The 9 Best Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators of 2023

The Whirlpool WRB322DMBM Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator is our top pick

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Best Bottom Freezer Refrigerators

The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

While a top-freezer refrigerator is a familiar face in many kitchens, a bottom-freezer refrigerator is ideal for anyone who prefers the convenience and organizational possibilities of a pull-out freezer drawer. Kerrie Kelly, an interior designer and Global Connect Advisor of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), points out that bottom-freezer refrigerators often reflect the way we use our refrigerators. "As the name suggests, the freezer is on the bottom, making it easy for you to access your everyday food items without having to hunch over to do so." She adds that this type of fridge may be the best bet for anyone who uses their refrigerator space more frequently than the freezer.

We've spent hours researching models from top appliance brands, evaluating their quality, features, energy efficiency, and overall value.

Here are the best bottom-freezer refrigerators.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Whirlpool WRB322DMBM 22.07 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator

4.9
Whirlpool - 21.9 Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator - Stainless steel

Walmart

What We Like
  • Two tiers of storage in freezer drawer

  • Equipped with factory-installed ice maker

  • Generous capacity for fresh and frozen food storage

What We Don't Like
  • No through-the-door ice and water dispenser

  • Lacks deli meat drawer 

The Whirlpool WRB322DMBM tops our list of the best bottom-freezer refrigerators, because it offers plenty of capacity with user-friendly features, like two tiers of storage in the freezer basket, a factory-installed ice maker, and adjustable shelves in the refrigerator compartment. This popular kitchen appliance has 22.07 cubic feet of total capacity, making it roomy enough for storing all of your weekly groceries. 

The 15.6-cubic-foot refrigerator compartment is at eye level and has five shelves. And if you’ve ever struggled to fit a tall bottle on the shelf, it’s worth noting that four of those shelves are half-width ones that can be adjusted anywhere on the rail system lining the back of the refrigerator. This gives you the flexibility to organize your refrigerator contents

The bottom freezer compartment has 6.5 cubic feet of space, which is more spacious than what you’ll find on some other models. It’s well-organized, too—thanks to the two-tier design that uses a basket to keep smaller items contained and within reach. In the freezer compartment, you’ll also find a factory-installed ice maker. Most bottom-freezer refrigerators lack a through-the-door ice and water dispenser, and that’s true of this model too, but at least you can have ice cubes ready for use in your beverages or cooler. 

Price at time of publish: $1,799

Total Capacity: 22.07 cubic feet | Dimensions: 70 x 32.75 x 33.38 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Black stainless steel, stainless steel, black, white | Garage Friendly: No

Best Budget

Midea MRB19B7AST 18.7 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator

Midea 18.7-cu ft Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator (Stainless Steel) ENERGY STAR

Lowe's

What We Like
  • Pull-out basket for freezer compartment

  • LED lighting for better visibility in fridge and freezer

  • Energy Star certified

What We Don't Like
  • Stainless steel finish isn’t fingerprint-resistant

  • No deli drawer

The Midea MRB19B7AST is our recommendation if you’re shopping for a bottom-freezer refrigerator on a budget. This model keeps the price point under $1,000 at most retailers and is energy efficient, but offers you full-size capacity with 18.7 cubic feet of space. Unlike some other budget bottom-freezer fridges, this option has a pull-out freezer compartment, rather than freezer drawers that limit the storage options for large items, like pizza boxes or whole chickens. 

The refrigerator compartment claims 13.1 cubic feet of the total capacity and the bottom freezer takes up the remaining 5.6 cubic feet of space. Organizational features include gallon storage on the refrigerator door, three spill-proof refrigerator shelves (including two that are adjustable), and dual humidity-controlled crisper drawers for produce. Take note that there is no deli drawer for storing meats, cheeses, or other snacks. The freezer compartment has two tiers of storage to keep smaller and larger frozen items separate and accessible, though.

