Best 33 inch side by side refrigerator

Find out why the Samsung Family Hub Smart Refrigerator takes the top spot

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A new side-by-side refrigerator can provide your home with a much-needed upgrade in technology and style. Side-by-side fridges have spacious compartments that make it easy for you to organize your food and see everything you have at once.

What makes side-by-side doors different from traditional top-freezer and French-door fridges comes down to a few things—features, price, and style. While French-door fridges look beautiful, they are also pricey, so side-by-side fridges are a happy medium. They have technological capabilities that make you feel satisfied with your choice, but they also don’t break the bank. 

As such, when you’re looking for a side-by-side fridge, make sure you consider features like LED lighting, icemakers, water dispensers, and airflow technology. Our top choice, the Samsung Family Hub Smart Refrigerator, goes beyond the rest technology-wise with built-in cameras linked to an app that let you see what's inside your fridge. There's also capacity and your kitchen cutout to consider. Lastly, think about design as color and finish matter since you'll want it to fit your kitchen's aesthetic. You’ll find that many side-by-side fridges come in stainless steel and black stainless steel.

To help narrow down your choices, here are the best side-by-side refrigerators.

Dimensions (DxWxH): 33.5 x 35.8 x 70 inches | Refrigerator Capacity: 17.2 cubic feet | Freezer Capacity: 9.5 cubic feet

There’s more to a fridge than simply its capacity and its required features, there are fridges on the market that go beyond what anyone could imagine for style and technology. If you’re looking for something a bit more stylish, has a sleek finish, and a smart screen, the Samsung Family Hub Smart Refrigerator should be your pick because of everything it offers.  

The basic features of this fridge include its fingerprint-resistant stainless steel and black stainless steel finishes that look like soft matte colors, LED lighting throughout the fridge, and full temperature control to ensure all items remain cool.  The design allows for recessed handles for a flat front, an adjustable top shelf in the fridge, and an in-door ice maker to create more freezer space.

What makes this fridge so different from the others are the features that take it over the top for convenience. At 26.7 cubic feet, this high-end fridge is Bixby compatible through its Family Hub, so there’s built-in technology that will keep track of your routines, tasks, and even meals. Then there’s the ability to play music from Spotify and even a feature that tells you when you should eat certain foods before it spoils. You can also look inside your fridge while at the store. All in all, this fridge packs a lot in its sleek design.

Dimensions (DxWxH): 34.6 x 35.8 x 69.6 inches | Refrigerator Capacity: 15.4 cubic feet | Freezer Capacity: 9.1 cubic feet

There’s cheap and then there’s budget—the difference is the quality. The Amana Side-by-Side Refrigerator fridge is perfect for people looking for a simple, affordable, and no-frills model that can still deliver. This fridge is 24.6 cubic feet in total, so it's big enough to hold enough food for any size family. 

What you might assume is that the budget fridge is lacking, but it’s not. It comes with a dual pad external ice and water dispenser that provides fresh filtered water and the option for crushed or cubed ice. The three adjustable gallon door bins fit any big food items like milk and soda and there is a built-in freshness control to keep produce in its best condition. The fridge finishes come in white, black, and stainless steel, and it does have a 1-year limited warranty.

Dimensions (DxWxH): 29.75 x 36 x 68.8 inches | Refrigerator Capacity: 13.6 cubic feet | Freezer Capacity: 6.9 cubic feet

This side-by-side fridge comes in at 20.6 cubic feet, which is perfect for people with small kitchens. It comes in four colors: white, black, stainless steel, and black stainless steel. 

This Whirlpool fridge is counter depth, so it’s nearly flush with countertops in a standard kitchen, has LED lighting, and the in-door ice maker is built to allow for easy scooping. Other incredible features include the FreshFlow air filter that’s more effective than baking soda is in reducing food odors, the adjustable gallon door bids that allow for flexibility in the door bids, and the frameless glass shelves that offer more storage flexibility. 

