Everyone has their own tastes when it comes to cuisine and the same goes for undercounter refrigerators. You need a good refrigerator that can keep your groceries fresh and you within budget. But it can be difficult to decide which fridge is best for you. Why? There are so many choices! This is why we’ve scoured the internet to find some of the best undercounter refrigerator reviews.
Now, our recommendations may not necessarily change your palette – but they will help you choose a side in what’s hot and what’s not in the world of undercounter refrigerators for 2023.
What Is An Undercounter Refrigerator?
An undercounter refrigerator is the type of refrigerator that is typically placed below kitchen countertops. The size of these refrigerators are usually designed to fit in the space below the counter. These appliances are commonly found in restaurants, hotels, and offices.
Undercounter refrigerators are frequently used for storing food items that don’t require cold storage like beverages, condiments, fruits and vegetables. Freezers for storing meat or other frozen goods usually occupy other sections of a commercial kitchen or restaurant’s storage space.
Although the majority of consumers now use undercounter refrigerators, it remains a niche appliance type. The space under the counter is typically used for other purposes like trash, equipment and shelving, so it’s not easily accessible.
The idea behind an undercounter refrigerator is to allow the kitchen staff to stock necessary items close to the food preparation area without taking up valuable storage space in a refrigerator.
An undercounter refrigerator is an ideal solution for food service establishments that have restricted space or limited storage space in the kitchen prep areas. These appliances may also be placed behind the bars at a fast food joint or outdoor eatery to provide more countertop area for customers to prepare their order.
Undercounter refrigerators are unique appliances because they don’t actually have a designated space to be placed. It’s important that an appliance has enough power to supply the amount of food and drinks it will store. An undercounter refrigerator with a large capacity is also important because this will allow plenty of space to place items. There are multiple types of undercounter refrigerators, so it’s important to find one that fits your specific needs, like the type and size of items you’ll be storing inside.
The 8 Best Undercounter Refrigerator Reviewed
Kalamera 24 inch Beverage Refrigerator
Have a great party, and need to buy drinks? You don’t want to waste time in the supermarket, but you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars. A great option is buying a mini fridge for beer, wine, soda and other drinks. This Kalamera Beverage Cooler is what you need!
This beer fridge is small, but it’s perfect for small apartments or dorm rooms. It can fit up to 154 cans, so you can stock it up with fountain drinks, some beers, soda and other cold beverages for a big get together.
This mini fridge has two layers of tempered glass that keep the temperature inside stable. The outside stays clean thanks to the stainless steel frame. This beverage refrigerator also has an air outlet that makes sure your kitchen looks great.
The temperature inside this mini beer refrigerator can be set between 38 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This special feature helps you have the right temperature for your favorite drinks at all times.
You can use this small refrigerator as a freestanding or built-in unit. If you want to have it in your kitchen without taking much space, you can simply put it on top of the counter. If you want it more hidden, you can install it under the counter or behind it.
What we liked:
- The best mini fridge for wine and beer
- Stylish design with auto defrost and LED display
- Durable and functional, this undercounter refrigerator can hold 154 cans of your favorite drinks or wines in different sizes
Smith & Hanks BEV145SRE 178 Can Capacity Beverage Cooler
No matter what your drink of choice is, a Smith and Hanks Beverage Cooler is the perfect addition to any home bar or kitchen.
The Smith and Hanks BEV145SRE beverage cooler has a storage capacity of up to 178 cans. It’s great for storing bottles and cans of all shapes and sizes. This makes it easy to keep an ample supply of drinks cold at all times.
For anyone with limited space, this beverage cooler is an ideal option. This compact refrigerator can be placed in almost any room or location and still have enough storage space for all your favorite beverages.
This beverage cooler is designed to offer versatility in terms of installation. It can be used as a free standing appliance or built into kitchen or home bar cabinets.
This mini refrigerator has a wide opening, so you can easily take out drinks without having to open the door completely. The door also automatically locks to prevent accidental spills.
Every Smith and Hanks beverage cooler comes with a 1 year full warranty and a 3 year warranty on the compressor and sealed system, so you can rest assured that using this appliance will be worry-free!
