Best Under Counter Fridges – Freestanding & Integrated
When you’re looking at getting a new kitchen, under counter fridges may not be at the top of your wish list. Many of my clients focus on a big American style fridge freezer to satisfy their refrigeration needs. However, there is definitely a time and place for under counter fridges in modern kitchen design.
Under counter fridges are perfect for smaller kitchens where space is at a premium. Especially rooms with low ceilings that can’t accommodate a tall fridge freezer or kitchen designs that want to keep everything low level and open. Or simply households that don’t need a large amount of fridge space.
However, something I’m getting asked for more and more as a kitchen designer is a want for additional fridge space on top of having a larger fridge freezer in the kitchen. Especially for larger, family households, I find myself planning in an under counter fridge for extra fridge storage either in the kitchen or in a utility room close by.
In this post, I’m sharing some of my favourite under counter freezers, both freestanding and integrated that I’ve personally sold to clients or that get great feedback from them. So you’re sure to find the perfect match for your kitchen and needs.
Let’s get into it!
In a hurry? Check out my top picks below:
FREESTANDING | INTEGRATED |
Liebherr T1710 | Hotpoint HLA1.UK1 |
Dimensions: 85cm High x 55.2cm Wide x 62.3cm Deep | Dimensions: 81.55cm High x 59.6cm Wide x 54.5cm Deep |
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Best Under Counter Freezers – Freestanding & Integrated
Best Freestanding Under Counter Fridges
Freestanding under counter freezers are not fixed permanently into a kitchen. A freestanding under counter freezer can be slid snugly beside or between cabinets but doesn’t require a cabinet door to be fitted to it. They don’t even need to be in a kitchen or next to cabinets and are ideal for storing in a utility room or garage. They are simple to install and easy to move and take with you should you move house.
Liebherr T1710 Freestanding Under Counter Fridge
Dimensions: 85cm High x 55.2cm Wide x 62.3cm Deep
Capacity: 149 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: F (New Rating)
Noise: 38dB
Key Features:Â Large capacity /Â Reversible door / Efficient use of space
The Liebherr T1710 is a great all-round under counter fridge. Great build quality, good storage capacity, and some helpful features.
It comes with a crisper drawer, multiple adjustable shelves, and shelves on the door, giving you plenty of storage space. A sizable 149L in fact, or about 8 bags of food shopping. It comes with an intelligent auto defrost that works to keep ice from forming on the walls. So you’ll never have to worry about performing any manual defrosting again.
While a reversible door and quiet operation make it perfect for any room or position in the house.
It’s the reliable build quality, energy efficiency, quiet running and very competitive price point that make the Liebherr my best overall pick for a freestanding under counter fridge.
Check the latest prices:
AO.com
Beko UL584APW Freestanding Under Counter Fridge
Dimensions: 84cm High x 54.5cm Wide x 59.5cm Deep
Capacity: 130 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: F (New Rating)
Noise: 42dB
Key Features:Â Crisper drawer / Reversible door / Anti-bacterial protection
If you are on a tighter budget or looking to save a bit of money then the Beko UL584APW Fridge is the one for you.
It doesn’t have many complicated features but provides you with plenty of room to store items efficiently, including a handy bottle rack. It has a smart auto defrost feature to prevent mountains of ice from forming on the walls. As well as a bright light allowing you to see everything in the fridge, and simple controls to monitor the fridge temperature.Â
The Beko has everything you need at a fantastic price point. Making it my best budget pick. You really can’t go wrong with this one!
Check the latest prices:
AO.com
Miele K12020S-1 Freestanding Under Counter Fridge
Dimensions: 85cm High x 60cm Wide x 62.8cm Deep
Capacity: 161 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: F (New Rating)
Noise: 38dB
Key Features:Â Quietly performing / LED lighting / Durable and reliable
If you’re looking for the best quality product and one that is built to last and stand the test of time and constant everyday use, then Miele is the answer. If you’re a regular on my website you’ll know I’m a big fan of Miele and this model is no exception.
The Miele K12020S-1 Fridge provides you with ample space to store cold items with its huge 161L capacity. That’s enough room for nine bags of groceries. It has a bright LED light allowing you to see everything in your fridge alongside lots of practical and adjustable storage. The trays and shelves provide maximum convenience as they can slide out and go right in the dishwasher when it’s time for a spring clean. While the reversible door makes it easy to find just the right place for your fridge. And, You’ll not hear the familiar hum you expect from a fridge, thanks to Miele’s sound buffers and super quiet operating noise.
