15 Best Undercounter Refrigerators (2020 Updated)

Probably the reason for you to be on this page is that you either don’t have enough space in your kitchen for an ordinary refrigerator or you’re only looking after an upgraded version of your old refrigerator.

Whatever the case, in this in-depth buying guide, you are going to learn everything that supplements essentially to an undercounter refrigerator and why having one can make your life easier.

Why you need the best undercounter refrigerators:

We have made it easy for you by saving you a lot of time and effort. You won’t have to choose a high-quality under-counter cooler on your own. That’s because we’ve assembled a list of the best under-counter refrigerators on the market. 

Below you will find some incredible coolers that are unmatched in features and capabilities.

So you will be able to put your mind at peace, knowing that you are heading to high-quality refrigerators and not some mid-level procured coolers. 

Without further ado:

List of Best Undercounter Refrigerators:

1. Our Top Pick – Danby DAR044A5BSLDD Compact Refrigerator

2. Runner Up – hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler

3. Best Budget Buy – BLACK+DECKER BCRK17W Mini Fridge with Freezer

4. Best Built-In Beverage Cooler – EdgeStar 80 Can Built-In Beverage Cooler

5. Best 24″ Built-In Beverage Cooler – Avallon ABR241SGRH

6. Best Upright Freezer – Whynter CUF-210SS Energy Star

7. Best Wine Refrigerator – Allavino VSWR56-2SSRN

8. Compact Mini Refrigerator – Kenmore 99059

Best Undercounter Refrigerators Reviews:

Danby DAR044A5BSLDD Compact Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

The Danby refrigerator would certainly be an excellent pick for people looking for incredible design and more massive storage. On top of that, this cooler comes with an astonishing design that can perfectly match your kitchen and creates a pleasant view.

It is built from stainless steel, including the spotless door. That means fingerprints are decreased to a minimum.

A cool feature that you can find here is the versatile hinge of the door. This is a fantastic option for more careless people. That’s because the door can be opened to the left or to the right, depending on your personal preference and convenience.

The design is elegant, and a black cabinet is crafted to produce a good and pleasant look to the eye.

What’s even better about this under-counter refrigerator is that it is compliant with Energy Star ratings and keeps your electricity bills on point.

For higher capacity and storage, the cooler comes with two and a half glass shelves.

Keep In Mind:

Some customers complain about the Danby refrigerator being unable to sustain appropriate temperatures. At times, you could find your drinks quite cold, but on the other hand, some of the drinks weren’t able to cool enough.

A suggestion here would be to install a thermometer on the top shelf and keep track of the temperature fluctuations.

If the problem persists, you don’t have to worry about anything because the cooler comes with 18 months warranty card to keep your mind at ease.

In A Nutshell:

hOmeLabs Beverage Refrigerator and Cooler

Why We Picked:

If you’re looking for a cooler mainly designed for beverages, then you might consider the hOmeLabs beverage refrigerator. It is quite attractive in design, which makes it an excellent match for your kitchen and most of your rooms.

The cooler is also built from stainless steel to keep your beverages cold for more extended periods. The door is made from stainless steel, however, unlike the previous model, the door here is left hinged.

The best part of this undercounter fridge is that it comes with a large capacity and it can sustain 120 smaller bottles or 60 larger 2L urns.

Keep In Mind:

This beverage refrigerator is primarily designed for keeping your beverages cold. It is not made for keeping fresh foods, such as meats, vegetables, fruits, etc.

For essential foods, you should better cling on a large and ordinary refrigerator. That makes the hOmeLabs cooler a perfect fit when combined with an average refrigerator.

In A Nutshell:

EdgeStar 80 Can Built-In Beverage Cooler

Why We Picked:

You might be looking for a decent and affordable option that keeps your beverages cold in the temperature range between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is likewise built from stainless steel to produce maximum life capacity… 

The option that might be appropriate for you is called EdgeStar 80 Built-In Beverage Refrigerator. It is perfectly suitable for kitchens, game rooms, garages, and oodles of other places in which you might need cold drinks.

A fantastic feature in this particular model is that it comes with LED lights that make it easier for you to select a drink at night time.

Keep In Mind:

An unpleasant thing is that sometimes the temperature might skyrocket and you have to unplug the unit and repeat this process a couple of times to avoid any future damages.

If the problem persists, you are granted a 30-day money-back guarantee. That way, you can avoid finding yourself in an unpleasant situation where you can’t return a defective product.

