I have 2 uline undercounter units that I purchased used on craigslist, one is a 2175 combo fridge/freezer drawer unit 24", the other is a 15" fridge. They both hold temperatures well . The drawer unit was in storage for a year after I purchased it an now flashes"ER" (presuming error), but the temperatures for the fridge and freezer are rock solid so I have not worried about it. I did look it up and probably need to replace a thermister but will deal with it when I need to.
The ones I purchased had integrated panels previously that were taken off, now just black doors. I could add integrated panels very easily.

For an almost $2.6 k difference I would go for the Uline.

Thank you both (to scrappy25 and to deeageaux) for your advice!

so, scrappy25, do you notice noise being a problem from your U-line's? Ours will be in the main kitchen across the aisle from the main fridge - not in an AV room or a quiet room or anything.

(our original plan was to get a 30 fridge + 18" freezer setup from subzero, but the new model re-haul won't have the 18" freezer out till 2015 so we're stuck with a 36" - hence we need an undercounter unit to increase fridge capacity, also to help the young kids become a bit more independent.)

so Marvel really is on the same playing field as U-line then. If same price, what would you get?
(i assume that if there's a very good deal on one and not the other, then just get the discounted one?)

as for Liebherr, I only see "beverage centers" listed on their products page - with wood elements inside as a design. I don't think they make one with solid door and "regular" racks inside? Would you say the Liebherr models are priced somewhat in between U-line and Subzero?

Liebherr RO500 with solid SS door.Tough enough for the outdoor kitchen but can be placed inside. MAP $2159

Uline has some cheaper stuff that is pretty good but I prefer Marvel slightly.

Then they have some premium and ultra premium priced stuff that is as or more expensive than SZ. At this price point I would really get Perlick and as a second choice SZ unless you really fell in love with a unique Uline configuration.

If we get an outdoor model and install it indoors, would that void warranty?

When you say configuration, do you mean the internal shelf heights / how many adjustable racks / dimensions?

We mostly have to make sure that the shelves would accommodation a 4L (or one gallon) jug of milk, and other shorter items. Speaking of internal configuration, i saw an undercounter fridge by KitchenAid that has a pretty interesting "step" shaped shelf

http://www.sears.ca/product/kitchenaid-architect-series-ii-57-cu-ft-under-counter-refrigerator-stainles/646-000153197-KURS24RSBS

(had to link to a store page as the official KitchenAid website photo only showed exterior?)

Not long ago - maybe just a couple of weeks I swear, i still saw a variation of this model that's an integrated front panel - might have been the Sears or BestBuy site i'm not sure. But now when I look at the official site, it only comes in all Stainless, and our local appliances store sales person also told me he only sees the stainless models (LH / RH variations). Not sure what the story is.

so before i heard about U-line, Marvel etc, I was just gonna get this KitchenAid with custom panel front. Now that option seems to be gone. I'd have to check out the Marvel and the Liebherr.

I just can't quite swallow the $4000 price tag for a subzero - or i guess Perlick which would be in a similar price range?

True is a good brand too - a commercial fridge builder that recently entered the residential market. They've gotten good reviews here.

I've found the two U-Lines i've used (a recent 24" with freezer, and a 21"w ADA height fridge-only) to be fairly quiet, and quieter than a 3 year old Marvel 24" fridge/freezer/icemaker in another kitchen.

Thanks lee676 - I've come across other threads that mentioned True - something about Costco.ca sells it so the price is great, but some say if it's the commercial version then it'd be VERY noisy (too noisy even for some cafe's), and people weren't sure if Costco carries the residential version or not.

Before this thread, I never even considered noise being a concern, it wasn't on my radar. I was mainly just worried about whether the fridge would be rated cold enough for milk and deli. but yeeeeah, of course i won't want a noisy fridge at my kitchen island!!

I suppose "noise" can be relative. A low frequency hum can drive one person crazy and not register on another person's consciousness! Glad to hear a positive review of the U-line though.

My Uline does have 10 minute periods a few times a week where it seems rather noisy if there is no radio or TV playing but I don't know if that is related to the needed thermistor or not. It is in the basement and we don't hear it upstairs. Otherwise it is no noisier than our large 15 year old Kenmore fridge.

I have two undercounter U-lines that are my primary refrigeration. They store a tremendous amount. I have an inexpensive fridge in a utility room, and a beverage refrigerator in the pantry. That said, I have been clear about the problems I have had with them in the past--at least a half dozen service calls. However, I like them very much, would like to have at least one in another house I am currently renovating, and recognizing that I probably got a couple of lemons, whose mistakes are all cured, I would recommend them, especially if you can get something on sale. Care to tell me where they are going on sale? No noisier than anything else. I just don't notice these things.

