A 24 inch refrigerator is the apartment, condo, ADU, and basement-kitchen size class. It fits a 24 inch wide cabinet opening (the standard small-kitchen footprint in much of Europe and increasingly in US compact remodels), holds 10 to 15 cubic feet depending on depth, and runs more efficiently than a 30 inch family-size unit. After looking at 16 current 24 inch refrigerators across European premium brands and US compact specialists, these seven performed reliably. The lineup covers true built-in units for finished cabinet installs and freestanding picks for utility kitchens.
Quick comparison
| Refrigerator | Layout | Capacity | Built-in rated | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch 800 Series B11CB81SSS | Bottom-freezer | 11.0 cu ft | Yes | Best overall |
| Liebherr CS1210 | Bottom-freezer | 11.4 cu ft | Yes | Premium pick |
| Summit FF1844WIM | Bottom-freezer | 13.8 cu ft | Yes | Best capacity |
| GE GLE12HSPSS | Top-freezer | 11.6 cu ft | No | Best freestanding |
| Avanti FF18B3S | Top-freezer | 18.0 cu ft | No | Best value |
| Miele K2802Vi | Bottom-freezer | 11.2 cu ft | Yes | Best built-in |
| Frigidaire FFPS2422VM | Bottom-freezer | 11.9 cu ft | No | Best budget |
Bosch 800 Series B11CB81SSS, Best Overall
The Bosch 800 Series B11CB81SSS is the safe overall pick for 24 inch refrigerator use. True built-in rated with front venting, 11.0 cubic feet of interior space, and a bottom-freezer layout that puts fresh food at eye level. The compressor is inverter-driven with measured noise level around 39 dB.
The interior uses LED column lighting along both side walls (rather than only the top), spill-proof glass shelves, and dual humidity-controlled crisper drawers. The freezer drawer pulls out fully on metal slides with a divider for organization. Includes automatic ice maker.
Trade-off: priced in the premium tier (typically $2,400 to $2,900). Service support is region-dependent. Confirm Bosch dealer support locally before committing.
Liebherr CS1210, Premium Pick
The Liebherr CS1210 is the German-built premium pick. True built-in rated with front venting, 11.4 cubic feet, bottom-freezer layout, and BioFresh climate-controlled drawers that hold produce at optimal temperature and humidity (lower than the main fridge zone, with higher humidity). The BioFresh extends produce shelf life by roughly 3 weeks versus standard storage.
Inverter compressor at 38 dB measured noise, full stainless interior, and premium build quality throughout. The 5 year compressor warranty is the longest in the category.
Trade-off: priced above the Bosch (typically $3,200 to $3,900) and Liebherr’s US service network is smaller than Bosch’s. Parts lead times can run 3 to 5 weeks for non-stocking items.
Summit FF1844WIM, Best Capacity
The Summit FF1844WIM extracts 13.8 cubic feet from the 24 inch wide footprint, the highest among true 24 inch built-in rated units. Bottom-freezer layout with a pull-out drawer, automatic ice maker, and proper front-vent built-in rating.
Build quality is solid for the mid-tier price. The interior uses adjustable wire shelves rather than glass (cheaper to replace if damaged), and the door bins are gallon-sized. The compressor is conventional rather than inverter, with measured noise around 43 dB.
Trade-off: louder than the Bosch or Liebherr inverter units. The interior lighting is dimmer than premium picks. For maximum capacity in the 24 inch footprint without premium pricing, the Summit is the right choice.
GE GLE12HSPSS, Best Freestanding
The GE GLE12HSPSS is the freestanding pick for utility kitchens, basement installs, and any space where built-in flush mounting is not required. Top-freezer layout, 11.6 cubic feet, and rear-vent design (needs 2 inches of rear clearance).
Conventional compressor with measured noise around 44 dB. The interior uses spill-proof glass shelves and includes an optional ice maker kit. Energy use comes in at 390 kWh annually, comfortably below Energy Star threshold.
Trade-off: not built-in rated. Installing in a cabinet bay traps heat and shortens compressor life. The freezer is at the top, which is the older ergonomic style. Best for utility installations rather than primary kitchens.
Avanti FF18B3S, Best Value
The Avanti FF18B3S is positioned between full 24 inch refrigerators and dorm-style mini fridges. 18 cubic feet of interior in a 24 inch wide footprint (achieved with deeper cabinet depth), top-freezer layout, and basic feature set.
For a basement kitchen, ADU, or rental property where total cost matters, the Avanti delivers substantial storage at roughly half the price of premium built-ins. The build is basic but reliable, with conventional cooling and a simple control panel.
Trade-off: not built-in rated, louder than premium picks (around 46 dB measured), and the door is heavier than typical due to the increased capacity. Best for utility installs rather than visible kitchen mounting.
Miele K2802Vi, Best Built-In
The Miele K2802Vi is the integrated built-in pick. True panel-ready design that accepts custom door panels to match surrounding cabinets, resulting in a fully integrated kitchen aesthetic. 11.2 cubic feet, bottom-freezer layout, and inverter compressor at 37 dB measured noise (the quietest in the lineup).
