The Samsung Series 5 RB38C602CS9 is a tall 70/30 fridge freezer aimed at busy households that want lots of storage, low running faff and a clean, modern look. At 203cm high with a generous 390-litre capacity, it comfortably handles a full family shop without taking up more width than a standard 60cm slot.
Samsung sits firmly at the premium end of the fridge freezer market, and this model reflects that with Total No Frost, all-around cooling and Wi-Fi connectivity via SmartThings. It’s energy rated C, which is strong by current standards for a full-size appliance.
With an impressive 4.8 out of 5 from more than 400 reviews, owners clearly rate it highly for performance and day-to-day convenience, making it a strong contender if you’re upgrading an older, less efficient model.
This model is ideal for medium to larger households that do one big weekly shop. The 70/30 split, with 276 litres of fridge space and 114 litres in the freezer, suits people who store more fresh food than frozen – perfect if you cook most evenings or keep plenty of fresh fruit, veg and dairy.
It’s a good fit if you’re happy to pay a bit more for something modern and efficient rather than a basic budget appliance. The C energy rating, Total No Frost and clever cooling tech will appeal to buyers who think about running costs and food waste as much as upfront price.
SmartThings connectivity makes most sense if you’re already using a smartphone confidently and like the idea of checking and tweaking settings from the sofa or on your way home from the shop. It’s not essential to use, but it adds an extra layer of control for tech‑savvy users.
If you live in a small flat or barely use your freezer, the height and capacity may be more than you realistically need. But for growing families, home cooks and anyone replacing an older, noisy or frosty unit, this Samsung is very well suited.
The huge 390-litre capacity in a standard 60cm-wide body gives you the storage of a larger appliance without needing extra kitchen space, helped by Samsung’s SpaceMax design which trims down the walls to free up interior room.
Total No Frost and All-Around Cooling work together to keep the temperature even throughout the cabinet and prevent icy build-ups. That means no more defrosting weekends and fewer forgotten, freezer-burned items lurking at the back.
SmartThings connectivity is a genuine bonus if you like control and reassurance. Being able to adjust temperatures, activate Power Cool or Power Freeze, or just double-check that everything’s running properly from your phone is very handy for busy households.
Noise is rated at just 35 dB, which is on the quiet side for a full-size fridge freezer, making it a good choice for open-plan living spaces where loud compressors can be intrusive.
A reversible door and adjustable glass shelves give you flexibility when it comes to kitchen layout and internal organisation, while the dedicated salad crisper helps keep fruit and veg in better condition for longer.
At this price, it’s firmly in the mid-to-premium bracket for a freestanding fridge freezer, so it won’t be the first choice if you’re simply looking for the cheapest possible upgrade.
The tall 203cm height is great for capacity but could be awkward in homes with low ceilings or for users who struggle to reach the top shelf comfortably.
While the 114-litre freezer is adequate for most families, heavy bulk buyers or those who batch-cook and freeze a lot may find the 70/30 split limiting compared with a larger 50/50 option.
The 2-year manufacturer warranty is decent but not class-leading. Some competitors offer longer cover on parts or the compressor, which would be reassuring on a premium-feeling appliance like this.
Day to day, the Samsung Series 5 RB38C602CS9 is designed to be as hands-off as possible. Total No Frost means you never have to chip away ice or schedule manual defrosts – it simply keeps the interior clear so drawers slide smoothly and storage space isn’t gradually eaten up.
Inside, the layout is straightforward: three glass shelves in the fridge, a salad crisper drawer and door balconies to take bottles and jars. The adjustable shelves make it easy to create space for tall items like milk jugs or large pans after a big cook-up.
The internal LCD display, operated by simple buttons, keeps the exterior clean and uncluttered while still giving you precise control over temperatures. Features like Power Cool and Power Freeze are genuinely useful when you’re loading in a warm shop, helping bring everything back down to safe temperatures quickly.
With a noise level of 35 dB, it should fade into the background hum of the home. It’s particularly well suited to open-plan kitchens where older, louder fridge freezers can be noticeable during quiet evenings.
The reversible door gives you flexibility when positioning the appliance, helpful if you’re working around existing units or a tight corner. And because the door opens onto a relatively deep 65.8cm body, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got enough clearance for it to swing fully open.
The core cooling performance is underpinned by Samsung’s All-Around Cooling system, which circulates chilled air evenly around the fridge. Rather than cold spots at the back and warmer areas near the door, the whole cavity stays broadly consistent, helping milk, meat and salad last closer to their best-before dates.
Total No Frost covers both fridge and freezer sections, using controlled airflow to prevent moisture from settling as ice. It not only stops frost forming on the walls and drawers but also means frozen food stays separate and easier to identify, rather than turning into a solid block.
The SpaceMax construction allows the RB38C602CS9 to squeeze 390 litres of total capacity into a standard 59.5cm-wide shell. The thinner but well-insulated walls free up internal space without increasing the external footprint, which is a major plus in typical British kitchens where width is often fixed by cabinetry.
SmartThings integration is a standout extra. Once connected to Wi‑Fi, you can check temperatures, adjust settings and trigger Power Cool or Power Freeze from your phone. It’s especially handy if you’re away and want reassurance that the appliance is running correctly, or if you’ve just done a big shop and want to pre-chill before you arrive home.
On the freezer side, four drawers give a sensible balance between organisation and usable space. Combined with the 9-hour power failure safe storage time, your food has a decent buffer in the event of a short power cut, which can be a real stress-saver.
Energy performance is also solid. A C rating and 254 kWh annual consumption is efficient for a fridge freezer of this size, helping keep running costs down over the long term compared with older, lower-rated models.
This Samsung clearly isn’t pitched as a rock-bottom budget option, but it does justify its asking price with a strong mix of capacity, efficiency and features. You’re paying for a large 390-litre interior, modern cooling technology and smart connectivity rather than a bare-bones spec.
The C energy rating and relatively low 254 kWh yearly consumption should soften the blow of the initial outlay over time, especially if you’re upgrading from an older A–G reclassified model that now sits towards the bottom of the new efficiency scale. The lack of defrosting chores also has value in terms of time and hassle saved.
Crucially, the high 4.8/5 user rating backed by hundreds of reviews suggests that most owners feel they’ve had their money’s worth in real-world use. Reliability, quiet running and food-freshness performance all appear to be strong points.
If you simply need a basic fridge freezer for occasional use, you can spend less elsewhere. But for a family-friendly, feature-rich model that should serve you well for years, the RB38C602CS9 offers good overall value for money.
The Samsung Series 5 RB38C602CS9 is a well-balanced, modern fridge freezer that delivers where it matters: generous storage, efficient cooling and minimal maintenance. Total No Frost, All-Around Cooling and a quietly efficient compressor make it a straightforward upgrade for anyone fed up with icy shelves and inconsistent temperatures.
Its 70/30 layout is spot on for fresh-food-heavy households, and the tall, slim design makes the most of a standard 60cm width. Add in SmartThings control, fast-cool functions and sensible touches like reversible doors and adjustable shelves, and it feels every bit the modern family workhorse.
The price is on the higher side versus entry-level models, and very tall users or heavy freezers might prefer a different configuration, but for most buyers this is a highly capable, future-proof choice. If you want a quiet, spacious and clever fridge freezer from a trusted brand, the RB38C602CS9 deserves to be high on your shortlist.
