A counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator can keep fresh and frozen food easy to reach while giving your kitchen a more streamlined look. The right choice depends on more than width: storage capacity, door and drawer layout, ice and water features, and the space needed for installation all matter. These five options range from compact models to larger-capacity designs, so compare their listed dimensions and features with your kitchen before you buy.
Quick Comparison
| Refrigerator | Capacity | Standout features | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upstreman SBS188 | 18.8 cu. ft. | Inverter compressor, digital controls, adjustable storage | Shoppers who want a black finish and listed dimensions |
| Midea MRS25I7BST | 24.5 cu. ft. | AutoFill water pitcher, ice maker, fingerprint-resistant finish | Households prioritizing capacity and pitcher convenience |
| Frigidaire Professional | 22.3 cu. ft. | External ice and water dispenser, EvenTemp cooling, ENERGY STAR certification | Shoppers who want organized storage and dispenser access |
| KoolMore 33-Inch | 15.6 cu. ft. | Adjustable glass shelves, manual twist ice maker, ENERGY STAR certification | Kitchens needing a narrower refrigerator |
| Whirlpool WRSC5536RZ | Listed as 20.59 cu. ft. in the title | Freestanding design, adjustable wall-to-wall shelves | Shoppers who value flexible shelf space |
Our Picks: Best Counter Depth Refrigerator Side By Side reviews
Upstreman SBS188: Black Finish and Digital Controls
The Upstreman SBS188 is an 18.8-cubic-foot side-by-side refrigerator with a black stainless steel exterior. Its listed dimensions are 35.8 inches wide, 26.4 inches deep, and 69.7 inches high. Those measurements make it especially important to check your cabinet opening and surrounding clearance before ordering.
Inside, adjustable shelves, crisper drawers, and door bins give you several ways to organize groceries. A touch display provides temperature controls, while the product description lists a frost-free system and an inverter compressor. The stated energy use is 496 kWh per year, and the stated noise level is 45 dB.
This model may suit shoppers who want a dark finish and straightforward digital controls. Its listed capacity is lower than the Midea and Frigidaire options here, so larger households should compare usable storage carefully. Although the description says it can be used in built-in or freestanding setups, confirm the installation requirements and clearances for your kitchen before purchase.
Pros:
- Adjustable shelves, crisper drawers, and versatile door bins
- Digital temperature controls
- Black stainless steel exterior
- Listed dimensions help with planning a tighter kitchen layout
Cons:
- Less listed capacity than the Midea and Frigidaire models
- Installation fit and clearance should be checked carefully
Verdict: Choose the Upstreman if its black finish, controls, and listed size suit your kitchen, but compare its capacity and installation details with your needs first.
Midea MRS25I7BST: The Largest Listed Capacity
The Midea MRS25I7BST has a listed capacity of 24.5 cubic feet, the largest figure among these five picks. It pairs a stainless finish with an AutoFill water pitcher and an ice maker. The fingerprint-resistant finish may also be useful in a busy kitchen where appliance surfaces get handled often.
The pitcher is a different approach from an external water dispenser: check the full product details to understand how it fits your routine and what installation or maintenance it requires. The supplied specifications do not provide dimensions, shelf details, energy use, or temperature controls, so those are important points to verify before deciding whether it fits your space and needs.
This model is worth considering if you want more listed storage and like the idea of an automatically filled pitcher. Its feature summary is brief compared with some alternatives, making it harder to compare interior organization and installation from the information provided alone.
Pros:
- Largest listed capacity in this comparison
- Includes an ice maker and AutoFill water pitcher
- Fingerprint-resistant stainless finish
Cons:
- Dimensions and detailed interior layout are not provided here
- Pitcher setup may not suit shoppers who prefer an external dispenser
Verdict: The Midea is a strong capacity-focused option, provided its dimensions, pitcher setup, and interior details check out for your kitchen.
