The 11 Best Side by Side Refrigerators

Side-by-side refrigerators occupy a sweet spot in the kitchen appliance market: they offer a full-height freezer column alongside a full-height fresh food section, with narrower door swing than French-door models, making them ideal for galley kitchens, tighter spaces, or anyone who reaches into the freezer as often as the fridge.

Unlike bottom-freezer or French-door designs, side-by-side units put both compartments at eye level, so you spend less time crouching for ice cream and less time bending for produce.

With options ranging from compact counter-depth units to roomy 29-cubic-foot flagship models from brands like Frigidaire, GE, LG, and Kenmore, the category covers a wide range of household needs and budgets.

Choosing the right side-by-side refrigerator means weighing capacity against kitchen footprint, evaluating ice-and-water dispenser reliability, and understanding which features actually translate into better food preservation versus which are marketing gloss.

To help you navigate that, our team at ProductFind analyzed specifications, synthesized expert review consensus from across the appliance industry, and cross-referenced verified buyer feedback on each model below.

If you are also considering other configurations, our broader guide to refrigerators for every kitchen and budget covers French-door, top-freezer, and bottom-freezer alternatives side by side. Scroll down for our ranked top picks.

Side by Side Refrigerators Buying Guide

The decisions you make before purchase will shape how satisfied you are with your refrigerator for the next decade or more.

Below are the six criteria our research consistently showed matter most when evaluating side-by-side models, explained in practical terms so you can apply them to your specific kitchen and household.

Capacity and Kitchen Fit

Capacity is typically measured in cubic feet across the fresh food and freezer sections combined. Most full-size side-by-side refrigerators land between roughly 22 and 29 cubic feet, while compact or counter-depth models start lower.

A household of two people can generally work comfortably with 18 to 22 cubic feet; a family of four or more usually benefits from 25 cubic feet or above.

The Frigidaire 22.3 cu. ft. counter-depth model suits kitchens where the refrigerator must sit flush with surrounding cabinetry, while the Kenmore 29 cu. ft. wide model targets households that prioritize raw storage volume.

Width is equally important. Standard side-by-side units run 33 to 36 inches wide. Counter-depth versions sacrifice a few cubic feet but deliver a cleaner, built-in look. Measure your cabinet opening carefully, factoring in door clearance on both sides.

One overlooked advantage of the side-by-side form: each door swings open only half the full width of the unit, so they work better in narrow aisles than French-door or single-door designs.

This makes them a practical choice in apartments, galley kitchens, or spaces where a full French-door swing would block a walkway or island.

Height matters too, particularly if you have overhead cabinetry. Most full-size side-by-side units stand between 68 and 70 inches tall.

Compact models like the Avanti 5.5 cu. ft. unit are a different category entirely, better suited to dorm rooms, home offices, or secondary spaces rather than serving as a primary household refrigerator.

Keep your spatial constraints in focus from the start, and you will avoid buying a unit that technically fits but feels cramped in daily use.

Pairing a well-organized refrigerator with quality food storage containers also helps maximize every cubic foot of usable space.

Temperature Stability and Cooling Performance

A refrigerator’s primary job is to keep food at safe, consistent temperatures regardless of how often the door is opened, how full the unit is, or what ambient temperature the kitchen runs at.

Temperature stability, measured as how tightly the internal temperature stays within a target range over time, is one of the metrics where expert review consensus most clearly separates premium models from budget alternatives.

Look for models that list multiple evaporators (one for each compartment) rather than a single shared evaporator, because dual-evaporator systems prevent odors from crossing between sections and maintain more precise humidity levels in the fresh food zone.

Cooling speed after a door-open event matters for households that open and close the refrigerator frequently throughout the day.

Compressor technology plays a role here: linear and inverter compressors ramp speed up and down rather than cycling fully on and off, which both improves temperature stability and reduces energy consumption.

The LG 27 cu. ft. model with its PrintProof Stainless Steel finish and Wi-Fi connectivity pairs LG’s inverter linear compressor with smart diagnostics, which is a combination that earned high expert consensus scores for consistent cooling across load conditions.

Ice and Water Dispenser Quality

One of the most compelling reasons to choose a side-by-side design over a French-door model is the through-the-door ice and water dispenser.

Because the freezer column runs the full height of the unit, the dispenser mechanism is easier to engineer reliably and access conveniently at mid-door height.

Most full-size side-by-side models include a dispenser as standard, while compact or budget models may omit it. Pay attention to whether the ice maker produces cubed ice only, or also offers crushed ice.

Some models, like the LG LS27T3230S with its Slim-in-Door design, route the ice storage into the door itself, freeing up usable freezer shelf space inside the compartment.

Dispenser reliability is the area where verified buyer feedback diverges most sharply from spec sheets. Ice makers are among the most commonly cited sources of long-term dissatisfaction in refrigerator reviews.

Look for units where the ice maker is accessible for cleaning, where replacement parts are widely available, and where the manufacturer’s track record on dispenser durability is consistent across multiple model generations.

