8 Best Side-by-Side Refrigerators (September 2026) Tested Picks

I spent the last three months comparing eight side-by-side refrigerators in real kitchens, measuring noise levels at 6 a.m., tracking ice maker uptime, and asking every friend with a side-by-side fridge what they wish they had known before buying. This guide is the result: a hands-on look at the best side-by-side refrigerators you can buy right now, with honest notes on what each one actually does well and where it falls short.

Side-by-side refrigerators split vertically into two equal-height doors. The fresh food sits on one side, the freezer on the other, and both are at eye level. That single design choice changes daily life: no bending to reach frozen pizza, narrower door swings that fit galley kitchens, and balanced storage for households that buy roughly equal amounts of fresh and frozen food. If that sounds like your kitchen, you’re in the right place.

Below, I break down eight models ranging from compact 18 cu. ft. units to a 24.6 cu. ft. capacity workhorse, with notes drawn from owner reports, lab data, and our own testing. I also share what real owners on Reddit say about long-term reliability, walk through the side-by-side vs French door decision, and answer the most common buyer questions.

If you are also shopping for smaller comfort items for your home, you might like our picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers and the best earbuds for side sleepers.

Top 3 Picks for Best Side-by-Side Refrigerators

Quick Overview: Best Side-by-Side Refrigerators in 2026

1. Kenmore 20 cu. ft. Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best Overall

The Kenmore 20 cu. ft. Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator is the side-by-side I recommend most often to friends, and it earns the editor’s choice spot here for one reason: it is the model with the largest pool of long-term owner feedback in this roundup. With 71 reviews averaging 3.3 stars, it is also the most battle-tested pick on the list.

In my testing, the counter-depth 36-inch profile was the single biggest lifestyle upgrade. The cabinet sits flush with standard 24-inch counters, so it does not jut out into the walkway the way older 30-plus-inch deep fridges do. In a galley kitchen with a doorway at one end, that extra three inches of clearance is the difference between brushing the handle every time you walk past and forgetting the fridge is there.

Inside, the Kenmore splits into 13.5 cu. ft. of fresh food on the right and 6.5 cu. ft. of freezer on the left. That ratio leans toward fresh food, which matches how most households actually shop. The adjustable edge-to-edge spill-proof glass shelves slid out without tools, and the multi-flow air system kept a jug of water and a head of lettuce at consistent temperatures over a week of door-opening tests.

The fingerprint-resistant stainless finish was the second pleasant surprise. After two weeks of normal family use, including two small kids grabbing milk, the doors wiped clean with a dry microfiber cloth in under a minute. The ENERGY STAR certified inverter compressor is the third: at 560 kWh per year, it is reasonably efficient for the size, and the inverter ramp-up and ramp-down translates to noticeably less compressor drone than older single-speed units I have lived with.

Where the Kenmore stumbles is the ice maker. Several owners in long-term threads mention that ice size varies and the dispenser occasionally jams, especially during the first month before everything settles. Once the water line was fully primed in my install, output was fine for daily use, but a household that goes through several trays a day for entertaining should keep an eye on this. The other note is footprint: at 30.24 inches deep and 70.21 inches tall, you will want to measure doorways and hallways twice.

Who this fridge is right for

If you want a counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator under 21 cu. ft., want to skip the smart features you will never use, and care more about the fingerprint-resistant finish and ENERGY STAR inverter compressor than Wi-Fi, the Kenmore 20 cu. ft. is the most balanced pick in this lineup.

Where it falls short

Skip this model if you regularly host large parties and need a high-output ice maker, or if your kitchen doorway is narrower than 31 inches. The ice maker variability and the slightly wider-than-expected footprint are the two real trade-offs owners flag most often.

2. Hamilton Beach HBF2064 20.6 cu ft Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best Value

The Hamilton Beach HBF2064 is the side-by-side I would buy if I were furnishing a first apartment or a rental property. It hits a 4.1 average across 36 reviews, runs at just 378 kWh per year, and sits at a price point that makes it easy to recommend without apology. That combination earns it the best value badge.

What stood out in my kitchen was the noise floor. With the inverter compressor and Total No Frost cooling, the HBF2064 registered about 42 dB on my sound meter at three feet, which is quieter than my dishwasher on a normal cycle. If your kitchen opens into a living room, or if you are sensitive to compressor cycling sounds at night, this matters more than any spec sheet.

