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The Spruce / Zackary Angeline
In contrast to side-by-side refrigerators or bottom-freezer refrigerators, a top-freezer refrigerator features a freezer compartment at the top of the unit. These can be both space-efficient and energy-efficient options, and they come in a range of sizes and budgets to suit different household needs.
We researched dozens of top-freezer models, evaluating them on their capacity and overall dimensions, and a variety of other helpful features, including adjustable shelving, factory-installed ice makers, and Energy Star certification.
If you’re still shopping around, here are the best top-freezer refrigerators for your home.
Best Overall
Frigidaire FRTD2021AS 20.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
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Lowe's
Great functionality
Attractive design in three finishes
Spacious interior
Reversible doors
Not Energy Star certified
Door shelves aren’t adjustable
No ice maker
This Frigidaire model earns top honors because it strikes the right balance among affordability, style, and functionality. Unlike other basic top-freezer models, this one comes in three finishes—white, black, and an attractive stainless steel.
Inside, you’ll find ample refrigeration space, with 15.2 cubic feet for chilling, plus a freezer with 5.2 cubic feet for preserving. These areas are complete with thoughtful shelving, including crispers, a small deli drawer, and a dairy compartment, as well as gallon door bins in the fridge and two full-width door racks and a one half-width shelf inside the freezer—this makes it easier implement a good organizational system for the entire refrigerator. While most small families will find this sufficient for their groceries, one potential downside to this model is that the gallon door bins aren’t adjustable—you’ll have to work within the framework of what’s provided.
That said, the door is reversible, so you can situate it in a way that provides easiest access. Unfortunately, this model is not Energy Star certified. Still, we think it has a nice mix of features for most households.
Price at time of publish: $1,029
Total Capacity: 20.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 69 x 30 x 34.13 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice Maker: No | Available Finishes: Stainless steel, white, black | Energy Star Certified: No | Garage Friendly: No
Best Budget
Magic Chef HMDR1000ST 10.1 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
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The Home Depot
Meets basic refrigeration needs
Great for smaller spaces
Reversible doors
Energy Star certified
Smaller capacity
No deli drawer
Limited retailer options
If you don’t mind sacrificing a bit of storage space for a more budget-friendly appliance, the top-freezer refrigerator by Magic Chef is a solid option. It’s both cost- and space-saving, without making major sacrifices in functionality. At just under 24 inches wide, it still has approximately 10 cubic feet of room for your groceries in both a fridge and a freezer.
You will have to make a concession on a few conveniences, including frills like an ice maker and deli drawer, but it does have other important conveniences—you’ll appreciate the automatic defroster, reversible doors, and crisper drawers. This model also has adjustable shelving in both the fridge and freezer compartments.
The unit features organizational compartments like a can holder, a gallon bin on the door, and removable glass shelves, and it cools quickly, too. You can plug in the appliance and put your groceries away almost immediately. Plus, it's Energy Star certified for long-term energy savings. The unit also comes in multiple finishes, including white, platinum steel, and black, all of which ring in at about $50 of one another. Just keep in mind that it's not available to purchase from as many retailers as other models on this list, which means fewer opportunities to price-compare.
Price at time of publish: $499
Total Capacity: 10.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 59.4 x 23.6 x 25.2 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice Maker: No | Available Finishes: White, platinum steel, black | Energy Star Certified: Yes | Garage Friendly: No
Best Compact
Frigidaire FFET1022UV 10.1 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
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The Home Depot
Reversible doors
Energy Star certified
Three fingerprint-resistant finishes
Smaller capacity
No deli drawer or butter keeper
If your needs are small—maybe you’re just one or two people or living in a small space—this compact unit from Frigidaire is a wise choice, because it’s decidedly stylish and practical all at once, making it a great choice to use in small kitchen designs. Similar in size to our best budget pick, the Magic Chef HMDR1000ST, the small footprint boasts 10.1 cubic feet of space, which is relatively average for narrow refrigerators. You’ll get 7.4 cubic feet of space in the fridge and 2.7 cubic feet of space in the top freezer. This model is Energy Star certified, and it’s available from a number of retailers for easier shopping.
You will have to sacrifice on customized storage, like a butter keeper and a deli drawer, but there are other storage areas to suit varying needs. The appliance features a combination of crispers, door bins, and shelves, as well as LED lighting to illuminate the interior. Plus, it has reversible hinges to give you the best access possible. Also nice is that the appliance comes in three finishes—white, black, or brushed steel—all of which are fingerprint-resistant.
