Best under counter fridges: 6 top buys for keeping food chilled

Looking for the best under counter fridge to fit neatly under your kitchen worktop? Read our guide below for the best buys

the IceKing RL111AP2 Under Counter Fridge, one of Real Homes' best under counter fridge options, in a minimal white and grey kitchen
(Image credit: Amazon)

The best under counter fridge is ideal if you live alone and don't need a huge fridge, have a small kitchen with little choice of layout, or if you'd like an extra fridge to store your food (*ahem* Prosecco).

Available in both freestanding and integrated versions, under counter fridges are, for the most part, affordable, cheap to run and quiet. Our guide below takes you through the options to help you get the best for your money. 

Done with fridges? You may want the best fridge freezer instead, so you can keep your food chilled OR frozen for convenience. 

The best under counter fridge buys today

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Lec L5511S.1 Fridge in white

1. Lec L5511S.1 Fridge

The best under the counter fridge overall for an affordable price

Specifications

Best for: All-rounder
Energy rating: A+
Capacity: 133ltrs
Noise level: 43dB
Dimensions: H84.5cm x W55.3cm x D57.4cm
Type: Freestanding

Reasons to buy

+
Auto defrost
+
Large capacity
+
Available in white, black or silver
+
Reversible door

Reasons to avoid

-
No open door alert

Perfect for storing your fresh food (seven bags of it, to be exact), this Lec under-counter model has everything you need in your next fridge, making it our top pick of the best under counter fridge you can buy.

Not only does it have an energy rating of A+, but it also has an auto defrost setting to save you doing the hard work, improved airflow technology to keep your groceries fresher for longer, and it's ideal for those who live in an open plan home or a flat, as it's quiet. There's no need to worry about it fitting into your existing kitchen layout, either, as it has a reversible door.

the AEG SKE6881VAS Integrated Upright Fridge open with food and drink inside it

(Image credit: AEG)

2. AEG SKE6881VAS Integrated Upright Fridge

On the hunt for an under counter fridge which fits in with your kitchen? This integrated one ticks all the boxes

Specifications

Best for: Integrated
Energy rating: A++
Capacity: 142ltrs
Noise level: 38dB
Dimensions: H87.3 x W54.0 x D54.9cm
Type: Integrated

Reasons to buy

+
Deep glass shelves
+
Very useful door space
+
Easy to install

Reasons to avoid

-
User guide could be more helpful

This under counter fridge gets our vote for the best for integrating into your kitchen or utility space. It has a 142 litre capacity which can hold seven bags of food shopping. 

It's easy to adjust the setting and with auto defrost, you don't need to worry about defrosting it manually either. The best part? It has an A++ energy rating, meaning the annual energy cost will be extremely low. 

And if you want more upright models, see our guide to the best upright freezers here.

the Smeg FAB10L Freestanding Fridge in black

(Image credit: Smeg)

3. Smeg FAB10L Freestanding Fridge

This vintage-style fridge is our favourite for retro kitchens

Specifications

Best for: A retro look
Energy rating: A++
Capacity: 114ltrs
Noise level: 37dB
Dimensions: H96.0 x W54.3 x D63.2cm
Type: Freestanding

Reasons to buy

+
Looks beautiful in retro kitchens
+
Quiet
+
Small freezer compartment built-in

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

Retro on the outside yet advanced on the inside, this sweet Smeg fridge is a must-have for vintage kitchens. It's available in a range of colours, and its curved lines really stand out – a far cry from the usual offerings that’ll give your space an instant dose of ‘50s diner cool. 

It also boasts an A+ efficiency rating, an auto-defrost function and it's environmentally-friendly as it's free from harmful CFC and HFC gases; so it’s certainly not a case of style over substance. For those who don't want to purchase an additional freezer as they don't have the space, this fridge has a 13ltr compartment dedicated to storing frozen food. Ideal for a tub of ice cream, a bag of frozen chips and a portion of homemade chilli. This is, by far, our top pick of the best under counter fridge for those after something to fit in their vintage or retro kitchen.

