Stainless steel Whirlpool® Top Freezer Refrigerator in compact kitchen

The best top freezer refrigerators for every home

A top freezer refrigerator brings a classic, familiar look to your kitchen. This budget-friendly appliance also offers ample refrigerator space and keeps frozen foods at eye level. Continue reading to learn whether a top freezer refrigerator is right for you, based on your food storage needs, family routines, budget and more.

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Top freezer refrigerator with refrigerator door open and stocked with food

What is a top mount refrigerator?

A top mount refrigerator may also be referred to as a top freezer refrigerator. These appliances feature a cabinet-style freezer compartment located on top of the refrigerator section. The freezer may have shelves and racks that help keep your frozen foods organized and easy to reach.

Top freezer refrigerators offer a traditional design that can work well within a variety of kitchen styles, especially with smaller kitchens. With the freezer located on top of the appliance, top freezer refrigerators also offer plenty of refrigerator storage, making them a convenient choice for those who purchase a lot of fresh foods and ingredients.

Compared with other types of refrigerators, top freezer refrigerators may offer a traditional layout at a lower price point. These appliances are also generally quite energy efficient.

Top freezer refrigerator benefits

Top freezer refrigerators can bring a variety of benefits to your kitchen, such as:

  • Budget-friendly: The simple design of top freezer refrigerators often allows for a lower entry price point.

  • Frozen foods at eye level: With a freezer on top, no bending is required to reach frozen food items.

  • Ample refrigerator storage: More of the appliance is dedicated to refrigerator space, allowing for convenient storage of everyday essentials.

  • Classic refrigerator style: The traditional design of a top freezer refrigerator allows for seamless integration into a variety of kitchen styles.

Why choose a top freezer fridge over a bottom freezer fridge?

You may opt for a top freezer refrigerator over a bottom freezer refrigerator if you’re looking for a traditional design that offers easy access to the freezer. Top freezer refrigerators are generally more energy efficient than bottom freezer refrigerators and can often be more affordable.

Top freezer refrigerator sizes and capacity

A top freezer refrigerator is typically 24 to 33 inches in width, 61 to 69 inches in height and 28 to 35 inches in depth. When the refrigerator door is open to 90 degrees, the depth may extend about 27 inches. Standard capacities typically range from 10 to 21 cubic feet, along with four to five cu. ft. of freezer capacity, making this configuration ideal for smaller spaces. Actual sizes vary by model, so check your product manual for more specific information.

Person placing leftovers in a refrigerator

Best top freezer refrigerator benefits for various household needs

Top freezer refrigerators offer a variety of benefits depending on your household needs. Keep reading to learn more about how a top freezer refrigerator can help support your household.

For budget-focused households

Budget-focused households may find that a top mount refrigerator is an affordable choice with its simple design and limited advanced features. It may also fit with a variety of kitchen styles, which may be helpful if you plan to redesign your kitchen without replacing appliances. Select Whirlpool® Top Freezer Refrigerators come in black, white, stainless, black stainless and even unique shades like this model, which is available in “Biscuit-on-Biscuit”.

For small families and couples

While top mount refrigerators may often have a smaller capacity than other refrigerator types, this may be ideal for small families and couples who do not require as much storage space. Top mount refrigerators typically offer between 10 to 21 cubic feet of capacity, with four to five cubic feet of freezer capacity.

For renters and apartments

The smaller size of a top mount refrigerator makes it ideal for smaller spaces, like an apartment. A top mount refrigerator will typically measure out to 24 to 33 inches in width, 61 to 69 inches in height and 28 to 35 inches in depth. Exact measurements may vary by model. Small space refrigerators, like this top-freezer model from Whirlpool brand, are designed to make efficient use of a small space like an apartment.

For a garage, basement or second refrigerator

For those looking for extra space to store fresh food, a top mount refrigerator can offer the capacity you need at an affordable price. Advanced features are not typically found on top mount refrigerators, which may make them an affordable and basic option for those looking for a second refrigerator for storage. These appliances typically offer between 10 to 21 cubic feet of capacity for overflow groceries, drinks or other fresh food as well as four to five cubic feet of freezer capacity for frozen foods.

Whirlpool brand offers select models, such as this top-freezer refrigerator, that are Garage Ready, keeping cool in rooms from 38°F to 110°F. So whether it’s in the kitchen today or the garage tomorrow, this fridge adapts as your family’s needs grow.

For those who want frozen foods within easier reach

Top mount refrigerators place the freezer at eye level, making it easy to access frozen foods. This may be appealing to those who do not want to bend down to reach the freezer.

Produce stacked in a humidity crisper

Top freezer refrigerator features to compare

Top freezer refrigerators offer many features that may be helpful to your household. Adjustable deli drawers and door bins help accommodate fresh food storage, while cooling systems and crispers help keep food stored in their ideal environment. For instance, some of the features available on select Whirlpool® Top Freezer Refrigerators include:

  • Flexi-slide Deli Drawer: Slide the drawer sideways to open space for tall items in seconds, or slide it back for smaller essentials.

  • Garage Ready: Get flexible placement wherever life takes you, keeping cool in rooms from 38°F to 110°F.

  • Total Coverage Cooling: Multi-flow vents direct fresh, chilled air throughout the refrigerator to help keep an even temperature at every shelf.

  • FreshSpace Humidity Control Crispers: Help keep fruits and veggies at their best.

  • Adjustable Door Bins: Shift the Adjustable Door Bins up or down to fit tall bottles or snack packs where your family can easily reach them.

Open side-by-side refrigerator full of food

Whirlpool® Refrigerators
A refrigerator for every kitchen

Whether you need extra freezer space or an exterior ice and water dispenser, Whirlpool brand has refrigerator options for you

Top freezer refrigerator FAQs

Get answers to commonly asked questions about top mount refrigerators.

Top freezer refrigerators are generally found at a lower price point than other refrigerator styles. Advanced features like exterior water and ice dispensers are less common in this type of refrigerator, which may make it more affordable.

While refrigerator sizes vary from model to model, you’ll generally want about ½ inch of space above the refrigerator for proper ventilation. Be sure to check your product manual for specific instructions on clearance for your specific model.

Refrigerators do not need a water line if they do not have an ice or water dispenser, which are not always found in top freezer refrigerators. Some top freezer refrigerators may offer an ice maker, which should outline everything you need to install.

Some top freezer refrigerators have ice makers and some don’t. Ice makers may be available as a manufacturer-approved add-on, as well. Select Whirlpool® Top Freezer Refrigerators feature an Optional Ice Maker, so you can get easy, year-round access to ice by adding the Optional Ice Maker kit (sold separately) to your refrigerator, and skip refilling ice trays.

Some top freezer refrigerators qualify for ENERGY STAR® certification, but this can vary from model to model. Generally, top mount refrigerators typically use the least amount of energy, compared with bottom freezer or side-by-side refrigerators. ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators must use 10% less energy than the minimum federal efficiency standards. Refrigerators exceeding 39 cubic feet do not qualify.

Whichever features fit your routines best, you can find the right top freezer refrigerator for your family from Whirlpool brand. Garage Ready mode on select Whirlpool® Refrigerators offers flexible placement wherever life takes you, keeping cool in rooms from 38°F to 110°F. Plus, help keep an even temperature at every shelf with Total Coverage Cooling on select Whirlpool® Refrigerators. Shop Whirlpool® Top Freezer Refrigerators for your home today.

Shop Whirlpool® Top Freezer Refrigerators

A closeup of an open Whirlpool® top freezer refrigerator

Top freezer refrigerators
Keep your frozen favorites conveniently at eye level

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