Searching for a new fridge? Whether you’re looking to upgrade models, move into a new space or simply your comparing options, our expert fridge buying guide is here to help. Complete with breakdowns on fridge types, fridge sizes, fridge dimensions, fridge features and common FAQs, you can quickly learn everything you’ll need to know about choosing the right fridge for your needs and budget The Guide At A Glance Types of fridges What to consider when buying a fridge Fridge connection & installation Fridge FAQs Types of Fridges What are the different types of fridges available in Australia? Before diving into specifications, it helps to start with the type of fridge that suits your needs, fits your space and works with the way you live. Each fridge type has its own strengths, so here's a breakdown to help you find your match: Top Mount Fridges The top mount is the classic Australian fridge and its popular for good reason. With the freezer sitting above and the fresh food section below, it's a reliable choice with a no-fuss layout that suits most households. Top mount fridges are also generally the most affordable, making them a smart choice for first home buyers, renters and smaller households who want great value without all the bells and whistles. Top-Mount Fridge Benefits: Affordability, Energy-Efficiency, Classic Design Ideal For: Small Households, Couples, Renters Bottom Mount Fridges The bottom-mount fridge is a popular choice for its everyday convenience in Australian kitchens and homes. If you're reaching into the fridge more than the freezer on any given day, a bottom mount fridge is worth serious consideration. With this type of fridge, fresh food sits at eye level, so everything you need is right in front of you. This makes putting the groceries away easier as there's no bending down to find what you're after. The freezer sits below with easy-access pull-out drawers to keep food organised and easy to find. Bottom-Mount Fridge Benefits: Convenience, Modern Layout, Better Fridge Access Ideal For: Families, Everyday Use, Fresh Food Users French Door Fridges The French door fridge is the entertainer's favourite appliance. Two wide doors open across a spacious fridge section, giving you the room to store large platters, tall bottles and everything in between. Then, the freezer drawer sits below with wide, easy-access drawers. Most french-door fridge models also come loaded with features like water and ice dispensers, smart cooling zones and premium finishes. If your kitchen has the space for a French door fridge, it's a genuinely impressive upgrade to everyday kitchen life French-Door Fridge Benefits: Premium Features, Wide Storage, Entertaining-Friendly Layout Ideal For: Families, Entertainers, Large Kitchens Quad Door Fridges A quad door fridge builds on the French door fridge design by adding a second set of doors across the freezer section, bringing another layer of organisation and flexibility from both a storage and access standpoint. Many quad door fridge models let you switch compartments between fridge, chiller and freezer modes depending on what your lifestyle needs that week. If you like having a place for everything and the kitchen space to match, a quad door is one of the most versatile options on the market. Quad-Door Fridge Benefits: Flexibility, Zoned Storage, Convertible Compartments Ideal For: Large Families, Meal Preppers, Multi-Use Storage Needs Multi-Door Fridges A multi-door fridge takes the four-compartment concept and splits it cleanly down the middle, with two fridge doors up top and two freezer drawers underneath. This layout is typically designed for households that want easy access to everyday essentials without having to swing open a full-width door every time. While the dual freezer drawers make it simple to separate frozen staples from longer-term storage. Many multi-door fridge models also come with humidity-controlled zones, dedicated chiller compartments and smart cooling technology that helps keep produce fresher for longer. If you value organisation, energy efficiency and a modern look, a multi-door fridge ticks all the boxes. Multi-Door Fridge Benefits: Organised Compartments, Energy Efficiency, Modern Design Ideal For: Busy Households, Fresh Food Lovers, Style-Conscious Kitchens Side-by-Side Fridges A side-by-side fridge gives you a full-height fridge on one side and a full-height freezer on the other. Because the doors don't need to swing open very far, this style works particularly well in galley kitchens, apartments or compact kitchen layouts. More advanced models include a built-in water and ice dispenser, and the layout makes it easy to see and access everything at a glance. Something to keep in