Our Top Picks
Midea MRS25I7BST 24.5 Cu. Ft. Stainless Counter-Depth Side-by-Side24.5 cubic feet36 x 29 x 70 inches229 poundsCheck on Amazon
The LG LRFLC2706S French door model is the best overall counter-depth refrigerator in this group for families that want big capacity without a fridge that juts far past the cabinets. It offers roughly 26.5 cubic feet of total space in a 36-inch-wide body and a counter-depth MAX design. “Counter depth” means the refrigerator body is shallow enough, typically around 24 to 25 inches excluding the doors, to sit nearly flush with standard kitchen counters. Smaller households and tight spaces are better served by the two 24-inch Sharp bottom-freezer models, and one compact fridge is included as a runner-up.
Quick List
- Sharp SJB1045SNS 24-inch – best for small kitchens that need a true counter-depth slim fridge
- Sharp SJB1255GS 24-inch – best for apartments and secondary spaces that need a bit more capacity
- LG LRFLC2706S French door – best overall for families who want large capacity and a smart fridge
- Midea MRF27I6BST French door – best for households that want an ice and water feature set at a similar size to the LG
- Midea MRS25I7BST side-by-side – best for shoppers who prefer a side-by-side layout with a built-in water pitcher
- BANGSON 7.7 cu. ft. top freezer – runner-up for dorms and offices; a compact fridge, not a full-size counter-depth model
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Cook for a family of four or more and want French doors | LG LRFLC2706S |
| Want French doors with dual ice makers and a fill pitcher | Midea MRF27I6BST |
| Prefer easy-access side-by-side doors and a narrow aisle | Midea MRS25I7BST |
| Have a 24-inch opening or a small galley kitchen | Sharp SJB1045SNS |
| Need a bit more room in a 24-inch frame | Sharp SJB1255GS |
| Need a small fridge for a dorm, office or studio | BANGSON 7.7 cu. ft. |
Decide on width first. Thirty-six-inch models give you family-size space, while 24-inch models trade capacity for a very small footprint. Then pick the door style that matches how you shop and cook: French doors keep fresh food at eye level, side-by-sides keep both compartments reachable in narrow aisles, and bottom freezers put the fridge on top.
All 6 Picks in Detail
1. Sharp SJB1045SNS 24-Inch Two-Door – Best for Small Kitchens
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This Sharp is a 24-inch-wide, two-door refrigerator with the freezer at the bottom, sized for kitchens where a standard fridge simply will not fit. The listing names 10.3 cubic feet of capacity and a counter-depth design. Manufacturer information describes a stainless finish, reversible doors, Energy Star certification and a body depth of just under 24 inches, which is genuinely shallow.
It suits apartments, condos, guest suites and galley kitchens where every inch counts. It is also a sensible pick for singles and couples who shop often and do not need a deep freezer. If you regularly host large gatherings or buy in bulk, you will outgrow it quickly.
Think about how you shop before you commit to a bottom-freezer layout this small. A single person or couple who buys groceries a few times a week will find 10.3 cubic feet workable, but anyone who stocks up on frozen goods will notice the three freezer drawers fill quickly. It also helps to plan where the door will swing, since reversible hinges let you open it toward the nearest wall or toward the room.
- 24-inch width, counter-depth bottom-freezer layout
- 10.3 cu. ft. total capacity per the listing
- Reversible doors per manufacturer information; confirm on listing
- Energy Star certified per manufacturer information; confirm on listing
- Stainless steel finish
Pros:
- True slim footprint for small openings
- Bottom-freezer layout puts fresh food at eye level
- Low-profile design sits flush with cabinets
Cons:
- Limited capacity for large households
- No ice or water dispenser on the door per the listing name
Compared with the Sharp SJB1255GS, it is the more compact of the two, with less interior room.
2. Sharp SJB1255GS 24-Inch Two-Door – Best for a Bit More Room
The SJB1255GS is the larger sibling: still 24 inches wide and still a two-door bottom-freezer layout, but with 11.5 cubic feet of total capacity. The listing calls it counter-depth and garage ready. Retailers describe the overall depth differently, with some sources listing it near 27 inches, so measure carefully and confirm on the product page before planning a flush install.
