Frigidaire FFSS2615TS Side-By-Side Refrigerator Review

Side-by-side refrigerators like the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS have their pros and cons. While they let users keep everything closer to eye level and don’t require bending to reach frozen items, their narrow freezers can be problematic for storing larger items, like frozen pizzas or baking sheets. But unlike a lot of side-by-side refrigerators that tend to be colder at the top and warmer at the bottom, the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS managed to maintain even, consistent temperatures across its fridge and freezer, which should help reduce bacterial growth and freezer burn. If we only tested fridges based on their main functionality, this Frigidaire would be a great pick.

Of course, the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS isn't your only option. At its price point, there are other fridges that offer similar performance, but also have other features, such as more customizable internal storage or smart capabilities. This keeps us from saying the FFSS2615TS is a great value, but it has some strengths that make it worth considering. If you're looking for a great side-by-side, we'd recommend checking out the LG LSXS26366S, which aced our performance tests.

About the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS side-by-side refrigerator

Dimensions: 35.625" x 69.625" x 31.75" (W x H x D) Usable space: We measured 10.95 cu. ft. of usable storage space in the refrigerator and 5.08 cu. ft. in the freezer. Dispensers: Water and ice (cubed and crushed) are dispensed through the door. Finishes: Available in Ebony Black (FFSS2615TE), Pearl White (FFSS2615TP), stainless steel (FFSS2615TS, costs $150 more), and black stainless steel (FFSS2615TD, costs $250 extra).

What we like

The fridge is remarkably consistent for a side-by-side

A big problem with side-by-sides is their tall compartments typically mean things are much colder near the top and a lot warmer toward the bottom. Here, however, the FFSS2615TS manages to keep temperatures to within 4°F of each other, allowing you to maintain temperatures under the safety threshold of 40°F without partially freezing your items.

The freezer is consistently cold and efficient

According to our tests, the freezer on the FFSS2615TS is excellent. It was able to drop from room temperature to freezing in about a half-hour, which is about three times as fast as what we typically see. Once the freezer is cold, temperatures tend to stay remarkably consistent, with all areas maintaining temperatures within 1°F of each other.

The design allows for easy access

One of the boons of a side-by-side design is it can provide easy access to the most frequently used items on both the fridge and freezer side. We definitely found this to be the case with the FFSS2615TS, which has some good storage options available on both the freezer and refrigerator side. You can fit two or three door storage options within arms reach without needing to stoop to access them.

What we don't like

The controls and drawers are difficult to use

Most users never adjust their refrigerator's temperature, but for those who want to make changes, know that the controls on the FFSS2615TS are really bad. Not only do the buttons require a hard press to activate, it also feels as though you really need to hit a specific spot in order to get a press to register. It's a minor qualm, but one we ran into during our testing. On the plus side, you're very unlikely to accidentally bump these buttons and cause premature spoilage.

Also suffering from some usability issues: the drawers. We noticed they tend to wobble and stick—they definitely don't slide particularly smoothly. Since you're much more likely to interact with your drawers than the thermostat, we think this is the more significant problem.

There’s less practical storage space than manufacturer claims

Fridge manufacturers often count a lot of space towards their capacity that isn't practical for storage purposes. For example, they might measure freezer space without the ice maker in there, or with drawers removed. We calculate our own measurements for storage capacity based on how much is actually usable.

According to our measurements, the amount of actual storage space you’ll get with this fridge is significantly less than what the manufacturer claims: about 34% less space in the fridge and about 44% less in the freezer. This is pretty average among side-by-sides, which is typically less than other fridge layouts.

What owners say

In general, users like their FFSS2615TS, awarding it an average of 4.2 stars out of 5 across major retailer sites. Many users complain this fridge can be loud, which we also noticed during our testing. Another commonly reported issue: The ice maker is very slow. According to Frigidaire's site, the fridge can make eight ice cubes every 90 minutes, so completely filling your ice reservoir will take several days. If you and your family tend to use a lot of ice, the FFSS2615TS might leave you feeling hot and bothered.

Should you buy this refrigerator?

Probably. If you don't mind missing out on extras, it's really not a bad fridge. We found the FFSS2615TS shines on many of the most important performance areas we test. If you just want a fridge to perform its chilly duties with a great overall aesthetic to boot, the FFSS2615TS might be worth the price. Otherwise, we do think its price is slightly higher than we'd expect for what it offers. If you can find it on sale, you should definitely pick this one up.

If you’re interested in a side-by-side refrigerator, but want a model with better amenities and a lower price point than the Frigidaire FFSS2615TS, we’d recommend checking out the LG LSXS26366S or one of our other top-rated options.