The best counter depth refrigerators are probably the ones you can buy and have delivered without waiting six months.
Refrigerators have been affected more by supply chain issues than any other appliances.
That’s saying something, because other appliances aren’t exactly burning with stock either.
This year, the best refrigerators will also reflect availability.
This article will only discuss what you can buy now, with one exception.
These refrigerators all have new features for keeping food fresh.
So let’s look at the best counter depth refrigerators and how to buy them and their reliability based on 40,000 real service calls.
For simplicity sake, we’re only rating regular counter-depths, and the most common 36 inch sizes. Not the Pro types with compressors on top or integrated designed to be behind the cabinet.
Table of Contents
Best Reliability
LG LFXC22526S
LG was one of the first twin evaporator refrigerators to keep the refrigerator and freezer air separate, along with six sensors to monitor the refrigerators temperature.
Most of the refrigerators on this list have more sophisticated temperature controls.
Many brands like Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Frigidaire and Electrolux still use single evaporators.
LG was an early pioneer of WiFi, allowing you to change temperature remotely from an app on your phone, and receive texts when your door is open, or if you need new filters.
I don’t think WiFi is a must have feature just yet. However, they’ll test WiFi with service and automatically notify a service agent when the refrigerator has issues.
Diagnosing a problem before it happens would be the best use of smart functionality in a refrigerator.
Lastly, LG has the best warranty, five years full on the seal system, plus ten years on the compressor part.
They did have issues with their compressors, ending in a class action lawsuit in 2019, but are the most reliable refrigerator brand based on service calls last year on this list.
LG has become wildly popular just over the last few years just to make sure it can be serviced in your area.
Beko BFFD3626SS
Beko’s 36 inch refrigerator is available in three and four doors.
They have some unique features for keeping food fresher longer.
The crispers have blue lighting and they’re making sunlight to keep food fresh. The ever fresh crispers or gaskets keep air and moisture out.
The refrigerator directs the airflow into the crispers through four ports in the back.
Beko has two evaporators so the refrigerator’s warmer moisture air doesn’t blend with the dryer, colder air of your freezer.
And they also have an ion generator called IonGuard. that sends out negative ions to counteract positive ions of odors for a fresher smelling refrigerator.
I imagine you’re as skeptical as I was.
However, we tested it against Sub-Zero, Thermador, Bosch and Samsung.
Beko was the best of the freestanding refrigerators. Beko does have an issue at 19.86 cubic feet, it is one of the smaller counter-depth refrigerators.
You also have to check for service availability in your area.
Bosch B36CT80SNS
This Bosch counter-depth refrigerator is new over the last two years and built by Bosch rather than outsourced.
Bosch is the only counter-depth refrigerator with two compressors for the refrigerator and freezer.
The warmer, moisture air of the refrigerator doesn’t blend with the dryer, colder air of the freezer.
Subzero pioneered the twin compressor years ago. It is standard in all their refrigerator and freezer combos.
Beko, Samsung, LG and GE have two evaporators to separate the air. Two compressors should maintain temperature better.
It also has metal in the back wall of the refrigerator. Metal absorbs cold better than the plastic, so you want to place your milk and juice towards the back to retain the coldest temperature.
Bosch features an ethylene filter. Spoiling foods will omit ethylene gas. The gas can cross contaminate other foods.
Through their Home Connect app, you can control the temperature of the refrigerator on your phone.
The refrigerator is available with different handles. The design is well done, it’s a good looking appliance.
Best Capacity
GE Profile PYE22KYNFS
GE Profile, another available WiFi enabled counter-depth refrigerator with two evaporators and the choice of a dispenser on the door.
However, GE’s best feature is size, it’s 23 cubic foot instead of 22 for the LG, 21 for the Bosch and 19.86 for the Beko.
Best Premium
SKS SKSFD3613S
This refrigerator is the most well featured for a 36 inch counter-depth.
It features Door-in-Door, a fancy term for an extra door on the refrigerator side to quickly access your milk and juices.
The back is all stainless steel. Stainless absorbs cold better as we said, so place your items from the grocery next to the stainless for a faster cold.
We also have two ice makers producing regular and craft ice. Craft ice are larger, slower dissolving ice cubes, perfect for premium cocktails where you want to taste more cocktail and less dissolving ice.
You see many of these bigger cubes in high end restaurants and bars. Their controls are the most robust in the industry, with two evaporators and nine sensors to monitor the temperature.
SKS is a great kitchen package with a convection five-burner range, over the range microwave and a 40 decibel dishwasher.
Best Panel-ready
Fisher & Paykel RS36A72J1N
The Fisher & Paykel is the only refrigerator to accept panels on this list.
It’s also $6,000 less than a Sub-Zero and other panel-ready refrigerators.
Reliability
French door refrigerators are one of the most serviced appliances at 15.5% on average just in the first year. Bosch is a bit better at 14.9%, GE is good at 10.2%, LG is the best we’ve ever rated at 4.5%.
News isn’t all bad, many of the problems are ice maker related, so your food will remain cool.
Best Counter Depth Refrigerators Takeaways
For the next two years, the best counter-depth refrigerator is less about brands and features and more about availability and reliability, and what you can buy in a reasonable time frame.
Also, for packages, you have to look at each appliance individually and consider delivery dates.
So be careful, always ask for realistic delivery dates and inquire about the service before you purchase.
LG has been the most reliable, at least year. You can buy LG in their premium SKS brand for more features. Beko will keep the food the freshest while GE has the largest size and Fisher & Paykel is a good option for a lesser expensive panel-ready option.