
Specifications
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This does not impact our reviews and comparisons.
Free, confirm-first email when the price drops on 42" Counter Depth Side-By-Side 25.1 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator (best partner price today: $9,020.10).
This Café side-by-side refrigerator measures 42 inches wide, 84 inches tall, and 28.5 inches deep, fitting well in standard kitchen spaces. The design includes showcase LED lighting that illuminates the interior for easy visibility of stored items. Spillproof shelves help contain accidental spills, simplifying cleanup and protecting lower compartments. Large door bins provide additional storage for smaller items, freeing up shelf space for larger containers and groceries. The side-by-side configuration offers convenient access to both fresh and frozen foods at eye level, making organization straightforward for daily use.
The Internet’s Verdict
57%positive
3.4★ weighted·across 81 ratingsHow We Score It
Gathering the reviews
We continuously collect owner reviews and public discussions from major retailers and community forums, de-duplicate them, and set aside anything we can’t tie to a verified purchase.
Calculating the average
Averaged across every source we found (Amazon, AJ Madison, and other retailers). Each source counts in proportion to how many ratings it has, so a store with thousands of reviews moves the number more than one with only a handful.
✓ Updated regularly · No manufacturer input
What owners talk about most
“I really like the look of this refrigerator; it's clean and doesn't show fingerprints. I love the ice maker. The inside, especially the freezer side is a little smaller than my previous refrigerator, but keeps me from buying and forgetting food stored in it. Nice and quiet.”
Owners Answer
The questions shoppers ask, answered from real owner reviews and discussions across the web — not the manufacturer spec sheet.
The ice maker location is a frequent concern among owners. It is positioned high in the freezer, making it difficult for people of average height or shorter to reach comfortably without a step ladder. Many reviewers report that accessing ice requires lifting a plastic door and reaching into the bin, and some note that ice tends to clump or spill out during retrieval. A few owners appreciate the design for its clean aesthetic, but accessibility remains a notable drawback for most.
No, this side-by-side model does not include a through-the-door water or ice dispenser. The ice is stored in a bin inside the freezer that must be accessed manually. Some owners appreciate this design choice for its clean, minimalist aesthetic and lack of front-facing clutter, while others expected a dispenser and find the manual ice retrieval inconvenient.
Owners report mixed experiences with interior storage. Many praise the spacious layout, efficient organization, and well-designed compartments that make it easy to retrieve food. However, several reviewers note that shelves are shallow and short, limiting the ability to store taller items or maximize vertical space. Some find the actual usable storage smaller than expected for the overall size of the unit, and a few mention insufficient compartments for their needs.
Most owners report the unit is quiet or acceptably quiet for normal operation. However, a notable subset of reviewers describe loud ticking, humming, or helicopter-like noises from the compressor or evaporator fan. One owner discovered that improper factory installation of fan grommets caused excessive vibration and noise, which was resolved after correction. Overall, quietness is a strength for many, but noise issues do occur in some units.
Owners consistently praise the sleek, modern, minimalist design with clean lines and a premium stainless steel finish that complements contemporary kitchens. The aesthetic is described as elegant, sophisticated, and attractive. However, some note that the stainless finish can show fingerprints and smudges, requiring regular polishing. Overall, the exterior appearance is a major strength of this model.
A significant number of owners report ice maker failures, requiring multiple repairs or replacements within the first few years of ownership. Some also describe cooling issues, evaporator fan failures, and water leaks. Several reviewers express frustration that these problems occur on a high-end appliance and that warranty coverage or service responsiveness has been inadequate. While many units perform well initially, long-term durability concerns are a notable pattern in the reviews.
Most owners report that the refrigerator cools and freezes effectively, with food staying fresh and frozen items maintaining proper temperature. However, a few reviewers describe temperature regulation problems, including the fridge warming to unsafe levels or the freezer not staying cold enough. These issues appear to be tied to ice maker failures or fan problems rather than systemic cooling design flaws. Overall, cooling performance is generally reliable for most units.
Owners report that installation is generally easy and pleasant, with professional delivery and setup going smoothly in most cases. One reviewer specifically praised the ease of installation and pleasant experience. However, the unit's height and weight can present logistical challenges during delivery, though trained technicians have successfully navigated this.
Fit & facts
Research done. AJ Madison has the best price today — $9,020.10
View DealSpecifications
Side-by-Side
How this side by side stacks up against close alternatives on Fridge.com.
| Spec | ![]() 42" Counter Depth Side-By-Side 25.1 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator Café · CSB42WP2NS1 | KitchenAid · KBSD748SPS | ![]() Frigidaire Gallery · GRSN2620AF | KitchenAid · KBSN748SBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $9,020.10 | $11,429 | — | $10,979 |
| Capacity (cu ft) | — | 29.4 | 26 | 30 |
| Width | 42 | 47.18 | 361.8 | 47 |
| Height | 84 | 83.25 | 685.8 | — |
| Depth | 28.5 | 25.81 | 50 | — |
| Annual Energy Use (kWh) | — | 804 | 605 | — |
| Top features | — |
|
| — |
| Where to buy | View Deal | View Deal | See details → | View Deal |
What Owners Say
79 ratings
The fit and finish of the refrigerator are of a high quality. It’s quiet and looks great in our new kitchen.
Ours was super noisy like many complain about in reviews. 4 different warranty claims with no change. I decide to dive in and fix myself cause the noisy was just Chinese torcher. The grommets around fans are install wrong from factory. They are upside down! Cause fan to…
My 16 year old frig died so we had to get a new one for the space and this one checked the boxes! Named her Julia Childs bc she is fabulous!
Compared to the Monogram refrigerator that I had years ago, this refrigerator/freezer is far superior and the Monogram was a more expensive line. It functions! I had said that I would not have a GE Appliance again after my Monogram experience, but this one has done the job. The…
I am a fan. My first built in fridge and it is everything I had hoped. Lots of room, efficient interior, beautiful.
Convinced? AJ Madison has it for $9,020.10
View DealWatch First
Sourced and aggregated by Fridge.com.
Brand Background
Café represents GE Appliances' entry into the luxury refrigerator segment, launched in 2018 and operated under parent company Haier from its Louisville, Kentucky headquarters. The brand has carved out a distinctive niche by emphasizing customizable aesthetics and design-forward styling, allowing homeowners to personalize hardware finishes and handle styles to match their kitchen décor. Fridge.com currently tracks 12 active models from Café, with French door configurations dominating the lineup at eight units—reflecting the brand's focus on premium, full-size kitchen installations. The catalog also includes specialty options such as a beverage center and compact unit, demonstrating some range beyond traditional refrigeration. Models like the CWE23SP4MW2 and CFE28TP3MD1 showcase the brand's commitment to modern aesthetics paired with functional design. With an average rating of 3.8 out of 5, Café occupies a respectable but not exceptional position in owner satisfaction, suggesting that while the brand delivers on visual appeal, performance experiences may vary. For buyers prioritizing kitchen design cohesion and willing to invest in a luxury-tier appliance, Café offers a compelling alternative to conventional stainless steel uniformity.