Choosing a counter-depth fridge under a standard kitchen footprint usually means balancing a cleaner fit against storage space. In this lineup, I’d start with the Hamilton Beach HBF1770 for its larger 17.7 cu. ft. capacity and French-door layout, consider the Summit FFBF181ES2IM if a narrow 24-inch opening and built-in ice maker matter most, and look at the Sharp SJB1255GS when reversible doors and a convertible drawer suit a smaller kitchen.
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The central tradeoff is clear: the two 24-inch models are easier to place in tight kitchens but hold only about 11.5 to 11.7 cu. ft. The Hamilton Beach offers substantially more room, though its nearly 30-inch width and 29.21-inch depth require a larger opening and a careful fit check. I rank these picks by how well their capacity, dimensions, and layout serve distinct kitchen needs—not by treating every counter-depth design as interchangeable.
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Key Takeaways
- The Hamilton Beach HBF1770 has the largest stated capacity at 17.7 cu. ft., but its 29.88-inch width makes it a different fit from the two 24-inch models.
- The Summit FFBF181ES2IM combines a 23.38-inch width with a factory-installed ice maker, though its right-hinged door may constrain placement.
- The Sharp SJB1255GS is the only model listed with reversible doors, a useful advantage when nearby walls or cabinets restrict the swing direction.
- Both compact models have roughly 11.5 cu. ft. of capacity; households stocking large weekly shops should weigh that limit before prioritizing a slim footprint.
- The Hamilton Beach offers two humidity-controlled crisper drawers and a two-drawer freezer, while the Sharp’s three freezer drawers separate frozen items into smaller zones.
| Hamilton Beach HBF1770 French Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator with Bottom Freezer, 17.7 cu. ft., Stainless Steel |  | Best Overall for More Capacity | Capacity: 17.7 cu. ft. | Dimensions: 29.88 in. W × 29.21 in. D × 70.08 in. H | Configuration: French door with bottom freezer | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Summit 24-Inch Counter-Depth Refrigerator-Freezer with Ice Maker, Stainless Steel (FFBF181ES2IM) |  | Best for a Narrow Kitchen with Built-In Ice | Capacity: 11.7 cu. ft. | Dimensions: 78.38 in. H × 23.38 in. W × 23.75 in. D | Configuration: Freezer-on-bottom | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Sharp SJB1255GS 11.5 cu. ft. Counter-Depth Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator |  | Best for Flexible Door Placement | Capacity: 11.5 cu. ft. | Freezer capacity: 4.2 cu. ft. | Width: 24 in. | VIEW ON AMAZON | See Our Full Breakdown |
| counter depth fridge under | Capacity | Configuration | Dimensions | Freezer storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach HBF1770 French | 17.7 cu. ft. | French door with bottom freezer | 29.88 in. W × 29.21 in. D × 70.08 in. H | — |
| Summit 24-Inch Counter-Depth R | 11.7 cu. ft. | Freezer-on-bottom | 78.38 in. H × 23.38 in. W × 23.75 in. D | Two freezer drawers |
| Sharp SJB1255GS 11.5 cu. ft. C | 11.5 cu. ft. | Bottom freezer, two doors | — | 3 drawers |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Hamilton Beach HBF1770 French Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator with Bottom Freezer, 17.7 cu. ft., Stainless Steel
I rank the Hamilton Beach HBF1770 first because it addresses the main frustration with compact counter-depth refrigerators: limited room for groceries. Its stated 17.7 cu. ft. capacity is substantially larger than the Summit’s 11.7 cu. ft. and the Sharp’s 11.5 cu. ft. That difference can matter more than a slim profile if you shop for a household or want space for meal prep and fresh produce.
The French-door arrangement keeps the refrigerator section across the upper portion, while the bottom freezer uses two pull-out drawers with four bins. Compared with the Sharp’s three freezer drawers, Hamilton Beach gives you a different kind of separation: two larger pull-out levels with bins for grouping frozen food. Up top, adjustable glass shelves, gallon-size door bins, and two humidity-controlled crispers provide more flexibility than the Sharp’s listed two plastic shelves. LED lighting and an interior digital control panel round out the everyday setup.
Its ranking comes with a fit caveat. At 29.88 inches wide and 29.21 inches deep, it is not the narrow 24-inch choice represented by the Summit and Sharp. The supplied description calls it counter-depth, but its actual projection may still differ from your counter once handles and installation clearance are included. I would measure the opening and check the manufacturer’s installation requirements before choosing it. Its one-year warranty is also listed, so buyers comparing warranty coverage should review the current terms directly.
