Are you worried about less space in Kitchen? Looking for secondary options to keep your beverages chilled during parties? Well, if you are, then you might need to consider an Undercounter refrigerator.
An Undercounter refrigerator or fridge is specially designed for compact spaces. They come in various shapes, designs, and sizes, but all serve the purpose of keeping your drinks chilled while consuming less energy and space than standard refrigerators.
These compact machines fit and operate perfectly even in tighter spaces and are generally equipped with a built-in beverage cooling system.
The trend of keeping compact and portable Kitchen Appliances is getting popular. We have recently reviewed the best compact toaster ovens, so if you are looking for compact kitchen appliances, check out our guide too.
So if you were considering such a refrigerator and confused, we have compiled a list of the best Undercounter refrigerators to make it easy for you.
Make sure you keep an eye on the size and capacity of these under cabinet fridges and do check out our detailed buying guide before deciding to buy one!
Let’s get started!
At a Glance – Our Top Picks of Best Undercounter Refrigerators
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Under-counter refrigerator gives your kitchen a much alluring and modern look. Also, your kitchen will seem quite spacious as it requires a small space for storage. The main reason for the increasing popularity of these compact fridges is that they have been specially designed to offer more convenience and an aesthetic appearance.
In a Hurry? Check out Our Top 3 Picks!
Table could not be displayed.1. Best Overall: RCA IGLOO Mini Refrigerator
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Brand: CAROTE | Colour: Granite Stone | Item Dimensions: 63.5 x 48.26 x 29.46 cm | Item Weight: 10.3 kg Material: Non-Stick Coating
It offers supreme refrigerating technology and a proper cool temperature while being eco-friendly.
This under-counter fridge depicts a compact design with an overall stainless steel body, ensuring an extended durability time. The door seems like it has been constructed using stainless steel, but actually, it’s not. But it still won’t wear out for a long time.
The total internal capacity is 3.2 cubic feet which is large enough to accommodate many snacks and other beverages. In addition, there are two racks inside the fridge that you may slide out easily. You can then wash them occasionally to maintain the quality of your mini-fridge.
- Overall stainless-steel body, ensuring maximum durability.
- 2 cubic feet capacity inside the refrigerator.
- Comes in seven different colors for you to choose from.
- Includes a tiny freezer and a reversible door.
- Compressor cooling for optimum performance even in places with high temperatures.
- Shelves can be slid out so you can have straightforward cleaning.
- Ensures less electricity consumption.
Another highlight of this under-counter refrigerator is its reversible door. This door allows your platinum fridge to be highly versatile as it fits perfectly with the layout of your kitchen.
It offers an adjustable thermostat so you can set your desired temperature easily. It keeps your food and other edible items at a steady cold temperature without even consuming a lot of power. Thus, your refrigerator is also eco-friendly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely versatile as it offers adjustable thermostat | |
| Sleek design (available in many colors) | |
| Spacious interior space with slide-out shelves | |
| Compressor cooling for supreme performance in all weathers |
2. Best Under Budget: Midea Compact Single Reversible Door Refrigerator
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Color: Black / Stainless Steel / White | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel Item Dimensions: 17.72 x 18.58 x 19.37 inches | Capacity: 1.6 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 31.1
This mini-fridge is perfect for your compact dorm or apartment and will go perfectly with your other kitchen appliances.
Midea is a company dedicated to providing clean technologies and excellent craftsmanship in each of its appliances. Since 1968, they struggled hard to get renowned around the industries, and not so later; they became one of the internationally leading companies in high-end appliances.
This mini refrigerator by Midea features an advanced compressor that makes no noise and ensures an even cool temperature throughout the fridge’s interior. This way, your food items, and beverages cool down quickly and evenly. There’s also a tiny freezer where you can freeze ice or keep frozen food items.
- Easily adjustable thermostat to maintain an optimum temperature.
- Stabilize your fridge at different heights with the adjustable legs.
