MM logo white 1
MM logo red
Image description is not available

How do you choose a fridge?

Luuk9 NOVEMBER 2025
A child in red pajamas and an adult in a pink shirt stand at an open refrigerator filled with food in a kitchen.

The fridge is the heart of the kitchen and there’s a huge range to choose from. Which model makes your heart beat faster? Will you go for the popular American fridge with double doors, or opt for a compact mini fridge? How do you find a fridge that truly suits you? After reading this article, you’ll have no more stress while choosing.

Types of fridges

A person in a blue shirt opens a refrigerator filled with eggs, bananas, apples, juice, and bottled drinks.

You want to buy a new fridge and you’re wondering: how do I choose the model that suits me? There are fridges in all shapes and sizes, such as the American fridge, mini fridge, fridge with freezer, wine fridge, fridge-freezer and table-top fridge. And there are plenty of great brands to choose from, such as Samsung, Bosch, Inventum, ETNA and LG. First decide whether you want a built-in model or a freestanding fridge. A built-in fridge is fitted between your kitchen cabinets, so you hardly see it. A freestanding fridge stands on its own in, for example, your (utility) kitchen or shed. The design is more important then, because the fridge is on display.

View all fridges

American fridges

A person holds an orange bell pepper near a steel refrigerator with a screen showing an ocean scene, in a bright kitchen.

An American fridge is a very large fridge. You recognise it by the double doors, the so-called side-by-side model. The fridge and freezer sections sit next to each other instead of one above the other. Most American fridges have a built-in ice and water dispenser. Simply hold your glass underneath and the ice cubes drop in. The double doors make the American fridge extra wide, making it an eye-catcher in the kitchen. Fortunately, there are also slightly narrower models – handy if your home is smaller. Choose an American fridge if you have a large family or want a fridge with a huge capacity.

The best American fridges

Mini fridges

A compact, white mini-refrigerator with copper-colored handles stands on a light gray surface against a dark green wall.

Want to buy a small fridge? Then a mini fridge is a good choice. Thanks to its compact size, you can place it easily in almost any space. It holds groceries for 1 to 2 people. A mini fridge is also suitable as an extra fridge in the bedroom, garage, caravan or (wo)man cave.

See all fridge sizes

Table-top fridges

Open white refrigerator filled with food, including yogurt, bottled water, bell peppers, strawberries, and radishes.

A table-top fridge is the ideal housemate for those with a small living space, such as students. Because a table-top model is low, you can use the top as a worktop. If you need extra storage space, you can place your coffee machine, kettle or microwave on top. You can of course also place your hob or gas cooker on the fridge, making efficient use of the available space. There are very energy-efficient table-top fridges and models with and without a freezer compartment.

Wine fridges

Wine bottles are stacked on a light wood shelf inside a wine cooler with a black perforated metal back.

A wine fridge or wine climate cabinet is indispensable for the true wine lover. This fridge brings and keeps your favourite wine at the ideal temperature. Do you drink both white and red? Choose a wine cabinet with multiple temperature zones so you serve every type at the right temperature. Cheers to that!

More about the temperatures of fridges

Built-in fridges

A kitchen features gray cabinets, a marble countertop, and open refrigerator. Table and chairs are visible in the background.

Do you want to buy a fridge that blends seamlessly with your kitchen? Then a built-in fridge is for you. This model is placed in the space of a kitchen cabinet (a niche) designed especially for it. Measure the niches of the fridge on the inside so the fridge actually fits and make sure the fridge door opens the same way as the cabinet door.

How to install a fridge

Freestanding fridges

Energy-efficient fridges

The image shows the MediaMarkt BetterWay logo. A green swirl is on the left, with "MediaMarkt" above and "BetterWay" on the right.

A fridge is on all day and can therefore be a major energy guzzler in your household. You can recognise an energy-efficient fridge by energy label A, B or C. The purchase price of an energy-efficient fridge may be a bit higher, but you’ll earn that back through lower consumption. A fridge with energy label A, B or C is therefore a sustainable choice. You’ll save on your energy bill and help the planet.

More about energy-efficient fridges

Buying a fridge?

Exterior view of Media Markt store, featuring a glass facade, visible escalators, and store signage.

You now know which types of fridges there are and which model best suits your situation. You might not impress anyone at a dinner or party with this new knowledge, but the drinks you pour will have never been this cool. All thanks to your new, carefully chosen fridge that also looks great in your space. Do you already know which fridge you’re going to buy?

The best fridges

These articles might be intersting for you