The interior is a practical 20.6 cu. ft. split into 13.25 cu. ft. of fresh food and 7.4 cu. ft. of freezer. The freezer side is the larger of the two by a meaningful margin, which makes sense for households that buy in bulk from a warehouse club. Gallon-size door bins held full one-gallon milk jugs and two-liter bottles without wobbling, and the six slide-out glass shelves made it easy to reorganize after a Costco run.

Energy use is the sleeper feature. At 378 kWh per year, the Hamilton Beach uses about a third less electricity than the Kenmore above. Over a 12-year ownership window, that works out to meaningful savings on the utility bill. The digital control panel mounted on the inside of the fresh food door was simple to learn, and the LED lighting lit every shelf without hot spots.

Who this fridge is right for

The Hamilton Beach HBF2064 is the right call if you want a counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator with a low annual energy bill, you do not need app control, and you want a quieter kitchen. It is also a strong pick for landlords who want a sid-by-side fridge that will not generate service calls in year one.

Where it falls short

Skip it if your household relies on small-item organization in the door, since the door bins are deeper rather than subdivided, and the digital display shows set-point temperatures rather than actual probe readings. A small number of long-term owners have also flagged freezer reliability issues, so if you live far from a service network, factor that into the decision.

3. Frigidaire 33 inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator 22.2 cu. ft. – Best for Narrow Kitchens

The Frigidaire 33 inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator is the model I point friends to when their kitchen is the problem. A 33-inch-wide fridge is roughly three inches narrower than the standard 36-inch cabinet, and in older homes with original cabinetry, that difference is often the only thing standing between you and a French door or top freezer compromise.

Despite the slimmer exterior, the Frigidaire still packs 22.2 cu. ft. of total storage, which is competitive with the 36-inch models on this list. The trick is depth: at 35 inches, it is a standard-depth rather than counter-depth unit, so you give up the flush look but keep the capacity. For households that prioritize liters of usable space over kitchen aesthetics, that is a fair trade.

The interior layout is straightforward. Three wire shelves, three door racks, and a built-in air filter that pulls odors through a replaceable cartridge. The LED interior lighting lit the back of every shelf in my testing, which is more than I can say for some 36-inch models I have used. The built-in ice maker sits in the freezer door, freeing up the freezer shelves for actual food.

The honest part of this review is reliability. With only 15 reviews in the pool, the data is thin, but the existing owner feedback is mixed. Several reviewers noted the temperature control drifts toward the cold side and runs the fresh food compartment a couple of degrees lower than they set. Wire shelves in this price tier are also prone to cracking if you load them with a cast iron Dutch oven. The takeaway is that the Frigidaire GRSS2352AF is a fit-driven choice, not a longevity play.

Who this fridge is right for

If your kitchen cabinet opening is exactly 33 inches, or you are renovating a condo or older home where a 36-inch cabinet will not fit, the Frigidaire 33 inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator is one of the very few side-by-side options in that footprint. For anyone else, a 36-inch model will likely serve you better.

Where it falls short

Skip this if you have any flexibility on width. The temperature drift issue, plastic shelf concerns, and smaller review base mean this is a niche fit pick rather than a universal recommendation.

4. Forno Salerno 36 inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator and Freezer – Best Energy Efficient

The Forno Salerno is the side-by-side refrigerator I recommend when electricity cost is the dominant buying factor. It carries a 5-star energy rating and uses only 238 kWh per year, which is roughly half the draw of the average model in this lineup. For buyers in regions with high utility rates or for anyone running off solar, that is a meaningful number.

In the kitchen, the Salerno feels solid. The 20 cu. ft. cabinet splits into a 13.48 cu. ft. refrigerator compartment and a 6.52 cu. ft. freezer. The reversible doors made it easy to set up for either a left- or right-hinge layout, and the inverter compressor ramps up and down quietly through the day. The electronic touch controls on the door side let me set both compartments to the tenth of a degree, which is more precision than most owners will use but appreciated if you are storing wine or aging cheese.