In A Nutshell:

Whynter CUF-210SS Energy Star Upright Freezer

Why We Picked:

This one is pretty similar to the previous model in terms of placement. You can fit it anywhere easily, and by anywhere we mean that you can literally put it in your yacht, of course, if you have one.

The energy star upright refrigerator is exceptionally versatile. It is designed with a stainless steel reversible door, two removable shelves, an adjustable thermostat.

And what’s even better is that it has a lock available.

That way, you can protect cold beverages away from babies or younger kids that aren’t allowed to consume cold drinks.

One of the cool features of the Energy Star freezer is that it is compliant with Energy Star electricity terms and keeps your bills in check.

Keep In Mind:

Some people have complained they’ve stumbled on refrigerators that didn’t last quite long. That’s why you need to buy a freezer from a trustworthy source and not risking with second-hand cheaper options.

But when it comes to cooling down your drinks, the Energy Star freezer merely is unmatched.

In A Nutshell:

BLACK+DECKER BCRK17W Mini Fridge with Freezer

Why We Picked:

Frequently named as the “cube” because of its square shape, this under counter fridge freezers provides rich versatility and comes with 1 full-width glass shelf and 1 full and half-width door shelf.

It has a straightforward design. However, due to the stainless steel, it gives a shiny and sleek look that makes it perfect for any occasion.

You can place it in your kitchen, kid’s room, or garage. And what’s even more significant is that it is provided with a 1-year warranty on parts & labor, and a 2-year warranty on the compressor.

Keep In Mind:

You have to be aware of the humming sound that the compressor produces. It is not noticeable, and it isn’t infuriating at all.

But if you are in a quiet room where you try to take a nap, the sound might dig deep into your head and cause problems with your sleeping experience.

Another thing you need to consider is that food needs a couple of hours to cool down. And there is a possibility that small pieces of frost can collect under the freezer part.

In A Nutshell:

Avallon ABR241SGRH 24″ Built-in Beverage Cooler

Why We Picked:

Due to its oodles of features and active cooling, the Avallon beverage center built-in beverage cooler can be one of your best picks. It can cool down your drinks until 34 degrees Fahrenheit and provides quite an enormous capacity to store your favorite beverages.

Finding an under-counter refrigerator like this on the market, providing you with extensive storage and active cooling can be entirely unseen.

The cooler is relatively easy to operate and manage. For convenience, LED temperature display is included in the design.

Keep In Mind:

Maintenance sometimes can create issues. If you are planning to buy this particular refrigerator, get highly familiar with the manuals first.

Ask the seller to explain to you every small and tiny part and detail that adds to the overall performance of the freezer.

All in all, you won’t experience any hardcore problems that might waste your time, effort, and money.

In A Nutshell:

Kalamera 24″ Beverage Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

If you’re looking for one of the latest models of 24 inch undercounter refrigerators, then Kalamera 175 cooler could be the right option for you. It delivers an effective cooling of your beverages.

And it comes with a built-in compressor that successfully manages the freezer temperature between 38 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

A cool feature here is that this particular cooler is provided with built-in LED lights to help you at night time.

What’s even more significant is that a temperature loss memory card is included in the design. In the odd scenario when the power fails, the appliance will be able to recover its previous temperature and keep your beverages fresh.

Keep In Mind:

Some customers complain about the noisiness of the compressor. However, this shouldn’t create significant issues if the under cabinet beverage refrigerator is installed in the kitchen where most of the time, the atmosphere is louder.

In A Nutshell:

Allavino VSWR56-2SSRN Wine Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

The Allavino VSWR56-2SSRN Wine Refrigerator is perfect when it comes down to storing wines. If you are a wine collector or you simply like to taste wines now and then, then for sure, you’re going to fall in love in the Allavino freezer.

It comes with 5 adjustable shelves with 5 racks on each. On the bottom, 9 racks are available for maximum storage capacity.

If not anything, then the storage is what makes this built in undercounter bar refrigerator a masterpiece. You can store up to 56 bottles no matter the size.

An adequate compressor is available to sustain the airflow. What’s even better about this under-counter refrigerator is that it is designed with the latest technologies when it comes down to cooling beverages. Its features and capabilities are simply unmatched.

Keep In Mind:

Some people complain about long-waiting shipping. From 2 to 3 weeks in the US, in other parts of the world, it might be longer.

Another thing that is unpleasant for the buyer is the signal smell that comes from the refrigerator when you remove it out of the box. You need to wait a couple of days to refine the air. Yet, those are insignificant issues that, after a while, make no difference.

