The exact five BHG winners cannot be responsibly named from the available source material. BHG’s indexed testing description confirms an at-home evaluation of 14 refrigerators across design, performance, features, ease of cleaning, and value—but not the complete ranked list. Rather than inventing winners, this guide identifies what is confirmed and compares three current, manufacturer-documented French-door refrigerators while focusing on the fit and installation details that matter in a construction or remodel project.
Short answer: Better Homes & Gardens tested 14 refrigerators at home, judging design, performance, features, ease of cleaning, and value. However, the complete BHG article and its exact five winning models could not be verified from the available source material, so it would be misleading to invent a ranked list or attribute the three models below to BHG. Instead, this guide explains what is confirmed about the BHG test and compares three current, manufacturer-documented French-door examples that illustrate the most important buying decisions.
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If you are planning a kitchen renovation or appliance replacement, the best refrigerator is not necessarily the one with the largest capacity or the longest feature list. Opening clearance, cabinet projection, delivery access, freezer organization, water and ice layout, serviceability, and usable storage can matter more than the headline specifications. Before shopping, you can compare current listings for a French door refrigerator, but verify the exact model, seller, delivery coverage, and installation terms before paying.
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What BHG’s testing actually establishes
The available BHG description says that 14 refrigerators were tested at home. The stated evaluation areas were:
#1 Best Overall
- Counter-Depth Space Saver: This 30-inch counter-depth refrigerator offers 17.5 cu ft. of ample storage, saving space and giving your kitchen a sleek, built-in look
- Chill & Multi-Flow Air System: Quickly cool groceries with a dedicated chill feature, and enjoy even temperature throughout with a multi-flow air system for fresh food on every shelf
- Gallon Door Bins & Organization: Six gallon-size bins fit large bottles, and a two-tier freezer drawer keeps frozen items organized and easy to access for busy families
- Factory-Installed Ice Maker & LED Lighting: Enjoy ice on demand with the built-in ice maker plus bright, long-lasting LED lighting for easy visibility, day or night
- Fingerprint-Resistant & ENERGY STAR Certified: The stainless steel finish resists fingerprints, and ENERGY STAR certification plus an inverter compressor help reduce energy costs
- Design
- Performance
- Features
- Ease of cleaning
- Value
That is useful context, but it does not reveal the exact test duration, temperature-measurement procedure, sample-handling rules, scoring weights, or the five final selections. Those details should not be added by inference. Nor should rankings from RTINGS or Consumer Reports be presented as BHG rankings.
Independent refrigerator testing helps explain what “performance” may include in this category. RTINGS evaluates areas such as temperature uniformity, ice making, produce preservation, parts availability, noise, and usable capacity. Consumer Reports considers thermostat performance, temperature uniformity, noise, energy efficiency, crisper performance, and icemaker performance. These are useful comparison criteria, not evidence that BHG used identical tests.
Three documented French-door refrigerators worth comparing
| Model | Layout and documented features | Published capacity and energy information | Best fit | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG LRFLC2706S | Smart Counter-Depth MAX French door refrigerator; internal water dispenser, ice maker, Door Cooling+, ThinQ connectivity, and smart inverter compressor | LG specification sheet lists 26.5 cu. ft. total capacity, two-tier freezer organization, internal water filter, 632 kWh/year, and ENERGY STAR certification | Shoppers who want a counter-depth appearance without giving up as much capacity as many counter-depth refrigerators | “Counter-depth” does not mean every kitchen will have the same finished projection; confirm the cabinet, handle, and door dimensions |
| Bosch 800 Series B36CT80SNS | 36-inch counter-depth French-door bottom mount; VitaFresh Pro, internal filtered-water dispenser, dual compressors, Home Connect, and organized freezer drawers | 20.8 cu. ft. total: 14.8 cu. ft. refrigerator and 6 cu. ft. freezer; 570 kWh/year; ENERGY STAR certification | Households prioritizing a shallower installation and food-preservation features | Its capacity is substantially smaller than many standard-depth French-door models, which may be restrictive for large households |
| GE Profile PVD28BYNFS | 27.9 cu. ft. ENERGY STAR smart four-door French-door refrigerator; Door-in-Door storage, temperature-controlled center drawer, Wi-Fi, hands-free AutoFill, and filtered water and ice | Manufacturer documentation confirms the listed configuration and features; verify the current energy label and dimensions for the exact finish and model | Families wanting a large-capacity layout, a flexible center drawer, and quick-access door storage | It is a standard-depth, feature-rich refrigerator, so kitchen projection, clearance, maintenance, and purchase price deserve careful review |
These are verified comparison examples, not confirmed BHG winners. Current prices, finishes, inventory, warranty terms, and geographic availability should be checked at publication or purchase time.