This is the strongest pick for buyers who need more food space but still want a refrigerator described as counter-depth. It is less suitable for a small galley kitchen or a cabinet opening sized specifically for a 24-inch refrigerator. If the narrowest footprint is the priority, the Summit and Sharp are easier candidates; if capacity leads, Hamilton Beach has the clearest advantage.
Pros:- Largest stated capacity in this lineup at 17.7 cu. ft.
- French doors and adjustable glass shelves offer flexible access to refrigerator storage.
- Two humidity-controlled crispers help separate produce.
- Bottom freezer uses two pull-out drawers and four bins for sorting frozen food.
Cons:- Its 29.88-inch width is much greater than the 24-inch Summit and Sharp models.
- At 29.21 inches deep, the exact installed projection should be checked against cabinetry and counter edges.
- The listed one-year warranty may be less appealing to buyers seeking longer included coverage.
Best for: Households that want more fresh and frozen storage than a 24-inch compact refrigerator can provide and have room for a nearly 30-inch-wide unit.
Not ideal for: Buyers with a 24-inch refrigerator opening, very limited floor space, or a firm requirement for a narrower appliance.
- Capacity:17.7 cu. ft.
- Dimensions:29.88 in. W × 29.21 in. D × 70.08 in. H
- Configuration:French door with bottom freezer
- Refrigerator shelves:3 adjustable, full-width slide-out glass shelves
- Crisper storage:2 half-width humidity-controlled drawers
- Freezer:2 pull-out drawers with 4 bins
- Controls and lighting:Interior digital display and LED lighting
- Defrost and voltage:Frost-free; 120 V
Our verdict“I’d choose the Hamilton Beach when storage capacity matters more than achieving the narrowest possible counter-depth fit.”
Summit 24-Inch Counter-Depth Refrigerator-Freezer with Ice Maker, Stainless Steel (FFBF181ES2IM)
The Summit FFBF181ES2IM is my pick for a buyer who needs a genuinely narrow appliance and does not want to add an ice maker later. Its listed width is just 23.38 inches, and it comes with a factory-installed ice maker rated for 8 pounds of storage. Compared with the larger Hamilton Beach, Summit is much easier to consider for a tight opening; compared with the similarly narrow Sharp, it adds an ice maker and lists eight glass shelves rather than two plastic refrigerator shelves.
Its 11.7 cu. ft. capacity is modest, so the narrow fit does come at the cost of room. The bottom-freezer layout includes two drawers, while spill-proof glass shelves and humidity-controlled produce storage give the fresh-food section useful organization. Adaptive temperature controls adjust cooling based on door-opening habits, and open-door and high-temperature alarms can alert you to common problems. Those features make Summit the most fully equipped compact option in this group, not the largest.
Placement is the main drawback. The door orientation is listed as right, unlike the Sharp’s reversible doors, so buyers should confirm that the door can open comfortably beside a wall, island, or adjacent cabinet. At 78.38 inches tall, it also calls for a careful height measurement. Its slim dimensions are appealing, but they do not remove the need to check clearance and door swing.
I would choose Summit over Sharp when the built-in ice maker, spill-proof glass shelving, and temperature alerts matter more than reversible doors. I would choose Sharp instead if the kitchen layout demands a left-hand opening or if its convertible chiller-crisper drawer is a better match. Neither compact model is ideal for a household that routinely needs large bulk-storage capacity.
Pros:- Narrow 23.38-inch width suits kitchens with limited appliance space.
- Factory-installed ice maker provides an 8 lb. capacity.
- Eight glass shelves, including spill-proof storage, allow flexible organization.
- Adaptive cooling and open-door and high-temperature alarms add useful controls.
Cons:- 11.7 cu. ft. capacity is limited for larger households or bulk grocery storage.
- Right-side door orientation is less adaptable than the Sharp’s reversible-door setup.
- Its 78.38-inch height needs checking against upper cabinets and installation clearance.
Best for: Buyers with a narrow refrigerator opening who want a factory-installed ice maker, glass shelving, and freezer drawers.
Not ideal for: Households needing generous capacity or kitchens where a fixed right-side door orientation will obstruct access.
- Capacity:11.7 cu. ft.
- Dimensions:78.38 in. H × 23.38 in. W × 23.75 in. D
- Configuration:Freezer-on-bottom
- Ice maker:Factory-installed; 8 lb. capacity
- Shelving:8 glass shelves
- Freezer storage:Two freezer drawers
- Cooling and alerts:Adaptive temperature controls; open-door and high-temperature alarms
- Defrost, voltage, and noise:Frost-free; 115 V; 32.6 dB
Our verdict“I’d pick the Summit for a tight 24-inch-class space when built-in ice and flexible glass shelving outrank maximum capacity.”
