A beautifully designed kitchen will always need a functional, yet stylish refrigerator that preserves your fresh foods and keeps your ice cream deliciously frozen but that is also adaptable to fit into the integrated cabinets you’ve got designed in advance to keep your kitchen’s appliances, dishes and tools well organized and at hand.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the best, modern built-in/integrated refrigerators and the brands that produce them. If you’ve been searching for a built-in fridge for your home, take a tour of these 5 practical options before making your next purchase.

Below are the 5 best built-in fridge units:

The 5 Best Built-In Refrigerators

Bosch B36CL80SNS 20.5-Cu. Ft. French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator

Google’s Rating 4.6

Manufacturer, color, type: The internationally renowned Bosch features their Bosch 800 Series Smart Freestanding Counter Depth Refrigerator. A luxurious yet practical appliance that comes with all the advanced features that the Bosch-trademark includes in their refrigerating devices, such as their MultiAirFlow and Farm Fresh systems that allow the even distribution of cool air inside the fridge cavity, maintaining all your foods fresh for longer. It is made of stainless steel and comes in light grey color with a smooth finish.

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This built-in refrigerator measures 31.13 x 35.63 x 72 inches and weighs 350 pounds. Its overall capacity is 21 cubic feet, the refrigerator alone can store 15 cubic feet of fresh foods, and its freezer’s capacity is 6 cubic feet. This is a counter-depth refrigerator of freestanding installation of slender design specially designed to fit inside the counters of an integrated kitchen. It includes an inner adjustable flex bar. It has two French doors on the upper part and two bottom drawers for your convenience.

Efficiency, Energy Consumption: This is an Energy Star, UL and CSA certified appliance, its yearly electricity consumption is 568 kWh (Kilowatt per hour) and Bosch estimates your annual electricity cost in dollars for using this appliance at home would be $69. Other non-certified similar appliances can cost you 10, 20 dollars more per year of use. The Bosch B36CL80SNS uses 120 volts to operate, you can plug it into a common 115V/60Hz power supply.

Safety: It is good to remember that Energy Star is an environmentalist conscious program /organization that is currently run by the American government and the Department of Energy; these organizations are in charge of providing up to date information about the yearly energy consumption of home appliances and various electronics by using established /standardized methods. An Energy Star certified refrigerator is an energy-efficient one. 

Other features: This refrigerator includes an ice maker, (Enjoy the little pyramids of ice it builds!) and a filtered water dispatcher, make sure the kitchen cabinet/counter where it is going to be placed has a close water line to plug the fridge into. It features dual compressors and dual evaporators that are in charge of controlling cooling and humidity Also, you can manage your refrigerator’s features remotely using the Bosch app on your phone, as the appliance is capable to connect to a WIFI router.

SpecificationValue
Internal Capacity14.5-Cu. Ft.
Freezer Capacity6-Cu. Ft.
Total Capacity20.5-Cu. Ft.
Dimensions72″ x 35.62″ x 31.12″
Weight350 lbs.
Annual Energy Consumption568 kWh
Shelves5
Baskets/Bins2
Ice MakerYes
Defrost TypeFrost-free
Noise Level40 dBA
CertificationsEnergy Star® Qualified
Warranty1-year limited
Pros
  • Dual compressors and evaporators
  • Ice maker and water dispenser
  • Energy Star, CSA, UL-energy efficient
  • Bosch Farm Fresh and MultiAirFlow systems
  • Home Connect
  • Organized freezer drawers
  •  Full-width chiller drawer
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Ice maker has short lifespan
  • Warranty only lasts one year
Bosch B36CL80SNS 21-Cu. Ft. French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator
Bosch B36CL80SNS 21-Cu. Ft. French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator

GE Profile PVD28BYNFS 27.9-Cu. Ft. 4-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.5

Manufacturer, color, type: General Electric, always concerned about the latest trends in home appliance manufacturing features the GE Smart 4 Door French Door Refrigerator, a High-Tec appliance that includes many innovative improvements in its design; it comes with a door-in-door rotating door bin for easy access and storage of tall products like spring water, wine bottles, and with enough depth to keep your deli meat fresh and at hand. It includes an entire wall of the LED light. It is a counter-depth freestanding refrigerator. It comes in fingerprint resistant stainless-steel color that helps you to easily wipe away smudges.

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: The GE Smart 4 Door refrigerator measures 36.75 x 35.63 x 69.88 inches, it is a sturdy appliance that weighs 421 pounds. It has a great overall capacity of is 27.6 cubic feet, the refrigerator alone can store 15.7 cubic feet of refrigerated foods, and its freezer’s capacity is 8.57 cubic feet. It comes with an adjustable temperature drawer with a removable bin caddy and 4 glass shelves. This is a counter-depth refrigerator (built-in) of freestanding installation. It has two French doors on the top and two bottom drawers for easy access to the freezer and clear crisper drawers that help you keep your vegetables fresh and organized.

Efficiency, Energy Consumption: This refrigerator is Energy Star, UL certified. Its yearly electricity consumption is 722 kWh (Kilowatt per hour) with an estimated annual cost of $87 dollars. Bear in mind this is a big refrigerator of large storage capacity, other similar non-certified refrigerators can cost up to 94, 100 dollars per year of use. It needs a 115 Volt AC 60 Hz 15 or 20 amp fused power supply to properly operate (plug it into a 3-prong outlet). 

Safety: GE strongly advises handling your refrigerator with care, as this appliance contains R600a, an isobutane refrigerant, that is environmentally friendly but that can be highly flammable and explosive under abusive conditions.

Other features: This fancy refrigerator includes an ice maker, a Hands-free Autofill water dispatcher; GE’s exclusive TwinChill Evaporators that keep separate temperatures in the fresh food and the freezer sections, also, this refrigerator can be adjusted or monitored via a remote app as it can connect to your home’s WIFI. Make sure you connect the appliance to a cold-water supply, as it is required for the icemaker to function properly.

SpecificationValue
Internal Capacity15.7-Cu. Ft.
Freezer Capacity8.57-Cu. Ft.
Total Capacity27.9-Cu. Ft.
Dimensions36.75″ x 35.62″ x 70″
Weight388 lbs.
Annual Energy Consumption722 kWh
Shelves4
Baskets/Bins2
Ice MakerYes
Defrost TypeAutomatic
Noise Level (dBA)N/A
CertificationsENERGY STAR® Qualified
Warranty1-year limited
Pros
  • More spacious than many refrigerators
  • Low energy consumption
  • Works with Alexa and Google
  • Doesn’t need a hub
  • Includes ice and water dispenser
Cons
  • More expensive than standard refrigerators
  • Requires expensive filters
  • Freezer may not seal
  • Slow, noisy ice dispenser
  • Small tray in top drawer
GE Profile PVD28BYNFS 27.9-Cu. Ft. Smart 4-Door French Door Refrigerator w/ Door-in-Door
GE Profile PVD28BYNFS 27.9-Cu. Ft. Smart 4-Door French Door Refrigerator w/ Door-in-Door

LG LRFCS25D3S 25.1-Cu. Ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.4

Manufacturer, color, type: LG, a leader in electronics manufacturing features their LG 3-Door French Door Refrigerator, a top-of-the-line appliance that offers you great storage capacity without sacrificing the space of your well-designed kitchen counters. This is a fridge of standard-depth installation; it includes LG’s Smart Cooling technology that helps you maintain your foods fresher for longer. It comes in elegant stainless-steel color with a fingerprint and smudge-resistant finish.

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This LG French door built-in refrigerator is 68.63 inches tall, 32.75 inches wide, and has a deep capacity of 33 inches. It weighs 233 pounds; its complete capacity is 25.1 cubic feet. With an impressive fresh food capacity of 16.9 cubic feet and a very ample 8.3 cubic feet freezer. It has two French doors on top and a bottom drawer. It comes with a full-width Glide N’ Serve drawer, 4 glass shelves, and a very deep bottom freezer that can store vegetables, pizzas, meats with no problem.

Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The LG 3-Door French Door Refrigerator is Energy Star certified for low energy consumption. Its yearly electricity consumption is 608 kWh and LG estimates the annual electricity cost of this appliance for you would be $73 dollars, let’s keep in mind this is a deep refrigerator of great storage capacity that will save you money in the long run by sparing you frequent visits to the supermarket. It needs a common 115V/60Hz power supply to operate. (Three prong socket).

Safety: LG strongly advises to not place this built-in refrigerator next to other appliances that emit heat such as ovens, grills, or stoves, also, do not store it inside a hot cabinet that may get direct sun rays from the kitchen’s windows. Do not plug it into a socket that can be turned off with a switch, and finally, never use an extension cord with this appliance (or with any other refrigerator). The misuse of this appliance may result in a mechanical failure that won’t be covered by LG’s warranty.

