Samsung RH25H5611SR Refrigerator Review

The 24.7-cu.-ft. Samsung RH25H5611SR (MSRP $2,099) is a side-by-side fridge with a door-in-door Food Showcase design, which puts frequently used foods within easy reach in a compartment behind the fridge door.

We like the RH25 because it is energy efficient, cools consistently over time, and features ample storage. Although a sale price just under $1,500 is pricey for a side-by-side, it's not bad for a fridge with this many features.

Design & Usability

Look under the hood

The RH25H5611SR's exterior boasts a smooth stainless finish, while both interior sections have lots of LED lighting. The door-in-door storage is designed for quick access commonly used items, while a door-mounted ice maker keeps shelf space clear in the freezer.

Most of the RH25H5611SR's fit and finish is high-end, but we noticed some surprisingly clunky elements, similar to the quirky RS25H5121SR.

That said, not all is perfect. Those LED lights may be plentiful, but the fridge and freezer seemed dark to our eyes. None of the three fridge drawers have sliding humidity controls, and neither section offered much in the way of storage customization.

But the most questionable element was definitely the exterior control console. Compared to most fridges in this price range, which tend to use either all-black or all-gray panels, this fridge’s is two-toned: The outer edge is black, and surrounds a digital panel that's noticeably lighter. It's a design element that may be a bit too distinctive.

Performance & Features

Highly competitive, with only a few noticeable flaws

This Samsung side-by-side does almost everything right: Both compartments are nice and cool (aside from a warm spot down by the crisper), temperatures hold steady over time, and energy consumption is low. In a nutshell, you just can’t go wrong with this fridge.

...Unless, that is, you just stopped at the farmer's market. None of the three drawers in the fridge have any kind of humidity control. Our test materials lost a substantial amount of moisture during the testing process, and without a humidity slider, there was nothing we could do about it. Salad greens may start to wilt and carrots dry out faster than they might in a different fridge, so bear that in mind if you like to buy produce in bulk.

As far as extra features go, this Samsung keeps it simple. You’ve got Power Freeze and Power Cool for the freezer and fridge compartments, respectively. They let you drop the temperature quickly, useful for when you first turn on the fridge, or if you’re filling it up with lots of recently purchased groceries.

For in-depth performance information, please visit the Science Page.

Warranty

Not only does Samsung serve up a standard one-year parts and labor warranty for this side-by-side, they go the extra mile by offering additional five-year parts and labor coverage for the refrigerator system. That includes the compressor, evaporator, condenser, drier, and connecting tubing. To top it off, you also get ten years of parts coverage and five years of labor coverage on the digital inverter compressor.

A Door-In-Door Deal

Great, for a side-by-side

The Samsung RH25H5611SR is a great side-by-side refrigerator. It’s efficient, roomy, looks nice, and does a great job with food preservation.

Compared to other door-in-door fridges, it’s not only one of the best we’ve tested, but also one of the cheapest. Retailers are selling it for a mere $1,600, a huge deal compared to other high-end side-by-sides like this LG, or even the original Samsung Showcase.

That said, we're not sure if this product will be enough to sway consumers that don’t care about door-in-door storage, especially compared to something like this $1,300 Whirlpool or this $950 Kenmore. And, when it comes to usability, the French door fridge is still king.

Still, if you’ve got your heart set on a door-in-door fridge and prefer this layout, the Samsung RH25H52611SR is a hard bargain to beat.