Top Freezer vs Bottom Freezer: What’s the Difference?

You might not think there’s a big difference between a top freezer refrigerator and a bottom freezer refrigerator, but you would be wrong. Bottom freezers are generally more useful in terms of storage space than their counterparts because they take up less vertical space. The only downside is that it takes longer to find items when you’re searching through them since they’re on the floor and not at eye-level like with a top freezer. Let’s take a closer look at pros and cons of the both refrigerator type.

Top Freezer Refrigerators

Top Freezer Refrigerator seems to be a timeless food storage system in any home.

Pros:

  • Energy-efficient. They use less energy which makes them cheaper to operate. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, top freezers use about 10 to 25 percent less energy than bottom freezers, which helps reduce your energy bill, electricity consumption, and carbon footprint.
  • Affordable price point.
  • There’s a lot of storage place in the refrigerator compartment, and the top rack is readily accessible.
  • Food in the fridge compartment are stored in the eye/shoulder level, so it’s easy to access everything you need.

Cons:

  • Fewer organization options. A top freezer is better for people who don’t want to bend over or squat down to get something out of the fridge. This can pose an issue for those with disabilities, such as knee problems.
  • No pull-out freezer drawer.
  • They’re taller and take up some floor space, which is not ideal for small apartments or kitchens.
  • The lack of a glass door and the absence of an ice maker mean that this top freezer refrigerator will not look particularly attractive in most kitchen settings.
  • No water or ice dispenser options available.

If you live in a single-family home, have a limited kitchen, or want to devote more of your budget to other appliances and don’t need much freezer capacity or many high-end features, a top freezer fridge is an excellent option.

Bottom Freezer Refrigerators

Bottom freezer refrigerators have become extremely popular in recent years.

Pros:

  • Greater storage place. All refrigerated items are always in sight, and better organization options in both the fridge and freezer sections are helpful for efficient storage.
  • The increased capacity allows you to maximize your storage space and reduce the number of trips to the grocery store.
  • Modern spacious design is ideal for families and bussiness
  • Option to stack food in the freezer compartment.

Cons:

  • Bottom freezer units are expensive compared to top freezer units.
  • Requires more energy to operate.
  • The doors are not reversible, so you’ll need to plan your installation carefully if it will be opened on the left or right.
  • The ice maker and water dispenser is optional equipment with most models, meaning that they can significantly increase the cost of constructing an appliance for this type of refrigerator.
  • Bending required to access the freezer drawer.

If you typically lose items in the back of the freezer, stock up on larger frozen items, or you prefer the design of a freezer drawer compared to a door-swing freezer, then a bottom freezer fridge is a fine solution.

Make Your Choice!

Which is better, a top freezer or a bottom freezer? There isn’t an answer, it depends on your refrigerator requirements, available kitchen area and cooking habits.

The top freezers are a good option with storage solutions for any size kitchen, while the bottom freezers give the most organization possibilities in a design that is best suited to today’s kitchen layout. When it comes down to energy efficiency the top freezers refrigerators are undoubtly the best choice.

We can’t make decisions for you, but we can answer any questions you may have and assist you in selecting the best refrigerator for your needs. Do not hesitate to contact us!