IceKing RL111AP2 Under Counter Fridge, the best under counter fridge for those on a budget

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. IceKing RL111AP2 Under Counter Fridge

Working to a budget? This under counter fridge from IceKing will fit the bill nicely

Specifications

Best for: Small families
Energy rating: A+
Capacity: 94ltrs
Noise level: 41dB
Dimensions: H85 x W50 x D48cm
Type: Integrated

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable price
+
Quiet
+
Large capacity

Reasons to avoid

-
No open door alert

This undercounter fridge gets our vote for those working within a tight budget. It comes with a 94 litre capacity, durable glass shelves, adjustable settings for your control, a reversible door, an interior light and a salad crisper draw for storing all the essentials. 

With an energy efficiency rating of A+ it will keep your food adequately chilled whilst keeping your energy bills down too. 

Fridgemaster MUR4892 Under Counter Fridge

5. Fridgemaster MUR4892 Under Counter Fridge

Looking for value for money? This fridge has plenty of storage, is energy efficient, quiet and it's affordable - result!

Specifications

Best for: Budget-friendly
Energy rating: A+
Capacity: 91ltrs
Noise level: 40dB
Dimensions: H84.2cm x W47.5cm x D44.6cm
Type: Freestanding

Reasons to buy

+
Very affordable
+
Lots of shelving and drawers

Reasons to avoid

-
Smaller capacity than others
-
Needs to be manually defrosted every once in a while

Another value option is this model from Fridgemaster. It has an energy rating of A+, it's quiet, has lots of shelving and drawers, especially in the door, and it has an auto defrost function. It also has a mini freezer compartment built-in which can fit your ice cube trays into. Our only complaint, if we're being picky, is that the capacity of this fridge is smaller than others (because of the icebox), but if it's only catering to one or two people, then this shouldn't be a problem. The best under counter fridge for a compact kitchen, we think.

the SIA LFS01WH Freestanding 91L Under Counter Larder Fridge

(Image credit: Amazon)

6. SIA LFS01WH Freestanding 91L Under Counter Larder Fridge

Looking for integrated on a budget? Your search ends with this essential fridge

Specifications

Best for: Budget-friendly
Energy rating: A+
Capacity: 92ltrs
Noise level: Info not provided
Dimensions: H85 x W48 x D45 cm
Type: Integrated

Reasons to buy

+
Very affordable
+
Adjustable feet
+
Three glass shelves

Reasons to avoid

-
Needs to be manually defrosted every once in a while

If you need an integrated option for your open plan living space then this model from Sia could be just what you have been looking for. It's a small, compact design which features adjustable feet, an interior light and three glass shelves making it ideal for fitting in pretty much any room in the house. It's also got an A+ energy rating so keeping your energy bills as low as possible, too.

What to consider before buying an under counter fridge

When you're looking for a new smaller fridge – whether it'll be your main fridge or a second fridge for storage – there are a few factors which will need to be considered.

Capacity

If your under counter fridge is just for you, you won't need to worry too much about the capacity. Average capacity for this type of fridge is around the 120ltr mark, with cheaper models falling under the hundreds. And that will be plenty for a one or two person household.

Energy rating

Ranging from D to A+++, we suggest purchasing a fridge with an energy efficiency closer to the latter to save money on your energy bills.

Noise level

Anything quieter than 40 decibels (dB) is considered a quiet fridge – something to bear in mind if you're buying an under counter fridge, live in a flat or have a bedroom right next to the kitchen. Putting an extra fridge in a garage? One with a higher decibel rating won't bother you.

Freestanding or integrated?

If you prefer your kitchen appliances disguised, then opt for an integrated fridge; if you're not fussed, go for a freestanding model, as they're much cheaper.

More fridge recommendations:

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.