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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Best chest freezers
- Or view our fridge freezer sale guide for more top buys at bargain prices
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