9 Best American Fridge Freezers UK 2020 – An Expert Buyer’s Guide

When you’re looking to buy a new fridge freezer there’s a lot to take into consideration. The real benefit of choosing an American style fridge freezer is the size of them. There are not many other designs that can fit such large amounts of groceries in both the fridge and the freezer. For large families, this can be a real lifesaver.

Alongside extra room, American style doesn’t skimp out where it comes to extra features and ease of use. From ice and water dispensers to anti-frost technology the appliance takes care of itself leaving you free to get on with the things you love.

The double door side by side arrangement makes them easy to access and load up with groceries and some even have special separate freezer drawer arrangements to save on energy.

If you like the idea of this stylish and functional design but are unsure which one is the best American fridge freezer for you, then read on to find out the pros and cons of each brand and this will help you make the best choice for you and your family.

Top 5 Best American Fridge Freezers UK

Top Choice – Haier HB18FGSAAA American Fridge Freezer

Runner Up – LG Door-in-Door™ GSJ560PZXV American Fridge Freezer

Best under £1000 – Leisure LASP41MPX American Fridge Freezer

Best non-plumbed – Smeg FQ55FXE1 American Fridge Freezer

Best plumbed – Samsung RS8000 RS68N8220SL American Fridge Freezer

1. Top Choice – Haier HB18FGSAAA American Fridge Freezer

This sleek fridge freezer has a unique design that makes it extremely user friendly. With the fridge compartment on top, this makes it a very comfortable height to use and the double opening doors makes for easy access.

The freezer compartment is contained within the lower portion of the appliance and is accessed by two large sliding freezer drawers. This means you don’t lose all the cool air when you open either drawer so it’s a brilliant design feature to save power.

The Haier is eco friendly with its A++ energy rating and the annual costs are really low for such a big fridge freezer.

It has humidity control so fresh produce (such as fruit and veg) stays fresh for longer and it even have a “dry zone” drawer which keeps humidity below 45% – perfect for meat or cheese.

The freezer is designed so that it doesn’t suffer from frost build-up and has a quick freeze function to rapidly cool it after you stock it up with a load of groceries.

The fridge has a UV system that kills bacteria so your food stays safe and free from germs and it also has an auto-defrost feature, so this prevents any frost from the freezer taking hold.

One more thing I love about this model is the holiday mode. This helps save power whilst you are away by keeping the freezer running as normal yet the fridge stays at a set temperature with the door closed. This prevents that nasty odour building up and the fridge is good to go once the temperature cools again.

Over-all this model has loads of features that make it useful and user friendly. It hasn’t got as much storage space (it holds up to 28 bags of shopping) as some other models but the layout makes up for this. The shelves and drawers in the fridge are designed so that you can actually end up fitting way more in there than you’d expect.

2. Runner Up – LG Door-in-Door™ GSJ560PZXV American Fridge Freezer

The LG door-in-door has a side-by-side fridge freezer layout which makes it an attractive and easy to access freestanding appliance. LED lighting makes an energy-efficient display panel.

It has a Total No Frost system that means manual defrosting is a thing of the past.

A unique feature of this model is the door-in-door fridge design. It’s basically a compartment built into the fridge door so you can access drinks and snacks without opening the internal door and losing all the cool air.

As well as the huge fridge and freezer capacity it has a fast freeze function so you can stock up on loads of food and quickly get it down to the correct temperature.

Perfect for large families!

It has an ice maker which produces crushed and cubed ice as well as a water dispenser for easy access to a cold glass of water.

There is a compartment in the fridge designed as a salad crisper drawer which increases moisture by up to 20% to keep leafy greens crisp and fresher for longer. Alongside fresh salad, the internal surface of the fridge and freezer space is coated with an anti-bacterial biofilm which prevents mould, bacteria and odours from building up.

With plenty of freezer and fridge space as well as lots of integrated features designed to keep food hygienic and fresh this LG American style fridge freezer is the perfect addition for any busy kitchen.

3. Best Under £1000 – Leisure LASP41MPX American Fridge Freezer

As well as a great initial price this appliance will also be generous when it comes to your energy bills. With an A++ energy rating it is eco friendly and with a 523 litre capacity holds up to 29 bags of shopping.