- Equipped with an enhanced compressor .
- No-noise technology.
- Reversible door allowing you to make the most of your compact space.
- Removable shelves so you can easily clean them.
The main highlight of this product is the adjustable legs by which you can alter the height according to your requirements or preference. These legs also allow you to transfer your fridge from one place to another without damaging your refrigerator.
The shelves and racks inside the fridge are easily removable, so you can slide them out when you need to clean them after some time. We recommend you clean the refrigerator after a few days to maintain it properly. Additionally, it has a reversible door that can be opened from left or right.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best budget mini refrigerator | May be too small for some people |
| Adjustable legs for different heights | |
| Multiple temperature ranges | |
| Adjustable thermostat |
3. Best for Beverages: hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
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Color: Stainless Steel and Black | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel | Item Dimensions: 17.3 x 18.9 x 33.3 inches Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 68.3 pounds
According to the manufacturers, this unit provides you with a maximum capacity of 120 cans at a time. But in reality, it offers much more space than that thanks to its shelving system.
This model has three removable and adjustable shelves. As these shelves are removable, you can easily clean your shelves and also maximize your fridge’s inner capacity by adjusting them. Also, the compressor-based cooling system won’t make any noise and will run efficiently even after years of use.
With the adjustable thermostat, you can easily set the temperature to your desired setting in no time. It provides an even cooling effect throughout the entire unit so that there are no temperature fluctuations. It offers a temperature range between 34 ̊F and 55 ̊F.
- Overall stainless steel body with a glass door
- Has a capacity to accommodate 120 cans
- Easy-touch interactive temperature controls
- Adjustable legs to alter the height
- Features a white LED interior light
- Three adjustable chrome shelves
- Also has an auto-defrost feature
An internal fan also adds to the even cooling of your beverages and food items. This fan is responsible for circulating the cool air, ensuring that the temperature remains consistent throughout the refrigerator.
Additionally, it has a temperature sensor that helps prevent any frost from building up and clogging the fridge. The sensor automatically detects the ice being built up inside the refrigerator and notifies an automatic defrost system that works in real-time.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel body with glass door | Might need proper maintenance to ensure longevity |
| Maintains an even temperature | |
| Three removable and adjustable shelves | |
| Reversible door technology |
4. Best Compact: Black + Decker Compact Refrigerator
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Color: Gray / Black / White | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel | Item Dimensions: 18.5 x 17.52 x 26.61 inches Capacity: 2.5 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 46.3 pounds
It has been equipped with so many remarkable features as well as solid construction. It features two removable glass shelves that can be used to maximize the capacity inside the fridge.
The overall body has been constructed using stainless steel so that you’re guaranteed years of use without your mini-fridge wearing out. Also, because of this material, cleaning is super-easy with just a damp cloth. It protects your unit from rust, corrosion and maintains its exceptional appearance.
There’s an included freezer with an ice cube tray where you can keep your frozen foods or freeze some ice for your drinks. Thanks to the adjustable thermostat, you can adjust the temperature according to the weather or the food items you’re keeping in it.
- Reversible door with a full-width door storage shelf.
- Full-width freezer compartment with an additional ice cube tray.
- Adjustable legs to alter the height settings according to your preference.
- Two removable glass shelves.
- Dispenser storage for up to five cans.
- Adjustable thermostat to set the temperature according to your needs.
Another advantage of this machine is its reduced-noise technology. The compressor will only produce a sound of 45 dB which seems quite bearable and won’t annoy you at all. Additionally, this unit consumes significantly less amount of energy, meaning that it’s incredibly eco-friendly.
