Best under-counter fridges for 2024

Under-counter fridges are designed to slot under a worktop in your kitchen. They're useful if you're short on space and only need to store a relatively small amount of food. They can also come in handy to store extra groceries.

There are a wide range of under-counter fridges to choose from, including integrated and freestanding models. Some have useful features like a reversible door or come in a variety of colours to suit your kitchen. 

The best under-counter fridges will keep your food chilled at a safe temperature around the clock so it stays fresher for longer. The worst models will leave you with lukewarm milk and spoiled vegetables. 

Not sure what type of fridge to buy? See best fridges for pros and cons of each type.

Best under-counter fridges

We've tested a host of integrated and freestanding models to bring you this line-up of the very best.

Table last updated April 2024

Head to our under-counter fridge reviews to see more models we've tested.

How to buy the best under-counter fridge

There are a few key things to bear in mind when shopping around for an under-counter fridge and some questions you may want to ask yourself: 

• What do you want to chill? You're more limited on what you can store in an under-counter fridge compared to a tall fridge. If you need to store lots of bottles, or joints of meat then you could find yourself short on space. Most under-counter fridges also only have one crisper drawer, so you won't have as many storage options for fruit and veg. 
• How much storage space do you need? If you don't have space for a tall fridge, you'll want an under-counter fridge with the maximum useable volume possible. Manufacturers quote a fridge volume on their labels, but we measure the interior space that's actually usable (with drawers and shelves in place) and find the numbers can vary quite dramatically.
• Are you happy to lose under-counter cabinet space? The under-counter fridges we've tested average about 58cm wide. Bear in mind that you'll be losing this space, which you might need to store pots and pans, or crockery. 
• Do you need freezer space? Some under-counter fridges have small built-in iceboxes, which are usually big enough to store a few essentials like frozen peas or ice cubes. Larder fridges don't have built-in iceboxes, so if you need extra fridge space, this might be a better option.
• Is appearance important to you? Freestanding under-counter fridges tend to come in white, silver, or black. If you'd rather have your fridge blend seamlessly into your kitchen décor, consider an integrated model. 

Our guide to the best fridge brands will help you choose the brand for you.

Best under-counter fridge features to consider

Whatever brand of under-counter fridge you choose, these are some of the important features to consider:

Icebox

Some under-counter fridges have a small freezer compartment at the top of the fridge. This comes in handy if you want to keep a few frozen items easily to hand or if you don’t have the space for a freezer. Some will only allow you to store ice and ready-frozen food, such as frozen peas or ice cream while others are powerful enough to freeze fresh food down to safe temperatures.

Crisper drawer 

To save space, some under counter fridges have a sunken crisper drawer and a shelf over the top. This can make it tricky to use, as you need to move everything off the shelf above before you can access your food in the drawer. We'd recommend choosing an under-counter model with a crisper drawer that pulls out. 

Noise level

Given that your under-counter fridge will be slotted under one of your worktops, make sure you pick a model that isn't too noisy so you won't be disturbed by the hum of the compressor while you're in the kitchen.

See a full list of the fridge features to consider when shopping for a new fridge.

Are all under-counter fridges the same size?

No, they aren't. Most under-counter fridges are 85cm high or less and fit under standard height kitchen counters. Occasionally we find models that are taller than 85cm, and these don't fit - we highlight this in our reviews. Models currently on sale that we know to be a little taller are the Bush ME4785UCL and the Bosch KIR21NSE0G. Check your measurements carefully.

The width and depth can vary between models too. You can compare the height, width, and depth measurements of each model we've tested to make sure that your chosen fridge will fit neatly under your worktop.

The actual space inside under-counter fridges can also vary significantly. On average, you'll get about 90 litres of useable storage space. However, we've tested some models with around only 60 litres of useable storage space, and some with over 110 litres. 

Our under-counter fridge reviews reveal the actual usable storage space inside each model. This may be lower than the figure provided by the manufacturer as some manufacturers measure with the drawers and shelves taken out of the fridge. 

How much do under-counter fridges cost?

On average, the under-counter fridges we've tested cost around £310. Integrated models usually cost a lot more; we've tested some that cost over £1,000.  

Luckily, we've found some models which are both powerful and efficient and won't cost you too much upfront. Head to our under-counter fridge reviews and filter by Great Value to see them.

Can you put an under-counter fridge on a worktop?

If you're looking for a fridge to sit on top of your kitchen counter, then it would be better to opt for a table top fridge.

We don't currently test these.

How can I find an under-counter fridge without an icebox?

Fridges without iceboxes are sometimes known as larder fridges. If you have a separate freezer, then you might want to use this extra space in your fridge for storing fresh food, rather than keeping some frozen food on hand. 

Use the icebox filter on our under-counter fridge reviews to find the  we've tested that don't have an icebox.

Read more about the pros and cons of larder fridges on our best fridges page.