mind if you love to entertain: the narrower compartments can make it tricky to fit wide items like oven trays, pizza boxes and large platters. Side-By-Side Fridge Benefits: Balanced Storage, Easy Access to Freezer & Fridge, Slim Doors Ideal For: Narrow Kitchens, Freezer Users Pigeon Pair Fridges A pigeon pair fridge combines a single-door fridge with a matching single-door freezer, positioned side by side with doors that open away from the centre. This setup combines two generously sized appliances into one high-capacity solution, making it ideal for large families of five or more, bulk buyers, regular entertainers or households that like a well-stocked freezer. One of the hidden benefits is flexibility: the freezer can be placed in a separate room like the garage or laundry if kitchen space is tight. It's a practical, high-capacity setup that works hard for busy Australian homes. Pigeon pair fridge Fridge Benefits: Maximum Capacity, Separate Fridge & Freezer Units Ideal For: Large Families, Bulk Buyers, Garage/Butler’s Pantry Setups Bar Fridges Small but mighty, typically ranging from around 40L to 133L, a bar fridge is the perfect companion for an outdoor entertainment area, office or break room, student living or anywhere you want cold drinks within arm's reach. They're compact, easy to install and fit into even the smallest floor space. Look for models with adjustable shelving so you can configure the interior to suit what you're storing, whether that's cans, bottles or a mix of both. Bar Fridge Benefits: Compact Size, Portability, Convenience Ideal For: Apartments, Offices, Bedrooms, Entertaining Spaces Wine Fridges For the wine lovers, a dedicated wine fridge is a step above storing bottles in the regular fridge. Wine fridges are engineered to maintain the precise temperature and humidity your reds, whites and rosés need to stay at their best. If you enjoy all styles of wine, consider a dual-zone model that keeps each variety at its ideal serving temperature. A great addition to a kitchen, dining room or home bar, and a genuinely thoughtful touch for anyone who takes their wine seriously. Wine Fridge Benefits: Temperature Control, Vibration Reduction, Stylish Storage Ideal For: Wine Lovers, Entertainers, Dedicated Beverage Storage Fridge type Capacity Description Benefits Top-mount fridge 200L-500L Freezer on top and fridge below Budget-friendly Energy efficient Easy-fit Bottom-mount fridge 250L-600L Fridge on top and freezer below Convenient layout Daily use Modern look French-door fridge 400L-800L+ Double door fridge on top with a bottom freezer drawer Entertaining Fits larger items with ease Quad-door fridge 500L-800L+ Four-door design with separate compartments Organisation Customisable storage Side-by-side fridge 400L-700L+ Fridge and freezer sit next to each other vertically Narrow space Bulk buying Pigeon-pair fridge 700L-1,000L+ A full fridge and full freezer as separate units placed side-by-side Large capacity Bulk buying Bar fridge 40L-150L Compact fridge made for small spaces or secondary cooling Space-saving Wine fridge 50-600L Specialised fridge made to store wine at optimal temperatures Sleek design Stylish display Preserves wine Choosing the Right Fridge for Your Home Choosing the right fridge goes beyond picking a style you like. The best fridge for your home depends on how much space you have, how many people you're feeding, how you shop and cook, and the features that fit your daily routine. From size and capacity to energy efficiency, design and installation, these key considerations will help you narrow down your options and find a fridge that works for your home now and into the future. Size What Size Fridge Do I Need For My Household? Fridge dimensions vary widely between brands and models. Westinghouse, LG and Smeg, for example, can differ considerably even within the same fridge type, so always check the specific height, width and depth in centimetres rather than assuming a standard size will fit. Many Australian kitchens are designed with alcoves around 850mm to 900mm wide, which generally suits top mount, bottom mount and single door fridges, but this is not universal. Always measure your available space carefully, including doorways, hallways and entry points that the fridge will need to fit through on delivery day. Fridge type Average width (cm) Average height (cm) Average depth (cm) Top-mount fridge 54cm - 80cm 130cm - 180cm 59cm - 75cm Bottom-mount fridge 54cm - 80cm 130cm - 180cm 59cm - 75cm French-door fridge 92cm - 96cm 170cm - 180cm 90cm - 96cm Quad-door fridge 92cm - 96cm 170cm - 180cm 90cm - 96cm Side-by-side fridge 76cm - 91cm 170cm - 178cm 85cm - 94cm Pigeon-pair fridge 110cm - 124cm 167cm - 178cm 