Related: The Best French Door Refrigerators

Dimensions (DxWxH): 29.5 x 35.75 x 71.4 inches | Refrigerator Capacity: 13.6 cubic feet | Freezer Capacity: 9 cubic feet

A counter-depth fridge is essential for some homes, otherwise, a quality fridge becomes impractical for daily use. This KitchenAid side-by-side refrigerator is not only counter-depth but also comes in two stainless steel colors, fingerprint-resistant traditional and black stainless steel. 

With a capacity of 22.6 cubic feet, features include the Preserva Food Care System with its two independent cooling systems to improve food preservation along with an air filter and a produce preserver. With three drawers plus a small wine rack in the fridge, and two fully enclosed drawers in the freezer, this is a fridge that has enough room for groceries.

It does include other standard features like LED lights and a water filtration system, but there is also a measured water fill display that automatically dispenses water in ounces, cups, or liters. The in-door ice system allows for more freezer space and easier retrieval of ice.

Related: The Best Counter-Depth Refrigerators

Dimensions (DxWxH): 34.9 x 36 x 68.9 inches | Refrigerator Capacity: 17.6 cubic feet | Freezer Capacity: 10.9 cubic feet

If our 26.7-cubic-foot best overall pick isn't large enough for your family, this 28-cubic-foot fridge from Whirlpool should fit the bill. The impressive size doesn't mean skimping on other features though. Inside the fridge, you'll find advanced technology to maintain the correct temperature and an air filter keeps food odors at bay. LED lighting will make sure you don't lose a bunch of bananas to the back of the fridge, that's if you don't have them in one of the two humidity-controlled crispers.

The fridge's 5 door bins are all adjustable, while on both sides, the shelves can be placed in multiple positions. The ice machine is located in the door to give you that extra bit of freezer space, and, if your little ones will be in need of a late-night glass of water, the dispenser comes with a nice night light. The dispenser even allows you to choose the exact amount of water you want, in ounces, cups, or liters. All in all, this Whirlpool is everything you need in a big fridge without completely going over your budget.

Related: The Best Refrigerators

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for something that has everything you need from design to features, the Samsung RS27T5561SR 26.7-Cubic-Foot Family Hub Side by Side Smart Refrigerator (view at ABT) is a nice balance between low-tech and high-tech features while still providing you with a decent capacity size. People interested in a counter-depth fridge should look at the KitchenAid KRSC703HPS (view at Home Depot).

What to Look for When Buying a Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Exterior Size

Pay close attention to the size of your potential fridge since it needs to literally fit in your kitchen. Consider the width, length, and depth of every fridge, and consider having a professional measure your kitchen's fridge cutout. Take into account the swing of the doors when fully open, and if you want the fridge to be flush with your counters.

Capacity 

The interior size of your refrigerator matters. A fridge that’s too small will be difficult to use and something too big means additional monthly costs on your electricity bill. While many on our list have amount the same amount of total room, the differences between the separate compartments is a large range. Find out the amount of room you have now and consider whether you want a bigger fridge or a bigger freezer.

Features

Think about everything you want in your next fridge because a lot of side-by-side fridges have great features. Many already have water-and-ice dispensers with water filtration and good interior temperature control. These are basic features; think about the features that would also make your life easier like smart displays, adjustable shelves, door-in-door compartments, and storage drawers.

FAQs

Do side-by-side fridges have less room?

This answer may surprise you: no! “Side-by-sides actually offer moreinterior space than other designs!" says Katy Gespass, a refrigeration specialist and appliance buyer for P.C. Richard & Son. "You’ll find this extra space in the freezer compartment, where you have more vertical shelves for easier organization.”

How should you organize the freezer in a side-by-side refrigerator?

Gespass advises keeping “short-term, everyday groceries on the top shelves and long-term frozen items on the bottom shelves.” Additionally, remember that the door is the warmest part of any fridge or freezer, and therefore may be prone to freezer burn. This makes these compartments better for items you plan on using soon. For general usability, it’s best to store similar items together, use containers, and label them clearly. Don’t forget to note dates, and keep longer haul ingredients or dishes toward the back wall to protect them from temperature changes.

Why Trust Simply Recipes?

As a professional trained in research and amateur baker, Robin Mosley understands the importance of choosing the right kitchen appliances. She is always researching and testing the latest kitchen appliances, utensils, products as a food writer and recommending them to interested food aficionados. 

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