The best build quality and reliability, fantastic large capacity and whisper-quiet running make the Miele my best Premium pick. It may not be the cheapest but it will last you a lifetime.
Check the latest prices:
AO.com
Appliance City
Zanussi ZRG14800WV Freestanding Under Counter Fridge with Ice Box
Dimensions: 85cm High x 59.5cm Wide x 63.5cm Deep
Capacity: 119 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: A+ (Old rating)
Noise: 41dB
Key Features:Â Includes an ice box / Bright interior lighting / Fast chill
If you’re looking for a little bit of freezer space in your under counter fridge then the Zanussi ZRG14800WV Fridge with ice box is the perfect option.
Simple and easy to use, the Zanussi has good energy efficiency, meaning it’s not costing a fortune to keep it running. And, thanks to its fast chill mode, you won’t have to wait around for the fridge to get to the selected temperature as it can rapidly get down to temperature. Meaning your food stays fresher for longer.
A good amount of adjustable storage and a handy freezer compartment all at a very competitive price make the Zanussi my best ‘with an ice box’ pick! Bring on the ice cream!
Check the latest prices:
AO.com
Currys PC World
Best Integrated Under Counter Fridges
Integrated under counter freezers are built into a kitchen cabinet run. They are not made for mobility around the house or garage or to move from home to home. They are a permanent fixture in a kitchen and require a cabinet door to be installed on the outside of the appliance. While they may not be as manoeuvrable as their freestanding counterparts, they give a cleaner, streamlined and ‘integrated look to a kitchen.
Hotpoint HLA1.UK1 Integrated Under Counter Fridge
Dimensions: 81.55cm High x 59.6cm Wide x 54.5cm Deep
Capacity: 146 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: F (New Rating)
Noise: 37dB
Key Features:Â Integrated look /Â Interior lighting / Auto defrost
If you’re looking for an integrated under counter fridge that’s big on storage but small on price then the Hotpoint HLA1.UK1 is the one for you!
It has a fantastic 146L capacity (big for an integrated fridge!) which translates to 8 bags of groceries. So you’re never short on space. It also includes an auto-defrost feature, so you no longer have to spend any time manually hacking away at the ice mountains that form on the walls. In addition, the Hotpoint includes a bright LED light, anti-bacterial protection, and the ability to reverse the door, allowing it to fit perfectly in any kitchen design.
Lots of space and lots of great features at a very reasonable price make the Hotpoint my best overall pick! Did I mention it’s also super quiet too? The quietest on my list!
Check the latest prices:
AO.com
Currys PC World
Fridgemaster MBUL60133M Integrated Under Counter Fridge
Dimensions: 82cm High x 59cm Wide x 54.3cm Deep
Capacity: 131 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: F (New Rating)
Noise: 39dB
Key Features:Â Quiet performance /Â Interior lighting / Auto defrost
If you’re looking to save a bit of money on your under counter fridge then consider the Fridgemaster MBUL60133MM.
It may not be as spacious as or have as many features as the Hotpoint but you still get a lot of fridge for the price. With a respectable 131L capacity (or 7 bags of food shopping) the Fridgemaster comes with a large salad drawer and adjustable shelving as well as its auto defrost feature keeping your fridge running smoothly. It’s also one of the quietest fridges on my list, so quiet you won’t even know that it’s on. Perfect for open-plan kitchens.
Everything you need in an integrated under counter fridge at a fantastic low price makes the Fridgemaster my best budget pick!
Check the latest prices:
AO.com
Liebherr UIKO1550 Integrated Under Counter Pull Out Fridge
Dimensions: 82cm High x 60cm Wide x 55cm Deep
Capacity: 132 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: F (New Rating)
Key Features:Â Pull-out door / Interior lighting / Soft closing door
A bit of a wild card here and something of a wow factor when it comes under counter fridges. (I know I’m a bit sad but I do like it when companies are innovative)
The Liebherr UIKO1550 is a pull-out under counter fridge. The door is on runners to allow it to slide out smoothly, giving you easy access to everything inside. In addition, the Liebherr UIKO1550 contains shelves that also slide out on soft-close telescopic rails to provide you with even more access to the contents. No longer will you struggle to find anything and have to bend down and rummage around. It is all right at your fingertips. So if you’re the type of person that prefers drawers over doors in your kitchen (I know I am) then this fridge could be the perfect match you never knew you needed!
