What Are the Pros and Cons of a Side By Side Refrigerator?

A new refrigerator is a very important decision, and if you're on the hunt for a new model, you're probably being very careful in weighing your options. If a side-by-side model is one of the types of refrigerators you're considering, or if you're just going through every available possibility before choosing a winner, here's a closer look at the pros and cons of bringing home a side-by-side model.

PROS

Small Swing Space

First on the list of benefits of this refrigerator style is the small amount of room its doors require. The two vertical compartments have doors that open and close with very little swing space, making it an excellent choice for smaller kitchens.

Budget-Friendly Price

Another benefit of a side-by-side fridge is the low upfront cost. If you don't have much wiggle room in your refrigerator budget, this style of fridge is definitely more wallet friendly than a bottom freezer refrigerator or a French door fridge, especially when shopping refrigerators on sale.

Accessible Contents

With plenty of door shelving in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments, accessibility is another valuable benefit of a side by side refrigerator. This storage configuration makes it easy to keep your most frequently sought-after food items directly in your line of sight and within easy reach.

Positive info is a good starting point, but here are some potential issues that are worth taking into consideration.

While the slim build of each section can be a major benefit in some ways, it's definitely a drawback in others. Storing large items like party platters or pizza boxes is simply not possible with a side-by-side fridge, and if these types of items frequently make an appearance in your kitchen, you may want to consider a different fridge style.

Since the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are roughly the same size, you're getting less refrigerator space than you would with other refrigerator styles. Consider your own individual storage needs and see if the tradeoffs are worth it.

Another factor to consider is that a side-by-side refrigerator is less energy efficient than other styles of refrigerator. While there are lots of side-by-side Energy Star refrigerators available, there are other configurations that offer better energy efficiency overall.

Maybe the pros outweigh the cons and a side-by-side fridge is the winner. Maybe you're going to do some more research before you make a decision. Every style of refrigerator has benefits and drawbacks, so make sure you take into consideration every possibility before finding your perfect fridge. Best of luck in your search!