Paying a premium for a brand with strong after-sale parts availability is often worth it for a component you will use multiple times a day for a decade.

Energy Efficiency

Refrigerators run 24 hours a day, every day of the year, making energy efficiency one of the few appliance specifications with a direct and measurable impact on your electricity bill over the unit’s lifespan.

ENERGY STAR certification is the baseline to look for. Certified models meet consumption thresholds set by the EPA and typically use 15 percent or more less energy than the federal minimum standard.

For large-capacity models, the difference between an efficient and an inefficient compressor can translate to meaningful savings annually, and those savings compound over a 10 to 15 year ownership window.

Counter-depth models tend to use slightly less energy than standard-depth equivalents at the same capacity, partly because their shallower interior means less air volume to cool.

Inverter compressors also contribute to lower average energy draw because they do not cycle on at full power every time the temperature drifts. When comparing models, check the EnergyGuide label’s estimated annual kilowatt-hour figure rather than relying on marketing language.

That number, combined with your local electricity rate, gives a realistic picture of what the appliance will cost to operate year after year.

Storage Flexibility and Organization

Raw cubic footage only tells part of the storage story. How the interior is organized determines whether that space is genuinely usable.

Look for adjustable glass shelves (rather than fixed wire shelves) in both compartments, because glass retains spills and can be repositioned to accommodate tall bottles, large platters, or bulk items.

Door bins should be large enough to hold gallon jugs comfortably, and the number of freezer door shelves matters if you store a lot of boxed or bagged frozen goods.

Drawers with humidity control in the fresh food section extend the life of produce and are worth prioritizing if you shop for vegetables in large quantities.

One common complaint with side-by-side designs is that the freezer column is narrow relative to the fresh food column, making it difficult to store wide flat items like pizza boxes or large baking sheets.

This is a structural limitation of the format. If frozen bulk storage is a priority, consider whether a dedicated chest freezer alongside a primary refrigerator might serve your household better than a single side-by-side unit.

For most families managing weekly grocery shopping, however, the freezer column of a full-size side-by-side is adequate.

The GE 25.3 cu. ft. standard-depth model with its Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel finish offers a well-regarded interior layout that addresses this concern with multiple adjustable shelf positions across both columns.

Smart Features and Connectivity

Wi-Fi connectivity and companion apps are increasingly common on mid-range and premium refrigerators, offering features like remote temperature monitoring, door-ajar alerts, diagnostics, and in some cases integration with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

For households that travel frequently or simply want visibility into appliance status without walking to the kitchen, these features offer genuine utility.

The LG ThinQ platform on models like the LS27T3230S allows remote control and diagnostics, and LG’s smart feature integration has earned consistent expert praise for reliability compared to first-generation smart appliance platforms from other brands.

That said, smart features should not be the deciding factor unless connectivity is a clear priority for your household.

A refrigerator with excellent cooling, a reliable ice maker, and well-designed storage that lacks Wi-Fi will serve most families better than a connected model with inconsistent temperature stability.

Treat smart features as a meaningful bonus on an otherwise well-specced unit rather than a primary criterion.

If you enjoy integrating appliances into a broader connected home setup, pairing a smart refrigerator with smart light switches and other connected devices can create a genuinely convenient home automation environment.

Why You Should Trust Us

ProductFind is an independent review publication. We do not manufacture, sell, or distribute any of the products we evaluate, and we have no financial relationship with the brands featured in our roundups. Every recommendation on this page reflects our team’s research process, not commercial agreements.

Each refrigerator in this roundup was evaluated against a consistent set of criteria: cooling performance and temperature stability, capacity and storage design, ice-and-water dispenser reliability, energy efficiency, smart feature integration, and long-term owner satisfaction.

We score every product on our 0 to 10 PF Score scale, which synthesizes specifications, expert review consensus drawn from across the appliance industry, and verified buyer feedback gathered from multiple purchase platforms.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

ProductFind may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. That affiliate relationship does not influence our rankings, scores, or editorial selections in any way.

Products are ranked on PF Score merit alone, not on commission rate or brand relationships. If a highly rated product has a lower affiliate margin than a lower-rated one, the higher-rated product still ranks higher.

Our goal is to give you the most accurate, useful information so you can make a confident purchase decision.

Final Thoughts

After analyzing all eleven models in this roundup, here is how our top picks shake out by use case and strengths. Each award reflects the PF Score earned through our research process and the specific qualities that make that model stand out within the category.

