Those are really the only significant differences? Not layout or quality or price? I wouldn't worry about matching handles, ever. No one really looks at that, and it will only last anyway until your oven dies. Go for height if it means more actual storage space, but otherwise I'm guessing there are other factors that should matter more.

Similar size in cubic feet and similar layout and features; the kitchen aid is pricier. i find that all fridges these days have great and horrible reviews. so yes, it has come down to height (for appearance) vs handles

CR tested the Frigidaire Gallery GRFG2353AF and the KitchenAid KRFC300ESS, the latter of which appears to be the predecessor of the KitchenAid KRFC302ESS. Neither earned a recommended rating but the CR surveys show Frigidaire refrigerators are relatively unreliable. Also, only 30% of Home Depot owners recommend the Frigidaire (vs 78% for the KitchenAid) so those are two more data points to consider. I'd probably go with the KitchenAid though it costs more than the Frigidaire.

Height would be my main concern. We replaced a Frigidaire Gallery with a KitchenAid fridge a couple years ago. I was very concerned about the height due to the cabinet opening for the fridge. I went to the appliance store 2 or 3 times to measure to be sure (online specs were not correct). It was fine. FWIW, none of our kitchen appliances are the same brand and have different handles.

Yes, all appliances (not just fridges) have good and bad reviews. It’s the reason I always say shop for features, not brand. Quality just isn’t the same now, and it can be kind of a crap shoot.

You need to read the clearances required for the motors to ventilate. Dont assume that a 72”H option will fit into a 72” space. Es Especially since the specs conflict in saying it requires 1” abiove and behind, and then gives the alcove height as 72”.

"then gives the alcove height as 72”"

The specs do not specify the size of the alcove, just the required clearances around the refrigerator.

Expanding on what HU18205843 & wdccruise said, the Dimension Guide for the KA gives some indication that the KA might fit in a 72" high alcove but that is very doubtful. If you haven't already seen it, here's the link to the Guide: https://www.kitchenaid.com/content/dam/global/documents/201503/dimensionguide-w10742059-d-ka.pdf 

According to that guide, that KA fridge's casing is 71⅜" high except at the very front where the there are covers at corners for the hinge mountings for the doors. Those add another ⅝" to the height there. Now, fridge doors should be proud of the enclosure (otherwise they can't swing fully open) but the hinge covers extend back a bit. That's a problem here because the model cited above is a counter-depth model. While some of the 72" tall part of the fridge will be outside beyond the alcove , some will not. Judging from the other KA french-door fridges I've seen (including mine), those hinge covers extend about 4 to 5 inches back. That frontmost area is the part of the fridge that is 72" high. The Guide also says: "To ensure proper ventilation for your refrigerator, allow for ¹⁄₂" (1.25 cm) of space on each side and at the top," and that you also will need at least a 1" space at the back. We're still looking at 3 or 4 inches of the fridge being at least 72" high inside the alcove.

So, the3beards, is your kitchen floor perfectly flat and level in and around the alcove so no fridge leveling adjustments will be needed? Is the alcove perfectly plumb and square? Is the alcove's height also possibly a bit more than 72" (say, 72⅜")?

If not, that counter-depth KA will not fit the space without reworking the alcove.

Puts a rather different perspective on the handle question, eh?

Don't do Frigidaire! It's been 12 years since I got mine, however from day 1 the icemaker never worked, the bins broke within a few years...and two years ago, the freezer drawer bin broke! It's finally now dying. This refrigerator has the been the worst I've ever had! I'd take my mom's 1971 avocado green side by side over the one I have any day!

Go with KitchenAide!

You need the 70" tall fridge in a 72" tall opening for most fridges to ventilate properly. I would go with the 70" standard height fridge. 72" is extra tall.

The KitchenAid refrigerator requires only 1/2" for ventilation at the top.

One store assured me the 72” would fit and another said i shouldnt do it because there is no room for adjustments. I agree it may be too tight KA makes a 70” but it is very small inside- only 20 cubic feet - and the interior water dispenser requires 2 hands to use. I dont like the GE, whirlpool doesnt make my size and i refuse to get LG or Samsung. So… my options are limited. But I still have a choice between ”matching” handles or that industrial look.

I think the consensus is that the handles are irrelevant because the Frigidaire is a terrible fridge. I can tell you I loved the KA fridge I had in my beach cottage.

First you need to know how much breathing space the new fridge will need. BTW I have Fridgedaire commercial fridge / freezer columns they are 18 yrs old not one issue and honestly Fridgedaire wwas one of the first fridge makers so lots of experince The handles are really not an issue ever when choosing appliances . A counter depth fride loses less than 10% storage inside I never want a water dispenser in my fridge what a waste of space IMO You buy a fridge that fits the space to allow air to move around and stop shopping for enough to feed a family for a month then almost most always throw out food. I have a catering biz that is why I have a fridge probaly much bigger than I would need ever for just us.

Maybe you should consider a side-by-side refrigerator. These two did reasonably well in CR's tests, meet your height requirement, and owners who's submitted reviews at HD like them.

• GE GZS22IYNFS
• Whirlpool WRS571CIHZ

“KA makes a 70” but it is very small inside- only 20 cubic feet”

That’s about the size of our KA fridge. I was concerned about getting a counter depth after having a (side by side) standard size. I truly don’t notice a big difference but it’s just the two of us. We also have a second fridge in the garage. I love how much nicer a counter depth fridge looks.

ETA - Our water dispenser’s on the inside. I did not like having the water/ice on the exterior with our previous fridge.

"... old not one issue and honestly Fridgedaire wwas one of the first fridge makers so lots of experince"

Frigidaire of today has very little relation to the original company. Frigidaire started in 1916 as Guardian Frigerator Company. A founder of General Motors (the automobile company) invested in it in 1918, then GM owned it from 1919 to 1979, at which time they sold it to WCI (White Consolidated Industries, which began as White Sewing Machine Company). White bought a bunch of appliance brands, and became WCI in 1964. Electrolux of Sweden bought WCI in 1986.