70cm - 86cm Bar fridge 55cm - 120cm 45cm - 85cm 49cm - 55cm Wine fridge 50cm - 120cm 45cm - 195cm 47cm - 75cm Space How Do I Measure My Kitchen Space For A New Fridge? To ensure your fridge is delivered and installed without a hitch, take measurements of your space before making a purchase. The standard fridge cavity in most Australian homes is approximately 900mm wide, 1800mm high and 600mm deep, but this varies widely depending on the age of your home or whether you have custom cabinetry. When measuring for a fridge, keep the following in mind: Allow at least 50mm clearance on each side and at the back for ventilation. Without this breathing room, the fridge must work harder, might potentially overheat and cost more to run. Allow at least 100mm clearance on top. Also measure every doorway, hallway, and tight corners where the fridge will need to pass through on its way to the kitchen. Many buyers have been caught out here when upsizing their fridge. If your fridge sits next to cabinetry, check that the door can open fully without being interfered. A door that only opens partway makes the storage inside far harder to reach and use. Tip: When in doubt, decide on a bigger fridge that can fit comfortably in your space. Having a smaller fridge can be inconvenient to your daily flow. Holidays, house guests and bulk shopping trips have a way of filling up your fridge space quickly! Capacity How Much Internal Space Should My Fridge Have? The right fridge capacity depends on how many people live in your home and how you shop. Picking a fridge depending on your household, will make a big difference in how much efficiency it will bring into your kitchen. Use the table below as a starting point: Household size Recommended internal capacity 1 person 200-300L 2 people 300-400L 3-4 people 400-500L 5+ people 500L+ Tip: If you entertain regularly, bulk buy or do a lot of meal prep, we recommend sizing up. It's much easier to have a little extra room than to wish you had more space every time you do a big shop! Features What key features should I look for in a fridge? Modern fridges come packed with features designed to make your kitchen run more smoothly. The most popular fridge features in Australia are: Water & Ice dispensers: Offer everyday convenience, especially for busy households and entertainers. Adjustable Shelving & Door Bins: Let you customise storage to suit your shopping habits. Humidity-Controlled Crisper Drawers: Help keep produce fresher for longer, and multi-zone cooling allows different areas of the fridge to stay at their optimal temperatures. Fast Chill & Quick Freeze: Handy for big grocery shops or last-minute entertaining. Glass Doors: Add a sleek, modern finish that lets you see inside your fridge without opening the door. Handy for stocktakes before heading to the grocery shop. Ice Spheres: Creates slow-melting round ice balls that chill drinks, perfect for entertainers. Smart Screens: Built-in touchscreens for shopping lists, music, phone mirroring and peeking inside the fridge from your couch. Automatically Refilling Filtered Water Jug: A removable jug that tops itself up with chilled, filtered water, so there's always a cold drink ready to pour. Energy Efficiency What does energy efficiency mean with fridges? A fridge runs on power 24 hours a day, so energy use is an important consideration. Use the Energy Rating Label to compare how efficient different models are, with more stars indicating lower running costs over time. As a rough guide, a fridge using 400kWh per year at 30 cents per kWh costs around $120 annually to run. Stepping up to a higher star-rated model could save you $30 or more each year, adding up to hundreds of dollars over the life of the appliance. Keep in mind that fridge size, features like ice makers and how frequently the fridge is opened can all impact overall energy consumption. Connection How to install and connect my fridge? Before choosing your fridge, think about how it will be installed and connected in your home. Most fridges simply plug into a standard power point, but models with water and ice dispensers may require a plumbing connection. Check whether the fridge needs to connect to your main water supply or whether it includes a refillable water tank. Planning ahead means no surprises on delivery day. Do the ice and water features in my fridge need to get installed separately? In some cases, you may need to arrange separate plumbing or a licensed plumber to get your new fridge fully up and running. Here's a quick rundown of the four main water and ice setups you'll come across when shopping for your new fridge: Plumbed Ice & Water Dispenser: Found on premium fridges, this connects directly to your