Counter-Depth Refrigerators to Consider
Refrigerators have gotten a lot bigger in recent years. That’s good for food storage, but not so much for space efficiency, especially in smaller kitchens, where a mammoth fridge might jut out 10 inches or more past the countertop. Counter-depth (also referred to as cabinet-depth) refrigerators are a slimmer option that provide a more streamlined look. And thanks to improvements in refrigerator design, some of the best examples in our latest refrigerator Ratings can hold a lot more food than previous generations.
One point of clarification: though they’re called counter-depth, most models in this category are around 28 inches deep, so they do protrude a bit past the edge of the countertop. That’s unlike true built-ins, from the likes of Thermador and Sub-Zero, which typically measure 25-inches deep, the standard depth of a kitchen countertop (there are also some 24-inch and 26-inch models in our built-in refrigerator Ratings).
We should also explain why not many counter-depth refrigerators make our recommended list. In a lot of cases, this is the result of less-than-stellar energy efficiency, which reflects electricity consumption (based on our tests) per cubic foot of measured usable storage space. The fact that counter-depth refrigerators are, on the whole, less spacious can drive down their efficiency and, in turn, their overall score. But that may be a worthwhile compromise if space efficiency is your top priority.
Here are 10 strong picks to consider from the various configurations we test.
Best French-Door Counter-Depth Refrigerators
It used to be hard to find a counter-depth refrigerator with French-door styling, but manufacturers have made more of an investment in the option. Best in class in our current Ratings is the GE Profile PWE23KMDES, $2,600, which delivers excellent temperature control and is also surprisingly energy efficient, given the challenges described above. GE has the only other recommended model at this time, the GE Cafe CYE22USHSS, $2,970, which is the first coffee-dispensing refrigerator, thanks to its built-in Keurig brewing system.
Though it missed the winners podium, the counter-depth Samsung RF18HFENBSR is well priced at $1,250 and performed very well overall. The Kenmore Elite 74053, $2,800, is another impressive option.
Best Bottom-Freezer Counter-Depth Refrigerators
The traditional bottom-freezer category in general has gotten smaller in recent years, which has meant fewer counter-depth models coming through our labs and into the Ratings. If you have your heart set on this configuration, our top point scorer is the Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart E522BRX5, $1,800. Temperature control, energy efficiency, and noise are all solid, though it’s lacking in convenience features—no ice maker, no water dispenser, no temperature-controlled meat/deli bin. Paying $500 more for the Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart RF170WDRUX5 gets you similar performance, plus an ice maker and external water dispenser.
Best Side-by-Side Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Two counter-depth refrigerators make our current recommended list in this configuration: the LG LSC22991ST, $2,200, and the Samsung RS22HDHPNSR, $2,400. Their overall scores are identical, with the Samsung proving slightly quieter in our tests. At 28 inches deep, the Samsung is also an inch shallower than the LG, which you’ll appreciate if space is super tight in your kitchen. The GE Cafe CZS25TSESS, $3,050, is another 28-inch deep side-by-side that earned solid marks in our tests, though not enough to be a considered a top pick.
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