The modern archetypal fridge is a bulky appliance; some of the largest units we've tested measure nearly 37 inches in depth with the doors closed. Combined with the added inch or two for clearance, you're looking at an appliance that'll stick out far beyond most kitchen cabinets, which can be an eyesore or even an inconvenience depending on how your kitchen is set up. That's where a counter-depth model comes in: sure, you're giving up a (sometimes significant) measure of space, but you'll receive sleek, nearly flush looks, without having to pay the exorbitant premium that comes with an (admittedly even better-fitting) built-in refrigerator.
We've tested 25 refrigerators, and below are our recommendations for the best counter-depth refrigerators to buy. We made our choices based on their temperature uniformity and produce preservation performance, as well as their feature set, design, and price. If you're looking for more general recommendations, see our article on fridge types explained and our recommendations for the best refrigerators, not to mention our refrigerator brand overview. Alternatively, if interested in learning more about the technical side of things, check out our article on how a refrigerator works and how refrigerator ice makers work.
Quick Look
We've recently started testing refrigerators. We independently purchase each unit from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free from manufacturer influence. Each refrigerator goes through the same tests to measure objective data for metrics like temperature uniformity, produce preservation, and actual storage capacity so you can easily compare the results.
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Best Counter-Depth Refrigerator
Everyday Use8.1Refrigerator Capacity7.1Freezer Capacity6.7Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleFrench DoorCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserInternalIf you're willing to spare no expense and have the room for a 36-inch fridge, the Bosch 800 Series B36CT80SNS is the best counter-depth fridge that we've tested. This model, along with all 800 Series models in the Bosch lineup, is one of the few consumer-grade refrigerators to utilize dual inverter-controlled compressors for the fridge and freezer sections and has separate evaporators, effectively ensuring each cabinet has its own refrigeration loop. This allows for more precise temperature regulation and humidity control, not to mention virtually eliminating odor transference from cabinet to cabinet. This fridge is also equipped with Bosch's VitaFresh drawers, which can maintain a stable microclimate by creating a tight seal and consequently helping to keep delicate greens crisp and fresh for weeks at a time.
Unfortunately, freezer space is limited, even by the standards of other counter-depth fridges. The lower bins don't extend all the way to the back of the freezer cabinet, severely limiting the amount of room you have for stowing away bigger boxed items. While its in-freezer ice maker can produce an impressive amount of ice in a pinch, the high-capacity ice tray takes up a significant portion of the upper drawer, too.
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Best Mid-Range Counter-Depth Refrigerator
Everyday Use7.3Refrigerator Capacity7.7Freezer Capacity7.6Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleFrench DoorCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserInternalThe LG LRFLC2706S is worth a look if you're shopping for a counter-depth 36-inch French door model and don't want to spend as much. Compared to the Bosch 800 Series B36CT80SNS, it falls short in terms of produce preservation performance, with a comparatively rudimentary cooling system comprising a single compressor and single evaporator in the freezer. In real-world terms, this results in a much drier refrigerator cabinet. Combined with its relatively poorly sealing drawers, there's a fair amount of moisture loss in this space, so delicate produce like lettuce or celery will lose its snap much faster than it would if stored in the Bosch.
If you're not too fussed about its general lack of performance in this regard, this fridge does offer some advantages over the far pricier (and generally better-performing) Bosch. The LG offers more space in both its fridge and freezer cabinets because of what the company calls its Counter-Depth MAX design, which essentially hollows out space at the back of the fridge cabinet, unlike most conventional counter-depth units. It also does a great job of maintaining a consistent temperature level throughout the freezer and fridge cabinets, so you can place temperature-sensitive items like milk or cream wherever it's most practical, rather than worry that it may spoil early.
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Best Counter-Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator
Everyday Use7.8Refrigerator Capacity6.6Freezer Capacity7.9Standard Width36" (91 cm)StyleSide By SideCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer DoorSee all our test resultsWater DispenserIn-DoorThe best counter-depth fridge with a side-by-side design that we've tested is the KitchenAid KRSC703HPS. This 36-inch upper mid-range refrigerator may be limited in terms of space. Still, generally speaking, if you're cooking for a big family and need space for things like big casserole dishes or lots of meal prep containers, you shouldn't really be considering a side-by-side fridge, which has rather narrow cabinets by design, let alone a counter-depth unit. In terms of features and overall performance, this fridge does quite well. It has an inverter-controlled compressor and separate evaporators in the fridge and freezer compartments for more precise humidity regulation. That latter feature really does help the fridge maintain a high humidity level in the fridge cabinet and crisper drawers, meaning that delicate produce will remain crisp and fresh for upwards of a week.
