American-style vs standard fridge freezers

LG's GBBS524AEV is our top standard fridge freezer and a good benchmark against LG's own InstaView GSXV91BSAE American model. LG UK lists 375 litres in total (262 litres of fridge including a 37-litre chiller, 113 litres of freezer), energy class A at 112 kWh a year and 29 dB(A), noise class A. RDO's specifications match LG's capacities.

The contrast with the American-style LG is stark. The InstaView holds 635 litres, about 70 per cent more, but uses 348 kWh a year, more than three times as much, and is 36 dB(A), class C. Per litre of space, the standard model is still roughly twice as efficient. At around 30 cent or pence per kWh, the difference in annual energy use is worth about 70 a year on our rough sums.

The GBBS524AEV fits the standard 60 cm space most Irish and UK kitchens are built around, at 203 cm tall and 67.4 cm deep. You give up the ice and water dispenser and the Door-in-Door compartment, but keep frost-free freezing, FRESHBalancer crispers, a switchable FRESHConverter+ zone and app control.

LG gives five years of cover with registration and ten years on the compressor. If you have neither the floor space nor a big family, this is the better buy.

Bosch's Series 6 KGN39AIAT is the most efficient fridge freezer in this comparison. Bosch quotes energy class A at 104 kWh a year for 363 litres (260 litres fridge, 103 litres freezer), with 29 dB(A) and noise class A; RDO's listing gives the same figures.

Set it against Bosch's own Series 4 KFN96VPEAG French-door model and the trade-off is clear. The KFN96VPEAG holds 605 litres, two thirds more, but is E-rated at 333 kWh a year and 38 dB(A), class C. That is more than three times the electricity for less than double the space.

The KGN39AIAT still has the features that keep food fresh: two separately controlled cooling systems so smells do not travel between fridge and freezer, VitaFresh XXL drawers just below 0 degrees for meat, fish and leafy veg, and SuperCooling and SuperFreezing for a big shop. It is frost free with a four-star freezer, and it fits a 60 cm space at 203 cm tall and 66.5 cm deep.

There is no Home Connect app, and the retailer we checked listed a two-year warranty. For a couple or a family that shops weekly, it is the cheapest fridge freezer here to run.

Haier's 3D 60 Series 7 HTW7620DNGB is the standard fridge freezer for people tempted by an American model mainly for space. Haier UK lists 414 litres (289 litres fridge, 125 litres freezer) in a 59.5 cm width, with three doors: fridge on top, a My Zone drawer that can be set for fruit and veg or meat and fish, and freezer drawers below. Currys lists the same model.

Against Haier's own SBS 90 side-by-side HSW79F18DIPT, it gives up 187 litres and the plumbed ice and water dispenser. In return it uses 226 kWh a year rather than 268 kWh, is a little quieter at 35 dB(A), class B, and fits a 60 cm space instead of needing about 91 cm. Note that it is not especially efficient for a standard model: the A-rated LG and Bosch here use about half as much.

Humidity Zone crispers, Air Surround airflow, frost-free freezing, super cool and super freeze modes, and Haier's hOn app over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are all included. It is 205 cm tall, so check the height under any wall cupboard.

Haier gives two years of cover plus a ten-year parts guarantee. If you want maximum storage without changing your kitchen layout, this is the one to look at.

Haier's SBS 90 Series 7 HSW79F18DIPT is the most affordable route to a plumbed ice and water dispenser in our American fridge freezer guide. Haier UK lists 601 litres (391 litres fridge, 210 litres four-star freezer), class D at 268 kWh a year and 36 dB(A), noise class C. Harvey Norman UK lists the same figures.

Compared with Haier's three-door 60 cm HTW7620DNGB, you gain 187 litres, a full-height fridge and freezer, and ice and water on tap. You pay with 42 kWh a year more electricity, slightly more noise, and a footprint of 90.5 cm wide and 71.8 cm deep, which needs a dedicated space in most Irish and UK kitchens.

The dispenser is plumbed, so you need a cold-water pipe nearby and may need a plumber to fit it. Haier lists an ice maker, though one UK retailer's spec sheet mentions only an ice tray, so confirm with your retailer. Side-by-side freezers are tall and narrow, so large pizza boxes and trays may not fit.

It is frost free with an inverter compressor, Multi Air Flow cooling, super cool and super freeze, and the hOn app. Haier gives two years of cover and a ten-year parts guarantee.

Bosch's Series 4 KFN96VPEAG gives you American-style space without a dispenser. Bosch Ireland lists 605 litres (405 litres fridge, 200 litres freezer across six drawers), class E at 333 kWh a year and 38 dB(A), noise class C; Currys lists the same model.

The French-door layout puts the fridge at eye level and wide freezer drawers below, which take bulky items such as trays and pizza boxes more easily than a side-by-side. VitaFresh XXL drawers run just below 0 degrees, FreshSense sensors and MultiAirflow keep temperatures even, and both sections are frost free.

The comparison with Bosch's own KGN39AIAT standard model is the key one. The French door holds two thirds more food, but uses 333 kWh a year against 104 kWh, and is louder. It also needs a space about 90.5 cm wide, 73.1 cm deep and 183 cm tall, and weighs over 115 kg, so check doorways and stairs before you order.

There is no Wi-Fi or Home Connect. Bosch Ireland lists five years of cover for purchases between April 2026 and March 2027 if you register. Choose it if you genuinely fill a large fridge each week and have the room.

LG's InstaView GSXV91BSAE is the American model for kitchens without a water pipe in the right place. LG UK says no plumbing is needed: you fill a tank and the automatic ice maker and dispenser do the rest. LG lists 635 litres (416 litres fridge, 219 litres freezer), class E at 348 kWh a year and 36 dB, noise class C. Brown Thomas in Ireland lists the same model with the dispenser.

Against LG's standard GBBS524AEV, the InstaView gives you 260 litres more, ice and water on tap, and the Door-in-Door compartment you can see into by knocking on the glass. The cost is energy: 348 kWh a year against 112 kWh, more than three times as much, and it is noticeably louder.

It measures 179 x 91.3 x 73.5 cm, so plan for a dedicated space and check delivery access. A tank-fed dispenser needs refilling and occasional cleaning, which a plumbed model avoids. LG's UVnano feature uses UV light to clean the dispenser nozzle.

LG covers the compressor for ten years; check the retailer for the rest of the warranty. It is the most expensive option in this comparison, so buy it only if the dispenser and extra space matter to you.