While upgrading refrigerator for their homes people in India nowadays are considering side by side by models too if budget is not a factor. Most get attracted to bigger size side by side fridge mostly shown in TV ads. Double door models are hardly shown.
Lets discuss if for a typical Indian home is it a wise decision to buy a side by side refrigerator. Biggest factor against side by side refrigerator is freezer to fridge ratio(space of freezer out of total available space). In side by side refrigerators this is approx 40:60% of total space while in normal double door fridge it is 20:80%. Infact in single door refrigerators its even lower at 10:90%.
This is good mostly for working couple who like to cook and freeze there food on weekends so as to use it on working days. I doubt we have that kind of culture in India as we are strictly against frozen foods as our parents love to cook due to easily available fresh veggies from cart/vendor nearby.
Plus there is extra power consumption too due to this higher freezer space ratio. You’ll mostly notice that these side by side refrigerators are low on star rating due to this and become a major cost in electricity bills.
Better alternative for Indian home is to instead buy a refrigerator with following features:
- Bottom Freezer – So that fridge part is easily accessible as Women mostly tend to have back problems.
- Inverter compressor – Not only these are latest and power saving. These also tend to operate on wide range on voltage thus saving transformer cost and are super silent too.
- Convertible fridge – Are the future where you can change freezer to fridge mode or even put it off for holidays. Tend to save power and increase life of compressor too.
- Spend more on 5star or 4star power saving models as refrigerator is kept on 24/7 365 days.
Have a look at few good Bottom Freezer Refrigerators:
Haier 445 L, 2 Star, Convertible 14-in-1 Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator (HRB-4952BIS-P, Inox Steel, 2024 Model)
- Frost Free Refrigerator : Premium Auto Defrost Refrigerator with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance with Convertible 14in1 & Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology
- Capacity 445 Litres: Suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 109 Ltr , Fresh food capacity: 336 Ltr
- Energy Rating: 2 Stars - Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty and a 10 years warranty on the inverter compressor
- Triple Inverter Compressor provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance, backed up by 10 years warranty
Haier 237 L, 2 Star, 8 In 1 Convertible, Frost Free, Bottom Mounted Double Door Refrigerator (HEB-242GS-P, Moon Silver, 2024 Model)
- Frost Free Refrigerator: Premium Auto Defrost with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance. Manage your flexible storage needs with Convertible 8in1 technology : |Normal Mode|Veg Mode|Vacation Mode|Surprise Party Mode|Summer Mode|Turbo Mode|Home Alone Mode|Freezer Mode
- Capacity 237 Litres: Suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 66 Ltr , Fresh food capacity: 171 Ltr
- Energy Rating: 2 Stars - Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty on Product and a 10 years warranty on the compressor
- Compressor with Cooling technology – Compressor provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance, backed up by 10 years warranty
Bosch 559 L 2 Star Inverter Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator (Series 4 KGN56XI40I, Inox-easyclean, Bottom Freezer, 2022 Model)
- The star rating changes are as per BEE guidelines on or before 1st Jan 2023
- Warranty: 10 Year Warranty on Compressor, 1 year Warranty on product
- Provides much more space for your food.
- LED interior light: Illuminates the refrigerator evenly and glare-free, and lasts for its entire life.
- Multiairflow system: Minimises fluctuating temperatures by ensuring optimal and uniform air circulation in the fridge.
Haier 265 Litres 3 Star Frost Free Inverter Bottom Mount Refrigerator (Inox Steel)
- Jhukna Mat
- 8 in 1 Convertible
- Twin Inverter technology
- Net Width x Depth x Height (cm) - 61.0x68.0x175.5
- Total Net Capacity - 265 Liters
Haier 445 L, 2 Star, Convertible 14-in-1 Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator (HRB-4952BGK-P, Graphite Black, 2024 Model)
- Frost Free Refrigerator : Premium Auto Defrost Refrigerator with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance with Convertible 14in1 & Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology
- Capacity 445 Litres: Suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 109 Ltr , Fresh food capacity: 336 Ltr
- Energy Rating: 2 Stars - Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty and a 10 years warranty on the inverter compressor
- Triple Inverter Compressor provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance, backed up by 10 years warranty
Haier 445 L, 2 Star, Convertible 14-in-1 Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator (HRB-4952CKG-P, Black Glass, 2024 Model)
- Frost Free Refrigerator: Auto defrost function to prevent ice build-up
- Capacity 445 Litres: Suitable for families with 5 or more members| Freezer Capacity: 109 Ltr , Fresh Food Capacity: 336 Ltr
- Energy Rating: 2 Stars - Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor.
- Inverter Compressor with Cooling technology – Energy efficient, silent operation & more durable with Expert cooling technology
Toshiba 349L 2 Star Frost Free Inverter Double Door Refrigirator (GR-RB423WE-PMI(37, Satin Grey, Bottom Freezer, 2022 Model)
- The star rating changes are as per BEE guidelines on or before 1st Jan 2023
- Forst Free Refrigertor:Auto Defrost Function
- Capacity 349L:Suitable for Family 5 or more members
- Energy Efficiency:2 Star
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year on Product and 10 Year on Compressor
Haier 237 Litres, Frost Free Bottom Mount Refrigerator HRB-2872BMS-P
- Direct-cool Refrigerator: Economical and Stylish
- Capacity 237 Litres: Suitable for families with 2 to 3 members or bachelors.
- Energy Rating: 2 Stars - High Energy Efficiency
- Special Features: 1 Hour Icing Technology, Stabilizer free operation, Vegetable Box, 3 Toughened Glass Shelves, Connect Home Inverter, Anti-bacterial gasket, Base Drawer
- 1 Hour Icing Technology: Get ice within just an hour with 1 Hour Icing Technology (HIT) in this direct cool refrigerator.
Bosch MaxFlex Convert 303L Inverter Frost Free Triple Door Refrigerator 3 Star (CMC33K03NI,Convertible, Black Steel)
- India's first and only flexible refrigerator
- Premium glossy exterior
- Three unique temperature zones for flexible usage
- Biggest Crisper Box with VitaFresh for long lasting freshness
- 6 in 1 convertible modes
Hope this helps in your refrigerator buying process.