Frigidaire Professional: External Ice and Water Access
This Frigidaire Professional side-by-side offers 22.3 cubic feet of counter-depth storage, divided into 14.3 cubic feet for fresh food and 8 cubic feet for the freezer. Its external dispenser provides filtered water and cube or crushed ice without opening the refrigerator door.
EvenTemp cooling is designed to maintain consistent temperatures throughout both compartments. For fresh-food organization, the model includes CrispSeal Plus crispers with sealed humidity control and a dedicated deli drawer. The product information also lists ENERGY STAR certification and ADA compliance.
Compared with the Midea, the Frigidaire has less listed capacity but provides more detail about its storage layout and dispenser. It may suit households that use ice and chilled water often and want designated spaces for produce and deli items. Check the refrigerator’s dimensions and required clearances before choosing it, as those measurements are not included in the supplied product details.
Pros:
- External filtered-water and cube-or-crushed-ice dispenser
- Separate fresh-food and freezer capacity figures
- Humidity-controlled crispers and a dedicated deli drawer
- Listed as ENERGY STAR certified and ADA compliant
Cons:
- Listed capacity is lower than the Midea’s
- Dimensions are not provided in the supplied details
Verdict: Pick the Frigidaire if a convenient external dispenser and clearly described fresh-food organization matter more to you than maximum listed capacity.
KoolMore 33-Inch: A Narrower, Lower-Capacity Choice
The KoolMore is a 33-inch-wide counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator with 15.6 cubic feet of listed total storage. The product details break that down into 9.54 cubic feet for the refrigerator and 6.08 cubic feet for the freezer, making it the smallest-capacity option in this comparison.
Its interior includes eight adjustable glass shelves, four storage drawers, door bins, and egg trays. The manual twist ice maker makes up to 12 cubes per cycle and can store up to 2 pounds of ice. This is a more hands-on setup than an external dispenser, but it may appeal if you prefer a simpler ice-making arrangement.
The model is listed as ENERGY STAR certified and CSA certified, with a one-year parts-and-labor warranty. Its narrower width may help when a wider refrigerator will not fit, but the lower capacity means it is best suited to smaller households or kitchens where space matters more than bulk storage.
Pros:
- 33-inch width may work in a narrower opening
- Adjustable shelves and multiple drawers support flexible organization
- Includes a manual twist ice maker
- Listed as ENERGY STAR and CSA certified with a one-year warranty
Cons:
- Lowest listed capacity among these options
- Ice maker requires manual operation
Verdict: Consider the KoolMore if your kitchen needs a 33-inch model and its modest capacity is enough for your household.
Whirlpool WRSC5536RZ: Flexible Wall-to-Wall Shelving
The Whirlpool WRSC5536RZ is a 36-inch freestanding side-by-side refrigerator with a stainless finish and a counter-depth design. Its listing describes frameless, adjustable glass shelves that extend wall to wall, a layout that can make it easier to arrange different-sized groceries across the shelf space.
There is a capacity discrepancy in the supplied product details: the title lists 20.59 cubic feet, while the description says 20.85 cubic feet. Confirm the correct capacity with the seller or product documentation before comparing it closely with other models. The supplied details do not specify ice or water features, so check those as well if they are important to you.
This Whirlpool may suit shoppers who want a freestanding design and adjustable shelving without a long list of specialty features. It is less detailed than the Frigidaire on temperature and dispenser functions, so buyers looking for those features should compare the specifications carefully.
Pros:
- 36-inch freestanding design
- Adjustable frameless glass shelves extend wall to wall
- Counter-depth profile is intended to integrate with surrounding cabinetry
Cons:
- Supplied capacity figures conflict
- Ice and water features are not specified in the supplied details
Verdict: The Whirlpool is worth considering for its adjustable shelf layout, but confirm the correct capacity and any desired dispenser features before buying.
