In plain terms, side by side refrigerators are separated into two parts, with the refrigeration unit on one half and the freezer on the other. Experiment
Compared to the French door models, the side by side refrigerator stretches down to the floor, allowing you to place commonly used items like groceries at eye level.
They tend to be much easier to organize and are also much cheaper than French models.
Side by side refrigerators also come with extra features such as smart displays and water and ice dispensers.
We outlined what you should consider when looking for a side by side refrigerator and also listed five of the best side by side refrigerators.
1. Avanti Model RMS550PS
- Freezer with Total Capacity: 5.5 Cu. Ft. (Refrigerator Capacity:...
- Two Removable, Adjustable Glass Shelves in Refrigerator Section
- Door Bins for Additional Storage
- Vegetable Crisper with Glass Cove
- Molded Decorator Top
The Avanti Model is a small side by side refrigerator that offers the same standard features you can expect from a full sized model.
It features a humidity-controlled crisper drawer where you can store produce and it's also very convenient for space management.
The fridge features 2-liter door bins and two fixed shelves in the freezer unit. It comes equipped with an adjustable thermostat for the units located inside the refrigerator.
The fridge can be used as below counter appliance or place on a counter. It does, however, require 5 inches of clearance space.
The fridge is ideal if space is a constraint. The only downside with this side by side refrigerator is that you'll have to compromise on the ice and water dispensing facilities.
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2. LG LSXS26366S26
- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work...
The LG LSXS26366S comes with door in door technology giving you access to fresh produce easily without opening the fridge.
The ColdSaver panel saves you time and energy by not letting the cold out of the fridge every time you open the fridge hence keeping your food fresh longer.
The refrigerator compartment allows you to place food that is likely to expire sooner where you can see it that way, you can use it faster instead of leaving it to get spoiled.
The main fridge's interior is equipped with a smart cooling and multi-air flow system, which maintains the fridge conditions.
This helps keep your fresh produce at an optimum temperature, and humidity-controlled crispers provide the ideal space to keep vegetables and fruits in perfect condition.
The fridge also features LED lighting, an energy-efficient way to light up the inside without heating it.
The LG LSXS26366S fridge compartment comes with uber impressive storage. The LG model features a gallon door storage, dairy center, and deli meat drawer.
The spill-safe glass shelving is adjustable, making it easy for you to make the most of your space.
The LG LSXS26366S features an external water and ice dispenser that can accommodate various containers from pitchers to glasses.
The LG LSXS26366S is not a counter depth and is just over 70 inches in height with a width of 36 inches and depth of 36 5/16 inches, including handles.
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3. GE PSS28KSH Side-by-Side Refrigerator
- Factory-installed icemaker eliminates the need to fill ice trays...
- Temperature management system combines 4 electronic sensors and a...
- Door alarm notifies you when the refrigerator has been left open...
The GE PSS28KSH side by side refrigerator's total capacity is 28 cubic feet which is larger than a lot of French door refrigerators.
It comes with four shelves, three of which are adjustable, two have raised spill-proof edges, and one is a sliding shelf.
Additionally, the shelves are quite deep, and it features three adjustable one-gallon door bins.
The fridge features two crispers: The middle crisper has high and low humidity control, while the lower one is a seal crisper.
The fridge also comes equipped with extra bright lighting, a turbo cool setting that keeps the food fresh for longer, and a door alarm.
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4. Frigidaire FFSS2615TS
- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work...
If you value storage and organization, then The Frigidaire FFSS2615TS would be best suited for you.
It makes storage and organization of groceries really easy. It offers a large capacity and adjustable storage areas with cubic feet of 25.5.
It features two crisper drawers for fruits and vegetables, many storage options on the door, including a covered Dairy Compartment, 2 Gallon Door bins, and 2-Liter Adjustable Bins.
The freezer space features 1 Full Freezer basket, 3 wire shelves, and 4 White Bins in the door, which allow for better organization of frozen food.
The model offers 16.5 cubic feet of fresh food capacity and 9 cubic feet of freezer capacity. Other features include an external ice and water dispenser with 2 Paddle Design.
The ice maker dispenses cube or crushed ice automatically, while the PureSource 3 water filtration system offers clean water.
The fridge is equipped with bright lighting and comes with Ready-Select LCD controls, making it easy to select options at the touch of a button.
The model also features SpillSafe shelves, which help contain spills and make cleaning up a lot easier.
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5. Frigidaire FFSS2315TS
- 22. 1 Cu. Ft. Capacity/ 33 Inches Wide
- Adjustable Interior Storage
- Multi-Level LED Lighting
- Dimensions (WHD): 33" X 69 5/8" X 32"
The Frigidaire FFSS2315TS side by side refrigerator is an ideal refrigerator for small spaces.
It is 33 inches wide and boasts an impressive 22 cubic foot capacity. It features a water and ice dispenser with a built-in filter.
The fridge comes with numerous storage options including, 2 Liter door bins and 2 Gallon door bins.
The freezer space includes 3 fixed wire shelves, 4 fixed door bins, and 1 freezer drawer.
