When people look for an undercounter fridge, they usually picture a small unit with a door under the worktop. That is the best-known type, but not the only one. An undercounter fridge with drawers sits in the same place; you simply open it like a kitchen drawer. The difference sounds small, but you notice it every day: reaching for the milk, putting the shopping away, and at a kitchen island where a door has no room to swing. This article puts both types side by side, with sizes and prices from the XARO range.
Door or drawers: the short answer
Choose a door if budget matters most and the fridge goes into an ordinary run of cabinets. Choose drawers if you want a clear overview, less bending, or the fridge goes into a kitchen island or narrow walkway. The table sums up the differences.
| Undercounter fridge with a door | Undercounter drawer fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Hinged door, you bend down and look to the back | Drawers pull towards you, you look in from above |
| Overview | Items at the back get lost | Everything at a glance |
| Temperature | Usually one zone | Set per drawer on some models |
| Space | Needs room for the door to swing | Works in a kitchen island or narrow walkway |
| Price | Common type, usually the cheapest | At XARO from €1,899 |
What is an undercounter fridge?
An undercounter fridge is built in under the worktop, in line with the kitchen cabinets. It is lower than a regular fridge, so the worktop runs straight over it. The niche height is usually between 82 and 89 cm, depending on the plinth and worktop. You use it as extra cooling next to a large fridge, or as the only fridge in a small kitchen, utility room or office. All models at XARO are listed under undercounter fridges.
How does an undercounter fridge with drawers work?
A drawer fridge has no door, but two or three pull-out drawers. The front of each drawer looks like an ordinary kitchen drawer, often with your own kitchen front fitted. Because the drawer comes all the way out, you look into the cold space from above. Nothing disappears at the back. The Norcool drawer fridge G3 has three drawers: an inner drawer for small items, a drawer with dividers for daily groceries, and a bottom drawer for bottles and cartons. Fhiaba and Liebherr use two large drawers.
When is a door the better choice?
An undercounter fridge with a door is the common type and usually the cheapest. If you mainly want the lowest price for extra cooling against an ordinary kitchen wall, a drawer fridge is not the obvious choice. A door also makes sense if you mostly want to keep bottles and drinks cold and on display. That is what beverage coolers with a glass door are for, such as the 60 cm ioMabe IOB150BB with 150 litres, €1,199 at XARO.
When does an undercounter fridge with drawers win?
- In a kitchen island. A drawer moves straight out, a door swings to the side. In an island or narrow walkway, an open door is in the way.
- For overview. You look into the drawer from above and see everything at once. Less goes out of date at the back.
- For less bending. No kneeling to look into a low cabinet. Everything is also within reach from a wheelchair.
- For zones. On the Liebherr URDd 375i you set each drawer separately between 0 and +14 °C. Fhiaba TriMode goes from +8 °C to -22 °C per drawer, so it can also freeze.
- For a clean kitchen. With your own kitchen front, the drawer fridge blends in with the other drawers.
What sizes do undercounter fridges come in?
Width decides which model fits. A standard kitchen module is 60 cm, but there are drawer fridges for 75, 80 and 90 cm niches too. These are the sizes of the models at XARO. Prices are starting prices in October 2026; the current price is on the product page.
| Model | Width | Height | Depth | Capacity | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liebherr URDd 375i (2 drawers) | 597 mm | 859 mm | 556 mm | 118 litres | €1,899 |
| Fhiaba UC2D60GM (2 drawers) | 598 mm | 865-890 mm | 572 mm | 107 litres net | €5,518 |
| Fhiaba UC2D75GM (2 drawers) | 748 mm | 865-890 mm | 572 mm | 141 litres net | €5,652 |
| Norcool drawer fridge G3 (3 drawers) | 795 mm | 820-870 mm | 565 mm | 180 litres gross | €2,699 |
| Fhiaba UC2D90GM (2 drawers) | 898 mm | 865-890 mm | 572 mm | 175 litres net | €6,038 |
| ioMabe IOB150BB (glass door) | 595 mm | 820-840 mm | 575 mm | 150 litres | €1,199 |
For an 80 cm module, the Norcool drawer fridge G3 is the model to look at. If you have a 90 cm niche, for example after an old Bauknecht or Hotpoint, read how to fit a drawer fridge in a 90 cm niche. Always measure the width, height and depth of the niche yourself before you order.
Advice on your niche?
XARO specialises in drawer fridges and delivers free across the Benelux. Not sure between 60, 75, 80 or 90 cm, or between your own front and stainless steel? Send us your niche sizes and contact us. Or compare all drawer fridges directly.
Undercounter drawer fridges at XARO
60, 75, 80 and 90 cm. Current price and stock on the product page.