It also comes with a handy bottle shelf and a removable fruit and vegetable drawer. The large drawer can also be divided into two equal-sized compartments, with even more storage space underneath.
Beautifully designed with the fantastic build quality I’ve come to expect from Liebherr make this my best premium pick! It’s not the cheapest under counter fridge by any means but it is something a bit special.
Check the latest prices:
Appliance City
Bosch Series 6 KUL15AFF0G Integrated Under Counter Fridge with Ice Box
Dimensions: 82cm High x 59.8cm Wide x 54.8cm Deep
Capacity: 123 litres
Auto Defrost: Yes
Energy Rating: F (New Rating)
Noise: 38dB
Key Features:Â Easy to use temperature control / Ice box / Multibox storage
If you’re after a good quality under counter fridge with a handy ice box feature (for those all-important ice creams) then the Bosch Series 6 KUL15AFF0G is my recommendation.
I’ve been a fan of Bosch products for many years (I especially rate their dishwashers) and this fridge is no exception. It has all the features you’d expect such as an auto defrost fridge section, adjustable shelves, efficient energy consumption and a large transparent multi-box storage drawer to keep your salads nice and fresh. Handy bright interior lights and quiet performance round out the Boschs list of features.
It’s the build quality and reliability of Bosch that does it for me though. Making this my best ‘with an ice box’ pick!
Check the latest prices:
AO.com
Appliance City
Currys PC World
Are Freestanding Under Counter Fridges A Standard Size?
Sort of. Freestanding under counter fridges are all roughly the same size but do vary slightly between manufacturers and models. However, they are typically 82-86cm high x 50-60cm wide x 50 – 63cm deep.
Always double-check the size of the fridge will fit into the space you have.
Are Integrated Under Counter Fridges A Standard Size?
Yes. For the most part. Similar to their freestanding counterparts, integrated under counter fridges are roughly the same size but can vary slightly between manufacturers and models. However, they will always be the same width as they are designed to install a standard 60cm wide cabinet door to their front. It is the height and depth that can vary. Typically they will be 60cm wide x 82cm high x 55cm deep.
Always double-check the measurements before buying, especially the depth.
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The Best 60cm Fridge Freezers – A Freestanding Classic
Considerations When Buying An Under Counter Fridge:
Capacity
Capacity is how much the fridge can actually hold and is measured in litres to give you an idea of scale and help to compare each model. Just because a fridge looks big from the outside, doesn’t mean that it has the most amount of storage inside.
Some models have thick doors or bulky sections that eat into the actual storage space. Check the capacity every time for a more accurate representation of storage, especially if you’re a big household and need all the space you can get.
Top Tip: As a general guide, one full bag of food shopping is equal to around 18L in capacity space.
Size
Not to be confused with capacity, the physical size of the appliance is a vital consideration to make sure it will fit in your kitchen design.
Check the width, height, and depth to make sure it fits in between and underneath your cabinets. This is more important for freestanding fridges as integrated fridges should be a set standard size. Still, it’s always best to check!
Features
These are some of the extra things that help separate the appliances from one another and can be things like the airflow system or freezer boxes.
However, in my opinion, one most important features to have is a good energy rating.
You don’t want to be spending loads of money on electricity just keeping the appliance turned on. It has to be on 24/7 pretty much, so make sure it’s not going to eat up your electricity and give you a nasty bill each month.
Noise
Often overlooked, noise should be a top consideration, especially if the appliance is going to be in a social kitchen space or open plan kitchen/living area. The noise of an appliance is measured in decibels (dB) with the lower the number, the quieter the appliance.
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The Best American Fridge Freezers With Water Dispensers
Final Thoughts…
There you have it! The best under counter fridges, perfect for small kitchens or extra fridge space in your utility room.
The Liebherr T1710 gets my best freestanding overall pick and the Hotpoint HLA1.UK1 get my best integrated overall pick. Both have good capacities, strong build quality and some nice features all at a competitive price point.
Whatever your needs and budget there is the perfect under counter fridge on this list!
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Author
Michael is a kitchen designer from the UK. He's been designing and project managing new kitchen installations for over 10 years. Before that, he was an electrician and part of a team that fitted kitchens. He created Kitchinsider in early 2019 to help give people advice when it comes to getting a new kitchen.