If you’re shopping for a new bottom freezer refrigerator model, you might be curious about your options. Bottom freezer refrigerators flip the traditional top-freezer model upside down. You have easy access to the fridge without bending over, and the drawer-style freezer doesn’t require careful management to avoid spilling bags of frozen vegetables all over the floor! (Learn more about refrigerators in our refrigerator buying guide!)
In this article, we review the best bottom freezer refrigerator models for 2023 from Maytag, LG, GE, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool to help you decide on a new fridge. If you're interested specifically in the largest models available, check out our review of the largest bottom freezer refrigerators of the year! Since most people will interact with their home refrigerator daily, choosing a model you love is extra important!
Compared to your old refrigerator, common upgrades you’ll see in new refrigerators are LED lighting, Energy Star certifications, factory-installed ice makers, more storage options, smart apps, and other tech-friendly features.
Bottom freezers can be a great option since they are...
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Cheaper than French doors
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Available in narrower widths than side by sides
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Have a ton of door storage space
The only downsides are that there are fewer model options available overall and that you generally won't find bottom freezer refrigerators with water dispensers.
(PS: Keep an eye out for holiday sales and package deals, and you might be able to snag one of these models for 20% or more off of the MSRP!)
NOTE: As of January 2023, our recommendations remain unchanged since the last time this post was updated in January 2022.
Table of Contents
Models marked with a * are narrow 30" wide models. All other models are 33" wide.
1. Maytag MBF2258FEZ - 22 cu ft - $1,699
Starting off our review of the top five best bottom freezer refrigerator choices for 2023 is the Maytag MBF2258FEZ, available in fingerprint-resistant stainless steel only at $1,699. This 33" wide fridge has a 22 cubic foot capacity and a factory-installed ice maker in the freezer.
This Maytag bottom freezer refrigerator is designed and assembled in the USA, and it comes with a 10-year limited parts warranty on the compressor for your peace of mind. The 22 cubic foot capacity is ideal for families of four or five people, but may be overkill for smaller households. We love the restaurant-inspired industrial look of the bar handles!
Features:
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Upfront, easy-to-use temperature controls
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BrightSeries LED lighting
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Automatic Defrost to reduce frost build-up
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Energy Star rated
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Two wire freezer baskets for organization
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Multiple door bins, including four adjustable half-width bins to customize your setup for tall and short items
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Adjustable spill-proof glass shelves
Dimensions:
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Width: 32.625"
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Depth: 33.375"
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Height: 70"
Click here to read over 260 real customer reviews of this product!
2. LG LRDCS2603S - 25.5 cu ft - $1,799
Next up is the LG LRDCS2603S. It has a 25.5 cubic foot capacity packed into a 33" width (check out more of the largest bottom freezer refrigerators in our article). It comes in stainless steel at $1,799. This Energy Star rated product incorporates smart appliance features to fit in with the modern connected home. The Smart Diagnosis feature will make it easier to troubleshoot any issues.
On top of all that, you get a 10-year warranty on the linear compressor, plus five years parts and labor on the sealed system and one year parts and labor on the entire refrigerator. If you’re looking for an XL capacity model, this LG bottom freezer refrigerator is a great option to consider!
Features:
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Smart Cooling® system to help quickly adapt to temperature fluctuations and provide even cooling to every part of the refrigerator
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SmartDiagnosis system for quickly troubleshooting with the help of your smartphone
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Bright, energy-efficient LED lighting
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Adjustable spill-proof glass shelves, Glide N Serve pantry drawer
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Energy Star rated - Most Efficient 2020
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Five door bins
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Two-tier organized freezer with factory-installed ice maker
Dimensions:
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Width: 32.75"
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Depth: 29"
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Height: 69.875"
Click here to read over 450 real customer reviews of this product!