It suits apartment kitchens that need a slightly bigger fridge, as well as households that want a second refrigerator in a pantry or utility space. The “garage ready” label means the manufacturer designs it for use in less temperature-controlled spaces, but confirm the rated ambient range in the manual before putting it in an unheated area.
Because the listing and retailer pages disagree on depth, the safest approach is to measure your space, then compare the manufacturer’s installation drawing to the actual opening. If you intend to place it in a garage, check the minimum and maximum ambient temperatures in the manual, and keep the unit on a level floor with a dedicated outlet.
- 24-inch width, bottom-freezer two-door
- 11.5 cu. ft. total capacity per the listing
- Garage ready per the listing name; confirm the rated temperature range
- Reversible doors per manufacturer information; confirm on listing
- Stainless steel finish
Pros:
- More capacity than the SJB1045SNS in the same width
- Useful as a second fridge for overflow
Cons:
- Overall depth is reported inconsistently across retailers
- Still small for family-sized grocery runs
Next to the LG, it is the choice when width, not capacity, is the limiting factor.
3. LG LRFLC2706S French Door – Best Overall for Families
The LG LRFLC2706S is a 36-inch, three-door French door refrigerator with a counter-depth MAX design. The “27 cu. ft.” in the name is a rounded figure; retailer and manufacturer information list about 26.5 cubic feet total. LG’s product pages describe an internal water dispenser, an ice maker, Wi-Fi smart features, Energy Star certification and a depth of about 29 inches without handles and roughly 31.6 inches with them.
Those depth numbers are the reason to read carefully: the cabinet body is shallower than a standard-depth fridge, but the doors and handles still extend beyond a typical counter edge. It suits families that want standard-fridge capacity while keeping the kitchen walkway clear, and anyone who wants a smart fridge with remote monitoring.
A good way to judge whether this size is right is to compare it to what you have now. If your current fridge is a standard-depth French door model around 25 to 28 cubic feet, you give up very little capacity here. Households that rely on a single large fridge for a weekly shop, and that like to keep drinks and ice within easy reach, will find the layout familiar.
- 36-inch width, French door layout
- About 26.5 cu. ft. total capacity per manufacturer and retailer information
- Smart features per the listing title
- Internal water dispenser and ice maker per manufacturer information; confirm on listing
- Stainless steel finish
Pros:
- Large capacity in a counter-depth profile
- Full-featured smart fridge from an established brand
- Wide shelves for platters and trays
Cons:
- Handles and doors still extend past standard counters
- Needs a 36-inch opening and generous clearance for door swing
Compared with the Midea French door, it is the more established name with a similar capacity.
4. Midea MRF27I6BST French Door – Best for Dual Ice Makers and Water Features
The Midea MRF27I6BST is the closest rival to the LG in this guide: a 36-inch stainless French door counter-depth smart refrigerator with a rated capacity of about 26.5 cubic feet. Manufacturer information lists dual ice makers, an internal water dispenser and an AutoFill pitcher, plus a cabinet depth near 25 inches and an overall depth around 29 inches.
It suits households that go through a lot of ice and filtered water, such as families with kids or frequent hosts. It is also a good fit for shoppers comparing feature sets across brands, since the specification sheet reads similarly to the LG. Confirm Wi-Fi app details on the product page if smart control matters to you.
When you compare this model with the LG, line up the details that matter most to you: water and ice features, shelf layout, warranty length and whether smart controls are worth having. Because retailers sometimes list shipping size as product size, rely on the manufacturer’s installation sheet for depth with and without doors.
- 36-inch width, French door layout
- About 26.5 cu. ft. total capacity per manufacturer information
- Smart refrigerator per the listing title
- Dual ice makers and an AutoFill pitcher per manufacturer information; confirm on listing
- Counter-depth design with stainless finish
Pros:
- Strong feature set for ice and water
- Counter-depth cabinet profile at a family-size capacity
Cons:
- Newer to the US refrigerator market than LG, so check warranty and service coverage
- Some retailers list package dimensions as product dimensions, so verify the real depth
Next to the Midea side-by-side, it gives you more fresh-food width and a French door layout.
