Key takeaways
- For a standard-depth opening: Compare full-depth models from Whirlpool, GE, or Frigidaire if capacity and straightforward shelf storage matter more than a flush appearance. Check each model’s dispenser configuration and required side clearance.
- For a more built-in look: Compare counter-depth side-by-side options from brands such as LG or Samsung, as well as current offerings from other manufacturers. Expect less storage depth, and verify the door and handle projection against your cabinetry.
- For a dispenser-free setup: Look for a side-by-side configuration without an external water-and-ice unit. This can suit households that want fewer door components or have no convenient water line, though the exact availability varies by current lineup.
Best Side-by-Side Refrigerators for Your Kitchen
The best side-by-side refrigerator is one that fits your cabinet opening with its doors fully usable, provides enough accessible storage for your household, and puts the features you’ll use most—such as an external ice-and-water dispenser—within reach. Before choosing a model, compare its actual cabinet dimensions, required clearances, usable capacity, shelf layout, and delivery path; the nominal width alone won’t tell you whether it fits.
Start with the opening, not the advertised width
Side-by-side refrigerators commonly measure about 32–36 inches wide, 65–72 inches tall, and 30–35 inches deep, though counter-depth models are shallower. Those are broad ranges, not installation specifications: check the individual manufacturer’s drawing for the cabinet, doors, handles, hinges, and required ventilation space.
Measure the opening at the top, middle, and bottom, and record its height and depth. Then check the narrowest point on the route from the entrance to the kitchen. A unit that fits the alcove can still be blocked by a hallway turn or a doorway. Ask the delivery team about required clearance and whether doors or handles can be removed for delivery.
| Measurement or planning check | Useful starting point | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Opening width | Allow roughly 1/2 inch of side clearance where the installation instructions require it | Walls and cabinets can prevent door hinges from opening far enough to access bins or remove drawers. |
| Opening height | Allow roughly 1 inch above the cabinet as a planning estimate; confirm the model’s instructions | Hinges, floor unevenness, and ventilation requirements can affect the fit. |
| Depth to countertop | Many countertops are about 25–26 inches deep; counter-depth refrigerators often extend beyond them | Include the door and handle projection, not just the cabinet body. |
| Clearance in front | Plan for the open door plus about 30 inches of standing space where possible | Room to stand makes loading and unloading easier, especially in a narrow galley kitchen. |
| Delivery route | Measure every doorway and tight turn; compare with the delivery-ready unit dimensions | Packaging can make the refrigerator wider or taller than the bare appliance. |
These figures are planning guides, not substitutes for the installation manual. Some manufacturers specify different gaps or hinge requirements, and a counter-depth refrigerator does not sit perfectly flush: its doors and handles generally project past the cabinet line.
Choose by kitchen layout and household needs
| Your situation | What to prioritize | Likely trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow cabinets or a tight walkway | Counter-depth body, compact handles, and doors that won’t block the main route | Less interior capacity for the same exterior width; doors still project. |
| Large grocery loads or a bigger household | Full-depth cabinet and a wide model, often around 25–28 cubic feet of listed capacity | More projection into the kitchen; listed capacity is not the same as easy-to-use shelf space. |
| Frequent frozen-food use | Freezer shelves that adjust, deep door bins, and room for packages to stand upright | The narrow freezer compartment can make bulky items awkward to store. |
| Children or shared household | Simple controls, sturdy adjustable shelves, and dispenser lock features | External dispensers add parts to clean and may reduce door-bin storage. |
| Island or opposing cabinets close to the refrigerator | Check door swing and handle projection against the island edge and traffic path | A model may fit the opening but leave too little room to stand or open both doors. |
Compare the features that change everyday use
Capacity and shelf layout
Side-by-side designs split the refrigerator and freezer vertically. That arrangement keeps frozen food at eye level and makes it easier to reach frequently used items without bending, but each compartment is relatively narrow. A frozen pizza, wide platter, or large roasting pan may not fit unless shelves or bins can be repositioned.
Look beyond the cubic-foot figure. Check shelf width and depth, the distance between adjustable shelf positions, and whether shelves slide out or fold to make room for taller containers. In the refrigerator, inspect the height of door bins and the placement of drawers; a large crisper drawer can reduce flexibility for tall bottles. In the freezer, make sure the shelves can accommodate the packages your household actually buys.
Ice and water dispensers
An external dispenser is convenient for filling a glass without opening the refrigerator, but it uses door space and adds components that need cleaning. Confirm whether the dispenser provides cubed and crushed ice, whether it has a lock, and how its filter is replaced. If you rarely use chilled water or ice, an internal ice maker—or a model without a dispenser—can leave more usable storage and simplify the door layout.
Most dispenser models need a water connection. Check whether a line already reaches the refrigerator location and whether the appliance’s instructions call for a dedicated shutoff valve. If installation requires new plumbing, factor that work into the project rather than assuming the connection is included.
Door swing and clearance
Measure from the refrigerator’s side to the nearest wall, cabinet, or island. The hinge side may need extra room for the door to open wide enough for drawers to clear the frame. A door that opens only partway can make crisper bins difficult to remove for cleaning. Check the manufacturer’s door-open dimensions and drawer-removal requirements, not just the closed depth.
If the refrigerator sits beside a wall, verify that the hinge design allows the door to open adequately with that limited side clearance. Reversible doors are not standard on every side-by-side model, so confirm the swing before purchase.
Which models are worth comparing?
Several established manufacturers offer side-by-side refrigerators, including Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, LG, and Samsung. Their lineups and specifications change, so compare current models by exact product number rather than assuming every refrigerator from a brand has the same dimensions or features.
- For a standard-depth opening: Compare full-depth models from Whirlpool, GE, or Frigidaire if capacity and straightforward shelf storage matter more than a flush appearance. Check each model’s dispenser configuration and required side clearance.
- For a more built-in look: Compare counter-depth side-by-side options from brands such as LG or Samsung, as well as current offerings from other manufacturers. Expect less storage depth, and verify the door and handle projection against your cabinetry.
- For a dispenser-free setup: Look for a side-by-side configuration without an external water-and-ice unit. This can suit households that want fewer door components or have no convenient water line, though the exact availability varies by current lineup.
These are starting points for a shortlist, not a claim that one brand is best for every kitchen. For each candidate, download the specification and installation sheets and compare the same measurements: cabinet width, height, depth, door-open depth, hinge clearance, and usable shelf arrangement.
Make the final choice
Choose a full-depth refrigerator when the opening and walkway can accommodate its projection and extra storage is useful. Choose counter-depth when preserving aisle space and aligning more closely with the cabinets matter more than maximum capacity. In either case, prioritize the freezer layout if you regularly store bulky items, and choose an external dispenser only if its convenience outweighs the lost door space and added maintenance.
Before ordering, confirm that the unit fits both the kitchen opening and the delivery route, that the doors can open far enough to use the drawers, and that any water connection is practical. Those checks are more reliable than choosing by appearance or capacity alone—and are what separate a promising listing from one of the best side by side refrigerators for your particular kitchen.
