The Best Undercounter Refrigerators

An undercounter refrigerator can serve many purposes, and works really well for any small space. If you’re just one or two people living together, this is not only a suitable choice, but also energy saving.

There are different kinds of undercounter refrigerators that fit different purposes, some have a small freezer built in, and others have drawers instead of a door. Perfect for the RV.

If you’re looking for the best undercounter refrigerator for your needs, this is the buying guide for you. We’ve curated a list of the best refrigerators that fit under the counter, and there are a lot of interesting options out there.

Our top picks

Our team has looked into the best refrigerators that you can install under your counter. We considered multiple factors, including the build quality, layout, capacity, and energy consumption when picking these top refrigerators:

Whether you decided to have it built-in under the counter or opt for it to be freestanding, the GE Compact Refrigerator allows flexibility of your preference. For built-in installation, a standard countertop height would be needed. You can also choose between stainless steel and black to fit your aesthetic.

The total capacity of the fridge is 5.6 cu ft, with a 5.12 cu ft for fresh food and 0.49 cu ft for the freezer. The freezer is small yet useful for frozen convenience items or the two mini Ice ‘N Easy trays that it comes with. There’s also a clear crisper box included for storing fresh fruits and vegetables. The two glass shelves enable you to store your food conveniently, and it’s easy to clean as well.

Need quick access to your drink? No need to worry, there’s a can rack on the wall of the door for quick and easy access. You can now grab your favorite drink, trouble-free. Shelves are also included on the wall of the door for additional storage, and there are a lot of them. There’s no space wasted in this fridge.

In addition, the list of what we like about this product is that it has a recessed handle, so you won’t accidentally bump into it and hurt yourself.

The GE Compact Refrigerator was also tested for extremes to make sure it is reliable, and performs as good as possible. It is also Energy Star certified, meaning it uses less power.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 34 1/8” H x 23 5/8” W x 23 ¾” D
• Capacity: 5.6 cu ft.
• Estimated Yearly Electrical Use: 236 kWh
• Energy Star Certified: Yes
• Reversible Doors: Yes

The Summit AL54 fridge is a 24” wide all-refrigerator that can be built-in under the counters or used freestanding. It has a 32” height that fits under low ADA compliant counters. It comes with a stainless steel reversible door for a sleek professional look and flexible option on the direction of the swing of the door.

It is an all-refrigerator, which means that it does not have a freezer compartment. This is great for commercial use for a cooling station for your beverages and your go-to desserts. It utilizes a fan-forced cooling for low maintenance and even temperature distribution. The temperature is easily managed using a digital thermostat. In cases that the fridge heats, there is a high-temperature alarm included to let you know. There’s also a Sabbath mode that allows you to disable some of the electrical elements (e.g. lighting and alarm) during times of observance or for up to 96 hours.

On the inside you’ll find adjustable glass shelves that you can rearrange yourself to fit in any size of the content you want to place inside. This also makes cleaning easier as you can just take out the shelves and wipe out any stain. The floor is specially slotted to store wine and other bottles safely in place. Two door racks offer convenient storage of condiments and bottles.

Do you usually leave your fridge open? This model has an open-door-alarm built in, that will go off if the door is left open longer than a minute. Not only will you be able to save energy but also the environment. It is also 100% CFC free.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 32.0” H x 23.63” W x 22.63” D
• Capacity: 4.8 cu ft.
• Estimated Yearly Electrical Use: 250 kWh
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Reversible Doors: Yes

If a beverage fridge is what you are looking for, then the hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator is one of the best choices that you have. It is best for your Soda, Beer, Wine, or whatever is your go-to drink. It can fit a total of 120 cans inside, and that’s a lot.

It is a free-standing refrigerator, that you can opt to install under your counter. It comes with a transparent glass door with stainless steel door frames, making it convenient to check which drink you’ll go for next. The sleek, black interior added with a white LED light allows you to see your beverage whether in the day or during your midnight adventures. It also saves much energy since you don’t have to open your fridge door constantly to peak what’s inside.