What we liked:
- Keeps an ample supply of drinks cold at all times.
- Great for storing bottles and cans of all shapes and sizes
- Designed to offer versatility in terms of installation
- Compact refrigerator can be placed in almost any room or location
Kalamera Stainless Steel Under Counter 24 inch Beverage Refrigerator
We know how important it is to enjoy a cold beer or soda, especially when you’re relaxing at home. But what about when you’re entertaining guests? You want the drinks you offer to be of the highest quality just like your other party essentials, but this doesn’t mean you have to go through all the fuss of getting them out of the refrigerator every few minutes in order to keep them chilled.
Trying to achieve an ideal drink temperature means having to settle for a warm brew, or worse, one that’s completely room temperature! We’ve found your solution. Take advantage of our Kalamera Undercounter Beer Fridge and never worry about serving warm beer again. This versatile drink chiller stores up to 154 cans, making it an ideal 24 inch beverage fridge for offices and small bars.
Like any top-notch cold storage device, it features a solid stainless steel door for improved insulation. Unlike most units on the market, it has a whisper-quiet output so it won’t be disruptive in open-plan homes or in your teen’s bedroom. The Kalamera Undercounter Beverage Fridge uses a compressor-based chilling system so you can store drinks at near-freezing and light-freezing points.
The shelves are bend-curve stainless steel so they don’t let cold air escape as quickly as glass ones do. This ensures that the temperature remains more consistent throughout the interior of the unit.
This undercounter refrigerator also uses a compressor-based cooling system, not an air-cooled system. This means it will keep your drinks colder than standard models because it compresses cooled air inside the unit instead.
What we liked:
- This versatile fridge holds 154 cans
- Compressor-based chilling keeps drinks colder than standard units
- Quiet so it won’t be disruptive in open-plan spaces
- Uses curved stainless steel for more even temperatures
Colzer 24 inch Beverage Refrigerator
It’s a great undercounter refrigerator for the home, basement, office and garage.
This beverage cooler is perfect for keeping your drinks cold.It creates a comfortable environment for you to enjoy your drink all day.
This can hold up to 180 cans or 46 bottle wines which is enough space for you to store your drinks in. It has a double-layered glass door that provides clear view of all the contents inside the refrigerator.
The interior LED light will make it easy to see the items inside even in dim or dark areas. This beverage cooler comes with a removable shelf that makes it easier for you to put items inside the refrigerator.
This unit also features a digital display that shows temperature setting, current temperature and time remaining before auto shut off.
The beverage cooler is equipped with 4 adjustable shelves that can be moved at will to accommodate all kinds of different size items. It can hold tall bottles upright, support medium and small bottles horizontally.
Two stoppers on both side prevent bottles from falling off when pulled halfway out.
Tall and narrow design allows this cooler to fit in limited space, like under the counter in kitchen, bar area or used as a freestanding unit. The freezer door is wider than normal, 220 degrees opened angle, you can take your drinks out easily and it’s safe!
More importantly, it’s convenient for you to put things back after use. The high-quality compressor and the intelligent temperature control system make sure the temperature is steadily kept at a set point. Even if you open the door frequently or keep it open for long time, it won’t affect the cooling inside.
What we liked:
- It has a double-layered glass door that provides clear view of all the contents inside the refrigerator.
- The interior LED light will make it easy to see the items inside even in dim or dark areas.
- High quality compressor + intelligent temperature control system to ensure its steady temperature
- Freezer door is wider than normal, 220 degrees opened angle, you can take your drinks out easily and it’s safe!
- It can fit in limited space, like under the counter in kitchen, bar area or used as a freestanding unit
- It can hold tall bottles upright, support medium and small bottles horizontally
TYLZA 15 Inch Beverage Refrigerator Cooler Under Counter
The refrigerator can hold up to 130 cans of drinks. It’s perfect for home, bar, office, garage and so on. No matter where you want to place it, there is no need to worry about the limited space! The cooling system keeps your favorite beer in the right temperature range. The thermostat has 3 settings: high, low and off. Choose one of them according to your needs!