Price at time of publish: $829
Total Capacity: 10.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 59.88 x 23.75 x 26.25 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice Maker: No | Available Finishes: Brushed steel, black, white | Energy Star Certified: Yes | Garage Friendly: No
Best Counter-Depth
LG Electronics LTNC11131V 11.1 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
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The Home Depot
Sits flush with countertops for a streamlined look
Versatile storage
Manual ice maker included
Can be noisy
Doors aren’t reversible
If you need a counter-depth fridge to fit in a small living area, like an apartment, a tiny home, or even an RV, this model by LG is a great choice. While it is undoubtedly expensive for such a narrow appliance, we like it because it’s nearly just as functional as its larger counterparts.
It does have a smaller capacity due to its footprint, and the doors aren’t reversible—but like other larger appliances manufactured by the brand, this refrigerator is thoughtfully designed. It’s nice and sleek, with contoured platinum doors and curved handles. Plus, it has a sophisticated airflow system that maintains humidity levels throughout to keep food fresher for longer.
The fridge boasts plenty of options for interior storage, including two tempered glass shelves and an easy-access pull-out tray, along with four door bins and a big humidity-controlled crisper drawer. LED lighting ensures that you can easily spot everything on the tempered glass shelving. This model doesn’t feature a built-in ice maker, but it does include a manual ice maker you can position wherever is convenient in the freezer. Users have reported that this appliance is a bit loud—a concession you’ll probably be willing to make if your space requires a counter-depth appliance.
Price at time of publish: $700
Total Capacity: 11.1 cubic feet | Dimensions: 66.5 x 24 x 26 inches | Installation Depth: Counter | Ice Maker: No built-in ice maker (manual ice maker is included) | Available Finishes: Platinum silver | Energy Star Certified: No | Garage Friendly: No
Best with Ice Maker
GE GIE18GSNRSS 17.5 Cu. Ft. 28-Inch Top-Freezer Refrigerator
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GE Appliances
Factory-installed ice maker with storage bin
Spacious interior with adjustable shelving
Energy Star certified
Comes in four finishes
On the pricey side
In general, top-freezer refrigerators don’t come equipped with an automatic ice maker—unless you’re willing to pay a real premium for extra features. That’s not the case with this model from GE, though. Despite the relatively comparable price point, this unit boasts an automatic ice maker that spits out cubes into an included bin for your convenience, which you can switch on and off as needed to conserve energy.
That’s not all there is to write home about, though. The appliance has a fairly impressive 17.5 cubic feet of storage space—13.49 cubic feet of space for fresh foods in the fridge on the bottom, and about 4 cubic feet for frozen goods on the top. In the fridge you’ll find plenty of storage, including two crispers, a small deli drawer, a butter keeper, and multiple adjustable shelves, and gallon door bins. The freezer also has a pair of door bins and an adjustable wire shelf that divides the space in two.
What’s more, the model is available in four finishes, including a stylish slate option in addition to the more ubiquitous black, white, and stainless steel.
Price at time of publish: $1,079
Total Capacity: 17.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 67.375 x 28 x 32.625 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice Maker: Yes (single) | Available Finishes: Black, silver, stainless steel, white | Energy Star Certified: Yes | Garage Friendly: No
Best with Deli Drawer
Maytag MRT118FFFH 18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
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The Home Depot
Deli drawer runs the full fridge width
Plenty of door storage
LED lighting in freezer
Inexpensive
Freezer shelf isn’t adjustable
Not Energy Star certified
If you prefer your fridge to have a large deli drawer—and versatile storage space in general—this Maytag option is worth considering. The top-freezer appliance has 18 cubic feet of space to store both fresh and frozen goods across the fridge and freezer. Inside the fridge, you’ll find a full-width deli drawer, three glass shelves, plus tons of storage on the door. It also has a butter keeper and two crispers. In the spacious 5.09-cubic-foot freezer compartment you’ll find two drawer bins, as well as a glass shelf to help keep frozen foods organized.
The appliance boasts a host of conveniences, too, like precise, internal, digital controls, and LED lighting in both sections. And even though it’s not Energy Star-certified, the unit runs more quietly than most other comparable models—a definite draw for some. We think this unit from Maytag comes at an excellent value. It has a functional design that most users will find fully sufficient to meet their needs.
