As the name would suggest, a counter depth side by side fridge features two doors that swing out sideways. You'll find the freezer compartment behind the left door and the refrigerator compartment behind the right door. They offer the same storage as full-size French door refrigerators, but they stretch down to the floor and are typically less than 30 inches deep, so they won’t stick out past the kitchen counters and cabinets.
Leftovers, produce, and beverages can go up front near eye level, and the rest of your refrigerated items can be neatly tucked away in a bin that you can access without hunching over. You'll benefit from an equally spacious freezer section, and side by side models almost always include a built-in water and ice dispenser to add another level of convenience.
If you’re ready to upgrade your refrigerator, the experts at Big Sandy are here to help you find the best side by side counter depth refrigerator. We've compiled a helpful list of our favorite fridge models from two of the most trusted brands: Samsung and Beko.
The Best Side by Side Counter Depth Refrigerators
Let’s jump right in and explore our list of popular side by side counter depth refrigerators.
Best Overall Side by Side Counter Depth Refrigerator: Samsung Stainless Steel Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerator (RS22T5561SR)
Samsung’s spacious counter depth side by side refrigerator is beautifully designed with a built-in look for a seamless fit in your kitchen. It offers a smooth and streamlined exterior design with a minimal display dispenser and easy to open recessed handles that blend beautifully into your cabinetry, adding function and style to your culinary space.
Family fun is front and center with the built-in Family Hub screen equipped with WiFi connectivity. You can easily share photos, stream music, plan meals, and so much more, all from your refrigerator. The Family Board acts as a digital photo album, and you can leave personalized notes for family members with pictures, emojis, or voice messaging.
Finally, the fingerprint-resistant finish will enhance the look of your appliance, LED lighting illuminates your fridge so you can quickly spot what you want, and flexible storage is made possible by an in-door ice maker, adjustable shelves, and gallon door bins that easily house whatever you need.
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Best Overall Side by Side Counter Depth Refrigerator: Beko Fingerprint Free Stainless Steel Side by Side Refrigerator (BFSB3622SS)
You can keep enough refrigerated favorites on hand with this spacious 36-inch Beko side by side refrigerator. With refreshing technologies like EverFresh+, Active Fresh blue lighting, zone temperature adjustability, and fresh-air IonGuard technology, you can preserve your foods for longer and avoid throwing them out. Find a place for everything on the safety-glass shelves crispers drawers, or wine racks, and stock up on groceries like a professional chef while conserving energy with an Energy Star certified unit.
With meticulous temperature management and precise humidity control, EverFresh+ technology keeps fresh food fresher three times longer than the average refrigerator — for up to 30 days. NeoFrost dual cooling chills twice as fast with two separate cooling systems that maintain optimal humidity in the fridge, while keeping the freezer dry and frost-free.
The Active Fresh light simulates natural lighting conditions, extending the photosynthesis process into your refrigerator so fruits and vegetables stay fresh up to 30 percent longer, while an automatic ice maker generates six pounds of ice per day, avoiding the need to fill old-fashioned ice trays by hand.
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Best Side by Side Counter Depth Refrigerator: Samsung Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerator (RS22T5201SR)
Samsung has made our list of top counter depth side by side refrigerators once again. A refrigerator should be equally beautiful as it is useful, and a fingerprint-resistant finish maintains a glowing design that benefits your kitchen in more ways than one.
The counter depth design gives your kitchen a built-in look without the cost and hassle of an actual built-in unit, recessed handles and the display ice dispenser bring elegance and easy access, and adjustable top shelves can be easily lifted to fit taller items and provide flexible storage.
Beyond the basics, WiFi connectivity is essential for safety and energy conservation. You’ll receive immediate notifications if the temperature drops due to a power outage or if you accidentally leave the door open and release the cold air.
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Counter Depth vs Standard Depth Refrigerators
While installation options are unique to each kitchen layout and the individual’s preferences, we prefer a counter depth design because it provides a clean, custom look and feel. However, the storage capacity of a standard depth refrigerator can be more appealing for everyday use. If you are replacing a dated refrigerator and want to conserve space in your kitchen, we recommend a counter depth side by side fridge. If you need additional storage space to fit the needs of a large family, then a standard depth side by side fridge might better suit your needs.
Benefits of Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerators
Besides offering a streamlined look, many people gravitate toward a counter depth side by side fridge because it gives your kitchen a smooth and uniform profile. The refrigerator won’t protrude several inches into the walkway, and you’ll have convenient access to the contents inside.
It's easy to find items inside a counter depth refrigerator because it requires less bending to access ingredients from both the fridge and freezer compartments. The same goes for cleaning your appliance — the full-length vertical design allows you to empty, organize, and clean your appliance much easier than other models.
We mentioned side by side counter depth fridges are better for traffic flow because they’re neatly tucked behind the counters, but they also provide unique storage solutions that might not be possible on a standard depth fridge. Since they are wider than similar fridge models, they can store wider food trays and baking sheets, and it can be easier to organize food in the built-in door bins.
Know Before You Buy
While a side by side refrigerator is a fine investment if you’re intent on a streamlined look, be aware, you will lose some countertop space and may pay a slightly higher price for a counter depth design. If this doesn’t turn you away, then be on the lookout for some of these appliance features and considerations before you make your next purchase.
- Door Design: Door designs can include smart screens, door-in-door design, external water dispenser, and so on, as well as a multitude of trim and finish options.
- Food Storage: An average side by side refrigerator is slim but spacious, with an average of 25 cubic feet of storage space. This will comfortably store food for a family of four.
- Organization Features: Organization options can include adjustable shelves, gallon door bins, crisper drawers, and deli baskets. Be sure your fridge is spacious enough to fit your current and future storage needs.
- Smart Features: WiFi-compatible side by side refrigerators might feature a large built-in screen that can set timers, provide recipe recommendations, update your grocery list, and even play TV shows.
- Ice maker: Part of the door design, a factory-installed ice maker will ensure clean, crisp-tasting ice for all your favorite beverages.
Shop All Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerators
If you want to upgrade your kitchen with a brand-new fridge, Big Sandy is your home for the best side by side counter depth refrigerators. With the largest selection of refrigeration appliances in the Midwest, you’re bound to find side by side refrigerators with the features you need to conquer any cooling need.
If you have any questions, feel free to call our experts at 1-888-610-2449 or visit us at any of our various store locations across Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri.