At a Glance:
What is a Side by Side Refrigerator?
3 Major Benefits of a Side by Side Refrigerator
Whirlpool Side by Side Refrigerators
Samsung Side by Side Refrigerators
KitchenAid Side by Side Refrigerators
Café Side by Side Refrigerators
Refrigerators have come a long way since they first hit the market. Buyers these days have a choice between several fridge styles and features, but knowing which refrigerator style is best comes down to personal preference and understanding what you’ll use your fridge for. If you’re wondering where to begin your journey, take a moment to review our side by side refrigerator guide.
In this review, you’ll learn all the basics of side by side fridges, from pricing to features, plus a look at the best advantages of using a side by side refrigerator. Then, our appliance experts review five of the best side by side refrigerator brands with a recommended pick from each for you to consider.
What is a Side by Side Refrigerator?
Side by side refrigerators are named for their symmetrical doors that create a vertical layout rather than a horizontal configuration similar to other types of fridges. One side is for fresh food (usually the larger compartment), and the other is for frozen items. The unique design comes with several advantages, which we detail below, but before we get there, let’s go over the basics of side by side refrigerators by answering some key questions.
How Big Are Side by Side Fridges?
Brands typically manufacture side by side refrigerators in 30”, 33”, or 36” dimensions to accommodate standard-size kitchens. Models 33” and narrower are usually deeper to make room for more capacity. Side by side refrigerators 36” wide are the most popular option among buyers, and many models come counter-depth, saving floor space without compromising capacity.
Shoppers who have larger budgets can find even larger side by side refrigerators from premium and luxury brands. Sizes include 42” and 48” options with some of the most food storage for a fridge on the market. (Keep reading to read which brands offer these sizes.)
How Much Food Can a Side by Side Fridge Hold?
Don’t be fooled by the narrow look of a side by side refrigerator. In most cases, these refrigerators hold just as much, if not more, than their counterparts. Depending on the brand and the model, you can find side by side refrigerators with anywhere between 18 to 29 cubic feet of storage capacity.
3 Major Benefits of a Side by Side Refrigerator
The number one question buyers ask when it comes to side by side refrigerators is, “Does the design matter?” and the answer is: absolutely! Here are three reasons we love the design of side by side fridges.
✅ (Almost) The Most Freezer Space: After top freezer refrigerators, side by side is the refrigerator style with the most freezer space. However, these fridges have an advantage over top mount fridges, and that’s easier for freezer organization.
✅ Easier Freezer Organization: Because frozen items can be organized on shelves rather than in baskets, users can organize frozen items with better visibility. That way, you never forget about that discount meat or frozen vegetables you stocked up on during a sale.
✅ Side by Side Fridges are Space-Friendly: The vertical door design on side by side refrigeration is more narrow than other fridge doors, which can be a major advantage in tight kitchens. With less clearance required, side by side refrigerators can be installed in snug cabinet cutouts or kitchens with islands with less worry about the doors obstructing or hitting surrounding cabinetry.
→ Learn More: 5 Best Counter Depth Refrigerators
5 Side by Side Refrigerator Brands to Explore by Price
Just about every refrigerator brand these days makes a side by side model, which can make it hard to know which brand is best for your budget. We’ve simplified it for you by reviewing five side by side refrigerator brands ranked from most affordable to our favorite splurge.
Whirlpool Side by Side Refrigerators
Known as an affordable appliance brand for over 100 years, Whirlpool is one of the most famous brands on the market today. The lineup offers 33” and 36” side by side fridges with capacities between 21 and 28 cubic feet, making them perfect for mid-to-full households. Just note, these refrigerators are standard depth and might not be the most space-friendly.
Whirlpool side by side refrigerators cost between $1,300 and $2,200.
Best Whirlpool Side by Side Refrigerator Features:
✱ In-Door-Ice Storage: Enjoy more freezer space with this ice box that fits in the door rather than on the shelves.
✱ Accu-Chill Temperature Management: Responsive sensors react to temperature fluctuations, activating the compressor only when necessary.
✱ EverDrop Water Filtration: This optional water filter removes common harmful contaminants for fresh, tasty water.
✱ Infinity Slide Shelf: Slide this shelf to accommodate just the right amount of space for tall and bulky items.