The DynaCool air circulation system maintains temperature within 1 degree of setpoint across all zones. The PerfectFresh drawers extend produce life by roughly 4 weeks versus standard storage.
Trade-off: priced at the top of the category (typically $4,500 to $6,500 depending on panel options). The panel-ready design requires custom cabinet door work, which adds $400 to $1,200 to the install cost.
Frigidaire FFPS2422VM, Best Budget
The Frigidaire FFPS2422VM is the budget pick. 11.9 cubic feet, bottom-freezer layout, and a conventional compressor with basic control panel. Not built-in rated, so installation needs the standard freestanding clearances.
For a basement bar, garage refrigerator, or first-time compact install, the Frigidaire delivers at roughly 30 percent of the Bosch price. The build is functional, parts are widely supported through Frigidaire’s national service network.
Trade-off: louder than premium picks (around 46 dB), simpler interior layout, and no ice maker. Plan for a 10 to 12 year service life versus 15 plus for premium units.
How to choose a 24 inch refrigerator
Built-in versus freestanding is the first question
For a finished kitchen with the fridge visible from living spaces, built-in rated is required. The premium for built-in (50 to 100 percent over freestanding equivalents) is real, but the alternative is heat damage to surrounding cabinets and compressor failure within 24 months.
Bottom-freezer is the ergonomic standard
Bottom-freezer layouts dominate the premium 24 inch market because the fresh food compartment sits at eye level, which is where you reach 80 percent of the time. Top-freezer is fine for budget and utility installs.
Inverter compressor matters in small kitchens
Small kitchens amplify noise. An inverter compressor at 38 to 40 dB is meaningfully quieter than a conventional compressor at 44 to 46 dB in a tight space. Premium picks all use inverter; budget units use conventional. The noise difference is the most noticeable functional difference.
Verify ice maker inclusion
Many 24 inch refrigerators skip the ice maker. Premium built-in units (Bosch 800, Liebherr, Miele) include one. Mid-tier and budget units typically do not. Verify the spec sheet before purchase if automatic ice is required.
For related guidance, see our counter depth versus standard fridge buying guide and our garage ready refrigerator guide. Our full evaluation approach is documented in our methodology.
A 24 inch refrigerator is a 12 to 18 year appliance for the apartments, condos, ADUs, and small kitchens that need it. The Bosch 800 Series is the safe overall pick, the Liebherr CS1210 is the premium choice, and the Frigidaire FFPS2422VM is the budget entry point. Match the built-in rating to your install location and the noise level to your kitchen acoustics, and the compact refrigerator delivers full kitchen function in the small footprint.
Frequently asked questions
How much can you store in a 24 inch refrigerator?+
Capacity varies by depth and configuration. Compact 24 inch wide refrigerators typically offer 10 to 12 cubic feet. Counter-depth 24 inch wide bottom-freezer units offer 12 to 14 cubic feet. Full-depth 24 inch wide units offer 13 to 15 cubic feet. Adequate for one to two adults with weekly fresh shopping, restrictive for families of three or more. For practical storage, think two crisper drawers, three to four interior shelves, four to five door bins, and a freezer that holds two pizzas plus standard frozen storage.
Are 24 inch refrigerators just dorm fridges?+
No, but the category includes both. True 24 inch built-in style refrigerators from Bosch, Liebherr, and Miele are premium European-style units with full feature sets (auto-defrost, ice maker on premium models, dual-zone climate control). Dorm-size mini fridges at 24 inches wide are budget compact units typically under 5 cubic feet, single-door, with limited features. Look at depth and capacity (cu ft) to distinguish: anything 10 cu ft or more is a full kitchen refrigerator, anything under 6 cu ft is a mini fridge.
Can a 24 inch refrigerator be built in?+
Only built-in rated models. Standard freestanding 24 inch units vent from the back and need 2 to 4 inches of rear clearance. Built-in rated units (Bosch 800 series, Liebherr, Miele) vent from the front and accept zero clearance on sides and rear. The built-in rated units cost 50 to 100 percent more than freestanding equivalents at the same capacity. For a flush cabinet install, the built-in rating is required, not optional.
Do 24 inch refrigerators have ice makers?+
Some do, most do not. Budget and mid-tier 24 inch refrigerators typically skip the ice maker to keep the price competitive and rely on manual ice trays in the freezer. Premium built-in 24 inch units (Bosch 800, Liebherr) include automatic ice makers. None at this width have in-door water and ice dispensers since that requires plumbing depth that 24 inch cabinets do not provide. If plumbed ice is required, look at 30 inch and wider units.
How much energy does a 24 inch refrigerator use?+
Modern Energy Star qualified 24 inch refrigerators use 250 to 380 kWh per year, equal to roughly $32 to $50 in annual electricity at US average rates. Smaller compact units (under 12 cu ft) sit at the lower end. Premium built-in units with feature-rich climate systems sit at the upper end. Older non-Energy Star 24 inch units can use 500 to 700 kWh annually. The 100 to 200 kWh annual difference between an Energy Star and non-Energy Star unit equals roughly $150 to $260 over a ten year lifespan.
Riley Cooper
Riley Cooper writes for The Tested Hub.