The Best Side-By-Side Refrigerators To Maximize Food Storage Space
Side-by-side refrigerators are among the most popular styles available today, and for good reason. The best side-by-side refrigerators offer generous fridge and freezer capacity and ample storage options to keep your goods accessible and at eye level. Our top choice is the Frigidaire 25.6-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator for its responsive temperature control and convenient ice dispenser.
There are some definite perks to this style of appliance. They help you avoid bending over to fish things out of the crisper drawer and can be space-saving, notes Mallory Micetich, home expert at Angi. “Side-by-side refrigerators tend to be smaller than other types of refrigerators, which makes them a great option for homes with small kitchens,” she says. “These compact refrigerators have a lot of freezer space.”
When choosing the right model for your home, it’s important to consider what depth you prefer, whether you want built-in dispensers for water and ice, your go-to finish, capacity and budget. Some side-by-side refrigerators even have smart features, according to Aaron Wilson, a home appliance expert for JustAnswer. Whether you’re in the market for a basic model or want something swankier, these are the best side-by-side refrigerators to meet a range of needs.
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Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator Overall: Frigidaire 25.6-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
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Best Side-By-Side Countertop Depth Refrigerator: GE 21.8-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
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Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator With Water And Ice Dispenser: Whirlpool 24.6-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator With Ice Maker
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Best Value Side-By-Side Refrigerator: Hamilton Beach 20.6-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
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Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator Without Ice Maker: Maytag 24.9-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
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Best Small Side-By-Side Refrigerator: Forno Salerno 15.6-Cubic Feet Built-In Side-By-Side Refrigerator
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Best Smart Side-By-Side Refrigerator: LG InstaView Craft Ice 27.1-Cubic Feet Smart Side-By-Side Refrigerator
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Best Upgrade Side-By-Side Refrigerator: Samsung 35.9 Inch 26.7-Cubic Feet Standard Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator
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Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator For Small Kitchens: Whirlpool 20.6-Cubic Feet Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator
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Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator For Large Kitchens: Café 29.5-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Built-In Refrigerator
Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator Overall
A Moderately Priced Fridge With Plenty Of Adjustability
Frigidaire 25.6-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 32.7 x 36.2 x 68.1 inches | Weight: 278 pounds | Capacity: 25.6 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Spacious interior
- Exterior water and ice dispenser
- Responsive temperature control
Cons:
- Ice maker takes up freezer space
This Frigidaire model offers a 25.6 cubic feet capacity that’s roomy enough to meet the needs of most households. It features the brand’s EvenTemp Cooling System that responds quickly to temperature shifts, so you don’t have to stress about food going bad when you restock groceries. Built-in crispers seal to lock out dry air, while adjustable gallon door bins and removable glass shelves allow you to customize your storage situation. There’s also an exterior dispenser for water and ice, so you can get a cold drink without interfering with your fridge’s interior temperature. Bright LED lighting makes it easy to see what’s inside. The fridge even offers a special filtration system to pull out up to 99% of contaminants that would otherwise lurk around your food.
Best Side-By-Side Countertop Depth Refrigerator
A Sleek Fridge That Fits Flush Against Your Cabinets
GE 21.8-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 30.7 x 35.7 x 69.5 inches | Weight: 340 pounds | Capacity: 21.8 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel, slate | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Edge-to-edge shelving to maximize storage
- Fingerprint-resistant finish
- Advanced filtration removes trace pharmaceuticals from water and ice
Cons:
- Water filter sold separately
A countertop depth refrigerator allows you to seamlessly configure your fridge with your cabinets, so you don’t have to remodel your kitchen when upgrading your appliance. These are shallower than standard fridges, but this GE model manages to make good use of available space with adjustable glass shelves in the fridge and freezer. (Worth noting: The freezer has an extra-long shelf above the ice maker for added storage.) The fridge has smart features like temperature controls at the front—no need to reach around all your food to adjust the interior’s level of coolness—along with water filtration that removes trace pharmaceuticals from your water and ice. Electronic sensors keep tabs on your interior temperature and make adjustments accordingly.
Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator With Water And Ice Dispenser
Switch Between Crushed And Cubed Ice With Ease
Whirlpool 24.6-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator With Ice Maker
Dimensions: 31.6 x 35.9 x 69.6 inches | Weight: 262 pounds | Capacity: 24.6 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel, biscuit, white | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Easy-to-use ice and water dispenser
- Wall-to-wall glass shelves
- Adaptive defrost in freezer
Cons:
- No open-door alarm
Grabbing a customizable glass of water is easy with this Whirlpool refrigerator. It offers the options of crushed or cubed ice, along with water dispensing. (There’s also a lock on this feature in case you’re concerned about tiny hands playing with it.) Wall-to-wall frameless glass shelves make it easy to see what’s inside, while electronic controls make it clear what your desired and current temperature is. On the freezer side, enjoy adaptive defrost to help prevent build-up. This appliance has hidden hinges and your choice of three finishes—including fingerprint-resistant stainless steel—for a sleek look.