5. Midea MRS25I7BST Side-by-Side – Best for Narrow Aisles
This Midea is a counter-depth side-by-side with 24.5 cubic feet of capacity and an AutoFill water pitcher. Manufacturer and retailer information puts the size around 35.8 inches wide, 69.9 inches tall and 28.9 inches deep, with roughly 15.1 cubic feet of fresh-food space and 9.4 cubic feet of freezer space. Side-by-side doors swing a narrower arc than French doors, which makes them easier to open in tight aisles.
It suits people who like having frequently used freezer items such as ice and frozen vegetables at the same height as fresh food, and households that want an internal water feature. Wi-Fi support is reported inconsistently across retailers, so confirm it on the product page if you want an app.
Side-by-side layouts are often the right call for a narrow kitchen or for households that grab frozen items daily. The tradeoff is that each compartment is only about half the width of the unit, so a large pizza box or sheet cake may not fit flat. Measure the biggest items you store regularly before choosing this layout.
- About 36-inch width, side-by-side layout
- 24.5 cu. ft. total capacity per the listing
- AutoFill water pitcher per the listing
- Counter-depth profile; depth about 29 inches per retailer information
- Stainless steel finish
Pros:
- Narrower door swing helps in tight kitchens
- Large freezer section for a counter-depth model
Cons:
- Narrow compartments make wide platters and pizza boxes awkward
- Smart feature support is unclear; confirm on listing
Compared with the Midea French door, it gives up shelf width in exchange for a narrower swing.
6. BANGSON 7.7 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer – Runner-Up Compact Fridge (Not Counter-Depth Class)
Be clear about what this is: a compact apartment-size top-freezer refrigerator, not a full-size counter-depth model. At about 7.7 cubic feet and roughly 21.5 inches wide and deep, it is shallower than any counter-depth fridge, but it is meant for dorms, offices, studios and secondary spaces rather than main-kitchen use. Manufacturer information lists reversible doors, manual defrost and low operating noise.
It earns a spot as a runner-up for readers whose real constraint is space, not matching cabinetry. It will not give you the built-in look of the other five, and it is best treated as a supplement to a main fridge or as the primary fridge for one or two people.
Think of this as a space-saving supplement. It works well in a home office, a basement bar or a dorm, and it can also serve as an extra fridge for drinks during gatherings. It will not blend into cabinetry, and its manual defrost means you will need to switch it off and clear ice from the freezer compartment occasionally.
- Compact top-freezer layout, 7.7 cu. ft.
- Black finish per the listing title
- Reversible doors per manufacturer information; confirm on listing
- Manual defrost per manufacturer information; confirm on listing
- Designed for small spaces, offices and apartments
Pros:
- Tiny footprint and light enough to move
- Simple controls and quiet operation
Cons:
- Capacity is small for a primary household fridge
- Manual defrost takes occasional maintenance
Next to the Sharp SJB1045SNS, it is smaller and simpler, while the Sharp has the more built-in look.
Specs Compared
| Model | Style | Width | Total capacity | Depth class | Water / ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp SJB1045SNS | Bottom freezer | 24 in | 10.3 cu. ft. | Counter-depth | Confirm on listing |
| Sharp SJB1255GS | Bottom freezer | 24 in | 11.5 cu. ft. | Counter-depth per listing; confirm depth | Confirm on listing |
| LG LRFLC2706S | French door | 36 in | About 26.5 cu. ft. (27 in name) | Counter-depth MAX | Internal water, ice maker; confirm on listing |
| Midea MRF27I6BST | French door | 36 in | About 26.5 cu. ft. (27 in name) | Counter-depth | Dual ice makers, AutoFill pitcher; confirm on listing |
| Midea MRS25I7BST | Side-by-side | About 36 in | 24.5 cu. ft. | Counter-depth | AutoFill water pitcher |
| BANGSON 7.7 cu. ft. | Top freezer | Confirm on listing | 7.7 cu. ft. | Compact (not counter-depth class) | None stated |
How We Chose These
This guide is based on research of published specifications, not laboratory work. We started with the refrigerators in the current product set and read each listing title and specification field. We then compared the main claims, such as capacity and depth, with manufacturer product pages and retailer spec sheets where those were available. We prioritized models that state their width, capacity and layout clearly, and we flagged conflicting numbers instead of choosing one. Because retailers sometimes list shipping dimensions as product dimensions, we recommend that readers rely on the manufacturer’s installation guide when planning a cutout. One compact fridge is included as a runner-up because it does not belong to the counter-depth class.
