Best side-by-side refrigerators: the sleekest models with top features, chosen by experts

The best side-by-side refrigerators allow you to fill your house with all the chilled food and drinks you need. With all the space these units offer, you could keep more sauces, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Add to that their sleek design, which enhances the look and feel of your kitchen, and you have yourself a top appliance.

One of the standout features of these side-by-side refrigerators is their double doors, providing two separate compartments for quick and easy access to drinks, sauces, and other essentials. The abundance of shelves further enhances the organization of your food, making your life more convenient and potentially saving you money by reducing the time the fridge doors are open.

Many high-end models now have advanced features like WiFi and app connectivity, allowing you to manage your refrigerator from anywhere. Some even offer a door-in-door feature, providing access to a small section of the unit without opening the entire door, a convenient way to reach for commonly used items without wasting energy.

In this guide, we present the best side-by-side refrigerators currently available. Our selection caters to a wide range of needs, offering more affordable options, larger capacities, and feature-rich models. However, if these don't meet your requirements, you might want to explore the best French-door refrigerators and freezers, where you're likely to find a model that's a better fit for your needs.

The best side-by-side refrigerators we recommend

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Top Ten Reviews is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.

The best side-by-side refrigerator overall

The Samsung RS27T5561SR is an ultimate addition to any modern kitchen, offering a blend of advanced technology and sleek design. Featuring Samsung's innovative 'Family Hub' technology, this side-by-side refrigerator comes with a 27.5-inch touchscreen that allows you to download apps, stream music, and even connect to your smart doorbell.

One of its standout features is the built-in camera that updates your shopping list by capturing the contents of your fridge. With a spacious 26.7 cu. ft. capacity and adjustable shelves, it provides ample room for all your groceries while keeping items evenly cooled with its all-around cooling technology. The fingerprint-resistant finish and bright LED lighting further enhance its appeal.

In addition to its cutting-edge features, the RS27T5561SR is ENERGY STAR certified, ensuring energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. It also boasts ADA-compliant accessibility and a door alarm to alert you of open refrigerator or freezer doors. While it comes with a higher price tag, its five-year warranty and long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a modern, high-tech refrigerator that combines functionality with style.

The best value side-by-side refrigerator

The Amana ASI2575GRS offers generous storage and convenient features, making it a great addition to any home. With adjustable bin doors and shelves, organizing groceries is a breeze, and the built-in ice and water dispenser provides added convenience for the whole family. 

This 36-inch Amana refrigerator boasts touch-sensitive controls and a stainless-steel finish, blending seamlessly with any modern kitchen. The electronic temperature controls and dual-pad dispenser make it easy to access water and ice without opening the door, ensuring efficient operation.

Despite its lack of smart connectivity and lower energy efficiency, the Amana ASI2575GRS remains a top choice for families. Its ample storage space, including adjustable door bins, glass shelves, and drawers, offers flexibility for organizing food items. Plus, the EveryDrop water filter, bright interior lighting, and automatic ice maker enhance the overall user experience.

The best side by side refrigerator without ice maker

The Maytag MSS25N4MKZ is a practical choice. It offers ample storage space without compromising freezer capacity due to the absence of an ice dispenser. Its sleek design features a fingerprint-resistant coating and long, removable door handles, making it an excellent fit for any kitchen. 

The refrigerator has convenient features such as auto-defrost and a crisper drawer to keep vegetables fresh. The front wheels simplify installation, and the compressor boasts an impressive 10-year warranty.

Although it lacks Energy Star certification, this refrigerator operates quietly and boasts efficient LED lighting. Its non-dispense layout prioritizes freezer space, while the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior is easy to clean and maintains a polished appearance. The gallon door bins are sturdy and accommodate tall items, while the 10-year limited parts warranty on the compressor adds to its reliability.

The humidity-controlled FreshLock crisper and BrightSeries LED lighting enhance the overall functionality of the appliance, complemented by the durable stainless steel handles and Strongbox hinge design, which ensure long-lasting performance.

The best large side-by-side refrigerator

The Samsung RS27T5200SR is a sleek and spacious counter-depth refrigerator with a 27.4 cubic feet capacity, making it 10% larger than its predecessor without sacrificing exterior dimensions. Its exterior boasts a stylish anti-fingerprint stainless steel finish with convenient touch controls on the spacious dispenser, offering chilled water, ice cubes, or crushed ice with a simple touch.

Inside, the refrigerator features an automatic ice maker, ample shelves, and large two-gallon capacity door bins illuminated with energy-efficient LED lighting. Although it has a higher price tag, its annual running costs are relatively low at $87. The warranty covers labor and parts for a year, with an impressive 10-year coverage for the compressor, providing users with peace of mind.

This refrigerator is thoughtfully designed, featuring a minimal display dispenser, modern aesthetics, and a fingerprint-resistant finish for easy maintenance. The redesigned interior boasts all-around cooling to ensure even temperatures on every shelf, while the high-capacity indoor icemaker saves shelf space.

Additional features include bright LED lighting, gallon door bins, clear drawers for better organization, an adjustable top shelf for flexibility, and a door alarm to alert users if the doors are left open.

The best luxury side-by-side refrigerator

The KitchenAid KRSF705HPS side-by-side refrigerator is a high-end investment for families seeking reliable performance and ample storage. With a 24.8 cu. ft. capacity and thoughtful features like adjustable shelving and a wine rack placed out of children's reach, it prioritizes functionality and safety.

The Preserva Food Care system, including two independent cooling systems and a FreshFlow air filter, maintains food freshness and minimizes odors. The exterior's PrintShield finish resists fingerprints and smudges, ensuring easy maintenance.

Energy-efficient LED lighting illuminates the interior, while the in-door-ice system optimizes space and convenience. The measured water fill feature allows precise dispensing, and clear door bins with metallic accents provide visibility and easy access to stored items. An exterior ice and water dispenser further enhances usability, making food preparation more convenient.

The refrigerator also has an Energy Star certification to keep energy costs low and a ten-year warranty on the sealed system, assuring long-term reliability. Despite being one of the pricier options, the KitchenAid KRSF705HPS offers the quality and capacity expected at its price point.

The best small side by side refrigerator

The Frigidaire refrigerator is a versatile appliance with a 22.2 cubic feet capacity and a sleek design available in black, white, or silver stainless steel finish. Equipped with an EvenTemp system, this fridge ensures a consistent temperature by continuously circulating cool air, keeping your fruits and vegetables fresher for longer. 

The crisper sections help to maintain the freshness of produce by blocking out cooler air. With an Energy Star rating, it is energy-efficient and cost-effective. However, the control placement on the freezer door may lead to some loss of cold air when making adjustments.

The refrigerator features ice and water dispensers, slightly reducing freezer space, a common trade-off in this refrigerator style. It also offers the EvenTemp Cooling System, storage crispers with a seal to block out dry air, bright LED lighting, and a PurePour water filter, ensuring safe and great-tasting water.

The best smart side-by-side refrigerator

LG's side-by-side InstaView refrigerator with Craft Ice is a sleek and modern addition to any kitchen. It features a convenient InstaView window that lets you peek inside without opening the door, helping conserve energy. The fridge also boasts a Door Cool airdrop to keep the heat out when the door is opened, contributing to its energy efficiency.

The 27-cubic-foot fridge freezer offers ample space for all your storage needs while maintaining a stylish and fingerprint-resistant dark stainless steel finish. It includes features such as a dual ice maker with craft ice, quiet running, Sabbath Mode, WiFi, app support, a child lock, a touch-control ice dispenser, and ceiling LED lighting.

Flat doors, discreet pocket handles, and an edge-to-edge InstaView glass panel enhance the refrigerator's modern exterior design. ThinQ Care integration allows users to receive maintenance notifications and early diagnosis on their phones. The refrigerator's dual ice makers ensure a constant supply of standard ice cubes, crushed ice, and LG's exclusive round Craft Ice.

Best side-by-side refrigerators: comparison

How to choose the best side-by-side refrigerator for you

One of the most important considerations when buying a side-by-side refrigerator is size. How much storage capacity do you need, and, also importantly, how do you need that spaced out? For example, some units are larger than others while still not taking up much more counter depth. But then there are others with more door bin space, which may serve you better than an extra shelf. So think about how you like to access your fridge and lay everything out before you buy.

Do you need extras? Will you use WiFi and an app, or would that extra cost be better spent on a model that looks more impressive in your kitchen?

Warranty is also worth looking at since this can denote the quality of the build. A long warranty not only means you have peace of mind that you're covered if something should go wrong but also is a stamp of build quality from the manufacturer where they're confident it shouldn't go wrong in that time.

Price is another big factor. While there is an upfront cost to consider, keep running costs in mind. Go larger, and it may cost you more. Go for a model with a door-in-door to save on energy or a better Energy Star rating. you may pay more upfront but make savings over the time you have it in your home.

Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson has been an appliance expert for MyJobQuote for four years and has been in the industry for over 25 years. He continues to work for clients, providing appliance diagnostics and repairs while also providing expert advice to industry professionals and homeowners. His expert tips have been featured in various reputable publications over the years.

"It’s important to take a moment and check the dimensions," says Brian Johnson, appliance expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk. "Refrigerators vary in size, so you need to check that they’ll fit into your space.

"Make sure the shelf, rack, and crisper layout is right for your storage needs," he continues. "Is a wine rack handy, or is it wasted space? Do you need extra compartments to keep all your fruit and veg fresh?"

"With bills a big concern at the moment, it’s important to look at your refrigerator's energy costs and purchase price. A double fridge with all the bells and whistles will cost more to run than a simple, compact model. But some basic fridge-freezers and under-counter models can be just as inefficient."

Side-by-side refrigerator FAQs

How long should a refrigerator last?

We asked experts Vaughn Johnson, brand manager for Maytag, and Elise Barsch, social media manager and copywriter for iFixit, this question. Johnson didn’t give a specific number of years but said the expected life of a refrigerator will depend on usage, environmental conditions, and other factors. Johnson suggested people always check and follow appliance and product use and care instructions.

