How to Choose the Best American Fridge Freezer

How to Choose the Best American Fridge Freezer
Lisa Norberg
7 October, 2026

How to choose an American fridge freezer

The best American fridge freezer for you is the largest model that fits your kitchen, delivery route and budget without adding features you will not use. Start by checking dimensions and access, then choose the layout, capacity, dispenser type and energy rating. A plumbed model is useful if you want chilled water and automatic ice without filling a tank; a conventional freestanding fridge freezer may be the better choice if space and energy efficiency matter more.

American fridge freezers are widely sold in the UK by retailers including Currys and John Lewis. They are generally large freestanding appliances with either side-by-side doors or a multi-door arrangement. The shortlist below uses current retailer examples, followed by a practical checklist for choosing and installing one.

Best American fridge freezers UK: five strong options

These five models cover different priorities, from the lowest listed price to high-capacity and higher-rated options. The descriptions are based on the listed specifications and prices, rather than a single universal brand ranking.

Model Listed price Dimensions (H × W × D) Capacity or key feature Best suited to
Samsung Series 6 SpaceMax RS70F64KDFEU £1,399 178.4 × 91.2 × 72.6 cm 237-litre fridge, 225-litre freezer; Total No Frost; plumbed water and ice Buyers wanting a dispenser at the lowest listed price
Bosch Series 8 KFF96PIEP £1,999 183 × 90.5 × 70.6 cm 573 litres; plumbed; E energy rating Large households wanting a wide storage brief
LG GSXE90EVDD £2,099 179 × 91.3 × 73.5 cm 628 litres; D energy rating Buyers prioritising capacity and a better listed energy rating than E
Samsung Series 8 RS80F66KBTEU £2,199 178.4 × 91.2 × 72.6 cm 634 litres; B energy rating Buyers placing energy rating high on the specification list
Samsung Series 9 RF65DG960ESREU £2,899 183 × 91.2 × 72.3 cm 646 litres Households wanting the largest listed capacity in this shortlist

Currys lists the Samsung Series 6 RS70F64KDFEU at £1,399, with Total No Frost and a plumbed water-and-ice dispenser. John Lewis lists the Bosch KFF96PIEP at £1,999 and the LG GSXE90EVDD at £2,099; its listings give the Bosch an E rating and the LG a D rating. The same retailer lists the Samsung RS80F66KBTEU at £2,199 with a B rating, and the Samsung RF65DG960ESREU at £2,899.

For context, the listed examples run from £1,399 to £2,899. Retail prices and availability can change, so check the product page before ordering. Currys also advertises free recycling, delivery and installation on selected Samsung appliances, but that offer is product-specific rather than a feature of every model.

American fridge freezer size, width and height

Measure both the intended space and the route into the property before choosing a model. The retailer guide from Appliance City explains how to check American fridge freezer dimensions, including width, depth, height, ventilation, door swing and access through the house.

The five examples above are roughly 90–91 cm wide and 179–183 cm high. Their depths range from 70.6 to 73.5 cm, before allowing for clearance around the appliance. Those dimensions are enough to rule out many standard kitchen spaces, particularly where a unit sits beside a wall, island or tall cabinet.

  • Measure the opening: record height, width and depth at the narrowest points, including skirting boards, worktops and surrounding cabinets.
  • Check the doors: allow the doors to open far enough for drawers and shelves to be removed. A nominal width that fits tightly may still be unusable.
  • Check ventilation: follow the manufacturer’s required clearances rather than pushing the appliance tightly against a wall or cabinet.
  • Measure the delivery route: check gates, external doors, hallways, stairs, turns and the final kitchen entrance.
  • Plan the final position: confirm that the appliance will not obstruct a doorway, radiator, island or working area when its doors are open.

Do not measure only the space where the appliance will stand. A fridge freezer that fits the kitchen can still fail at a narrow entrance or awkward turn. Ask the retailer what delivery-access information it requires before committing to the purchase.

Side-by-side or multi-door American fridge freezer?

Choose side-by-side if you prefer a tall fridge and freezer column with narrow doors; choose a multi-door design if you want a wider refrigerator section or a different split between fresh and frozen food. The right layout depends on how you shop and where the appliance will sit, not simply on its appearance.

Side-by-side models make both compartments easy to reach without opening one very wide door. Their narrower vertical sections can suit a layout where door swing is restricted, although shelves and trays may also be narrower. A multi-door appliance can offer a broad refrigerator area and flexible freezer arrangement, but it needs careful checking beside walls and cabinets because the doors may require more clearance.

Before comparing brands, write down what you store most often. Fresh-food-heavy households may value a larger refrigerator compartment; bulk-buyers may prefer more freezer space. Compare the stated fridge and freezer capacities rather than relying on the external size alone. For a smaller kitchen, also compare conventional formats in our guide to the best 50/50 fridge freezers.

