5 Best Side by Side Refrigerator in India 2023

The market is full of different options, that’s why you should be crystal clear about your requirements. This way, you will get the best deal and avoid overspending on models with features that you don’t need. So as promised above, here we have given a comprehensive buying guide that contains all the main features, factors to consider, and FAQs that you should know.

1- Size of Refrigerator

If you are planning to buy a side by side refrigerator, then the main thing you should consider is what size would be ideal for you. Some people only measure the space they have and start searching for models that fit it. This is not the right way.

Along with these measurements, you should also consider other things like the ventilation space, door opening space, cleaning space, and how you will move the refrigerator to your kitchen.

It is best to measure the entire route, from your door to the kitchen area. This will help you get the perfect unit and you won’t face problems while installing it.

2- Cooling Mechanism

The top expectation that people have from a refrigerator is that it will keep their food fresh and eatable for a long. To fulfill this expectation, a refrigerator must an upgraded cooling process. Sounds confusing? Don’t worry, here are two major features that you should look for:

• Invertor compressor- You should always look for a refrigerator that comes with an inverter compressor. This feature has sensors that automatically control and manage the temperature according to the load. Not only this, but they also minimize energy consumption, resulting in more savings on electricity bills
• Air dispersion system- You should check the number of air vents available in a refrigerator. It is an important feature that affects air circulation. That’s why always opt for a unit that has more air passages as it will make sure that all areas of the fridge are cooled optimally

Apart from this, you should also look for a dual-fan feature. Refrigerators with this feature have two fans, one is placed around the compressor, which keeps it cool and the other one is located inside the unit.

Also ask for units with moisture retention feature or a special temperature regulator, which is ideal for storing meat, vegetables, and other similar items.

3- Family Size

Another fundamental aspect that you should consider is the size of your family. A refrigerator is an expensive and long term investment, so you should make sure that the unit you are choosing is suitable for your family. Though most side-by-side refrigerators are larger in size they also have some capacity variations. That’s why you should finalize a model based on your family needs.

For example- if you have a family of 5 to 6 members, then a refrigerator with 600 L to 650 L would be best for you. Apart from this, you should consider checking the fridge to the freezer ratio. This is important because non-vegetarians may need extra freezing space while vegetarians may need more fridge space. Nowadays, you will also get refrigerators with a convertible option.

These units can easily be transformed into a fridge anytime you want, which makes them perfect for traveling purposes.

4- Defrost Mechanism

A defrost mechanism plays a vital role in determining the efficiency and performance of a refrigerator. After some time of usage, a refrigerator starts forming ice, which negatively affects the cooling mechanism, resulting in poor performance. However, most units now are equipped with an automatic frost mechanism but still, there are some old models that have a manual defrost mechanism.

So check this feature before making any decision. The new age fridges might be slightly expensive, but they will automatically defrost the ice, saving you a lot of time and effort.

5- Energy Efficiency

Refrigerators are those appliances that run for 10 to 15 hours a day and sometimes even for complete 24 hours. That’s why it is very important to opt for models that are energy efficient. This factor can affect you in long term and if you ignore it, then it can add extra money to your energy bills.

So to protect yourself from high electricity bills, it is recommended to go for a 5 star or 4 stars rated refrigerator. These models are designed to reduce energy consumption, which is essential for minimizing electricity bills.

6- Storage Organization

If you want to keep your refrigerator clean and hygienic, then you should stack your foods properly. Though this thing sounds easier but is actually not. Some people don’t pay attention to the interior of the fridge, which makes stacking a tedious task.

You should always make sure that all the compartments, shelves, and boxes of the refrigerator are designed strategically. This will help you store objects of different sizes more conveniently. It is best to opt for units that have wide and spacious compartments, so you can store tall objects properly.

Check whether the unit has specially designed areas to store fruits, meat, vegetable, and other food items.

The box material is important, and you should also inspect whether it can withstand weight or not. Otherwise, when you will store heavy utensils, the boxes might crack.