Add Electrolux to the mix. I have Elux fridge drawers. I keep milk, produce, dairy, sodas, everything I keep in my main fridge. It keeps it cold. Costs $2k or now, 2.5k. Expensive.

Totally quiet except when the compressor cycles on. It is right in our eating area and we can touch it when we're sitting.

Six cubic feet of wonderfulness. Guests get a kick out of it. It keeps traffic out of the cooking zone. Keeps overflow produce when I shop too zealously!

Drawers glide smoothly. The blonde celebrity whose name escapes me touts it when looking under the bed for kids' scary monsters. Also, it's 24" wide, not 27 like sz. Most perfect appliance of ours.

No freezer options with Elux under counters though.

vedazu - i don't mind sharing where the U-line is on sale, but I'm a GW forum newbie - is it against forum rules to mention specific shop names? (since i don't see much of that around here! assuming that's against the etiquette). PM me and I'll be happy to write back with the store name :-D

I have two True fridge drawer units, one for beverages, milk and cream, near the coffee maker and one in my prep zone for all my fruits and vegetables. Both are fantastic : fully integrated, stainless steel interiors, soft close drawers, absolutely quiet, temperature can be adjusted to be cold enough for dairy. These are from the residential line, not the commercial ones.

I'll be using mine in prep area for "cooking only" ingredients like produce, jars, sauces , prepped ingred., etc. It seems the Marvel Professional line has the largest capacity; 6cu.ft. Is their prof. line higher quality comparable to Perlick and others?

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person on the Internet posting about using an undercounter fridge WITH FREEZER as our ONLY fridge, because we are 2 adults living in a Manhattan studio and I cook! It's a pretty ordinary 24" wide (non ADA) Summit with top freezer. Yes it's manual defrost, ices up stuff at the back occasionally and is pretty noisy (like you have a bit of tinnitus) but so is New York... I got my own (too small) studio now and I started looking for a "better" one that is also PANEL READY (integrated).

But not drawers. They are incredibly sexy but a 50/50 fridge freezer split is no good for a primary fridge unless you live on ice cream.

Here in 2016 there are few choices (links provided just so you can see the insides)

1. Uline (around $1699) http://www.karlsappliance.com/products/U-line/uln/1224rfint00a.html and Marvel (around $2099) http://www.karlsappliance.com/products/Marvel/mar/ml24rfp3rp.html

- almost identical-looking models but NO DOOR STORAGE due to new energy efficient redesign. Both panel ready with auto defrost freezer. Marvel has a crisper drawer but seriously, is that worth the extra $400...

2. Marvel old school discontinued model 61RF ($1300) http://www.appliancesconnection.com/marvel-61rfbbor-i140513.html that looks pretty dated but HAS DOOR STORAGE new Uline and Marvel does not. A few still floating around in the stores. Not auto defrost of course

3. Subzero (around $2400) http://www.abt.com/mobile/product_images.php?product_id=41720 with some door storage (clearly designed more for beverages) where the main door is also the bottom freezer door. Apparently quiet and separate compressors for fridge and freezer but you pay for it.

4. Summit panel ready ($899)

https://www.summitappliance.com/catalog/model/CT663BBIIF

The most storage but more basic, more noisy. Freezer is not auto defrost.

Factoid: old school manual defrost freezers are said to create less temperature swings in the rest of the fridge...

We are hoping to move out of our studios one day and so there's some logic in buying the one with visually more storage for resale as well as daily usefulness.

If I've missed any permutations here or you can tell me what you'd do (moving to a bigger place or installing a full height fridge, or more than one fridge, or drawers are all NOT options) let me know!

What about a combination undercounter fridge and freezer drawer combination? No need for door storage and easy to see everything. Probably several hundred dollars more though.

Perlick, Kitchenaid/Jennair and Sub-Zero make a drawer combination units. Price wise those start around $3k and go up from there. Sub-Zero only makes it 30" wide instead of the more common 24"

I really appreciate the answers after exhuming this thread! However, for the reasons and limitations stated above, no drawers,has to have a freezer (i.e. No beverage fridges) and no more than 1 fridge...truly a first world problem I know.

Unfortunately that Liebherr is just another expensive Coke and plonk fridge with no freezer...