The interior contains three adjustable and removable shelves to better organize and prioritize items that are stored inside. The hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler works quietly compared to other coolers on the market. It has a whisper-quiet compressor that works with the convection fan. The fan keeps the temperature consistent and uniform throughout the entire space.

The fridge also includes an easy and adjustable temperature control system that allows you to cool the interior down to 34^oF. It also has a digital display that makes it more convenient to keep track and control your temperature. In cases of a power outage, the fridge can automatically restore the temperature in your cooler to your last setting.

With the hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler, party drinks never have to run out or go lukewarm. Cold drinks are also readily available for your home bar, game room, or to where ever you’d like it to be. Just make sure you don’t store in here perishable items.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 33.3” H X 18.9” W x 17.30” D
• Capacity: 3.2 cu ft.
• Estimated Yearly Electrical Use: 288 kWh
• Energy Star Certified: Yes
• Reversible Doors: Yes

Beverage refrigerators and coolers aren’t the only products manufactured by hOmelabs. They also have a mini-fridge suited for under the counter. You can choose between a 3.3 cu ft capacity and a larger model of 4.6 cu ft capacity. But for this article, we’ll focus on the 3.3 cu ft as it is the one that can be used under the counter, based on the height.

It comes with a stainless steel door and a classy black exterior that goes well in any room. The single door is also reversible, giving you flexible options on the direction of the swing of your door.  Write notes or messages on the door with a wax crayon or dry erase marker, and clean it easily with a cloth and warm water.

Unlike the beverage refrigerator, the temperature control for this model is a nob with three temperature modes: Max, Medium, and Minimum. There is also no digital display, but the Medium mode is estimated to have an interior temperature of about 33 to 35^oF. To freeze ice or keep perishable items frozen, it is advisable to use the Medium or Max modes.

Customize how you want your shelves by using fridge liners. You can make a purchase or make your own. Aside from being customizable, it also makes cleaning easier and more convenient as you can simply take the liner out and wash it on your sink.

Need more storage? Well, this model is space-efficient since it also has an additional storage option on the wall of the door. The manufacturer has dedicated a spot especially for your favorite beverages using can rack. There are also compartments for your large bottles, such as wine, and a section that can hold your favorite condiment, eggs, and butter.

Tip: Once you receive the mini-fridge, keep it upright for 24 hours before plugging it in. This ensures that the compressor will operate normally.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 33.9” H x 18.5” W x 17.7” D
• Capacity: 3.3 cu ft.
• Voltage: 115 V
• Wattage: 85 W
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Reversible Doors: Yes

If you are looking for an unconventional fridge, you might want to look into the Thor Kitchen Indoor and Outdoor Double Drawer Fridge. Instead of the usual fridge with doors, you’ll have two stacked pullout drawers as a fridge.

In terms of capacity, it can hold up to 5.3 cu ft (152L) of content. These are perfect for storing and cooling your fruits, vegetables, and your favorite drink while taking less space in your home. A heads up, though. You may not be able to store large bottles upright, but a little organizing could make them fit anyway.

This model is cooled by a ventilated cooling system, which is frost-free and easy to clean. It keeps your food and other items chilled at your preferred temperature. It can be controlled and adjusted using the digital LED display. The temperature can range from 34 to 46^oF (0 to 7 ⁰C).

It comes in a nice stainless steel design that is fingerprint-resistant. You’ll only need to wipe the outside with a damp microfiber cloth to remove smears or dirt. It can also be built-in your counter or leave it freestanding with four adjustable leveling legs.

One thing to note about this product is that it can be a little bit noisy. Its noise level can reach 41 dB, which isn’t much, but if you are sensitive to noise, you might want to consider this. But if not, then this fridge is a great addition to your kitchen.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 34.2” H x 23.5” W x 23.4” D
• Capacity: 5.3 cu ft. (152L)
• Estimated Yearly Electrical Use: 305 kWh
• Energy Star Certified: No
• Doors: Drawer Type

Compared to the previously mentioned refrigerators, the Midea Compact Fridge gives you three color options to better suit the aesthetic you are going for in your kitchen. You can choose between black, stainless steel, and white. Because of its size, it can easily be tucked under the counter, desk, or customize it to be built into a cabinet.

