February 2nd, 2024 | 7 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect refrigeration products with our Counter-Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide
Here's the unfortunate reality: Refrigerators rank as the second most repair-prone appliance after larger professional ranges.
But, there’s good news - some counter-depth models are known for being reliable.
The catch?
While your refrigerator will likely keep running smoothly, your icemaker...probably won’t.
You are about to learn about one of the least reliable appliances on the market based on real service calls.
We’ll cover the most common problems and how to prevent unnecessary service calls. We’ll also share tips on how to prolong the life of your refrigerator.
This article will give you a reason to pause before you fork over $400 for an extended warranty.
Why You Should Rely On Our Expertise
Why not pick Consumer Reports or the Wirecutter instead?
These ratings are based on real service calls, not surveys and lab testing.
You won't find many reliability studies because 95% of appliance stores do not have any service.
Don't trust these ratings because you think I am a nice guy (I am).
Trust them because it's based on how you will use the refrigerator.
Fixing chronically unreliable brands is too expensive because we service what we sell.
Reliability should also be yours because getting an on any product is incredibly aggravating, even before and after the pandemic.
How We Calculate Refrigerator Reliability
Let's discuss how we calculate reliability.
We have logged over 100,00 service calls in less than three years.
We now have 35 service technicians averaging 8-10 calls daily, Monday through Friday, plus another 110 calls on Saturday.
We calculate appliance reliability by dividing the products we serviced by the products we sold.
In this article, we looked at the number of counter-depth refrigerators sold and serviced over 12 months.
Many have asked for three, five, and ten-year reliability articles.
It is harder to calculate the number of years because we provide warranty service for free.
After the first year, the service rates are harder to determine, plus people move away, and builders leave jobsites.
It's unclear whether people know to call us.
Discover Refrigerator Excellence! 📘 This no-cost guide reveals the essential configurations, proven reliability data from service calls, and comprehensive brand profiles. Start your informed purchase journey with our free counter-depth buying guide by clicking here.
The Most Reliable Counter-Depth Refrigerators for 2024
The following service rates are based on a minimum of 100 products sold and a total sample of over 2,000 products within 12 months.
| Service Rate | |
| LG | 8.8% |
| Bosch | 11.6% |
| GE | 11.6% |
| GE Profile | 16.8% |
| Fisher & Paykel | 18.9% |
| Café Appliances | 20.1% |
| Beko | 32.8% |
| Grand Total | 13.5% |
LG - 8.8% Service Rate
Yes, LG is number one for a reliable refrigerator.
In 2019, they settled a class-action lawsuit based on their new linear compressor not cooling.
However, that suit covered refrigerators manufactured in 2014-2017, now 7-10 years ago.
Theoretically, the linear compressor is more reliable because of fewer working parts and strike points.
Give them credit for improving the design and not starting over.
They also have a decent lineup of interesting refrigerators, including the incredibly popular 26.5 cubic foot Counter-Depth MAX refrigerator.
It's important to note that our service rates for LG only cover LG-branded products. This does not include subsidiary brands such as SKS, LG Studio, or LG Signature.
Once again, if you look at the most popular refrigerators at Yale, they don't have dispensers.
Most Popular LG Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Most Popular LG Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Below is a list of the most popular LG counter-depth refrigerators to consider:
- LRFLC2706S - 27 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Smart Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator, No External Ice or Water Dispensers
- LFXC22526S - 22.1 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator, With an External Ice and Water Dispenser
- LRSOC2306S - 23 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator, With an External Ice and Water Dispenser
Bosch - 11.6% Service Rate
Bosch's service rate is number two.
Their counter-depth refrigerator line is only five years old.
Bosch's counter-depth refrigerators have many features, including a unique two-compressor system.
Two compressors keep the air in the freezer and refrigerator separately better than two evaporators, one compressor, and two evaporator configurations of other brands.
Their most popular refrigerators do not have an ice dispenser.
Bosch refrigerators do have a better temperature system and styling, but they have a smaller capacity of 20.8 cubic feet.
The norm is about 23 cubic feet, with the LG the largest at 26.5.
Most Popular Bosch Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Below is a list of the most popular Bosch counter-depth refrigerators to consider:
- B36CT81ENS - 800 Series 20.8 Cu. Ft. Easy Clean Stainless Steel Counter Depth Bottom Freezer Refrigerator, Without an External Water and Ice Dispenser
- B36CL80ENS - 800 Series 20.5 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator, Without an External Water and Ice Dispenser
- B36CD50SNS - 500 Series 21.6 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator, With an External Ice and Water Dispenser
Read More: Is the Bosch B36CT80SNS a Good French Door Refrigerator?
GE Appliances – 11.6%
What you will like about GE has nothing to do with the refrigerator.
GE still operates its own service department.
It will be especially critical when you buy from a company without a service department, which you probably will.
GE refrigerators feature twin evaporators with one compressor to separate refrigerator and freezer air.
Turbo Freeze and Turbo Cool will allow you to freeze or cool an item quickly.
Overall, GE is a decent no-frills refrigerator.
Beko Refrigerators: Understanding the 32.8% Repair Rate
Beko refrigerators stand out for their ability to keep food fresher for longer periods.
Their innovative BlueLight and EverPure+ technology enhances the freshness of fruits and vegetables by promoting photosynthesis.