7- Warranty

While buying any electronic item, you should always consider the warranty period. A side by side refrigerator is an expensive machine, that’s why having a good warranty is essential. Most companies give a warranty of 1 year on their products, but you could also increase it to several years by spending some extra money.

8- Additional Features

There are some additional features that increase the efficiency of a refrigerator. Here are some of them:

• Dispenser- This feature is generally present in high-end refrigerators. Its main purpose is to generate ice cubes instantly. So if you have a good budget, then add this to your list
• Child Lock- For people who stay with kids, the child lock feature is very important. This feature locks your refrigerator settings, so even if your kid touches the fridge, it won’t get altered
• Holiday Function- If you are someone who travels frequently, then this feature is a must-have. Once you turn on this feature, your refrigerator will function on an average temperature until you turn it off
• LED Light– No matter what your needs are, you should consider a refrigerator that comes with averagely intense LED lights. These lights make their interior elegant and bright, which helps you view the internal items properly
• Control Panel- In today’s time, all side-by-side refrigerators come with soft-touch buttons and an LED display. This helps you operate the unit more efficiently
• Smart Screen- Though it is a premium feature but refrigerators with an in-built smart screen are more convenient to use. With this feature, you get access to digital content on your smart TV and smartphone, so you can easily watch your favorite shows while cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have queries in your mind? Well, here we have answered some of the frequently asked questions about side by side refrigerators.

1- How cold a refrigerator should be?

The internal temperature of a refrigerator is different in different areas, especially at the top and the bottom. Nowadays, most companies provide a cooling element in the back area of their refrigerators, due to which their back portions are generally colder. However, there are some factors that might cause fluctuation in the temperature. For example- air circulation fans and closing and opening the door.

For daily life purposes, it is recommended to keep the temperature between 0-5° Celcius. Temperature higher than this could put the shelf life in danger and might cause food spoilage.

2- What is the ideal capacity for a side-by-side refrigerator?

The current market is filled with refrigerators of different sizes and shapes and every company provides a different size range. Though if you talk about average capacity, then it should be around 500 to 820 L. Any unit between the ranges has enough capacity to cater to the needs of all the members of your family.

3- Should I buy low prices refrigerators?

Well, refrigerators come at different prices and there is no problem in opting for a budget-friendly option. But it is best to not buy any non-qualified models. Though these types of models might save you some money initially but in the long run, it will cost you a lot more on energy bills.

Remember that refrigerators stay on all year long, that’s why you consider spending a little more and getting a model that is energy-star rated.

4- What is the ideal maintenance period for side by side refrigerators?

Proper maintenance is very important to keep your refrigerator healthy and problem-free. Don’t be that person who only calls for technicians when their unit breaks down.

On average, you should consider taking professional maintenance services every 12 months. It’s very simple, simply contact your manufacturer and they will send professional executives.

5- What should I do to reduce the sound of my refrigerator?

Every refrigerator is equipped with a cooling coil, which is responsible for keeping the interior cool. There are other components like a fan motor, and the compressor helps in regulating everything. All these components work continuously and as a result, they create some noise.

So if you are hearing some humming sound, then it is perfectly okay and you can’t do anything about it. Though if the sound is too loud, then there might be some technical issues. In this scenario, it is best to take professional help.

6- Why there is moisture in my refrigerator’s vegetable drawer?

When you keep vegetables in your fridge, the water evaporates from them and it comes in contact with the refrigerator’s surface. This leads to the formation of tiny water droplets. So it is a very common process and you don’t need to worry about this.

Conclusion

Side by side refrigerators is not like traditional refrigerators. They do not only keep your food fresh but they also elevate the look of your kitchen. Nowadays, almost all reputed brands have started making side by side refrigerators, so you have a wide range of options to choose from. Our buying guide will make you familiar with the main features and also aware of the factors that you should look for while buying one.