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The best counter-depth refrigerators give your kitchen a built-in look without built-in prices, sitting close to flush with your cabinets instead of jutting into the walkway. The trade-off is usually some lost capacity, so we focused on models that use their space well. We compared specs, expert testing, reliability data and owner reviews to choose nine picks across French door, four-door, side-by-side and budget bottom-freezer styles.
Part of our Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides.
Quick picks
Price ranges: $ under $1,500, $$ $1,500-$2,500, $$$ $2,500-$3,500, $$$$ over $3,500. Appliance prices change constantly and holiday sales can move a model down a tier.
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG Counter-Depth MAX LRFLC2716S | Best overall, most capacity | $$ | See price |
| Frigidaire Gallery GRFC2353AF | Value with external dispenser | $$ | See price |
| GE Profile PWE23KYNFS | Flexible middle drawer | $$-$$$ | See price |
| Samsung Bespoke RF23BB8600 | Customizable look | $$ | See price |
| Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex RF23DB9700QL | Beverage zone and auto-open door | $$$$ | See price |
| Bosch 800 Series B36CT80SNS | Premium temperature control | $$$-$$$$ | See price |
| Café CYE22TP4MW2 | Design-forward kitchens | $$$$ | See price |
| Whirlpool WRSC5536RZ | Side-by-side pick | $-$$ | See price |
| Hisense HRB171N6ASE | Budget pick | $ | See price |
1. LG Counter-Depth MAX LRFLC2716S: Best Overall
LG’s Counter-Depth MAX squeezes about 26.5 cubic feet into a counter-depth body, which is close to what many standard-depth fridges offer. Yale Appliance ranks it first among counter-depth models and reports a lower service rate than other major brands in its data. Zero Clearance hinges let the doors open fully even when the fridge is tucked next to a wall.
Key specs
- Style: 3-door French door
- Capacity: about 26.5 cu ft
- Size: 35.75″ W x 29.12″ D
- Ice/water: internal water dispenser, automatic ice maker
- Smart: ThinQ app
- Finishes: Stainless Look, PrintProof Stainless, Black Stainless
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like getting so much storage without the fridge sticking out past the counters. Some note that repair service quality depends on where you live.
2. Frigidaire Gallery GRFC2353AF: Best Value With a Dispenser
If you want ice and water in the door without paying premium prices, the Gallery delivers dual ice makers, an external dispenser and auto-close doors at a mid-range price. It holds 22.6 cubic feet and is ENERGY STAR certified. It skips Wi-Fi, which many buyers will not miss.
Key specs
- Style: 3-door French door
- Capacity: 22.6 cu ft (15.5 fridge, 7.1 freezer)
- Size: 36″ W; about 28.5″ deep with doors, 30.8″ with handles
- Ice/water: external dispenser, dual ice makers
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Finishes: stainless, black stainless
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers rate it highly overall and like the convenience of door ice and water at this price. As with most dispenser models, ice-maker hiccups are the most common complaint across the category.
3. GE Profile PWE23KYNFS: Best Flexible Storage
This GE Profile adds a full-width middle drawer with three temperature settings between the fresh food and freezer sections, handy for drinks, deli trays or party platters. TwinChill dual evaporators keep fridge and freezer air separate, and it is ENERGY STAR certified. Note that it needs about 13 inches of side clearance for the doors to open fully.
Key specs
- Style: French door with middle drawer
- Capacity: 23.1 cu ft
- Size: 35.75″ W; 24.4″ case depth, 31.25″ with handles
- Ice/water: internal filtered water dispenser
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Finishes: fingerprint-resistant stainless, stainless, slate, black slate
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners tend to like the middle drawer for organizing snacks and drinks. Check your door swing and side clearance carefully before ordering.
4. Samsung Bespoke RF23BB8600: Best Customizable Look
Reviewed named this Bespoke model its best overall counter-depth fridge for steady temperatures and a flexible drawer. Swappable glass panels let you change colors later without replacing the fridge. Inside you get ice and water dispensers plus an AutoFill pitcher.
Key specs
- Style: French door with FlexZone drawer
- Capacity: about 22.8 cu ft
- Size: 35.75″ W x 28.75″ D x 70″ H
- Ice/water: internal ice and water, AutoFill pitcher
- Smart: Wi-Fi with SmartThings
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners enjoy the look and the AutoFill pitcher. Yale notes Samsung’s service network has shrunk, which can mean longer waits for repairs.
5. Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Flex RF23DB9700QL: Best Beverage Center
This four-door Bespoke model adds a Beverage Zone, a FlexZone drawer that switches between fridge and freezer, and an Auto Open Door that pops open with a light touch, which Reviewed found helpful for accessibility. Its dual ice maker makes both cubes and small Ice Bites. It is a splurge, and stock has been spotty.
Key specs
- Style: 4-door French door
- Capacity: 23 cu ft
- Size: 35.88″ W x 28.75″ D x 70.75″ H
- Ice/water: internal dispenser, AutoFill pitcher, dual ice maker
- Smart: SmartThings; ENERGY STAR certified
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners love the beverage features and flexible drawer. Complaints include uneven temperatures in some units and fiddly cleaning.
