You’d be lying if you said that the best French door refrigerators never caught your eye every time you visit an electronics or appliance store. These models, aside from being attractive, offer a lot of conveniences you can’t get with a regular model. The larger creature comforts and well-laid-out spaces are often considered when a consumer upgrades their fridge.
These feature-packed options account for more than half of CR member’s purchases in the refrigerator category. Owners like that they have more cubic feet of usable space, larger bins, and spill-proof shelves. Most new models also have digital controls, so they are very user-friendly, with some even offering smart connectivity with your other digital devices.
However, even the best French door refrigerators have a weakness since they are not very reliable according to owner feedback. CR’s predictive reliability scores for each brand with French door fridges often have middling or dismal scores, except for Fisher and Paykel. The problem with the latter’s offerings is that they are very expensive and considered as the absolute high-end in the market.
Popular brands like LG and Kenmore often have issues like compressor failures, although the former still has top scores in CR’s ratings. Consumer Reports members say that they are more reliable than other brands in this category. However, the bottom line is that a top or bottom freezer should be your pick if reliability is your top consideration.
However, if these double-doored beauties are irresistible, check out Consumer Report’s recommendations. You will find something there that surpasses the expectations written above. Consumer Reports tested, evaluated, and gathered data from verified owners to come up with the results listed below. Here are Consumer Reports French door fridge rankings for 2025:
Best 30-Inch-Wide French Door Refrigerators
French Door fridges come in three common sizes, so it’s best to measure the spot for them in your kitchen before pulling the trigger. 30-inch wide models don’t look too far from a regular fridge since they look slim, but they still offer a lot more room.
LG LFCS22520S (73)
The LG LFCS22520S isn’t very user-friendly, but its temperature control and uniformity are top-notch. It’s also very quiet, even if it’s not the most energy-efficient in the entire category. CR and its members like that it has essential features like ice makers but doesn’t have a built-in water filter.
LG LCFS22EXS (70)
The LG LCFS22EXS is a slightly easier option for those who want a through-the-door water and ice dispenser. It’s easier to use, and it has a built-in filter to add to its other basic capabilities. It’s one of the few models in this lineup that has a positive predicted reliability score.
Haier QJS15HYRFS (68)
The Haier QJS15HYRFS isn’t as sophisticated when it comes to controls, but it’s cheaper than the other French doors. It is smaller at 27 inches wide, but it can compete with the LGs’ thermostat and temperature performance.
Best 33-Inch-Wide French Door Refrigerators
33-inch-wide French door refrigerators are not very common since consumers often go for slimmer or wider variants. However, some users also want a happy medium that offers a bit more space without needing a massive slot in their kitchen.
LG LRFXS2503S (77)
The LG LRFXS2503S’s most outstanding feature is its dead-accurate thermostat control, temperature uniformity, and overall noise. It has all the desirable features, but what’s more important is it has a good reliability score unlike so many LG models.
LG LRFCS25D3S (76)
The LG LRFCS25D3S is a more affordable option with WiFi connectivity and a brilliant thermostat and temperature control. It’s energy-efficient and quiet, and it currently enjoys positive feedback from CR member-owners.
GE GNE25JYKFS
This offering from GE performs just as well as the picks above, but it’s a more affordable option that lets you get into French door fridge ownership. Its only disadvantage is its lower predicted reliability score, so getting extended protection plans for it is a must.
Best 36-Inch-Wide French Door Refrigerators
LG LRFVS3006S (80)
The LG LRFVVS3006S comes loaded with beautiful features such as a transparent door, and t wo ice makers that produce large cubes meant for cocktails. It offers top-notch cooling uniformity and accuracy, although its very pricey and not energy-efficient like the other LG models.
GE GYE22GYNFS (80)
The GE GYE22GYNFS is priced around two grand or half of what the CR top recommendation costs, but it offers comparable performance. However, its biggest advantage is its higher reliability score, and it has must-have features like a built-in filter and adjustable shelves.
LG LF29S8330S
The LG LF29S8330S is the quietest 36-inch-wide French door refrigerator with top cooling and uniformity performance in this line up. You can control it with your phone and it has a middle section that can convert from a basic fridge for fresh food to a freezer and vice versa.