American fridge freezer with water and ice dispenser

A plumbed dispenser is the convenient choice when you want a continuous connection to chilled water and automatic ice, provided a suitable water supply is close to the appliance. A non-plumbed dispenser uses a refillable internal tank, avoiding a water connection but adding the task of filling it manually.

Which? explains that a plumbed dispenser avoids manually refilling a water tank but requires a nearby water source; many ice-making models also need a water connection. Currys lists Samsung American-style models with both plumbed water-and-ice dispensers and non-plumbed water dispensers.

  1. Choose plumbed if the water connection can be routed safely and you expect to use chilled water or ice frequently.
  2. Choose non-plumbed if you want the dispenser function but do not want to arrange a nearby water connection.
  3. Confirm the exact specification because a dispenser is not automatically plumbed just because the appliance is an American style model.
  4. Include installation in the plan: confirm who makes the connection and what must be ready before delivery.

A dispenser also affects placement. Leave room to use it comfortably and make sure the door can open fully. If you rarely use ice or chilled water, the feature may add complexity without improving your daily routine.

Samsung, LG or Bosch: which brand is best?

There is no evidence here that one brand is universally best. Samsung and LG have prominent current UK ranges, while Bosch is represented by high-capacity models in the John Lewis range. Compare individual models on price, capacity, dimensions, energy rating, dispenser arrangement and independent test results.

Samsung is the most heavily represented brand in the current examples, including a lower-priced RS70 model with a plumbed dispenser and higher-capacity RS80 and RF65 models. LG’s GSXE90EVDD combines 628 litres with a D rating in the listed specification. Bosch’s KFF96PIEP offers 573 litres, a plumbed design and an E rating.

Those differences matter more than the badge alone. If you are comparing a Samsung fridge freezer at Currys with an LG or Bosch at John Lewis, use the same checklist for each: physical fit, usable capacity, water connection, energy rating, delivery arrangements and guarantee terms. Do not assume that a more expensive model is automatically more economical or better suited to your kitchen.

Energy efficiency and running-cost trade-offs

American fridge freezers offer substantial storage, but their size can make them less energy-efficient than regular freestanding fridge freezers. Which?’s buying advice says these appliances are rarely as energy-efficient as regular freestanding fridge freezers and places particular emphasis on energy efficiency in its current testing.

The UK appliance energy scale runs from A to G. The listed examples show why the label deserves attention: the Bosch is E-rated, the LG is D-rated and the Samsung RS80 is B-rated. A larger capacity can be useful, but do not pay for space that will remain empty. Mumsnet notes that many bestselling American fridge freezers have ratings between C and F.

For a fair comparison, record the energy rating and the capacity together. A model with a better rating may suit a household that uses the appliance heavily, while a smaller conventional fridge freezer can be more sensible where the extra American-style capacity is unnecessary. Our guide to the best frost-free fridge freezers is a useful alternative route if you want low-maintenance storage without the American format.

Is an American fridge freezer worth it?

It is worth considering when you need substantial storage, have enough room for a large freestanding appliance and will use features such as a water or ice dispenser. It is less compelling when your priorities are low energy use, easy delivery, a narrow footprint or a simple installation.

Which? lowered its Best Buy cut-off for American fridge freezers from 72% to 68% in September 2025 because these appliances generally perform less well than other fridge-freezer types in its testing. That is a reason to compare individual results and specifications rather than buying on size or appearance alone.

Before ordering, make a final decision using this sequence:

  1. Measure the kitchen space and every part of the delivery route.
  2. Choose side-by-side or multi-door according to your storage habits.
  3. Decide whether a plumbed dispenser is worth the installation requirement.
  4. Compare capacity, energy rating and listed price together.
  5. Confirm delivery, installation, recycling and guarantee arrangements for the exact model.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth getting an American fridge freezer?

It can be worthwhile for a large household that needs high storage capacity and wants chilled water or ice on demand. It is a weaker choice when kitchen space, energy efficiency or installation simplicity are the main priorities, because these appliances are large and Which? says they are rarely as energy-efficient as regular freestanding fridge freezers.

What is the best brand of American fridge freezer?

No single brand is established as universally best by the available evidence. Samsung and LG have substantial current UK ranges, and Bosch is another option in the current retailer listings. Choose by model: compare dimensions, capacity, energy rating, dispenser type, price and independent test performance.

Can I buy American-style fridge freezers in the UK?

Yes. American-style fridge freezers are widely available from UK retailers including Currys and John Lewis. Current listings include models from Samsung, LG and Bosch, among other brands.

What are the disadvantages of American fridge freezers?

The main disadvantages are their large footprint, demanding delivery route, need for door and ventilation clearance, potentially higher energy use and higher purchase prices. Water-and-ice models may also require a nearby water connection, particularly when the dispenser is plumbed.

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