Available in a sleek stainless steel finish, this model will blend in with other modern kitchen appliances. However, unfortunately, it’s not a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish, so be prepared to wipe the exterior of the fridge on a regular basis to erase smudges and handprints. As mentioned, this is an energy-efficient model, boasting an Energy Star certification and a CEE Tier I rating

Price at time of publish: $999

Total Capacity: 18.7 cubic feet | Dimensions: 66.6 x 29.5 x 30.9 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: Single (optional) | Available Finishes: Stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No

Best High-Capacity

LG Electronics LRDCS2603S 25.50 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator in PrintProof Stainless Steel

LG Electronics LRDCS2603S 25.50 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator in PrintProof Stainless Steel

Lowes

What We Like
  • Large, 8.3-cubic-foot freezer drawer

  • WiFi-enabled

  • Factory-installed ice maker

  • Cooling vents to ensure door contents stay cold

What We Don't Like
  • No through-the-door ice or water dispenser

Bottom-freezer refrigerators may not be the roomiest type of refrigerator across the board—that distinction goes to French door refrigerators. But, there are plenty of models that are far from compact. Our favorite high-capacity, bottom-freezer refrigerator is the LG LRDCS2603S. This model boasts 26 cubic feet of room, split between a 17.2-cubic-foot refrigerator and an 8.3-cubic-foot freezer. It has the most capacity of popular bottom-freezer refrigerators on the market, and is a great pick if you have a large family or do your grocery shopping in bulk. Just don't forget to calculate the space you have available before deciding on a large and spacious refrigerator. When measuring, Kelly advises, "Allow room for the refrigerator’s doors to swing open and for a 1-inch clearance around the sides and back for adequate airflow."

The LG LRDCS2603S doesn’t have just sheer size on its side. It also uses innovative technology to keep your refrigerator running efficiently. For example, this model uses LG’s Smart Cooling technology to monitor refrigerator temperatures and adjust compressor operation to maintain target temperatures. It also has vents that direct cold air to the door of the refrigerator, keeping condiments, dairy, and beverages stored in the door bins chilled and ready for serving. 

It’s available in two sleek finishes that are resistant to fingerprints and smudges: stainless steel and black stainless steel. A hidden digital control panel makes it easy to adjust the temperature settings of the fridge or freezer, but you can also do so using the LG ThinQ app on your smartphone. This is one of the only bottom-freezer refrigerators we recommend that also has smart technology built in, further enhancing its appeal.

Price at time of publish: $1,800

Total Capacity: 25.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 69.88 x 32.75 x 34.88 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: PrintProof stainless steel, PrintProof black stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No

Best Design

SMEG FAB32UR 24-inch Bottom Freezer 12.8 cu. ft. Refrigerator

50s Style 24" Bottom Freezer 12.8 cu. ft. Energy Star Refrigerator

Wayfair

What We Like
  • Cooler drawer with adjustable temperature

  • Variety of color finishes to choose from

  • Adjustable glass shelves

What We Don't Like
  • No ice or water dispenser

  • Only available in standard depth

For a bottom-freezer refrigerator that combines function with style, the Smeg FAB32UR is hard to beat. This model is your best bet if you’re looking for an aesthetic appliance that also proves reliable. It features a bottom freezer compartment with three drawers for organization, and is sized right for small spaces. 

SMEG, an Italian appliance maker, constructs this compact refrigerator of steel, but it’s finished in an array of eye-catching colors, like blue, green, orange, red, and pink, plus classic colors like cream, black, and white. Use the retro-styled chrome handles to open the fridge and freezer compartments. The 8.26-cubic-foot refrigerator stores fresh foods on two adjustable glass shelves and also offers a LifePlus 32-degree Fahrenheit cooler drawer for storing cheese, meat, fish, or other fresh foods. This drawer has its own temperature control, which can be set between 28 and 37 degrees.

Inside of the 3.43-cubic-foot freezer are three drawers for storing your frozen goods, but take note that the small capacity means you’ll only have room for the essentials—and likely no space for large, bulky items like a turkey or frozen pizza boxes. Keep in mind that, while it does have compact dimensions, it’s not a counter-depth model. While it’s true that this refrigerator is smaller than other bottom-freezer refrigerators, it’s a popular choice for its retro design and will make a real statement in your kitchen. 

