There’s nothing like the classic design of a top freezer refrigerator. The two-door design is both a friendly reminder of the past and a convenient way to organize your refrigerated goods. The bottom compartment is where all fresh produce, dairy items, meats, juices, and condiments can be stored, and the upper compartment stores your frozen items and ice trays. If you aren’t a bulk grocery shopper, a top freezer fridge provides more than enough storage space for a family of three to four at an affordable value.
Apartments, garages, basements, and home offices don’t typically require the high-end features and extra-large capacity of a French door or side by side refrigerator, so a top freezer model will get the job done with plenty of helpful amenities and a clean, straightforward approach.
If you’re in the market for a new energy-efficient and cost-effective refrigerator, Albert Lee has you covered with our list of the best top freezer refrigerators, as well as buying considerations and frequently asked questions.
Top Freezer Refrigerator: What to Look For
Capacity: The total capacity of a top freezer refrigerator includes both the fridge and freezer compartments. They typically range from 10 cubic feet in compact units to 24 cubic feet in high-capacity models. The average top freezer fridge will feature about 16 cubic feet for groceries and 4 cubic feet for frozen storage, enough space to house food for a couple or family of three.
Counter Depth vs Standard Depth: The depth of your refrigerator determines how much food you can store inside of it. Counter depth refrigerators sit flush with counters and cabinets, providing a built-in look; however, they aren’t very spacious and food storage is limited. Standard depth fridge models are much more spacious, but can be a bulky appliance that takes up a lot of space in your kitchen.
Ice Maker: Top freezer refrigerators often come equipped with a factory-installed ice maker, or they will be compatible with an ice maker kit. It can cut into your freezer storage, but it is a useful addition for any household that entertains or enjoys a good drink. You won’t need to fill separate ice trays or occupy shelf space to store your ice cubes. A factory-installed ice maker will typically function better than one installed separately, but this can lead to a higher upfront purchase price.
Deli Drawer: A deli drawer is a standard feature in most side by side, French door, and bottom freezer models, it’s not a given in top freezer fridges. A deli drawer is a convenient addition that stores meats and cheeses at the proper temperature and keeps them separate from other contents in your fridge. The drawer will typically slide out, making access and organization a breeze.
Related Article: Top Freezer vs Bottom Freezer Fridge
The Best Top Freezer Refrigerator
Best Overall Top Freezer Refrigerator: GE Stainless Steel Top Freezer Refrigerator (GTS17GSNRSS)
GE top freezer refrigerators provide everything you need for sufficient food preservation and a convenient design. Enjoy a polished look and easy-access cleaning with edge-to-edge shelves that extend the full width of the refrigerator, while a wire freezer shelf adjusts between two positions to accommodate items of all shapes and sizes.
A sliding deli drawer provides greater flexibility in your fridge and easily creates more space for tall items, upfront temperature controls regulate both fresh food and freezer sections, and LED lighting makes it easy to find all your favorite foods under natural-looking light.
Best Budget-Value Top Freezer Refrigerator: Whirlpool Top Freezer Refrigerator (WRT314TFDW)
Get the flexibility your family needs with purposeful spaces that store more of your favorite refrigerated items. The Whirlpool top mount refrigerator features an optional icemaker so there's no need to refill ice trays once it's installed. Quiet cooling keeps this top freezer refrigerator from interrupting family time in the kitchen, and a 14 cubic feet capacity gives you room for all your groceries. Freezer temperature controls allow you to adjust the temperature level of cold air in the freezer, and Quiet Cooling provides a near-silent operation for a more pleasant kitchen experience.
Best Luxury Top Freezer Refrigerator: Maytag Fingerprint Resistant Top Freezer Refrigerator (MRT711SMFZ)
Maytag top freezer refrigerators are built to hold the cold with features like stainless steel handles that embody the heavy-duty strength Maytag is known for. The EvenAir cooling tower keeps food cool without breaking a sweat, while the PowerCold feature chills the refrigerator to help keep everything cool, even if the whole family's been browsing with the door open.
The electronic temperature controls are even located up front to easily maintain the coolness of your fridge with the touch of a button. Plus, it’s available in fingerprint-resistant stainless steel to keep your appliance looking great. Inside this 21 cubic foot top freezer refrigerator, you'll also find BrightSeries LED lighting that casts a bright, white light and uses less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Best Counter Depth Top Freezer Refrigerator: Amana Monochromatic Top Freezer Refrigerator (ART308FFDM)
This 30-inch Amana top freezer refrigerator comes with humidity-controlled Garden Fresh Crisper Bins that help greens stay green so you can spend less time making trips to the produce market. Organize your fridge just how you like it with Gallon Door Storage Bins and a Flip-up Storage Shelf, keeping milk jugs, juice cartons, or a six-pack of soda within reach.
Utilize the Dairy Bin to easily access items like butter, cream cheese, and yogurt, reversible doors your refrigerator and freezer door open to whichever side you want, and you can store more than a week’s worth of food with an 18 cubic feet capacity. And beyond saving money on food, you will save money on electricity, as Amana refrigerators cool efficiently and effectively.
Related Article: What’s the Difference Between Counter Depth and Standard Depth Refrigerators?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does a top freezer fridge work in a small kitchen?
It will always depend on the layout of your kitchen, but top freezer refrigerators are typically narrower than a side by side fridge model. However, the door swing of a top freezer refrigerator can pose a problem depending on where your fridge is installed in relation to walkways. If your kitchen is on the smaller side, look for a fridge with a flush back to conserve more space.
2. Does a top freezer fridge have an in-door water dispenser?
It isn’t very common to find a top freezer fridge with an in-door water dispenser, so if this is a feature you value, consider a French door model.
3. How long do top freezer refrigerators last?
Like any major refrigeration appliance, it depends on how well you care for your fridge. You rely on your top freezer fridge to last anywhere from 10 to 15 years.
Related Article: The Best 24 Inch Refrigerators for Small Space Living
Shop Top Freezer Refrigerators at Albert Lee
If you need a refrigerator with valuable storage space at an affordable price point, then consider a top freezer fridge. They are simple to maintain and effectively control temperature for reliable food preservation. If you’d like to learn more, navigate to our refrigeration catalog for a full highlight of product attributes, prices, finishes, reviews, and more.
However, if you think you’re ready to invest in a new fridge, Albert Lee is your home for the best rated top freezer refrigerators in the greater Seattle region. Shop with us online, give us a call at your preferred store, or visit one of the 6 Albert Lee locations near you to find the refrigerator you’ve been searching for.