Samsung RS27T5200SR Side-by-side Refrigerator Review

The RS27T5200SR features a standard side-by-side design, with the fridge compartment on the right and freezer on the left. The left door also houses the through-the-door dispenser.

Opening up the right-hand compartment reveals a standard side-by-side layout: lots of locked-in shelving plus two crisper drawers at the bottom.

The left-hand compartment houses the ice maker, which takes up the majority of the door’s interior.

About the Samsung RS27T5200SR side-by-side refrigerator

Dimensions: 70.06" x 35.88" x 33.5" (H x W x D) Measured capacity: 12.7-cubic-foot refrigerator compartment; 5.7-cubic-foot freezer compartment Finishes: Stainless steel, black stainless steel ($100 extra) Dispensers: Through-the-door water and ice (cubed and crushed) User manual: Samsung RS27T5200SR side-by-side refrigerator manual

What we like

Multi-vent technology keeps fridge temps remarkably steady

One of the key features of the RS27T5200SR is its multi-vent system that stood up remarkably well to the tests we put it through in our controlled lab.

For starters, the RS27T5200SR doesn't show a temperature gradient at all. For context, most fridges typically have a single vent that pipes in cold air, and is located at the top of the rear wall. This can lead to items on higher shelves getting colder than items lower down, running the risk of cutting off air circulation from entire shelves that are too cramped, and items at the bottom to getting warm enough to spoil prematurely.

The RS27T5200SR aims to remedy this situation by using multiple vents at different heights, in order to more evenly disperse cold air throughout the fridge.

In the RS27T5200SR, we measured the top shelves averaging a near-perfect 36°F, dropping to 34°F in the middle shelves, then increasing to 36°F again at the bottom. Where the average fridge may have a 3°F to 6°F difference between the top and bottom, here we see only a couple degrees of difference between the vent zones, and the top is actually the same temperature as the bottom.

Furthermore, during testing the temperatures remained consistent over time and throughout normal use. Despite defrost cycles and regular use during our testing run, temperatures in the fridge wavered by less than 1°F. This is some impressive temperature stability.

There’s more room to store your favorite foods than most side-by-sides

While not as spacious as its cousin, the RS27T5561SR, the RS27T5200SR still packs more storage area than the average side-by-side. We measured its fridge compartment at 12.67 cubic feet, which is exactly 1.75 cubic feet larger than the average side-by-side. For context, 1 cubic foot is about the size of four basketballs: We're talking about a significant difference here.

The freezer is also bigger than average, if only by slightly. We measured the freezer at 5.7 cubic feet, which is 0.35 cubic feet larger than average. Every little bit helps, though, especially for a side-by-side, which often has difficulty accommodating bulkier items into its relatively narrow column.

For the frozen pizza lovers among us, the RS27T5200SR can snugly accommodate your favorite CPK Crispy Thin Crust variety, which, in-box, measures 12-inches square. But, for brands that use the standard 14-inch packaging, you'll have to tilt that pizza to make it fit, which means less space for your favorite frozen pies and, consequently, more grocery-store runs.

A minimalist through-the-door dispenser for convenient refilling

We love a good through-the-door dispenser, and the Samsung RS27T5200SR's feels great to use. The activation paddle put forth just the right amount of resistance so we didn't feel in danger of accidentally activating the dispenser, but also didn't have to fight with it.

The dispenser supports both cubed and crushed ice, with its transparent reservoir visible inside the freezer compartment, which makes it easy to eyeball your ice reserves at a glance.

What we don’t like

The crispers underwhelm

Chances are nobody is ever in danger of being overwhelmed by a particularly elegant display of humidity control, but when it comes to the RS27T5200SR the low points aren't particularly low.

Our measurements show that the RS27T5200SR's crispers are letting moisture escape at rates roughly 10% faster than the average fridge. This means your fresh veggies may not last as long in the RS27T5200SR as they would in a different fridge.

Storage has few customization options

Due to their design, side-by-side fridges often don't have many options for repositioning shelves. While the RS27T5200SR does have more raw storage space than the average side-by-side, you're stuck with the fridge's layout. All of its shelving is molded into its walls, and there's no additional slots available to slot shelves at a different height.

The freezer can feel especially cramped, with a shelf width of 12" just barely being enough to fit some common frozen foods. This is not a fridge that's accommodating to oversized items.

What owners are saying

Owners like the Samsung RS27T5200SR, awarding it an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars across major retailers. Many users appreciate how much extra storage space the RS27T5200SR provides, in addition to its sleek design, quiet operation, and through-the-door dispenser.

The most common negative criticisms revolve around the ice dispenser being slow to replenish and lack of repositioning options for shelves. We didn’t run into any issues with the ice maker during tests, and the ice reservoir can hold 4.4 pounds of ice, which should be enough for most users (though more and more people are stepping up their ice game recently).

Warranty

Samsung's warranty covers parts and labor for one year. The sealed refrigeration system (compressor, evaporator, condenser, drier, and connecting tubing) is covered for up to five years, for both parts and labor. The digital inverter compressor is covered 10 years for parts and five years for labor.

Typically, warranties will only cover the first year, so we're happy to see Samsung guarantees selected parts further into the refrigerator’s lifespan. This is one of the better warranties in the business, so you can feel confident in your purchase.

Should you buy the Samsung RS27T5200SR refrigerator?

Yes

If you're not in the market for a smart fridge, the RS27T5200SR offers a sleek, understated design and more storage space than we'd expect from a side-by-side. We liked the through-the-door dispenser with a transparent ice bucket so you can easily check its levels. The multi-vent system works wonderfully, keeping temperatures from getting warmer lower down in the fridge. Temperatures this consistent are rare and will keep your food fresh for a long time.

If you are looking for a fridge that supports Samsung's popular Family Hub smart home system, definitely look into the RS27T5561SR, which we think is one of the best entry points to having a smart home.

If you're in the market for another upscale option without smart features, we also recommend researching the LG LSXS26366S, which does cost a bit more, but has some equally-impressive performance.