Finding a counter-depth side-by-side refrigerator with a water dispenser takes careful checking: a shallow-looking cabinet is not always sold as counter-depth, and door handles can affect how far a fridge projects into your kitchen. Of the five options below, three are side-by-side models; the Electactic has the shallowest stated depth, but its listing does not identify it as counter-depth. The LG and Verona are counter-depth alternatives, but both use French-door layouts. Compare the listed dimensions with your available space before choosing.

The picks below focus on dispenser type, storage, cooling features, and fit. For an especially flush installation, confirm the refrigerator’s full dimensions—including doors and handles—with the manufacturer or seller.

Quick Comparison

ProductLayoutCapacityWater and iceFit notes
Kenmore 29 cu. ft. Side-by-Side RefrigeratorSide-by-side29 cu. ft.External filtered water and ice dispenser36 inches wide; depth not supplied
Amana 24.6 cu. ft. Side-by-Side RefrigeratorSide-by-side24.57 cu. ft.External ice and water dispenser34.12 inches deep; not identified as counter-depth
Electactic 18.1 cu. ft. Side-by-Side RefrigeratorSide-by-side18.1 cu. ft.Door dispenser for water and cubed or crushed ice26.38 inches deep; counter-depth status not stated
LG 36-inch Counter-Depth MAX French Door RefrigeratorFrench doorListed as 26 cu. ft.External water and ice dispenser; dual ice makersCounter-depth model; 31.62 inches deep
Verona 36-inch Counter-Depth French Door RefrigeratorFrench door20.2 cu. ft.Internal water dispenser and automatic ice makerCounter-depth model; dimensions not supplied

Our Picks: Best Counter Depth Side By Side Refrigerator With Water Dispenser reviews

Kenmore 29 cu. ft. Side-by-Side: Best for Maximum Storage

The Kenmore is a full-size side-by-side built around generous storage. Its 29-cubic-foot capacity and 36-inch width may suit a busy household that wants room for weekly groceries, meal-prep ingredients, and larger packages. Adjustable glass shelves, four gallon-size door bins, and separate produce drawers give you several ways to organize everyday food.

The external dispenser provides filtered water and ice, while the ice maker is tucked into the freezer door to preserve freezer shelf space. Kenmore also lists Accela Chill and Accela Freeze functions for cooling or freezing newly added items, plus a Multi-Flow Air System intended to circulate air across the shelves. Those features make it a well-equipped option if capacity and convenient access matter more than a particularly shallow profile.

The main fit concern is that the supplied product details do not give the refrigerator’s depth or call it counter-depth. Its 36-inch width alone is not enough to tell whether it will sit near-flush with your cabinets. Measure your opening and confirm the full product dimensions before ordering.

Pros:

  • Large 29-cubic-foot capacity
  • External dispenser offers filtered water and ice
  • Door-mounted ice maker helps preserve freezer shelf space
  • Adjustable glass shelves and gallon-size bins support flexible storage

Cons:

  • Counter-depth fit is not established by the supplied specifications
  • Depth dimensions are not provided here, so fit needs extra verification

Verdict: Choose the Kenmore if you want a spacious side-by-side with an external dispenser, but verify its depth carefully if a counter-depth fit is essential.

Amana 24.6 cu. ft. Side-by-Side: A Straightforward Dispenser Option

This Amana is a conventional side-by-side with an external ice and water dispenser and 24.57 cubic feet of listed capacity. Its size sits between the large Kenmore and more compact Electactic, giving you a middle ground if you want side-by-side access without choosing the biggest model in this group.

The supplied dimensions are 34.12 inches deep, 35.87 inches wide, and 69.25 inches high. That depth is useful for an initial fit check, but the listing does not identify the refrigerator as counter-depth. The details also list wire shelves and touch controls. Information about its dispenser filtration, special cooling modes, and interior organization is limited, so check the full listing if those details matter to you.

Compared with the Kenmore, the Amana has less listed capacity and fewer specified organization features. It may be worth considering if its dimensions suit your kitchen and you prefer a familiar side-by-side layout with external dispensing. Do not assume it will align with cabinet fronts based on the product name alone.

Pros:

  • Side-by-side layout with external ice and water dispensing
  • Midrange capacity among the side-by-side options here
  • Listed dimensions support a more specific preliminary fit check

Cons:

  • At 34.12 inches deep, it is not presented as a counter-depth model
  • Supplied details offer limited information about filtration and storage features

Verdict: The Amana is a sensible option to compare if you want a standard side-by-side and its listed dimensions work, but it is not the clearest match for a counter-depth requirement.