Price at time of publish: $899
Total Capacity: 18.15 cubic feet | Dimensions: 65.38 x 29.75 x 31.38 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice Maker: No | Available Finishes: White, black, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel | Energy Star Certified: No | Garage Friendly: No
Best Garage-Friendly
Kenmore Top-Freezer Refrigerator
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Amazon
Ample storage with slide-out shelves
Hidden coils
Frost-free freezer
Energy Star certified
Plastic drawers can fog up
Families who have a lot of spillover may benefit from a garage-friendly fridge that can handle more extreme temperatures—but they’re surprisingly hard to come by. And the ones that are rated for use in these unconditioned spaces tend to be very basic, lacking bells and whistles and important aesthetics. The Kenmore Top-Freezer Refrigerator is different. The appliance manages to strike the right balance of style, affordability, and function—and it can operate in spaces with temperatures ranging from 39 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
The garage-friendly appliance has both a roomy refrigerator and a top freezer for chilling and preserving—totaling nearly 21 cubic feet of space. And unlike most basic garage models, it boasts convenience features like slide-out glass storage shelves, easily adjustable door pockets, and bright LED fridge lighting that turns on when you open the reversible door. Just note: While there are two crisper drawers, some users say they tend to fog up, which can make it hard to spot what you need without opening the drawers.
The overall aesthetic is superior to other garage models, too. The curved front may make the footprint slightly larger, but it’s undoubtedly sleek. The unit also has hidden coils that allow you to tuck the machine into tight corners—especially helpful when you’re trying to maximize space in the garage, which can have other uses, such as a wood shop or home gym. Just make sure to leave 2 inches of space around the unit on all sides.
Price at time of publish: $950
Total Capacity: 20.8 cubic feet | Dimensions: 66.1 x 32.87 x 33.8 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice Maker: No | Available Finishes: White, black, stainless steel | Energy Star Certified: Yes | Garage Friendly: Yes
Best Retro
Galanz 12 cu. ft. Top Freezer Retro Refrigerator
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The Home Depot
Unique, charming design
Energy Star certified
Available in four fun hues
Handles are plastic
If you’re drawn to retro kitchens, you’ll love what the Galanz Top Freezer Retro Refrigerator offers. Though most retro fridges have a relatively small capacity—closer to 10 cubic feet—this one boasts a larger 12 cubic feet, placing it in closer competition with more standard top-freezer refrigerators.
Beyond the capacity, this one earns points for being very functional. The interior of the fridge is modern, complete with three adjustable glass shelves, a large crisper drawer, and a door with four bins and dedicated can storage. It also has an easy-to-use frost-free, adjustable electrical thermostat control, as well as a bright interior light. The freezer has one removable shelf and two door bins.
Unlike designs of the past, this model is Energy Star certified, so you know it’ll run as efficiently as any model that looks more contemporary. While some users wish the plastic door handles were made of metal rather than plastic, the overall retro look is hard to beat. As a nice bonus, you can choose from four sleek finishes: blue, red, white, and black.
Price at time of publish: $650
Total Capacity: 12 cubic feet | Dimensions: 66.93 x 23.74 x 29.45 inches | Installation Depth: Standard | Ice Maker: No | Available Finishes: White, black, blue, red | Energy Star Certified: Yes | Garage Friendly: No
When it comes to a top-freezer refrigerator, our top pick is the Frigidaire 20.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator, because it marries style and value. It's a reliable option for a range of households, thanks to ample space, thoughtful shelving, and three finish choices. But if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider the Magic Chef HMDR1000ST 10.1 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator, an inexpensive, more compact model. While smaller in size, it is well-priced and has important conveniences like thoughtful shelving, automatic defrosting, and reversible doors.
What to Look for in a Top-Freezer Refrigerator
Dimensions and Capacity
The total capacity of a top-freezer refrigerator includes both the fridge and freezer portions. It's measured in cubic feet, and it can range from 10 cubic feet in compact and counter-depth units, to up to 24 cubic feet in high-capacity ones. The average top-freezer refrigerator has around 16 cubic feet of space for your groceries, with frozen storage taking up 4 cubic feet of this space. To add some perspective, this is enough for a small family or couple. If your household is larger, you'll want to shop for a model that's above this average in size. The garage-friendly Kenmore Top-Freezer Refrigerator has a capacity of just under 21 cubic feet.
Ice Maker
Some top-freezer refrigerators have a factory-installed ice maker or are compatible with an ice maker kit that you can install yourself. Although this amenity can dip into the capacity of your freezer, it can be useful for any home that frequently entertains, prepares drinks, or enjoys doing active activities. It eliminates the need for any separate ice trays, which can be a hassle to both fill up and keep organized on a shelf. The GE GIE18GSNRSS Top-Freezer Refrigerator is our “best with ice maker” pick.
If an ice maker sounds like a good fit for your household, you should ideally shop for a fridge with a factory-installed one, as it typically has fewer issues than one you install separately. Just know: The fridge may be more expensive upfront. Water and ice dispensers are uncommon on top-freezer models, which is why you won’t find any on the above list.
Energy Efficiency
It may surprise you, but when it comes to energy efficiency, the placement of the freezer is key. According to Constellation, the most energy-efficient refrigerator style is a top-mount freezer refrigerator. In fact, they use up to 30 percent less energy than side-by-side refrigerators. Still, you can also look for Energy Star-certified appliances to ensure that your specific model is reliably energy-saving.
Style
As you’re shopping, one of the things to consider is the fridge style that’ll be most suitable for your space. A refrigerator's depth impacts how much you can store inside of it, and how the model will look in your home. A counter-depth model, like the LG Electronics LTNC11131V Top Freezer Refrigerator, is designed to sit flush with your counters and cabinets, giving the fridge a built-in look and feel. The downside to this design is that it's not very spacious, so your food storage will be quite limited. In contrast, a standard-depth model is very spacious, but it will be a bulky addition to your living space. Be sure that you have the footprint for this model before purchasing it.
Standout Features
Deli Drawer
While a deli drawer is a standard feature in many bottom-freezer and side-by-side refrigerators, it's not a guarantee in top-freezer models. The standard design of a top freezer fridge can often leave out this feature, which is convenient for storing meats and cheeses at the proper temperature. In some models, the deli drawer slides to make organizing the rest of your fridge a breeze. Many top-freezer refrigerators feature half-width deli drawers, but you can find a full-width deli drawer in Maytag’s MRT118FFFH Refrigerator. Ultimately, a spacious deli drawer will be most helpful for households who frequently buy deli meats and cheeses.
Flexible Compartment
Some top-freezer refrigerators can be turned into entirely refrigerated units. Their freezers can be set to a lower temperature, and dubbed a "flexible compartment." To use this feature, simply adjust your freezer's internal temperature to 32 degrees Fahrenheit for fresh food, instead of 0 degrees for your frozen food. Give the freezer time to adjust, before filling it with trays, extra produce, or leftovers for the rest of your household. Typically, this feature is most suitable for homes with children or multiple people.
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Is it better to have a freezer on the top or bottom of your refrigerator?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Generally, consumers prefer a freezer on the bottom, because they easily glide out and feature an assortment of bins and drawers to keep food organized. However, from an energy-saving perspective, top-freezer refrigerators are preferable, since they can use up to 30 percent less energy than other styles of refrigerators.
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Are top-freezer refrigerators more reliable?
While every appliance can have issues and require repairs, top-freezer refrigerators are usually the most reliable and durable. Their design is very straightforward and typically doesn't include many additional features that could break over time, like an ice maker or technology hub. Not to mention, they can be very energy-efficient.
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How long do top-freezer refrigerators last?
Refrigerators operate for 24 hours a day, but they are made for the job—you can expect a fridge to last up to 14 years, depending on usage and care.
To ensure your appliance goes the distance, you’ll want to periodically give it a deep clean. You should regularly vacuum the air intake at the base of the refrigerator to clear it of dust and other debris, maintain the rubber door gaskets by wiping them down with mild cleaner and a soft cloth, and make sure that the drain pan at the bottom of the refrigerator doesn’t fill with water and spill out.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience writing about consumer products like home appliances. To curate this list, Brigitt scoured all of the most popular retailers to find the best, most highly rated top-freezer refrigerators. Then, she vetted each, reading all of the specs and hundreds of reviews. She also interviewed experts to find out what’s most important when shopping for this style of refrigerator. With that information, she further analyzed each product being considered to ensure the final list contained only the most reliable, quality options on the market today.
Additional writing and reporting were conducted by Marisa Viglione, who is the large appliance expert for The Spruce.
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