8 Best Side-By-Side Refrigerators In 2023 | Reviews + Guide
If you’re looking for the best side-by-side refrigerators, the GE GSS25GSHSS is the best one to get. It maximizes storage space while ticking all the right boxes. Each side-by-side refrigerators has different strengths when you compare them to each other, and they come in at various price points. In this full guide, I’ll explain the […]
The Top 8 Side-By-Side Refrigerators on the Market Today
Here are the top 8 side-by-side refrigerators that you can buy. I’ve ranked each depending on their best features compared to the others, so you can see which is a better fit for you.1. GE GSS25GSHSS Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best Overall
- Wide variety of finishes
- Great value for money
- Included ice maker
- Maximized internal storage space
- Sliding glass shelf space
- Not suitable for garage use
2. Frigidaire GRSC2352AF Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best Value for Money
- Stable and steady temperatures
- Good storage options for side-by-side fridges
- Through the door ice dispenser
- Filters out ethylene gas from the fresh food storage
- Warm recommended settings
- No smart features
3. Frigidaire FRSS2623AS Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best Budget Option
- Maintains consistent temperatures
- Energy efficient, not a power hog
- Large storage capacity in the fridge door
- Great value for money
- Not a lot of freezer capacity
4. GE GZS22IYNFS Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best Counter Depth
- Gallon door bins
- Convenient digital control panel
- Sleek and modern design
- Freezer compartments for storing frozen chicken
- Needs more freezer space
5. Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best For Large Kitchens
- Large refrigerator and freezer capacity
- Frameless glass shelves
- Water dispenser is measured for full-sized use
- Air filtration system
- Adjustable shelving is limited
- Ice maker can be noisy
6. KitchenAid KRSF705HPS Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best For Reliability
- 10-year warranty
- Energy Star certified
- Good capacity
- Energy efficient
- Expensive
- Only one finish option
7. LG Door-in-Door LSXS26366 – Best Door-in-Door
- Energy-saving door-in-door feature
- Strong LED lighting
- Large freezer space
- Humidity-controlled crisper drawers
- Not Energy Star-certified
- Ice dispenser is a bit weak
8. LG LRSOS2706S Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best For Smart Features
- Has a craft ice maker
- Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Large InstaView door/window
- Smart app support
- Strong LED lighting
- Expensive
- Large footprint
Comparisons Of Top Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Side-By-Side Refrigerators | Total Capacity | Dimension | Finishes Available | Smart | Dispenser |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GE GSS25GSHSS Refrigerator | 25.3 cubic feet | 69.5 x 35.75 x 35.25 inches | Black, stainless steel, slate, white | No | Ice and Water |
Frigidaire GRSC2352AF Refrigerator | 22.3 cubic feet | 69.9 x 36.1 x 28.5 inches | Black and standard stainless steel | No | Ice and Water |
Frigidaire FRSS2623AS Refrigerator | 25.6 cubic feet | 69.88 x 36.13 x 35 inches | Black and standard stainless steel, white, black | No | Ice and Water |
GE GZS22IYNFS Refrigerator | 21.8 cubic feet | 68.875 x 36 x 34.875 inches | Black and standard stainless steel, white, black | No | Ice and Water |
KitchenAid KRSF705HPS Refrigerator | 25 cubic feet | 69 x 35.5 x 34.75 inches | Stainless steel | No | Ice and Water |
LG Door-in-Door LSXS26366 Refrigerator | 26.1 cubic feet | 70.25 x 35.875 x 36.312 inches | Black and standard stainless steel | No | Ice and Water |
LG LRSOS2706S Refrigerator | 27.1 cubic feet | 70.25 x 35.88 x 33.44 inches | Black and standard stainless steel | Yes | Craft Ice, Regular Ice and Water |
What is a Side-by-Side Refrigerator?
Side-by-side refrigerators are fridges with one side each for fresh and frozen food. For those who need to access frozen food often, this is a convenient option. It has two outward-opening doors that you can open either one at a time or at the same time. This means you won’t waste cool air if you only need to open the freezer. The half-and-half out swinging doors that side-by-side refrigerators have also mean that they don’t need much clearance to open fully. This means they’re suitable for compact kitchens. It does all of this without sacrificing any cubic feet of space inside.Differences between a Side-by-Side Refrigerator and other Refrigerators?
There are a few differences between side-by-side refrigerators compared to other refrigerators. Here are the most notable differences. Freezer Drawer Location A French door refrigerator will have you bending down to reach the freezer space, while a top freezer refrigerator will have you reaching up top. Side-by-side refrigerators are much more convenient because everything will be at eye or chest level. This can also be a great feature for those with back pain who can’t bend much. Opening Mechanism Since side-by-side refrigerators have two out-swinging doors, you can open either the freezer or the fridge side without wasting the cool air in the opposite compartment. It also means that you need less space in front to fully open the doors of the fridge.What You Should Know Before Buying a Side-by-Side Refrigerator
There are a few factors you should consider and think about before buying any side-by-side refrigerator. I’ve listed the most important ones below.Refrigerator Type
Before you pick up a side-by-side refrigerator, you should first consider whether it’s the best option for you compared to other types of refrigerators. French door fridges are a popular option now, which have the freezer compartment separate at the bottom. They also have two out-swinging doors similar to side-by-side models. If you want to have more fridge storage space, French door models might be for you. However, they do sacrifice freezer capacity and convenience to access. Top freezer fridges are another option that is more budget-friendly but also sacrifices freezer capacity, aren’t as modern looking, and are not as convenient.Exterior Color and Design
Another thing to consider is what color and design you want in your fridge. Some models only offer one finish, while others have a wide variety. Ideally, you’d want one that matches your kitchen’s color and finish perfectly, but that’s sometimes hard to tell when images on a screen aren’t accurate to real life. You can also try using complementary colors that aren’t precisely the same shade but work well when placed next to each other. This part is the one most suited to each person’s preferences.Features
With technology getting more integrated into our lives every day, many new features get included in newer side-by-side refrigerators. Some smart fridges can connect to an app, where controlling the temperature, choosing your snack, or seeing what you’re low on could be viewable on your phone. Others have features like humidity control and air filters that make your fruits and vegetables stay fresh for longer. Pick a fridge that best fits the features you know that you and your family will use. It’s no use buying a fridge full of features that you won’t really make use of.Door Design
There are four main door designs: ice and water dispenser, windowed, door-in-door, and standard. Standard is just a plain surface. The next most common type is a door with a combo ice and water dispenser. It makes it convenient to get ice and water without opening the fridge. Windowed designs are standard on smart LG fridges that allow you to see the inside contents without you having to open them. Finally, door-in-door designs allow you to open smaller door-in-door compartments built into the door so that you don’t have to open the whole door. This helps save electricity.Storage Space and Capacity
Another consideration you should make is how much space you’ll need. This is usually indicated on the product page or box in cubic feet (cu. ft.) For example, get a counter-depth fridge if you need a smaller fridge that can easily fit in your kitchen and won’t jut out. They usually come between 20 cu. ft. and 22 cu. ft. Meanwhile, the largest fridges are nearly 30 cubic feet in capacity. These are more for larger families that need to store more in their fridges. Also, consider what you’ll be putting into the fridge. Some sizes can’t fit frozen pizza boxes because their dimensions won’t allow it, even if the cubic foot measurements are correct.Size and Kitchen Footprint
What use is a huge fridge if you can’t fit it inside your kitchen? Getting one that’s the right size is just as important as getting one with the correct capacity. The previously mentioned counter depth fridge is perfect if you have limited floor space between your fridge and, for example, an opposing countertop table. Ideally, you should be looking for side-by-side refrigerators that have the highest cubic foot-to-size ratio. For example, if you’re getting a counter-depth fridge, get one that goes all the way up to 21 cu. ft. or 22 cu. ft. Getting one that’s smaller won’t maximize the space.Cost
Probably the most important consideration to make is when it comes to the price you’re paying. You don’t have to get the highest-end fridge if your budget is limited. There are many great value and budget options that do the basic fridge functions well. Some even have features that more expensive models don’t have! Try to get a model that maximizes the features and performance for the lowest price. Better yet, get ones that are on sale for the best value. You can expect to pay between $1,100 for more budget models to upwards of $2,700 for the more premium models.Organization Options
The best organization options on side-by-side refrigerators are those that are edge-to-edge and adjustable. This maximizes the cubic foot space inside the fridge. Take note of what you’ll need to put in the fridge, too. If you regularly bring home large items like a frozen whole chicken, get one with larger bins that can store them. Adjustable organization options are the best because you can adjust them based on what groceries you buy. For example, You might need more cubic foot space for milk. On many of my recommended fridges, you can easily remove some of the glass separators higher to accommodate a tall milk carton.Ice Maker and Dispenser
Having a dual ice maker and water dispenser is a great convenience feature to have on any side-by-side refrigerator. Instead of having to open the fridge and get water or ice from inside the refrigerator or freezer, you can just get it directly from a dispenser located on the outside of the freezer side. Some models even have ice dispensers that can make ice spheres that will melt slower. This is very convenient, especially for making iced coffee and alcoholic drinks. If you prefer a cleaner look, there are also fridge options that don’t have ice makers. The choice is yours!Side By Side Refrigerators FAQs
Now that you know more about the best side-by-side fridges, you might still have questions related to how they work. I’ve answered the most commonly asked questions below.
Both types of fridges have their pros and cons. The main consideration you should make is if you don’t want to bend down a lot to get to the freezer.
If you have regular back pain and can’t bend down a lot, then I’d get the side-by-side refrigerator, as it keeps the freezer at eye or chest level.
French door refrigerators have more space for the refrigerator compartment but have less freezer capacity. Side-by-side fridges are more balanced between the two.
There are many features you can get with side-by-side fridges – ranging from smart ones to temperature and air-filter-focused ones.
The main features I recommend that you should look for are dual ice maker and water dispensers, easy temperature control, and excellent energy efficiency.
While french door fridges have increased in popularity, there are still ways to make side-by-side fridges look modern and sleek.
Get fridges in a black stainless steel finish, slate finish, or standard stainless steel finish to keep them looking fresh and stylish.