Refrigerators

Best Door-in-Door Refrigerators

Hidden compartments offer easy access to items you use most

By Daniel Wroclawski

Updated by Tim Barribeau and Daphne Yao

Updated October 30, 2023

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LG LSXC22396D Side-by-Side Refrigerator with door-in-door feature shown — A door-in-door design offers a more convenient way of grabbing often-used items without fully opening the fridge.

Refrigerator manufacturers continue to introduce new bells and whistles, such as sparkling-water dispensers, touchscreens, and cameras that let you view the inside of your fridge from a smart device. But how do you know whether you’re paying a premium for a fad?

Innovative features with staying power address a genuine consumer need—and Consumer Reports’ experts put the door-in-door configuration in that class.

A door-in-door is a hidden compartment behind an exterior panel—typically found on a French-door refrigerator—that pops open with the press of a button. The design allows you to reach for often-used items without heaving open the entire door and letting warm air rush into the rest of the refrigerator. It’s handy for anyone who likes to loiter in front of an open fridge deciding between a squeezable yogurt and a cheese stick, or maybe a Heineken and a Pabst Blue Ribbon. On some Samsung models, they’re styled as “beverage centers” and incorporate the water dispenser.

Best Door-in-Door French-Doors

Best Door-in-Door Side-by-Sides

Daniel Wroclawski

Dan Wroclawski is a home and appliances writer at Consumer Reports, covering products ranging from refrigerators and coffee makers to cutting-edge smart home devices. Before joining CR in 2017, he was an editor at USA Today’s Reviewed, and launched the site’s smart home section. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with one of the over 70 connected devices in his house. Follow Dan on Facebook and Twitter @danwroc.