One of the integral parts of a modern-day kitchen is ‘Refrigerator’. With dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of models, refrigerators are definitely one of the hot selling commodities in the market. If you too are using a refrigerator, which isn’t getting you the results you would have loved to receive or you are planning to buy a new refrigerator, then you should definitely look at the best side-by-side refrigerator consumer reports.
Side-by-side refrigerators are elegant and spacious, ticking all the points that you wanted to see in your refrigerator. You can keep a wide range of things in a side-by-side refrigerator such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and more. You can even keep leftover food in bags sealed with a vacuum sealer.
Some refrigerators feature an ice and water dispenser on the outside, so if you feel like having iced tea, then you can make it in an iced tea maker with the ice coming from the ice dispenser. A side-by-side refrigerator will make your task a lot easier, which is why you should totally get it. To help you with your quest for the best side-by-side refrigerator, I’ve laid out reviews of 8 best products, so rundown the product list and their reviews and make your selection.
Reviews Of 8 Best Side By Side Refrigerators
1. FRIGIDAIRE FFSS2615TP Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Get this 36-inch side-by-side refrigerator not just due to its large space of 25.5 cu. ft., but also its eye-pleasing design, which draws attention of everybody. The refrigerator is packed with many amazing features, which make this product worth considering. The unit is equipped with PureSource 3 Ice and Water Filtration system, which allows you to have filtered water right from the dispenser installed on the front of the refrigerator. You will also get alert regarding the replacement of the filter, which is a smart thing to add.
The versatile design of this refrigerator lets you organize and customize the interior storage in dozens of ways. The door storage along with edge-to-edge shelves promise storage of more food. This refrigerator is a perfect unit who want to keep things organized to get them quickly and easily. Other features of the unit include, LED lighting and Ready-Select LCD controls. Coming to the warranty, then the company offers 1-year warranty against all manufacturing defects.
2. FRIGIDAIRE FGSS2635TF Side-by-Side Refrigerator
This is another 36-inch side-by-side refrigerator by Frigidaire, which comes with 25.5 cu. ft., capacity and a mesmerizing design. This refrigerator too has an amazing set of features, such as PureSource 3 Ice and Water Filtration system, which lets you enjoy filtered water from the water dispenser installed on the right-side door of the refrigerator. The refrigerator also incorporates PureAir Ultra Filters, which keep the air inside the refrigerator cleaner and fresher by removing bad odors from food.
The refrigerator sports a versatile design that allows you to keep things well organized. You will get ‘Store-More Gallon Door Bins’ to keep large items such as gallon of milk easily. Then, there is a multi-level LED lighting to help you see the insides of refrigerator much easily. A chill drawer is also a great addition to the refrigerator that quickly cools the food and beverages. You can easily set and change the settings of the refrigerator, courtesy of Ready-Select LCD controls. The company offers 1-year warranty on the product against all manufacturing defects.
3. FRIGIDAIRE FFSC2323TS Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Check out this 36-inch side-by-side refrigerator from Frigidaire, which looks the same as its previous counterparts, but has a slightly lesser capacity at around 22.2 cu. ft. But, it compensates for the less capacity with more incredible features such as the internal storage, which you can adjust to your liking.
Just like its siblings, this refrigerator too comes with PureSource 3 Ice and Water Filtration system, which allows you to have filtered water right from the dispenser installed on the front of the refrigerator. A filter change alert is also installed to let you know when to replace the filter. The drawers of this refrigerator are incredibly spacious and humidity controlled, thus letting you keep more food in a fresh environment. Not just the drawers, but the door bins are very spacious too, allowing you to store a gallon of milk easily.
Then, there are edge-to-edge shelves, which make more space for your food items. A notable feature of this refrigerator is its counter depth design, which can save over 4 inches of floor space. Other features of the unit include its Ready-Select LCD Controls, Deli Drawer for keeping meats and cheeses in a convenient location and Control Lock Option. The warranty period is same as in other Frigidaire refrigerators, i.e., 1 year.
4. Fisher Paykel Activesmart 17 Cu. Ft. RF170ADX4 French Door Refrigerator
If you want to know who is making one of the most efficient and reliable side-by-side refrigerators, then why don’t you check out ‘Fisher & Paykel’? This company has been manufacturing top-notch appliances for decades. The refrigerator that I’m reviewing is the flagship model of the company when it comes to side-by-side refrigerators. The overall capacity of the fridge is 20.1 Cu. Ft., whereas the compartment where fresh food is stored, has a capacity of 14.6 Cu. Ft.
This ActiveSmart refrigerator comes with three full-length shelves that can be moved up and down in the compartment. If you want to accommodate a tall item, then you can take out the shelf easily. The deli drawer comes with five temperature settings, thus letting you store a wide range of items, from cheese to meats and all sorts of beverages.
You will only get a water dispenser on the outside of the refrigerator. If you want ice for your drinks, then you can get it from the freezer or you’ll have to buy a portable ice maker for making lots of ice in a quick time. The control of the water dispenser is given inside the fridge, so if you want to change the cooling of water, then you’ll have to open the fridge and then make the right settings.
The company has provided buttons to control a number of features such as preset temperature changes, freezing options, quick chilling and ice production rate. To sum up its review, I would say that this is a durable refrigerator that is packed with some pretty incredible features.
5. Haier 16.0 Cu. Ft. 4 Door Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Stainless Steel
Haier has become a common household name in the US because of its quality products and reliable aftersales service. The refrigerator in the discussion is no different, as it is a four-door bottom freezer refrigerator, which comes with large storage. The stainless steel construction adds strength and durability to the unit and ensures longevity.
This is a high-scale door refrigerator that comes with a freezer at the bottom. If you have a large family, then this 16 Cu. Ft. refrigerator will be the most suitable option for you. This is a medium-priced refrigerator that comes with many exciting features, which makes it a top choice for those who are looking for a side-by-side refrigerator.
6. GE GYE18JBLTS Side Refrigerator
If you are specifically looking for a refrigerator that has a freezer on the bottom, then GE GYE18JBLTS is your best option. The refrigerator has 15 Cu. Ft. capacity with a width of 33 inches, thus letting you add a variety of food items for cooling. You don’t have to open the refrigerator to get water and ice, as there are water and ice dispenser outside the fridge. The water dispenser incorporates an advanced water filtration system that makes use of MWF replacement filter.
Other features of the refrigerator include two humidity-controlled drawers, tall shelves, and LED lighting. To cool down the food quickly in order to prevent the development of bacteria, enable ‘Turbo Cool Setting’ on the refrigerator. This is an energy efficient unit, which won’t raise your power bills even when you are heavily dependent on the refrigerator.
7. GE GWE19JSLSS French Door Refrigerator
There aren’t too many refrigerators that fit perfectly into spaces where you are looking for a clean look, but this refrigerator from GE will do exactly that. The innovative design and sleek look of this refrigerator won’t stick out past your kitchen counter, thus giving a refined look to your kitchen. It is not just the design of this refrigerator, which attracts users, but the inclusion of a number of incredible features as well.
The refrigerator comes with a large freezer compartment, temperature-controlled drawers, and cantilevered spill-proof shelves. Along with that, the refrigerator incorporates an ice and water dispenser on the outside, so you don’t have to open the refrigerator and disturb the cooling process. You will also like the inclusion of Gallon Door Storage, TwinChill Evaporators and LED lighting. With a storage space of 22.2 Cu. Ft., it is most likely to keep everything that you want to store in the fridge.
8. Haier HRF15N3AGS 15 Cu. Ft. French-Door Refrigerator
If you are looking for an economical option in side-by-side refrigerators, then you should definitely consider Haier HRF15N3AGS, as it is Haier’s entry-level model, which is packed with many amazing features that you are most likely to use. First of all, it is a plug and use type of an appliance, so there is nothing complicated about its setup. Secondly, it comes with electronic temperature controls that allow you to select precise temperature with one-degree increments. There is a boost option, which if you enable would increase the flow of cold air to rapidly cool fresh food kept in the fridge along with a freezer compartment. The capacity of this refrigerator is 15 Cu. Ft., which is also its only drawback.
