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 355 L, 3 Star, Convertible 14-in-1 Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free, Bottom Mounted Double Door Refrigerator (HEB-363TS-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 355 Litres: Suitable for families with 3 to 4 members | Freezer capacity: 85 Ltr , Fresh food capacity: 270 Ltr
- Energy Rating: 3 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, 3 Star, 8 In 1 Convertible, Twin Inverter Technology, Bottom Mounted Double Door Refrigerator (HEB-243GS-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: 3 Stars - Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty on Product and a 10 years warranty on the compressor
- Twin Inverter Technology helps run both the fan motor and compressor at Inverter causing fewer fluctuations and more energy savings by automatically adjusting the cooling supply in regards to the cooling demand. Adding on to it also gives 10 Years warranty on compressor.
Haier 325 L, 3 Star, Convertible 14-in-1 Triple Inverter & Fan Motor Technology, with Display Frost Free, Bottom Mounted Double Door Refrigerator (HEB-333GB-P, GE Black, 2024 Model)
- 5-in-1 Convertible Split AC with inverter compressor: Variable speed compressor which adjusts power depending on heat load. Operates at a cooling capacity ranging from 40% to 110%, adjust cooling capacity at your convenience thus helps in saving energy.
- Capacity (1.5 Ton): Suitable for medium sized rooms (111 to 150 sq.ft), 675 CFM & Ambient Temperature: 52℃
- Energy rating: 3 star, Annual energy consumption: 980.37, ISEER value: 3.95 This model is as per the new star rating standards valid till 2024
- Manufacturer Warranty: 5 years free comprehensive warranty (Coverage: Labor and all functional parts: compressor, Inverter controller drive, Remote, Indoor PCB, Fan Motors, Heat Exchange coils and Gas Charging), 5 years extended warranty on PCB, 10 years extended warranty on compressor
- Condenser Coil: 100% copper evaporator and condenser with Blue Fin Anti-Corrosion coating that ensures durability and heavy duty performance for uninterrupted powerful cooling
Samsung 550 L, 4 star Convertible, Digital Inverter, Frost Free French Door Refrigerator (RF57A5032S9/TL, Silver, Refined Inox, 2024 Model)
- French Door Frost free Refrigerators: Premium with auto-defrost function and bottom freezer easy access to food and drinks
- Capacity 550 liters: Suitable for families with 5 or more members
- Twin Cooling Plus : Ensures food stays fresh and moist longer. Prevents odor from mixing between compartments
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty and a 20 years warranty on the digital inverter compressor
- Digital Inverter Compressor provides greater energy efficiency, less noise and long-lasting performance while consuming 50% less power, backed up by 20 year warranty
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
Whirlpool 300 L Frost Free Triple-Door Refrigerator(FP 343D Protton Roy, Alpha Steel)
- Frost Free Multi-Door Refrigerator: Energy Efficient
- Capacity: 300 litres suitable for a medium sized family
- Energery Efficent : As unbelievable as it is, the all new Protton world series consumes lesser energy than a CFL*, making it one of the most energy efficient refrigerator in its class. *T&C Apply. As compared to a 60 watt CFL
- Special Feature - Stabilizer-free operations even in high voltage fluctuations between (160-300V)
- Warranty : 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
Godrej 564 L Multi Air Flow System, With Advanced Controls Frost Free Side-By-Side Refrigerator(RS EONVELVET 579 RFD GL BK, Glass Black)
- Frost Free Refrigerator : Auto defrost function to prevent ice-build up
- Capacity 564 L : Suitable for families with 5 or more members
- Multi Air Flow: The unit boasts an intelligent and evenly distributed Airflow system that is inbuilt in both the fridge and the freezer section. This helps maintain a constant temperature throughout, keeping food fresher for longer
- Manufacturer Warranty: 10 Years Compressor Warranty, 1 Year Comprehensive Warranty
- Customized Temperature Setting: Get cooling as per your taste with an option to customize Freezer temperature from -24 to -14 and Fridge temperature from 2 to 8
Whirlpool 192 L 3 Star Vitamagic PRO Frost Free Direct-Cool Single Door Refrigerator (215 VITAMAGIC PRO PRM 3S MAGNUM STEEL-Z Fridge, Silver, Auto Defrost Technology, 2024 Model)
- India's only Automatic Defrost Single door refrigerator* powered by 6th sense Intellifrost technology
- Capacity: 192 liters for families with 2-3 members
- Energy Rating - 3 Star energy efficiency
- 1 year product warranty and 10 year compressor warranty
- Special Feature - Stabilizer free operations even in high voltage fluctuations between (130V - 200V)
Bosch KGN56LB42I Series 6 559 Litres 2 Star Frost Free Double Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator(Black)
- Capacity: The refrigerator has a capacity of 559 litres, which means it can store a large amount of food and beverages.
- Energy Efficiency: It has a 2-star rating, indicating its energy efficiency. A higher star rating typically signifies better energy efficiency.
- Compressor: It is equipped with a Vario Inverter Compressor. Inverter compressors are known for their energy-efficient and quieter operation.
- Number of Doors: This refrigerator has two doors, which is a common configuration for larger refrigerators. The separate compartments help in keeping the freezer and fresh food sections organized.
- Ideal for Large Family: The large capacity and efficient design make it suitable for large families, as it can accommodate a significant amount of food and groceries.
Samsung 385 L, 2 Star, Convertible 5-in-1 Digital Inverter, with Display Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator (RT42C5532BX/HL, Luxe Black, 2024 Model)
- Frost Free Refrigerator : Premium Auto Defrost Refrigerator with powerful cooling and long lasting freshness and performance with Convertible 5in1
- Capacity 385 Liters: Suitable For Families With 5 Or More Members
- Energy Rating : 2 Star Energy Efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : The product comes with a 1 year comprehensive warranty and a 20 years warranty on the digital inverter compressor
- Digital Inverter Compressor : Enjoy greater energy efficiency, less noise and a long-lasting performance. Consumes 50% less power, backed up by 20 year warranty
Hope this helps in your refrigerator buying process.