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If you’re in the market for a new fridge, one of the first decisions to make is what configuration of doors is best for your space. A side-by-side model typically has two doors that are—you guessed it—side by side, with the freezer on the left and the fridge section on the right.
But when is this design right for you? Well, you may just prefer the look of the longer, thinner doors over a bottom-freezer design, like most French-door refrigerators have. But the side-by-side style is also especially handy for those with narrow galley kitchens (the doors aren’t quite as wide when opened) or for someone who would prefer not to dig to the bottom of a deep freezer bin. “If you are someone who utilizes your freezer a lot, a side-by-side fridge allows for much greater visibility and use of it,” says interior designer Merrill Lyons of Lyons Studio. Another benefit? “It also helps little ones to be able to grab items themselves, so you can position kid-friendly stuff near the bottom,” she adds.
As to which side-by-side model is the right fit for your kitchen, we’ve done the research for you. Whether you’re on the hunt for an extra-colorful statement piece or something more budget-friendly, we scoured appliance stores and the Internet and queried experts to find the six best side-by-side refrigerators on the market. Read on for our favorites.
Width: 36 inches | Water dispenser: No | Ice maker: Yes | Energy Star qualified: No
Why we chose it: The gold standard of luxury fridges in a model with space for everything.
If you have read any of our other guides to refrigerators or, really, done any research on fridges at all, you’re familiar with the Sub-Zero brand. It is a favorite of interior designers, chefs, and home cooks alike for its long life span, powerful compressors, and sleek exteriors.
Their side-by-side model is no exception, with features like Wi-Fi connectivity, moist air for refrigerated foods and dry air for frozen, an air-purification system (inspired by NASA, no big deal) to preserve food and combat odors, and extra-bright LED lights in the interior. There is also ample storage on both doors, with adjustable bins to accommodate even oversize glass bottles. But the coolest features (pun intended) are the magnetic seals on the doors. If you’ve ever tested a Sub-Zero, you’ll be familiar with the little bit of muscle it may take to open the door, but that same seal also helps to seriously prevent food from spoiling. Owners have reported that power outages of multiple days still didn’t affect the frozen foods in their fridge. It may lack a built-in water dispenser, but there’s still plenty of shelf space inside for your favorite filtered water pitcher.
Width: 36 inches | Water dispenser: Yes | Ice maker: Yes | Energy Star qualified: No
Why we chose it: An affordable model with a sleek exterior and many features found on higher-end models.
With large appliances you usually get what you pay for, but Samsung’s budget-friendly side-by-side refrigerator with ice maker goes above and beyond its low price tag. Power-wise, it uses an all-around cooling method to keep all your groceries evenly chilled, as well as an in-door ice maker that allows for more usable space in the freezer section. We also love its sleek, smudge-proof exterior, which comes in white, black, or stainless steel.
Its side-by-side model has also been recently redesigned and now offers 10 percent more storage space than before, in the form of gallon-friendly door shelves, an adjustable top shelf, and roomy, clear produce bins. Smart door alarms, a built-in water dispenser, and a large 27.4-cubic-foot storage capacity make this Samsung model the best bang for your buck.
Width: 42 inches | Water dispenser: No | Ice maker: Yes | Energy Star qualified: Yes
Why we chose it: A professional-quality appliance that can match any kitchen.
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line fridge that’s also design-forward, there is no better choice than this extra-roomy Viking. It comes in 17 different colored finishes, ranging from the more classic black and stainless steel to a cheery San Marzano red and a retro-chic Bywater blue.
But apart from its good looks, this is a machine that’s worthy of a restaurant kitchen. Let’s start with the guts: It boasts one of the quietest and most powerful compressors on the market, which means your temperature stays where you set it. Pair that with an ion air purifier that eliminates airborne bacteria and mold spores, and your carrots will stay almost as fresh as the day they were plucked from the earth. We also love how much attention was paid to the fridge’s durability: The drawer bins are made of metal to be extra-sturdy, and the model was upgraded with extra-durable hinges. And as if that weren’t enough, this fridge was recently redesigned to accommodate an extra-large pizza box, so say goodbye to that pizza-night fridge reshuffle. This fridge isn’t cheap, but it earns its price tag with impeccable design and durability.
Width: 36 inches | Water dispenser: Yes | Ice maker: Yes | Energy Star qualified: Yes
Why we chose it: An almost infinitely customizable exterior with unique features inside.
While paneling your fridge to match your cabinets is certainly a popular design choice in 2022, sometimes you just want to stand out a bit more. For those of you who want your fridge to make a statement, let us direct you to Samsung’s Bespoke line, which offers eight different colors and two finishes for the exterior, plus the ability to choose a different color for the top and bottom doors.
But we wouldn’t recommend this just because it’s so pretty: It’s a reliable machine packed with smart storage solutions and fun customizable extras. You can opt for a beverage center, which boasts both a water dispenser and a self-filling removable pitcher, accessed via its own door-in-door, so you still have plenty of storage bins on all four doors. Other features we love are the two different types of ice it produces (who doesn’t love ice bites?), a lower-right storage space that can toggle from fridge to freezer, and a built-in deodorizing filter.
Width: 42 inches | Water dispenser: No | Ice maker: Yes | Energy Star qualified: No
Why we chose it: An elegant appliance that can connect to many of your favorite devices.
A good fridge will keep your food fresh. But a great one, like this Monogram, will use a multishelf air tower and connect to your Amazon Alexa while it does it.
While we first were drawn to Monogram appliances for their sleek design, we’ve since become even more impressed by their high-tech features. That multishelf air tower for example? It circulates air and helps keep food super-fresh. There’s also a climate-control drawer that can be set to express chill or express thaw, depending on what you’re planning to serve or cook. And, of course, the fridge is Wi-Fi enabled, which means you can connect everything from Amazon Alexa to Google Assistant to help you control settings and stay up to date on maintenance. Its shallow depth (about 25 inches) also makes it a great counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator for narrow galley kitchens.
Width: 42 inches | Water dispenser: No | Ice maker: Yes | Energy Star qualified: No
Why we chose it: A fridge that keeps your veggies extra-crisp and looks beautiful, to boot.
One brand that flies a bit under the radar for the average consumer but is a favorite of restaurant industry pros is JennAir. But that’s not to say that this company only makes professional-style models: Its fridges are actually some of the most high design out there (just take a look at its signature obsidian black interiors).
Aside from its good looks, this JennAir model wins our approval because of all the features put in place to keep your groceries fresher for longer. Broadly, its patented Precision Temperature Management system uses independent sensors in each compartment to monitor temperatures, but it also has a climate-control drawer for foods you’d like to keep at a separate temperature (like cheeses or even bottles of wine). Its produce-preserver drawer can even remove ethylene gas to keep fruits and veggies fresher for longer.
To choose the best side-by-side refrigerators, we polled Domino’s expert team on what they own in their homes, as well as what they see most frequently in home tours. Along with Lyons, we tapped Albert Fouerti, CEO of Appliances Connection, for their deep knowledge of different fridge brands and models. The winners were chosen with an eye to quality, durability, storage space, and, of course, style.
Don’t worry that a side-by-side model won’t have as many color choices as other configurations. “Most manufacturers offer the same finish options for all of their side-by-side, French-door, and bottom-freezer refrigerators,” says Lyons. Panel-ready options are also available for most higher-end brands, if you want a sleeker look.
“Generally, side-by-side fridges come in 42- and 48-inch-wide options,” says Lyons, but 36 inches is also easy to find. “But there is actually a variety of depths, ranging from counter depth of 24 inches up to over 30 inches deep, depending on the manufacturer and model.”
In short, look for the Energy Star label. If your model qualifies, it means your fridge has a high-efficiency compressor that uses less energy, quality insulation, and temperature and defrost systems that will help save on electricity bills.
The best side-by-side refrigerators are pretty similar to French-door or bottom-freezer models. They should have roomy storage drawers in the fridge and freezer sections, adjustable shelves, an efficient ice maker—and keep the temperature constant (ideally to within one degree of where you set it). The biggest difference in a side-by-side model is that you usually have more space for bins and shelves on the door sections, which is key if you’re frequently stocking up on gallons of milk (or, you know, champagne).
Do you need a Wi-Fi-enabled fridge? No, but it’s pretty cool. If your fridge is equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, you can do everything from remotely adjusting the internal temperature to checking if your ice maker is full or empty. Crucially, if you connect your smart fridge to the brand’s app, it will also let you know if your machine has lost power (and if you need to go home to eat all your ice cream before it melts).
“Not necessarily,” says Fouerti. But if you want to maximize your freezer capacity, he says to opt for a standard-depth model (as opposed to counter-depth) and look for a configuration that does not have the water or ice maker inside the freezer section of the fridge.
“It’s about 10 to 15 years,” says Fouerti. Although higher-end models like the Sub-Zero can often last up to 20.
“For the most part, you need the same amount of clearance as another type of fridge,” says Fouerti. “If you have a galley kitchen, however, you might be able to walk past the fridge when it’s open, which you couldn’t do with a top-freezer model.”
The best side-by-side refrigerator will depend on your budget, size needs, and design preferences. But our overall winner, the Sub-Zero Classic Side-by-Side Refrigerator, earns high marks for its performance, durability, and aesthetics.
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