In A Nutshell:

Koldfront 80 Can Built-In Beverage Cooler

Why We Picked:

The Koldfront 80 built-In beverage cooler is a front-venting under counter beverage refrigerator that can be placed in a free-standing or built-in position based on your preference.

You should keep in mind that when placed in an autonomous position, it needs more space to produce consistent and quality airflow.

As most coolers, it is designed from stainless steel, including the reversible door. An LED display is available to show you the temperature of your beverages.

The cooler effectively cools your drink in the temperature range between 38 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also capable of supporting up to 80 cans which put the cooler in the graph of “large-capacity refrigerators.” 

Keep In Mind:

If you load the refrigerator to its maximum capacity, drinks tend to get cooler harder and slower. This might piss some people off.

But if you don’t need a “hurry” beverage at a moment’s notice, this might not cause significant issues for you.

In A Nutshell:

Magic Chef MCBR440S2 Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

When you are looking for an under cabinet refrigerator with heaps of features, the Magic Chef cooler, designed from stainless steel, will shine your eyes. And we will tell you why in a moment…

That’s because it has two adjustable glass shelves to create maximum convenience and utility when it comes down to storage.

What’s even more crucial when we are speaking of capacity is the included in-door gallon rack. This enables you to store even more substantial items and bottles (e.g., wines).

LED lights are also added so you can easily access any cold beverage during night time. When it comes to cooling drinks down, one sentence is enough – it does quite an excellent job of keeping your beverages cold because of its modern system.

Keep In Mind:

If you are used to a regular-sized refrigerator, doing a decent job in chilling and cooling your beverages, you might find this one obsolete in terms of keeping drinks cold.

However, it’s perfectly suitable for crisp beverages in the office or in the garage.

In A Nutshell:

SPT BF-314U Under-Counter Beer Froster

Why We Picked:

One of the most attractive under-counter beverage cooler on the market right now. On top of that, the storage is also immense. The SPT cooler can handle a substantial amount of beverages, bottles, and drinks.

That way, you don’t have to worry about what to put in first due to small storage capacity. It is more significant than a regular under-counter refrigerator.

However, it fits incredibly well in your kitchen, garage, or kid’s room. And another cool feature is the temperature memory loss card, as you know from the previous model, in the odd case when power fails, the cooler can recover its last temperature and keep your beverages cold.

Keep In Mind:

Some customers complain about the cooler, being quite noisy and annoying people. However, to put your mind at ease, an active fan can be installed to prevent the infuriating noise.

In A Nutshell:

Kenmore 99059 Compact Mini Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

You aren’t keen on large storage capacity refrigerators; however, you need a quietest refrigerator to cool down beverages quicker than usual…

The perfect option for you would be the Kenmore 99059 mini-refrigerator. It is incredibly compact, coming with two adjustable shelves, tall bottle storage, and a handy can dispenser, all helping you keep your items organised.

Keep In Mind:

Not the best option for people looking for ample storage.

However, if you already have an ordinary refrigerator where you keep most of your items, then this small beverage fridge will play an incredible role in your bedroom when you need to take a cold beverage to relax and sleep.

In A Nutshell:

RCA RFR321-Black FBA Mini Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

The RCA mini refrigerator is quite similar to the Kendor 99059. The only main difference would be in the design and the materials. The RCA cooler also has removable shelves and a handy can dispenser on the door, so you can keep two large bottles there.

However, in terms of materials, this one is designed from stainless steel, which gives it a sleek look and makes it a good option for your office or bedroom.

Keep In Mind:

It is a rare scenario; however, it is worth mentioning. A minor downside that some customers complain about is a dent on the top of the refrigerator when ordered from Amazon.

To avoid that, here is a suggestion: Don’t cut, slide the securing straps off of the box. After doing that, remove the box from the unit.

That way, you have a chance of saving your under cabinet fridge from unnecessary dents.

In A Nutshell:

KingsBottle Under Counter Built-in Beverage Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

This will be the built in under counter beverage refrigerators for you if you are searching for triple-layered glass to prevent fogging, keep the cold air inside and preventing outside air from coming in.

This beverage cooler is built from stainless steel to last longer than expected. On top of that, a sleek and shiny look is what happens in addition to the stainless steel design.

What’s the best part? A 2-year warranty of parts & labor is added to the package so you can put your mind at peace in the odd case when the refrigerator stops working.