Price at time of publish: $4,000

Total Capacity: 12.8 cubic feet | Dimensions: 77.48 x 23.66 x 30.24 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: None | Available Finishes: White, black, cream, blue, green, orange, pink, red | Garage Friendly: Yes 

Best Counter-Depth

GE GBE17HYRFS 17.7 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

GE - ® ENERGY STAR® 17.7 Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator

Best Buy

What We Like
  • Narrow width and recessed handles

  • Temperature-controlled, full-width drawer

  • Three-drawer freezer compartment

What We Don't Like
  • Lacks an ice maker

  • Not Energy Star certified 

A counter-depth refrigerator won’t extend past your kitchen countertops, giving your kitchen a more streamlined appearance. It also keeps more space open for walkways, which is especially beneficial if you have limited square footage in your kitchen. The GE GBE17HYRFS is a counter-depth, bottom-freezer refrigerator that we recommend, because it pairs a 27-inch depth with plenty of organizational options that won’t leave you feeling shortchanged on space. Plus, this model has advanced cooling features to ensure that the contents of your fridge stay chilled at all times. 

This counter-depth refrigerator has 17.7 cubic feet of total storage, including a 4.7-cubic-foot bottom-freezer compartment. The freezer is smaller than some other models of bottom-freezer fridges, but it stands out for its use of sliding drawers to divide your frozen favorites. The bottom drawer is the deepest and will accommodate frozen turkeys or whole chickens. A medium and small drawer complete the freezer setup and hold frozen meals, bags of veggies, or treats like ice cream and popsicles. The 13 cubic feet of fridge space isn’t short on organization, either. The best part is the full-width storage drawer that can be adjusted to three preset temperatures, optimized for the storage of snacks, beverages, or meats.

Other notable features of this counter-depth, bottom-freezer refrigerator include enhanced air circulation for more efficient operation and a fast cooling function for the fridge and freezer. Select the Turbo Cool option from the digital control panel, and the refrigerator will direct cold air to more quickly drop the internal temperature and preserve food. In summary, this counter-depth refrigerator is compact, but well-equipped for storing fresh and frozen foods. 

Price at time of publish: $1,800

Total Capacity: 17.7 cubic feet | Dimensions: 68 x 31.125 x 27 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: None | Available Finishes: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No

Best Narrow

GE GLE12HSPSS 11.9 cu. ft. Built-In Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

4.5
GE GLE12HSPSS 11.9 cu. ft. Built-In Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

The Home Depot

What We Like
  • Includes flip-down bottle rack

  • Deli drawer with adjustable temperature settings

  • Has a removable tray in freezer

What We Don't Like
  • No water or ice dispenser

  • Not as spacious as other models

A narrow refrigerator is usually 24 inches wide and fits into tight spaces that can’t accommodate other models. Our favorite option for a narrow, bottom-freezer refrigerator is the GE GLE12HSPSS. It measures 23.5 inches wide and is a counter-depth model, giving you plenty of placement options in small kitchens. 

This narrow fridge with a bottom freezer provides 11.9 cubic feet of space for your groceries. It’s a good match for households with one or two people, but might be too small for large families. Some surprising features that make the most of the 7.71 cubic feet of space in the refrigerator include a bottle rack that holds up to five wine bottles, but folds out of the way when not in use. There’s only one full-width produce crisper drawer, but this leaves space for another full-width drawer with adjustable temperature settings for deli items, beverages, or meats. 

The freezer compartment has 4.19 cubic feet of storage room. Unlike some other compact, bottom-freezer refrigerators that have three drawers to keep all your frozen goods contained, this model has a pull-out drawer with a smaller basket on top. This design gives you more room for larger, bulkier frozen items in the bottom of the freezer drawer. The top basket is good for keeping smaller items organized, but if you add the optional ice maker, you’ll lose out on some storage space in the basket.  

