November 26th, 2024 | 9 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect refrigeration products with our Counter-Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide
Here's the unfortunate reality:
Refrigerators are the second most repair-prone appliance, right after larger professional ranges.
But there's good news—some counter-depth models are better than others.
The catch?
While your refrigerator will likely keep running smoothly, your ice maker… probably won't.
Based on over 33,000 real service calls, you're about to learn about one of the least reliable appliances on the market.
We'll cover the most common problems and how to avoid unnecessary service calls. We'll also share tips on prolonging your refrigerator's life.
And finally, you'll find out whether linear compressors work. Prominent YouTubers say no.
Reality tends to be different.
Why Trust Us
Why not just pick Consumer Reports instead?
I like Consumer Reports, and you should read their reviews for reference, but stay away from publications with "affiliate links." They're not impartial and often send you to websites offering the biggest commissions.
However, Consumer Reports reviews are based on lab tests and surveys.
On the other hand, our ratings are based on actual service calls, not just surveys and lab testing.
You won't find many reliability studies because 98% of appliance stores don't offer any service.
Don't trust these ratings just because you think I'm a nice guy (I am). Trust them because they're based on how you will use the refrigerator.
Reliability matters because getting service for any product can be incredibly frustrating and time-consuming.
The Sad State of Refrigerator Reliability
Many stores offer over 30 refrigerator brands, some of which you (and I) have never even heard of.
Unfortunately, some of these brands have known reliability or support issues.
Before you buy anything, you should at least inquire about service and tech support.
I'd even recommend calling the repair agency to ask about service turnaround times and how long repairs typically take.
It's better to know this before buying your refrigerator than after.
How We Calculate Refrigerator Reliability
Let's discuss how we calculate reliability.
We've logged over 100,000 service calls in less than three years.
We now have 40 service technicians, each averaging 8–10 calls daily, Monday through Friday, plus 110 calls on Saturdays.
We calculate appliance reliability by dividing the number of products we serviced by the number of products we sold.
This article looked at the number of counter-depth refrigerators sold and serviced over 12 months.
Many have asked for three-, five-year, and ten-year reliability articles. Still, it's harder to calculate longer periods because we provide warranty service for free in the first year.
After that, tracking service rates is harder since people move and builders leave job sites. It's also unclear whether people know to call us after the first year.
Typically, refrigerators will have problems at the beginning and the end of their lifespan.
The Most Reliable Counter-Depth Refrigerators for 2025
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 Studio | 7.4% |
| LG | 8.4% |
| Bosch | 12.5% |
| GE Appliances | 19.2% |
| Café Appliances | 19.6% |
| GE Profile | 21.6% |
| Grand Total | 12.1% |
LG Studio: 7.4%
LG Studio is a top pick if you want a reliable refrigerator.
It's a bit surprising, considering the negativity you see online.
However, as one of the most popular brands selling millions of units, it's almost inevitable that you'll hear more complaints.
Note: Always pay attention to the service rate percentage. A brand selling 1,000,000 refrigerators at a 7.4% service rate will naturally have more units to repair than a niche brand selling 100,000 units with a 20% service rate.
With a service rate of 7.4%, LG Studio is well below the industry average, making it a dependable choice.
The LG Studio 36-Inch Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator is loaded with features, such as Wi-Fi, door-in-door storage, and dual ice makers.
LG: 8.4%
2023 Service Rate: 8.8%
LG's service rate is 8.4%, a slight improvement from 8.8% in 2023. This makes it the second most reliable brand after LG Studio.
They faced a class-action lawsuit 2019 for cooling issues with their linear compressors, but this only affected refrigerators between 2014 and 2017.
Theoretically, linear compressors should be more reliable due to fewer working parts and strike points.
Credit to LG for improving the design instead of starting from scratch.
They also offer a solid 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.
Interestingly, many of the most popular refrigerators at Yale don't include dispensers.
Do Linear Compressors Work in Refrigerators?
Linear compressors are relatively new, first introduced in LG refrigerators around 2014.
The design uses fewer parts than traditional compressors, theoretically making them more reliable and energy efficient.
However, the initial batch from 2014 to 2017 proved unreliable, leading to a class-action lawsuit in 2019.
But that was five years ago.
Do they work now?
Most influencers say no, often pointing to the number of LG refrigerators they've repaired.
This logic, however, is flawed.
There are more issues simply because millions of these refrigerators are sold yearly.
Additionally, many appliance problems arise from improper warehousing and delivery.
