Hard to say. Sub-Zero built a reputation for quality and longevity based on older models that were far less common (and more prestigious). Like many manufacturers, their newer models seem a little less "tank built" than their older products. But the prices have gone way up. It's now not uncommon to see kitchens with two Sub-Zero built in refrigerators. They are a bit of a status symbol.

We have had one for over 20 years years and I love them. It is amazing how well it keeps food. It is so good I was afraid to try another brand in our new house even though I didn't want yo pay the price. I hate cleaning the fridge and the Sub Zero makes it impossibly easy.

I paid $10,000 for my 48" 7 years ago. (I wouldn't do it again )
We had a few issues. They have great customer service though. However ,
There are many nice refrigerators now from other manufacturers. They all do the same job .

To answer your question , Do you wear Prada shoes , and a Chanel handbag ? If yes , Then you need a sub zero .

Heard reliability issues re them from my brother ( he was in appliance business)...

And in what parallel universe is a refrigerator considered a "status symbol" ??? Lol

I love @elegance quote "Chanel" "Prada". I would add "Hermes " then yes you need a sub zero. And yes I think it is a status symbol! If you have a wolf or Viking range. Yes go with sub zero. But that's just me. And I like Chanel.

32 degrees is 32 degrees....what brand you buy really depends on what size/functionality/price ratio fits your needs and your budget. Consumer Reports Kitchenaids highly as well as some Kenmores.

Even though I live in a very affluent locale... I've never heard of anyone referencing their kitchen appliances as status symbols... So sad if that's what some consider a "status symbol"!!!

@jacknewportbeach. Please take no offense to this. It's not some peoples status symbol. It's societies. What you consider practical is another persons "neighbor tease". Your Rolex or AP watch and Porsche is your practical. However society considers some things as status symbols. And sub zero is def one of them. It's not sad. It's just reality! Again no offense to what I am saying.

Doesn't Sub Zero's dual compression system and air filtration system separate them from everyone else as far as food preservation goes?

Yes. If there is a prolonged power outage, it will preserve and freeze your food,for much longer than a regular refrigerator.

Besides the dual compression system, they have a much stronger seal.

I dunno, if there's a power outage that lasts that long, I think there would be a heck of a lot of other things to worry about, and dancing around in my Prada shoes, driving in my Porsche and wearing my Rolodex isn't gonna help. My JennAire keeps my food just as lovely as my neighbor's Subzero, and I've never had to call a repair person like she has. Oh, and our homes are valued at the same amount.

Moral of the story - spend your money however you'd like. Me? I bought the JennAire and took a month trip to East Africa with the cash I saved. Much better stories and the memories last much longer than Pradas.

Umm - if you can afford a Sub Zero, you probably can also afford a generator. Personally I'd rather spend my extra cash on the generator so that not only will my food keep during a prolonged power outage, but the rest of my home will be comfortable too.

I'm not really sure how the food preservation aspect of a Sub Zero could be any different from any other fridge. Cold is cold ...

I don't own one, but during one of our really bad wind and rain storms in the 90s(when CA had rain, lol). We lost power over New Years for about 3 days. I had to throw everything out in my fridge, Honey Baked Ham and all.My sis in law didn't lose a thing, as the seal on her sub zero kept everything cold and frozen. It's one of their features.

Yes!

My remark is intended for people doing a gut to the studs remodel.

I don't understand why someone would pay so much money for a "counter depth" fridge. There are several ways to modify / design so that you have a 30 inch depth for the fridge. But then I wouldn't buy a pair of "red soled" shoes either. I do spend about $250 per month on food and tick / flea / heartworm meds for my dog. Everyone is "nuts" in their own way, that's what makes life interesting.

A sub zero is not a counter depth fridge, it is a built in unit, attached to the wall. Comparing apples to oranges. Btw, I love my counter depth fridge, I don't like how a regular sticks out and there is almost as much room. Things just don't get pushed to the back and lost.

I still don't understand where the thousands of dollars in price difference of a Sub Zero comes from. Is it all just obscene profit?

Dual compression system. Different than a regular fridge:)

Thanks Sandy but I still am struggling with justifying the cost. I want a Sub Zero and the quality that comes with it but does that quality equate to the extra cost.

That's up to you to decide. If you have a high end kitchen with high end appliances, I would go for it. But, it all depends on your budget.

I can afford a Sub Zero in my budget but is the Sub Zero worth the cost compared to other optins? I don't mind paying more for something as long as I know I getting value for the cost.

Did you ever decide on the fridge? If so, your thoughts? We’re building a new home.

We paid $4,500 20 years ago for ours. It has never failed. It has always kept precisely the same temperature. The only maintenance item was a light switch I replaced for $3. The vacuum seal is as strong today as it was when it was new. And after we clean it, it looks just like it did the day we bought it.

Is there quality and reliability in the Sub Zero refrigerators in 2021?

Yes, and you will wait quite a while to get it too. Sub Zero owns the cooling class of apps. . They have no peer, really

Any rich person with common sense wouldn't buy a Sub-zero refrigerator unless he/she was worried about friends and neighbors' opinions. It's not worth the additional cost, there are better choices, and the problems are much more than any comparable refrigerators. I have many friends who own Sub-zero just for status.

We just moved from a house with a 10yo Kenmore Elite to one with a 15? 20? yo subzero. The quality of SZ is really clear. The food is fresher. My wife is very sensitive to odors and some of the cross-polination (e.g., ice) flavors that can happen, She never used to drink water that was stored in our KE fridge. The the SZ is fantastic that way. The house came with a home warranty and the freezer drawer is getting a bit rough, so we might end up cashing out the fridge if they can't repair the rails--and would get a new SZ in a heartbeat, no contest.

I think you also have to look at longevity. Most REF today only last about 7 years. The nicer brands like SZ last many years longer. I had a client that had one from 40 years ago! Not that i would claim that they all would last that long, but i would imagine that Jenn-aire would last long also as it is the high end of whirlpool,

LOL........ Just saw this

"Any rich person with common sense wouldn't buy a Sub-zero refrigerator unless he/she was worried about friends and neighbors' opinions"

All the wealthy I know have quite a bit of common sense ( might be how they came to be very wealthy )

And every single one has an SZ fridge. So too do this with fewer resources. Three friends are approaching 28 years on a SZ. Nothing you buy today will outlast them . It's not at all for status, it is for function and longevity which makes a lot OF SENSE.