Shopping Guide: Top Freezer vs. Bottom Freezer

Updated June 21, 2022

Shopping for a refrigerator comes with a lot of choices and prices may vary. Which finish will you choose? How much capacity do you need to fit your family’s weekly groceries? And, of course, which style of refrigerator will you buy?

The style of the refrigerator is determined by the location of the freezer; top freezer, bottom freezer, and side-by-side. If you have decided between a top freezer or a bottom freezer, you are likely wondering which one will benefit you most. Which one you will choose will depend on your budget, lifestyle, and what is most important to you. A few of the leading brands in refrigerators you can choose from include Beko, Fisher & Paykel, Frigidaire, GE, LG, Maytag, Monogram, Samsung, Whirlpool, and more. Here are the pros and cons of each style of refrigerator.

Appearance

Appearance is a major factor in any household appliance. You want an appliance that not only works well but looks good in your home. So, do top or bottom freezers win here?

Winner: Bottom freezers

When it comes to best looks, bottom freezer fridges rank highest in popularity. Top freezers have a more traditional look that has been around for decades and can come off as more dated. French door refrigerators with bottom freezers are the new, popular choice amongst homeowners.

Upfront Cost

Your budget can be an easy determiner for which style of refrigerator you will choose, especially if it is tight. Which type of refrigerator is best if you are on a tight budget?

Winner: Top Freezer

While it will depend on the brand and finish, top freezer refrigerators are typically more affordable than bottom freezers. Top freezer fridges are generally more basic in features and functionality while bottom freezers generally have more features, additional storage spaces, and even Wi-Fi connectivity.

Accessibility & Flexibility

The winner of this category will depend on your lifestyle, eating habits, and how often you need to access your frozen items.

Winner: Bottom Freezer

More than likely, you use your refrigerator more often than your freezer. In this case, a bottom freezer is the best choice since it keeps your fresh foods at eye level, so they are more accessible. Bottom freezers also typically have more flexible storage options, from adjustable shelves and door bins to more freezer compartments in the freezer drawer.

Top freezer refrigerators keep your frozen items at eye level. So, if you use your freezer often for meal prepping, this configuration will be the best option for you.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is important to many buyers. So which model performs best when it comes to top freezer vs bottom freezer efficiency?

Winner: Top Freezer

Since bottom freezer refrigerators are newer models, you may think they would also be more energy efficient. However, top freezer refrigerators actually win in this category because it comes down to freezer placement and the location of the compressor.

Compressors are located at the bottom of the unit and since they give off heat, top freezers purposely keep the freezers furthest away from it. Bottom freezers are closer to the compressor, so the refrigerator must work harder to keep the freezer at the optimal temperature, which means higher energy costs.

Freezer Storage

Freezers allow you to get creative with healthy meal prep, from freezing cooked meats to make a quick dinner to turning smoothies into popsicles for a healthy dessert option. If freezer storage is important to your family, this is something to consider.

Winner: Bottom Freezer

Top freezers are usually an open cavity with a single shelf that does not offer many organization options so foods can sometimes get lost or forgotten. However, bottom freezers feature a pull-out drawer design that makes it easier to organize your foods and easily access them. They are also roomier than top freezers and can better adapt to larger frozen items like a large pork shoulder or a Thanksgiving turkey.

Making the Decision

Although it would seem the bottom freezer configuration is an overall better choice, as with most things it comes down to your lifestyle and preference. Whether you choose a top freezer or bottom freezer refrigerator, we have the perfect options for you. Currently, Queen City has 6 appliance stores and warehouses in Charlotte, Pineville, Monroe, Salisbury, and Morganton, North Carolina where you can visit your local store and find the best freezer for your home.