What to Look For
What “counter depth” really means
Standard-depth refrigerators are usually 30 to 36 inches deep including doors and handles, while kitchen base cabinets and counters are about 24 to 25 inches deep. A counter-depth model has a body of roughly 24 to 25 inches, so the cabinet portion sits about even with the counters. The doors and handles still protrude, so the total depth is often 28 to 31 inches. Many manufacturers quote depth in three ways: without handles, with handles and without doors. Always compare like with like. Worked example: if your counters are 25.5 inches deep and a fridge is 29 inches deep without handles and 31.6 inches with them, it will extend about 3.5 to 6 inches past the counter edge.
Capacity and what it means
Counter-depth refrigerators usually offer less capacity than standard-depth models of the same width because the cabinet is shallower. A 36-inch counter-depth French door fridge commonly provides 20 to 27 cubic feet, while a 24-inch model provides 10 to 12. A rough rule of thumb is about 4 to 6 cubic feet per adult in the household for the combined fridge and freezer, with extra room if you meal prep or entertain. Name-plate capacity is often rounded up, so check the total capacity in the specification sheet.
Door style and layout
French door models put fresh food at eye level with wide shelves and a bottom freezer drawer, which suits platters and trays. Side-by-side models have narrow compartments but a narrow door swing and easy access to both zones. Bottom-freezer two-door models like the Sharp pair are simple and efficient, with fewer features and lower capacity. Consider how much clearance you have on the hinge side, since French doors still need room to open fully so drawers can slide out.
Measuring and installing
Measure the opening width, height and depth at the narrowest point, then add clearance: manufacturers typically ask for about an inch of space at the sides and top and a couple of inches at the back. Check that the doors can open past adjacent walls and cabinets, and measure the path from the delivery door to the kitchen. If your model has a water line, plan for a water supply connection with a shutoff valve, and keep the refrigerator on a dedicated 115-volt grounded outlet.
Energy use and noise
Look for Energy Star certification and read the yearly energy figure on the guide label. Compact refrigerators in the 10 to 12 cubic foot range often use less energy than full-size units, but efficiency varies by design. Sound levels are typically 40 to 45 decibels for quiet units, a consideration in open-plan homes.
Layout details that change daily use. Interior layout matters as much as the headline capacity. Look for adjustable shelves, door bins sized for gallon jugs and a crisper drawer with humidity control. In a counter-depth model, shelves are shallower, so tall pitchers and wide trays may fit differently than in a standard-depth fridge. If you meal prep with large glass containers, check the shelf spacing in the manufacturer’s diagram. Also think about door alarms and vacation modes, which help in busy households, and about whether you prefer a freezer drawer or freezer shelves. Finally, look at the filter type and replacement interval for any water or ice feature, because filter changes are the main recurring maintenance task.
Questions
Is a counter-depth refrigerator worth the lower capacity?
It is if the look of a flush kitchen or a clear walkway matters more than the last few cubic feet. Larger French door models narrow the capacity gap well, but families who buy in bulk may prefer a standard-depth fridge.
Do counter-depth refrigerators stick out past the counter?
Slightly. The cabinet body sits near flush, but doors and handles typically extend a few inches beyond the counter edge. Check the depth with handles when planning the aisle width.
Can I use a 24-inch fridge in a standard kitchen?
Yes, but you will see a gap on each side of a 30-inch to 36-inch opening unless you add filler panels or cabinetry. They work best in smaller kitchens or when you are building around the appliance.
What does garage ready mean?
It generally means the manufacturer designed the refrigerator to run in a wider ambient temperature range than usual, such as an unheated garage. Specific ranges differ, so confirm the rated temperatures in the manual.
Are smart features worth having?
They can help with door-open alerts, temperature monitoring and filter reminders. If you do not use the app, a simpler model with the same cooling performance may be enough.
How should I confirm the exact depth?
Use the manufacturer’s dimension diagram or installation guide, which separates depth with and without handles and with doors open. Retailer listings sometimes mix package and product dimensions.
Update History
- October 20, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Manufacturer product and specification pages for Sharp, LG and Midea refrigerators
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields
- Manufacturer installation guides and dimension diagrams for clearances and depth
