Really the germs from the hands will die in the freezer and I do not like the water from the fridge water dispenser. I have an inside icemaker I love it and I like the clean look of the fridge door without. I do not like ice cold water so I just keep a jug on my counter it also helps to make sure I get enough water each day. I think you get what works for you and here you will get manys pros and cons and not one bit closer to an answer.

Thanks for your opinion! I guess I'm looking for someone who has had both and preferred one over another. Since we are switching from a side by side to a French door, I'm not sure about how I will even like that! But I know I don't like the side by side!

I do like the clean look of the door without the ice/water dispenser. We have a Brita water jug we use also now. The size of the counter depth fridge is very specific so we don't have that many choices anyhow. I am looking at the Kitchenaid and Bosch with the water inside.

We have water/ice on the door in our current side by side which we have had for 20 years. But now it is just me and my husband and not the whole family so not sure we will need it! Also have recently installed wood floors, so I wonder about the water or ice that may spill .

I have had the ice/water on the door for years and thought it was fine. However, now I'm going with nothing. I'm buying a water filtration system to put under the sink and will just use the faucet and go into the freezer for ice. If, however, I had to chose one, I would put it inside. I find the outside unit very unsanitary with people putting there used glasses back to get more water. At least inside, the glasses don't touch the dispenser.

I’ve had both types. Our most recent fridge has a water/ice dispenser on the outside and my husband is the only one who uses it. Everyone else uses the Brita and reaches into freezer for ice.

We are looking to buy a new fridge and decided against getting the dispenser from a sanitary, visual, space and repair perspective

Thanks for all the comments! These have helped a lot!

I've had both and prefer the inside water dispenser with ice cubes from the freezer, which is what I have now. My prior LG fridge had an exterior dispenser and was always jamming or ice would overflow on to the floor. Plus, it's much nice to look at a plain door rather than a water dispenser cut into the door.

I have an LG counter depth french door fridge with ice and water in the door and hate the ice maker. It always jams. We don't use the water all that often. Next fridge will have icemaker inside.

Definitely the water and ice dispenser inside, IF you must have that feature. I find the external ones very unsightly and unnecessary. I have a plastic scoop in my ice bin for people to use when filling their glasses. No hands in the ice. And if you can swing it, a filter faucet works way better than the water dispenser in the fridge.

But contrary to what Patricia stated, "Freezing does not kill germs and bacteria. Instead, it essentially puts them into hibernation. They are inactive while the food is frozen and will “wake up” as soon as the food thaws. And as the food thaws, so will the moisture, which means the bacteria will have the moisture it needs to survive."

Interesting comments! Thank you all! Everyone has suggested to NOT get the outside water/ice dispenser and get the inside water dispenser with the ice on the bottom. I did not expect it to be unanimous! Your thoughts, opinions and experiences have really helped! Thanks!!

I went through this decision process recently when replacing a fridge. Old fridge had water and ice outside. Gave it some thought, for all the reasons listed above, and still decided on outside. It gets used a lot! So I was not willing to give up the convenience. On top of that, that model was on sale, so ended up cheaper than inside.

I've had both. Currently we have the one with both dispensers on the outside. This was a conscious decision on our part after getting fed up with having to open the fridge every time we wanted to get a glass of cold water and having to get into the ice bin to get some ice.