1. LG LRFLC2706S: a counter-depth compromise with more room
The LG LRFLC2706S is documented by LG as a 27-cu.-ft.-class Smart Counter-Depth MAX French Door Refrigerator. Its specification sheet lists 26.5 cu. ft. of total capacity, which illustrates why shoppers should distinguish a marketing class or product-page description from the exact specification-sheet number.
The model includes an internal water dispenser rather than placing the dispenser on the exterior door. That choice can preserve a cleaner door appearance and avoid giving up as much exterior door storage, but users must open the refrigerator to fill a glass. The listed ice maker, Door Cooling+, ThinQ connectivity, smart inverter compressor, internal filter, and two-tier freezer organization add convenience, but each feature also creates another component to understand and maintain.
Why it may suit a renovation: A counter-depth design can reduce the visual and physical intrusion of the refrigerator into a kitchen aisle while retaining more capacity than many shallower models. Do not assume, however, that the refrigerator will be flush with surrounding cabinetry. Cabinet depth, doors, handles, hinge geometry, ventilation requirements, and the required rear clearance all affect the final installation.
2. Bosch 800 Series B36CT80SNS: shallower profile, smaller storage envelope
Bosch lists the B36CT80SNS as a 36-inch 800 Series French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator. The manufacturer’s documentation specifies 20.8 cu. ft. total capacity, divided into 14.8 cu. ft. of refrigerator space and 6 cu. ft. of freezer space. That is a meaningful tradeoff compared with larger standard-depth refrigerators.
The model’s documented equipment includes VitaFresh Pro, an internal filtered-water dispenser, dual compressors, Home Connect, and organized freezer drawers. For shoppers who value food-preservation controls and a counter-depth installation, this is a useful comparison point. For a large family that buys frozen food in bulk, the 6-cu.-ft. freezer and 20.8-cu.-ft. total capacity may be the deciding limitation.
Measure the actual opening and the surrounding traffic path before choosing a counter-depth refrigerator. A shallower cabinet may improve aisle clearance, but the refrigerator still needs enough space for its doors to open and its shelves and drawers to be removed for cleaning or replacement.
3. GE Profile PVD28BYNFS: capacity and a flexible center drawer
GE Appliances identifies the PVD28BYNFS as a 27.9-cu.-ft. ENERGY STAR smart four-door French-door refrigerator. Its center drawer can be temperature-controlled, creating a separate zone for items such as drinks, snacks, deli food, or other frequently used contents. The Door-in-Door layout is intended to provide quicker access to selected items without opening the entire refrigerator compartment.
The documented feature set also includes Wi-Fi connectivity, hands-free AutoFill, and filtered water and ice dispensing. These functions may be valuable in a busy household, but they add controls, sensors, filters, and dispensing hardware. During a remodel, plan for the water connection, electrical outlet, door clearance, and enough working space to service the appliance.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBecause this is a standard-depth model, do not compare it with counter-depth refrigerators by width alone. A 36-inch opening can accommodate refrigerators with very different cabinet depths and finished projections. If the front of the refrigerator will align with an island or narrow a walkway, depth may be more important than the extra advertised cubic feet.
Rank #2
- Dual Ice Maker With Water And Ice Dispenser
- Fingerprint Resistant
- Standard Depth
- LED Interior Lighting
French door versus side-by-side: the layout decision
A typical French-door refrigerator places a full-width fresh-food compartment behind two upper doors and a bottom freezer drawer or drawers. This layout gives you broad refrigerator shelves, keeps fresh food near eye level, and usually provides generous door storage.