Barsch cited Wirecutter and other sources to estimate that refrigerators should generally last 10 to 15 years. “Research done in Europe suggests that refrigerator lifespan has decreased over the past couple decades  – down from an average lifespan of 20 years in 2000,” Barsch said. She said that while refrigerators don’t last as long as they used to, they are more energy efficient. “Fortunately, legislators in Europe are working to ensure refrigerators are not only more energy efficient while in use, but also more repairable throughout their entire lifespan,” Barsch added.

How much do side-by-side refrigerators cost?

This depends on your budget, the size of your family, and how much electricity costs matter to you. The best side-by-side refrigerators will cost you between $1000 and $2500. However, getting a good side-by-side for less than $1000 is hard. 

Energy Star-certified refrigerators will, on average, cost less to run annually. However, the engineering and strict specifications required to gain this certification mean you will often pay significantly more for a refrigerator with this rating. 

Our reviews considered estimated annual electricity use and energy costs so you can weigh your options. After all, paying $1000 more for an Energy Star-certified refrigerator if it only saves you $10 annually might not make sense. The environmentally conscious will want to consider that, regardless of expense, these models are better for the environment by not wasting electricity needlessly. After all, refrigerators are typically switched on all year round.

What is the best size for a side-by-side refrigerator?

This really depends on your needs. Side-by-side refrigerators typically have a capacity between 20 and 28 cubic feet (cu. ft.). You'll roughly be able to fit one bag of groceries per cubic foot (depending on how skilled you are at fridge Tetris), which sounds like a lot, but it can add up when you consider frozen goods and essentials that you keep stocked up on year-round. 

The best side-by-side refrigerators for big families will be around 25+ cu. ft. in capacity, with models around the 25cu. ft. mark comfortably fitting food for a family of four. The best side-by-side fridges for single people or couples will be smaller, with a capacity between 20 and 25cu. ft., giving plenty of space for smaller shops and less fresh produce.

When considering refrigerator size, consider the shelving in your fridge of choice. Adjustable shelving will enable greater capacity and create more room for bigger items, whereas even larger fridges may not have the best space-saving designs to maximize your fridge capacity.

What features can I get in a side-by-side refrigerator?

Not so long ago, it was rare to find side-by-side refrigerators with thru-the-door ice and water refrigerators. But nowadays, these features seem standard, even in more affordable models. You’d be hard-pressed to find a fridge without them. All the refrigerators we reviewed had this ice and water dispensing function, but if that isn't essential to you, we suggest getting a compact ice-maker to make the most of your freezer space. 

Adjustable shelving is increasingly common in side-by-side refrigerators; these allow you to tailor your fridge to your specific groceries and fit bulky items that might be otherwise awkward to fit in. LED lighting is another standard feature of side-by-side refrigerators. It is essential for allowing you to see into all the corners of your appliance and reducing the energy used. This type of lighting can also reduce heat produced within the bulk of the refrigerator. 

Modern developments have seen the rise of in-door, food showcase, and InstaView functions, which allow you to see and access a subsection of your appliance without losing heat from the main refrigerator itself. There are other smart touches on the market, including some Wi-Fi-enabled models you can control from your phone, and some even allow you to stream your favorite TV shows and music!

What is a counter-depth refrigerator? 

Counter-depth refrigerators are between 25 and 30 inches deep, meaning they sit at the same depth as your kitchen counters for a sleek and built-in feel. However, this shallower depth inevitably compromises fridge space, so if you're looking for a large capacity, you might need to pick substance over style. The best side-by-side counter-depth refrigerators will come in at about 22 cu. ft, whereas larger standard-depth models will go up to around 28 cu. ft., but will stick out from the counter. 

Door-in-door refrigerators minimize energy loss by letting out less cold from your refrigerator each time you want to access your fresh food staples. These smaller, easy-access fridge compartments let you store essentials like milk and butter in a separate compartment, which means less rummaging each time you want to find a commonly-used item and less temperature fluctuation to your regular refrigerator compartment, where you can store larger or less-used items such as meat and vegetables.

The latest developments in side-by-side fridges introduce the 'InstaView' panel to these door-in-door compartments, meaning you can simply knock on the fridge door to see the contents illuminated. There is no need to open your refrigerator to see how much milk is left, which means yet more energy-saving solutions for the tech-savvy and environmentally conscious.

How we choose the best side-by-side refrigerators

Since we started reviewing side-by-side refrigerators in 2011, we have done much research to find the best units available. We know that buying a fridge is one of the most important purchases, so we've poured hours into research to give you informed advice. We evaluated refrigerators with various features, capacities, and price points to ensure those with various needs and budgets will find our reviews useful. We conducted extensive online research, comparing product pages and looking for specific standout features in different models.

More expensive models often have extra features, like door-in-door access that lets you quickly access snacks and save energy by limiting the amount of cold air that escapes. Smart features, which allow you to check the temperature from your smartphone, are also understandably more common on those more expensive models. While this technology is nifty, getting a great side-by-side refrigerator is unnecessary - especially if you're on a budget or have specific measurement and capacity needs. We also reviewed some more no-frills side-by-side fridge freezers for people who'd rather spend money on reliable and carefully crafted models without fancy extras.