The Best Refrigerators for Families

Tue Sep 23 2025

Refrigeration

Finding the right refrigerator for your family is about more than just keeping food cold; it’s about having the space, smart features, and durability that keep up with daily life. Families today need appliances that can handle busy mornings, after-school snacks, sports night drinks, and plenty of leftovers.

In this guide, we’ll cover the most family-friendly refrigerator types, showcase top models with kid-focused conveniences, and highlight features that make life easier for the whole household.

Best Refrigerator Types for Families

French Door Refrigerators: Spacious and Convenient

French door refrigerators are among the most popular choices for families because they combine wide shelves with easy access. With a freezer on the bottom and double doors on top, they offer plenty of space for large trays, pizza boxes, or wide dishes.

Why Families Love Them:

Flexible storage: Adjustable shelves and wide compartments make it easy to store large items.
Energy efficiency: Only opening one door at a time helps keep cold air in.
Family-friendly access: Kids can easily reach snacks and drinks from the bottom freezer or designated door bins.

Side-by-Side Refrigerators: Organized and Accessible

For families who love organization, side-by-side refrigerators are a great choice. With the fridge on one side and the freezer on the other, everything has its place.

Why Families Love Them:

Even storage: Equal access to fresh and frozen foods.
Tall, narrow shelves: Great for families that stock up on frozen goods.
Convenient door storage: Perfect for condiments, juice boxes, and quick-grab snacks.

Bottom Freezer Refrigerators: Practical and Functional

If you prefer a classic design with modern upgrades, bottom freezer refrigerators put fresh food at eye level while keeping frozen items below.

Why Families Love Them:

Easy visibility: No more bending to find fresh groceries.
Spacious freezer drawers: Room for bulk frozen items.
Affordable variety: Available in a range of sizes and styles to fit family needs.

Smart Refrigerators: Tech-Savvy Family Helpers

For busy families, smart refrigerators take convenience to the next level. With built-in touchscreens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and apps, these appliances help keep schedules and groceries in sync.

Why Families Love Them:

Grocery tracking: Some models let you see what’s inside without opening the door.
Family hub features: Shared calendars, notes, and entertainment built right into the fridge.
Remote control: Adjust temperatures or get alerts from your smartphone.

Best Refrigerator Models for Families

If you’re shopping for a refrigerator that balances space, performance, and family-friendly features, here are some of the top models currently on the market:

Samsung French Door Refrigerator

The Samsung RF90F23AECR is a family-sized French door refrigerator that provides wide shelving and flexible storage. Its design makes it easy to store oversized trays and dishes while keeping groceries fresh longer.

Key Features:

Flexible storage: Adjustable shelving lets you customize the interior for changing needs.
Innovative cooling technology: Maintains consistent temperatures to extend food freshness.
Family Hub: Built-in screen keeps your family organized with apps, calendars, and entertainment.
AI Vision Inside™: Helps track groceries, recognize items, and remind you when food is running low or nearing expiration.

LG InstaView Refrigerator

The LG LRMVS3006S combines smart technology with a large capacity, making it a strong choice for busy families. Its InstaView Door-in-Door design makes it easy to grab items quickly while keeping cold air inside.

Key Features:

InstaView Door-in-Door: Knock twice to see inside without opening the door, reducing cold air loss. With many hands in and out of the refrigerator, this is a game-changer.
Dual ice makers: Keep plenty of ice on hand for daily drinks or entertaining.
30 cu. ft. capacity: Provides ample space for weekly family grocery hauls.
Smart connectivity: Control and monitor your fridge remotely using your smartphone.
Full-Convert Drawer™: Gain extra versatility with a drawer that can switch between fridge and freezer mode. Choose from five temperature settings to store deli items, beverages, meats, seafood, or frozen treats.

Thermador Built-In Refrigerator

The Thermador T36FL810NS is a premium built-in refrigerator designed for modern kitchens. With advanced cooling systems and a customizable interior, it offers both style and function for family households.

Key Features:

Easy-to-clean finish: Stainless steel surfaces are resistant to smudges and simple to wipe down, making it easier to keep the kitchen looking polished even with kids in the house.
Accessible produce door: A dedicated produce compartment keeps fruits and vegetables fresh while giving kids quick, healthy snack access without opening the entire fridge.
Customizable interior: Flexible shelving adapts to your family’s storage needs.
Durable craftsmanship: Built to last with premium materials and engineering.

Bosch Counter-Depth Refrigerator

The Bosch B36CL81ENG combines energy efficiency with innovative freshness technology. Its counter-depth design offers a sleek look while saving space, making it a versatile choice for families.

Key Features:

Glass beverage door: Lets you see at a glance if kids’ sports drinks and beverages are stocked, so you never run out on game night.
Ultra Clarity Pro water filter: Provides fresh-tasting, filtered water every time.
Exterior dispenser: Convenient access to water and ice without opening the door, making it easier for kids to help themselves.
Glass over stainless finish: Combines a sleek stainless steel look with a glass coating that is easy to clean and resists fingerprints.
Flexible shelving: Easy organization with adjustable shelves and door bins for busy households.

Kid-Friendly Features to Look For

When shopping for a family refrigerator, it is essential to focus on features that make daily life easier with kids. Beyond just storage, these details can save time, help children become more independent, and reduce daily messes. Many brands even design features specifically with young families in mind, making life simpler for both parents and kids.

Large capacity: Look for 20 cubic feet or more to handle weekly grocery hauls, school lunches, and plenty of snacks. Families with multiple kids especially benefit from extra room to keep everything organized.
Flexible shelving: Adjustable shelves, gallon door bins, and slide-out drawers give kids easy access to their favorite foods without disrupting the rest of the fridge. Features like LG’s Door-in-Door design make grabbing a snack even quicker.
Ice and water dispensers: External dispensers are a lifesaver for families, letting children serve themselves water or ice without opening the fridge. It encourages independence, keeps kids hydrated, and reduces door openings that waste energy.
Easy-clean finishes: Kids are known for leaving sticky fingerprints behind. Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel refrigerators help hide smudges and make cleanup faster, so you’re not constantly wiping down the doors.
Energy efficiency: Choosing an efficient model keeps utility bills in check while handling the constant in-and-out activity of a busy household.

Shop Refrigerators Near You at DeWaard & Bode

Whether you’re team French door or side-by-side, we’ve got the right refrigerator for your kitchen and your life. We’ll help you choose a refrigerator that makes everyday meals and grocery runs easier and more efficient. We offer bottom-freezer refrigerators, smart refrigerators, freezers, and more.

Contact us or visit one of our appliance stores in Bellingham or Burlington, Washington, to speak with our appliance experts. We offer delivery and installation services to ensure your complete care throughout the entire process.

FAQ: Family Refrigerators

What size refrigerator is best for a family of four?

Most families of four should look for a refrigerator with a capacity of at least 20–25 cubic feet to comfortably store weekly groceries.

Are smart refrigerators worth it for families?

Yes, smart refrigerators can be especially helpful for busy households. Features like grocery tracking, built-in calendars, and Wi-Fi connectivity help families stay organized.

How can I keep my refrigerator organized with kids?

Choose a fridge with adjustable shelves, gallon door bins, and snack drawers so kids can easily access their food without disrupting the rest of the refrigerator.

What finish is easiest to keep clean with children?

Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel is a popular choice for families since it hides smudges and makes cleaning quick and easy.