Keep In Mind:

The front-venting design allows the refrigerator to be placed under the kitchen counter or as a free-standing cooler. Keep in mind when the fridge is set as a free-standing cooler, a space around the refrigerator is needed to avoid overheating.

In A Nutshell:

Haier Compact Refrigerator

Why We Picked:

Except for cold beverages, you can use that one for food too. Which makes it perfectly suitable for your kitchen. It comes with 2 removable shelves, increasing its versatility.

You can easily organize items in the mini fridge without any issues. It has a convenient can dispenser where you can store larger bottles.

Keep In Mind:

An annoying noise can occur with some models. To prevent this, you can install an active fan to keep the noise down and the airflow in the refrigerator consistent, so you can have your beverages cold as you like.

In A Nutshell:

Freestanding vs. Built-in Undercounter Refrigerator:

The main difference between both of these types of refrigerators is the design of the rear. Free-standing coolers can’t stand near walls due to their large steel condenser on the back of the fridge.

The condenser helps remove heat from the cooler, which is crucial when it comes down to cooling beverages. And if the condenser isn’t provided with the necessary space to operate, this can result in long-term issues in your refrigerator.

With built-in under-counter refrigerators, there are no such obligations. That’s because they have the condenser coils situated in the unit. You can place it under the counter of your kitchen, and it can fit perfectly creating an overall pleasant view. 

Different Types Of Under Counter Refrigerator:

Free-Standing Refrigerators:

The first type would be the free-standing refrigerators. As mentioned above, the foremost crucial thing you need to keep in mind is not to put the cooler near walls to avoid overheating. Which may cause substantial damages to the cooler.

Built-in Undercounter Refrigerators:

The built-in under-counter fridge come with a front-venting so you can place the cooler easily with a countertop and cabinets.

Beverage Center Undercounter Refrigerators:

The beverage center under-counter refrigerators are primarily designed to store wine. However, this doesn’t limit a beverage center cooler features. They can also be utilised to fit beverages and other drinks.

Under Counter Refrigerator Drawers:

Similar to the beverage centers, the under counter refrigerator drawers come with a built-in double drawer. This allows the cooler to handle several items such as boxes, yogurt, milk packs, and many more.

Best Under-counter Refrigerator Buying Tips:

When it comes to buying an under-counter refrigerator, some essential things add supremely to the final decision. Our task here is to get you familiar with those crucial components so you can find yourself with a high-quality under-counter refrigerator.

Size:

First and foremost, come to know the size of the refrigerator you are planning to buy. Since most under-counter coolers come with a built-in design, measure the place under your kitchen counter – height, width, and depth is all that matters.

By doing that, you ensure you will get the right pick for your kitchen style. And not acquiring some larger cooler that isn’t able to fit in without scratching your furniture.

Or on the other hand, getting a smaller refrigerator, creating large holes between the edges, making an unpleasant view.

However, if you are planning to buy a free-standing cooler, make sure there is enough space near it so you can avoid any unnecessary overheating. 

Capacity:

Make sure the refrigerator is capable of handling the items you are planning to put in it. Otherwise, you have a high chance of purchasing one that isn’t capable of supporting a large number of drinks and food.

Most coolers come with 2 or 3 adjustable shelves and a handy can dispenser at the door, so you can store large bottles.

Try searching under-counter refrigerators with these storage features so you can escape issues when it comes to handling a large number of items.

Airflow & Temperature:

Another highly important component that determines whether your beverages will be cold or not would be the temperature. Yes, you are probably saying “I know it’s the temperature…,” however, it’s not quite so simple, and I will tell you why in a moment.

There are still low-quality plate coolings that create discrepancies in the temperature ranges. This means the temperature at the top of the refrigerator could be with 15 degrees Fahrenheit colder or warmer than the bottom heat.

To avoid such unpleasant temperature fluctuations, make sure you are buying an under-counter cooler with an installed compressor that circulates the airflow effectively.

Types:

As we mentioned earlier, there are 4 types of under-counter refrigerators available on the market right now. Truth be told, it is quite a personal preference here. However, the most popular refrigerators are those with built-in design.

Design:

And last but not least important is the design that constructs the under-counter refrigerator. Most people prefer stainless steel due to its durable capabilities and beautiful sleek and shiny look it gives to the cooler. When placed in one of your rooms, it can create an attractive look, pleasant to the eye.

How To Install Best Undercounter Refrigerator In Your Kitchen:

We’ve made it simpler to install an under-counter refrigerator only by following a few straightforward steps: