Hisense RUR156D4AWE Under-Counter Fridge Review

Have you been searching for a compact built-in fridge that actually gives you usable space, reliable freezing, and a clean look under your counter?

What You Need to Know About the Hisense RUR156D4AWE

You’re looking at a built-in under-counter fridge that’s designed to be practical, efficient, and easy to live with. The Hisense RUR156D4AWE gives you both a fridge and a proper 4-star freeze zone in a neat, integrated package that fits seamlessly into your kitchen.

Instead of taking over your room like a freestanding appliance, this model sits quietly under your worktop and does its job without fuss.

Key Specifications at a Glance

It helps to see the core details in one place so you can judge if this fridge fits your kitchen and your lifestyle. Here’s a clear breakdown of the main specs and features.

You can already see that this isn’t just a mini fridge; it’s a compact built-in appliance with proper temperature control and a functional freezer section.

Design and Build: How It Fits Into Your Kitchen

Integrated, Under-Counter Design

You want your kitchen to feel tidy and cohesive, not crowded by bulky white goods. The under-counter design of the Hisense RUR156D4AWE lets you slide it into a standard kitchen cabinet space, keeping everything streamlined and smart.

Because it’s built-in, it’s ideal if you prefer a more fitted look rather than a separate freestanding fridge in the corner. This is particularly useful in smaller kitchens, studio flats, or open-plan living spaces where visual clutter matters.

Compact Size With Practical Proportions

Measuring 59.5 cm wide, 81.8 cm high, and 54.5 cm deep, this fridge is designed to line up neatly with standard worktop heights and cabinet widths. You’re essentially getting a proper appliance footprint in a compact form.

This size works especially well if you:

• Have limited space but still want a real fridge and freezer
• Need a secondary fridge in a pantry, utility room, or home office
• Are fitting out a rental property, student accommodation, or small annex

You don’t have to compromise on having a freezer compartment, even if you’re short on space.

Simple, Clean White Finish

The white finish gives it a neutral, timeless look that blends easily with most kitchen styles. You don’t have to worry about matching stainless steel or black finishes, and if your cabinets are also light, the overall feel stays bright and airy.

Even though it’s integrated, the crisp white interior and door are still visible when you open it, and they help reflect light so it’s easier to see what’s inside.

Capacity and Storage: How Much You Can Actually Fit

121 Litres Total Capacity

You get a total capacity of 121 litres, which is split into 104 litres for the fridge and 17 litres for the freezer. For an under-counter appliance, this is a very usable size.

This kind of capacity is well-suited to:

• One or two people using it as a main fridge
• A couple or small family using it as a secondary or drinks/overflow fridge
• Offices, studios, and guest rooms wanting a compact but practical solution

It’s not a full-size family fridge, but it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, it focuses on giving you honest, usable space in a small footprint.

104-Litre Fridge Section

The fridge section is where you’ll keep your everyday essentials: milk, drinks, fresh fruit and vegetables, deli items, leftovers, and dairy. With 104 litres, you have room to organise things so they’re not all stacked on top of each other.

Typically, this size will comfortably hold:

• A few large bottles (milk, juice, soft drinks)
• Several days’ worth of fresh produce
• Meats and cheeses
• Leftover meals in containers
• Everyday jars and condiments

The interior layout is designed so you can separate items, which makes it easier to keep track of what you have and helps reduce food waste.

17-Litre 4-Star Freeze Zone

The freezer compartment is small but important. At 17 litres, it’s designed for essentials rather than bulk storage, but the key point is that it’s a 4-star freeze zone.

A 4-star freezer compartment lets you:

• Freeze fresh food
• Store frozen food safely for longer periods
• Keep ice cream and frozen snacks at the right temperature
• Maintain food at around -18°C (standard long-term freezer temperature)

If you’re used to tiny 1-star or 2-star fridge freezers that only keep things semi-frozen, you’ll appreciate that this compartment is a proper, functional freezer space.

Storage Layout and Practical Features

Shelves, Door Storage, and Layout

While exact internal configuration can vary slightly, the general layout is geared towards everyday practicality. You can expect:

• Shelves to separate fresh foods
• Door storage for bottles, jars, and condiments
• A small freezer compartment on top

You can arrange your food so that items you reach for often are at eye level, while heavier or less-used items sit lower. This reduces rummaging and keeps your fridge feeling uncluttered.

Easy Access Under the Counter

Because the fridge is under the counter, you don’t have to reach up to find items. You open the door, and everything is at a natural bending height. This is especially handy if you’re often grabbing snacks or drinks throughout the day.

If you like to prepare food while standing at the worktop above, you’ll also appreciate that everything fresh is right below your hands. You can take out ingredients and set them directly on the counter above.

Electronic Controls: Temperature at Your Fingertips

Soft-Touch Electronic Control

Instead of an old-style mechanical dial, this fridge uses electronic control with a soft-touch interface. That gives you more precise control over the internal temperature, helping keep your food at the right level of coolness.

You can adjust settings with simple touches rather than wrestling with stiff mechanical knobs. That also makes cleaning and wiping the control area easier; there are fewer crevices for dirt to get into.

