Counter-depth refrigerators compared by actual dimensions

Buying guide: counter-depth refrigerators compared by actual dimensions

Counter-depth refrigerators are built so the cabinet lines up roughly with standard 24-inch-deep base cabinets and a 25-inch countertop, but the doors and handles still stand proud of the counter. The number to compare with your counters is the cabinet-only depth; the door and handle depths tell you how far the front will sit into the room.

Because the cabinet is shallower, manufacturers usually recover capacity by making counter-depth models wider or taller. That makes the width and height checks more important, not less: a model that suits the depth of your cabinets can still miss the opening once the side air gaps and the hinge height are added.

Before buying, measure from the back wall to the front edge of the countertop, subtract anything that intrudes (a water valve box, an outlet, a baseboard), and compare the result with the cabinet-only depth plus the rear space the manufacturer asks for. Then check the door-open depth against the walkway, island or cabinets opposite.

What the verified measurements show

These 273 reviewed models come from 23 brands; the most represented are Samsung (42), Whirlpool (37), Fisher and Paykel (23). The opening width they need ranges from 23 3/4 in for the GE GLE12HSPSS to 44 in for the Kenmore 46-51805, with half needing 36 in or less. The cabinet-only depth runs from 21 7/16 in (Forno FFRBI1805-33SB) to 25 3/8 in (LG LF25G8330S). The depth with the doors closed, handles included runs from 24 1/2 in (Beko BFBF2414SS) to 32 3/4 in (JennAir JFFCC72EHL). The height including the hinges runs from 60 1/2 in (Frigidaire FFHT1425VB) to 79 15/16 in (Bosch B24CB80ESW). With a door open at 90 degrees, 273 of these models have a verified depth; the typical one needs 43 7/8 in from the back wall, and the deepest, the Frigidaire FRAE2024AW, needs 58 in. 256 models have a verified hinge-side wall clearance for the door to open 90 degrees: from 3/16 in to 5 1/16 in, typically 3 3/4 in.