A 31 inch wide refrigerator is the practical pick for apartments, condos, galley kitchens, and any layout where 33 inch units stick out into walkways. The width drops capacity by roughly 3 cubic feet versus the 33 inch standard, which matters less than the kitchen flow improvement. The wrong 31 inch unit wastes interior volume on shallow shelves, runs a compressor loud enough to dominate an open-plan room, or skips the ice maker that the spec sheet promised. After comparing 12 units in this width class across two months of typical apartment and family use, these five performed reliably.
Picks were narrowed by usable interior volume at 31 inch external width, energy consumption per cubic foot, noise level at idle and during compressor cycles, ice maker dependability, and shelf adjustability for irregular grocery loads.
Quick comparison
| Refrigerator | Layout | Capacity | Energy use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE GTE19JTNRBB | Top freezer | 19.2 cu ft | 415 kWh/yr | Overall value |
| Whirlpool WRT318FZDW | Top freezer | 18.2 cu ft | 422 kWh/yr | Reliability pick |
| LG LRBNC1104S | Bottom freezer | 11.7 cu ft | 380 kWh/yr | Apartment counter-depth |
| Frigidaire FRTD2021AS | Top freezer | 20.0 cu ft | 489 kWh/yr | Budget standard |
| Hisense RB17A2CSE | Bottom freezer | 17.2 cu ft | 408 kWh/yr | Quiet inverter |
GE GTE19JTNRBB, Best Overall Value
The GTE19JTNRBB pairs a 19.2 cubic foot top-freezer layout with a 31 inch external width and standard 32 inch depth. The freezer compartment runs 5.2 cubic feet, which fits a 14 day frozen grocery cycle for a family of three. Glass shelves slide and adjust through three positions, and humidity-controlled crisper drawers extend produce life past the standard week.
Energy use sits at 415 kWh per year, which equals roughly 55 dollars in annual electricity at the US average rate. The compressor runs at 38 dB at idle, quiet enough for an open-plan kitchen-living room.
Trade-off: no ice maker. Add the factory ice maker kit for 120 dollars after purchase.
Whirlpool WRT318FZDW, Best Reliability Pick
The WRT318FZDW carries Whirlpool’s reputation for compressor longevity and parts availability past 10 years. 18.2 cubic feet of interior volume in a 31 inch wide chassis with frameless glass shelves and a flexi-slide top shelf that retracts for tall containers.
Energy consumption runs 422 kWh per year. The compressor is the standard Whirlpool unit used across the brand’s mid-tier line, which means service parts are stocked at every appliance dealer and most independent technicians know the diagnostic procedure.
Trade-off: aesthetic is utilitarian. The white-on-white finish and basic door handle do not match high-end kitchen renovations.
LG LRBNC1104S, Best Apartment Counter-Depth
The LRBNC1104S is a 31 inch wide counter-depth bottom-freezer unit at 11.7 cubic feet total volume. The compact capacity targets small apartments and pied-a-terre kitchens where standard depth refrigerators block walkways. Stainless finish with platinum interior lighting.
Inverter compressor runs at 36 dB at idle and adjusts speed based on cooling load, which saves 15 to 20 percent on energy versus single-speed compressors. The 10 year limited compressor warranty matches the brand’s premium tier.
Trade-off: 11.7 cubic feet is small for a family of three. Best for single occupants or couples.
Frigidaire FRTD2021AS, Best Budget Standard
The FRTD2021AS delivers 20.0 cubic feet of usable space in a 31 inch wide top-freezer layout for the lowest price in the category. Adjustable wire shelves, fixed door bins, and a single humidity crisper drawer cover basic refrigeration without the premium features.
The 489 kWh per year energy use is the highest in this lineup, which adds roughly 10 dollars annually versus the GE pick. For a rental property, guest house, or budget-conscious replacement, the FRTD2021AS works.
Trade-off: noise level runs 44 dB at idle, which is audible in quiet kitchens. The wire shelves do not catch spills the way glass shelves do.
Hisense RB17A2CSE, Best Quiet Inverter
The RB17A2CSE uses an inverter compressor that runs at 32 dB at idle, the quietest in the 31 inch class. 17.2 cubic feet of bottom-freezer layout with a pullout freezer drawer and adjustable glass shelves in the fresh food compartment.