Price at time of publish: $1,914

Total Capacity: 11.9 cubic feet | Dimensions: 70 x 24 x 26.5 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: None | Available Finishes: Stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No

Best with Dispenser

Whirlpool 26.8 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator with Dual Ice Maker

Whirlpool 26.8-cu ft French Door Refrigerator with Dual Ice Maker (Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel) ENERGY STAR

Lowe's

What We Like
  • In-door ice maker frees up refrigerator shelf space

  • Dual ice maker produces ice for single-serve and bulk use

  • Unique organizational features

What We Don't Like
  • More expensive than most models of its kind

If you want the convenience of a bottom-freezer refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser, then consider this French door model. The Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator is impressively large, with 26.8 cubic feet of space, but it also features a through-the-door ice and water dispenser, a dual ice maker, and convenient storage options for frozen and fresh foods. 

When shopping for a bottom-freezer refrigerator with a dispenser, look for an option that is easy to use. Some models have a water dispenser inside the fridge compartment, which keeps the exterior of the appliance streamlined, but requires you to open the door to the refrigerator every time you want to fill a glass with water. Most people prefer the one-handed convenience of a through-the-door dispenser, like you’ll find on the Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator. Equipped with a dual ice maker, this model has an in-door ice maker to fill your glass with small cubed or crushed ice, and a second ice maker in the freezer compartment to create additional ice for coolers, ice chests, or entertaining. 

The 7.77-cubic-foot bottom freezer of this refrigerator gives you plenty of space for storing all of your frozen favorites with two tiers of storage, too. There is even a special slot for storing pizza boxes upright, rather than resorting to stacking them underneath all your other freezer foods. Moving up to the refrigerator compartment, you’ll find 19 cubic feet of space and five glass shelves, plus two produce drawers. Unique storage features include a slide-out shelf for platters or casseroles, a full-width deli drawer, and a drawer for storing beverage cans.

While this refrigerator costs more than many other bottom-freezer refrigerators, it also has more capacity than most of these models. When you combine the capacity, organization features, and convenience of a through-the-door ice and water dispenser, there’s a lot to appreciate about this appliance. 

Price at time of publish: $3,299

Total Capacity: 26.8 cubic feet | Dimensions: 69.88 x 35.69 x 35.63 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: Both | Ice Maker Type: Dual | Available Finishes: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No

Best without Dispenser

GE GDE21EYKS 21 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

GE 20.9-cu ft Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator with Ice Maker (Stainless Steel) ENERGY STAR

Lowe's

What We Like
  • Factory-installed ice maker

  • Stainless steel finish resists fingerprints and smudges

  • Adjustable shelves 

What We Don't Like
  • Deli drawer doesn’t span the full-width of the appliance

  • Can be noisy

The GE GDE21EYKS is a mid-sized, bottom-freezer refrigerator that keeps things simple with a sleek design and no through-the-door ice or water dispenser. However, it does offer the convenience of ready-made ice with the help of a factory-installed ice maker in the freezer compartment. This is a great option if you want to have ice on hand at all times, but don’t want to make room for ice trays between your frozen food items. 

This bottom-freezer refrigerator offers 21 cubic feet of total interior space, making it more than equipped for an average family’s weekly groceries. The bottom freezer compartment is 6.04 cubic feet, leaving 14.93 cubic feet for storage of fresh foods. In the refrigerator, adjustable glass shelves and a sliding snack drawer give you the flexibility to arrange the space in a way that works for your shopping habits. The freezer drawer offers two tiers of storage, with an upper and lower basket. 

Price at time of publish: $1,798

Total Capacity: 21 cubic feet | Dimensions: 69.875 x 29.75 x 36.625 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: Single | Available Finishes: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant slate, black, white | Garage Friendly: No

Best for Apartments

Samsung RB10FSR4ESR 11.3 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

24 in. 11.3 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator in Fingerprint-Resistant Stainless Steel, Counter Depth

The Home Depot

What We Like
  • Three extendable freezer drawers

  • Sliding shelf in the refrigerator

  • Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish

What We Don't Like
  • No option for an ice maker

  • Limited capacity for families

If you’re shopping for a bottom-freezer refrigerator for an apartment or condo, consider the sleek and simple Samsung RB10FSR4ESR. It won’t take up much room, thanks to its compact dimensions—this model measures 70.13 by 24 by 26.63 inches. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish offers a modern look and reduces the amount of visible handprints and smudges. At under $1,000, this refrigerator is a good value with enough capacity for one or two people. 

This refrigerator also utilizes sliding shelves and drawers to maximize its 11.3 cubic feet of capacity. The freezer compartment is on the small side, measuring just 3.8 cubic feet. However, you can organize all of your frozen goods using three drawers that fully extend out, accommodating pizza boxes, meats, ice cream cartons, and more. The 7.5-cubic-foot refrigerator has edge-to-edge glass shelves for more room for fresh foods, plus a sliding shelf that gives you easier access to smaller items at the back of the refrigerator. The appliance lacks an ice maker or water dispenser. However, it’s Energy Star certified and operates efficiently with the help of a series of air vents dispersed throughout the refrigerator and freezer compartment.  

Price at time of publish: $1,043

Total Capacity: 11.3 cubic feet | Dimensions: 70.13 x 24 x 26.63 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice/Water Dispenser: None | Ice Maker Type: None | Available Finishes: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel | Garage Friendly: No

Final Verdict

The Whirlpool WRB322DMBM is your best option if you want a reliable bottom-freezer refrigerator with organizational features and a factory-installed ice maker. This model is our top overall pick because it offers 22 cubic feet of space, including a pull-out freezer compartment with two tiers of storage. The stainless steel finish is modern and easy to match with other kitchen appliances, too. For a basic option that keeps the price point under $1,000, consider the Midea MRB19B7AST 18.7 cu. ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator. It has less capacity than our top recommendation, and doesn’t come with a factory-installed ice maker. However, it does have a stainless steel finish. It carries an Energy Star certification and a CEE Tier I rating, as well.

What to Look for in a Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator

Dimensions and Capacity

The size of a bottom-freezer refrigerator is determined by both its dimensions and capacity. The dimensions will dictate whether the appliance fits into your kitchen, and the capacity will tell you whether or not it will hold your groceries. 

Most bottom-freezer refrigerators have a capacity between 11 and 26 cubic feet. Compact models for apartments or condos will have reduced dimensions and capacities to fit into tight spaces. This usually means sacrificing space in the fridge and freezer compartments. Take note that some of the smallest bottom-freezer refrigerators use drawers to organize frozen foods as well, rather than the pull-out freezer basket you’ll find on full-sized models. 

Full-sized bottom-freezer refrigerators usually have between 17 and 27 cubic feet of storage space. Our "best overall" pick, the Whirlpool WRB322DMBM, falls right in the middle of this range at 22 cubic feet. Full-sized options are available in both counter-depth and standard-depth dimensions, so you can find a model that works with your kitchen layout. You might opt for a counter-depth option, like the GE GBE17HYRFS, so your appliance doesn't impede on a walkway in your home and is flush with your countertops.

Energy Efficiency 

Buying an energy-efficient, bottom-freezer refrigerator helps reduce operational expenses. Look for models that are noted as Energy Star-certified if energy efficiency is important to you—like our "best budget" pick, the Midea MRB19B7AST. Often, these models cost as little as $60 a year to operate. In addition, CEE is another common energy rating. Usually, a CEE Tier 1 rating is on par with Energy Star certification.

By shopping for bottom-freezer refrigerators with one or both energy certifications, your appliance is more eco-friendly and budget-friendly. Keep in mind that most models (even those that aren’t Energy Star-certified) have an available estimate of energy usage on their product listing, so you can compare the operating costs between them.

Dispenser and Ice Maker

Most bottom-freezer refrigerators don’t include an ice and water dispenser, unless you opt for a French door refrigerator, like the Whirlpool WRF767SDHZ. However, a factory-installed ice maker is a more common option on bottom-freezer refrigerators. This ice maker is usually located in the freezer compartment and deposits ice into a bin, where it can be retrieved for drinks, coolers, ice chests, or any other use. When deciding if you want a bottom-freezer refrigerator with an ice maker, keep in mind that it will take up some space in the freezer section of the appliance. If maximizing frozen food storage is important to you, you may want to skip the convenience of a factory-installed ice maker. 