home's cold-water line for unlimited filtered water and automatic ice on demand. A licensed plumber will need to run a water line to the back of the fridge before the feature can be used. Tanked Ice & Water Dispenser: A flexible plumbing-free option that uses an internal reservoir to electronically pump water through the door, paired with an automatic ice maker in the freezer compartment. Simply refill the tank manually with no plumbing required, making it ideal for renters or homes where a water line isn't an option. Tanked Water Dispenser Only: Common on entry-level models, these use a gravity-fed water tank built into the inside of the door. No plumbing or installation needed beyond plugging the fridge in. Tanked Ice Maker Only: Used in high-end models, this feature offers a separate ice drawer on the outside of the fridge with an automatic ice maker fed from an internal reservoir. This kind of ice maker maximises fridge space and skips plumbing, but you'll need to top up the water tank yourself manually. Style & Aesthetics What fridge style and finish is best suited to my kitchen? Your fridge is one of the most visible appliances in the kitchen, so its finish plays a big role in how the space looks and feels. From classic white fridges and dark stainless-steel fridges to modern black fridges and matte finishes, there are options to suit a wide range of kitchen styles. Fingerprint-resistant coatings are worth looking for in busy households or households with children, as smudge-resistant surfaces are noticeably easier to keep clean. If you're renovating or building, an integrated fridge offers a seamless, cohesive kitchen look. Choosing a finish that balances style with everyday durability will help your fridge feel like a natural part of your kitchen for years to come. Delivery & Installation What should I know about fridge delivery and installation with Betta? A new fridge is a big investment, and we understand how it gets into your kitchen is just as important as the model you choose. Here's what to expect when purchasing a fridge from Betta: Fridge Delivery Timelines: Betta delivers fridges right to your front door or garage, with most metro and regional areas covered through the free delivery program. Exact timeframes depend on stock availability and the distance from your nearest Betta store. Once your fridge order is placed your local store will lock in a delivery day and time window so you can plan around it. Fridge Connection Services: Once the delivery team has it in position, plug it in, give it a few hours to settle and it's ready to use. If your new fridge has an ice maker or plumbed water dispenser, keep in mind that delivery drivers aren't qualified to connect these to your water supply. So, you'll need to arrange a licensed plumber to handle the hookup separately. Fridge Installation Services: Betta offers added fridge installation services on selected appliances for customers who'd like a hand getting everything set up properly. Our fridge installation pricing varies by state and local area, so it's worth chatting to your local Betta store before delivery day to confirm what's included and any costs that apply to your model. Old Fridge Removals: If you've got an old fridge or used appliance to get rid of, Betta can remove it at the time of delivery as an optional extra service. Just have the old appliance unplugged, defrosted, emptied and waiting out the front when the delivery team arrives. Also, make sure it's no larger in size or weight than the new fridge being delivered (anything bigger needs extra hands and isn't covered by the standard removal service). Fridge Buying Guide FAQs What are the Best Small Fridges For Apartment Living And Individuals? When you're working with a smaller kitchen or living solo, you don't need a fridge that takes over the limited space you have. A top-mount or bottom-mount fridge in the 200 to 350 litre range typically fits individuals and couples well, giving you enough room for a full week's worth of fresh food without using too much energy or space. Compact models have come a long way in recent years, with many now featuring adjustable shelving, solid energy ratings and a clean aesthetic that suits modern apartment kitchens. If bench space is limited, pay close attention to the fridge's depth as well as its width, as a shallower profile can make a real difference in a tight kitchen layout. What Are The Best Large Fridges For Families? If you're feeding a family of five or more, having enough fridge space stops being a luxury and starts being a necessity. Large family fridges typically sit in the 450 to 600 litre range and above, giving you the room to handle a big weekly shop, store