That said, between October 1, 2023, and October 2024, only seven LG appliances sold had compressor issues—and all were repairable in the field.
So, based on actual data, not opinion, the new linear compressors work.
By the way, I don't shy away from comments, so feel free to share your thoughts in the section below.
Most Popular LG Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Here's a list of the most popular LG counter-depth refrigerators to consider:
- LRFLC2706S: 27 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Smart Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator, Internal ice and water dispenser
- LRMDC2306S: 22.5 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator, External ice and water dispenser, 2nd ice maker in freezer
- LRSXC2306S: 23 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator, External ice and water dispenser, 2nd ice maker in freezer
Bosch: 12.5%
2023 Service Rate: 11.6%
Bosch's service rate ranks second.
Their counter-depth refrigerator line is relatively new, introduced just five years ago.
Bosch refrigerators feature a unique two-compressor system.
This setup keeps the air in the freezer and refrigerator completely separate, which is more effective than the one-compressor and two-evaporator configurations found in other brands.
Ttheir most popular refrigerators don't come with an ice dispenser.
Bosch refrigerators excel in temperature control and styling, but they have a smaller capacity—20.8 cubic feet—compared to the industry norm of around 23 cubic feet.
In contrast, LG offers the largest capacity at 26.5 cubic feet.
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 Dispense, One Compressor with Dual Evaporators
Read More: Is the Bosch B36CT80SNS a Good French Door Refrigerator?
GE Appliances: 19.2%
2023 Service Rate: 11.6%
What you'll appreciate about GE has little to do with the refrigerator itself.
For some reason, GE still operates its service department, now called Bodewell.
This is especially important if you buy from a company without a service department, which is likely.
GE refrigerators feature twin evaporators with one compressor to separate refrigerator and freezer air.
Their Turbo Freeze and Turbo Cool functions let you quickly freeze or cool an item.
Overall, GE is a decent, no-frills refrigerator brand.
Most Popular GE Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Below is a list of the most popular GE counter-depth refrigerators to consider:
- GE GYE18JYLFS - 33 in. 17.5 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless-Steel Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
- GE GYE21JYMFS - 36 in. 20.6 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
- GE GWE22JYMFS - 36 in. 21.9 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless-Steel Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
Excluded Brands
We stopped selling Samsung during the pandemic years. I love the product—it's stylish, especially with its new white finish.
The problem with Samsung is support.
As the most popular brand, they need a lot of service, not just a little.
Make sure to check Samsung service availability in your area before buying.
Note: Their head of service doesn't like me. He said to give any unhappy customers his personal cell phone number. I asked him to put it in writing, but I haven't heard back since.
Whirlpool has decent support in some areas, but its products—across brands like KitchenAid, JennAir, Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana—are outdated, boring, and overpriced.
Frankly, I'm boring enough on my own. I don't need their help.
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 issue can arise from various causes, including problems with the fan, door, or control board, a malfunction in the seal system—specifically with components like the compressor and evaporator—or a restriction.
- Ice Makers Not Making or Dispensing Ice: Sending a frozen cube through a warmer refrigerator has been an issue. Icemakers, in general, have problems. We recommend cleaning them regularly; this will help.
- Reports of Noise: Modern refrigerators stay on longer, making them more efficient but noisier.
How Long Should a Refrigerator Last?
I asked Paul Macdonald, our former service manager, about this question.
With over 35 years in the service industry, Paul initially joined us in what was meant to be a short-term consulting role but ended up leading our service team for a decade.
He now consults for AVB, one of the two largest appliance-buying groups in the U.S.
Paul shared his thoughts 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 about 20 years ago, we didn't sell warranties.
You should definitely consider a warranty for a French-door refrigerator, especially considering the first-year service rates mentioned above.
There are plenty of horror stories about bad service experiences.
But whatever you do, don't buy a warranty from a store without its own service department.
You wouldn't buy a car warranty from a dealer without service, so apply the same logic to appliances.
Third-party warranties are a joke (and you won't be the one laughing).
They'll sell you the warranty but don't even employ service technicians.
Key Takeaways
Here's your key takeaway from this article: Refrigerators without dispensers are more reliable.
I know what you're thinking: they're so convenient for filling your glass with water and ice.
However, sending a frozen cube through a warmer refrigerator isn't the best design.
A small leak might be more tolerable than bending down to reach the freezer for ice.
There's another reliability factor you might not notice: Bosch and GE are better at turning around parts and services than other brands.
In addition to researching prices and features, consider the best brands for service in your area 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. 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
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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.
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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.
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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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