TL;DR
Bosch 800 Series
The Bosch 800 Series is frequently recommended for its high quality and reliability. It features dual compressors which help maintain optimal temperature control and air filtration, keeping food fresh longer [5:2]. While it is on the pricier side, it's considered a worthwhile investment for those looking for a reliable unit that mimics some of the features found in luxury brands like Sub-Zero
[1:6].
GE Profile and Cafe Series
GE refrigerators, particularly the Profile and Cafe series, are popular choices among users. They are noted for their reliability and availability of service parts, which can be crucial if repairs are needed [1:2]
[3:4]. The GE Cafe series, while slightly noisier, offers good performance and third-party water filter options that reduce maintenance costs
[2:5].
Fisher & Paykel
Fisher & Paykel is praised for its quiet operation and longevity. Users have reported satisfaction with its performance and durability, making it a strong contender for those wanting a long-lasting appliance [5:3].
Whirlpool
Whirlpool is another brand that comes up frequently as a reliable option. It owns KitchenAid and Maytag, so these brands share similar components and service networks [3:5]. However, there are mixed reviews about Whirlpool's warranty policies, which may vary by region
[3:4].
Brands to Avoid
Samsung and LG are often advised against due to difficulties in obtaining service and parts, especially in certain regions [3:4]. These brands have been known to present challenges when repairs are necessary, which can lead to frustration and additional costs
[4:1].
Additional Considerations
When purchasing a refrigerator, ensure you measure your kitchen space accurately to avoid fitting issues [2:10]. Also, consider whether you need features like external dispensers, as they can take up storage space and potentially become failure points
[1:2]. Lastly, check for any available rebates or extended warranties that might offer additional value
[5:5].
Looking for recommendations which french door fridge is the best overall to purchase. Looking for energy saver, water dispenser (ice dispenser not necessary). Please provide some suggestions.
We have a GE Profile (french door, bottom freezer) from 2008. We love it and it is still going strong. However, I have been looking at their current models and am worried...we refuse to buy a refrigerator with an in-door ice/water dispenser (takes up storage space and is a likely failure point)...but could only find a few GE Profile french-door models without one...and the ones that don't have them seem to have major issues (not cooling).
Gonna have to include other brands now in my search. Good luck with yours!
Sidenote: Our 800 series Bosch dishwasher that we purchased within the last year has been amazing...gonna have to see if they sell refrigerators.
Any thoughts on Whirlpool or Frigidaire french doors? Do you know anyone who has these brands and their reviews about the product ?
Liebherr 36 inch internal water dispenser and ice maker. https://home.liebherr.com/en/usa/ncsa/residential-appliances/fully-integrated/details/ecbn-9673.html
Stay away from Samsung and LG Kitchenaid french door is also terrible.
If you dont want to spend that much than try to look at GE or GE Cafe, Fisher Paykel but they are all owned by Haier.
Another solid option may be Bosch especially 800 series refrigirators but they also have problems. Nothing is really reliable.
If you are in Canada Miele offers 10 years extended full warranty. In USA only 5 years.
Good luck
Any thoughts on Whirlpool or Frigidaire french doors?
Whirlpool is much better than frigidaire.
Read this there is opinion from technicians about reliability of particular brands of refrigirators https://prudentreviews.com/reliable-refrigerator-brands/
I have a Bosch 800 series that I love.
If you're in a big city whatever you prefer, if you're in a small town get the one that you can actually get service and parts to.
This is my first time buying a new fridge. I really would like to have a French door styled one. However, I just can’t seem to narrow it down. I feel like if I find one, it always ends up having bad reviews. SO, does anyone have any good recommendations? I originally thought I was supposed to stay away from LG, but every “top list” I find for 2025, they have an LG ranked as the overall pick. Are they good now?? PLEASE list your favorite reliable fridge brands so I can finally get one!! (Counter depth)
Frigidaire professional french door is the one we chose based on how it felt when we checked them out in person.
Okay!! I’ll have to check out some Frigidaire ones then!
