Refrigerators have continuously evolved and pushed the envelope through the years. In fact, some refrigerator models have also taken to the ‘bigger is better’ mantra – and they are correct depending on the household. However, as most refrigerators are typically installed beside the countertop, this significant increase in its dimensions do have a tendency to lead to some issues.
Common countertop depth is within 25-inches. That’s the industry standard, as they say. But with some refrigerator models having a depth of 30+inches, well, you can see where the problem lies. Having your fridge protrude for almost a foot past the counter can really ruin the ‘flow’ of your kitchen.
The best option to take here is to go with counter depth refrigerators. This type of fridge is designed to perfectly fit beside your countertop and cabinets giving your kitchen a seamless appearance. This type of refrigerator is an excellent choice for those with limited kitchen space while keeping the overall interior aesthetic snazzy. In this article, we will be going though a list of the best counter depth refrigerators as well as vital aspects you should keep in mind when buying one.
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You are in luck as we have our most highly recommended entry in our top three list prepped and ready to go.
Frigidaire Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator FFHD2250TS
Sleek and modern design with a lightweight build and easy to clean surface. The Frigidaire Counter Depth French Door Fridge also has a reasonable price tag and excellent temperature control. Temperature control is also on-point so you needn’t worry about it fluctuating and ruining some of the perishables inside.
Counter Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide and Tips
Before you head on out to go buy a counter depth fridge, there are several factors that you must first determine to help narrow down your options.
- Measure your counter top or kitchen cabinet’s depth to figure out the right counter top refrigerator size to get.
- You should also factor in the base cabinet, backsplash thickness, countertop bullnose, height, and hinge in your measurements.
- Check to see if the counter depth refrigerator model requires a gap between the back and the wall.
- Make sure that the refrigerator doors will have ample space so that you can open them without issue.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Counter Depth Refrigerator
With the number of available models out in the market today, choosing the perfect one for your kitchen can be a daunting task. You need to consider refrigerator features that will cover you or your family’s needs. Here are essential factors that must be taken into account when picking the right counter depth refrigerator.
Space Availability
This is the most vital element when choosing a counter depth fridge. As we have already noted down on our buying guide and tips section, measuring the available space in your kitchen for the fridge is crucial. You do not want to get home only to find out that your new refrigerator is slightly larger for the available space.
Make sure to do proper measurements on the depth, height, and width and use that as your way to narrow down the options. You should also remember that most fridges require an air gap at the back for proper ventilation. Take that into consideration when measuring the depth available for the refrigerator.
Capacity
Once you have the right measurement down, it is time to consider the storage capacity. Keep in mind that due to the compact design, counter depth refrigerators tend to have limited space within. Compare this to your standard refrigerator which typically offers around 25 cubic-feet to a counter depth fridge which sticks to around 22 cubic-feet max.
To make up for the shorter depth, this type of refrigerator is typically taller and wider. The shallower measurement also has some advantages as it can prevent clutters and the need to dig at the back of the fridge to get your food or drink.
Different Counter Depth Refrigerator Styles
There are also several design variations of counter depth refrigerators that you might encounter. Here are the designs that you can expect to come across with during your search:
Side-by-Side
This type of counter depth refrigerator incorporates two doors positioned side by side. The fridge compartment is usually located on the right and is wider while the freezer is over to the left and is much narrower. If you are looking for something offers a good amount of freezer capacity, this is it.
French Door
The most common type that you will encounter nowadays, the French Door style refrigerator utilizes and upper and lower compartment design. Up top is the refrigerator swing-out doors while at the bottom is the drawer-style freezer. The ease of accessing both the fridge and freezer makes this type of refrigerator quite popular. The fridge interior also has more versatility in the ways you can organize its contents. On the flip side, the freezer has a rather limited storage capacity.
Smart Fridge
With the rise of ‘Smart’ technology also came the evolution of our traditional home appliances. It seems that everywhere you look, everything has become computer operated. Smart Tech refrigerators come with built-in displays that can increase its functionality above just preserving your food.
Smart tech refrigerators have LCD or LED screens on the fridge door that can display the time, date, important notes, recipes, and even play videos and music. While not exactly an essential refrigerator technology, we can’t deny that this new generation type of fridge is quite impressive with its multi-functionality.
Best Counter Depth Refrigerator Reviews (Newest Edition)
Looking for a more in-depth look at our top three picks for this year? Continue reading below to get a better grasp of what these highly rated counter depth refrigerators have to offer.