The temperature range is from 37 °F – 64 °F/ 2 °C – 18 °C. It works quietly, you can barely even hear the noise! It will provide a quiet environment for you and your family while enjoying a cool drink or watching a game or movie.
The beverage refrigerator can hold up to 130 cans of drinks with a capacity of 30 pounds each. You may not need refrigerators for storing drinks in the near future! The refrigerator is energy saving and environment-friendly.
Tylza 15-inch undercounter refrigerator designed for beverages storage and preservation. This modern beverage cooler features a digital temperature display and an adjustable shelf. You can use the adjustable shelf to adjust according to the size of the beverage.
The large LCD display on the door is easy to read even in dim lighting. Tylza beverage cooler has a stainless steel door with double-paned tempered glass and a seamless design that ensure a safe operation and seamless air insulation. Tylza’s door will automatically lock when you close so it’s childproof and there is a door key lock on the bottom of the fridge to prevent any incident hurt to kids.
You can choose from cool mode or warm mode for different drinks storage. A self-closing door is convenient for daily usage. You can place this mini refrigerator in your home bar, office, kitchen or basement for cold storage rooms or other places like offices, restaurants, hotel,s and so on.
What we liked:
- Temperature Range: 37-64 °F
- Intelligent Thermostat maintains interior at temperature you want
- Holds up to 130 Cans
- Low Noise: 38 decibel (dB)
- Stylish Modeling Add a touch of chic to your house
Summit AL54 ADA Height 24″ Built-In Undercounter Refrigerator
There are some appliances that you don’t want to hide away in an out-of-the-way location. A built-in refrigerator, for example, is a big statement piece that should be on display. The Summit AL54 ADA height 24″ built-in undercounter refrigerator is just such a unit. At 32″ high and 24″ wide, this all-refrigerator has the capacity to hold 56 bottles and can fit into spaces as small as 23″ wide.
This refrigerator also features a front lock for added security and comes with a remote control to make operation easy. Because it’s both fully finished and freestanding, this refrigerator will work in both residential and commercial settings.
In addition, its user-reversible stainless steel door offers an integrated pro-style handle and front lock. Inside, it offers 4.8 cu.ft. of storage capacity with a frost-free design and fan-forced cooling that helps maintain steady temperatures inside. Adjustable spill-proof glass shelves and large door racks ensure easy storage of your favorite beverages while the floor is specially slotted to hold bottles in place. Digital controls make temperature management easy while recessed LED lighting keeps the interior fully lit.
What we liked:
- Stainless steel door includes front lock for added security
- Can be used built-in or freestanding in 24” residential or commercial spaces
- 4.8 cu ft of storage space
- Keep things cool with frost-free operation and fan-forced cooling
- Energy efficient motor runs quietly
Arctic Air AUC48R 48″ Undercounter Worktop Refrigerator
The Arctic Air AUC48R undercounter refrigerator is a high-performance unit designed to keep food cold for long periods of time. It features four 3-inch casters that can be used to move the refrigerator when necessary.
The two locking casters keep the unit in place when it is being used and free from movement while it is in operation. This 48-inch-wide model has a capacity of 12 cubic feet and includes two adjustable wire shelves.
The Arctic Air AUC48R undercounter refrigerator also has a stainless steel interior with an ABS plastic liner and a stainless steel floor.
The exterior is made with stainless steel on the front and sides, while the top is epoxy coated.
This unit includes a magnetic gasket on each door to help prevent cold air loss and comes with recessed handles, locks, and self-closing hinges that allow the doors to stay open at 90 degrees for easy access when stocking or cleaning.
What we liked:
- Two locking casters keep unit in place during use and free from movement while in operation.
- Stainless steel interior with ABS plastic liner and stainless steel floor
- Easy to clean, Self-closing hinges allows doors to stay open at 90 degrees for easy access when stocking or cleaning
- Stainless steel exterior on front and sides, top is epoxy coated
Hoshizaki HR24C Compact Undercounter Reach-In Refrigerator
Hoshizaki is proud to introduce a new line of commercial refrigerators that are designed for outdoor use. These new commercial undercounter refrigerators are built with the same durability and quality as our standard commercial undercounter refrigerators. They feature the same stainless steel front, sides, top and door. The key difference is they are built to be used outdoors.