Sharp SJB1255GS 11.5 cu. ft. Counter-Depth Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator
The Sharp SJB1255GS earns a distinct place for buyers whose kitchen layout makes door swing a deciding factor. It is a 24-inch counter-depth bottom-freezer refrigerator, but unlike the Summit’s listed right-side orientation, its doors are reversible. That gives it a practical advantage when a wall or cabinet would make a fixed hinge awkward. Its fingerprint- and smudge-resistant stainless-steel finish is another everyday convenience, though it does not compensate for the limited capacity.
At 11.5 cu. ft., Sharp is the smallest model by listed capacity, just below Summit and well below Hamilton Beach. The bottom freezer holds 4.2 cu. ft. across three drawers, which may make small frozen items easier to separate than in the Summit’s two drawers. A convertible chiller-or-crisper drawer also lets you choose a colder setting for items that benefit from it or use the space for produce. Eco and Vacation modes offer controls aimed at periods of reduced use, and the removable wine rack can free up space when that accessory is not needed.
The tradeoff is a simpler refrigerator interior. Sharp lists two plastic shelves, while Summit specifies eight glass shelves and Hamilton Beach has three adjustable full-width glass shelves. Shelf materials and counts are not a complete measure of usable storage, but buyers who frequently rearrange tall containers may prefer the more explicitly adjustable arrangements elsewhere in this lineup. The Sharp’s 4.2 cu. ft. freezer is also not a sign of greater total capacity; it remains a compact refrigerator overall.
I place it third because its strongest selling point is specific: adaptable door placement in a compact footprint. It is a better fit than Summit when hinge direction is the priority, but Summit offers an ice maker and more listed glass shelving. Compared with Hamilton Beach, Sharp is easier to place in a narrow kitchen but gives up more than six cubic feet of stated capacity. Choose it for a tight layout and modest grocery needs, not for maximum storage.
Pros:- Reversible doors make placement more flexible than the Summit’s fixed listed orientation.
- Three freezer drawers help separate frozen items.
- Convertible chiller-or-crisper drawer adapts to different storage needs.
- Eco and Vacation modes and a removable wine rack add practical options.
Cons:- 11.5 cu. ft. is the lowest stated capacity among these three models.
- Only two plastic refrigerator shelves are listed, fewer than the glass-shelf options in the lineup.
- No ice maker is specified, unlike the Summit.
Best for: Buyers with a compact kitchen who need to choose the door swing and value a convertible drawer and separated freezer storage.
Not ideal for: Larger households, frequent bulk shoppers, or buyers who want an ice maker or more listed refrigerator shelving.
- Capacity:11.5 cu. ft.
- Freezer capacity:4.2 cu. ft.
- Width:24 in.
- Configuration:Bottom freezer, two doors
- Door orientation:Reversible
- Refrigerator shelving:2 plastic shelves
- Freezer storage:3 drawers
- Special storage and modes:Convertible chiller or crisper drawer; Eco and Vacation modes
- Defrost and warranty:Frost-free; 1-year limited warranty
Our verdict“I’d choose the Sharp when reversible doors solve a real kitchen-fit problem and compact storage is enough.”
How We Picked
I compared these refrigerators through the specific lens of a counter-depth fridge under a typical kitchen’s space constraints. The most useful distinctions here are not small feature-count differences; they are width, depth, usable capacity, door movement, and how the fresh-food and freezer sections divide space.
I gave weight to the dimensions and storage figures supplied for each model. That makes the Hamilton Beach the capacity leader, while the Summit and Sharp suit narrow 24-inch spaces. I also looked at practical placement details: the Sharp’s reversible doors can help adapt to a kitchen plan, whereas the Summit is listed with a right-side door orientation. Features such as humidity controls, adjustable shelves, alarms, and freezer drawers matter when they change daily organization or maintenance.
I did not assume that a product described as counter-depth will sit flush in every kitchen. Door thickness, handles, required ventilation clearance, and the surrounding cabinetry can affect the final projection. I also did not infer performance beyond the supplied specifications. My ranking reflects the strongest match for distinct buyer priorities: broad usefulness and capacity first, a narrow footprint with built-in ice second, and flexible placement in a compact format third.
| counter depth fridge under | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach HBF1770 French | French door with bottom freezer |
| Summit 24-Inch Counter-Depth R | Freezer-on-bottom |
| Sharp SJB1255GS 11.5 cu. ft. C | Bottom freezer, two doors |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Counter Depth Fridge Under
I’d begin by matching the refrigerator to the opening and your usual grocery load, then compare the details that affect daily access. The phrase counter-depth does not tell you whether a particular unit will fit neatly in your kitchen.Measure the opening, not just the appliance
Record the opening’s width, height, and depth, then check the product’s full installation guidance for ventilation clearance and door-swing space. Among these three, the Summit is 23.38 inches wide, the Sharp is 24 inches wide, and the Hamilton Beach is 29.88 inches wide. That makes the two compact models a different category for narrow kitchens. Depth also deserves attention: Hamilton Beach is listed at 29.21 inches, while Summit is 23.75 inches. Check whether the published figure includes the handles and whether the doors can open without hitting a wall or counter.
