Help Me Choose a Fridge

Trillian on 05/07/2025 - 17:19

We have not owned a nice new fridge for a while now, and we're definitely due in my opinion. For years, I've had my eyes on the Mitsubishi 700L, but we've recently come to realise that while it just fits in our fridge cavity widthwise, it is too deep and will stick out a fair bit. I have been on a mission for the last couple of weeks to find a suitable alternative, and I've finally convinced myself Hisense 483L French Door with water dispenser might be the one. It's significantly smaller than the Mitsubishi, but much cheaper and has the water dispenser as a nice bonus. I found it at $1363 at The Good Guys Commercial and managed to get TGG to price match it so I can add 5 years Gold Service for added peace of mind.

https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/hisense-483l-french-door-refr…

In my search for a better price or product today, as I am yet to make the purchase (quote expires on the 19th), I came across the Haier 509L:

https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/haier-509l-french-door-refrig…

This is slightly higher capacity, slightly more energy efficient, but also more expensive. I haggled it down to $1400. So even though it is cheaper at full price, I will be paying more for it.

Anyone tried either and has input? Anyone found them cheaper (neither are on Ozbargain so no data here!)? Should I wait for EOFY? I have FOMO as I believe the Hisense is a very good price, but have a feeling the Haier may come down significantly.

I should add I have a credit card with price protection but it will have to be the same product at the same retailer so I am not sure it will be enough protection.

Poll Options

  • 3
    Hisense 483L
  • 3
    Haier 509L
  • 36
    Neither
Electrical & Electronics Refrigerator

Comments

  • aussieplip on 05/07/2025 - 17:44
    +7

    I don't know anything about those fridges, but when I was shopping I found appliance online great for filtering by cavity size. Also I have heard water dispensers are usually the first thing to break on a fridge so would give it a miss unless you really need one.

  • JIMB0 on 05/07/2025 - 18:00
    +8

    Most of them stick out, it's normal. If it fills up most of the width then the doors need to stick out or they wouldn't be able to open.

  • Pikaloo on 05/07/2025 - 18:25

    Sub-Zero makes some nice fridges.

  • kanu666 on 05/07/2025 - 18:34
    +1

    I'm in the same boat. Looking for a French door fridge non-plumbed. But in my case I need the white which is more rare 😞
    Would love suggestions

    • Trillian on 05/07/2025 - 19:05

      Mitsubishi, Haier and Hisense have white versions if you don't want a water dispenser. I have not found one with a dispenser though!

      • Dr Phil on 07/07/2025 - 08:06
        -1

        Try turning on the tap!

        If you want cold water fill a drink container with water and put it in the fridge.

        Keep it simple!

        The more complicated you want it, the more that can go wrong and the more maintenance required.

        Also keep in mind, the bigger the fridge, the more power it consumes $$$$$

        And you havent stated why you need a new fridge????

        Dont expect them to last as long as your old fridge!!!

        I wouldnt be buying a new fridge just for the sake of changing it.

    • foxinsox8 on 06/07/2025 - 10:41
      +3

      My Mistubishi Electric white glass door french door non plumbed fridge is a thing of beauty. Faultless. Read the reviews. No other make of fridge on the Australian market has the degree of customer satisfaction that this brand does. You just can't find any complaints! Made in Japan.

      • Saitake12 on 24/08/2025 - 12:17

        I just want to say I bought mine a few years ago. My wife and I still regularly tell each other how much we love our fridge.

        Ever read Marie Kondo? This fridge sparks joy.

        • Trillian on 26/08/2025 - 19:28

          I have! I am literally just waiting for a good deal (ie below 3800 delivered) but there has been none to SA for ages.

  • Christown on 05/07/2025 - 18:55
    +2

    I have had the black version of the Hisense for a year and a half now. No complaints at all, fridge/freezer aspect is good and ice maker works really well. Seems very decent for the money.

    I initially chose it because I needed a new fridge quickly and it was about the only slimline French door fridge at the time with a non-plumbed ice maker (a requirement for me), that would fit in my fridge cavity. Ended up being very happy with the purchase though.

    • Trillian on 05/07/2025 - 19:08

      I would hate to have to choose quickly, but I am glad you are happy with it. Did you get it at a good price?

      • Christown on 05/07/2025 - 19:40
        +1

        I can't remember how much I paid now, but it was more than the price you have found it for. Granted it was a brand new model at the time so expected that the price would drop.

        But I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

  • bargaino on 05/07/2025 - 19:13
    +2

    French doors are a PITA. Do you really not have room to open a regular door? Look at bottom mount options.

  • Downvoter on 05/07/2025 - 19:50
    +4

    Get a recessed PowerPoint and it won’t be as much of a thicc boi depth wise

    • foxinsox8 on 06/07/2025 - 10:42
      -1

      This will typically defeat the minimum clearance to wall measurements for the fridge causing it to run hotter and costing more in energy.