The HR24C is the only ADA compliant compact refrigerator available in the industry today. It features an ADA compliant height of only 31.5″, so it can be used anywhere in your facility or business. The HR24C features a lockable stainless steel door that protects your perishable goods from dirt, dust, and insects and ensures that everything inside stays cool and fresh. This unit is UL approved for outdoor use so it can be used outdoors on patios, by pools or on porches.
Tall enough to accommodate 3 full-sized half-pan size food pans*, this unit will provide plenty of storage space for your commercial kitchen, break room, office or other high traffic areas. The stainless steel tray slides out to allow easy access to all your stored items while its led lighting provides optimal visibility into the interior of the unit at all times.
What we liked:
- In-door LED temperature display, Audio/visual alarm plus easy electronic controls
- Goes pretty much anywhere you’d need it to, including behind an ADA compliant countertop.
- Safely and securely store all your perishable goods
How To Choose The Best Undercounter Refrigerator
Size
Size is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a refrigerator. All refrigerators are measured in widths of either 15 inches or 24 inches. If you have a small kitchen, chances are you have a standard 15-inch width, while people with larger kitchens tend to choose 24 inches.
The best way to decide which size is right for you is to take measurements of your current space. A good tip is to add at least half an inch on every side just to make sure there will be no problem installing your new fridge.
Temperature Range
The temperature range of a refrigerator refers to the difference between its coldest and warmest settings. The majority of refrigerators have a temperature range between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The units that run at colder temperatures will be better suited to refrigerate food items with longer shelf lives, such as raw meat and dairy products.
If you plan on using your refrigerator as a beverage cooler, anything below 38°F is fine. The optimal cooling temperature for beer and soda is 38°F. However, if you need to store food that must be kept at lower temperatures, choose a refrigerator with a temperature range below freezing.
Noise
Noise is the sound of your fridge operating. Most modern refrigerators are rather quiet when running. While some compact fridges are known for making an unpleasant amount of noise when in operation. Therefore, it is a good idea to choose a refrigerator that makes less noise than others.
Some refrigerator models produce a lot more sound than others. And therefore, it is important to note down the decibel rating of any new refrigerator before buying one.
So ensure you go for a quiet fridge like a compact fridge; this is because they tend to be quieter compared to larger wall mounted refrigerators.
Stainless Steel vs. Glass Door Refrigerator
For some people, glass-door refrigerators are a status symbol. It’s easier to clean and more difficult to hide things in the back. But this is a case of taste and preference: glass-door refrigerators are not better than stainless steel-door refrigerators.
Glass doors, like all kinds of windows, allow air into the refrigerator. That means they lose power faster than stainless steel doors. That’s important if you live in a hot climate or don’t use the refrigerator often enough for the frost on the inside walls to freeze over. And it’s also important if you live in an earthquake zone.
Stainless steel doors provide better insulation than glass doors, so you can keep food colder for longer periods of time without taking it out and putting it back in, which can make for less restful sleep.
FAQs
What size fridge fits under counter?
The size of an under counter refrigerators varies depending on how much space there is between it and the countertop. The measurements for an undercounter fridge range from 24″ to 34″ wide and from 18-26″ deep.
Are undercounter fridges good?
The undercounter fridge is a great way to store small quantities of food that you don’t want to keep in the pantry. They can be more than just a convenient storage space, though:
- The temperature of the refrigerator will easily keep produce fresh for more than a week.
- The fridge’s size makes it easy to accommodate more features such as crispers and egg racks.
- If you’re looking to save on power bills, this is an excellent way of cutting back on electricity usage.
- The fridge’s size makes it easy to clean and maintain.
Final Thoughts
The best undercounter refrigerator is the one that will meet your unique needs. Consider what you will be using this appliance for, as well as any special features you may want, and then compare the various models in your price range. Whichever brand and model you choose, this style of refrigerator is a good way to keep your food neatly organized and fresh in your kitchen.