We researched the top side-by-side refrigerators on the market, evaluating capacity, energy efficiency, door design, and overall value. Our best overall pick is the GE GSS25GSHSS, which comes with an ice and water dispenser and flexible shelving and storage solutions, and has a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish. Here are the best side-by-side refrigerators. The stainless steel finish promises to keep little fingerprints at bay, so your family can grab snacks throughout the day without leaving any evidence behind. The interior shelves are adjustable so you can customize them to your needs. Keep food prep for the week on the top shelves while fruit and snacks can remain highly visible at eye level. There are two large crisper drawers to keep your veggies fresh as well as a smaller drawer for cheese or deli meats. The door also has adjustable bins perfectly sized for standard milk and juice cartons. On the freezer side, the door contains multiple adjustable bins as well as interior shelves and a drawer near the bottom to pull out for prime food visibility. In addition to the adjustable shelves, door bins, and crispers, the model includes a built-in water and ice dispenser. Despite having a water and ice dispenser, the interior of the freezer is nice and spacious, and the whole unit comes at a reasonable price. Ultimately, the long list of convenient features makes this side-by-side fridge our top choice for your space. Now, what really sets this appliance apart from others like it is the LED dispenser night-light. This feature ensures you can easily grab a glass of water in the middle of the night. On top of the typical shelving and door bins, a deli drawer will also make sure your lunch meats are stored properly. Just be aware: You may have trouble finding space for all of your frozen goods, as the freezer is limited. Otherwise, this Whirlpool model will be unbeatable, especially at such a decent price. Like some other units on the market, it has a built-in water and ice dispenser, but the ice maker is integrated into the door to save freezer space. The inside is well-designed and functional with wall-to-wall glass shelves, adjustable door bins, and humidity-controlled crispers. Now, it’s essential to note that you can’t customize the spacious interior, because the shelving is not adjustable. However, with such a large amount of space, you won’t feel the need to mix things up to squeeze in an extra jug of orange juice or container of ice cream. It measure 36 inches wide, and has a capacity of 22.6 cubic feet. It features an in-door ice maker, which provides extra space in the freezer, and an ice and water dispenser with three programmed settings and two you can design yourself. Both the refrigerator and freezer portions have four shelves, which is plenty of space for a small to mid-sized family’s groceries. A deli drawer will keep your meats and cheeses in the right environment, and KitchenAid’s Preserva Food Care System will make sure air is flowing properly. All in all, this fridge will be a bit of an investment, but won’t likely leave you wishing for more. The appliance has around 25 cubic feet of space—with around 15 cubic feet of that space going to fresh storage, and 10 cubic feet going to frozen storage. Since it doesn’t have a dispenser, the exterior is very clean. Your eyes will quickly be drawn to the stainless steel handles every time you reach for a snack. In terms of the interior, your household can make use of bright, LED lighting and seven (Yes, seven) bins in the freezer. This model is certainly a bit more basic, but gets the job done and comes at a decent price. As for its build, the appliance measures at 69.38 x 35.77 x 34 inches and has a 26-cubic-foot capacity. There’s a built-in ice and water dispenser, and a door-in-door design that gives you quick access to your food and beverages. If you’re a part of a larger family, this door-in-door feature really adds to the efficiency of the model, since the entire piece doesn’t have to be opened up when grabbing a quick drink or snack. Overall, this piece checks off several boxes. It’s aesthetically pleasing, quiet, and functional. Not to mention, it’s very spacious and can hold a ton of groceries.
Capacity
The capacity of a refrigerator is measured in cubic feet, and includes both sections. The average side-by-side model has about 25 cubic feet of space, which is a higher average than that of a French door or narrow refrigerator. This is typically plenty of space for a family of four’s weekly groceries, but can be stretched if your household requires more than the average. You can find side-by-side units with as little as 21 cubic feet and as much as 28 cubic feet of space. Just keep in mind: if you need a unit with a spacious interior, you should expect it’s build to be wider and taller than others.
Organization options
The storage and organization options in a side-by-side freezer can include adjustable shelves, door bins, baskets, a deli drawer, and a butter keeper. However, all of these features aren’t guaranteed. If you want to make the most of your fridge’s interior, you’ll want to make sure that the layout fits your current—and even future—needs. Typically, a side-by-side refrigerator will have four shelves in both the fridge and freezer portions, one or two produce crispers, and a gallon of door storage.
Standout Features
Door-in-door design
A refrigerator with a door-in-door design essentially has one door with an extra layer. The “layer” gives you the ability to access items in the door bins, like juice or condiments, without opening up the entire fridge. This is convenient if your household has children or frequently entertains, as it can prevent the door from being open for too long and letting out the cold air inside. Ultimately, it can help to conserve energy, especially when accompanied by a swiveling door bin.
Technology hub
Beyond being equipped with WiFi and compatible with other devices, some side-by-side fridges with smart capabilities have a technology hub on one door. This hub is a large screen where you can get recipe recommendations, stream music or TV shows, and display photos. This modern feature does make the overall price of the refrigerator rise, but can be handy for home cooks who like to meal plan, multi-task, or stay connected.
Factory-installed ice maker
The advantage of a factory-installed ice maker is that it’s already built into a side-by-side refrigerator. You don’t need to purchase and connect a separate kit, as the brand installs the necessary parts prior to your appliance’s delivery. In doing so, it becomes very unlikely that you’ll need repairs, and deal with ice maker-related leaks. Any household with athletes, avid water drinkers, or remote workers will likely find this most helpful, especially if the ice maker is connected to an external ice and water dispenser.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was edited and updated by Marisa Casciano, who is the large appliance expert for The Spruce. Throughout her career, she’s researched the ins and outs of air purifiers, dishwashers, cooktops, and more in the home and lifestyle space. She’s well-versed on refrigerator design and technology and, after living in multiple places, understands the convenience of certain amenities.