The reversible door means that you can open it from either left or right side. In addition, it has a dedicated storage shelf for beverages and a recessed door handle. Also, the legs are adjustable so that you can change the height of your unit according to your preference.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Space-saving compact design | The black color costs much more than the other colors |
| Reversible door with a storage shelf and recessed door handle | No internal light |
| Height-adjustable legs | |
| Built-in freezer with an ice cube tray | |
| Two removable glass shelves |
5. Antarctic Star 1.6cu.ft Cooler/Cabinet Beverage Refrigerator
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Color: Black | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel | Item Dimensions: 17.44 x 17.7 x 19 inches | Capacity: 2.9 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 35.8 pounds
This model has stainless steel shelves, both adjustable and removable. It means that you can accommodate more beverages by adjusting the shelves and also cleaning them easily by removing them.
It features an energy-efficient cooling system that consumes significantly less amount of electricity. The internal fan circulates consistent cool air throughout the fridge’s interior. Also, it has been equipped with reduced noise and vibration effect technology so you can sleep without any disturbance.
The touch-interactive control panel on the main wine shelve allows you to adjust the temperature upon your preference. At the same time, the other shelves have rotating temperature buttons that also let you adjust the temperature inside the fridge easily.
- Energy-efficient cooling system that minimizes noise and vibrations.
- Adjustable temperature with a range of 40 ̊F to 61 ̊
- Equipped with an interactive touch panel.
- Dual-pane glass door to tightly seal your refrigerator.
- Removable and adjustable stainless steel shelves.
- Soft purple LED light to increase the overall aesthetics.
The dual-pane glass door tightly seals your fridge so that no cool air dissipates from the sides of the door. Additionally, this door protects your wines and other beverages from UV radiation which may be harmful to you and lets you see your contents clearly.
There’s a purple soft LED light embedded inside the refrigerator that adds an alluring beauty to the overall aesthetics of the mini-fridge. The only possible drawback is that it cant be fitted under your kitchen cabinets as the size may be big for some cabinetry designs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Modern and aesthetic appearance | No door handle |
| Reduced noise and vibration effect technology | It won’t really fit under cabinets |
| Touch-interactive control panel | |
| Rotating temperature buttons | |
| Dual-pane glass door | |
| Stainless steel shelves |
6. Best Portable: Uber Appliance Portable Mini Fridge Cooler and Warmer
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Color: Matte Black / Red / Blue / Silver / White | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel | Item Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.7 x 7.3 inches | Capacity: 0.14 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 3 pounds
It has a cute appearance, with robust construction, ensuring an extended period of use. As it’s incredibly lightweight, you can easily carry it around or fit under a countertop. Additionally, it has a capacity of 4 liters, meaning you can store six cans or four 500-ml bottles inside it.
This mini-fridge can be plugged into a car cigarette lighter or your regular home wall outlet. It has dedicated plug-ins for both connections. In addition, there is a removable shelf that you can easily slide out to have straightforward cleaning and maintenance.
- Portable, compact, and yet, has enough room to store six 12-oz cans or four 500-ml bottles.
- High-grade thermo-electric cooling system.
- Features both heating and cooling options.
- Removable shelf and a self-locking recessed door handle.
- Home and car electric plug-ins with automatic temperature controls.
- Environmental-friendly polyurethane insulation.
- Built-in fan to maintain a consistent temperature.
The main highlight of this fridge is the high-quality thermo-electric cooling system. This system means that you can have both options of heating and cooling inside the refrigerator. This feature definitely sets it apart as the regular mini-refrigerators don’t have this kind of technology.
It has the ability to get cooled to a temperature of 32 degrees F or heat to 150 degrees F. there’s environmental-friendly polyurethane insulation on this fridge, which ensures that no cold or warm air leaves the fridge. There’s also a built-in fan which adds to the efficient performance of the refrigerator. Thus, maintaining a consistent temperature throughout.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Both heating and cooling options | Might be too small for some individuals |
| Plugs into car or home outlets | Fan may not work properly in some cases |
| High-quality thermo-electric cooling system | |
| Consistent temperature throughout | |
| Removable shelf and self-locking door |
7. Best for Office Use: Vremi Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler
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Color: Stainless Steel and Black | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel | Item Dimensions: 18.9 x 17.3 x 33.3 inches | Capacity: 3.2 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 80.8 pounds
It features a see-through, left-hinge, double panel glass door with a stainless steel frame. Besides, it offers a more significant capacity as it can store up to 120 cans at a time.