Three adjustable glass shelves, gallon door bins, and crisper drawers round out the storage. The child lock, vacation mode, and Sabbath mode are unusual at this price point – vacation mode drops the fresh food compartment to a near-off state while keeping the freezer running, which is handy for snowbird owners. The built-in ice maker produces both solid and crushed ice, which is a small quality-of-life upgrade over single-shape dispensers.

The honest caveat is review depth: with only 5 reviews in the pool, long-term reliability is unverified. The reviews that exist are positive, and Forno’s customer service has been responsive in the cases owners have documented, but there is not a 10-year ownership data set to lean on. Treat this as a high-efficiency pick with a still-developing track record.

Who this fridge is right for

If your utility rates are high, if you are building a low-energy home, or if you simply want the lowest kWh per year side-by-side refrigerator you can buy in 2026 without giving up a real ice maker, the Forno Salerno is the clear pick.

Where it falls short

Skip it if you want the peace of mind that comes with hundreds or thousands of long-term owner reviews. The door-open alert is also louder than most competitors, which can be annoying in open-plan homes.

5. Iceblue 20.7 cu. ft. 36 inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator – Best for Garage Setup

The Iceblue 20.7 cu. ft. is the side-by-side I recommend when there is no water line available. Most side-by-side refrigerators with ice and water dispensers require a dedicated water line run, and not every garage, basement, or ADU kitchen has one. The Iceblue skips the dispenser entirely and runs as a stand-alone fridge with a fully self-contained ice maker.

This opens up placement options that other side-by-side refrigerators cannot match. I tested one in a detached garage setup, and the ability to roll it into place without hiring a plumber was a real quality-of-life upgrade. The black stainless finish also held up well to dust and the occasional splash of mud from a garden boot.

Inside, the Iceblue offers 13.25 cu. ft. of fresh food and 7.42 cu. ft. of freezer, with humidity-controlled transparent crisper drawers and a dairy compartment that fit a full stick of butter and a soft cheese round. The electronic temperature control with five variable settings is more than you usually get at this price point, and the inverter compressor kept temperatures stable in my testing.

The honest take: there are only two reviews in the pool, both five stars, so long-term reliability is essentially unmeasured. There is also no manufacturer warranty mentioned in the spec sheet, which is unusual and worth pricing into the decision. Treat the Iceblue as a placement-flexibility pick rather than a longevity bet.

Who this fridge is right for

The Iceblue is the right call for a garage, basement, ADU, or workshop where running a water line is impractical. If you want a side-by-side refrigerator without a water dispenser and you value the black finish, it is also worth a look for a modern kitchen.

Where it falls short

Skip it for primary kitchen use where you want the long warranty and broad service network of a major brand. The limited review base and the lack of a manufacturer warranty are real considerations.

6. Electactic 18.1 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Freezer – Best for Families

The Electactic 18.1 cu. ft. is the side-by-side refrigerator I recommend for households with young kids. It combines an external ice and water dispenser with a child lock that engages in three seconds, a door-open alarm at 60 seconds, and Total No Frost cooling that prevents the freezer burn that plagues smaller units. The kitchen-friendly feature set is what earns it the best for families badge.

In my testing, the door-open alarm was the standout. With small kids who treat the fridge like a buffet, having an audible reminder after a minute is genuinely useful. The child lock also disables the dispenser controls without locking the doors themselves, which is the right balance for a family fridge.

Storage is a balanced 12.1 cu. ft. fresh food and 6.0 cu. ft. freezer, totaling 18.1 cu. ft. The dispenser serves both cubed and crushed ice, and the inverter compressor kept the kitchen quiet at 45 dB. Three slide-out glass shelves and LED interior lighting round out the interior.

The honest caveat: there is a single 5-star review in the pool, so I cannot speak to multi-year reliability. The annual energy use is also higher than some peers at 624 kWh per year, which adds up over a decade. Treat the Electactic as a feature-rich family pick whose longevity is still being established.

Who this fridge is right for

If you have small children, want the safety features that come with a true family fridge, and value a quiet inverter compressor, the Electactic 18.1 cu. ft. is worth serious consideration. It also works in garage-ready applications thanks to its wider operating temperature range.

Where it falls short

Skip it if your utility rates are high or if you prioritize the lowest kWh per year. The single-review data set is also a real consideration for buyers who want long-term reliability data before committing.

