Counter-depth refrigerators are one of the easiest ways to improve the overall look of your kitchen.
You don’t see a refrigerator protruding, and you don’t have to see the unfinished textured sides.
However, you have 3 distinct types of counter-depth refrigerators to consider with different prices and features. Choosing between the 3 will change the look of your kitchen.
In this article, you’ll learn the differences, features, and what brands and models to consider for all 3. In the end, you’ll be able to choose the right counter-depth refrigerator for you and your family.
The first part of the article is freestanding and less expensive counter-depth refrigerators. Then we’ll go over the professional types with the compressor on the top. Finally the integrated units that are designed to fit within your cabinet.
You’ll learn the differences between all three throughout the article.
Table of Contents
Freestanding
Freestanding refrigerators are, quite simply, shallower than a regular fridge.
Of the 3 types, freestanding is the least expensive.
The sizes can fit regular standard cabinets of 24″, 28″, 30″ 33″ and 36″ with 36″ being the most popular.
Available side by side, French door, French door with a drawer, and four-door configurations.
Some French door units with drawers or four doors can convert between refrigerator and freezer.
For better features, about half the brands offer a twin evaporator versus single. The refrigerator doesn’t cycle air from the refrigerator to freezer and back, so the temperature is more constant with less defrosting in the freezer.
Your food, especially in the freezer, should taste better as well.
Freestanding Brands
Signature Kitchen Suite
This checks all the boxes with door in door, Twin Evaporators, craft ice and a stainless back.
Also, it’s one of the largest at 24 cubic feet.
Bosch
Bosch is the only manufacturer in free standing with two compressors, same as a Sub-Zero.
Cafe
Cafe has the most advanced smart functionality, but you can also choose between 3 finishes and 3 accents for a more unique look. You can brew that Keurig coffee system with an integrated Keurig coffee machine.
Beko
Beko’s new features may seem far fetched, but blue lighting does work because it emulates sunlight.
They have an ion generator to pulse negative ions to counteract the positive ions of odors. That too works.
You also have decent packages with Beko under $6,000.
Professional
Professional counter depths look like restaurant refrigerators with compressors on the top. They’re also taller at 84″.
They’re available in 30″, 36″, 42″ and 48″ in bottom mount, French door and side by side.
You may think the taller, larger pro units have more internal capacity, however, the capacities are like the freestanding of comparable widths.
You can add custom panels easier on a Pro, and the more professional refrigerators, you do have vacuum seals and magnetic crispers designed to keep air out and food fresher longer.
The components are better than a freestanding counter-depth.
The temperatures can all be set in one degree increments.
The best professional refrigerators have two compressors for better temperature management as well.
Professional Brands
Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero’s 36″ bottom mount is still the most popular. They have an air scrubber, nanotechnology shelving, a vacuum-sealed door and magnetic crispers to keep food fresher the longest.
You, also, could buy it in French door as well.
Both are available in stainless and can be paneled as well.
Wegmans
If you pulled out a frozen dinner out of Wegmans or Whole Foods, it probably was from a True freezer. The refrigerator solid from the all stainless interior to the solid thick glass shelving to the heavy crispers.
You can buy it with a glass decor as well.
BlueStar
Although not as well known as the other brands, BlueStar is the only company to fit a full sized chef’s pan on a 36″ sizes.
They also have an all stainless interior as well as 1000 different colors to choose.
Integrated
An integrated refrigerator fits flush to the cabinets and becomes seamless to the cabinet itself. They come in 18″, 24″, 30″ and 36″ widths.
Integrated is different than a professional refrigerator because the door doesn’t protrude into the kitchen like the other two types.
The pro is made to be distinctive while the integrated is designed to be hidden. Pros are purchased typically in the larger sizes of 36, 42 and 48 inches. The integrated are purchased frequently in the smaller sizes of 18″,24″ and 30″.
The advantage of buying smaller, independent units is placement. You can place a 30″ refrigerator and 18″ freezer anywhere in your kitchen versus placing a 48″ in one or two spots so you have more possibilities in your kitchen design.
An integrated has about 5% less capacity. Many of the integrated units are purchased in all refrigerator freezer columns. A column can be all refrigerator freezer in one whole unit or with drawers.
You can also buy an integrated unit in a combination with drawers or as French doors.
You’ll see many more brands offer integrated than professional because they can more easily pass energy efficiency standards, unlike the larger professional types.
Many of the features that are offered in better professional refrigerators are mirrored in the integrated.
Most have stainless interiors, WiFi, connectivity, advanced temperature settings and twin compressors.
Integrated Brands
Thermador
Thermador is one of the first manufacturers to produce an integrated refrigerator.
Their newest models have stainless interiors, WiFi and a robust temperature management system.
Thermador has packages with free hoods and dishwashers when you buy the refrigerator and qualifying cooking products.
Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero created the first integrated refrigerator, albeit at the now discontinued 27″ width.
Their most popular model has a refrigerator with two drawers below and a water dispenser and refrigerator.
Once again, Sub-Zero addresses food preservation by temperature control, air scrubbing, two compressors and magnetic crispers designed to keep air out of your refrigerator.
Signature Kitchen Suite
SKS is the upscale division of LG with a full suite of integrated refrigerators and freezers with two compressors and many of the best features available.
This model is unique with a middle dryer to be set by you to be either refrigerator or freezer.
The refrigerator is incredibly quiet at 39 decibels.
Fisher Paykel
Fisher Paykel offers a lower priced integrated French door refrigerator that accepts custom panels.
Their active Smart technology uses sensors throughout the refrigerator monitoring to keep temperature consistent.
Reliability
Refrigerators need service about 15.5% of the time within the first year, according to a internal service records of over 40,000 service calls.
Appliances average about 9.5% within the first year.
Most of the problems are not compressor failures or the ability to keep food cold.
Dispensing ice through a warm refrigerator and a French door is the cause of leaks.
On the high-end pro and integrated units, installation is part of the problem.
However, refrigerators are tough to fix because a technician needs specialized knowledge of refrigeration and refrigerators.
Placing panels on an integrated refrigerator is harder than it seems. Make sure you have someone that knows how to install it properly and has done it before.
For professional refrigerators, all the weight is on the top, so you must anchor the unit properly to your cabinet.
Service and installation are prime considerations for purchasing your next refrigerator.
Key Takeaways
As with any refrigerator, you have pros and cons to each type. Freestanding style is available in tons of configurations and at a much more affordable price.
Cons are lack of color choices and the ability to panel. Freestanding is not as good-looking as the other two.
The professional series is probably built the best and looks great with the ability to panel as well.
Downside is selection. True and Sub-Zero are your best choices. BlueStar is interesting.
If you have higher-end cabinets, then integrated will accentuate the look.
Smaller units can be placed anywhere, opening up design possibilities. However, integrated units are smaller on the inside as well and probably the most expensive per cubic foot.