This unit comes with three removable chrome shelves. You can easily slide these shelves out when they need proper cleaning. Also, the interior has a soft white LED light that is quite handy but not that bright. The digital display has user-friendly features so that you can change the settings with ease.
There’s an adjustable control panel through which you can set the temperature according to your needs. Additionally, this model has a compressor-based cooling system with a convection fan that circulates consistent cool air throughout the fridge’s interior.
- Free-standing beverage cooler with 3.6 cubic feet capacity.
- See-through, left-hinge, double panel glass with hefty stainless steel door.
- Removable chrome shelves with white LED light .
- Digital display with user-friendly features.
- Adjustable digital control panel.
- Compressor-based cooling system with energy-efficient technology.
Moreover, the cooling system has been equipped with energy-efficient technology, meaning that it won’t consume a lot of electricity. The auto-defrost sensors allow you to preset your desired temperature even if the fridge is not connected to a power source.
The noiseless technology ensures that the compressor doesn’t make unbearable and annoying noises. It would also help prevent the vibration effects that might be produced by the compressor. The only drawback is that the thermostat is not that straightforward to set.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Three adjustable chrome shelves | The thermostat may be difficult to adjust |
| Auto-defrost technology | LED light is not that bright |
| Adjustable temperature controls | |
| See-through, double panel glass door with stainless steel frame | |
| Compressor-based cooling system |
8. Best Eco-Friendly: Midea Refrigerator
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Color: Stainless Steel / Black / White | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel | Item Dimensions: 18.58 x 17.72 x 33.86 inches | Capacity: 3.3 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 39.5 pounds
It features accurate temperature settings so you can set them according to your food’s requirements. Also, a separate freezer compartment allows the storage of food that requires much lower temperatures.
One of the main highlights of this fridge is the manual defrost setting. It means that the refrigerator will automatically defrost whenever you want it to be, and then you can easily clean it using a cloth. This feature ensures proper maintenance of the unit and optimal cooling.
It has a spacious design and thus has a capacity of 3.3 cubic feet. It consumes only 220 kW/h of electricity over a year’s tenure, which helps to save a lot of money in the long term. Additionally, it has a mechanical temperature control that offers an easy-to-use dial form.
- Reversible door so you can set it according to your kitchen layout.
- Organized cans and drinks with the dedicated storage rack.
- A dedicated freezer for even lower temperatures.
- Adjustable legs to change the height settings.
- A large storage rack on the fridge door.
The reversible door can be set either to the left or right sides, depending upon your kitchen layout. In addition, this door has a storage rack dedicated to cans, so you have additional space to store your beverages apart from the main shelves.
You can modify the unit’s height with the adjustable legs according to your preference or your cabinetry layout. The only drawback is that there is no interior light, so you can’t see the contents of your fridge clearly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Includes a separate freezer | No interior light |
| Large storage area inside the door | Compartments are tapered towards the back |
| Accurate temperature setting | |
| Storage rack dedicated to cans | |
| Manual defrost |
9.Best Spacious: Whynter Beverage Refrigerator
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Color: Stainless Steel / Black | Finish Type: Glossy | Material: Stainless Steel | Item Dimensions: 18.5 x 17 x 33 inches Capacity: 5.75 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 57 pounds
Not only does it have quite a large capacity but also pleasing looks that fit well with your other kitchen appliances. It has a regular black cabinet, having a reversible glass door with a stainless steel frame.
You need to attach the door handle by yourself, which isn’t that a difficult task. The holes are pre-drilled, so you just need to fit the screws in to attach the handle to the body of the refrigerator. There are five slide-out shelves, being entirely removable. The three upper shelves can accommodate 15 cans, whereas the lower ones have a capacity to fit 25 cans.