Best Side by Side Refrigerators: Buying Guide
It is impossible to imagine a modern-day kitchen with a refrigerator because a refrigerator is responsible for keep food fresh and eatable for a long time. It’s not the question of whether you need to the refrigerator or not, the question is what type of refrigerator do you need. Let’s discuss a few points that will help you buy the right type of refrigerator.
Size of the family
The refrigerator you want to buy depends a lot on the size of your family. If you live alone, then a refrigerator having a capacity of 40-80 liters will be sufficient for you. For families up to 3 members need a refrigerator having a capacity of 80-240 liters. Families with 4-5 members need 240-400 liter capacity of refrigerator and families with more than 5 members to need a large refrigerator with 400-liter capacity.
Types Of Refrigerators
There are several kinds of refrigerators available on the market. You will see refrigerators with a single door, double door and now, triple door as well. Double door and triple door refrigerators are obviously the larger ones with more capacity.
Side-By-Side Double Door Refrigerators
This type of refrigerator has a fridge compartment on one side with the freezer compartment on the other. The fridge to freezer ratio varies brand to brand, plus you can switch the freezer mode into the fridge mode as well.
Capacity: Side-by-side refrigerators start from 500 liters and go up to 800 liters. Some refrigerators feature water dispensers, large boxes for storing fruits and vegetables.
Energy Efficiency: These refrigerators are generally energy efficient, consuming less than one unit per day; however, it depends upon the usage pattern of users.
Compressor Types: These refrigerators feature two types of compressors, inverter compressors, and reciprocatory compressors. Where inverter compressors work continuously and vary speeds depending upon the load and temperature inside the refrigerator, reciprocatory compressors operate at a single speed and they shut off/on in accordance with the temperature inside the refrigerator.
What Features to Look For In Side-By-Side Refrigerators?
Quick Cool & Quick Freeze
The efficiency of a refrigerator is measured by its ability to keep your food cool and fresh for a long period of time. Refrigerators that are equipped with Quick Cool and Quick Freeze technology are proficient in bringing the temperature from 32 degrees to 5 and then -18 degrees in a matter of few minutes.
Multi-Airflow System
Many refrigerators feature vents on the interiors to circulate the cold air inside the fridge in a uniform manner. It also ensures a constant temperature at every corner, thus keeping all the items fresh for extended periods of time.
Separate boxes for fruits and vegetables
As side-by-side refrigerators come with more space, so you can have different boxes for storing fruits and vegetables. The advantage of having separate boxes for fruits and vegetables is that their aroma doesn’t get intermixed.
Larger Freezers
A side-by-side refrigerator comprises a fridge on one side and freezer on another. For a vegetarian family, the fridge to freezer ratio will most likely be 80:20 whereas that of a non-vegetarian family be 70:30. Therefore, you need to decide what ratio is ideal for your family.
Warranty
You will see almost every side-by-side refrigerator coming with at least a one-year warranty, but some manufacturers are generous and so, they offer longer warranty period on their products. The compressor of refrigerators is covered under 5-10 years of warranty.
Inbuilt Stabilizer
Refrigerators these days are equipped with inbuilt stabilizers; therefore, you don’t need to invest in a voltage stabilizer separately. If the voltage fluctuates a lot in your area, then you can have one.
Cost
The cost of a side-by-side refrigerator varies from brand to brand, but be prepared to shell out anywhere between $1,800 and $3000 for a quality side-by-side refrigerator.
Final Verdict
When it comes to side-by-side refrigerators, there won’t be any product that will disappoint you in terms of cooling, but the selection process will be premised upon the features that you want to see and use in the refrigerator. If you are interested in water and ice dispenser on the refrigerator’s door or plenty of one-touch features, then you will have to shell out more money. I have reviewed all types of products in my reviews of the best side by side refrigerator consumer reports, so you can just take a quick look at those reviews again to be sure of the product that you have shortlisted.