      • Trillian on 06/07/2025 - 11:13
        +1

        The Mitsubishi 700l happens to not require clearance at the back actually!!

  • poboy on 05/07/2025 - 20:43
    -1

    Internet. And AI. My fridge is a hub. I also prefer the see through function so you can see inside your fridge.

    • tenpercent on 05/07/2025 - 20:47

      the see through function

      A window?
      Servos and grocery shops have had fridges like that for yonks.

  • Lastchancetosee on 06/07/2025 - 09:38

    That's quite a difference in volume from 700 to 508/483. What do you actually need? I had 600+ fridges when my three children were living at home, but even after they left, I still have that size, as I eat fresh and need it for big gatherings. The fridge does stick out a bit, but it's not a problem for the extra space.

    • Trillian on 06/07/2025 - 11:15

      I have two fridges at the moment, one in the laundry room. 350L and 220L. We recently bought a dedicated vertical freezer and I was hoping a bigger fridge will mean we can go back to having one fridge. We are a family of 4 so the bigger the better.

      • Lastchancetosee on 07/07/2025 - 10:45

        Makes sense. Once you've worked out your freezer to fridge ratio based on use, I'd go for the buggest one possible.

        Also, if you forgo the iced drink dispenser, you'll save a lot of freezer space.

  • foxinsox8 on 06/07/2025 - 10:35
    +5

    I rarely login to ozbargain to make a comment but I do so on this case only because I have a very strong view on the subject. If you scour all reviews of fridge makes just one brand will emerge as consistently having no problems and strong backing… Mitsubishi Electric.
    I was so struck by this fact that I was ready to pay a price premium to buy one… but in the end found their price reasonable anyway. I bought one. It's fantastically reliable and built and finished at a quality well above most fridges on the Australian market. That's probably because they are made in Japan. Check out the reviews and you will see what I am talking about. You don't find any other fridge brand with 4.9/5 reviews and no complaints of lemons.
    Oh and Mitsubishi Electric have a range of french door non plumbed fridges in different heights. Their glass door ones are exquisite especially if you want to keep your kitchen looking neat… fridge magnets cannot stick to the front: only the sides. Makes a huge difference to the look of a kitchen.

    • sprocketoctopus on 06/07/2025 - 11:22

      I have a Mitsubishi Electric French Door now for 10 years.

      Works well, only had 2 problems:
      1. Noisy. Was easy fixed; compressor pipes hitting the side when on.
      2.Ice maker. No longer works. Which is a pain. I think the gears are striped on the ice tray that rotates around to release ice cubes. Probably not worth fixing.

      HTH

    • Lastchancetosee on 07/07/2025 - 10:45

      Thanks. Never considered them before.

    • fairbasa on 08/07/2025 - 09:57
      +1

      Agree the Mitsubishi is the only brand I've come across with solid ratings (at least on the Made in Japan models, not so much the others). It's also indisputably the most space efficient in terms of external dimensions thanks to its better insulation. I was ready to lay the money down and order this thing but in store I couldn't escape two things:

      1) It has kind of awkward dimensions and ergonomics. Overall it's quite narrow for its height. The fridge portion in particular feels narrow and cramped when the doors are open (I think because of the massive door bins). It's also quite high and deep. I was trying out putting an item in the back of the top shelf and I think most people under 6 foot would struggle.

      2) It doesn't look as good as some other options, in particular the Samsung Bespoke (yes I'm sure it's much better made than that though). The ME asymmetric fridge doors and three rows of drawers look a bit cluttered, and I wish they just opted for a plain white finish (not one with streaks/lines) in it - makes it look kind of 2000s. The equivalent Hitachi model's finish looks cleaner but is $600 more.

      Now I'm stuck. If I want a white fridge >500L capacity it seems to be either ME with the detractors I pointed out above, but with a good build quality - or a better looking Samsung/LG but take the risk with reliability and have a larger footprint for less volume……

      • Jamesx on 05/08/2025 - 12:10

        yes, it's either too high or too wide for our space.

  • beltdrive on 07/07/2025 - 17:01
    +1

    I just replaced a smaller Hisense fridge with that 483L one a couple of weeks ago. No complaints

  • Ryk on 08/07/2025 - 19:19

    Mitsubishi 470L ?

    • Trillian on 08/07/2025 - 20:29

      That would actually be too narrow so won't look good. Wish they had a middle ground!

  • Trillian on 11/07/2025 - 21:33

    I've let the Hisense quote expire and the Haier is now at 1372 with the price beat button at TGG but we will wait for the Mitsubishi 700l to go down in price and hope it doesn't stick out much.

  • koplik88 on 16/07/2025 - 11:09
    +1

    Someone I work with has a Hair fridge and couldn't get the replacement cartridge for the water filter. HN sells the fridges but not the replacement cartridges

  • Joejoeinc on 20/08/2025 - 13:58

    Haier $1352 using price and if you can topcash 4%

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