It also features bright LED lights that allow you to see everything inside your fridge. The wire shelves are deep; hence they can accommodate lots of food.
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What To Look For In The Best Side-by-Side Refrigerator
a) Capacity
The capacity of a refrigerator is measured in cubic feet. The average side by side refrigerator tends to have about 25 cubic feet of space.
This is a higher average than that of a French door or narrow refrigerator.
There are side by side refrigerators with as little as 21 cubic feet and other models having as much as 28 cubic feet of space.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you need a spacious interior model, you should expect its build to be wider and taller than others.
b) Refrigerator Doors Design
While shopping for side by side refrigerator, you’ll have to consider what door design suits your lifestyle and budget.
Some side refrigerators come with water dispensers which is convenient if you enjoy entertaining, preparing drinks, or working out.
The downside with this design is that the required ice maker takes up space in your freezer.
Other side by side refrigerators come equipped with smart screens or door-in-door design, which allows you to grab a snack without opening the entire fridge.
These refrigerators tend to cost more to operate and to purchase.
c) Organization Options
Organization is key when it comes to a refrigerator. You want to be able to store all your groceries, meat and drinks.
When it comes to a side by side refrigerator, you should be on the lookout for adjustable shelves, door bins, baskets, a deli drawer, and a butter keeper.
Now, not all these features are guaranteed. However, if you want to make the most of your fridge’s interior, you’ll want to ensure that the layout fits your current and future needs.
Your side by side refrigerator should typically have four shelves in both the fridge and freezer portions, one or two produce crispers, and a gallon of door storage.
d) Temperature and Humidity Levels
The best side by side refrigerators feature adjustable temperature and humidity levels.
These help to control energy consumption whilst keeping the food fresh.
While shopping, ensure to check the temperature data on the fridge freezers, as this is key in ensuring your food remains fresh.
Side by side refrigerators don’t normally have the same number of drawer storage as other types of refrigerators.
Hence, humidity control is extremely key. It's important to ensure that the side by side model you select allows you to adjust the humidity based on what you are storing in the drawer.
For example, there are certain fruits such as bananas that require a lot of humidity while they are still ripening.
e) Water and Ice Dispenser
Having a water and ice dispenser can be super convenient, especially on hot and humid days or when you’re entertaining.
Instead of struggling with an ice cube tray, all you need to is place your glass under the dispenser.
The dispensers help conserve energy as the fridge doesn’t need to be opened.
Water dispensers are great, especially since they tend to come with a water filter; hence, you get clean drinking water.
People only need to place their glasses where the dispensers are to get their ice or water.
f) Energy Efficiency
Having an energy-efficient refrigerator is not only good for the environment, but it also saves you money in terms of running costs.
Side by side refrigerators tend to be less efficient than top or bottom-freezer refrigerators.
However, they still do offer precise temperature controls that allow you to regulate your refrigerator’s energy consumption.
g) Smart Features
Smart display technology is more than just displays.
Some of the screens offer smart features such as being synced to smartphones hence allowing for ease of access from anywhere.
These displays can show the refrigerator contents and display reminders for food expiration dates or even update a shopping list for an item if it’s running low.
Depending on the side by side model, how advanced it is, and if connected to WiFi, the smart display can tell you if other appliances such as the washer and dryer have finished running.
You can also play music and video apps and entertain yourself while cooking, washing dishes, or eating.
h) Refrigerator Cutout
When replacing a fridge with a specific cutout ( usually surrounded by countertops and/or cabinetry), ensure to measure your cutout carefully.
The last thing you want is to buy your side by side fridge and return it because it doesn’t fit in your cutout.
Measure the height, width, and depth of the cutout multiple times, and to be sure, leave at least one to two inches between the top of the fridge and above the fridge cabinetry.
Also, leave a couple of inches between the back of the fridge and the wall. These extra inches behind the refrigerator will be helpful for the fridge’s air circulation.
When looking at your cutout's depth, ensure to account for the depths of the fridge’s doors.
If the distance your fridge sticks out from your cabinetry is not as wide as the thickness of the fridge’s doors, you might not be able to open the doors all the way.
i) Counter Depth vs. Non-Counter Depth
Counter-depth refers to the depth of your fridge and specifically how much it sticks out past your cabinetry.
The standard depth for a regular non-counter depth fridge is about 30 inches. If cabinets surround your fridge, it should ideally stick out anywhere from four to six inches.
However, if you have space restrictions or stylistic preference, the best refrigerators to look into would be counter-depth fridges.
Counter-depth fridges don’t have a standard depth measurement; however, they can be as much as six inches shallower than their non-counter depth counterparts.
The downside is that with these models, you lose interior storage space.
When considering a counter-depth side by side refrigerator, ensure that your fridge's width is actually wide enough to support the full opening of the doors.
When refrigerators have a shallower depth, there’s an increased likelihood that the back fridge door might hit the cabinetry before it can fully open.
Something else to consider is that a counter-depth fridge might cost more than a non-counter depth model.
