Best 48-Inch Built-In Refrigerators for 2022

In this article you’ll learn about the best 48-inch built-in refrigerators, their features and reliability.

You’ll learn the differences between all your options so you can decide which one is right for you.

Plus, you’ll learn the problems of all the brands in buying and installing an oversized, heavy appliance. Delivery cannot be overlooked.

Let’s begin.

Table of Contents

Sub-Zero BI-48S

Sub-Zero is one of the most popular 48-inch built-in refrigerators.

Sub-Zero is the largest family owned American appliance manufacturer based in Madison, Wisconsin.

They were the first with twin compressors, one for the refrigerator and freezer so the warmer, moister air in the refrigerator does not cycle into the colder, drier freezer.

They’ve also improved the product with Nanotechnology shelving to congeal spills so you won’t be cleaning juice from six months after a spill in your refrigerator.

The product has been designed to keep food fresher for a longer period of time with their tight vacuum seal and magnetic crisper bins.

To reduce spoilage, you have an air scrubber to scrub ethylene gases off spoiling foods again to keep food fresher and stop any cross-contamination to other foods.

It’s available in stainless steel, or you can use a custom cabinet panel on the front.

Both styles are available with or without a water dispenser.

All Sub-Zero refrigerators are Smart. You can control the temperature on your phone. The refrigerator will send a text alert for any temperature changes, and if you leave the door open as well.

The warranty is one of the best at five years full and twelve years on the compressor.

Sub-Zero 648PRO

The 648PRO emulates the commercial refrigerator on all stainless steel.

You don’t have shelving on the door like a regular refrigerator. Items are placed in separate compartments.

The icemaker and crisper bins are located underneath for easy access.

The thermometer is placed on the outside as well.

Commercial refrigerators have a thermometer on the outside so chefs can read the temperature with a glance.

The 648PRO does not have an ethylene scrubber, but it’s all stainless inside. Stainless absorbs cold better, so your milk and juices from your grocery will be colder.

648PRO is available with a window or an all stainless. You cannot place panels on the PRO series.

True TR-48SBS

The most significant development to a choice of Sub-Zero is True’s entry into residential refrigeration five years ago.

They are the largest family owned American commercial refrigeration company based in St. Louis.

Considered the best commercial product available, it’s a staple at any supermarket.

If you’ve grabbed frozen food or soda at Whole Foods or Wegmans, you pulled it out of a True refrigerator or freezer.

True is a striking professional refrigerator, especially hinges and stainless shelving.

It’s easy to clean an all stainless interior and will cool quicker like the Sub-Zero PRO.

True does have some customization unavailable on a Sub-Zero.

Want a saffron colored refrigerator with polished brass accents on your hinges? How about cobalt and gold instead?

You have nine finishes and six hinge accents, with a True refrigerator.

True is a bit different from the Sub-Zero PRO.

All their crispers are on the inside. There’s also a dual compressor refrigerator.

It has some nice touches like ramp up LED and upfront electronic controls.

They’re all steel, crispers close tightly with soft closed hinges, like well made cabinets.

They also place shelving on the door, unlike their commercial units.

However, they do not address ethylene gases like Sub-Zero.

You also cannot purchase a True refrigerator to accept panels.

Viking VCSB5483

Viking redesigned their refrigerator with their ProChill temperature management system and DC overdrive compressor.

Like the others, they have an electronic temperature display in the front. They even have Sharp’s Plasmacluster technology.

The air purifier fire removes bacteria from your refrigerator and keeps it fresh.

Viking’s refrigerator has LED lighting, 17 custom colors, and soft close crispers. Soft close crispers seal air from the rest of the refrigerator.

It’s much improved. They even introduced integrated columns as well in their seven series models.

However, one of the problems with Viking is it’s single compressor versus two for the others.
A refrigerator this big, may be better.

Having two eliminates taste and odor crossover to the freezer. Viking needs to work on their reliability, especially refrigerators.

Make sure your dealer’s responsible for service.

Still, this refrigerator is a significant improvement for Viking, Kudos. They’re an American made company like the others on this list, so they deserve your consideration.

JennAir JS48NXFXDE

JennAir’s best feature is its price under $10,000. You also receive a $1300 rebate to buy additional JennAir products.

They have other features temperature management, LED lighting and filters.

JennAir controls the refrigerator and freezer temperature using sensors.

It features a filter in the crisper bins to address ethylene gasses and slow the spoilage of your food.

It also has an LED ramp up lighting. It looks good along with that dazzling obsidian interior.

The JennAir refrigerator is available with a crushed ice and cube dispenser.

However, it is not two compressors, it doesn’t have the same build quality sellers in this list. It may be a reason.

Their focus, like Thermador’s, has been on smaller integrated refrigerators.

Built-in Problems

Many people are focused on brands and features as they should.

There are other factors of concern, some are big problems.

You would think delivery is simple and a similar experience in every store delivering a 600-800 pound refrigerator on new soft floors requires significant professional expertise.

Check reviews of any appliance and delivery companies before you buy.

Installation is critical for a refrigerator this large. You must ensure the compressor is fastened to the wall because the weight is on the top.

The refrigerator could tip if it’s not installed properly.

Check the electrical and water specifications if you’re replacing your old 48-inch built-in refrigerator. They do differ between brands.

Despite what stores tell you, service is a big problem. For refrigerators, you do need a specialized refrigeration technician, definitely inquire before you buy.