If space is at a premium or you’re rapidly running out of room in your main unit, an under-counter fridge can be a very useful and savvy purchase. These appliances can give your kitchen a more streamlined look whether integrated or freestanding, as well as being affordable and remarkably energy efficient.
This guide will help you decipher what you need, whether that's extra storage for drinks or wine or a second larder. We’ll also take a look at the top models on the market for some inspiration. From fridges with freezer compartments or ice boxes to retro black numbers, we’ve got options for everyone, all available from Amazon, John Lewis and Argos.
Quick List - Top Under-Counter Fridges
Cookology
An Integrated Option With a Better Capacity Than Most Freezer Combos
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Table of Contents
The first point to think about is whether you want your new fridge to be freestanding or integrated. Freestanding simply means you can place it wherever you have space in your kitchen. Due to this, it'll of course be in plain view, so you may want to consider the aesthetics and colour if you go for one of these. This will also usually be the cheaper option.
Integrated fridges are designed to be installed behind your kitchen units, so the appearance won’t be much of a deciding factor here, although you'll have to be more exact with the measurements. Plus, your fridge will still require ventilation space, so you must factor this into your decision.
When deciding on a new under-counter fridge, you’re going to want to make sure you can fit all of your food and drinks in there. Think about its purpose – is it going to be the main fridge in your flatshare or simply an add-on to stick in the garage for drinks?
You’d be surprised at how different the capacity of similar-looking under-counter fridges can be, so it pays to check the specs. In our research, we found that small families (say, parents and one or two children) are best going for a capacity of 100 litres or above, so use this as a guide in relation to your own household.
Next up, you need to determine whether you want a freezer included in your buy. This is a good idea if you're a solo habitant or short on space in the kitchen and can’t afford to have a separate appliance, as you'll still be able to store some perishables.
Even if you do have another unit, opting for a model with a freezer compartment could offer some convenience – for instance, if you'd like easier access to ice in the kitchen without heading to your utility room freezer every time you make a drink. Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering you will likely have to sacrifice some fridge space to make room for this extra compartment.
Did you know that approximately 55% of our electricity usage comes from our appliances? Picking a fridge that uses less energy is a double win. Firstly, you'll save on your electricity bills, and secondly, it's better for the environment. Our recommended products range from an A rating to A+++, however, we would propose a purchase of at least A+ for higher efficiency, but, overall, the higher the rating, the better!
It’s fair to say that all under-counter fridges will preserve your fresh foods and keep your beers or wine nice and chilled. However, some come with a few handy features that are certainly worth looking out for. If you’re purchasing a model with a freezer, then an ice cube tray or two or an ice scraper would certainly be welcome.
Inside the fridge, check for adjustable shelves, wine racks, salad crispers and egg trays – with smaller fridges, not all of these are a given, and they'll enable you to store your goods much more neatly and securely. When it comes to practicality, having a reversible door is a good idea, as you can adapt it to your space perfectly, or any future space should you move house or redo your kitchen.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Igenix Freestanding Under-Counter Fridge|IG255W | ![]() | A 136 Litre All-Rounder with Reversible Door | |
2 | Bush Under-Counter Larder|MUCLARBLK | ![]() | A Stylish, Vintage-Inspired Option for Less | |
3 | Cookology Integrated Under-Counter Fridge | ![]() | An Integrated Option With a Better Capacity Than Most Freezer Combos | |
4 | Russell Hobbs Under-Counter Fridge|RHUCLF2W | ![]() | A Well-Built Appliance From a Trusted Name in the Game | |
5 | Liebherr Under-Counter Larder|TP1760 | ![]() | The Ultimate Energy Saver for Lower Bills | |
6 | Beko Under-Counter Fridge-Freezer|ME5585UCF | ![]() | A Compact Fridge Freezer With the ‘Quiet’ Stamp Seal of Approval | |
7 | Bush Under-Counter Larder|M5085UCL | ![]() | A Brilliant Bargain Buy With Plenty of Storage for Small Families | |
8 | Cookology Freestanding Under-Counter Fridge|UCFF87 | ![]() | A Simple and Efficient Two-Door Fridge-Freezer | |
9 | Bosch Integrated Under-Counter Fridge With Freezer Compartment|KUL15A60GB | ![]() | A Smart and Efficient Combination With 125L of Storage | |
10 | Subcold Super85 | ![]() | An Under-Counter Drinks Fridge That's Perfect for Matches and Parties |
This offering from Igenix is laid out with 3 shelves, all of which are adjustable, and 3 in-door compartments. The legs are adjustable too, so you can make sure it's sturdy and straight, even if your floor isn't. With 136L of storage, there is enough room for all your shopping.