Other features: This robust fridge has an integrated ice maker, among other great features such as a door alarm, hidden hinges, interior bright LED light, self-closing magnetic doors and it comes with LG’s Multi-Air Flow System integrated that optimizes the humidity levels for extra freshness. Also, LG gives a 10-year warranty on its Linear Compressor.

SpecificationValue
Internal Capacity16.9-Cu. Ft.
Freezer Capacity8.3-Cu. Ft.
Total Capacity25.1-Cu. Ft.
Dimensions35.5 x 32.75 ‎x 68.63 inches
Weight233.7 lbs.
Annual Energy Consumption608 kWh
Shelves2
Baskets/Bins6
Ice MakerSingle Ice Maker
Defrost TypeAutomatic/ Cycle
CertificationsEnergy Star
Warranty1 Year Parts and Labor, 5 Years Sealed System & Compressor (Parts & Labor)
Pros
  • Open door alarm
  • Ice maker
  • Offers 10-year warranty on linear compressor
  • LG MultiAirFlow system
Cons
  • Some have received defective or broken units
  • LG customer service slow to respond
  • Doors can be considered “clunky”
  • Decreased food storage space if doors can’t open fully
LG LRFCS25D3S 25.1-Cu. Ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator
LG LRFCS25D3S 25.1-Cu. Ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator
LG LRFCS25D3S 25.1-Cu. Ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator

KitchenAid KRMF706ESS 25.8-Cu. Ft. 5-Door French Door Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4

Manufacturer, color, type: The veteran KitchenAid company that is well known to be part of the Whirlpool corporation, has been releasing kitchen appliances of great quality for a century. They feature their Kitchen Aid French Door Refrigerator, a very stylish-unique-looking appliance that comes with 5 doors for great food organization/storage. This modern built-in fridge is equipped with KitchenAid’s Preserva Food Care System which uses 2 separate cooling systems to preserve your foods fresher, for longer. It comes in elegant stainless steel grey color with a smooth finish and platinum interiors.

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This practical built-in refrigerator measures 36 x 36.5 x 70 inches and weighs 406 pounds. This is a robust fridge of incredible depth and storage as its overall capacity is 25.8 cubic feet. The refrigerator alone can store 18.2 cubic feet of fresh foods, and its freezer’s capacity is 7.61 cubic feet. This 5-door refrigerator has 2 French fresh food doors, 5 glass shelves, 3 baskets, 2 easy-glide pantry drawers, and one bottom freezer drawer for you to have access to your frozen goods easily.

Efficiency, Energy Consumption: This refrigerator is UL listed and AHAM certified, its yearly electricity consumption is 767 kWh (Kilowatt per hour) and the estimated annual electricity cost in dollars for using this appliance would be $81, which is not much if we consider its large storage capacity. The Kitchen Aid French Door Refrigerator uses a 115V/60Hz power supply to operate and a three-prong socket to be plugged into.

Safety: AHAM is an association of home appliance manufacturers that are in charge of rating the sustainability standard in household refrigerating appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, mini coolers, and AC devices. This certification is intended for use by home appliance manufacturers, governments, retailers, sellers, and customers to identify/classify environmentally conscious products. 

Other features: This practical refrigerator includes an ice maker and a filtered water dispatcher, make sure you have a close water line to plug the fridge into. Its On-Dispenser digital controls provide you with easy/quick access to some features such as the open-door alarm, the Max Cool temperature, the Measured Fill, and Sabbath modes. Also, each inner drawer has different temperature modes depending on the foods you’d store in those, such as deli meats, vegetables, etc.

SpecificationValue
Internal Capacity18.15-Cu. Ft.
Freezer Capacity7.61-Cu. Ft.
Total Capacity25.8-Cu. Ft.
Dimensions36.25″ x 35.62″ x 70.12″
Weight394 lbs.
Annual Energy Consumption760 kWh
Shelves5
Baskets/Bins2
Ice MakerYes
Defrost TypeAutomatic
Noise LevelN/A
CertificationsUL-Certified
Warranty1-year limited
Pros
  • Great storage capacity
  • Preserva® Food Care System
  • AHAM certification for being environmentally friendly

 

Cons
  • Customers complain ice builds up and has to be manually defrosted

 

KitchenAid KRMF706ESS 25.8-Cu. Ft. 5-Door French Door Refrigerator
KitchenAid KRMF706ESS 25.8-Cu. Ft. 5-Door French Door Refrigerator

Thor Kitchen TRF2401U 5.4-Cu. Ft. Undercounter Double Drawer Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.1

Manufacturer, color, type: Thor Kitchen, (Not to be confused with Thor the RV brand) who is a leader in refrigerating appliances, releases their under-counter built-in refrigerator, the Thor Kitchen Indoor and Outdoor Double Drawer fridge, a very smart, standalone compact appliance that can easily fit under your kitchen counter or wet bar, saving space and allowing you to have your favorite foods at hand. It comes in elegant grey color with a glossy fingerprint- finish.