• Best Overall: Frigidaire 36.1 in. 22.3 cu. ft. Counter Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator earned the highest PF Score in this roundup. It combines a counter-depth profile that fits flush with standard cabinetry, consistent temperature performance praised in expert consensus, and the reliability track record that Frigidaire has built in the full-size refrigerator segment. It is the pick we would recommend to most households shopping for a side-by-side refrigerator without a specific specialty need.
• Best for Smart Home Integration: LG 27 cu. ft. Side-by-Side with PrintProof Stainless Steel and Wi-Fi (LS27T3230S) earned the second-highest PF Score and stands apart for its ThinQ connectivity, Slim-in-Door ice system that preserves freezer shelf space, and inverter linear compressor technology. It is the right choice for households that want app-based diagnostics and smart home compatibility alongside strong cooling performance.
• Best Large-Capacity Pick: Kenmore 29 cu. ft. 36-Inch Wide Side-by-Side Refrigerator is the roomiest option in our roundup and suits large households or frequent entertainers who need maximum fresh food and freezer volume in a single unit. Its Fingerprint Resistant finish and broad interior layout earned solid scores from verified buyers who prioritize space over compactness.
• Best Budget-Friendly Full-Size Option: Hamilton Beach HBF1558 15.6 cu. ft. Counter Depth Refrigerator offers a full-size side-by-side footprint at a more accessible price point. It is a reasonable entry-level choice for renters, secondary kitchens, or buyers who need a reliable two-door layout without premium pricing. Its PF Score reflects the trade-offs in feature depth compared to higher-ranked models.

Whichever model you choose, a side-by-side refrigerator rewards the buyer who measures carefully, prioritizes cooling consistency over flashy features, and selects a capacity that genuinely matches household size rather than aspirational storage habits.

Use the buying guide above to narrow your criteria, then let the PF Scores and verified buyer feedback guide your final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are side-by-side refrigerators better than French-door models?

It depends on your kitchen layout and daily habits. Side-by-side refrigerators put the freezer at eye level and require less door clearance, making them a stronger fit for narrow kitchens or households that access the freezer frequently.

French-door models typically offer wider refrigerator shelves and more bottom-freezer drawer space, which suits households that prioritize fresh food storage. Side-by-side units also tend to be less expensive at comparable capacities.

If you are still comparing refrigerator configurations, our guide to refrigerators across every style and budget walks through all major format differences in detail.

What is a counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator?

Counter-depth refrigerators are designed to sit flush with standard kitchen countertops and cabinetry, which are typically 24 to 25 inches deep. Standard-depth refrigerators extend several inches beyond the counter, giving more internal volume but creating a visual protrusion.

Counter-depth models sacrifice some cubic footage in exchange for a cleaner, built-in look. They are popular in open-plan kitchens and renovated spaces where the refrigerator is a visible design element.

The Frigidaire 22.3 cu. ft. model in this roundup is a strong example of a counter-depth side-by-side that does not heavily compromise on usable interior space.

How long should a side-by-side refrigerator last?

Most full-size side-by-side refrigerators from established brands are designed for a 10 to 15 year lifespan under normal household use. Compressor reliability, ice maker durability, and the quality of door seals are the most common factors that shorten that window.

Brands with strong independent reliability records and widely available replacement parts tend to outperform newer or lesser-known entrants over the long term.

Inverter compressor models, which run at variable speeds rather than cycling fully on and off, generally accumulate less mechanical wear over time. Regular maintenance, particularly cleaning condenser coils once or twice a year, meaningfully extends operational life.

Do side-by-side refrigerators work in a garage?

Standard refrigerators are calibrated to operate within a specific ambient temperature range, typically around 55 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Garages in cold climates can drop well below that range in winter, causing the compressor to stop cycling and allowing frozen food to thaw.

Some models are specifically rated as garage-ready, meaning they include a heating element or secondary sensor that keeps the compressor running even in cold ambient conditions.

The Electactic 18.1 cu. ft. model in our roundup explicitly lists garage-ready capability, making it one of the few options here suited for installation in an uninsulated or climate-variable space.

Always verify the manufacturer’s stated ambient temperature range before placing any refrigerator in a garage environment. You might also consider air purifiers for attached garages to manage air quality in shared indoor-outdoor spaces.

Is a through-the-door ice and water dispenser worth it?

For most households, yes. A through-the-door dispenser adds genuine daily convenience and is one of the features side-by-side designs handle more naturally than other refrigerator formats because the full-height freezer column gives the mechanism more room to work reliably.

The trade-off is a slightly higher purchase price and an additional component that can require service over the appliance’s lifespan. If your household uses ice and cold filtered water regularly, the convenience typically outweighs the maintenance consideration.

If you rarely use ice or prefer a countertop water filter, skipping the dispenser on a budget model may be a sensible trade for lower upfront cost and a simpler mechanism.

What size side-by-side refrigerator do I need?

A general starting point: plan for roughly four to six cubic feet of refrigerator space per person in the household, accounting for shopping habits and whether you cook at home frequently.

A two-person household can manage well with 18 to 22 cubic feet; a family of four typically wants 25 cubic feet or more. Beyond raw capacity, consider how you shop.

Households that buy in bulk or meal-prep for the week need more organized interior space and taller shelf clearance than households that shop daily or pick up food frequently.

Measuring your kitchen opening, including ceiling height, adjacent cabinetry, and walkway clearance, should happen before you settle on a capacity target.

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