Sub-Zero Classic vs. Thermador Freedom 36-, 42-, and 48-Inch Built-In Refrigerators

Thermador has finally released a new refrigerator designed to compete with Sub-Zero's classic built-in series.

But is it better?

In this article, you'll discover the pros and cons of both brands, helping you decide which might be better for you.

At the end, we’ll dive into a critical factor you must consider before buying one of these refrigerators—something nobody’s talking about, but it will definitely affect your decision.

And trust me, it’s a problem I’ve faced with my own refrigerator.

Let's get started.

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Why Trust Us

You might not know this, but you should: we aren’t paid to write these articles, nor do we accept any affiliate payments or links of any kind.

No affiliate links here, and we don’t earn commissions by directing you to other retailers.

These articles are purely created to help you make the best possible decision.

And yes, we do sell both Thermador and Sub-Zero equally.

Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero remains American-made and family-operated.

Hard to believe, right?

They pioneered the twin compressor refrigerator and introduced the first counter-depth refrigerator.

I remember seeing their first integrated refrigerators back in 1994.

Their product tagline is “Freshness above all else.” Unlike most taglines, they back it up with a solid product.

Sub-Zero offers three series of refrigerators to suit different styles and needs.

The Designer Series is similar to Thermador’s integrated refrigerators, with panel-ready options available in columns or bottom freezers.

However, the bottom freezers in this series are more compact, maxing out at 36 inches.

The Classic Series is recognized for its iconic stainless steel design and offers a variety of sizes with built-in options.

Finally, the Pro Series brings a restaurant-inspired look, with stainless steel inside and out, available in both single-door and French door models.

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Series

Now that you're familiar with Sub-Zero’s different series, let's explore some of the most popular models in each lineup and what they have to offer.

Sub-Zero Designer Series Refrigeration

The DET3650CIID is a 36-inch refrigerator and freezer with an internal water and ice maker.

Sub-Zero's Designer Series columns, marked with "DEC," give you design flexibility.

For example, the DEC3050R is a 30-inch refrigerator, and the DEC1850FI is an 18-inch freezer with an ice maker.

You can pair these columns together for a full refrigerator and freezer setup, or place them separately to fit your kitchen layout.

Sub-Zero Pro Series Refrigeration

Their Pro Series offers a restaurant-inspired design with stainless steel both inside and out.

These models are available in 30- and 48-inch sizes.

Sub-Zero's Pro Series can be ordered with or without a glass door; however, custom panels cannot be added to these refrigerators.

Sub-Zero Classis Series Refrigeration

Sub-Zero's Classic Series refrigerators, which we’re reviewing in this article, have a top-mounted compressor and are available in 30-, 36-, 42-, and 48-inch widths.

The CL3050U/S and CL3650U/S models, which feature single doors, are available in stainless steel or with custom panel options.

The French door models, including CL3650U/FD/S, CL4250UFD/S, and CL4850U/FD/S, also offer a choice between stainless steel and custom panels.

For side-by-side models like CL4250S/S and CL4850S/S, you can choose between stainless steel or custom panels, with the option of either an internal or external dispenser.

Additionally, stainless steel models across the lineup can be ordered with either a pro or tubular handle, giving you more design options.

Thermador

While Sub-Zero is family-owned and American-made, Thermador is foreign-owned by German Bosch and manufactured in Turkey.

Don’t be surprised—many appliances are made in Turkey.

Bosch completely transformed Thermador in the 1990s, turning it from an innovative yet unreliable brand into an innovative and reliable one.

Thermador Freedom Built-In Refrigerators

Their new 42- and 48-inch French door refrigerators continue their successful line, offering larger sizes and more features.

Thermador's 42 and 48-inch French door refrigerators come in stainless or to be paneled. The stainless comes with either a pro handle or a masterpiece handle.

Below are the models we'll be comparing to Sub-Zero in this article. 

Read More: 2024 Thermador Professional Refrigerators Review: Are They Worth the Hype?

Sub-Zero Classic vs. Thermador Freedom 36-, 42-, and 48-Inch Built-In Refrigerators

Similarities

Let’s start with what these refrigerators have in common. It will be brief because they don’t share much.

Twin Compressors

Both models feature twin compressors, which keep the air separate between the refrigerator and freezer.

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Twin Compressors

That’s standard for most premium refrigerators now.

With no odor or taste crossover, your fresh food stays fresh, and your frozen foods defrost less often, reducing freezer burn.

Smart Features

Both refrigerators have smart features that let you control the temperature and receive door alerts via an app on your phone (my daughter often struggles with closing the refrigerator door).

They’ll also notify you when it’s time to change your filter.

Stainless and Panel Options

You can buy both in all stainless steel or panel-ready versions—though this will be a problem for one manufacturer.

Beyond that, these refrigerators and brands are completely different.

Differences

Design

Thermador is an integrated refrigerator, blending seamlessly with your cabinets and hiding from view:

Sub-Zero is a built-in counter-depth refrigerator, meaning the doors will protrude from your cabinets, but the fridge chassis will remain hidden behind them:

Capacity

Because Sub-Zero built-ins are slightly deeper, they offer a bit more capacity.

36-Inch Refrigerators

The Thermador 36-inch French door model offers 18.8 cubic feet, while the Sub-Zero 36-inch model provides 20.5 cubic feet.

