Sound like something your own space could benefit from? To help you find the best models on the market today, we researched dozens of different units from top brands, evaluating capacity, durability, value, and range of features. Our top pick, the LG 27 cu. ft. Smart Counter-Depth Max French Door Refrigerator offers more storage space than your average counter-depth model, has smart integration, and has convenience features like an internal water dispenser and ice maker. Of course, there are a host of other great options, depending on your needs. Here, a comprehensive look at the best counter-depth refrigerators. The smart fridge—connect it to your smartphone with the LG ThinQ app to get notifications about usage, maintenance, and more—can easily hold a week’s worth of food in an organized fashion. For produce, there are two humidity-controlled drawers, as well as four glass, adjustable shelves, and plenty of easily-adjustable door storage. Your food will stay fresh longer, too, thanks to features like a curtain of cool air that blasts the front of the fridge when it’s open and silver wall panels in the back of the fridge. The water dispenser is internal, which can be tough to reach, but is a definite space-saver. And some complain that the ice maker is relatively slow. That said, it’s a small price to pay for such a large and functional fridge with a budget-friendly price tag and quiet operation. Price at time of publish: $2,499 Total Capacity: 27 cubic feet | Dimensions: 70 ¼ x 44 ⅞ x 31 ⅝ inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Stainless steel (with or without viewing window) | Garage Friendly: No And beyond the space, you won’t want for much. The fridge has a very intuitive top-freezer design, so you can fit the basics in both the fridge and the freezer. Inside the fridge, you’ll find two produce crispers and three movable shelves, plus a gallon of door storage. Even the door bins can be adjusted with ease, so you can accommodate larger bottles and containers. In the frost-free freezer, there’s not quite as much flexibility—just one wire shelf and a bit of door storage. And keep in mind: There’s no built-in ice maker, so you’ll need a tray. Price at time of publish: $800 Total Capacity: 10.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 59.68 x 26.1 x 23.43 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: Not applicable | Available Finishes: Black, stainless steel, white | Garage Friendly: No The fridge has plenty of room for customization, including five adjustable shelves, as well as a gallon of door storage (also adjustable). Food stays fresh longer, too, thanks to a TwinChill system that allows you to set separate climates in the fresh food and freezer sections and a Turbo Cool setting that drops the interior temperature after frequent openings. There are a host of other conveniences, too. Think: A hands-free dispenser with AutoFill technology that fills your glass with water and knows exactly when to stop. The same dispenser also delivers filtered ice, too. And if you really love to entertain? You have the option to install a second ice maker by purchasing a separate kit for the freezer. Price at time of publish: $3,699 Total Capacity: 22.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 69-7/8 x 35-3/4 x 31-1/4 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single (option to add a second) | Available Finishes: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, slate, black slate | Garage Friendly: No Price at time of publish: $3,399 Total Capacity: 22.2 cubic feet | Dimensions: 70.5 in x 35.75 x 31.25 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: White with gold, black with stainless steel, stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No The look does take a little bit of time to get used to—it’s not quite as sleek as others—but the amenities make up for it. In this model, you’ll get both a factory-installed ice maker and a divider in the ice bin that allows you to store ice packs—great for families with kids. The fridge also has a very helpful Fast Cool option that lets you set the fridge to the coldest it can get for up to two hours; a Fast Freeze option does the same in the bottom half of the appliance. Another nice-to-have for some families: You can set this fridge on special modes, like vacation and Sabbath, so it will run most efficiently in different scenarios. Price at time of publish: $2,599 Total Capacity: 19.4 cubic feet | Dimensions: 69.5 x 35.75 x 28.38 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: Ice and water | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No
Size and Capacity
The term “capacity” refers to both the refrigerator and freezer portions of your appliance. Counter-depth fridges usually have less spacious interiors than standard-depth fridges, since they’re not as deep and meant to sit flush with your cabinets and countertops. On average, they have 20 cubic feet—which is enough for a family of three or four. If you live in a small home or RV, you may want to pick a 10-cubic-foot model instead, while larger households can find counter-depth models with up to 23 cubic feet of space.
Ice and Water Dispenser
An ice and water dispenser is a welcomed amenity in many households but is not a necessary one. In many models, a dispenser can raise the price tag, and cut into the capacity of your appliance. (In counter-depth fridges, these tend to be bulky boxes that take up lots of room inside.) Now, on the bright side, a dispenser allows you to easily prep drinks and meals, which is convenient if you have children, are active, or frequently entertain. More expensive models may have dispensers with multiple settings or customized ones, as well, including crushed and cubed ice, and hot water. Today, some even make craft ice, like spheres.
Color, Finish, and Design
When you think of color, finish, and design, overall aesthetic is probably top of mind—and for good reason—but this attribute also affects daily maintenance. While white may not look quite as sophisticated as stainless steel, for example, it can be easier to keep clean, since stainless steel tends to attract fingerprints. The more basic finishes like white and black tend to be cheaper, too. Think about your budget and what matters most to you—style or cleanliness—and then make your decision. And remember: Some stainless steel refrigerators now come in a fingerprint-resistant finish, too.
Standout Features
Ice Maker
Factory-installed ice makers mean you don’t have to purchase or connect a separate kit—and you certainly don’t have to fumble with a tray. If you regularly entertain or find yourself serving up iced beverages often (maybe for kids’ sports bottles), this feature is especially helpful—especially when paired with a water dispenser. Also note: Today, some fridges even make multiple kinds of ice: cubed, crushed, or even craft ice.
Reversible Door
Are you tight on space and considering a top-freezer model? An option with a reversible door means you’ll have even more flexibility in where you install your fridge, since the door can swing open in whichever direction suits your space the best.
Door Alarm
When you leave your refrigerator or freezer door open for too long, a door alarm will let you know via an app on your phone or a loud noise. This is convenient when your model starts to get older, as the seals on your fridge’s door can start to have wear and tear. It’s also a convenient feature for anyone with children, as they may leave the door open or not close it tightly, letting the cold air out.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience writing about consumer products like home appliances. To curate this list, Brigitt scoured all of the most popular retailers to find the best, most highly-rated counter-depth refrigerators. Then, she vetted each, reading all of the specs and hundreds of reviews. She also interviewed experts like Jeanette Fusco, interior designer at HiHomePicks to find out what’s most important when shopping for this style of refrigerator. With this information, she further analyzed each product being considered to ensure the final list contained only the most reliable, quality options on the market today. Additional writing and reporting was conducted by Marisa Casciano, who is the large appliance expert for The Spruce.
