The GE GSS25GYPFS is a mid-range, standard-depth, 36-inch side-by-side refrigerator. It has a through-door water and ice dispenser with an ice-crushing function, which tends to be less reliable than models with an in-fridge water dispenser and a conventional in-freezer ice tray. Beyond that, its cooling system is fairly simple, with a fixed-speed compressor and a single in-freezer evaporator.
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Our Verdict
The GE GSS25GYPFS is decent for everyday use. As a 36-inch standard-depth refrigerator, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there's a fair amount of interior storage space in the fridge and freezer, particularly for a side-by-side unit. These spaces are fairly flexible in terms of storage, thanks to a multitude of shelving positions. Temperature uniformity is also generally good across the board, though the refrigerator door bins are best used for chilling drinks instead of storing things like milk or cream. Unfortunately, its produce preservation performance lags behind dual-evaporator refrigerators.
Flexible refrigerator storage.
Deep freezer cabinet.
Temperatures are consistent across fridge shelves.
Highly consistent freezer temperatures.
Humidity levels in the main refrigerator cabinet are low, leading to poor produce preservation outside the drawers.
Temperatures in door bins are higher than the rest of the fridge cabinet.
Fridge cabinet is somewhat narrow for truly large items.
Freezer can be too narrow for very large items.
The GE GSS25GYPFS' produce preservation performance is only okay. It uses a single evaporator, resulting in a somewhat dry environment inside the fridge cabinet. As a result, produce with a high water content, like lettuce, will wilt quickly when left outside the crisper drawer. At the very least, produce will last noticeably longer if left in the crisper drawers, since they seal pretty tightly.
Crisper drawers have a tight seal.
Humidity levels in the main refrigerator cabinet are low, leading to poor produce preservation outside the drawers.
Freezer can be too narrow for very large items.
The GE GSS25GYPFS in-fridge capacity is good. The fridge cabinet is deep and quite flexible, with a plethora of alternative positions for its shelves, so you can easily set it up for storing things like bottles or stacks of meal-prep containers. However, like most side-by-side refrigerators, you might find it somewhat narrow if you regularly cook or bake with larger sheet pans and need to fit them inside the fridge.
Flexible refrigerator storage.
Fridge cabinet is somewhat narrow for truly large items.
Freezer can be too narrow for very large items.
The GE GSS25GYPFS has impressive capacity in its freezer. As with its fridge cabinet, the space is deep but narrow, which can make it a challenge to fit wider items like pizza boxes. While its ice maker does take up a fair amount of space, there is additional space above it for narrower items.
Deep freezer cabinet.
Ice maker and water dispenser take up a lot of room.
Freezer can be too narrow for very large items.
The GE GSS25GYPFS's temperature uniformity is very good. Barring the warmer fridge door bins, which should mainly be used for chilling less temperature-sensitive drinks and dressings, the main shelves are very consistent in temperature, so you don't have to be too tactical about unpacking your groceries.
Temperatures are consistent across fridge shelves.
Highly consistent freezer temperatures.
Temperatures in door bins are higher than the rest of the fridge cabinet.
Freezer can be too narrow for very large items.
The GE GSS25GYPFS is an excellent option for making ice. Its ejector-style ice maker can produce a fair amount of ice in a hurry, handy for impromptu gatherings, and features a high-capacity tray for larger parties. The ice maker itself also uses a well-established ejector-style design and is situated in the freezer, minimizing overall complexity and potential failure points.
Impressive ice production rate.
Ice tray has excellent max capacity.
Freezer can be too narrow for very large items.
Performance Usages
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
There are a few different color variants of this refrigerator.
| Model Code | Finish |
|---|---|
| GSS25GYPFS | Stainless Steel |
| GSS25GMPES | Slate |
| GSS25GGPWW | High Gloss White |
| GSS25GGPBB | High Gloss Black |
We bought and tested the GSS25GYPFS variant, finished in stainless steel, and for those interested, here's a photo of our product label. If you come across another variant of this refrigerator, let us know in the comments below so that we can update our review.
Popular Refrigerator Comparisons
The GE GSS25GYPFS is a relatively basic side-by-side fridge. Compared to other options like the Samsung RS27T5200SR or Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ, it looks a step behind in terms of features, with a simple, less efficient fixed-speed compressor and less interior storage in both its fridge and freezer cabinets, despite similar exterior dimensions to those alternatives. However, that rudimentary cooling system still yields superior performance to those models, with more consistent temperature consistency in both the fridge and freezer cabinets as well as better produce preservation, though it's worth noting that its performance in the latter respect still isn't fantastic. Beyond that, its lack of an inverter control board presents one fewer expensive point of failure.
For more recommendations, see our picks for the best side-by-side refrigerators, the best refrigerators, and the best refrigerator brands overall.
The GE GSS25GYPFS and Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ trade blows in terms of strengths. The Whirlpool is the one to get if interior capacity is your main concern, as it provides a significant degree of extra room in both its fridge and freezer cabinets. However, the GE pulls slightly ahead in terms of performance, with more consistent temperatures inside its freezer compartment and higher moisture retention for produce stored inside its crisper drawers.
The GE GSS25GYPFS outperforms the Whirlpool WRS321SDHZ in most ways. The GE provides more space inside its fridge and freezer cabinets, does a marginally better job of keeping fresh produce crisp, and is equipped with a more robust ejector-style ice maker that can produce more ice and offers a higher max capacity, useful for bigger get-togethers.
