While nicely featured, the Whirlpool Gold GX5FHDXT is somewhat of a basic model in the bottom-freezer refrigerator category. For instance, it lacks an internal or through-the-door ice and water delivery system. For those who are looking for a French door bottom-freezer model that need not have internal or external water delivery or who don't want or need their water filtered before coming into their freezer compartment to make ice -- but who also don't want to sacrifice style and functionality -- may find this fridge to be ideal.

A large-size refrigerator, the Whirlpool Gold GX5FHDXT presents an excellent value for a quality-built fridge in this category. With a price of $1499 for either a white or black model, or $1799 for stainless steel, this unit will chill your foods in style without breaking the bank. It has a total of 24.8 cubic feet of space, with 17.5 cubic feet of space in the fresh foods compartment and 7.3 cubic feet of room in the freezer. It is also quite energy efficient, especially given its large capacity. It runs on approximately 505 kWh of electricity each year. That means that you can expect to pay around $54 to operate this large-capacity model for an entire year.

The exterior appears clean, smooth and uncluttered. The inside of this fridge is similar in theme. We like the solid feel of the shelves, drawers and bins. There aren't a whole lot of extras such as a can rack, but the interior appointments Whirlpool has included in this bottom-freezer fridge are top-notch. For instance, the two doors have a total of five bins, including two gallon-size bins and three narrower bins. There's also a clear dairy compartment. In the fridge compartment there are four half-width glass shelves that are adjustable and have a spillsaver feature. There's also a full-width shelf above the crispers. Two humidity-controlled clear crisper drawers and a full-width deli/snack drawer finish out the interior features. The drawers pull out smoothly and easily. The freezer as well pulls out like a drawer and inside is an automatic icemaker and two wire baskets.

The Whirlpool Gold GX5FHDXT bottom-freezer refrigerator comes in a choice of white, black or stainless steel. A somewhat basic model that lacks some of the extra features of more upscale and expensive bottom-freezer fridges, the Gold GX5FHDXT has a quality feel and a sub-$1500 price, providing a good value for those looking for a refrigerator with French doors.


Pros: Energy efficient, good value, solid feel throughout
Cons: Lacks many handy performance and convenience features

Warranty
1 year, parts and labor