I'm in the same boat (will be buying by this summer) and narrowing it down to one appears challenging. From what I have seen in person and researched, I came up with the below. I'm interested in a counter-depth French door, no dispensers on the outside of the door. Based on functions, usability, etc., -
Samsung Bespoke with Beverage center (model #RF23DB960012 or RF23DB9600QL or other similar)
GE Profile quad door (model #PHD23BYWFS or similar) LED backlight /wall light looks awesome
KitchenAid quad door (model #KRQC506MPS or similar)
Bosch French door 3 door (model #B36CT80SNS or similar) there are other models with no handles, or four door with a additional beverage drawer
Other models look unimpressive or nothing special to speak about (not considering Thermadoor/Wolf/Sub-zero categories). LG is another that looks nice (Max Depth counter-depth has the largest capacity for a counter-depth) but considering their compressor issues, not sure I would go that route. Haven't seen a lot of Frigidaire models (other than base models). Dont think have seen any Frigidaire Pro models or gallery models in-store, so not sure.
Among the above, Bosch seems to be the best bet but it's pricey. If there is a good discount during the holidays, might go for it (HD spring Black Friday sale has them on sale in-store for $2799 now, so hoping it might come back during Memorial Day or July 4th). The next on my list is GE profile quad door but not sure if GE Profile is worth at the $3K price point.
Hope this is helpful.
Edits: formatting; couldnt post with rich text editor.
What did you end up getting?
Well, I ordered the Bosch B36CT80ENS (the one w/o the handles) from Lowes for August delivery. However, turns out the Kitchen cut out does not accommodate the 72" height the Bosch refrigerator requires. I haven't cancelled that yet but will be cancelling. Instead, I'm getting the GE Profile (PJE23BYWFS); yet to order them but will be ordering through Costco this weekend.
I can’t remember which brand, but something to look out for. French door models have a ‘flap’ on the left door that acts as a seal between the doors when closed. They are spring loaded so the flap flips 90 degrees when the door is opened. This is so the nub on the top of the flap will fit into a receiver on the frame when the door is closed. When that doesn’t happen correctly, there is potential damage to the flap and the doors won’t close completely. One manufacturer has solved this problem by spring loading the ‘nub’ so it will snap into the receiver. Difficult to describe.
I bought a GE Cafe French door 5 years ago that was a floor model, no problems so far. It's a little noisy at times but GE tech said that's how they are. I don't like the high cost of water filters but those chipped water filters are now sold by 3rd parties, so much cheaper now.
I was warned about Samsung as they're impossible to get serviced where I'm at. If you do buy a GE and get an extended warranty, buy the GE extended warranty, not 3rd party.
Measure, measure then measure again for which ever one you choose.
Yes! I almost ordered a 36" fridge when we bought our house. I measured, just to make sure it would fit, and discovered that my opening was actually 33 inches. Ack!
They fit depth wise with the fridge doors removed. That solves most problems.
Will do!!!
I'm shopping for a new french door refrigerator; it needs to be on the larger side and I'm wondering what everyone's opinions are on brand. I've read a lot of "don't buy LG or Samsung" and I've read up on them which is fairly putting me off. But what about Whirlpool, GE, KitchenAid, or Haier? I'd like to hear from anyone/everyone, even on LG and Samsung. TIA!
Look into BEKO refrigerators!
I just looked them up - they're too small but thank you!
I typically recommend Whirlpool or GE. Whirlpool also owns Kitchenaid and Maytag, so that’s something to consider.
I’d stay away from Samsung and LG.
Source: work for an appliance repair company.
Thanks! I am leaning toward GE, but have a KitchenAid and Whirlpool on the list as well. Good to know.
What do you think of Frigidair?
Hello as someone who sells appliances for a living LG/Samsung are a nightmare trying to get serviced. I know whirlpool also is getting stricter on what they deem is covered under warranty now. (Could just be my region). Just something to think about with the kitchenaid. If I’m not selling luxury, I’m usually recommending Bosch, Cafe, GE Profile.
I really appreciate your input! I'm definitely leaning more and more towards GE - specifically Profile if it would come back in stock soon. Thanks!
Were you going with big box stores or local dealer?
These look like decent choices:
Or these:
For a French door refrigerator, get an internal water dispenser or no water dispenser. Same goes for the ice maker.
Thanks! This company has ones I’ve been looking at in stock too!
Add LG second compressor just died looking for recommendations on the best overall French door stainless steel fridge 36 inch wide
Any GE and secondarily, Whirlpool. The french door design is less reliable from any maker [vs the cheapo top freezer], so expect trouble after 5 years, but if you buy a US make, its more easily fixed.
Im looking for a no thrills, no ice/water French door fridge that can support a large family and wont die within 5 years and wont break the bank. Ive looked around and it seems that you guys have suggested to look at GE and Whirlpool manufacturers. Anyone that has gone shopping recently with these boxes checked and has any advice on specific models? Thanks in advance.
The Bosch 800 series B36CT80SNS is basically a mini sub zero with two compressors and has great air filtration to keep vegetables fresh longer.
Two compressors will make the unit not have to work as hard so it won't break down as easily. Currently the 800 series is the non built in unit doing this.
It is a bit pricier but it's definitely a quality unit.
Fisher paykel. Had one in my last house. Miss it everyday. Super quiet. Will never break.
That is what my husband has said. He says it’s the only one that will last more than 10 years. He sells appliances.
They're also doing a rebate until the end of the year that if you register your unit with them, they extend their 2 year warranty to 5.
That's because they know it won't break. Wont cost them a penny.
Model info?
Similar to this. Prices are in canadian dollars so dont have a heart attack. https://www.goemans.com/home/kitchen/refrigeration/fridges/french-door/RF201ADW5N
Moving to a new house next month and need to buy a refrigerator. We like the French door style. I prefer the external ice/water dispenser but I’ve read that these should be avoided for reliability, so that’s fine.
I’ve read that Samsung and LG should be avoided due to poor reliability, difficult to get parts, and less service availability.
I’ve seen mixed feedback on GE brands (GE, Cafe, Haier).
I’ve seen mostly good feedback on Whirlpool brands (Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid).
What about other brands like Bosch and Hisense?
I just bought 28 cu ft LG French door at Costco for $1700 after some extensive research. Most top rated fridges are LG on Consumer Reports. Yes I read bad customer reviews on LG but I gave much more weigh to objective professional reviews.
From what I’ve read about Consumer Reports, they don’t factor in any issues that are covered under warranty. So if a fridge has constant issues while under warranty, they still give it a good rating.
I heard that too. Retailer and youtuber, Yale Appliance, also rates LG fridges highly on reliability in terms of low number of repairs based on their number of service calls. LG was hit with class action lawsuit and they fixed the issues with older compression in the newer models. The bulk of complaints were with these older models with problematic design flaws. With many various factors worked out, the latest LG models should be relatively reliable based on my readings. Ask me in couple years if I'm right. The $3100 price drop to $1700 plus $300 Costco shop card was too good to refuse. It's going to replace my working, smaller Samsung fridge 😆
u/erikibarra14 What did you end up getting and how has it been? I was looking at getting an LG soon. My 14 year old Kenmore isn't keeping as cold anymore.
GE profile fridge ordered in Jan. Promised for May. Backed up to August. In stock is going to be your deciding factor most likely.
I have had LG for years and no issues. I have the counter depth model with two ice makers. One in the door and a separate one in the bottom freezer. I get filters on Amazon (not LG brand) for water and air. The dual ice makers means I never run out even when having a party.
Glad you haven’t had any issues, but seems to be generally agreed upon that LG has higher rate of issues than other brands.
I assume all modern large appliances are going to (at max) last 10 years if lucky. In saying that, if you live in the states, parts/service is likely goin to be easier with whirlpool brands imo.
Best thing to do is buy it from a local appliance dealer with their own service dept because they will be more likely to be able to fix it when it breaks and will be able to give a warranty. I paid $200 I think for my dryer 5 year service warranty and if I don't use it they give me store credit on my next purchase.
Any recommendations or insights as to what brands are reliable or not?
Stay away from Frigidaire. The newer ones are built cheap and are noisy as hell. We've learned this the hard way.
Frigidaire has been notorious for loud refrigerators for years now.
I hadn't needed a refrigerator for twenty-five years. We went with a Frigidaire because the one my father had in his house, which was bought in 1967 was working, as was their stove. We should've research more, so now we have a helicopter in our kitchen and yes, we have had the fan replaced. Two weeks later the helicopter was back.
Lesson learned.
I bought an Amana side by side fridge in 2018. Its has an in door ice maker and water dispenser. I have had no issues with it. I buy the filters from Amazon every 6 months.
This is the biggest cubic feet I could find/bought recently…that was basic (no water dispenser-to break) GNE29GYNFS. We’ve only had it a week, so only time will tell, but the capacity has been nice compared to our old much smaller side by side. But what I basically learned through deep diving Reddit was, nothing is made to last anymore and thus go for the the basic/no bells and whistles models and stay away from Samsung/LG, and just cross your fingers that you get lucky.
Actually Consumer Reports rates LG and GE as being the most reliable brands for french doors, giving them scores of 75 and 74. Whirlpool and Bosch are close behind. Way back are Frigidaire and Samsung which are the worst two scoring at 58 and 52 on reliability. The rule of thumb is go as basic as possible, every advanced feature is just something new that can go wrong.
We’ve had two LG French doors (one in one house for 12 years that we left with the house) and another one in our current house on year three. Zero issues, ever!
Welp, after the first sentence, I think we can safely disregard anything else Consumer Reports has to say on appliances.
Why? 75 out of 100 is not exactly a great score, but it's the best that's out there. LG had major issues with their compressors last decade but by most accounts that's solved and besides that their refrigerators have been the most dependable out there. Yale Appliance also puts out a scorecard and their results are very similar. Both seem to agree with you that Samsung is the worst.
for freezer top refrigerators, they actually say Samsung is the best. I’m like, how?
My Kenmore Elite made by LG lasted six years
My Kenmore Elite made by LG lasted six years
The name sounded familiar so I looked at my fridge -- it's a Kenmore Elite.
It's now 20+ years old. The interior parts are shit but I'm making do.
It occasionally freezes over so I have to take everything out, turn the fridge off, leave the doors open overnight then I'm good to go for a few more years. There's a lot of youtubes for various refrigerators (freezing up is a common problem) but none had my exact model.
Every few years I use a air pressure gun to remove the dust at the bottom rear condenser coils.
eta
The refrigerator works fine but it's a positive bitch to clean. Too many nooks and crannies. Hard to put the components back into the sliders. I dread cleaning the fridge. The paint on the door has a ton of chips which makes the kitchen look beat.
So anyway, as I'm waiting for something else in Best Buy, I look at the refrigerators. Sweet baby jesus -- they're insanely expensive and a whole bunch of them look cheaper that what I have.
So I'm going to keep my miserable (but functioning) refrigerator until it dies. I got 20+ years of service out of it.
I know everyone is probably hella tired of this question, but I’m in need of some serious help. I’m in the middle of doing a custom built home so there is decisions slapping me left and right, and picking a fridge has been the death of me.
I’m not horribly picky, I’d like a water dispenser but it can be an interior one. Ice maker can be in the freezer, no big deal.
I’ve got a decent budget. I’m willing to spend up to $4000 CAD ($3000 USD), but hoping for more in the $2700-$3000 range.
What are the recommendations here? If you have a specific model you like, even better!
Currently looking at GE and Bosch but I’m open to other options
Thanks in advance
I like the kitchenaids. They seem like the high end of whirlpool. Just whatever brand you get, you have somebody in town who can fix it. We have no one in town to fix Samsung or Lg.
My only problem with Kitchenaid is that all of their freezer drawers are wire baskets. My in laws have that and the ice cubes keep getting stuck in the bottom 🥲
I've been in New home construction for 20 years this month. There is only one manufacture I will personally buy for myself and tenants and recommend to a person choosing Kitchen apiances for themselves. Buy any of the brands built by Whirlpool.
GE has had problems with ice makers freezing and leaking for years even with their Profile line.
Frigidaire is part of Electrolux and their kitchen appliances have been very unreliable for years and that's for all of their kitchen suites.
The longest lasting dishwashers and refrigerators of any brand sold in America are products made buy Whirlpool. I have found their stoves and microwave rangehoods to perform great as well.
For frontload laundry I have a Electrolux washer and dryers that perform flawlessly and I have a Frigidaire Gallery frontload washer and dryer, which is the first frontload laundry equipment reintroduced to America in many years and I bought the set in 1998 and it's still working for a family of 4 without any repairs to the Electric Dryer or washing machine.
If not a reliable Electrolux then buy a Speeed Queen frontload washer.
That's my recommendations, best of luck.
I'll add a thumbs up for Whirlpool customer service on their warranties. We run a mom and pop scratch and shop. Calling WP you get a rep in the states, without any language barrier. Not a huge thing, but when you are trying to explain a complex issue, it's nice to have phone support without that barrier. Also.... If you buy your appliance from a big box retailer, they'll offer you an extended warranty that is NOT administered by Whirlpool... I'd skip it and pay a bit more to buy WP's warranty.
I’ve heard good things about buying from Costco and getting their warranty. Any opinion on that?
LGs are good. Not sure why some people don't like them. Whatever you pick just have in mind - top freezer are the most reliable and most energy efficient. Ice makers break a lot and need monthly maintenance. Also use a ton of electricity to run constantly. Pick a brand that has good service department in your area if problems arise.
I’m scared of the compressor issues. A lot of people have said it’s still not fixed despite the lawsuit
We bought a GE Profile PVD28BYNFS, absolutely love it! Ended up finding one at a Best Buy outlet store, but no scratches or dents. Just a return due to the buyer not measuring his/her available space properly. Bought it for $1599, retailed around $3800,
The middle drawer is awesome, this gets used more than the top part of the fridge. Love the rear LED wall that illuminates every item in the upper fridge area. The only trade off is the ice maker does not make massive amounts of ice, if you have 6 family members who love ice either buy a bag of ice for the freezer or choose another fridge. We are 3 people and we make out fine.
Searched for weeks comparison shopping and read hundreds of reviews. We had first chosen a kitchenaid platinum interior, but after reading about many issues with that model having a cracked plastic housings we went with the GE Profile.
Good to know! We’ve been looking at GE as well just because it’s a bit more in our budget than Bosch, and it still seems like good quality 😊
I just had it with my Samsung fridge (never going back!). After only 5 years, the freezer died, and now the whole fridge is toast.
I'm on the hunt for a new French door fridge with a water dispenser and ice maker, but forget the fancy smart features - they're just asking for trouble. My budget is around $3,000.
Anyone have recommendations for reliable French door fridges in that range? I've been considering the Bosch 800 series, but I'm open to other options!
So happy with my Bosch fridge! It keeps everything perfectly chilled and the water dispenser is so convenient.
I finally got my Bosch fridge after weeks of waiting and extensive research (previous fridge, maybe a GE, wasn't great). It's definitely a premium appliance, and while I love it overall, it did require some early maintenance - the ice maker needed replacing almost right away, and then the display went out. The extended warranty saved me a ton on repairs, especially since the recent display issue would've been a pricey fix without it. So, while I wouldn't necessarily discourage a Bosch fridge, getting the warranty is a wise move.
The Bosch 800 series is a great choice for a reliable French door fridge with a water dispenser and ice maker, and it falls within your $3,000 budget. Here's a breakdown of why it's a good option and some alternatives to consider:
Why Bosch 800 is a good choice:
Alternatives to Consider:
Hello BIFL,
I am planning to buy/order a new French door style refrigerator in the next month with an ice maker. I prefer to buy from a non-big box, so the niche brands are open. Can folks share their experience and suggestions?
Thank you in advance.
We were forced to replace our Kenmore French door fridge because the compressor failed. It was only 7 years old.
The repairman said it wasn't worth repairing. We knew that our Kenmore was a rebadged LG, but the repairman educated us that the older LGs had a known compressor problem. Not sure about the new ones, but our experience turned us off to any further LGs.
I asked the repairman which brands he saw more and less during his service calls. He said he serviced more LG and Samsung and less Maytag, Frigidaire, and GE. As you may know, there's a lot of consolidation. As of a couple years ago, this was my understanding:
Whirlpool owns Jenn-Air, Maytag, Amana, and KitchenAid.
Electrolux owns Frigidaire, Tappan, Kelvinator and Gibson.
Haier owns GE and Fisher/Paykel.
Here's an independent review site that may help: Best Fridge
When we went shopping in Sept. 2020, inventory shortages due to COVID were a huge problem. We went to two local appliance stores, Best Buy, and Home Depot. I wanted a Frigidaire or even Bosch.
But despite having hundreds of models on the floor, the four stores collectively had six models that fit our criteria and were in stock. Everything else was at least 2-4 weeks away.