Electactic 18.1 cu. ft. Side-by-Side: Shallowest Listed Depth

Among the three side-by-side models in this comparison, the Electactic has the shallowest stated depth at 26.38 inches. It measures 35.83 inches wide and 69.69 inches high, with 18.1 cubic feet of total capacity split between a 12.1-cubic-foot refrigerator and a 6-cubic-foot freezer. That makes it the most promising side-by-side to investigate for a tighter space, although the listing does not call it counter-depth.

The door dispenser is described as providing water and cubed or crushed ice. Other listed features include a total no-frost system, inverter compressor, adjustable slide-out shelves, LED lighting, a door-open alarm, and a child lock. The stated operating noise level is 45 dB. Its smaller capacity may be a worthwhile trade-off if a shallower body matters more to you than the Kenmore’s larger storage volume.

The product information describes a stainless-steel look rather than establishing the exact finish material. The listing also notes a one-year warranty. One practical setup detail is to check the instructions for the water filter before using the dispenser. As with any refrigerator, compare the listed depth with the way the manufacturer measures it and account for doors, handles, clearance, and ventilation before treating it as a counter-depth fit.

Pros:

  • Shallowest stated depth among the side-by-side choices here
  • Dispenses water and cubed or crushed ice
  • Lists total no-frost cooling, an inverter compressor, and adjustable shelves
  • Includes a door-open alarm and child lock

Cons:

  • Smaller capacity than the Kenmore and Amana
  • The supplied listing does not identify it as a counter-depth model

Verdict: If you want a side-by-side and need to investigate a shallower fit, the Electactic is the strongest starting point in this group—but confirm its installation requirements before buying.

LG Counter-Depth MAX French Door: A Larger Layout Alternative

The LG is the only option here that combines an explicitly stated counter-depth design with an external water and ice dispenser, but it is a French-door refrigerator—not a side-by-side. Its 36-inch width and 31.62-inch listed depth may make it a better fit for shoppers who value a shallower built-in look and are open to a different layout. The listing describes the capacity as 26 cubic feet, while its measurement details also show 25.5 cubic feet, so verify the current specifications if capacity is a deciding factor.

This model includes dual ice makers, adjustable shelving, and Wi-Fi connectivity through LG ThinQ, with remote monitoring and alerts listed among its features. The bottom freezer drawer differs from the vertical freezer compartment in a side-by-side, so think about how you store frozen food and how you prefer to reach it. Its listed warranty covers one year for parts and labor, with additional coverage described for the sealed system and compressor.

Owner experiences supplied with the product information are mixed: some describe useful storage and cooling, while others report difficult service experiences. That does not establish how any individual unit will perform, but it makes warranty terms and local service access sensible points to check before purchase. If a true side-by-side layout is a must, this is not the right match despite its dispenser and counter-depth designation.

Pros:

  • Explicitly described as counter-depth
  • External water and ice dispenser with dual ice makers
  • Wi-Fi features include remote monitoring and alerts
  • Listed dimensions give a useful starting point for fit planning

Cons:

  • French-door layout, not side-by-side
  • Supplied owner experiences include concerns about service and repairs

Verdict: Consider the LG if counter-depth fit and an external dispenser matter more than a side-by-side layout, and review warranty and service details before deciding.

Verona Counter-Depth French Door: Best for an Internal Dispenser

The Verona is another layout alternative rather than a side-by-side: it is a 36-inch counter-depth French-door refrigerator with 20.2 cubic feet of listed capacity. Its water dispenser is inside the refrigerator, which keeps the exterior cleaner-looking but means you open the door to fill a glass. It also has an automatic ice maker.

Its listed interior features include adjustable glass shelves, a full-width chiller zone, and gallon-size door bins. The product description also names Super Cool and Super Freeze functions for bringing the refrigerator or freezer to specified settings for a limited period, along with a frost-free system and touch controls. These features may appeal if you value organized fresh-food storage and a less busy door front over having an external water dispenser.

The trade-off is convenience: unlike the Kenmore, Amana, Electactic, and LG, the Verona does not provide water from an external door dispenser. Its dimensions are not included in the supplied information, so check the full measurements and installation clearances before planning a cabinet-fit purchase. It is also not a fit for shoppers who specifically require a side-by-side arrangement.

Pros:

  • Identified as a counter-depth model
  • Internal water dispenser and automatic ice maker
  • Adjustable glass shelves, chiller zone, and gallon-size door bin
  • Frost-free design with listed Super Cool and Super Freeze functions

Cons:

  • French-door layout, not side-by-side
  • Water dispenser is inside, not on the exterior door
  • Dimensions are not supplied in the provided product details

Verdict: Choose the Verona only if a counter-depth French-door layout and internal water dispenser suit your needs; it does not meet the external-dispenser or side-by-side parts of the target.