The Leisure fridge freezer uses multi-flow technology to ensure an even temperature especially after the door has been opened. It uses loads of tiny vents as a rapid cooling system to adjust the temperature in every corner so you don’t end up with warmer or colder spots.

It has a frost-free setting so you won’t have to worry about manual defrosting and this model comes with an ice and water dispenser. Nothing beats getting crushed or cubed ice or a glass of crisp clear water at an instant but the plumbing means this fridge needs to be placed near a water inlet so positioning is limited.

I love the door design that Leisure has come up with. It has a built-in minibar compartment so you can easily access cool drinks without losing cool air from inside the fridge. Perfect on a hot summers day.

It has an odour filter and two salad crisper drawers so your veggies will always stay fresh and hygienic.

With a classic side-by-side design, you really get a whole lot more than you pay for with this model.

4. Best Non-Plumbed – Smeg FQ55FXE1 American Fridge Freezer

The Smeg model comes out top when it comes to non plumbed American fridge freezers. I love the design of this model which is similar to the Haier model. It features a double door fridge compartment on top of two large freezer drawers. This makes the fridge really easy to access and to use and the freezer doesn’t lose as much cold air when loading groceries into it.

Alongside plenty of salad crisper space, the fridge has a unique lighting feature. It’s called Natural plus blu light and this mimics photosynthesis so fruit and veg can maintain freshness and nutrients right up to when you eat them.

The fridge freezer can hold up to 29 bags of shopping and once you load them in the freezer sets off fast freeze mode to rapidly cool down to ensure food is kept at its best.

It has super cool multi-flow technology which makes for even air temperature throughout the machine and this prevents frost build up.

The downside with the Smeg appliance is that it is a bit more expensive to run as it uses slightly more power than other models.

5. Best Plumbed – Samsung RS8000 RS68N8220SL American Fridge Freezer

When I think American fridge freezer the image that comes to mind is the side-by-side double door arrangement. Samsung has kept its design true to this and it certainly is an impressive appliance.

The SpaceMax technology developed by Samsung uses ultra-thin walls which maximises your internal storage capacity. This model can hold a whopping 617 litres or 34 bags of shopping. The twin cooling system means the fridge and freezer chill separately so odours and stale air aren’t transferred between them.

The water and ice dispenser complete the functionality of this fridge freezer but this does require plumbing so the appliance does need to be near a water inlet.

Similar to our other models, this Samsung has total no frost technology to make sure the temperature remains stable and frost doesn’t build up.

The holiday mode feature keeps your freezer going whilst setting the fridge to a specific temperature so when you get home the fridge doesn’t smell bad and your freezer meals are ready to go.

The thing I love the most about the Samsung model is the digital inverter motor which means this machine runs really quiet. It’s the perfect addition to any open-plan home.

The only issue with this model is its energy efficiency rating. At A+ it does end up more expensive to run compared to other, more efficient models like Haier so this is worth considering.

Things To Consider Before Buying

When trying to decide on the best American style fridge freezer for your home there are several factors that need consideration. This handy buying guide will help clear up what you should be looking for and why it’s important.

Noise Level

Fridge freezers have a lot of work to do when it comes to removing the warm air and cooling everything down. As a result, they tend to make some noise, especially when newly turned on or recently loaded up with fresh groceries.

Noise levels typically range from 32dB (a quiet conversation) to 50dB (a regular conversation volume). This can get quite annoying if you live in an open-plan home.

For the 5 models listed here, they all fall into the fairly quiet category. In top place comes Haier at 38dB, followed by Samsung and LG both at 39dB. Next, we have Smeg at 42 dB and finally Leisure at 43dB.

Does It Need To Be Plumbed In

Plumming is only required where the fridge freezer has an ice and water dispenser. That being said, some water dispensers don’t need to be plummed as you top them up manually.

It’s always worth checking to the product description to find out whether or not plumming is needed and if it is required, make sure you have space for the new appliance near a water inlet.

Energy Efficiency

The amount of energy consumed by the fridge freezer is important for eco-awareness as well as for running costs on your electricity bill. Fridge freezers are typically rated A to A+++ for energy efficiency and an annual energy cost is estimated based on the power used.

It’s also worth considering plumming and if the machine needs to be plummed in this may incur additional water charges as well.