How CR tests refrigerators — and why it matters
We lean heavily on the testing protocols of Consumer Reports because they combine rigorous lab measurement with large-scale user feedback — giving you not just how a fridge performs today, but how it holds up over time.
Here’s how CR does it:
- Every refrigerator model is purchased from retail (so the unit tested is identical to what you buy), then wired up with 15 temperature sensors in one of CR’s climate-controlled chambers.
- The fridge is monitored for more than a month, producing millions of data points (CR notes over 5.4 million temperature readings per fridge).
- Key performance areas tested include:
- Thermostat control — how quickly and accurately the unit reaches its set temperature.
- Temperature uniformity — how consistent cooling is across shelves and zones (i.e., minimizing warm/cold spots).
- Noise output — measuring both the initial compressor start-up and steady-state hum. Consumer Reports
- Energy efficiency — measuring power consumption relative to usable storage capacity.
- Usability and storage capacity — layout, lighting, controls, draw-out bins, etc.
- Crisper / icemaker performance — how well drawers retain humidity and how efficiently ice makers produce and store ice (for models with those features). Consumer Reports
- Beyond the lab tests, CR conducts large-scale owner surveys to estimate predicted reliability and owner satisfaction — offering insight into how a fridge performs in real-world use over time (not just in a lab).
- The end result: Each model gets an overall score that combines lab performance + real-user data + predicted reliability.
FAQ
Q1. Why did you include only French-door refrigerators?
A1. French-door models have become one of the most popular refrigerator configurations, offering generous capacity, easy access to the fresh-food compartment and modern feature sets. Because they differ in design and usage from top-freezer or side-by-side models, we focus here specifically on French doors so you can compare like for like. Consumer Reports
Q2. What does “width category” mean (30-inch, 33-inch, 36-inch)?
A2. Refrigerators come in different widths, which affects how they fit your kitchen layout and how much usable space you get. We group models by common widths so you can select one that matches your opening and then judge which within that width performs best.
Q3. How important is reliability over features?
A3. Very important. A fridge may look great and have all the bells and whistles, but if it’s prone to breakdowns or poor longevity, that will affect its value and utility. That’s why our picks aren’t just based on performance today, but also on predicted reliability and owner satisfaction based on survey data.
Q4. I’m seeing big differences in price — does more money always mean better performance?
A4. Not necessarily. While higher-priced models may offer premium features (smart connectivity, custom zones, high-end finishes), performance in key areas (cooling, uniformity, reliability) doesn’t always scale linearly with cost. We recommend focusing on the critical performance metrics and fit for your space rather than just a higher budget.
Q5. How often should I replace my refrigerator?
A5. Good quality refrigerators can last many years if well maintained, but according to Consumer Reports, about one-third of refrigerators require repairs by the end of their fifth year of ownership. Consumer Reports+1 If your model starts showing visible wear, increased noise, inconsistent cooling or frequent repairs, that may be a sign it’s time for an upgrade.
Q6. My kitchen space or opening is non-standard; how should I use this article?
A6. Always measure the height, width, depth and door-swing clearance of your space before shopping. Use the width categories here as a guide, then check each model’s detailed specs. Also evaluate internal capacity, layout and how the doors will open in your space. If the fit isn’t right, even the best performing fridge may be a poor choice.
Q7. Does style (finish, color, smart features) matter for performance?
A7. Style and smart features are secondary to basic performance metrics like cooling, uniformity, energy efficiency and reliability. They can enhance user experience, but you should prioritize how well the fridge keeps food fresh, how uniformly it maintains temperature and how quiet and efficient it is. Use style as a “nice to have” once you’ve met the core performance criteria.
Q8. If I don’t see a model I like in this list, what should I do?
A8. Use this list to understand what performance benchmarks to look for (good cooling, uniform temps, reliable brand). If you find a model outside this list, check whether independent testing data or owner-reviews show it meets those benchmarks, and compare specs accordingly. Also periodically revisit this article — fridge models are refreshed each year.
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