How to Choose a Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator With a Water Dispenser

Confirm the Layout You Actually Want

In a side-by-side refrigerator, fresh food and frozen food sit in vertical compartments beside each other. A French-door model has two fresh-food doors over a bottom freezer. They can have similar exterior widths, but their storage and access feel different. The Kenmore, Amana, and Electactic are side-by-side choices in this comparison; the LG and Verona are included as counter-depth French-door alternatives. If side-by-side is non-negotiable, focus on the first three.

Check the Full Fit, Not Just the Width

Measure the opening’s width, height, and depth, then compare those numbers with the refrigerator’s complete installation dimensions. Leave room for the doors to open, drawers to extend, and any clearance required for ventilation. Also check whether the listed depth includes handles and how far the doors project when open. A product described as shallow is not automatically a counter-depth model; confirm the fit with the manufacturer’s measurements and your kitchen’s layout.

Decide Whether You Need an External Dispenser

An external dispenser lets you fill a glass without opening the refrigerator, but it may take up room in the door and requires attention to water connections and filter compatibility. An internal dispenser keeps the exterior simpler but requires opening the door. The Kenmore, Amana, Electactic, and LG listings describe external dispensing. The Verona’s water dispenser is inside the refrigerator.

Match Capacity to Your Shopping Habits

Capacity is useful only if the interior suits the food you store. The Kenmore lists the most space in this group at 29 cubic feet; the Amana lists 24.57; the Electactic lists 18.1. A larger refrigerator may better suit households that buy in bulk, while a smaller one can be worth considering when room is limited. Look at shelf adjustability, door-bin size, produce storage, and freezer organization as well as the total capacity.

Compare Ice-Maker and Freezer Needs

Think about how often you use ice and what kind of ice you prefer. The Kenmore lists production of up to 3 pounds per day and a freezer-door ice maker. The Electactic’s description names cubed and crushed ice. The LG lists dual ice makers, while the Verona lists an automatic ice maker. Check the full product details for the exact dispenser controls, ice storage, and any water-filter requirements that matter to you.

Look Beyond the Feature List

Cooling modes, alarms, adjustable shelves, and smart features can add convenience, but they should not replace a fit check or a review of support terms. For example, the Electactic lists a door alarm and child lock; the LG lists app-connected features; and the Kenmore describes rapid cooling and freezing functions. Compare the features you will actually use, and read the current warranty and service information before making a final choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Electactic refrigerator officially counter-depth?

The supplied listing gives its depth as 26.38 inches, but does not identify it as a counter-depth model. Treat that measurement as a starting point, not a guarantee of a flush fit. Confirm the full installation dimensions and clearance needs before ordering.

Which option here is both side-by-side and explicitly labeled counter-depth?

None of the three side-by-side listings is explicitly identified as counter-depth in the supplied product details. The LG and Verona are labeled counter-depth, but both use French-door layouts.

Which refrigerator has the largest listed capacity?

The Kenmore has the largest listed capacity at 29 cubic feet. The Amana lists 24.57 cubic feet, and the Electactic lists 18.1 cubic feet. The LG listing gives 26 cubic feet in its title and description, while its measurement details also show 25.5 cubic feet.

Do all five models dispense water from the outside?

No. The Kenmore, Amana, Electactic, and LG are described with external water dispensers. The Verona’s dispenser is inside the refrigerator, so you need to open the door to get water.

What should I measure before buying?

Measure the opening’s width, height, and depth, and check door-swing and ventilation clearances. Compare those measurements with the full refrigerator dimensions, including handles and doors where specified. Also make sure you can open nearby cabinets and access interior drawers after installation.

Is a counter-depth French-door refrigerator a substitute for a side-by-side?

It may be a useful alternative if your main goal is a shallower appearance, but the storage layout is different. A French-door model has a bottom freezer, while a side-by-side has vertical refrigerator and freezer sections. Choose based on both your available space and how you prefer to access frozen food.

Final Recommendation

If you specifically want a side-by-side with an external water dispenser, the Kenmore offers the most listed storage, while the Electactic has the shallowest stated depth among the side-by-side options. Neither is identified as counter-depth in the supplied details, so verify its complete measurements before buying. The Amana is another standard-depth side-by-side to compare. If an explicitly labeled counter-depth design matters more than having a side-by-side layout, consider the LG for an external dispenser or the Verona for an internal one.

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