It also does a great job of keeping temperatures uniform throughout the fridge and freezer cabinets. While space in the freezer is, again, at a premium, the in-door ice maker does free up space at the top of the cabinet compared to some other more traditionally designed side-by-sides.
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Best Counter-Depth Four-Door Refrigerator
Everyday Use7.1Refrigerator Capacity6.9Freezer Capacity7.5Standard Width36" (91 cm)Style4-DoorCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserNo Water DispenserIf you have limited mobility or prioritize ease of access, consider the Whirlpool WRQA59CNKZ. This unit's four-door design makes it a little easier to access items in the freezer cabinet, which is replete with separated storage bins: while this can make it hard to fit bulkier items, like family-sized packs of frozen meals, it does have the benefit of keeping everything organized: no more long-lost hunks of frozen bread or tiny pints of ice cream buried under freezer bags. Temperatures are highly uniform in both cabinets, so there's no need to be too specific when unpacking groceries.
Unfortunately, produce preservation performance isn't anywhere near class-leading. This refrigerator's cooling system includes only a single evaporator, unlike the side-by-side KitchenAid KRSC703HPS, and units with this design generally struggle to maintain a high humidity level inside their fridge compartment. Combined with the crisper drawers' somewhat loose seal, produce like celery and cucumbers will lose their moisture and begin to soften within a week or so.
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Best Counter-Depth Top Freezer Refrigerator
Everyday Use6.9Refrigerator Capacity6.4Freezer Capacity5.7Standard Width28" (71 cm)StyleTop FreezerCounter-DepthYesIce MakerFreezer CompartmentSee all our test resultsWater DispenserNo Water DispenserCheck out the Frigidaire FFTR1425VW if space is at an absolute premium inside your kitchen. This 28-inch top freezer fridge is about as basic and compact as standard fridges can be, and really isn't suited for a household of more than two people if you cook frequently, but it does make the most out of its diminutive footprint. It's got a sliding deli drawer for keeping smaller items out of the way, and the door bins are just about wide enough to squeeze in bulky things like juice cartons. While this unit's cooling system is very rudimentary, comprising a fixed-speed compressor and a single evaporator, with temperature regulation being handled by a mechanical thermostat, this arrangement is well-established and has few obvious weak points.
Beyond that, it does a good job of maintaining stable temperatures in both the freezer and fridge cabinets, with the notable exception of the latter's lower door bins, which are a good bit warmer than the rest of the space and are really only good for chilling things like drinks. As expected for a single-evaporator fridge with basic crisper drawers, moisture retention in the fridge cabinet is pretty poor, and delicate greens like lettuce or spinach will begin wilting relatively quickly. The optional ice maker's ice tray is impressively spacious, and when it's filled to capacity (no quick feat due to the slow production rate), you'll have enough ice for slinging cold drinks at a family dinner. That said, the ice maker occupies a huge chunk of the already limited freezer space, so you're better off going without it if you find yourself shopping for things like frozen pizzas or if you simply freeze a lot of your leftovers.
Notable Mentions
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LG STUDIO SRFB27W3:
The LG STUDIO SRFB27W3 is effectively the same fridge as the LG LRFLC2706S, but with a premium appearance consisting of an optional matte-white exterior, brass touchpoints, and an interior finished in dark grey plastic. It's a solid performer overall, but not worth the additional outlay over the much cheaper and identically performing LRFLC2706S.
See our review -
Samsung Bespoke RF24BB6600QL:
The Samsung Bespoke RF24BB6600QL is a 36-inch French door unit that offers superior produce preservation performance to the single-evaporator LG LRFLC2706S, but it doesn't offer nearly as much capacity, making it a slightly less versatile option for larger families.
See our review -
KitchenAid KRQC506MPS:
The KitchenAid KRQC506MPS is a slightly more upmarket version of the Whirlpool WRQA59CNKZ, with pull-out shelves wrapped in wood vinyl and an interior finish in dark grey plastic. It performs in an otherwise similar fashion and is generally sold at a higher price.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 11, 2025:
Replaced the KitchenAid KRQC506MPS with the Whirlpool WRQA59CNKZ as the 'Best Counter-Depth Four-Door Refrigerator' pick, as the latter provides all but identical performance to the latter for a lower price. Added the KitchenAid KRQC506MPS, LG STUDIO SRFB27W3, and Samsung Bespoke RF24BB6600QL to the Notable Mentions.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are currently the best counter-depth refrigerators to buy. We don't just base our results on overall performance but also on factors like availability, price, and reader feedback.
If you'd like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our counter-depth refrigerator reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While there's no single fridge that's perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.