42- and 48-Inch Refrigerators

At 42 inches, Thermador provides 23.1 cubic feet, while Sub-Zero offers 24.7 cubic feet. At 48 inches, Thermador gives you 26.8 cubic feet, compared to Sub-Zero’s 28.9 cubic feet.

Compressor Location

Another key difference is the location of the compressor.

Sub-Zero places the compressors on top of the refrigerator, while Thermador positions theirs on the bottom.

This difference doesn’t affect cooling, but it will play a role in an important decision you need to make.

Configurations in 36, 42, and 48 Inches

Thermador

Thermador offers six 36-inch options, three 42-inch options, and three 48-inch models.

The 36-inch Thermador is available as a single door or French door with two drawers below.

The 42- and 48-inch models only come in French door configurations.

Like the 36-inch model, the 42-inch version has two drawers below, but the larger 48-inch model offers four drawers.

Sub-Zero

The 36-inch Sub-Zero offers 18 different models in column, French door, or bottom-mount styles.

You have seven different options at 42 inches, including French door and side-by-side configurations, with a water dispenser option.

Incredibly, you have ten different configurations at 48 inches, in both side-by-side and French door options.

Sub-Zero gives you far more options than Thermador.

Prices

Thermador’s prices start at $9,999 for the 36-inch model and range up to $15,999 for the 48-inch stainless-steel unit.

Sub-Zero's prices starts at $11,615 for the 36-inch model and goes up to $15,900 for the 48-inch stainless French door model.

Both Sub-Zero and Thermador offer stainless steel and panel-ready options.

Feature Comparison

Interior

Thermador’s interior features a stainless-steel surface that’s easier to clean. The stainless surface doesn’t absorb odors or allow germs to collect.

In contrast, Sub-Zero has a painted steel finish.

Shelving

Sub-Zero, however, offers split shelving with a nanotechnology coating that congeals spills.

Their shelves are also deeper, providing more storage space.

Thermador’s shelves are decent but aren’t fully adjustable beyond that bulge in the refrigerator.

Ethylene Gas and Spoilage

Both models feature technology to remove ethylene gas from foods.

Thermador uses an ethylene filter, while Sub-Zero employs a NASA-inspired ethylene air purifier.

Both methods remove gases from spoiled foods, keeping them fresher longer and preventing cross-contamination.

Flex Drawers

Thermador’s flex drawer allows you to adjust the temperature between 0 and 39 degrees, so it can function as either a fridge or freezer.

Sub-Zero offers only one drawer, which serves as a freezer.

Ice Makers

Thermador offers two kinds of ice in their ice drawer, found in the 42- and 48-inch models.

The premium ice on all Thermador models is thicker “Diamond Ice,” which dissolves slower, making it ideal for cocktails and fine liquors.

The second ice maker is standard for colas and juice.

Sub-Zero only offers standard ice in their ice makers.

Dispensers

Thermador doesn’t have any external dispensers. They offer internal water dispensing only on the bottom freezers.

Sub-Zero, on the other hand, provides internal water dispensing on their bottom freezers and both external and internal dispensing on their side-by-side units.

Controls

Thermador refrigerators are packed with tech, featuring an LCD screen that displays every setting along with four cameras that let you look inside your refrigerator.

This is a serious upgrade for any refrigerator, while Sub-Zero has decent, but not as advanced, controls at the top of the refrigerator.

Vacuum Seal

While Thermador offers a sleek integrated design, Sub-Zero has a few unique features, like a vacuum-seal door.

Sub-Zero doors can be hard to open because the seal prevents air from infiltrating the refrigerator.

Magnetic Crispers

Sub-Zero also employs magnetic crisper bins designed to lock in freshness.

Their new split climate cooling system moves air in the refrigerator and crisper bins separately, allowing better temperature control in the crispers.

Sub-Zero & Thermador Refrigerator Problems

Let’s take a look at my refrigerator:

See the problem? I’m not using the top shelf.

I have a Sub-Zero two-drawer integrated refrigerator at home.

The issue with integrated refrigerators that have multiple drawers—like Thermador and other brands—is that they become too tall.

Thermador, in particular, is especially tall.

The top of the Thermador reaches a height of 6 feet 7.5 inches, while the Sub-Zero Classic is only 6 feet high.

So, accessing the top shelves in the Thermador could be a challenge.

Installation

You also need to consider how these refrigerators will be installed. Installation is incredibly important.

We have 18 installation teams who would rather cut granite than install panels on a multi-drawer integrated refrigerator.

It’s a 2- to 5-hour job if the floor and cabinets are level and the panels are cut perfectly, which they almost never are.

For comparison, we charge just $99 for a classic Sub-Zero refrigerator installation because it doesn’t take all day.

We charge $1,599 to install panels on the multi-door Thermador because it does.

To be fair, this isn’t just a Thermador issue; any integrated refrigerator with multiple doors will have the same problem.

You’ll also pay more for the extra panels and hardware needed for multiple doors versus a classic three-door Sub-Zero.

Final Thoughts

So, which one should you choose—Thermador Freedom or Sub-Zero Classic?

Thermador offers a sleek, integrated look and the latest technology. However, installing it can be tricky, especially with multiple doors. If you’re not tall, you might find it hard to reach the top shelves.

Sub-Zero focuses on keeping your food fresh with features like vacuum-sealed doors and magnetic crispers. It’s also easier to install and offers more options to fit your kitchen layout. But it does come with a higher price tag.

In the end, your decision depends on what matters most to you—modern design or reliable performance.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

Additional Resources

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