Best Value Side-By-Side Refrigerator
An Under-$1,200 Option With Pocket Handles
Hamilton Beach 20.6-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 35.9 x 27.8 x 70.1 inches | Weight: 189.6 pounds | Capacity: 20.6 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Costs less than $1,200
- Spacious fridge and freezer compartments
- Sleek recessed handles
Cons:
- No ice maker
- Door bins aren’t adjustable
You’d never know that this Hamilton Beach refrigerator was a budget-friendly option based on its appearance. It has a modern appearance with recessed handles and a stainless steel finish, yet it retails for less than $1,200—a low price point for a side-by-side fridge. It doesn’t have a built-in ice maker or water dispenser, but you do recoup extra space inside the freezer for a total capacity of 7.42 cubic feet. The glass shelves inside the appliance are adjustable to suit your needs, but unfortunately, the door bins are fixed in their position. Still, it’s hard to beat the price for a well-made side-by-side refrigerator.
Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator Without Ice Maker
Enjoy Extra Freezer Storage Space With This Sleek Option
Maytag 24.9-Cubic Feet Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 33.6 x 35.9 x 69.6 inches | Weight: 220 pounds | Capacity: 24.9 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Larger freezer area
- Wall-to-wall shelving
- Fingerprint-resistant exterior
Cons:
- No open-door alarm
An ice maker can be a polarizing feature: Not everyone wants the noise that can come with it and some prefer to use that space for other things. This Maytag fridge doesn’t have an ice maker, allowing you more freezer area to fill with your favorite frozen goods. The refrigerated side boasts adjustable gallon door bins, along with wall-to-wall glass shelving to customize your interior. There’s also a FreshLock crisper to keep your produce in top shape, along with a strongbox hinge to seal in cold air. The appliance’s sleek exterior is fingerprint-resistant to hide smudges and streaks.
Best Small Side-By-Side Refrigerator
A Petite Appliance That Gets The Job Done
Forno Salerno 15.6-Cubic Feet Built-In Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 27.4 x 32.9 x 70.1 inches | Weight: 176 pounds | Capacity: 15.6 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel | Warranty: 2 year
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Can be built into cabinetry
Cons:
- No ice maker
If you’re dealing with a tighter space, consider this Forno model. It’s just 27.4 inches deep and shy of 33 inches wide, making it a more petite appliance as far as refrigerators go. The fridge even weighs significantly less than others. This model isn’t overly fancy, but it still contains features most will enjoy, including LED lighting, one gallon door bins and adjustable shelving in both the fridge and freezer sides. The fridge also has clear pull-out drawers at the bottom to allow you to see what’s inside.
Best Smart Side-By-Side Refrigerator
A Tech-Lover’s Dream With A See-Through Door
LG InstaView Craft Ice 27.1-Cubic Feet Smart Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 33.4 x 35.9 x 70.2 inches | Weight: 296 pounds | Capacity: 27.1 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel, black stainless steel | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- See-through front panel
- Dual ice makers
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a deli drawer
The LG InstaView is a far cry from the fridge most people grew up with. This game-changer features a smart panel that seamlessly switches from tinted to clear glass with two knocks, allowing you to quickly see what’s inside without opening the door. The fridge offers a roomy 27 cubic feet of space, along with little perks like the brand’s Craft Ice, which is designed to melt slower than standard cubes. Pocket handles, along with your choice of fingerprint resistant finishes, create a sleek exterior. Enjoy dual ice makers, so you never run out. There’s even a UV nano water filtration system that kills up to 99.99% of bacteria on the nozzle every 24 hours. This fridge syncs up to LG’s ThinQ app, allowing you to control the fridge and freezer temperature, make extra ice or run diagnostics, all from your phone.
Best Upgrade Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Write Out Your Schedule And Share Photos On The Fridge
Samsung 35.9 Inch 26.7-Cubic Feet Standard Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 33.5 x 35.9 x 70 inches | Weight: 306 pounds | Capacity: 26.7 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel | Warranty: 5 year
Pros:
- Smart display on exterior
- Energy Star certified
- Longer-than-average warranty
Cons:
- No light on water/ice dispenser
This Samsung model has an incredibly unique feature many parents will appreciate: A built-in Family Hub, a smart element that allows you to share pictures and reminders, right on your fridge’s exterior. You can also stream music and even watch shows—on your fridge. The appliance itself has a roomy capacity, along with the brand’s All Around Cooling to ensure every item stays at your desired temperature. An in-door ice maker helps save shelf space in the freezer. The interior shelves and door bins are all adjustable to help you customize your space. This fridge comes in standard and counter depths.
Best Side-By-Side Refrigerator For Small Kitchens
A Counter-Depth Option With Plenty Of Interior Space
Whirlpool 20.6-Cubic Feet Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Dimensions: 29.75 x 36 x 68.9 inches | Weight: 242 pounds | Capacity: 20.6 cubic feet | Color: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, black, white | Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
- Counter-depth design
- Fingerprint-resistant exterior
- Frameless shelves to maximize space
Cons:
- Somewhat noisy
It can be tricky to find the right fridge if you have limited
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