ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Specifications
Refrigeration System
The RSG257 is an ENERGY STAR® compliant refrigerator that uses 560 kWh/year, and Samsung estimates that it could cost you about $60 a year to run. It features Twin Cooling Plus™ technology, which is an impressive commercial-grade cooling system that controls humidity and temperature levels in the fridge and freezer separately. The system also has five temperature sensors and multiple vents to ensure that cold, fresh air is always circulating evenly throughout each compartment and your food is kept fresher for longer. Temperatures can be monitored and adjusted using the external control panel in the water/ice dispenser, and humidity is automatically kept at 75% in the fridge but much drier in the freezer to prevent freezer burn. The external temperature control panel also has "Power Cool" and "Power Freeze" buttons that will quickly drop the internal temperature in the fridge or freezer if, for example, the door was left open or you need to freeze something quickly. Lastly, according to Consumer Reports, the RSG257 has excellent temperature performance and is relatively quiet while running.
From the external water/ice dispenser, you can also control internal temperatures and instantly cool down the fridge or freezer.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Storage in the Fresh Food Compartment and Freezer
The Samsung RSG257 has a total of 24.5 cu. ft. of capacity. The fresh food compartment has 15.2 cu. ft. of capacity with flexible storage capabilities. It has four tempered glass shelves that are adjustable and spill proof, and one of the shelves can actually be folded in half if you want to make room below for a larger item but don’t want to remove the shelf completely. The fridge also has three drawers including one designed for keeping baked goods (i.e. bread and cake) fresh and one humidity-controlled crisper for keeping fruits and veggies fresh. Samsung also includes a container for eggs and an optional wine rack that fits inside the fridge. In terms of door storage, there are four bins, but they are not adjustable and only one is gallon-sized. The door also has a can holder that can be folded up when not in use and a small, covered dairy bin. The freezer has 9.3 cu. ft. of capacity and features four tempered glass shelves, two drawers (best for storing meat or dry foods) and three stationary door bins. We really appreciate that the shelves, drawers and bins in the refrigerator are all clear and help you keep food items well organized, so you can quickly and easily find what you need.
The interior of the refrigerator is designed to keep all types of food fresh, organized and visible.
Credit: Mary Griffin
The automatic icemaker is built into the door to allow for more usable capacity in the freezer.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Extra Features
The RSG257 has an external water and ice dispenser on the freezer door where you can easily get cold, filtered water and cubed or crushed ice. The dispenser has a child lock, can accommodate tall glasses and has a sleek design with a blue LED panel. The water filter should be changed every six months or as soon as the filter indicator on the panel turns red. To maximize usable capacity, Samsung also designed the refrigerator with space-saving features like an LED Tower Lighting system, a folding shelf in the fridge, and an automatic icemaker built into the freezer door. The icemaker also has a clear bucket, so you can easily check ice levels when necessary. Lastly, the RSG257 features an open door alert that will beep after the door has been left open for two minutes.
It also features a built-in water filter.
Credit: Mary Griffin
The RSG257 is equipped with an automatic icemaker.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Exterior Style and Functionality
The RSG257 is a side-by-side, counter-depth refrigerator that has a smooth, sleek design with concealed door hinges and a concealed grill at the bottom. It is available with matching handles in four different finishes including Black (RSG257AABP/XAA), White (RSG257AAWP/XAA), Stainless Steel (RSG257AARS/XAA) and Stainless Platinum (RSG257AARS /XAA). It is also ADA-compliant, so it is easy for any member of your household to open.
Samsung's 24 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator in a Stainless Steel finish.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Brand Reputation
As a refrigerator brand, Samsung is considered to be very reputable. Samsung ranked 1st in overall customer satisfaction in a 2012 J.D. Power and Associates refrigerator study and 2nd in its 2013 study. It has also received relatively good reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. For the RSG257, Samsung offers a 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor and a 5-year limited warranty on parts and labor for the sealed refrigeration system.
User Reviews
The Samsung 24 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator has received great reviews from customers online including a 5/5 on Samsung.com (117 reviews), 4.3/5 on BestBuy.com (202 reviews) and a 4.6/5 on hhgregg.com (52 reviews). Most customers were very pleased with the RSG257’s temperature performance, useable capacity, noise level, LED lighting and features, as well as with its overall look and style. Of the negative reviews I saw, there were some customers who had issues with the icemaker either not working, not working fast enough or getting clogged easily. Another issue that came up a few times had to do with the RSG257’s handle loosening and even falling off in people’s hands as they were trying to open the refrigerator. With that said, most customers have had a very positive experience with the Samsung 24 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator, and it sounds like an excellent counter-depth refrigerator for kitchens with limited space.
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