The principal disadvantage is freezer access. Frozen food is lower, and a deep single drawer can become difficult to organize or reach. Two freezer drawers or a four-door layout can separate categories, but they may reduce flexibility or add more hardware.
A side-by-side refrigerator keeps both fresh and frozen food at approximately eye level. That can be convenient for people who use the freezer frequently, but each compartment is vertically narrow. Wide platters, pizza boxes, sheet pans, and large storage containers may be harder to fit.
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| Choose a French-door layout if you value… | Choose side-by-side if you value… |
|---|---|
| Wide refrigerator shelves and fresh food at eye level | Eye-level access to both refrigerator and freezer |
| Large door bins and a bottom freezer | Narrower compartments that make some contents easier to see vertically |
| A center drawer or multiple freezer zones | Avoiding a low, deep freezer drawer |
| Room for wide dishes and containers | A more vertically divided storage layout |
How to choose the right refrigerator for a construction or remodel project
1. Measure the opening and the delivery route
Measure the rough opening and the finished opening, including height, width, depth, baseboards, trim, nearby walls, islands, and countertops. Then measure the route from the delivery vehicle to the kitchen: gates, entry doors, hallways, stairways, turns, and the final opening can all be narrower than the refrigerator’s advertised width.
Ask the retailer or installer for the exact product dimensions and required clearances for the specific model and finish. Do not rely on a nominal “36-inch refrigerator” label.
2. Separate cabinet depth from total installed depth
Counter-depth and standard-depth describe different installation profiles, but neither term alone tells you how far the complete appliance will project. Doors and handles can extend beyond the cabinet box. The required clearance behind the refrigerator and the position of surrounding cabinetry also affect the finished result.
For a clean built-in appearance, coordinate the refrigerator dimensions with cabinet elevations before ordering doors, fillers, panels, or overhead cabinets. Leave the manufacturer-required ventilation and service space; forcing an appliance into a tighter opening can create installation and performance problems.
3. Compare usable organization, not only cubic feet
Total capacity is a useful starting point, but it does not describe how efficiently the interior works for your household. Look at shelf width, shelf adjustability, drawer height, door-bin placement, the location of the ice maker, and whether large containers can stand upright.
A refrigerator with a larger advertised capacity may be less practical if the ice maker consumes door or refrigerator-compartment space, shelves cannot be repositioned, or the freezer has one deep cavity that becomes disorganized.
4. Pick the freezer arrangement deliberately
- One deep bottom drawer: often provides substantial volume but can hide smaller packages.
- Two freezer drawers: can separate categories and improve visibility, though each drawer may offer less uninterrupted space.
- Four-door configuration with a center drawer: can provide flexible access and a dedicated temperature zone, but adds complexity and may change the available refrigerator/freezer balance.
Before choosing, list the items you freeze most often. Bulk meat, frozen pizzas, meal-prep containers, ice cream tubs, and sheet-pan meals impose different space requirements.
5. Decide how much water and ice hardware you want
External dispensers provide quick access but occupy door space and add exterior components. Internal dispensers keep the front cleaner and may preserve door-bin capacity, but you must open the refrigerator to use them. Automatic pitchers and hands-free filling can be convenient, while a refrigerator with no dispenser may offer a simpler layout and fewer maintenance points.
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Confirm the ice-maker location. Ice in the door, in the refrigerator compartment, or in the freezer can change usable storage and may affect how frequently you need to refill or clear the bin.
Rank #3
- Premium French Door Refrigerator – The KoolMore Stainless-Steel Refrigerator Provides All The Storage And Accessibility You Need With Plenty Of Room For Food And Drinks, And Double Crispers With Humidity Control
- Spacious Capacity And Adjustable Shelving – At 18.5 Cu. Ft. This Refrigerator Clearance Lines Up With Your Kitchen Counters But Still Provides Two Large Freezer Drawers, 6 Door Bins, And Adjustable Glass Shelving For All Your Food Items.
- Modern Stainless-Steel Design – A Flat Finish With Easy-Open Handles This Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator Fits In Seamlessly With Your Other Appliances And Sits At Just The Right Height And Depth For Contemporary Kitchens
- Precision Temperature Control Designed with a double-flow cooling system and digital temperature control our stainless-steel fridge offers equal distribution of cool temperatures to keep fruit, vegetables, and meat fresher, longer.