6. Bosch 800 Series B36CT80SNS: Best Premium Pick
Bosch uses dual compressors so the fridge and freezer never share air, which helps food stay fresher and keeps odors from moving between sections. Reviewed called it its best upgrade for excellent temperature control, and Yale reports a very low compressor replacement rate. The freezer is small for the price, though.
Key specs
- Style: French door, bottom freezer
- Capacity: about 20.8 cu ft
- Width: about 36″
- Ice/water: internal ice and water dispenser
- Smart: Home Connect Wi-Fi
- Finishes: stainless, black stainless
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners and testers praise how consistently it holds temperature. The small freezer is the complaint that comes up most.
7. Café CYE22TP4MW2: Best for Design-Forward Kitchens
Café lets you pick hardware in brass, copper, stainless or black to match your kitchen, and this matte white model adds an external dispenser with a hot-water option and precise fill. It is backed by GE’s large domestic service network. The extra electronics do add complexity, and Yale reports a higher service rate than simpler models.
Key specs
- Style: French door
- Capacity: about 22.2 cu ft
- Size: 35.75″ W x 31.25″ D x 69.88″ H
- Ice/water: external ice and water, hot water, precise fill
- Dual evaporators
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners love the look and the hot water tap. The trade-off is a higher chance of needing service than a plainer fridge.
8. Whirlpool WRSC5536RZ: Best Side-by-Side
Side-by-sides suit narrow kitchens where wide French doors would block the walkway. This new Whirlpool model puts the ice bin in the door to free up freezer space, adds Fast Cool and Fast Freeze, and uses a fingerprint-resistant finish. Whirlpool claims it has the lowest repair rate among side-by-side fridges, though that is the company’s own claim.
Key specs
- Style: side-by-side
- Size: 36″ W x 29.75″ D x 68.875″ H
- Ice/water: external ice and water, In-Door-Ice bin, Measured Fill
- Features: Fast Cool, Fast Freeze, humidity-controlled crisper
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners mention quiet running, easy ice and water and a good fit in tight spaces. A few wanted more shelves or a more finished kick plate.
9. Hisense HRB171N6ASE: Best Budget Pick
Reviewed named this simple bottom-freezer Hisense its best value counter-depth fridge for steady fridge and freezer temperatures. At about 31 inches wide, it also suits smaller kitchens and apartments. You give up ice and water features and some interior space.
Key specs
- Style: single-door bottom freezer
- Size: about 31.1″ W x 29.1″ D x 69.1″ H
- Ice/water: none
- Finishes: white, black, stainless
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers appreciate the reliable cooling for the money. Some had to adjust the temperature settings after setup and wished for more crisper space.
How to choose a counter-depth refrigerator
- Know what counter-depth really means. There is no official standard. Counters are about 24 inches deep, and counter-depth fridge cases are usually in the mid-20s, while standard-depth models often run past 30 inches. Doors and handles add several more inches, so most models still stick out a little.
- Accept a capacity trade-off. Reviewed says counter-depth fridges typically hold about 20-24 cubic feet versus 26-32 for standard-depth. LG’s Counter-Depth MAX is the main exception.
- Measure carefully. Measure width, height and depth in several spots and use the smallest number. Leave about an inch for airflow, and check the spec sheet for depth with the door open 90 degrees so your walkway stays clear.
- Check hinge and side clearance. If the fridge sits next to a wall, look for zero-clearance hinges or confirm how much side space the doors need to open and let drawers slide out.
- Weigh dispensers against reliability. Yale says ice makers and dispensers are the most common reason for service calls. A model with ice only in the freezer is simpler and usually more reliable.
- Confirm local service. Before you buy, make sure there is an authorized repair provider for that brand in your area.
- Look for ENERGY STAR. A fridge runs around the clock, so efficiency adds up over its life.
FAQ
How deep is a counter-depth refrigerator?
Most counter-depth cases are roughly 24-27 inches deep without doors, and about 28-31 inches with doors and handles. Standard-depth fridges are usually 30-36 inches deep overall.
Are counter-depth refrigerators worth it?
They are worth it if a flush, built-in look and a clear walkway matter to you. Expect to give up some capacity and pay a bit more than a comparable standard-depth fridge.
Which counter-depth refrigerator has the most space?
Among our picks, the LG Counter-Depth MAX LRFLC2716S has the most capacity at about 26.5 cubic feet.
Do counter-depth fridges fit a 33-inch opening?
Most of the models above are about 36 inches wide. If your opening is 33 inches, shop specifically for 33-inch models, and measure at several points before ordering.
Related guides
- The Best French Door Refrigerators
- The Best Chest Freezers
- The Best Dishwashers
- The Best Induction Ranges
- Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides
Sources
Yale Appliance: The best counter-depth refrigerators; Reviewed: Best counter-depth refrigerators; Bob Vila: Counter-depth refrigerator buying advice; manufacturer product and spec pages from LG, GE, Frigidaire, Samsung, Whirlpool and Bosch. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.