October 10th, 2023 | 8 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect refrigeration products with our Counter-Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide
Counter-depth refrigerators have become increasingly popular in high-end kitchens due to their ability to seamlessly blend into the overall design.
Unlike regular refrigerators, counter depths do not protrude from the cabinets, so you won't see any black textured sides sticking out in the middle of your kitchen.
However, you had to trade off looks for capacity in the past. By cutting the depth, you have a much smaller interior.
That is, until now. Now, you can have a stylish refrigerator with plenty of storage space.
In this article, you will learn about the biggest counter-depth refrigerators, including the newest "Counter-Depth MAX."
Let’s get started.
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The Largest Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerators for 2023
LG Counter Depth MAX French Door Refrigerators
Now for the refrigerator that changed it all.
The Counter-Depth MAX French door refrigerator has 26.5 cubic feet of capacity. It’s larger than the average size of a standard French door refrigerator.
Yet the height is 70.25 inches tall, 35.75” wide, and 24.75” deep, plus the door.
Did the laws of physics change for this refrigerator (name that movie)?
Hint: The protagonist, a fearless archaeologist in a race against time to alter history, survives a nuclear explosion by hiding in a lead-lined refrigerator.
The Counter-Depth MAX French door refrigerator is larger due to thinner walls within the refrigerator, along with a newer type of insulation.
Highlights
Door Cooling+
Door Cooling Plus sends a blast of cold air every time you open the refrigerator to maintain the desired temperature
Water Dispensing
You can either choose the internal water dispenser at $1899 or the external for $1999
InstaView
Tap the door to see what's inside. Tap it again if you would rather not.
Cool Guard Interior
The metal back will keep your food or liquids colder and faster. Metal absorbs cold faster than plastic.
Cons
This refrigerator solves the size problems.
However, it lacks the features of other LG and SKS refrigerators.
The Counter-Depth MAX French door refrigerator only has one compressor and one evaporator, so the air inside could intermingle, causing more freezer burn and odor crossover.
In addition, high-end LG refrigerator models feature six sensors deployed throughout the refrigerator compared to two in the Counter-Depth MAX.
Read More: The LG Counter Depth MAX French Door Refrigerator (Review)
LG Studio SRFVC2416
LG markets under four names: LG, LG Studio, LG Signature, and SKS (Signature Kitchen Suite).
LG Studio is a unique refrigerator with two evaporators to separate the refrigerator and freezer air so your food tastes better.
LG has six sensors monitoring the temperature of the linear compressor to keep an even temperature.
Although their inverter compressor was targeted with a nationwide class action lawsuit in 2019, LG was the most reliable refrigerator sold at Yale last year, needing service only 3.5% of the time.
Highlights
InstaView
The InstaView door will allow you to see what's in the refrigerator by tapping the panel twice.
Door-in-Door
The Door-in-Door panel allows you to open a second door to access the milk and juices in the bin without having to open the main door of the refrigerator.
Craft Ice
You have crushed cubes plus slower-dissolving craft ice cubes produced in this refrigerator.
Metal Back
The LG Studio absorbs and retains the cold better with a metal interior.
GE GWE23GYNFS, GE Profile PRW23KYNFS, Café Appliances CWE23SP2MS, & Monogram ZWE23NSTSS
GE has a huge selection of models and styles in dispenser and non-dispenser types.
Highlights
SmartHQ
All have twin evaporators and their SmartHQ app with push notifications to change your filter and close your door when left open.
Their regular GE line is their least expensive.
TurboCool & TurboFreeze
You can expressly freeze or cool items in your refrigerator and freezer bins because the crispers directly flow from the compressor.
Differences Between Profile and GE
Profile has the "Hands-Free Autofill" dispenser, better shelving, and better lighting.
Differences Between GE Profile and Café Refrigerators
In the Café, you can buy your refrigerator with a Keurig coffee maker, customizable handles, and three finishes versus just stainless in the Profile.
Differences Between Café and Monogram Refrigerators
The monogram is sleeker, but the interior looks the same. It's also pricier, but they have a rebate program with other appliances.
JennAir JFFCC72EFS and KitchenAid KRFC704FBS
JennAir JFFCC72EFS
EURO-STYLE 72” COUNTER-DEPTH FRENCH DOOR REFRIGERATOR WITH OBSIDIAN INTERIOR
KitchenAid KRFC704FBS
23.8 cu. ft. 36" Counter-Depth French Door Platinum Interior Refrigerator with PrintShield™ Finish
JennAir and KitchenAid are two American subsidiaries of the Whirlpool Corporation produces.
JennAir is Whirlpool’s top-of-the-line brand, producing a wide variety of professional pieces for an upscale look.
Yet, both of these refrigerators are nearly identical in terms of capacity and overall layout.
Highlights
Preserva Food Care System
The Preserva Food Care system incorporates two evaporators and an ethylene gas filter in the fruit and vegetable bin.
Ethylene gases are emitted from spoiled foods, so the filter keeps food fresher for a bit longer.
Inverter Compressors
All brands under the Whirlpool corporation have inverter compressors.
Warranty
JennAir offers a two-year warranty. KitchenAid offers a standard one-year warranty.
Samsung Bespoke RF23A967541 & RF23A9071SR
Samsung Bespoke RF23A967541
Bespoke Counter Depth 4-Door Flex™ Refrigerator (23 cu. ft.) in Navy Glass
Samsung RF23A9071SR
23 cu. ft. Smart Counter Depth 4-Door Flex™ refrigerator with AutoFill Water Pitcher and Dual Ice Maker in Stainless Steel
You know Samsung from their phones and TVs, but they are the most popular appliance brand in the US.
They have the most options with three doors, four doors, and three doors with a drawer.