How to Choose a Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Measure the opening and installation space
Measure the height, width, and depth of the refrigerator opening, then compare those numbers with the product’s full dimensions. Also account for the space needed to open both doors and pull out drawers. Counter-depth models are designed to sit closer to surrounding cabinets, but that does not guarantee every part will line up flush. Check the installation instructions and clearance requirements for the specific model.
Choose capacity for your household
Compare both total capacity and the space assigned to the refrigerator and freezer. A larger total figure may help if you store plenty of groceries, while a smaller model may make more sense when your kitchen opening is limited. Consider what you buy regularly, including tall containers, frozen foods, and bulky packages, rather than choosing by capacity alone.
Think about the side-by-side layout
A side-by-side design keeps the refrigerator and freezer compartments next to each other, so you can reach both without moving between upper and lower doors. The trade-off is that each compartment is narrower than a full-width compartment in some other refrigerator styles. Check shelf width and door-bin layout if you often store wide platters or large frozen items.
Compare ice and water options
These models use different approaches. The Frigidaire has an external dispenser for filtered water and cube or crushed ice; the Midea lists an AutoFill water pitcher and ice maker; and the KoolMore uses a manual twist ice maker. The supplied details do not specify ice or water features for every model, so confirm the product listing if these functions are important to you.
Check shelf and drawer flexibility
Adjustable shelves and a mix of door bins and drawers can make a refrigerator easier to organize around your routine. Look for details that match the foods you store, such as humidity-controlled crispers, a deli drawer, or shelves that can be repositioned. The Frigidaire and KoolMore provide specific information about their drawer or shelf arrangements, while details vary for the other options.
Review energy and operating details
Look for energy information and certifications in the product specifications, and compare them across the models you are considering. The supplied information lists ENERGY STAR certification for the Frigidaire and KoolMore, and gives the Upstreman’s stated annual energy use. Do not assume that models without those details have the same efficiency; verify the complete specifications before purchase.
Confirm the finish and care needs
Exterior finishes affect the look of your kitchen and how often fingerprints may show. The Midea is listed with a fingerprint-resistant stainless finish, while the Upstreman has a black stainless steel exterior. Check the care instructions for the finish you choose, and consider how well it will coordinate with your other appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does counter-depth mean?
Counter-depth describes a refrigerator designed to project less into the kitchen than a deeper standard model. The exact fit depends on the cabinet opening, doors, handles, and required installation clearances, so check the full dimensions rather than relying on the label alone.
Is a side-by-side refrigerator a good choice for a small kitchen?
It can be, particularly if a narrower model fits your opening or you want access to both fresh and frozen food without a top-and-bottom layout. Compare the product’s width and depth with your available space, and remember that side-by-side compartments are relatively narrow.
Which model has the most listed capacity?
The Midea MRS25I7BST has the largest listed capacity in this comparison at 24.5 cubic feet. Check its full dimensions and interior layout before choosing it, since those details are not included in the supplied specifications.
Which option has an external water and ice dispenser?
The Frigidaire Professional is listed with an external dispenser for filtered water and cube or crushed ice. The Midea instead lists an AutoFill water pitcher and an ice maker, while the KoolMore has a manual twist ice maker.
Which refrigerator is the narrowest?
The KoolMore is listed as 33 inches wide, narrower than the 36-inch models in this selection. Confirm its full dimensions and installation clearances against your kitchen opening before ordering.
Do these models all include an ice maker?
The supplied details list an ice maker for the Midea and manual twist ice maker for the KoolMore. The Frigidaire lists an external ice dispenser. Ice-maker information is not provided here for the Upstreman or Whirlpool, so check their complete product specifications.
Final Recommendation
The Frigidaire Professional is the most balanced pick if you want a detailed storage layout, external filtered water and ice, and listed ENERGY STAR certification. Choose the Midea if its higher listed capacity and AutoFill pitcher appeal to you, or the KoolMore if a 33-inch width is your main need. Before choosing any of them, verify dimensions, door clearance, and the features that matter most in your kitchen.