Capacity

When it comes to an American fridge freezer you wouldn’t be buying one unless maximum cold storage space is something you need. For a large family, fridges can fill up very quickly and if you’re into food prep then extra freezer space is a must.

Fridge freezer capacity is generally listed in litres of available space. The models here range from a little over 500 litres (28 bags of shopping) to above 600 litres (34 bags of shopping). These values are for both the fridge and freezer compartments and individual volumes can be found in the product description on the manufacturer’s website if you click the “price and reviews” button.

It’s worth considering how much shopping you typically buy and how often you like to do a shop to ensure you end up with the correct size for you and your family.

Physical Size

Finally, as well as good internal storage, a fridge freezer needs to fit in the space you have in your home. different brands can vary a lot when it comes to size so you need to be extra careful when measuring up your home for a new fridge freezer.

The dimensions of each model are listed in the description here and can also be found in the link to buy the product alongside any additional information you should require.

F.A.Qs

How long should an American style fridge freezer last?

If properly looked after, an American style fridge freezer should last anywhere from 15-20 years.

Do American style fridge freezers need plumbing in?

This depends on whether or not the model has a water dispenser. Some water dispensers are refillable manually so do not require plumbing. It’s important to check the product description carefully before you choose your new machine.

Are American Fridge Freezers Worth It?

The answer here depends on your requirements. If you’re a single person then the answer is you probably don’t need to invest in it (unless you really want one!).

If you have a large family that goes through a lot of groceries then an American style fridge freezer will serve you extremely well.

Should You Get A fridge With A Water Dispenser?

It depends on how you use your kitchen. If you’re in the kitchen a lot or have kids passing through regularly then access to lovely cold hydration can keep everyone happy and healthy. If you live in an area with poor quality water then the fridge will filter this and make it a much healthier option.

If you are out and about a lot and live in an area with good quality tap water then you may not need the dispenser. It’s really down to individual preference.

Other American Fridge Freezers Reviewed

Samsung G-Series RFG23UEBP American Fridge Freezer – Black

With loads of great features, this Samsung model is definitely one to consider. Ecospace technology maximises internal capacity and the safety glass shelves makes for an attractive yet sturdy design.

Multiflow cooling keeps the temperature stable and prevents frost from building up and the water and ice dispenser, although it limits the placement, makes for another great feature that rounds off how useful this design is.

Samsung RS8000 RS68N8240SL American Fridge Freezer – Aluminium

Samsung is defiantly a favourite when it comes to American style fridge freezers and this model is no exception. With a whopping 617 litres of storage made available by SpaceMax technology, you won’t end up with nasty odours as Samsung has installed twin cooling plus to keep stale area from being recycled through both compartments.

This technology makes holiday mode an option as you can adjust the temperature of the fridge and freezer independently, saving energy and preventing the fridge from developing that funny smell.

With all these handy extras, it’s no surprise that the running costs are a bit more on this model so that’s worth considering when you’re looking to buy a new fridge freezer.

Fridgemaster MS83430FFS American Fridge Freezer – Silver

This Fridgemaster has a smaller capacity compared to other models but what it lacks in size it makes up for with design features. No frost clever tech prevents an icy fridge from ruining your veggies and rapid freeze cools groceries quickly to make sure food lasts.

Multi flow air technology ensures you can adjust the fridge and freezer temperature independently and all this helps keep annual running costs down.

The appliance itself is a great budget option and costs less than half the value of some of the bigger models. Perfect for a smaller household.

Hisense RF528N4WB1 American Fridge Freezer – Black

If your budget or space in the kitchen is limited then don’t give up on the idea of owning an American style fridge freezer!. Hisense has developed a compact design that minimises width so even smaller kitchens can accommodate this fridge freezer.

The refillable water dispenser doesn’t require plumbing so placement options are endless. No frost technology means you won’t have to fight to manually defrost this machine and super-fast freezing makes up for any defrosting that kicks in on your way home from the shops.

The smaller sizes means a smaller price tag and this option won’t break the bank. It’s also cheaper to run, so if finances are limited then consider this one as a good long term solution!

Final Thoughts

There’s a huge array of options when it comes to American style fridge freezers. It’s important to consider your kitchen use, shopping habits, and storage needs when choosing the correct one for you.

Don’t forget to consider running costs when adding up the value you get for your money and finally, make sure you have the space (and plumbing) available before you click the order button!

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