The 4 Greatest Counter-Depth Fridges, Examined by BHG
This site contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Constructed-in home equipment are standard due to the way in which that they seamlessly mix in with counter tops and cupboards. Sadly, they typically include the next price ticket than a typical fridge.
The extra inexpensive resolution to a not-so-budget-friendly drawback? Counter-depth fridges.
We requested Gary So, vice chairman of built-in advertising and marketing for digital home equipment for Samsung Electronics America, for his recommendation on searching for a counter-depth fridge.
“Counter-depth fridges are designed to align flush together with your kitchen cupboards, providing a streamlined look,” he says. “Usually, they’ve a depth of 24 to 25 inches, excluding doorways and handles.”
“Make sure you measure your accessible house precisely, together with top, width, and depth, to accommodate the fridge and permit for correct air flow,” So says.
Though counter-depth fridges provide a modern look, there may be one element to think about, particularly in case you have a big household or bulk store for groceries. “They could provide barely much less inside house in comparison with standard-depth fridges,” So says.
What We Examined
Utilizing a predetermined methodology, we rated counter-depth fridges on their design and capability, efficiency, options, ease of cleansing, and worth.
For extra on how we examined counter-depth fridges, see our testing course of beneath.
The Backside Line
The KitchenAid French door fridge was our favourite counter-depth fridge we examined. We cherished its customizable storage and its adjustable shelving, and we discovered that it was user-friendly and straightforward to wash.
Our Testing Course of
We examined 13 fridges in our personal houses, utilizing their numerous options in real-life situations to find out which have been the very best counter-depth fridges.
First, we evaluated the design of every fridge. As a part of this testing course of, we stuffed the fridge and freezer, noting the capability, the shelf sturdiness and adjustability, and door shelf house.
We thought of the format of every fridge, whether or not or not there have been any dimension restrictions, and the performance of the drawers and cabinets.
Efficiency smart, we intermittently checked the fridge’s temperature and famous whether or not or not the fridge was capable of maintain meals saved at a protected temperature.
As a part of our testing, we left the fridge door open and recorded how lengthy it took for the fridge to alert us.
If the fridge included a water or ice dispenser, we famous the standard, ice texture and form, and water temperature on the time of use.
We additionally took notice of the place the fridge filter was situated, figuring out how straightforward it was to entry and substitute when the time got here.
We additionally took the time to make use of any sensible options (together with any accompanying apps) noting their ease of use and capabilities.
No less than as soon as throughout testing, we cleaned the within and outdoors of the fridge to find out how straightforward (or troublesome) it was to wash. Then, as soon as we collected this info, we decided every fridge’s total worth.
What to Know About Counter-Depth Fridges
Dimensions
Counter-depth fridges don’t have the identical dimensions as a standard-depth fridge. As a substitute, they sit flush with a countertop and cupboards. Counter-depth fridges usually have a depth of 24 to 25 whereas extra conventional fridges have a depth of 27 to 31 inches
It is best to at all times measure earlier than buying to make sure that the fridge matches in your house, particularly in order for you a extra built-in look.
To make up for his or her lack of depth, many fashions of counter-depth fridges are wider or taller than standard-depth fashions, which permits them to have the identical capability. They’ll measure 30 to 36 inches broad and generally 70 or extra inches tall.
Whole Capability
The capability of a fridge is measured in cubic ft and is the quantity of inside house accessible to retailer your groceries and meals.
When searching for a counter-depth fridge, it’s necessary to needless to say this measurement contains not simply the fridge inside, however the inside of the freezer as nicely.
“In some situations, counter-depth fridges have much less capability than standard-depth fashions,” So says. “Their design aligns with kitchen counters, which may scale back inside house.”
Options
Earlier than searching for a fridge, decide what options are necessary to you. Options can embrace water and ice dispensers, adjustable temperature drawers, versatile shelving, air purification, sensible cooling, and extra.
A fridge with sensible options and an app with reporting, just like the LG Sensible counter-depth fridge, could be the excellent match for somebody who is worried with power effectivity or loves the newest tech improvements.
But when your foremost precedence is performance and longevity, a extra conventional fridge just like the Whirlpool side-by-side fridge or the KitchenAid French door fridge could also be a greater match for you.
Your Questions, Answered
How a lot do you have to count on to spend on a counter-depth fridge?
The worth of a counter-depth fridge will depend on its dimension and options, however they usually vary from $1,000 to round $3,000. Probably the most inexpensive fridge on our record is the Whirlpool side-by-side fridge retails for round $1,700.
If affordability is a precedence for you and also you aren’t in a rush to exchange your fridge, keep watch over your favourite fridge—it could go on sale round holidays like Memorial Day, July 4th, or Labor Day.
What’s the lifespan of a counter-depth fridge?
“The lifespan of a fridge isn’t decided by its depth,” So says.
The lifespan of a counter-depth fridge is identical as a typical fridge. On common, counter-depth fridges can final anyplace between 10 to 14 years, with some fashions lasting longer.
This largely will depend on how a lot you utilize it, the standard of the fridge, and whether or not or not you preserve the fridge typically.
Who We Are
Andrea Wurzburger is a author at Higher Properties & Gardens, with expertise masking kitchen home equipment, together with French door fridges, countertop dishwashers, pellet and propane grills, juicers, and extra. For this text, she spoke with Gary So, vice chairman of built-in advertising and marketing for digital home equipment for Samsung Electronics America.
What’s BHG Recommends?
Subsequent to all the merchandise on this record, you’ll have observed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Merchandise that earn the seal have been put by rigorous testing to verify they’re value a spot in your house. We purchase a lot of the merchandise we check ourselves, however often we’re supplied samples by corporations if shopping for is not an choice. In these instances, we use the identical testing standards we use to check the bought merchandise.