Furthermore, the door is reversible so it can comply with your kitchen layout. It has a useful A+ energy rating, and best of all, it's good value for money, perfect if you are on a tight budget but want something that will stand the test of time. For all these reasons, this product takes our number 1 spot!
For a vintage vibe in your kitchen that doesn't involve forking out the megabucks for a Smeg fridge, this Bush larder is well worth a glance. And don't worry, it not only looks the part, but works tremendously well, too.
Retro-chic aside, this appliance has an ample capacity (115 L) which can store up to 6 shopping bags of food! Additionally, there's a wine rack that can house two bottles of your favourite vino, and a salad crisper that means you can easily make the most out of its space. A white version is also available, as well as a separate freezer of the same design.
Another compact combination from Cookology here, only this time with a higher fridge-to-freezer ratio for those who need it. This is an integrated under-counter appliance so as long as you have space you don't have to worry so much about its aesthetics as it will slide right behind your units.
Many users are impressed with this product, particularly how deep it is compared to other options on the market. It comes with a bunch of convenient extras too, such as an auto defrost, a reversible door, an ice tray, and even an egg tray for those who keep theirs in the fridge.
This is a great little fridge if you're looking to top up your cold space storage, or even use it as your main unit. It boasts an impressive 112 L capacity, as well as a positive energy efficiency rating. Plus, it has adjustable shelves should you need to store tall items or make room for other necessities.
The build is simple but sturdy as you would expect from a well-established brand like Russell Hobbs, and the instructions are especially straightforward so installation shouldn't be a problem at all. Choose from white or black to suit your space.
This beast from Liebherr has the best possible energy rating of A+++, and while it might be a bit pricey initially, you're sure to save that money over the next decade on your 'leccy bills. And, as well as being the leader in efficiency, it also has the largest capacity on our list.
It comes with 4 shelves and 2 salad boxes, as well as a satisfying amount of space on the in-door racks. If you're looking for function and quality and don't mind paying that little bit extra upfront, then you're not going to be disappointed.
This clever combo from Beko may be compact, but just as the old saying goes, good things can come in small packages! With 3 adjustable shelves and a half-depth option, a large salad crisper and plenty of space in the door, it excels at organisation and maximising storage space.
As well as a convenient reversible door this fridge is able to keep food fresh for up to nine hours in the event of a power cut. Even better, it comes with Beko's quiet stamp, meaning it is one of the quietest fridges around. A great buy for smaller households or those wanting easy access to essentials in addition to a main unit.
Our budget option this time round comes from Bush. This under-counter option has a credible 112 L storage space, so you won't have to compromise on your shopping, as well as a reversible door so you can choose which way the fridge opens depending on how it works with your kitchen.
It also offers a small salad drawer, adjustable shelves and in-door bottle storage. The energy rating of A+ is not too bad either considering you'd usually pay more upfront for appliances above A. If you're on a tight budget, you can't grumble!
Here we have a Cookology under-counter fridge and freezer. It's a reliable appliance with a respectable A+ energy efficiency rating and two doors, so you don't have to open the fridge every time you want to get in the freezer.
Moreover, the freezer part comes with a nifty ice cube tray and ice scraper, which should save you from having to shovel the excess frost out with a knife from the kitchen cupboard. The only flaw is that if you're buying for a larger household, you may find the fridge to be rather small due to the inclusion of the freezer.
Next up, Bosch's combination offering, which is as high in quality and as feature-packed as you'd expect. There's a good 125 L capacity with a roomy freezer to hold 7 shopping bags of food, a large salad drawer, and a helpful door-open alert which you'd usually only find in full-sized fridges.
With an excellent energy rating of A++, you will have to invest a few more pennies initially, but for the size and reliability, not to mention the fact that it's an integrated option, it's absolutely worth it.
Getting us underway is Subcold's glass-door drinks fridge. With advanced compressor cooling technology, it'll keep your drinks chilled from 0 to -10 degrees, depending on how you set the temperature. It could also hold both food and drink if you needed it to, of course.
Included are adjustable shelves and a lock and key, so you don't have to worry about the little ones getting their hands on any adult-only drinks. The downside is that it's known to be rather loud, which may be fine for the garage but could kill the vibe if you're watching a tense sports game only a metre away.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: Igenix|Freestanding Under-Counter Fridge|IG255W
No. 2: Bush|Under-Counter Larder|MUCLARBLK
No. 3: Cookology|Integrated Under-Counter Fridge
No. 4: Russell Hobbs|Under-Counter Fridge|RHUCLF2W
No. 5: Liebherr|Under-Counter Larder|TP1760
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