The only good news was that our fridge failed right before Labor Day weekend, so we were able to get a decent sales price on this GE, which the store also said could be delivered in 48 hours: PVD28BYNFS. It has some nice features, but it has its annoyances too. Do not buy this model unless the price is at least $1K less than their "suggested retail price."
There's generally some wiggle room even with their sales price, so be sure to ask for a discount (5-10% would be a reasonable ask).
Good luck!
I am looking at purchasing this fridge. Now that you have owned it 3 years would you recommend it?
At the risk of an announcer's jinx, the fridge has worked well and we have not had any problems with it.
A couple of small details:
If you haven't seen the fridge in person, you should know that the left inside door shelves are very narrow because that's where the ice maker is. Only thin bottles will fit.
The GE water filters are ~$50/each and we end up replacing them 2x/year.
GE offers an extended warranty, but I've opted to just include coverage in my existing home warranty.
Good luck!
Forgot to mention one more thing, the repairman said that most new large appliances are only built for a 7-10 year lifespan, which is similar to what another repairman told me when my microwave died. So that's pretty annoying....
Don't buy a Samsung. We've got a Samsung french door fridge and have replaced the broken springs in the door about every 9 months. Then there's the internal water dispenser that has broken several times, and the ice maker in the lower freezer needs repairs also about every 9 months.
My parents have Samsung and it seems like they're constantly having issues with the ice maker in the freezer. I wonder what design flaw is causing that to happen.
Their fridge is at least ten years old, though, and other than that it's run great. Just weird that they've let that go for their models over such a long period of time.
My fridge is probably 8 years or so, but is probably similar design. Basically what happens is if your accumulated ice gets too high, it knocks a sensor down that tells it when the ice is frozen in the tray and needs to be dumped. Other icemaker parts often fall down too when bumped by ice. Then ice forms in big chunks, with multiple cubes fused together in the ice tray. That's how you know you have a problem. You can usually fix it yourself, but it's a bit of a pain. Have to pull everything out of the freezer on bottom and get in there and find the pieces and put everything back together. There's a video on YouTube that shows you how to fix it and what order the parts go back together.
Consider the Bosch B36CT80SNS
I just bought a bosch and love it!
> Bosch B36CT80SNS
Thank you!
I used to work for samsung specifically. Don’t get samsung.
In the market for a new French Door Fridge as well, so glad to see this post. I’ve been planning on LG based on Consumer Reports but curious to see what folks recommend.
The house we just moved into has a horrible Samsung, and the house we just sold had a pre-sell off GE that worked reasonably well.
We’ve long been fans of Bosch dishwashers, so I’m definitely interested in their Refrigerators as well.
Edited to add: I don’t view major appliances as true BIFL items, as I’m a big proponent of energy efficiency and so was to take advantage of tech upgrades. That said, I’d like to get 10 years out of a refrigerator ideally.
best french door refrigerator
Key Considerations for Choosing a French Door Refrigerator:
Size and Capacity: Measure your kitchen space and consider the refrigerator's capacity (typically ranges from 20 to 30 cubic feet). Ensure it fits your storage needs.
Energy Efficiency: Look for models with an Energy Star rating to save on electricity bills. Check the estimated yearly energy consumption.
Features: Consider features like adjustable shelves, humidity-controlled crisper drawers, water and ice dispensers, and smart technology (Wi-Fi connectivity, touch screens).
Interior Layout: Look for a well-organized interior with flexible shelving options to accommodate large items and easy access to frequently used items.
Brand Reliability: Research brands known for durability and customer service. Brands like Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, and GE often receive high marks for reliability.
Recommendations:
LG LFXS28968S: This model is highly rated for its spacious interior, smart features, and excellent cooling performance. It has a large capacity (28 cubic feet), a sleek design, and a reliable ice maker.
Samsung RF23J9011SR: Known for its innovative FlexZone drawer, this refrigerator offers customizable storage options and a modern design. It also features a high-efficiency cooling system.
Whirlpool WRFA60SWHZ: A more budget-friendly option, this model provides solid performance, ample storage, and a good energy rating without breaking the bank.
Takeaway: When selecting a French door refrigerator, prioritize your specific needs regarding size, features, and energy efficiency to find the best fit for your kitchen and lifestyle.
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