1. Frigidaire Counter Depth Refrigerator FFHD2250TS
Features:
- Color: Stainless Steel, Glossy.
- Design: French Door Refrigerator.
- Capacity: 21.7 Cu. Ft.
- Dimensions: 30.8 x 35.6 x 69.3-inches.
The Frigidaire FFHD2250TS features the basic French door design and comes with a nifty ice and water dispenser built outside the door to make access to ice easier. It also utilizes adjustable drawers to truly maximize storage capacity. Take note that this model has a deeper depth which makes it a bit larger than your standard counter depth fridge models and may protrude a bit past cabinets and countertops. The door dispenser is definitely its best feature, and the shallow interior gives it an edge over your typical fridge with door dispenser models.
While the ice dispenser does seem to take up a bit of space at first glance, the Frigidaire FFHD2250TS still manages to provide an excellent 21.7 cubic-foot capacity which is pretty significant and allows you to store more items inside. Other notable features include the smudge and stain-resistant finish and the subtle LED display located on the exterior.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
The Frigidaire FFHD2250TS is definitely one of the manufacturers more impressive counter depth models. It comes with decent storage space and a high-quality build. Just make sure you measure your counter top or cabinet first as this model is larger than your average counter depth refrigerators.
2. Haier French Door Refrigerator HRF15N3AGS
Features:
- Color: Silver, Glossy.
- Design: French Door Refrigerator.
- Capacity: 15 Cu. Ft.
- Dimensions: 26.5 x 28 x 71-inches.
For those looking for the high-end aesthetic and functionality of a French door fridge but does not have the proper kitchen space to accommodate one, the Haier HRF15N3AGS Counter Depth Refrigerator is for you. The compact size makes it ideal for smaller kitchens, but the 15 cubic-feet capacity means it does have a far limited space and no extra ‘bells and whistles’ such as ice dispensers. Of course, these are not dealbreakers as the Haier HRF15N3AGS Counter Depth Fridge does manage to meet and pass all the standard requirements with ease.
One of the best aspects about this counter depth refrigerator is its cooling capability which is one of the best we have encountered in this category. This fridge can easily maintain its temperature to ensure that all contents achieve maximum longevity and preservation. If you are looking for a refrigerator that is simple and effective while being sleek, compact, and comes with that modern aesthetic – this might just be the fridge for you.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
The Haier HRF15N3AGS Counter Depth Refrigerator offers a good solution for homes with a relatively small kitchen space. That said, this might not be the best choice for a family due to the limited storage space. For the bachelors and bachelorettes out there though, this counter depth fridge from Haier is a good choice to complement your pad.
3. SMETA Counter Depth Refrigerator with E-Star Bottom Freezer and Auto Ice Maker
Features:
- Color: Black, Glossy.
- Design: French Door Refrigerator.
- Capacity: 22.5 Cu. Ft.
- Dimensions: 35.9 x 69.9 x 29-inches.
The SMETA features a rather innovative design with its bottom drawer style freezer, but this approach did manage to expand its storage capacity by a good margin. Every space within is utilized and optimized to provide you with more than adequate amount of space to store your food, drinks, and other perishables. The shelves can also be detached from the middle and readjusted to accommodate different sized bottles and food. Other fridges can only remove the shelf as a whole, SMETA allows you to adjust the half which makes for better organizing of the refrigerator’s content.
While the upper fridge compartment is well-designed with some helpful features, the bottom freezer does have a bit of a design flaw. In particular, the ice maker is positioned on top of the freezer drawer which forces you to bend down in order to get some ice cubes. Not a deal breaker, but we do feel this is a slight oversight on the manufacturer’s part.
Other than that little gaff, the SMETA Counter Depth Refrigerator is a pretty decent option with its combination of unique design and outstanding build. It is a bit pricey, so you should definitely take your time. As a fridge, it is definitely among the best in the market. However, the freezer is where it slightly stumbles for a bit due to the positioning of the ice maker.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
The SMETA Counter Depth Fridge is one of those eye-catching refrigerator models that delivers both the sizzle and the steak. While the ice maker location is up for debate, overall, we highly recommend the SMETA Counter Depth Refrigerator and is definitely one that has a great value for money deal.
Final Words
Counter depth refrigerators are perfect for modern houses and those that have a relatively limited kitchen space. As you can see from this article, this type of fridge has its merits and as long as you consider its strengths and your needs, this can be an excellent addition to your abode.
