressors allow your refrigerator to provide consistent cooling and use less energy, plus they’re more durable.

This intelligent function maintains an economical empty fridge temperature while keeping the freezer on.

Open door and temperature alarms alert you when the appliance isn't closed or when internal temperatures are higher than is safe.

Enjoy a perfectly chilled beverage as this feature reminds you to remove your drinks from the freezer when they’re ready for serving.