Decide how much capacity you actually need
The capacity gap is large enough to drive the choice. Hamilton Beach lists 17.7 cu. ft., compared with 11.7 for Summit and 11.5 for Sharp. If you shop often, cook ahead, or store food for several people, that additional space may outweigh the appeal of a narrower body. For one or two people with smaller shopping habits, a compact model may make better use of a tight kitchen. Think about tall bottles, leftovers, produce, and frozen staples—not only the total capacity number.
Compare door swing and access
Door configuration affects how naturally a refrigerator works in its spot. Sharp’s reversible doors offer the most flexibility when the hinge side matters. Summit lists a right-side door orientation, so I would verify that its door clears nearby walls and cabinetry before ordering. Hamilton Beach’s French doors can make it easier to reach the upper refrigerator section in a confined aisle, but the wider appliance still needs sufficient opening space. Include the handle and door arc in your measurements.
Look at the storage layout, not just shelf count
Consider which items need their own zones. Summit lists glass shelves and humidity-controlled produce storage, plus two freezer drawers. Sharp has three freezer drawers and a convertible chiller-or-crisper drawer, which can help separate frozen foods or adjust fresh-food storage. Hamilton Beach combines adjustable glass shelves, gallon-size door bins, two humidity-controlled crispers, and a two-drawer freezer with four bins. The best arrangement depends on your containers and shopping routine; more compartments can improve organization but may divide space into sections that do not fit larger packages.
Treat special features as tie-breakers
Summit is the only listed model with a factory-installed ice maker, along with open-door and high-temperature alarms. Sharp counters with Eco and Vacation modes and a removable wine rack. Hamilton Beach emphasizes capacity, humidity-controlled crispers, LED lighting, and an interior digital display. I would first settle fit and storage, then decide which extras you will use often enough to matter. Confirm current installation needs, warranty terms, and included accessories before purchase, since specifications and package details can vary by seller or model revision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which refrigerator in this lineup has the most capacity?
The Hamilton Beach HBF1770 has the largest stated capacity at 17.7 cu. ft. That is 6.0 cu. ft. more than the Summit and 6.2 cu. ft. more than the Sharp, making it the clearest choice here for households that need more room. Its larger body also means buyers with a narrow 24-inch opening should look at the Summit or Sharp instead.
Which of these models is the narrowest?
The Summit FFBF181ES2IM is listed at 23.38 inches wide, slightly narrower than the Sharp at 24 inches and considerably narrower than the Hamilton Beach at 29.88 inches. Width alone does not confirm fit, so measure height, depth, door clearance, handles, and any required ventilation space against your kitchen opening.
Which refrigerator has reversible doors?
The Sharp SJB1255GS is the only model here specifically listed with reversible doors. That can help when a wall, cabinet, or kitchen traffic path makes one hinge direction inconvenient. Summit lists a right-side orientation, while the supplied Hamilton Beach specifications do not state that its doors are reversible, so check the manufacturer’s installation details if hinge flexibility is essential.
Which model includes an ice maker?
The Summit FFBF181ES2IM includes a factory-installed ice maker with an 8 lb. capacity. The supplied details for the Sharp and Hamilton Beach do not list an ice maker. If built-in ice is a requirement, Summit is the direct choice among these three, but its 11.7 cu. ft. capacity and fixed listed door orientation still need to suit your household and kitchen.
Is a counter-depth refrigerator always flush with the counters?
No. A counter-depth label does not guarantee that every part of the refrigerator will align with the counter edge. Handles, doors, required air clearance, and the depth measurement used in the specifications can all affect projection. The Hamilton Beach is listed at 29.21 inches deep, while Summit is listed at 23.75 inches; compare the full installation drawings with your cabinets and confirm which components the depth figure includes.
Conclusion
For buyers who need the most storage and can accommodate a wider appliance, I recommend the Hamilton Beach HBF1770. For a narrow kitchen with a built-in ice maker high on the wish list, Summit is the better match, provided its right-side door swing works. If your main issue is choosing a hinge direction in a compact space, I’d shortlist the Sharp SJB1255GS for its reversible doors and convertible drawer. Each pick makes a different compromise: Hamilton Beach uses more kitchen width, Summit and Sharp limit total capacity, and Sharp does not list an ice maker. I would measure the opening and door clearance before deciding between them.
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