The GE GSS25GYPFS and Samsung RS27T5200SR each have their own advantages. The GE has the edge in terms of refrigeration performance, with more consistent temperatures inside the fridge and freezer despite its simpler fixed-speed compressor, and superior produce preservation performance. The GE's ice maker can also produce more ice in a 24-hour period and has a higher max capacity. On the other hand, the similarly-sized Samsung offers a lot more interior space in both its fridge and freezer compartments. On the topic of serviceability, GE's network of authorized providers is more robust than Samsung's, and generally speaking, you'll have an easier time finding parts for the GE over the latter.
Test Results
Refrigerator storage capacity is good, but not necessarily class-leading. There's a wide range of slots to adjust the positions of its three movable shelves, making it easy to fit taller items like bottles inside. There is a quartet of bins and a butter tray along the fridge door, though only two of the bins are movable. The upper bins themselves are fairly spacious and can accommodate larger items like jugs of juice or milk cartons, but the lower ones are small and should be used for smaller cans and containers. There are a pair of produce drawers, but they're on the smaller side: compared to the full-width drawers found in a French-door model, you'll struggle to fit large amounts of bulkier fruit and vegetables. While the cabinet is fairly deep, just note that the water filter at the top of the cabinet can get in the way when stacking items on the top shelf. If you're looking for a side-by-side unit that offers more room, consider the Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ.
Freezer storage capacity is impressive. While a fair chunk of space inside is eaten up by the ice maker and through-door dispenser, this model is fairly unique amongst similarly-equipped side-by-sides by featuring shelf space on top of the ice maker. This frees up space for longer, narrower boxed items. The cabinet itself is also fairly deep, though there's little to help keep your groceries organized. The door bins are also quite shallow and not especially tall, making them impractical for larger boxed goods.
This refrigerator has a simple cooling system. It has a single evaporator and a fixed-speed compressor. This differs from some other similarly-priced side-by-side models like the Samsung RS27T5200SR, which use inverter-style compressors. A fixed speed compressor reduces complexity and potential points of failure, but also operates less efficiently since the compressor needs to cycle on and off to maintain a temperature setpoint, rather than run constantly at a slower speed.
It's a similar story for the single evaporator too: less mechanically complex than a fridge with separate evaporators for the fridge and freezer cabinets, but also less precise humidity control.
Of particular note is the U-shaped bend in the defrost drain line (outlined in greater detail here). This is a potential problem area, as ice, small pieces of frozen food, or other small debris could make their way into the line and clog it. This issue is also present in the similarly designed GE GNE27JYMFS, and has been noted by users on social media, with the purported fix being to cut the line before it bends upwards to keep water draining straight down.
The GE GSS25GYPFS has an ejector-style ice maker located in the freezer. This is an advantageous setup for two reasons. Firstly, an in-freezer ice maker doesn't require additional sealing or cooling ducts for ice formation like an ice maker in a fridge door would. Secondly, of the two main types of ice makers you'll see in household fridges, ejector-style units generally present fewer potential failure points than twist-style ice makers, as the former uses a more robust metal mold instead of a flexible plastic one that could crack over time.
There's a water and ice dispenser in the freezer door, along with an ice crusher for certain types of drinks. Beyond that, there's an integrated light to help you see your glass in a dark kitchen, a status light to let you know when to replace your water filter, and a control lockout to prevent accidental spills.
Generally speaking, due to the additional water lines and added complexity that come with through-door assemblies, these designs tend to have more potential failure points than in-fridge water lines and in-freezer ice trays that require you to take out ice yourself.
This refrigerator's overall part availability is strong. Both components that are vital to the continued function of the fridge and parts that see a lot of wear and tear are consistently available from several major suppliers. If something does go wrong with your fridge, you shouldn't be stuck with a part on backorder.
GE has a robust authorized service network. Barring slightly thinner coverage in rural states, it isn't too hard to get in touch with a factory-authorized technician for making in-warranty repairs.
This refrigerator's temperature uniformity in its fridge cabinet is satisfactory. The main shelves are quite close in temperature, so you don't have to be especially careful in terms of how you unpack temperature-sensitive groceries like milk or yogurt in those areas. That said, the upper and middle door bins are a few degrees warmer than the shelves, with the lowest bin trending a few degrees warmer than the desired setpoint. As a result, you should really only use the door bins, especially the lower ones, for chilling unopened drinks or storing shelf-stable items like condiments and pickled foods, instead of temperature-sensitive items.
The GE GSS25GYPFS provides great temperature uniformity in its freezer cabinet. Temperatures from the top to bottom shelf are very consistent as the compressor cycles, which is normal for a fridge with this style of compressor. As a result, you don't have to worry about temperature-sensitive items like ice cream freezing to a rock-hard consistency on one shelf or being soft if left on another.
Produce preservation performance is only alright. This is to be expected in a single-evaporator fridge such as this, which, as a general rule, doesn't maintain a high level of humidity in the fridge cabinet. As a result, produce with a high moisture content, like lettuce or celery, will wilt fairly quickly. On the upside, its crisper drawers have a reasonably tight seal, helping to slow moisture loss and extending the lifespan of produce stored inside.
The GE GSS25GYPFS has an impressive ice production rate. In a 24-hour period, its ejector-style ice maker can produce more than enough ice for drinks at an impromptu get-together, though larger events will require you to begin filling its ice tray well in advance.
At peak capacity, the GE GSS25GYPFS's ice maker tray can store an amazing amount of ice. A little under 10 pounds of ice is sufficient for medium-sized gatherings where you expect to be serving a fair number of drinks.
Compressor noise from this fridge is on the higher end of the scale. It certainly won't keep you up at night, but its background hum can be a little more distracting than that of some other alternatives, especially if your kitchen is relatively close to an otherwise quiet area, like a bedroom or office.