Highlights
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Samsung provides Wi-Fi connectivity in their refrigerators, allowing you to stay connected through your appliance.
Bespoke Design Options
Bespoke allows you to customize your refrigerator fronts in 17 different ways. Great idea, but the stove is the focal point, not the fridge.
Triple Cooling System
Years ago, they introduced their flex refrigeration.
Unlike the other two, this concept allows you to convert a section of your freezer to a refrigerator and then back again, depending on your needs.
Read More: The Problem with Samsung's Bespoke Appliances
Frigidaire FRFC2323AS
Frigidaire FRFC2323AS
Frigidaire 22.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
We don't sell Frigidaire and haven't sold it in five years or so. The brand hasn't changed much since then.
It is the only single evaporator refrigerator on this list, so the air cycles through your refrigerator and freezer.
Frigidaire also does not have any smart capabilities.
At 22.6, it does have the dispenser, plus Frigidaire does allow you to put together some less expensive kitchen packages.
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Benefits of Counter-Depth Refrigerators
LG Studio Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
A counter-depth refrigerator sits deeper within your cabinets for a sleeker look.
Excluding the door and handles, a counter-depth refrigerator is 24 inches deep.
Counter depth relates to the distance of your refrigerator from the back wall to the front of your countertops.
This means that in a standard 24-inch-deep cabinet, you will only see your refrigerator doors and handles.
In other words, your kitchen will look better because the refrigerator won't be protruding into your space.
Not seeing the unfinished sides is a bonus.
However, you lose 5-7 cubic feet from a standard refrigerator and pay more for the counter depth.
Pro Tip: If you want the size of a standard refrigerator and the look of a counter depth, build your cabinets out around the refrigerator.
Types of Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Manufacturers produce counter-depth refrigerators in professional (built-in) and freestanding, so they are available in various sizes and prices.
This article will focus on the industry's largest French door counter-depth refrigerators.
Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerators
Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerators at Yale Appliance in Hanover
French door refrigerators have become a leading trend in upscale kitchens because all the refrigerator contents are at eye level.
The freezer is below the side-by-side refrigerator doors in an easy-to-access drawer.
You can buy them with three doors, three doors with two drawers, or with four-doors.
Freestanding Counter-Depth vs. Professional Refrigerators
Professional (pro) is a commercial-style refrigerator designed for the home.
It is easily identifiable by the compressor on the top and can be purchased in stainless steel with panels to match your cabinetry.
Brands like True and Sub-Zero have twin compressors and more solid doors, shelving, and crispers.
Pro refrigerators are 2-3 times more expensive than a regular counter-depth refrigerator.
Freestanding counter depths are a regular-looking refrigerator but shallower, so it does not protrude into the kitchen.
The main benefits of pro refrigerators are price, style, and the ability to be customized with a cabinet panel.
Yes, you can buy the regular Fisher & Paykel and KitchenAid to be paneled, but that's uncommon.
Factors You Should Consider When Buying a Counter Depth Refrigerator
1. Cooling Systems
They vary greatly from one compressor and one evaporator to one compressor, two evaporators to two compressors, and two evaporators.
While they all maintain temperature, a two-evaporator system does keep refrigerator and freezer air separately for less freezer burn due to the warmer air of the refrigerator.
The food should also taste better because the odors don't cross over either.
2. Options
You have several options:
- InstaView Window: Tap the glass to see what is inside.
- Dispensers: Ice and/or water in the front of the refrigerator. They vary by size
- Keurig Coffee: You can make coffee right from the refrigerator.
- Metal Interior Panel: Metal absorbs cold faster.
- Door-in-Door Panel: Open a separate door for your most common items on the door.
- Triple Cooling Systems: You can change one compartment or drawer to be a refrigerator or freezer.
- Turbo Thaw, Cold, Cool, and Freeze: Crispers with direct airflow to rapidly thaw or cool an item.
- Craft Ice: Slower dissolving ice cubes so you can taste more of the drink and less of the dissolving cube.
3. Brands
You will see brands like KitchenAid and JennAir. Both are similar in terms of features. Buy the least expensive after rebates.
LG has a wide variety of brands and styles. Buy based on features.
4. Counter-Depth Refrigerator Reliability
We calculate appliance reliability by dividing the products we serviced by the products we sold.
For this article, we looked at the number of counter-depth French door refrigerators sold and serviced from December 2020 to October 2021.
Most Reliable Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator Brands for 2023
The following service rates are based on a minimum of 100 refrigerators sold and a total sample of over 3000:
| Service Rate | |
| Fisher & Paykel | 5.0% |
| LG | 6.9% |
| Café Appliances | 9.9% |
| Bosch | 10.7% |
| Thermador | 15.6% |
| GE Profile | 16.5% |
| GE Appliances | 19.6% |
| KitchenAid | 25.5% |
| Beko | 25.9% |
| Grand Total | 14.7% |
The most reliable counter-depth refrigerator brands are Fisher & Paykel, LG, Café Appliances, and Bosch.
Fisher & Paykel is the most reliable refrigerator brand, with a 5% service rate. However, GE Profile and Café have the best and largest service networks.
According to our service reports, the most common reasons for service calls for counter-depth refrigerators were for freezers, ice makers, and dispensers.
Read More: Most Reliable Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Key Takeaways
Well, now you don't have to choose between size or style.
This LG Counter-Depth MAX French door refrigerator, although family-sized at 26.5 cubic feet, does not offer the same range of features as the other models mentioned in this list.
Ultimately, you have decent options from GE, LG, and even Samsung.
What do you think?
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Counter-Depth Refrigerator to learn about the best counter depth refrigerators, including professional and integrated styles.
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
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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.