Consistent Cooling and Food Safety

Better control over the internal temperature helps with food safety and shelf life. With electronic control, your fridge can maintain a more stable environment than it would with a basic dial:

• Your milk stays fresh for longer
• Fresh produce maintains its crispness and texture
• Meats and dairy are kept at safe temperatures

If you’ve ever had a fridge that was freezing your veg while leaving other items too warm, you’ll likely appreciate more stable cooling.

Reversible Door: Flexibility for Any Layout

Adapts to Your Kitchen

One of the most useful features is the reversible door. You can hang the door so it opens either to the left or to the right, depending on your kitchen layout.

This is especially helpful if:

• Your counter runs into a wall and you need the door to open away from it
• You’re fitting the fridge into an existing cabinet run with limited space
• You’re designing a small or narrow kitchen where door swing matters

You don’t have to accept a layout that doesn’t quite work for you; the door can be adjusted to suit your space.

Better Access in Tight Spaces

In narrow galley kitchens or small studios, door direction can make things awkward or easy. By being able to reverse the door, you can position the fridge so that you can stand comfortably and access the interior without blocking walkways or bumping into other cabinets.

If you move or remodel later, the reversible door also adds flexibility; you’re not stuck with one fixed configuration.

Energy Class E: What It Means for You

Energy Efficiency in Context

The Hisense RUR156D4AWE has an Energy Class E rating under the current EU/UK energy label system. Under the newer system, ratings are more stringent, so an E is not as “inefficient” as it might sound compared to older A+, A++, or A+++ labels.

For an under-counter built-in fridge with both a fridge and a 4-star freeze zone, Energy Class E is fairly typical. You’re getting an appliance that’s balanced between efficiency, performance, and cost.

Running Costs and Everyday Use

You can expect reasonable running costs for a compact fridge-freezer of this size. If you use it sensibly—keeping the door closed as much as possible, not overloading it with warm food at once, and leaving space for air circulation—you’ll support its efficiency.

You’re not paying extra for ultra-premium A-class technology, but you’re also not using an outdated, power-hungry model. This hits a middle ground that suits most everyday users.

Who This Fridge Is Ideal For

Singles, Couples, and Small Households

If you live alone or with one other person, this fridge can easily serve as your main refrigerator, especially if you shop regularly and don’t need huge freezer storage. The 104-litre fridge section gives you enough room for fresh foods for the week without feeling cramped.

You can comfortably manage a weekly shop, store fresh produce, keep drinks cold, and still have space for leftovers.

Secondary Fridge for Families

If you have a larger household with a big main fridge-freezer, this Hisense model works nicely as a secondary appliance for:

• Extra drinks and snacks
• Overflow during busy periods (holidays, gatherings)
• A dedicated kids’ snack fridge
• A back-up fridge in a utility room or garage (if installation conditions allow)

This can reduce clutter in your main fridge so it’s easier to keep organised.

Ideal for Apartments, Studios, and Rentals

The built-in nature and compact size make this fridge especially attractive for:

• Tenant kitchens in rented flats
• Student accommodation
• Granny annexes or guest suites
• Holiday homes or Airbnb properties

You give your tenants or guests a proper, self-contained fridge and freezer in a tidy, integrated unit that doesn’t dominate the living space.

Installation and Integration Considerations

Built-In Under-Counter Fit

Since this fridge is built-in, it’s meant to sit inside your kitchen cabinetry, typically under the worktop. You’ll want to make sure:

• The opening is roughly 60 cm wide to match the 59.5 cm width
• The height under your counter can accommodate the 81.8 cm height
• The depth of 54.5 cm fits your cabinet depth and allows room for ventilation

If you’re replacing an older under-counter fridge, you’ll likely find this model fits into a similar space.

Reversible Door Setup

If you want to change the door opening direction, you or your installer can reposition the hinges and handle. It’s a one-time setup job, and after that, you don’t have to think about it again.

You can match door swing with your kitchen workflow—so, for example, the door opens away from a wall and towards your main prep area.

Professional vs. DIY Installation

You can install this type of appliance yourself if you’re handy and comfortable working with cabinets and measurements. That said, many people prefer using a professional installer, especially if:

• You’re fitting it alongside new cabinetry
• You want the most seamless, aligned appearance
• You’re dealing with custom kitchen layouts

A professional can ensure the fridge sits level, the door swings correctly, and everything lines up visually.

Everyday Usability: What It’s Like to Live With

Day-to-Day Access and Use

With this fridge, you get straightforward, no-nonsense daily use:

• Open the door and see most of your items at a glance
• Use door shelves for easy access items like milk, juice, and condiments
• Keep fresh veg, fruit, and deli items organised inside

The internal lighting and white interior help make items more visible. You’re less likely to lose things at the back because the depth is moderate compared to towering full-height models.

Managing the 4-Star Freezer Zone

The 17-litre 4-star freezer compartment works best if you use it deliberately rather than as a catch-all. You might use it to:

• Store a few ready meals or frozen pizzas
• Keep frozen vegetables for quick dinners
• Maintain a stock of ice cream and frozen treats
• Freeze leftovers in small containers

If you need a huge amount of freezer storage (for bulk buying or large families), you’d probably want an additional standalone freezer. But as a flexible and fully capable small freezer, this compartment does the job well.