Storage Features 

While the basic function of a bottom-freezer refrigerator is the same across all models, you can shop for additional features that make the appliance more convenient or accessible. For example, some bottom-freezer refrigerators are equipped with special storage compartments to make the most of available space. For example, the Whirlpool WRF767SDHZ has a designated slot for storing pizza boxes that won’t cause them to be buried underneath other frozen items. Other bottom-freezer refrigerators use two tiers of storage to keep larger and smaller items separated in the freezer compartment. This can make it easier to find what you need without unloading the entire freezer drawer.

Standout Features

Easy-open Freezer Handle

It can be challenging to open the freezer portion of a bottom freezer refrigerator due to the weight of both the materials and your frozen food. Models with an easy-open freezer handle allow you to gently lift the handle, before easily sliding out the entire compartment. This feature is convenient for larger households with high-capacity models, which are naturally bulkier and more packed.

Bottle and Can Storage

Special storage for wine bottles and beer, seltzer, or soda cans is a convenient feature in many new refrigerators on the market. It keeps you from adjusting door bins to fit these taller items, or designating another spot in your refrigerator for drinks. In addition, this organizational feature eliminates the need for a different wine or beer cooler; however, it isn’t suitable for wine connoisseurs who separately chill their whites and reds.

Advanced Cooling

Some bottom-freezer refrigerators have advanced cooling functions. While the feature may have different names depending on the manufacturer, the purpose is to more rapidly lower the temperature of the fridge or freezer compartment, which can help to quickly chill fresh or frozen foods. This is handy if you made a long trip home from the grocery store, or if you want to quickly cool beverages or cold appetizers before company arrives. The GE GBE17HYRFS, our pick for the "best counter-depth" model, is equipped with Turbo Cool and Turbo Freeze functions. When activated, this setting sends cold air through the vent system and lowers the temperature of the fridge or freezer. 

Wi-Fi Capabilities

While the specific functions vary by model, a refrigerator with Wi-Fi usually enables you to monitor operation or adjust the temperature settings of the fridge or freezer using your smartphone. Other additional smart features may include the ability to increase ice production, which is handy if you are expecting company and want to make sure there will be enough ice on hand, or diagnose problems with the appliance. 

FAQ
  • Are bottom-freezer refrigerators reliable?

    When properly maintained, a bottom-freezer refrigerator can prove reliable. However, keep in mind that an ice maker increases the chances of having problems with your appliance. Models without an ice maker are usually considered more reliable than models that have this feature. However, many households appreciate the convenience of ready-made ice and want to skip the hassle of filling ice trays, making a bottom-freezer refrigerator with an ice maker an easy pick, despite the increased potential for problems down the road. 

  • What is the life expectancy of a bottom-freezer refrigerator?

    Like other types of refrigerators, a bottom-freezer refrigerator has a life expectancy of up to 14 years. To ensure that your fridge remains in good working order for as long as possible, keep up with regular maintenance. You should regularly vacuum the air intake, wipe the rubber door seals, and monitor the drain pan underneath the fridge to ensure that it doesn’t become full of water and overflow. 

  • Are bottom-freezer refrigerators more efficient than top-freezer refrigerators?

    Top-freezer refrigerators are typically noted as the most efficient type of refrigerator. The design and mechanical configuration of a bottom freezer refrigerator makes it less efficient than top-freezer fridges. "The compressor is much closer on a bottom freezer unit, so it can be harder to keep heat out," according to interior designer and Global Connect Advisor of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), Kerrie Kelly. When you compare the estimated energy usage, top-freezer refrigerators cost as little as $40 a year to operate, while bottom-freezer refrigerators cost around $60 or more to operate annually. 

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Erica Puisis, who specializes in researching large and small home appliances, including refrigerators of all types and other kitchen appliances. She has been writing for The Spruce since 2017. To find the best options for bottom-freezer refrigerators, she considered popular models from manufacturers like LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, GE, and more. The capacity of the freezer and refrigerator compartments, storage and organization options, and any available smart features were key aspects of the research process, as these points are most likely to impact the usability of the appliance. 

For this article, Puisis also spoke to Kerrie Kelly, a Sacramento-based interior designer. Kelly also is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association and serves as a Global Connect Advisor. Kelly shared tips on selecting and purchasing a refrigerator, including the importance of choosing a model that reflects your lifestyle and fits in your space.

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