- Large capacity of 5.75 cubic feet.
- Reversible door with recessed handle to provide a flush finish.
- Powerful compressor cooling with a temperature range of 30 ̊F to 60 ̊
- Fan-forced cool air circulation for consistent temperatures.
- Cylinder lock provides protection and security.
- Removable shelves for great versatility.
There’s an efficient fan-forced compressor cooling system, ensuring a consistent temperature inside your fridge without any colder or hotter zones. Of course, the fans are bound to work rapidly, but they still won’t make any noise.
For a clear view of the fridge’s interior, there’s a built-in soft interior LED light. A switch on the ceiling can turn off/on the light. Additionally, there’s a mechanical control dial positioned at the front of the fridge. You can use it to regulate the temperature as per your requirements. For example, it can provide you with a temperature range of 30 ̊F to 60 ̊F.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Spacious yet affordable refrigerator | The thermostat can be hard to adjust |
| Modern design with pleasing aesthetics | The unit may wear out with time |
| Recessed handle for flush finish | |
| Fan circulates an even cool air |
10. Best Versatile: Danby Mini Fridge
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Color: Stainless Steel / Black / Red / White / Silver | Finish Type: Metallic | Material: Stainless Steel Item Dimensions: 21.3 x 20.75 x 33.07 inches | Capacity: 4.4 Cubic Feet | Item Weight: 59.4 pounds
This unit is available in five unique colors, including bright and striking red, traditional stainless steel, black, white, or silver, that goes well with every cabinetry style and layout.
Apart from the stunning colors, it offers a spacious interior capacity of 4.4 cubic feet in which you can store a large number of beverages at a time. Furthermore, the door has six holders for additional space for soft drink cans. Also, the handle is ergonomic, which means that it won’t get cold as the temperature decreases inside the fridge, and you can easily hold it.
- Integrated door shelving.
- CanStor Beverage Dispensing System.
- Unique modern black interior with LED light.
- Adjustable glass shelves and rubber-grip chrome ergonomic door handle.
- Reversible door hinges.
- Automatic defrost for proper cleaning and maintenance.
The adjustable glass shelves are sturdy and durable, and you can change their setting to have different capacities according to your choice. In addition, there’s a bright interior LED light by which you can see the contents of your fridge from the outside.
With the automatic defrost system, your mini-fridge will detect when the fridge is clogging up with a large amount of ice. It will then defrost this ice so you can easily clean your fridge and ensure longevity and durability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Scratch-resistant body | Door might be difficult to open sometimes |
| Five different color choices | Doesn’t really maintain a consistent temperature |
| White interior LED light | |
| Integrated door shelving | |
| Beverage dispensing system |
BEST UNDERCOUNTER REFRIGERATORS- THINGS TO CONSIDER
Now there are some factors you should consider before buying the right under-counter refrigerator. Here’s some of them:
1. SIZE
The most crucial and obvious factor to consider is the size of your refrigerator. Before buying, measure the height, width, and depth of the space where you’ll be keeping your fridge and buy accordingly. The most common width you’ll be getting is 15 inches and 24 inches. So, ensure to double-check whether the model you’re buying will fit under your counter space while also squandering some room for proper ventilation.
2. NOISE PRODUCTION
A refrigerator is a quiet one only if it produces sound with a range of less than 40 dB. So make sure that your model fits into this range; otherwise, it might be a deal-breaker if it becomes too noisy. But you won’t have to worry a lot as these compact refrigerators tend to make less noise than the big ones when they’re running.
3. TYPE
There are many types of under-counter refrigerators available in the market, and it’s necessary to choose the one according to your needs. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Freestanding Under-counter Refrigerator
When you opt for a freestanding under-counter fridge, you need to make sure that you leave some space so that there can be proper ventilation. They have condensers on their backside, and hence heat can be trapped and will seize the compressor if placed between cabinets. Additionally, they tend to make more noise and can’t usually maintain a proper temperature.