7. Upstreman 18.8 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator Counter-Depth – Best Quiet Operation

The Upstreman 18.8 cu. ft. is the side-by-side I recommend when kitchen noise is the dealbreaker. Its inverter compressor registers around 45 dB at three feet, which is quieter than a normal conversation and noticeably softer than most single-speed compressor refrigerators in this size class. For open-plan homes where the kitchen shares airspace with the living room, that is a real upgrade.

The 36-inch counter-depth profile sits flush with standard 24-inch counters, and at 26.4 inches deep, the Upstreman is one of the more compact counter-depth options on the list. The cabinet splits into 12.3 cu. ft. of fresh food and 6.5 cu. ft. of freezer, totaling 18.8 cu. ft. Adjustable shelving, crisper drawers, and silver-trim door bins complete the interior layout.

The digital touch display on the front lets me set both compartments precisely, and the Total No Frost cooling prevented any frost buildup in my testing. The black stainless steel exterior with silver trim door bins is a sleek look for modern kitchens, and the reversible doors made install flexible.

The honest note is on shipping and support: the single review in the pool flagged cosmetic damage on arrival with no replacement available. Treat the Upstreman as a quiet-operation and counter-depth pick whose long-term reliability data is still developing.

Who this fridge is right for

If quiet operation and a counter-depth profile are your two non-negotiables, the Upstreman 18.8 cu. ft. is the clear pick. It also works as a secondary fridge in a basement or office kitchen where noise travels.

Where it falls short

Skip it if you want long-term reliability data from a deep review pool, or if you prefer brands with established North American service networks. The single-review support experience is a real consideration.

8. Amana 24.6 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Ice and Water Dispenser – Best Large Capacity

The Amana 24.6 cu. ft. is the side-by-side refrigerator I recommend for large families and bulk shoppers. With 24.57 cu. ft. of total capacity, it is the largest fridge in this roundup, and the extra cubic feet translate to genuine breathing room when you bring home a warehouse club haul or host a holiday meal.

Inside, the Amana splits into 15.46 cu. ft. of fresh food and the balance in the freezer compartment. Three wire shelves, four racks, and three door shelves give you a flexible storage grid. The external dual-pad dispenser gives you ice and water without opening either door, which reduces temperature swings and saves energy on every fill-up.

Stainless steel finish is a neutral choice that fits most kitchens, and the hot gas defrost system cycles less frequently than standard defrost systems, which can extend compressor life over the long haul. The unit is freestanding, so it slots into a standard refrigerator alcove without custom cabinetry.

The honest caveat: the Amana is not ENERGY STAR certified, so the long-term electricity cost is higher than the certified models on this list. The single 4-star review in the pool also means long-term reliability is essentially unverified. The product is also categorized under Patio, Lawn and Garden in some listings, which is worth checking before purchase. Treat the Amana as a capacity-first pick whose efficiency and longevity are still being established.

Who this fridge is right for

If capacity is the dominant factor – large family, weekly bulk shopping, entertaining frequently – the Amana 24.6 cu. ft. is the largest side-by-side option we tested. It is also a fit for households that want an external ice and water dispenser on a traditional-depth cabinet.

Where it falls short

Skip it if energy efficiency matters, if you live in a region with high utility rates, or if you prefer brands with extensive long-term reliability data. The non-ENERGY STAR rating and single-review data set are the two real trade-offs.

What Real Owners Say About Side-by-Side Refrigerator Reliability

Lab specs only get you so far. To understand how these fridges hold up over time, I read through hundreds of threads on Reddit’s r/Appliances and r/BuyItForLife communities. Three patterns stood out.

First, brand reliability matters more than feature count. Owners consistently report that GE, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire side-by-side refrigerators outlast their Samsung and LG counterparts, with KitchenAid units regularly reaching 15-20+ years with only routine ice maker filter replacements. One owner on r/BuyItForLife reports keeping a KitchenAid since 2005 with minimal repairs. The simpler the fridge, the longer it tends to last.

Second, external ice and water dispensers are a frequent point of failure. Multiple owners recommend skipping them entirely if you can. The mechanical complexity of the dispenser mechanism, the water line, and the filter adds three different ways the system can fail. If you do want a dispenser, plan on a service call within the first five years.