✓ Our Pick: Whirlpool® 21.4 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Enjoy simple food organization inside this Whirlpool side by side refrigerator with a roomy 21.4 cubic-foot interior with a series of shelves, drawers, and door bins. This side by side fridge is intelligently designed with space-saving features like a can caddy, customizable containers, and freezer drawers that make it easy to sort frozen foods.
Samsung Side by Side Refrigerators
In a recent study, Samsung side by side refrigerators came out on top in customer satisfaction by its users, making the brand one of the most reliable. Samsung manufactures 36” side by side refrigerators, including a few counter depth models. Additionally, nearly every side by side fridge from Samsung is ENERGY STAR certified to please both users concerned with their wallets and the environment.
Samsung side by side fridges are also expansive. The smallest models still offer a hefty 22 cubic feet of storage, while the largest Samsung side by side refrigerator provides 28 cubic feet of organization.
Samsung side by side refrigerators cost between $1,500 and $2,300.
Best Samsung Side by Side Refrigerator Features:
✱ Family Hub: This exclusive feature turns a fridge into a smart device capable of making notes, playing music, looking up recipes, and even checking items inside of the fridge.
✱ Twin Cooling Plus: Keep frozen and fresh food properly preserved with independent evaporators in each compartment that regulate temperature and humidity levels.
✱ Automatic In-Door Ice Maker: This space-saving ice bin provides ample ice without taking up space on the freezer shelves.
✓ Our Pick: Samsung 27.4 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Standard Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Like the satisfied buyers who give this Samsung side by side refrigerator top ratings, we love how this large-capacity refrigerator fuses style with function. Inside, all-around cooling with multi-vent airflow keeps ingredients cool and preserved, whether it’s on the adjustable top shelf, inside the gallon door bins, or inside two crisper drawers. To save space in the freezer, Samsung has designed this model with an in-door ice maker capable of producing pounds of ice daily.
LG Side by Side Refrigerators
In the words of LG, its lineup of side by side refrigerators are designed for “form and function,” which the brand demonstrates with a rich inventory of features (many exclusive to the line!). All LG side by side refrigerators measures 36” with capacities between 22 and 27 cubic feet. The brand includes a couple of counter depth side by side fridges in its lineups, though these units come with less room for storage.
LG side by side refrigerators cost between $1,500 $2,500.
Best Samsung Side by Side Refrigerator Features:
✱ InstaView: LG InstaView refrigerators let you peek inside for quick inventory without opening the door, which lets cold air escape, making the fridge work harder.
✱ Door-in-Door: Stock common snacks and beverages inside this door within a door to quickly find your favorite food without opening the entire refrigerator.
✱ UVnano Dispenser: This advanced water dispenser uses UV light to remove up to 99.9 percent of contaminants in water, including E. Coli and staph.
✱ Door Cooling+: Special vents located at the front of the fridge keep items stocked in the door just as cool as the rest of the interior.
✓ Our Pick: LG 27.1 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Households that need a lot of fridge space will enjoy this LG side by side refrigerator that’s not only loaded with storage at 27.1 cubic feet but also comes with exciting features. Overall, 8/10 buyers recommend this side by side fridge for its easy organization and features like the Door-in-Door with InstaView, which is just as fun to use as it is practical. It also comes with great cooling technology, including Door Cooling+ to keep items in the door safely preserved, as well as Linear Cooling capable of maintaining temperatures at one degree of setpoint.
KitchenAid Side by Side Refrigerators
KitchenAid, which is part of the Whirlpool family, brings the inspiration of professional kitchens to the everyday home with its products. KitchenAid side by side refrigerators features clean designs in premium stainless steel or black stainless steel, recommended for mid- to high-end kitchens. Each model is 36” wide, but KitchenAid does offer a good selection of counter depth side by side fridges if you need to save space in the kitchen.
Overall, KitchenAid side by side cooling units are moderately sized, starting at 19.9 cubic feet of capacity up to 24.8 cubic feet.
KitchenAid side by side refrigerators cost between $3,100 and $3,600.
Best KitchenAid Side by Side Refrigerator Features:
✱ Preserva Food Care System: Twin evaporators help keep optimum food climates in the freezer and fridge to prevent food from spoiling.
✱ PrintShield Finish: This exclusive stainless steel finish repels smudges and fingerprints for easy maintenance.