3. GE GDE21EMKES - 20.97 cu ft - $1,998
If you’re interested in fully revamping your kitchen with a unique matte finish, GE’s slate appliances might be for you! Not sure how slate measures up to stainless steel? Check out our article on the topic - Slate Appliances vs Stainless Steel. The GE GDE21EMKES, a 20.97 cubic foot bottom freezer refrigerator, is available in the eye-catching slate finish as well as fingerprint resistant stainless slate and stainless steel for $1,998. You can also go for a more traditional look with sleek black or white models for $1,898.
This Energy Star rated 30" wide bottom freezer refrigerator comes with a one-year warranty for parts and labor. The slate finish is unique to GE appliances and a must-see if you’re interested in a luxe, earth-toned look for your kitchen. This model is a few inches deeper than many of the other options on our list, clocking in at 36.6" while many others are closer to 33-34", so that's something to consider if you prefer a fridge that's closer to counter depth.
Features:
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Crisp, clear LED lighting
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Upfront temperature controls with digital temperature display
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Factory-installed ice maker with advanced water filtration
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Adjustable shelving and cabinets, including a sliding snack drawer
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Multi-level freezer drawer storage with two storage baskets
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Energy Star rated
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Turbo Cool setting to adapt to frequent door openings
Dimensions:
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Width: 29.75"
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Depth: 36.625"
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Height: 69.875"
Click here to read over 125 real customer reviews of this product!
4. KitchenAid KRBR109ESS - 19 cu ft - $2,199
Our next top pick for the best refrigerators of 2023 is the KitchenAid KRBR109ESS, available in stainless steel at $2,199 with industrial-inspired bar handles. At 30" wide, it provides 19 cubic feet of storage space ideal for households of up to four or five people. It also has a built-in metal wine rack! It's a little shorter than most other refrigerators - instead of around 70", this model measures 67". So, it could work for installation spaces where cabinetry or other construction features limit the height available.
The perfect refrigerator for chilling a bottle of white wine, this KitchenAid model keeps it simple while maximizing storage space and managing the temperature efficiently. If you’re not sold on factory-installed ice makers, you may prefer this fridge. If an ice maker is a must, a fridge that comes with a built-in ice maker may be preferred.
Features:
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ExtendFresh temperature management system
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LED lighting
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Energy Star rated
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Optional ice maker kit
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Produce preserver and humidity-controlled crispers
- Full-width pantry drawer
Dimensions:
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Width: 29.75"
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Depth: 33.375"
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Height: 67"
Click here to read over 115 real customer reviews of this product!
KitchenAid KRBR109ESS - $2,199
5. Whirlpool WRB322DMBM - 22 cu ft - $1,999
Last, but certainly not least on our list, is the Whirlpool WRB322DMBM. It comes in black or white at $1,899, stainless steel at $1999, and black stainless steel at $2,099. It’s Energy Star rated with an XL 22 cubic foot capacity and 33" width - designed to handle the needs of large households without amping up your electricity bill!
The adjustable glass shelves in the fresh food section are half-width so you can make room for taller items. Keeping all of your grocery items organized and within easy reach is a cinch with this extra-large bottom freezer refrigerator from Whirlpool.
Features:
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LED lighting
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Spill-proof adjustable glass shelves
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Factory-installed ice maker
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Two freezer drawers to maximize storage space
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Five adjustable door bins
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Adaptive Defrost
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FreshFlow Produce Preserver
- Energy Star rated
Dimensions:
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Width: 32.625"
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Depth: 33.375"
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Height: 70"
Click here to read over 4,630 real customer reviews of this product!
Shopping for a new refrigerator in 2023 is an exciting experience thanks to all of the new features and options available. If you want to revamp your kitchen's look with restaurant-inspired bar handles, check out the Maytag model (#1 on our list) and the KitchenAid model (#4). The largest model on our list tops out at 25.5 cubic feet and 33 inches wide - check out the LG model (#2) if you want to maximize your capacity!
We hope you enjoyed this review of the best bottom freezer refrigerator models. Let us know which model you end up with. We’d love to hear from you!
Editor's Note: This blog was originally written in January of 2018 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.