Beko was second only to Sub-Zero in our four-week "Project Produce" tests, of which refrigerators kept fruit and vegetables fresh.
Beko is the most sustainability-oriented appliance company as well.
However, their reliability number is over 30%.
At that rate, should you consider a Beko counter-depth refrigerator?
Most of the issues were a problem with the ice maker, not the refrigerator cooling.
But you will have a service call sooner rather than later, so it's important these minor problems can be fixed.
Most Popular Beko Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Below is a list of the most popular Bekocounter-depth refrigerators to consider:
- BFFD3624XSS - 19.9 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint-Free Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator, Without an External Water and Ice Dispenser
- BFFD3626SS - 19.8 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Free Stainless Steel French 4 Door Refrigerator, Without an External Water and Ice Dispenser
Read More: Should You Buy The Beko BFFD3624SS Counter Depth Refrigerator?
Should You Buy an LG or Samsung Counter-Depth Refrigerator?
LG and Samsung are the best in terms of product design.
They also have the best features with cool-sounding refrigerator styles like the Samsung FamilyHub or the LG InstaView.
However, do not buy either brand without understanding who will be fixing it first. In this case, LG is much better than Samsung.
LG has made a recent commitment to service, and it takes time.
Samsung has the twin problems of being the most popular brand and no support.
In other words, you may love the product, but trust and verify the service aspect first.
The Most Common Counter-Depth Refrigerator Problems
These numbers may be statistically bad, but most of their issues are not. The problems are more related to ice maker issues than compressor failures. It isn't all terrible.
Below are the three most common counter-depth refrigerator problems we found.
- Freezer and Refrigerator Not Working: This usually indicates that the unit is not cooling. This issue can arise from various causes, including problems with the fan, door, control board, or a malfunction in the seal system - specifically with components like the compressor, evaporator, or due to a restriction.
- Icemakers Not Making or Dispensing Ice: Sending a frozen cube through a warmer refrigerator has been an issue. Icemakers in general have problems because you should clean them regularly.
- Reports of Noise: Modern refrigerators are way more efficient but are noisier as well.
How Long Should a Refrigerator Last?
I reached out to Paul Macdonald for this question, our former service manager.
With over 35 years in the service industry, Paul initially joined us on what was meant to be a short-term consulting basis but ended up leading our service team for a decade.
Now, he is a consultant for AVB, one of the two massive appliance-buying groups in the US.
Paul weighed in on the durability of refrigerators, explaining:
"Refrigerators are one of our homes' most essential, hardest-working appliances running 24/7.
Depending on the make and model, they can last anywhere from 10-20 years.
Due to the initial acquisition cost of high-end luxury brands, homeowners of these models are willing to invest more in repairs to keep the unit running longer.
To extend the lifespan of your refrigerator, you should clean the condenser coils at least twice a year to ensure proper ventilation.
Also, keep the fridge at the right temperature, between 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit, and do not overstock it with food."
Should You Buy an Extended Warranty for Your Refrigerator?
Until 16 years ago, we did not sell warranties.
You should consider a warranty for a French door refrigerator just from looking at the first-year service rates above.
You can read nightmare comments written about nightmare service experiences.
Just do not buy a warranty from a store without a service department.
You certainly won't buy a car warranty from a dealer without service. Follow the same thinking with appliances.
Third-party warranties are a joke (only you will not be laughing). They will sell you the warranty without employing service technicians.
Make Smarter Refrigerator Choices! 💡 Grab your FREE counter-depth refrigerator guide now and delve into detailed configurations, real-life reliability ratings, and in-depth brand profiles. Let us guide you to the ideal refrigerator that meets your needs.
Key Takeaways
Here's your key takeaway from this article: Refrigerators without dispensers tend to be more reliable.
I know what you are thinking: They are so convenient to place your glass and fill it with water and ice.
However, a frozen cube in a warmer refrigerator is not the best design.
Then again, a small leak could be more tolerable than bending down to reach into the freezer for ice.
You wouldn't notice the other part of what we consider reliable.
Bosch and GE are better at turning around parts and services than the others.
In addition to researching prices and features, you should know your service agent before making any appliance purchase.
Additional Resources
Download the Yale Counter Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide with features, specs, and inside buying tips for regular, pro, and integrated counter-depth refrigerators. Well over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.
Related Articles:
- How to Buy a Refrigerator: The Ultimate Guide
- Best Counter-Depth Refrigerators
- 3 Reasons to Never Buy a Counter-Depth Refrigerator
- French Door vs. Side-By-Side Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Most Reliable Appliances Series:
- Most Reliable Appliance Brands
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Looking for answers about Counter-Depth Refrigerators?
Choosing a new refrigerator can be a confusing and time-consuming experience. We've taken the pain out of the decision process with our Counter-Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide.
Why Should You Trust Us?
It seems that every appliance review has nothing but glowing comments about almost every product, yet you read customer reviews and they are almost universally bad.
We are here to fill in the disconnect. We'll give you the best features, and the drawbacks as well, including reliability based on over 37,000 calls performed by our service team just last year. Our goal is to give you ALL the information so you know what's right for you.
Please consider subscribing or adding to the conversation in the comments below. We appreciate you stopping by.
A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
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