The Bosch you are considering is not a built in model. It is a stand alone and will not be flush with your cabinets. That said - it is a very nice fridge. My daughter just bought one two weeks ago, So far she is very happy with it. It is very quiet and the interior organization appears to be very efficient. It is made in china. It did arrive with a small blemish on the finish on one handle - Bosch has agreed to replace and of course the part is back ordered. It is a fairly new fridge for Bosch so the reliability track record is an unknown at this point in time.

If you want built in then Bosch offers B36BT930NS which is closer in price to the SZ. It does not appear to have the split shelves you are looking for.

I have a sub zero integrated fridge and also a freezer. - 5+ years. I am extremely happy and my fridge does keep produce much longer than any other fridge I have owned. I have not seen split shelves being sold after market. I personally do not find the need for them but that is just me.

I think you need to decide if you want built in or a stand alone surrounded by cabinetry (that will still look very nice - just not flush) and what features are most important to you. I would expect a much longer life with the SZ and that would be the direction I would go if you want a built in. However, You can buy 3 Bosch Stand alone fridges for the price of a SZ.

Kim - extremely helpful, thank you! and you are totally correct - definitely a drawback that the Bosch would be a little bit proud out of the cabinets. but as you said, 3 fridges for the SZ seems a bit steep, especially given my pickiness about the shelving.

I am a little worried about the reliability... I’ll have to think about it a little more.

I am not strongly considering the Bosch built in since it doesn’t really seem worth it since a slight upgrade in price gets me the SZ

I have seen a video review mentioning two problems with the Bosch. A open door alarm going off at odd times without any open door. And ice in the storage tray melting and refreezing in a clump. I like those to be solved because this is a dual compressor model. Which is rare at the price point.

dan - that review is super helpful and pretty damning for the Bosch! thank you for sharing. I am much more strongly leaning towards the SZ now.

If you are willing to spend the $$ - you will be very happy with a SZ.

I had seen the Bosch alarm issue mentioned in a review or thread (maybe on here) and hoped it was a one off. My recent perusal of general online reviews did not mentioned it. As one would expect - the ice maker seems to have the most mentioned issues. Fortunately my daughter is not a big ice user (heard no complaints yet here). I hope the gentleman in the video is able to resolve his issues. If he cannot get resolution with bosch directly I would hope where he purchased the fridge can work through their contacts to get a good service tech out. Sounds like he may have a faulty sensor???

I have yet to have to call SZ except for a question - that was a great interaction. I have 3 SZ/Wolf appliances and all have been problem free for 5+ years. Fingers crossed.

SZ all the way. I’ve owned 2 (2 different homes) and will never purchase another fridge.

If you have room to bump up to the 42" french door SZ, it has the split shelves. I have it, and am very happy with it.

I am considering both , Bosch B36CL80ENS and the SZ, but the Bosch is on sale right now at Lowe's for $3058 and there is a $500 off coupon, marking it a really sweet deal.
I think I will get the Bosch.

What fridge did you end up deciding on? I am debating on the 36" Bosch Benchmark (B36BT935NS) or a SubZero. Would like like to hear your outcome.

Jackie, I went with the SZ French Door fridge. Unfortunately even though I ordered it in early November it won’t be arriving until late June (at the earliest) due to back orders so the jury is still out on how good it is. I did try all of the options at a few stores and fell in love with the SZ, so if you can wait it’s definitely the better option. But, probably a really bad backlog for them now!

Wow, that is quite a wait! Thanks for sharing your update.

All of our friends who have high-end kitchens recommend SZ every day of the week and twice on Sunday. They’re made in America and they last 20-50 years. Two compressors, one for the fridge and one for the freezer instead of sharing one compressor which leads to humidity in your freezer and all the “smelliness” that comes with it for ice and whatever else is in your freezer. We’re renovating our kitchen and will be going with SZ. It seems like the wait on cabinets will be longer than the wait on appliances. It’s all very exciting!!

I didn't see this thread until now but I don't know if it would have changed my mind or not. I am in the midst of a high end kitchen renovation and was agonizing about this decision for a while; I did decide on the counter depth Bosch as it is 1/4 of the price of the SZ. It DOES have 2 compressors which was a selling point for me (vs the SZ which has the 2 compressors). I like that Bosch has the split shelves, the door shelves that accomodate gallon containers, the programable produce drawers, the larger freezer, and the French doors vs the single door in the SZ. I got rid of my 25 year old SZ that hasn't been in good shape for over 5 years (with produce spoiling quickly, etc). Ironically my extra 25 year old Kitchen Aid fridge that I keep in the garage still operates well and better than the 25 year old SZ did, but you can't get Kitchen Aids like that any more. Additionally, all the contractors do not think highly of SZ at this point. I don't have my Bosch long enough to comment about the alarm or reliability at this point.

Thank you for the feedback. We went with the subzero, so I’m going to hope for the best. We ordered appliances last year, they won’t be in until June/July. Doesn’t look like we’re starting our remodel until end of the summer. Took forever to find an architect and every contractor I meet/find is booked until August at the earliest. Getting around to ordering cabinets soon, hopefully, once the architect finishes.

I bought the Bosch a little over a year ago. I wasn't considering SZ due to cost. My only complaint about the Bosch is the ice maker issue described in the video above. I've noticed that produce lasts LONGER in this fridge than my last. I don't know if this is due to the dual compressors or what but I was pleasantly surprised.

I have my Bosch built in for over a week. Concerned it will fit a turkey at Thanksgiving. My kids will miss the water dispenser. For my adjusting to opening both doors to open the drawers at previously I had a side by side. Overall okay. But even if I wasn't it isn't going anywhere.