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A best counter depth apartment refrigerator keeps your walkway clear. In a galley kitchen or studio, a standard-depth fridge sticks out several inches past the counters and can block traffic or a nearby door. A shallower, narrower fridge sits closer to flush with cabinets and makes a small kitchen feel built-in rather than cramped.
Standard counters are about 24 to 25 inches deep, so we looked for apartment-width fridges with cabinet depths from about 23.5 to 27 inches. We compared them on exact depth, width, capacity, freezer layout and listed energy use. Remember that door handles and door thickness add a little to the listed depth.
Quick Answer: The Best Counter Depth Apartment Refrigerator
- Best OverallSummit FFBF249 24"
- Best With Ice MakerSummit FFBF181 24" Bottom Freezer
- Narrowest Counter-DepthSummit FF882PL 22"
- Most SpaceSummit FFBF279 28"
- Best Top-FreezerImpecca 24" Top Freezer
- Most EfficientSummit FF1088W 24"
The best counter depth apartment refrigerator for most small kitchens is the Summit FFBF249: a 24-inch-wide bottom-freezer fridge only 23.75 inches deep. Choose the Summit FFBF181 for the same depth with an ice maker, or the Summit FFBF279 for 14.6 cubic feet at under 27 inches deep.
Best Counter Depth Apartment Refrigerator Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit FFBF249 24" | Best Overall | 24" bottom-freezer refrigerator | 23.75" deep, 24" wide | Check Price |
| Summit FFBF181 24" Bottom Freezer | Best With Ice Maker | 24" counter-depth bottom-freezer refrigerator | 23.75" deep, ice maker | Check Price |
| Summit FF882PL 22" | Narrowest Counter-Depth | 22" top-freezer apartment refrigerator | 23.5" deep, 21.5" wide | Check Price |
| Summit FFBF279 28" | Most Space | 28" bottom-freezer refrigerator | Under 27" deep, 14.6 cu ft | Check Price |
| Impecca 24" Top Freezer | Best Top-Freezer | 24" top-freezer apartment refrigerator | 25.6" deep | Check Price |
| Summit FF1088W 24" | Most Efficient | 24" top-freezer apartment refrigerator | 26.5" deep, ENERGY STAR | Check Price |
The 6 Shallow Apartment Refrigerators
Each best counter depth apartment refrigerator pick is about 27 inches deep or less. BRD Scores weigh depth, capacity, layout and efficiency.
1. Summit FFBF249SS2 24" Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator, 10.6 Cu. Ft.
1. Summit’s FFBF249 is a true counter-depth 24-inch fridge with a bottom freezer, digital thermostats and alarms.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open-door and high-temp alarms
- Digital thermostats
- Frost-free
- Counter-depth 24-inch body
Cons
- Premium price
- No ice maker on this model
- Left-hand door on this listing
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 10.6 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.38" W x 23.75" D x 73.75" H
- Controls: Digital thermostats
- Alarms: Open door and high temperature
- Listed energy use: 370 kWh/year
- Defrost: Frost-free
Summit’s FFBF249SS2 is a 24-inch bottom-freezer refrigerator with 10.6 cubic feet, digital thermostats, frost-free operation and both open-door and high-temperature alarms. Listed use is 370 kWh per year.
At 23.75 inches deep it lines up closely with standard counters.
2. Summit FFBF181ES2IM 24" Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator with Ice Maker
2. Summit’s FFBF181 matches that depth and adds an ice maker and 11.7 cubic feet.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Factory ice maker
- Counter-depth 24-inch body
- Bottom freezer keeps fresh food at eye level
- Stainless steel
Cons
- 78 inches tall
- Premium price
- Higher listed kWh
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11.7 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.38" W x 23.75" D x 78.38" H
- Freezer: Bottom mount with ice maker
- Listed energy use: 464 kWh/year
- Finish: Stainless steel
- Extras: Spill-proof glass shelves, crisper
Summit’s FFBF181ES2IM fits 11.7 cubic feet into a 24-inch-wide, counter-depth body. The bottom freezer has an ice maker and slide-out storage, while the fridge section has spill-proof glass shelves and a large crisper.
Tall, so check cabinet clearance.
3. Summit FF882PL 22" Refrigerator-Freezer, 7.0 Cu. Ft.
3. Summit’s FF882PL is both narrow and shallow, with ENERGY STAR certification.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Only 21.5 inches wide
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Frost-free
- Separate thermostats for each section
Cons
- 7 cu ft is small for families
- Premium price
- Stainless look, not stainless
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 7.0 cu ft
- Dimensions: 21.5" W x 23.5" D x 55.75" H
- Certification: ENERGY STAR, ADA height
- Defrost: Frost-free
- Controls: Separate dial thermostats
- Storage: Glass shelves, humidity crisper
Summit’s FF882PL squeezes 7 cubic feet into a cabinet just under 22 inches wide and 55.75 inches tall. It is ENERGY STAR certified, frost-free and has separate dial thermostats, two glass shelves and a humidity-controlled crisper.
