The Samsung RS27T5200SR is a midrange side-by-side standard-depth 36-inch refrigerator. Its cooling system is relatively conventional for a unit in this price bracket, with an inverter-controlled compressor and an in-freezer evaporator. As far as features go, there's a combination filtered water and ice dispenser in the freezer door, as well as a low-profile in-door ice bucket.
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Our Verdict
The Samsung RS27T5200SR is decent for everyday usage. The refrigerator cabinet is impressively large and should be able to accommodate larger casserole dishes, multiple meal-prep containers, or bulky items like a whole turkey. Unfortunately, it's got a few weaknesses too. Produce preservation performance is well behind the curve, causing delicate greens to wilt relatively quickly. Its temperature uniformity performance also isn't anything to write home about: while temperatures are fairly consistent across shelves, barring the top one, the door bins are quite a bit warmer, and shouldn't be used for any temperature-sensitive foodstuffs.
High storage capacity in fridge cabinet.
Deep freezer cabinet.
Temperatures at the top of the fridge cabinet are high, especially the door bins.
Low moisture retention in crisper drawers causes delicate produce to wilt prematurely.
The Samsung RS27T5200SR's produce preservation performance is middling. The main refrigerator cabinet is a very dry environment and the crisper drawers do a poor job of sealing in ambient humidity. This can cause greens like lettuce or spinach to dry out and lose their crunch, becoming noticeably softer and beginning to wilt within a matter of days.
Low moisture retention in crisper drawers causes delicate produce to wilt prematurely.
The Samsung RS27T5200SR has amazing refrigerator capacity. The fridge cabinet can hold an impressive amount of items for a side-by-side unit, with a footprint just about big enough to fit larger casserole dishes or multiple meal prep containers side-by-side. Similarly, the door bins have enough space to fit bigger items like milk jugs and cartons or even multi-packs of glass bottles.
High storage capacity in fridge cabinet.
Large door bins.
The Samsung RS27T5200SR is a fantastic option for storing frozen food. Space isn't an issue, with a deep and relatively wide freezer cabinet for a side-by-side model. While you won't be able to fit large pizza boxes lying flat, the space is quite deep, so you shouldn't have too much trouble fitting these sorts of items if you put them on their side. Its in-door ice maker and ice bucket also free up space in the upper reaches of the cabinet.
Deep freezer cabinet.
In-door ice maker saves space.
The Samsung RS27T5200SR's temperature uniformity is decent. Freezer temperatures are fairly consistent for the most part: items placed in the upper and middle shelves will be chilled to a similar degree. That said, the lowest shelf is a few degrees warmer than the rest of the cabinet, so more temperature-sensitive items like ice cream will be a little softer than if they'd been placed elsewhere. Temperature uniformity in the fridge is more of a low point. In this section, the upper regions of the cabinet are a few degrees warmer than the rest. Worse yet, the upper door bin is drastically warmer than that, so you should really avoid placing things like sour cream or yogurt in those upper reaches.
Temperatures are consistent within upper and middle sections of the freezer.
Temperatures at the top of the fridge cabinet are high, especially the door bins.
Temperatures in lower sections of the freezer are slightly higher than the rest of the cabinet.
The Samsung RS27T5200SR's ice-making performance is okay. Its ice bucket can hold a little under three and a half pounds of ice cubes at max capacity, and it can fill that bucket more than halfway within the span of 24 hours. In real-world terms, that means this fridge's ice maker is capable of making ice for drinks at a small family dinner in a pinch, but even when filled to the brim, it won't hold enough cubed ice for drinks at a big backyard barbecue or a cocktail party. Consider a countertop ice maker or simply filling a container with ice well in advance if you're the type to host bigger bashes often.
Ice bucket holds enough ice for smaller gatherings.
Ice production rate is insufficient for impromptu larger parties.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Mar 05, 2026:
We've added a link to the GE GSS25GYPFS in the Refrigerator Temperature Uniformity section of the review to offer an alternative that provides superior temperature consistency in its fridge cabinet.
- Updated Feb 26, 2026: Version 1.1 of our refrigerator test bench provides new information regarding authorized service provider coverage for different manufacturers, the availability of replacement parts, and operating noise. For a more detailed breakdown of the changes made, see our full changelog.
- Updated Oct 08, 2025: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This fridge is available in two color variants with different model codes.
| Model Code | Color |
|---|---|
| RS27T5200SR | Stainless Steel |
| RS27T5200SG | Black Stainless Steel |
We tested the RS27T5200SR model in Stainless Steel, and for those interested, here's the product label.
If you come across another variant of this fridge, please let us know in the comments so that we can update our review.
Popular Refrigerator Comparisons
The Samsung RS27T5200SR is a mid-range side-by-side refrigerator. Its closest analogue, in price, size, and comparability of features, would be the Whirlpool WRS588FIHZ, another standard-depth 36-inch side-by-side. They have similarly designed in-freezer ice makers that save on freezer space, combination water and ice dispensers with ice crushing capability, and similar interior layouts, though the Samsung is lacking one shelf compared to the Whirlpool. In terms of actual usability, the Samsung has slightly shallower fridge and freezer cabinets: while you lose out in terms of space, this also makes it easier to access items at the rear of either compartment. In any case, the Samsung model offers impressive capacity for a side-by-side unit, which also happens to be its main selling point. Other units, like the KitchenAid KRSC703HPS and Frigidaire FRSS2623AS, provide vastly superior temperature consistency and produce preservation performance.
Test Results
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