COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATOR BUYING GUIDE: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
A counter-depth refrigerator is designed to sit nearly flush with your kitchen countertops—typically 24 to 30 inches deep—offering a streamlined look. While shallower than standard models (usually 30 to 36 inches deep), they often make up for it with extra height or width to help preserve storage space.
Counter-depth refrigerators are available in a range of styles, finishes and features to suit just about any kitchen setup. Read on to explore benefits and key considerations to help you choose the right fit for your home.
COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATOR CONSIDERATIONS
All counter-depth refrigerators typically share similar depth dimensions to fit flush with a standard countertop, but they can differ quite a bit when it comes to style, size, features, overall layout and more. Read on to discover key considerations as you search for the best counter-depth refrigerator for your kitchen.
1. CONFIGURATION
“Counter-depth” refers to a refrigerator’s dimensions, not its configuration, which means you’ll likely find a variety of options to suit your needs. The best fit generally comes down to how you use your fridge every day.
For example, Maytag brand offers counter-depth refrigerators in top-freezer, side-by-side and French door configurations. Side-by-side layouts can be ideal if you like to keep plenty of frozen foods on hand, while top-freezer models typically offer a straightforward, budget-friendly setup. For larger households or those who want more flexibility and features, French door styles often pair plenty of space with flexible organization.
2. SIZE AND CAPACITY
Counter-depth refrigerators are built to sit nearly flush with your countertops, giving your kitchen a streamlined look and making it easier to move around. While they’re shallower than standard models, you won’t necessarily miss out on storage space. These fridges are often wider or taller than standard-depth models to make up the difference. Counter-depth refrigerator dimensions are typically:
- Width: Roughly 30 inches
- Depth: 24-30 inches, not including handles
- Height: 61-72 inches
- Capacity: 15-25 cubic feet
3. STORAGE ZONES
Keeping a refrigerator organized can help meal prep and snack time run smoothly, and counter-depth refrigerators make it simple to find it all with a shallower depth that gives you easy access to whatever you’re storing. Some counter-depth models may feature humidity-controlled crisper bins, full-width drawers or in-door ice storage to help you get the most out of every cubic foot.
For instance, this Maytag® 36-Inch Wide Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator features the Store-N-Door® Ice Dispensing System that frees up shelf space in your refrigerator for more of your favorites. Or, if a French door refrigerator is a better fit for your family, you can find features like the Temperature-Controlled Wide-N-Fresh™ Deli Drawer on select Maytag® refrigerators. This storage zone is complete with temperature controls and the ideal size for large party platters and deli trays.
Maytag® refrigerators
Built strong to hold in the cold
Maytag® refrigerators are designed to help keep your perishables in their ideal climate
4. FEATURES
Counter-depth refrigerators can come packed with features that make everyday use more convenient. Think specialized lighting, exterior water and ice dispensers, systems designed to help keep food fresh, or flexible storage options that adapt to whatever your grocery haul looks like that week.
Additions like the PowerCold® Feature on some Maytag® counter-depth refrigerators, for instance, can help get everything in your refrigerator back to nice and cold, nice and quick. Or, to help you find it all, you may find features like the BrightSeries™ LED Lighting on some Maytag® refrigerators that casts a bright, white light and uses less energy than traditional bulbs.
5. COLOR AND FINISH
The right refrigerator color and finish can help you feel at home in your kitchen. Whether you prefer a white, black or stainless steel finish, you’re likely to find a counter-depth refrigerator that matches your kitchen’s aesthetic.
Some finishes go the extra mile to help keep the refrigerator’s exterior clear of smudges and stuck-on splatter from daily messes. Finishes like the easy-to-clean Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel finish on select Maytag® counter-depth refrigerators keep your refrigerator looking as good on the outside as it works on the inside.
6. PRICE POINT
Counter-depth refrigerators come in a wide range of styles and features, from budget-friendly basics to high-end models with all the extras. Figuring out which features matter most in your kitchen can help you focus your search and set a budget that works with your priorities.
SHOP MAYTAG® COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATORS
Counter-depth refrigerators from Maytag brand help make fitting and finding groceries simple. Bottom-Mounted FreshLock™ Crispers with Humidity Controls—found on select models—carry weight from the bottom, not the top, so they'll glide smoothly no matter how much you load them. And, with all of your food loaded inside, count on the FreshFlow™ Air Filter—also found on select models—that’s 15 times more effective than baking soda at reducing common food odors.
ARE COUNTER-DEPTH REFRIGERATORS WORTH IT?
Yes, counter-depth refrigerators are worth it for many households. These refrigerators come in a range of styles and feature sets to suit different kitchen needs. They’re especially useful in spaces where every inch in front of the refrigerator counts or where a clean, built-in look is part of the design. These refrigerators can offer:
Capacity: Enjoy convenient access to favorites without sacrificing on space. Select counter-depth refrigerators compensate for a more shallow depth with increased height or width to provide similar capacities as standard-depth refrigerators.
Sleek aesthetic: Sitting nearly flush with kitchen countertops and cabinets, these refrigerators can create a streamlined, built-in look that can elevate the feel of your kitchen.
Space-saving design: The shallow depth of a counter-depth refrigerator can give you more floor space in front of the fridge to navigate the kitchen, as well as more room to open refrigerator doors and browse.
Convenient access: No matter the configuration you choose, the shallower depth of counter-depth refrigerators helps make it easy to reach to the back of the fridge to find or sort whatever you stock up.
You may opt for a standard-depth refrigerator if you live in a particularly large household, as standard-depth fridges are typically available in larger capacities, or if you prefer more space from front to back to organize groceries.
WHICH REFRIGERATOR SHOULD I BUY?
Buying a refrigerator is a big decision, so it can pay to plan ahead. Start with the basics—size and depth—and decide between a counter- or standard-depth model. Always consider what your kitchen can accommodate, or what changes you’re willing to make to your space to fit your favorite model.
Next, think about how often you reach for fresh vs. frozen foods and which layout fits your routine. Once you’ve landed on the right size and configuration, look for features that match your family’s needs. Consider factors like flexible storage, how you use ice and water, and how well previous customers rate the refrigerator. Finally, choose a finish and color that complements your kitchen’s style.
DISCOVER MAYTAG® REFRIGERATORS
Maytag® refrigerators deliver powerful cooling you can depend on day after day, year after year. On some Maytag® refrigerator models, the EvenAir™ Cooling System uses a series of vents to distribute cold air effectively. It keeps everything consistently cold, front and back, so groceries stay at the right temperature and your freezer doesn't frost over. And, with the LED Light Tower on select refrigerators from Maytag brand, you can see every item in your refrigerator with corner-to-corner LED lighting on every shelf.