7 cubic feet suits one person.
4. Summit FFBF279SSXIM 28" Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator with Ice Maker
4. Summit’s FFBF279 brings 14.6 cubic feet to a body under 27 inches deep.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 14.6 cu ft under 27 inches deep
- Factory ice maker
- Bottom freezer
- Stainless doors
Cons
- Premium price
- Highest listed kWh here
- 28-inch width needed
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 14.6 cu ft
- Dimensions: 27.63" W x 26.75" D x 67.63" H
- Freezer: Bottom mount, factory ice maker
- Listed energy use: 507 kWh/year
- Finish: Stainless steel doors
- Lighting: LED
Summit’s FFBF279SSXIM brings 14.6 cubic feet to kitchens that cannot take a full-depth fridge: it is under 27 inches deep. It has a bottom freezer with a factory ice maker, LED lighting and stainless doors.
Great if you have 28 inches of width.
5. Impecca 24" Top-Freezer Refrigerator, 11.5 Cu. Ft., Stainless
5. Impecca’s 24-inch top-freezer fridge is 25.6 inches deep.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 11.5 cu ft in 24 inches
- Auto defrost
- Stainless finish
- Low listed 308 kWh/year
Cons
- No ice maker
- Less-known brand
- Taller than Summit’s 60-inch model
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11.5 cu ft (8.9 fridge + 2.6 freezer)
- Dimensions: 23.4" W x 25.6" D x 67.7" H
- Defrost: Automatic
- Listed energy use: 308 kWh/year
- Finish: Stainless
- Installation: Freestanding
Impecca’s 24-inch top-freezer fridge holds 11.5 cubic feet, split into 8.9 cubic feet of fresh food and a top freezer. It defrosts automatically, has a stainless finish and lists 308 kWh per year.
Slightly deeper than counter depth but affordable.
6. Summit FF1088W 24" Top-Freezer Refrigerator, 10.1 Cu. Ft., White
6. Summit’s FF1088W is 26.5 inches deep with the lowest listed energy here.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Lowest listed kWh of the full-height picks
- Two humidity crispers
- Only 60 inches tall
Cons
- No ice maker
- White finish only
- 10.1 cu ft is snug for families
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 10.1 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.25" W x 26.5" D x 60.25" H
- Certification: ENERGY STAR, ADA compliant
- Listed energy use: 297 kWh/year
- Controls: Touch control thermostat
- Storage: Glass shelves, 2 humidity crispers
Summit’s FF1088W fits 10.1 cubic feet into a 24-inch-wide, 60-inch-tall cabinet. It is ENERGY STAR certified, ADA compliant, frost-free and lists 297 kWh per year, with adjustable spill-proof glass shelves and two humidity-controlled crispers.
Short height suits low cabinets.
How We Chose the Best Counter Depth Apartment Refrigerator
To choose the best counter depth apartment refrigerator, we compared apartment-size refrigerators sold on Amazon in the U.S. on exact width, depth and height, total capacity, freezer layout, ice maker availability, ENERGY STAR status and listed energy use, and checked each listing for frost-free operation and door swing. Availability of large appliances varies by ZIP code, so confirm delivery to your address before ordering.
We checked efficiency claims against ENERGY STAR refrigerator guidance and food-safety temperatures against the FDA’s food storage advice (40°F or colder in the fridge, 0°F in the freezer). Our full process is explained on our How We Test page. We do not list prices or star ratings because they change daily.
Measuring for the Best Counter Depth Apartment Refrigerator
Measure counter depth
Measure from the wall to the counter edge, usually about 24 to 25 inches.
Add door and handle depth
Listed cabinet depth may exclude doors and handles.
Leave rear clearance
Fridges need an inch or so behind for air and cords.
Width trade-offs
Shallow and narrow means less capacity; consider 28 inches if possible.
Door swing
Shallow fridges still need room for doors to open past cabinets.
Counter-Depth Fridge Tips
- Check outlet placement. A recessed outlet helps flush fit.
- Plan water lines. Recessed boxes save depth.
- Level carefully. Flush installs show misalignment.
- Allow door clearance. Doors must open past cabinets.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best counter depth apartment refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best counter depth apartment refrigerator?
The Summit FFBF249 is our top pick.
What depth is counter depth?
Usually around 24 to 25 inches for the cabinet.
Do counter-depth fridges hold less?
Yes, for the same width.
Is there a counter-depth apartment fridge with an ice maker?
Yes, the Summit FFBF181.
Do I need rear clearance?
Yes, about an inch for air and cords.
Final Verdict
The best counter depth apartment refrigerator is the Summit FFBF249. Choose the FFBF181 for an ice maker and the FFBF279 for more space.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