Although it is small in size, you shouldn’t underestimate how much it can hold. It may be small, but it functions like a standard size refrigerator. It has its freezer compartment that can fit more than what you usually can fit in a compact freezer. That means you can put in more than just a few ice trays, making it a perfect choice for an RV or small home.

What more can you find in the interior of the fridge? It has a glass shelve that you can easily take out to make more space for bigger items or put in to organize items better. There’s also a crisper drawer for your fruits and vegetables. The wall door doesn’t waste space either. You’ll find a can rack and additional shelves you can place your condiments or sneak in a large bottle of your favorite beverage, or milk.

“Adjustable” is the middle name of this model. It is customizable to what you need and your preference. The doors are reversible, which can be easily adjusted based on the layout of your kitchen and your convenience. It also has adjustable legs to fit your preferred height well. The temperature of the internal fridge can be set within 32 to 50 ^oF, while the temperature in the freezer ranges from -11.2 to 5^oF.

Midea has also incorporated a whisper-quiet compressor. This means that it is mostly quiet, even when the compressor is on. It’s perfect when you need peace and quiet in your room. That’s why this model is best for dorm rooms, studio apartments, RVs, or any small spaces in need of a quiet atmosphere.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 32.95” H x 18.50” W x 19.37” D
• Capacity: 3.1 cu ft.
• Estimated Yearly Electrical Use: 270 kWh
• Energy Star Certified: Yes
• Reversible Doors: Yes

Quick buying guide

If you feel like what you are looking for isn’t among that of what we have included in our list, don’t worry. There are still a ton of undercounter refrigerator options to choose from.

Before going out there to make your pick, there are a few things that we’d like you to remember aside from sticking to your budget and overall user ratings.

1. Use of the fridge

The first thing that you should consider is how you will be using your undercounter fridge. Would it be used as a regular refrigerator or will it be used to store mainly beverages and snacks? The main purpose of your fridge will tell you what you’ll need and what style you’ll be going for.

For example, if you need an undercounter fridge to function the same way a regular refrigerator would, then you might need a freezer compartment as well as a crisper box. However, not all undercounter fridges have freezers and crisper boxes.  This narrows down your options slightly, but it’s not impossible to find one.

If you want to freeze your foods for longer periods of time, you need a dedicated freezer on the top or bottom of the fridge. Otherwise it may not be capable of reaching the temperatures needed to keep the items properly frozen for longer periods of time.

2. Style

Would you like your fridge to be freestanding or integrated under the counter? Are the doors reversible? Or could drawers be a better option for you?

There are a lot of styles available, that would fit your preferences. Just make sure that it looks aesthetically fit for your kitchen, but also allows better accessibility and convenience for you (e.g. reversible doors allow you to adjust the direction the door would swing open and adjust it according to the layout of your kitchen).

Drawers are great if your refrigerator is placed in a corner, but they work well in any small kitchen due to how easy it is to organize the contents. This type of refrigerator is more expensive though, so it might not always be worth it over regular refrigerator doors.

3. Capacity

When it comes to picking the right undercounter refrigerator, you have to consider the capacity and ensure that it can adjust to your needs.

If you’re often finding yourself in need of storing large food items, you’re better off with a refrigerator where shelves are easily adjusted or removed.

Most undercounter refrigerators have shelved in fixed positions, but some are adjustable. Make sure you pick one with multiple adjustment options, so you can utilize the space for any purpose.

4. Energy consumption

Another thing to look at when you’re checking out appliances, is the Energy Guide. This is very helpful as it projects how much energy a certain appliance will consume in a span of a year. It also gives you an idea of how much the running costs are.

This is an important factor, because you may be surprised by how much energy the cheap refrigerators use, because they’re not properly isolated and aren’t Energy Star certified either.

So, if you want to save money on the long run, look for an undercounter refrigerator with an Energy Star certificate.