6. Verify power, water, and service requirements
Confirm the dedicated electrical requirements, outlet position, water-line location, shutoff access, and floor condition with the appliance instructions and your installer. A refrigerator that dispenses water or makes ice needs compatible plumbing and a filter plan.
Also check ENERGY STAR status, the estimated annual energy use, warranty terms, local service coverage, and parts availability. A connected refrigerator may require an account, wireless network, or app to use some features; decide whether those functions are useful enough to justify the added complexity.
7. Plan installation and old-appliance removal
Before purchase, confirm whether delivery includes placement, leveling, connection of the water line, door reversal or removal if required, installation of handles, old-appliance removal, and haul-away. These services vary by retailer and location. Verify them in writing rather than assuming they are included in the appliance price.
What to verify before publication or purchase
- The exact model number, finish, and current production status
- Current price, promotion, inventory, and delivery area
- Product dimensions, handle depth, hinge clearance, and required ventilation
- Whether the refrigerator will fit through the delivery path
- Actual fresh-food and freezer capacity
- Ice-maker location and water-dispenser design
- Energy-use estimate and ENERGY STAR status for the exact model
- Warranty coverage, local service, and replacement-part availability
- Installation, water-line connection, old-unit removal, and haul-away fees
Water-filter replacement: check the model first
A replacement refrigerator water filter can be a useful follow-on purchase for models with filtered water, including the LG and GE examples discussed here. Compatibility is not universal. The filter number, refrigerator model, installation location, and regional version must match.
Do not buy a generic filter merely because it appears to fit the brand. Confirm the compatible part number in the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s documentation for your exact model. If a refrigerator uses a proprietary or internal filter, the correct replacement may differ from another model in the same product family.
Bottom line
BHG’s available testing description confirms a 14-refrigerator at-home evaluation covering design, performance, features, cleaning, and value, but it does not reliably expose the exact five models. The LG LRFLC2706S, Bosch B36CT80SNS, and GE Profile PVD28BYNFS are manufacturer-documented examples that show the real decision: counter-depth versus standard-depth, maximum capacity versus easier fit, internal versus external water access, and simple storage versus flexible connected features.
For a construction or remodeling project, measure the opening and delivery route first, then compare the complete installed dimensions and interior layout. Only after those checks should price, finish, smart features, and retailer availability determine the final choice.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchShopping note: A retailer link for French-door refrigerators should be checked at publication time. Appliance inventory, seller coverage, delivery dates, prices, and model availability change frequently, and no retailer should be assumed to carry every refrigerator BHG tested.
Frequently Asked Questions
The available BHG description says 14 refrigerators were tested at home for design, performance, features, ease of cleaning, and value. The exact test duration, scoring weights, and complete ranked list were not available in the source material used here.
How many refrigerators did BHG test?
Not necessarily. They are manufacturer-documented comparison examples, not confirmed BHG winners. The exact five BHG selections should not be attributed without verifying the original BHG article or authoritative supporting documentation.
Are the LG LRFLC2706S, Bosch B36CT80SNS, and GE Profile PVD28BYNFS BHG’s three best refrigerators?
It depends on your priorities. French-door models generally offer wider fresh-food shelves and eye-level refrigerator storage, while side-by-side models provide eye-level access to both fresh and frozen food. French-door freezers are lower and may be harder to organize.
Is a French-door refrigerator better than a side-by-side model?
Measure the finished opening’s height, width, and depth, plus baseboards, trim, nearby walls, countertops, and islands. Also measure the delivery route and confirm door-swing, hinge, shelf-removal, ventilation, electrical, and water-line requirements for the exact model.
What should I measure before ordering a French-door refrigerator?
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Can I use any replacement water filter in a French-door refrigerator?
The Bottom Line
The safest recommendation is to verify the exact BHG list before calling any model a BHG winner. In the meantime, compare the documented LG, Bosch, and GE examples by installed depth, usable organization, freezer layout, water and ice hardware, serviceability, and delivery requirements—not by advertised capacity alone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