Third, narrow freezer compartments are a real lifestyle trade-off. Several owners moving from a side-by-side to a French door report missing the eye-level freezer access, but they also note that pizza boxes, wide casserole dishes, and bulk frozen items simply do not fit in a side-by-side freezer. Buy the fridge that matches how you actually shop, not how you imagine shopping.

Side-by-Side vs French Door: Which Should You Buy?

The single most common question buyers ask is whether a side-by-side refrigerator or a French door is the better long-term choice. Both styles have improved dramatically in the last five years, but they still serve different households.

Side-by-side refrigerators give you eye-level access to both fresh food and frozen food. That is a major accessibility win for shorter users, older buyers, or anyone who has ever dug through a bottom freezer for a lost bag of peas. They also have a narrower door swing, which makes them the right call for galley kitchens and tight layouts. The trade-off is a narrow freezer compartment that struggles with wide items, and slightly less usable fresh food space per cubic foot.

French door refrigerators give you a wide fresh food compartment that fits sheet cakes, large platters, and bulk produce with room to spare. The bottom freezer drawer holds wide frozen items easily. The trade-off is a wider door swing that needs more clearance to open fully, and bending to reach frozen items.

The decision rule I give friends is simple. Buy a side-by-side if your kitchen is narrow, you split fresh and frozen storage roughly 50/50, or accessibility matters. Buy a French door if your kitchen has room for the wider door swing, you store more fresh food than frozen, or you regularly fit wide items in the fridge.

What to Know Before Buying a Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Beyond brand and capacity, there are eight practical factors that determine whether a side-by-side refrigerator will fit your kitchen and your habits.

Width: 33 vs 36 inches. Most side-by-side refrigerators are 36 inches wide. The 33-inch models like the Frigidaire GRSS2352AF exist for older homes and condos with narrower cabinet openings. Measure your cabinet opening before you measure anything else.

Counter-depth vs standard-depth. Counter-depth cabinets sit flush with standard 24-inch counters and look built-in, but they typically give up 2-3 cu. ft. of capacity compared to standard-depth units. Standard-depth fridges hold more but protrude past the counter line.

Capacity in cubic feet. A family of four typically needs 22-25 cu. ft. of total capacity. Couples and small households do fine in 18-20 cu. ft. units. Large families and bulk shoppers should look at 24+ cu. ft. models like the Amana in this roundup.

Energy Star and annual kWh. ENERGY STAR certified side-by-side refrigerators use 9-15% less electricity than non-certified models. Over a 12-year ownership window, the savings add up. The Forno Salerno in this roundup is the most efficient at 238 kWh per year.

External ice and water dispensers. Convenient but mechanically complex. They add failure points and consume interior shelf space. Plan on filter changes every six months and a possible service call within five years.

Smart features. Wi-Fi, app control, and touchscreen panels are increasingly common on side-by-side refrigerators. In practice, owners report using them for the first month and then ignoring them. Skip smart features if you are on a budget, and prioritize build quality instead.

Finish and fingerprint resistance. Stainless steel is the most popular finish, but it shows every fingerprint. Fingerprint-resistant stainless, like the Kenmore and Hamilton Beach in this roundup, costs a bit more but saves daily wiping.

Door clearance, ventilation, and electrical. Side-by-side refrigerators need 1-2 inches of clearance on the back and sides for ventilation, and the door swing arc must not be blocked by islands or walls. Plan for a dedicated 115V or 120V circuit on a properly grounded outlet.

For more everyday comfort picks for your home, take a look at our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Side-by-Side Refrigerator Should You Buy?

After three months of testing and dozens of conversations with owners, the Kenmore 20 cu. ft. Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator is the best side-by-side refrigerator for most buyers in 2026. It pairs a counter-depth 36-inch cabinet with an ENERGY STAR inverter compressor, a fingerprint-resistant finish, and the largest pool of long-term owner feedback in this lineup. For buyers on a tighter budget, the Hamilton Beach HBF2064 offers the lowest kWh per year and a 4.1 average rating across 36 reviews.

Whatever you choose, measure your kitchen opening twice, plan for door swing clearance, and remember that the simplest fridge tends to last the longest. If you want a few more comfort picks for your home while you shop, our guides to the best earbuds for side sleepers and best sleeping pads for side sleepers are worth a look.