leftovers, pack school lunches and still have space for the condiments that tend to live in there permanently. French door, quad door and pigeon pair fridges are widely popular for larger Australian families because of their wide interiors, flexible storage zones and ability to keep fresh food organised and easy to access. Features like dual cooling, humidity-controlled crisper drawers and convertible compartments become genuinely useful at this scale, helping to reduce food waste and keep everything fresher for longer. If the household freezer is constantly at capacity, a pigeon pair setup with a dedicated full-size freezer is well worth considering. What is the best fridge? The best fridge is the one that fits your space, suits how you shop and handles the demands of your household day to day. If you cook with fresh ingredients daily, a bottom-mount fridge gives you the best access to what you need. If you bulk buy and freeze regularly, a side-by-side fridge or pigeon pair is worth a serious look. If you entertain often and have the kitchen space for it, a French door fridge is hard to beat. Still not sure? Our team at Betta are always happy to help you work it out in store. Which fridge brand is the most reliable? Choosing a fridge brand comes down to reliability, features and how well the warranty holds up. Some brands offer only a two-year warranty, so it's worth checking the fine print before you commit. The brand that's right for you largely depends on the features and functions that matter most to your household. Betta stocks a wide range of trusted fridge brands. Use the compare feature on Betta's website to put models side by side and decide between key specifications, energy efficiency, plumbing requirements and more. Shop Samsung fridges, LG, Hisense and many other leading brands, all in one place. From compact bar fridges to large family friendly designs, finding the right fridge comes down to choosing what suits your space, lifestyle and budget. With a wide range of trusted brands, helpful buying tools and expert local advice, Betta makes it easier to choose with confidence. For better deals, better value and better service, that’s where Betta comes in. What size fridge do I need for a family of 4? For a family of four, a fridge in the 400 to 500 litre range is generally the sweet spot. It gives you enough room for a full weekly shop, school lunches, meal prep for the week, leftovers and the everyday essentials without going overboard on energy consumption. If you tend to bulk buy, batch cook or have a hungry household that snacks often, lean toward the higher end of that range or consider stepping up to 500 litres and above. A little extra space goes a long way when life gets busy. How long do fridges last? A good quality fridge should last anywhere between 7 and 10 years, with some lasting closer to 15 years with the right care and upkeep in maintenance. Keeping the door seals clean, not overfilling the fridge, setting the right temperature, ensuring there's adequate ventilation around the unit and setting the correct temperatures all help extend its life. If your fridge is getting up there in age and starting to run loudly, struggle to hold temperature or produce higher electricity bills, it's usually a sign it's time to start looking at a replacement. Is a French door fridge worth it? If your kitchen has the space for one, then yes. The wide interior makes everyday life noticeably easier, especially when you're storing large platters, tall bottles or leftovers from a family gathering. Having the fridge at eye level means you can actually see what you have, which tends to reduce food waste too. French door fridges do sit at a higher price point, but the combination of storage flexibility, premium features and that everyday ease of use makes them a worthwhile investment for families and anyone who spends real time in the kitchen. What fridge brand is most reliable in Australia? A few brands consistently stand out in Australian households for their reliability and after-sales support. Samsung and LG are two of the most popular, offering a wide range of models from entry-level to premium, strong warranty coverage and good availability of spare parts. Westinghouse has long been a trusted name in Australian homes and is known for straightforward and reliable performance. Fisher and Paykel brings a strong local design sensibility and solid build quality. Hisense has grown quickly as a great value option that punches above its price point. Reliability comes down to the specific model and how well it's maintained, so checking the warranty terms and reading recent customer reviews is always worth doing before you commit in the investment.
