Fisher & Paykel vs Sub-Zero: which should you buy?
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Fisher & Paykel Series 11 36-inch Integrated French Door Refrigerator, Ice & Water
Fisher & Paykel · $11,999
The short answer
Fisher & Paykel vs Sub-Zero is really one box versus a column system. For most integrated kitchens, Fisher & Paykel's Series 11 36-inch French door is the better buy: fridge, freezer, ice and water in one 36-inch opening for about $11,999.
Choose Sub-Zero's Designer 30 column if you have the wall width for a separate freezer column and want maximum fresh-food space plus Sub-Zero's sealed-system coverage. Choose Fisher & Paykel if you want a complete integrated refrigerator without building a column wall.
Key differences at a glance
- Different widths: 36″ vs 30″. Make sure your cabinet opening fits before comparing features.
- Sub-Zero Designer 30-inch Column Refrigerator lists for about $1,734 less ($10,265 vs $11,999).
- Sub-Zero Designer 30-inch Column Refrigerator rates higher for performance (5/5 vs 4/5).
- Fisher & Paykel Series 11 36-inch Integrated French Door Refrigerator, Ice & Water rates higher for value (4/5 vs 3/5).
Ratings head to head
4 vs 5
5 vs 5
4 vs 4
4 vs 3
Specs side by side
| Spec | Fisher & Paykel Series 11 36-inch Integrated French Door Refrigerator, Ice & Water | Sub-Zero Designer 30-inch Column Refrigerator |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fisher & Paykel | Sub-Zero |
| Category | Refrigerator (French door) | Refrigerator (column) |
| Width | 36″ | 30″ |
| Fuel | - | - |
| Installation | Panel-ready | Panel-ready |
| List price (MSRP) | $11,999 | $10,265-$11,220 |
| Full warranty | 2-yr full | 2-yr full |
| Made in | - | - |
| Wi-Fi / app | Yes | Yes |
| Refrigerator (cu ft) | 11.6 | 17.5 |
| ENERGY STAR | ENERGY STAR Most Efficient | Yes |
| Performance rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Design rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Features rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Value rating | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Where to buy | Check price | Check price |
Prices are manufacturer or retailer list prices when we last checked; luxury brands set minimum advertised prices, so savings usually come from dealer packages and rebates. Ratings are editorial estimates: see how we rate.
How Fisher & Paykel and Sub-Zero refrigerators differ
These aren't the same format, so compare carefully. The Fisher & Paykel Series 11 integrated French door is 36 inches wide and complete on its own: 19.6 cu ft total, with 11.6 in the fridge, 6.7 in the freezer and a 1.3 cu ft variable-temperature drawer you can set to Chill, Fridge or Pantry. It includes an internal water dispenser and ice maker.
The Sub-Zero Designer 30 column is an all-refrigerator column: 17.5 cu ft of fresh-food space and no freezer. You'll pair it with a Sub-Zero freezer column, priced separately, so the system takes more wall and more budget.
The fair comparison is fresh-food space and total cost. The Sub-Zero column gives you 17.5 cu ft of refrigerator versus 11.6 in the Fisher & Paykel. The Fisher & Paykel gives you everything for $11,999; the Sub-Zero column alone starts at about $10,265 before the freezer.
Wall space is the other half of the math. A two-column Sub-Zero setup takes the 30-inch refrigerator plus the width of the freezer column you choose, while the Fisher & Paykel fits a single 36-inch opening. In a remodel with a fixed footprint, that often settles it.
Who should pick Fisher & Paykel vs Sub-Zero
Pick Fisher & Paykel if your opening is 36 inches, you want a flush install (it's designed for 1/8-inch gaps), and efficiency matters: it's rated ENERGY STAR Most Efficient. Pick Sub-Zero if you entertain, cook from fresh ingredients and have room for a two-column wall, or you want Split Climate cooling and Sub-Zero's longer sealed-system coverage.
Fisher & Paykel vs Sub-Zero as brands
Fisher & Paykel, owned by Haier, is known for integrated column refrigeration, DishDrawer dishwashers like the integrated double DishDrawer and pro ranges like the Series 9 36 dual fuel. Sub-Zero is the refrigeration specialist of Sub-Zero Group. See also Sub-Zero vs Liebherr and Miele vs Sub-Zero.
Fisher & Paykel vs Sub-Zero price, warranty and service
Fisher & Paykel offers a 2-year limited manufacturer's warranty. Sub-Zero covers 2 years parts and labor, 5 years on the sealed system and offers 12-year limited sealed-system parts coverage, which is the stronger long-term promise on paper.
Fisher & Paykel's 2026 warranty extension (August 1 to December 31, 2026) applies to qualifying professional ranges, not refrigerators. Ask dealers for package pricing and confirm local service. More at Fisher & Paykel, Sub-Zero and the refrigerators hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fisher & Paykel as good as Sub-Zero?
In integrated refrigeration, Fisher & Paykel is a credible alternative at a lower system cost. Its Series 11 French door packs fridge, freezer, ice and water into 36 inches. Sub-Zero offers more fresh-food space per column and longer sealed-system coverage. Our editorial ratings, estimated from specs, give Fisher & Paykel the better value score.
Why compare a 36-inch fridge with a 30-inch column?
Because buyers often weigh them for the same integrated look. The Fisher & Paykel is a complete refrigerator-freezer; the Sub-Zero 30-inch column is refrigerator only and needs a separate freezer column. Compare fresh-food capacity and the total cost of the full system, not the price of a single unit.
Does Fisher & Paykel make column refrigerators too?
Yes. Fisher & Paykel offers a 36-inch Series 11 integrated column (RS3684WRUVE1), though we don't have verified pricing for it. If you're set on a column wall but want an alternative to Sub-Zero, ask your dealer to quote it alongside Sub-Zero's Designer columns and matching freezer.