Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side refrigerator review

With a generous capacity, adjustable shelving and an ice and water dispenser, the Samsung RS25J500DSR is our top pick of affordable side-by-side fridges.

Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side refrigerator review
(Image: © Samsung)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

You get a lot for your money with the Samsung RS25J500DSR, including LED lighting, power freeze and cool functionality and a generous capacity.

Pros

  • +

    The most affordable model we reviewed

  • +

    Power freeze and cooling

  • +

    Generous, family-friendly capacity

Cons

  • -

    No Energy Star certification

  • -

    Less high-tech than other modern options

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The Samsung RS25J500DSR is the best side-by-side refrigerator for value-for-money, coming in at around the $1000 mark. With a good warranty covering the sealed system for five years, as well as smart adjustable design and a large 24.5 cubic foot capacity, this is great for families or those on a budget. 

More affordable side-by-side fridges come with less fancy extras, but there’s still a lot we like about the Samsung RS25J500DSR. For other alternative options, you can also check out our best French door refrigerators.

Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side refrigerator review: Features

  • Power freeze and cool controls 
  • Humidity-controlled crispers
  • No night light or grate on the water dispenser

This is a big fridge for the price. It has a capacity of 24.5 cubic foot and features four spill-proof, tempered glass shelves and four bins for storing up to 25 bags of groceries. No more fridge-tetris, even for large families. There’s two humidity-controlled crispers for your fresh fruit and vegetables to make them fresher for longer. 

The Samsung RS25J500DSR has a power freeze and power cool function which lets you boost your refrigerator in advance of bringing home a big shop to tackle rapidly-defrosting frozen goods and lukewarm drinks quickly. This is a great feature which we’ve seen on some more high-end fridges. 

As is standard for side-by-side refrigerators these days, you can grab a cool glass of filtered water or add cubed or crushed ice to your soda with the ice-maker and water and ice dispenser built-in. There’s no night light or grate on the Samsung RS25J500DSR water dispenser, which gives it a less impressive finish. 

Samsung RS25J500DSR

(Image credit: Samsung)

However, it works perfectly well. Water filters need to be replaced every six months as standard, and the water filter life indicator will remind you when this is overdue. This isn’t the most compact ice-maker we’ve seen, for that we suggest the LG Electronics LSXC22396D, but with such a generous amount of storage we doubt this will be an issue.

A great feature for a more affordable fridge is the LED lighting which provides energy-efficient brightness to the interior of the Samsung RS25J500DSR. The space-efficient lighting panels avoid any creation of excess heat, sparing your electricity bill and the nasty effects unnecessary energy usage can have on the planet.

Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side refrigerator review: Size & dimensions

  • 24.5 cu. ft. makes this a mid-size option 
  • Standard depth
  • A bulkier model

The best side-by-side fridges tend to offer between 22 and 26 cubic foot (cu. ft.) of storage space, which puts the Samsung RS25J500DSR right up there as one of the biggest side-by-side fridges on the market with a capacity of 24.5 cubic foot. Perfect for those with a bit more kitchen space or large families. 

There’s 15.7cu. ft. of refrigerator space on offer, as well as an 8.8cu. ft. freezer space. The proportion of freezer to refrigerator space this model is slightly higher than most side-by-side fridges, making it an obvious choice for those who tend to buy more frozen produce. That being said, there’s plenty of room for fresh food too given the generous size of the Samsung RS25J500DSR.

What are the dimensions of the Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side fridge? Well, the model is 38-inches wide and 70-inches tall, with a depth of just over 36-inches. This isn’t a counter-depth model, so you might find it sticks out from your counters and brings a less sleek look. This is an inevitable result of buying a bulkier fridge. If you’re after a counter-depth friendly alternative, we suggest checking out the Samsung RH22H9010SG

Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side refrigerator review: Price

The RRP of the Samsung RS25J500DSR is $1399. This is one of the more affordable side-by-side refrigerators available, and our price comparison software below will show you today's best deals for it at various online retailers.

If you’re looking for more high-end features, why not check out the LG LRSES2706V, which packs in a lot for its price and is super snazzy.  

Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side refrigerator review: Efficiency & warranty

  • Five year warranty on the sealed system
  • No Energy Star certification 

There’s a standard one-year warranty on this refrigerator for all parts and labor, with the sealed system (including the compressor, evaporator, condenser, drier and connecting tubing) covered for five years. This isn’t the best warranty we’ve seen, which goes to the KitchenAid KRSF705HPS, as some models are covered for up to ten on specific parts, but it’s not bad either.

The Samsung RS25J500DSR is a very popular, affordable model. However, the Samsung RS25J500DSR doesn’t have the Energy Star qualification of other models such as the LG LSXS26366S. In terms of efficiency, the Samsung RS25J500DSR has a 695kWh estimated yearly energy use and is predicted to cost around $82 per year in electricity costs. This is a fairly standard price for non-Energy Star certified models. 

Should you buy the Samsung RS25J500DSR?

If you're looking for an affordable side-by-side refrigerator, this is our pick. It still has a generous capacity and comes with thru-the-door ice and water, as well as adjustable shelving. Perfect for a family on a budget. 

Millie Fender
Head of Reviews

Millie Fender is Head of Reviews at Top Ten Reviews. She also works on our sister sites: Real Homes, Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, and Livingetc. As Head of Reviews, Millie is on a mission to make sure that we are reviewing all of the latest and greatest products for you and your home, whether it's a vacuum cleaner or an inflatable hot tub.