✱ In-Door-Ice System: This removable ice bin frees up an extra shelf of storage to be able to stock up on more frozen items.
✓ Our Pick: KitchenAid® 19.9 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator
If a counter depth refrigerator is on your bucket list, we invite you to consider this KitchenAid side by side refrigerator. Buyers give this pick an overall rating of 4.1 stars, giving top marks to its sleek design and counter depth fit that provides a high-end look on a budget. As far as technology, this model keeps your items at peak flavor with FreshFlow Air Filter and the Produce Preserver. At 19.9 cubic feet, this is one of the smaller side by side refrigerators on our list, but it’s still ample room for a family of three to four.
Café Side by Side Refrigerators
This small lineup of premium refrigerators is one of the most stylish, with the option to customize hardware in trendy finishes like brushed bronze, copper, and black. Unlike other brands on this list, Café side by side refrigerators are almost exclusively built-in (with the exception of one model). If you’re a fan of stainless steel, you’ll enjoy this line’s showcase of premium stainless across side by side fridges in 36”, 42”, and 48” sizes with capacities between 21.9 and 29.5 cubic feet.
Café side by side refrigerators cost anywhere between $9,430 and $11,130, excluding installation costs.
Best Café Side by Side Refrigerator Features:
✱ Humidity-Controlled Drawers: Keep your produce farm-fresh with specialty crispers with customizable humidity settings.
✱ Quick Ice Setting: Need ice fast? Select the Quick Ice setting on select Café refrigerators to activate a fan and speed up ice production by up to 48 percent.
✱ Spillproof Shelves: Specially designed shelves retain spills and messes for easy cleanup.
✓ Our Pick: Café™ 21.9 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerator
With two more cubic feet of storage as our favorite KitchenAid refrigerator, this Café side by side refrigerator is the perfect pick for buyers who want a luxury side by side refrigerator. Perks include a water dispenser with advanced filtration, adjustable shelving, and ample bins and drawers for fresh and frozen food. Customize this side by side fridge with handles that come in bronze, copper, or black.
For many users, having equal access to the freezer and refrigerator makes side by side fridges the most practical style of food preservation available. With one of these refrigerators, there’s less of a chance for food to get lost in the freezer, and since everything displays at eye level, you can keep your items stocked and organized easier. Check out all the side by side fridges at low prices at Arnolds Appliance near you today!
FAQs
Here are a few more important answers you should consider before purchasing a side by side refrigerator.
Is there more room in a side by side or French door refrigerator?
Both refrigerator styles offer similar capacities, ranging between 18 and 30 cubic feet. The difference lies in the amount of usable freezer space. Side by side models feature more room in the freezer, while French door fridges typically have more fresh food storage.
Are side by side refrigerators more efficient?
While ENERGY STAR side by side refrigerators help conserve energy, overall, these fridges tend to be the least efficient due to the placement of their compressors.
How tall are side by side refrigerators?
Side by side refrigerators usually measure standard heights between 66” and 70”.
Where to buy a side by side refrigerator near me?
If you're located in or around Bellevue, visit Arnold's Appliance for top-quality side by side refrigerators near you! We have a wide selection of leading brands in various sizes, so you can find the perfect fridge for you!
Why Trust Arnold’s Appliance?
Arnold’s Appliance started in the summer of 1956 when it opened its doors as Lakeshore Appliance in Redmond, Washington. John Arnold and his family have since grown the store from just a few brands to the large appliance store it is today and moved to Bellevue in 1999 in search of a larger building. Arnold’s Appliance now offers high-end innovative products from over 45 manufacturers.
In addition to extensive product knowledge, Arnold’s has been providing fine appliances to Northwest builders, remodelers, designers, architects and developers for over 47 years. Arnold’s currently supplies products and installation to many of the finest custom and spec home builders in the Pacific Northwest. Along with single-family housing, Arnold’s has also supplied products for some of the largest multi unit projects in the area. Arnold’s Now the third generation of the Arnold’s Family is dedicated to bring the best quality products, delivery services, and installation to customers for years to come.
Shop Side by Side Refrigerators at Arnold’s Appliance
Stop by Arnold’s Appliance Bellevue, WA location to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop refrigerators online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find a side by side refrigerator for your lifestyle — whether you call us at 425-454-7929, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
→ Learn More: Arnold’s Best French Door Refrigerators