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This built-in small refrigerator measures ‎23.6 x 23.6 x 34 inches, it is a lightweight compact fridge that weighs 128 pounds. Its overall capacity is 5.3 cubic feet, ideal for your drinks or deli meats. It doesn’t have doors nor a freezer but two practical deep drawers for easy storage. The top drawer (fresh foods) comes with a wire basket for extra freshness when storing fruits or vegetables and a silicon pad. This model fits under almost any built-in kitchen counter. However, it is recommendable to measure your cabinets first with a tape measure before buying an under-the-counter fridge.

Efficiency, Energy Consumption: This appliance is ETL listed/certified for safety and optimal sanitarian conditions in its manufacture (ETL stands for Edison Testing Laboratories). The yearly electricity use of this small mini-fridge is barely 305 kWh (Kilowatt per hour) and the equivalent cost in dollars is $32. you can plug it into a common 115V/60Hz power supply.

Safety: This mini-fridge by Thor Kitchen is meant to be under-the-counter installed, which means, it is an appliance that will be at the easy access of small children and pets. To prevent the danger of entrapment, make sure the appliance is always plugged in, with its drawers closed. Getting a security lock for children for a built-in under-the-counter fridge is also a good idea.

Other features: This compact fridge comes with an elegant digital touch blue LED display for temperature adjustment, also, both drawers include energy-saving bright white LED lights that allow you to look at your stored foods, easily and even when the kitchen’s lights are off.

SpecificationValue
Internal Capacity5.36-Cu. Ft.
Freezer CapacityN/A
Total Capacity5.36-Cu. Ft.
Dimensions23.4″ x 23.5″ x 34.2″
Weight114 lbs.
Annual Energy Consumption305 kWh
Shelves0
Baskets/Bins2
Ice MakerNo
Defrost TypeN/A
Noise Level41 dBA
CertificationsCSA-Listed
Warranty2-years
Pros
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Easy undercounter fit
  • Yearly electricity consumption is low
  • Ideal for reduced spaces and cooling drinks
  • Indoor/ outdoor
Cons
  • No freezer
  • Some customer complaints about the appliance being too noisy for indoor use
  • Expensive buy for size
Thor Kitchen TRF2401U 5.4-Cu. Ft. Undercounter Double Drawer Refrigerator
Thor Kitchen TRF2401U 5.4-Cu. Ft. Undercounter Double Drawer Refrigerator

Whirlpool WRT518SZFM 17.7-Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator

Google’s Rating: 4.3

Manufacturer, color, type: The gigantic multinational Whirlpool has released a line of built-in refrigerators that fit beautifully in your kitchen’s cabinets. They feature the Whirlpool 18 cu. ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator. A nice appliance of slender design and affordable price that offers great storage options in its inner shelves, top freezer, and door storage. It can be ordered in a wide array of colors; black, fingerprint resistant black stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant metallic steel, stainless steel, and white.

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This built-in stylish refrigerator measures 67.4 x 28 x 31 inches and weighs 173 pounds. Its overall capacity is 17.6 cubic feet, the refrigerator fresh food compartment can store 13.7 cubic feet, and its freezer has a capacity of 3.98 cubic feet. It comes with 2 glass shelves and 2 Flexi-Slide baskets/bins which can be moved horizontally to rearrange products inside them. It comes in a 2-swing door design. (Top freezer and Refrigerator).

Efficiency, Energy Consumption: This is a UL-certified appliance, its yearly electricity consumption is 356 kWh, and the yearly cost would barely be $48. This Whirlpool fridge uses a 110V-grounded, 3-prong electrical outlet to properly operate. 

Safety: Whirlpool strongly advises to not cover vents or obstruct the power cord or the waterline your refrigerator may be connected to, once it has been placed into a counter or kitchen cabinet to avoid malfunctions in the appliance. Do not overload it, and don’t use extension cords with it.

Other features: This is a model that can get Whirlpool’s EZ Connect Ice Maker kit as an extra feature, (sold separately) it takes no more than 5 minutes to install it, for you and your family to enjoy cold beverages! Make sure your refrigerator is properly connected to a water line, before installing the kit and disconnected from the power supply. Also, make sure that once the additament has been installed, you test the ice in a sturdy, resistant glass.