Pros and Cons: A Balanced Look

What You’re Likely to Appreciate

You’ll probably value several strengths of the Hisense RUR156D4AWE:

• Space-saving built-in design: Fits neatly under your counter without dominating the room.
• Practical capacity: 104-litre fridge and 17-litre 4-star freezer give you real, usable space.
• Electronic controls: Soft-touch interface helps keep temperature stable and easy to manage.
• Reversible door: Lets you adapt the fridge for almost any kitchen layout.
• Clean, neutral finish: White colour suits many décor styles and keeps things looking fresh.

Taken together, those features create a compact fridge that still feels like a “proper” appliance and not just a tiny minibar.

What Might Not Suit You

It’s also fair to recognise where this fridge may not match your needs:

• Limited freezer capacity: At 17 litres, it’s not meant for heavy bulk freezing.
• Not top-tier in energy class: Energy Class E is reasonable but not cutting-edge efficient.
• Under-counter height: If you prefer a tall fridge at eye level, this style may not be for you.

If you know your household needs a lot of freezer space, or you’re targeting the absolute highest energy rating, you may want to consider this as a second appliance rather than your only one.

How It Compares to Other Under-Counter Options

Compared to Basic Under-Counter Fridges Without Freezers

A lot of under-counter fridges are just that—fridges only, with no freezer compartment or only a tiny, low-rated chiller box. The Hisense RUR156D4AWE stands out because it gives you:

• A proper 4-star freeze zone
• A relatively generous 17-litre freezer section

If you like having some frozen capacity without giving up space for a separate freezer, this model offers a very practical compromise.

Compared to Freestanding Compact Fridges

A freestanding small fridge might be easier to move and place anywhere, but it won’t give you the same integrated, built-in look. If your priority is:

• A seamless, fitted kitchen appearance
• Maximising use of cabinet space
• Avoiding clutter from multiple visible appliances

Then a built-in model like this makes more sense, even if you could find similar capacities in freestanding versions.

Using the Fridge Efficiently and Comfortably

Organising Your Food

You can get more from this fridge if you organise it thoughtfully:

• Keep raw meats on a lower shelf to prevent drips onto other foods
• Use door shelves for bottles, jars, and condiments
• Store leftovers and ready-to-eat foods at eye level
• Reserve the freezer zone for items you genuinely need frozen long term

By creating simple zones, you’ll find items more quickly and reduce waste.

Supporting Energy Efficiency

You can help keep running costs in check and maintain stable cooling by:

• Avoiding long periods with the door open
• Not overfilling shelves so air can circulate
• Letting hot food cool before placing it inside
• Keeping the surrounding cabinet space correctly ventilated as per installation guidance

These habits help the fridge work more efficiently and stay at a consistent temperature.

Durability and Long-Term Use

Robust Everyday Performance

Hisense is known for offering solid, reliable performance at an accessible price. You’re not paying for ultra-luxury materials or high-end styling; instead, you’re getting a straightforward, practical appliance that aims to do its job day after day.

As long as you use it according to the instructions—avoid blocking vents, close the door properly, and defrost the freezer when needed—you can expect stable cooling performance over time.

Easy Cleaning and Maintenance

The interior, with its simple white surfaces and straightforward layout, is easy to wipe down. You can:

• Remove shelves and door racks for cleaning
• Wipe spills quickly thanks to smooth surfaces
• Keep the seal clean so the door closes properly

Regular quick cleaning helps keep odours away and maintains a pleasant fridge environment.

Is This the Right Fridge for You?

When This Model Makes a Lot of Sense

This fridge will likely suit you well if you:

• Want a built-in under-counter fridge with both fridge and freezer functionality
• Have limited space but still need a 4-star freeze zone
• Like electronic controls for accurate temperature management
• Need a reversible door to adapt to your specific kitchen layout
• Prefer a clean, neutral white finish that works with most kitchen designs

If you’re in a small flat, studio, or compact home—or if you need a second fridge for overflow or guests—this model offers a smart blend of capacity and footprint.

When You Might Want Something Else

You might consider different options if you:

• Need large amounts of freezer space for batch cooking or bulk buying
• Want top-tier energy ratings as your first priority
• Prefer a tall fridge-freezer at eye level rather than an under-counter appliance

In those cases, a full-height fridge-freezer or a separate chest or upright freezer alongside another fridge would probably serve you better.

Final Thoughts on the Hisense RUR156D4AWE

You’re getting a thoughtfully designed, compact built-in fridge with a genuinely useful 4-star freezer zone. The Hisense RUR156D4AWE focuses on what matters for everyday use: enough space for your groceries, reliable freezing for essentials, easy electronic control, and a flexible reversible door.

If you value a tidy, integrated kitchen and you need an under-counter solution that doesn’t feel like a compromise, this fridge is well worth considering. It gives you a balanced mix of practicality, flexibility, and everyday comfort in a size that fits effortlessly under your worktop.

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