- Built-in Under-counter Refrigerator
The built-in fridges have static condensers, and air will circulate through the front vents. They are designed in a way that they can be easily stored under counters and between your cabinets.
4. PERFORMANCE
Now it’s again an obvious factor to make sure that your refrigerator performs well in every aspect. The main performance features include the temperature range and the distribution of even cold air. Now initially, if you need an under-counter refrigerator only for your beverages, then you should consider the models offering a temperature of at least 38 degrees F. On the other hand, if you’re storing snacks and other food items, you should go for the models providing much colder temperatures. Additionally, your fridge should be able to distribute even cold air all around the interior of the refrigerator.
5. DOOR MATERIAL
There are two commonly used door materials in under-counter refrigerators:
- Stainless Steel
A stainless-steel door provides extreme durability and won’t wear out even after years of use. It is super easy to clean as you just need a damp cloth to wipe it off. Also, it provides better insulation, meaning the cold air won’t dissipate, as compared to glass doors.
- Glass
The main advantage of a glass door is that you can view the contents of your fridge from the outside. It looks far more modern than the stainless-steel one. But the main disadvantage is that it doesn’t offer proper insulation.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What makes an undercounter refrigerator ADA-compliant?
A refrigerator is supposed to meet the following requirements in order to be ADA-compliant:
The controls should be approachable to any person with a wheelchair. The height should be a maximum of 54 inches.
The person should be able to operate the controls using one hand and these controls shouldn’t require much movement of the hand.
The maximum height for the counter should be 28 to 34 inches and not more than that.
Do under counter fridges need ventilation?
The need for a proper ventilation system entirely depends upon the location of the vents. For example, if you’re buying a freestanding under-counter refrigerator, it has vents at the backside of its body. It means that it will need some free space around it, so it won’t heat up and cause the compressor to seize. Whereas in the built-in ones, air vents are located at the front, meaning that they can easily be tucked with your cabinetry.
Do refrigerators need side clearance?
Many latest refrigerator models have doors with zero clearance, so they’ll require a little clearance on the sides, ranging from ¼ to ½ inches. This will ensure proper ventilation, and the compressor won’t heat up. In contrast, the doors in previous models need a clearance of 4 ½ inches so the door can be opened fully. Of course, you can always check the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer to see if your refrigerator needs side clearance or not.
How much space do you need in front of a refrigerator?
The refrigerator needs a proper space in front of it so you can open the door quickly. Also, if the vents are on the front, it needs room to breathe to have a proper ventilation system. So you should measure how much space the door will require and leave space according to it.
Our Top Pick
Now that you’ve gone through our compiled list of the best under-counter refrigerators, you might have put your mind on one. But if you’re still confused, our experts have concluded RCA Stainless Steel Fridge to be the best one out there. With its minimalist design and optimum durability, it’s sure to stand out in your kitchen appliances. In addition, it has enough storage capacity to accommodate most of your groceries, beverages, and other snack items.
It has an adjustable thermostat, so you can easily set it according to your desired temperature or room temperature. The reversible door allows you to open it to the left or right. A small freezer has been attached inside the fridge so you can put your frozen food or freeze ice cubes quickly. Hence, you won’t find another mini refrigerator with the perfect blend of looks and refrigeration technology as the RCA Compact Refrigerator.
Conclusion
As we conclude our article, you might have figured out how helpful these compact under-counter refrigerators can be. These are versatile machines, suitable for both large and small families. As for the small ones, they won’t even need a large-sized refrigerator. And for the big families, they might need some extra space to keep their additional groceries, snacks, beverages, etc.
These mini-refrigerators can easily be tucked under your counters or along with your cabinets. But make sure to squander some extra space for proper ventilation. Additionally, they don’t consume a massive fraction of electricity and, thus, eco-friendly machines.