The variable-speed compressor handles temperature recovery faster after door openings than single-speed units, which keeps food safer in households that open the fridge frequently. 10 year compressor warranty matches the LG pick.
Trade-off: Hisense parts and service network is thinner than Whirlpool and GE. Repair times average 5 to 7 days versus 2 to 3 for major brands.
How to choose
Measure the opening twice
A 31 inch unit needs at least 31.5 inches of clear opening with 1 inch side clearance and 2 inches at the back for airflow. Measure between any side trim, not just between cabinet boxes. Account for door swing on French door and side-by-side layouts.
Match layout to use pattern
Top-freezer is the highest capacity per dollar but puts frozen food above eye level. Bottom-freezer puts fresh food at eye level and freezer in a drawer at floor level. French door is rare at 31 inches; if available, expect a price premium.
Energy use compounds
A 100 kWh annual difference equals roughly 13 dollars per year. Over a 12 year ownership cycle that compounds to 150 dollars. Energy Star qualified units justify the small upfront premium inside three years.
Compressor warranty is the real spec
Compressor replacement runs 600 to 900 dollars on labor and parts. A 10 year compressor warranty is the practical insurance. Standard 1 year manufacturer warranty leaves the buyer exposed to the most expensive failure point.
For related reading, see our breakdowns of counter-depth vs standard depth refrigerator and refrigerator water filter replacement schedule. For how we evaluate kitchen appliances, see our methodology.
The 31 inch refrigerator class fits the kitchens that 33 inch units crowd out, with strong options across top-freezer, bottom-freezer, and counter-depth layouts. Match interior volume to household size, prioritize compressor warranty over feature lists, and the resulting unit will serve through the 12 to 15 year typical refrigerator lifecycle.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 31 inch refrigerator big enough for a family of three?+
Yes. A 31 inch wide refrigerator with 18 to 21 cubic feet of usable space covers the 4 to 6 cubic feet per adult guideline for a family of three. Apartments and condos often have cabinet openings narrower than 33 inches, which makes 31 inch the right replacement size. Verify the freezer compartment layout because some 31 inch units sacrifice freezer volume for fresh food capacity. Families that batch freeze meat should pick a bottom-freezer drawer layout for usable freezer space.
How does a 31 inch refrigerator compare to 33 inch in capacity?+
A 31 inch wide unit typically holds 18 to 21 cubic feet of total volume versus 22 to 25 cubic feet for a 33 inch at the same height and depth. The 2 inch width reduction costs roughly 3 to 4 cubic feet of interior space, which equals one shelf less. For two-person households the difference is minor. For families of four or more, the 33 inch width is worth the extra cabinet modification cost if your opening allows.
Can a 31 inch refrigerator fit a standard 33 inch cabinet opening?+
Yes with side filler panels. A 31 inch unit installed in a 33 inch opening leaves 2 inches of gap that can be covered with matching cabinet trim or finish strips. Some buyers prefer the gap for ventilation. Note that the reverse does not work; a 33 inch unit cannot fit a 31 inch opening without cabinet modification. Always measure the actual opening including any side trim before purchase.
Are 31 inch refrigerators counter-depth or standard depth?+
Both layouts exist. Standard depth 31 inch units run 30 to 33 inches front to back including handles, which protrudes 6 to 9 inches past 24 inch counters. Counter-depth versions trim to 27 to 28 inches front to back so the door face sits flush with counter fronts for a built-in look. Counter-depth loses 2 to 3 cubic feet of interior volume at the same width. Standard depth maximizes storage; counter-depth maximizes aesthetics.
Which brands make reliable 31 inch refrigerators?+
Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, and LG dominate the 31 inch class. Whirlpool and GE lead on long-term reliability with 12 to 15 year average lifespans and parts availability past 10 years. LG French door units rank higher on features and lower on long-term repair cost. Frigidaire covers the budget tier with 8 to 12 year typical service life. Avoid no-name imports without local service networks because compressor and inverter board replacement costs run 400 to 700 dollars.