SpecificationValue
Internal Capacity14-Cu. Ft.
Freezer Capacity4-Cu. Ft.
Total Capacity18-Cu. Ft.
Dimensions31.62″ x 28″ x 67.44″
Weight171 lbs.
Annual Energy Consumption400 kWh
Shelves2
Baskets/Bins1
Ice MakerOptional
Defrost TypeAutomatic
Noise LevelN/A
CertificationsUL-Listed
Warranty1-year limited
Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Compatible with EZ Connect Icemaker Kit
  • Energy-efficient
  • Comes in wide array of colors
  • Adjustable bins
  • Compact exterior
  • Plenty of storage space
Cons
  • Some customers have received broken or defective units
  • Some finishes show fingerprints.
  • Potential freezer seal issues
  • No light in freezer
Whirlpool WRT518SZFM 17.7-Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator
Whirlpool WRT518SZFM 17.7-Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator

Built-In Refrigerator Buying Guide

They are specially manufactured to fit almost all cabinets and kitchen counters or wet bars as usually, those are appliances of slender appearance that come with French doors and bottom freezers to help reduce spaces. 

They are usually freestanding-counter depth fridges that are tall (around 70 inches), they may measure between 30/48 inches wide and they have storage capacities between 20/27 cubic feet.

Undercounter Built-In Refrigerators 

Those tend to be much smaller than regular built-in ones. Such mini appliances are designed to fit under cabinets and wooden cooking surfaces. Most of those designs don’t come with French doors or any doors at all but practical drawers with inner baskets that allow you to reach out to the stored products just by diving your hand in them. 

Their storage capacity may vary between 5 to 10 cubic feet, some of these small under-the-counter fridges don’t include a freezer. 

Price & Installation of Built-In Refrigerators

Although most built-in integrated-style refrigerators have a standardized size, make sure you measure properly the empty cabinet space that you designed for the new fridge in advance. Use a tape measure and a pencil to mark the cabinets, write special notes or numbers you will need to remember later on when the refrigerator has arrived. Fortunately, most built-in refrigerators are of freestanding (counter depth) installation, making your integration task less difficult.

Built-in refrigerators are way more expensive than many freestanding, common ones. The prices for built-in refrigerators may fluctuate between $700 up to $3000 dollars. Let’s remember that due to their design, this particular type of refrigerator has almost to be manufactured/tailored to fit in most integrated kitchens. 

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FAQs

How do you install a built-in refrigerator?

As stated in the buying guide, most built-in refrigerators are designed to be freestanding (No further installation required) and counter depth, which means you will be in charge to have the AC outlet your fridge will need in an uncovered area, a water line available (if necessary) and the tools to modify/rearrange the counter in case the refrigerator doesn’t fit properly in it. Most refrigerators use a common AC three-prong outlet to properly operate (110, 115 Volts). Never use an extension cord or a multiple socket/ power supply that can be turned off with a switch.

Where do you buy a built-in refrigerator?

Check on Amazon for special prices and delivery options if you decide to purchase the built-in fridge online. Make sure you check the specs and measurements, as well as the reviews of other customers that have been using the appliance for months. Buying directly from the manufacturers, if possible, is also a good idea. Or check your closest department store, and take your measure tape with you, in case you want to physically measure the appliance at the store.

Do all built-in refrigerators have French doors?

Not all French door refrigerators are built-in and not all built-in refrigerators have French doors. The reason for most built-in fridges being equipped with French doors has to do with the fact that The French door style suits perfectly the idea of having a refrigerator that is permanently placed in a cabinet, as it is better to have a fridge with two frontal doors that open from the center and not swing doors that may open from left-to-right or vice versa. Nevertheless, there are many models of built-in refrigerators that don’t come in the French door style.

What is the advantage of buying a built-in refrigerator?

If you own an integrated kitchen that is already built and designed to adjust to your needs and you just need to buy the appliances, kitchen tools you need to be stored in the compartments, shelves, cabinets, or counters that adapt to your personal space, then a built-in or an under-the-counter refrigerator will be your best choice to have a very organized environment in your kitchen.
Although the appliance may seem like an expensive buy at the beginning, most of the models (if not all) presented in this list have at least a certification for low electricity consumption. In the end, whether this would be your only fridge or if it will be the second one ‘on board’ at home, in the long run, you won’t regret having a great slick refrigerator that keeps your foods fresh, fits on your counter and that will make you save money in the long run!

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