The top freezer refrigerator is the classic refrigerator style, and it has a lot going for it despite the popularity of bottom freezer and French door models. Top freezer models tend to be narrower, so they work well for small kitchens, and they also tend to be less expensive than comparable bottom freezer or side-by-side models.
For apartments or other homes where space is limited, a top freezer refrigerator can be a great way to maximize your food storage capacity! Researching a new refrigerator can be a daunting process, but this article will help make you an expert on one aspect of the market: the best top freezer refrigerator models of 2024.
If you’re looking to upgrade your refrigerator for 2024, our best top freezer refrigerator reviews from six great brands are a must-read before you head to the store! Our list features trusted brands Amana, Hotpoint, Maytag, Frigidaire, GE, and Whirlpool, and models at a range of prices, from the $749 range to $1,099. Most have LED lighting and glass shelving, and some of them are Energy Star rated.
Explore which option may be the best for you in these six best top freezer refrigerator models! And check out our refrigerator buying guide for more info on choosing a new model!
As of December 2023, our recommendations remain unchanged since the last time this post was updated in January 2023.
Table of Contents
- Amana ART318FFDW
- Hotpoint HPE16BTNRWW*
- Maytag MRT118FFFZ
- Frigidaire FFHT2045VS*
- GE GTS18GSNRSS
- Whirlpool WRT518SZFM
Models marked with a * are Energy Star rated models.
3 Tips for Buying a Top Freezer Refrigerator
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Check out the lighting. LED lighting is bright (plus it doesn't put out heat like other bulb types) and energy-efficient. Not all top freezers have a freezer light, so pay attention to that feature as well if you'd prefer it.
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Shelving options. Refrigerator organization is an important factor. Half-width and full-width deli drawers can provide convenient storage for cheese and other items that can otherwise get pushed to the back of the fridge or piled up. Some models come with full-width door shelving, while others offer half-width adjustable door bins that slightly cut down on overall capacity but give you more flexibility for very tall items. Think about the pain points of your current or past top freezer model and see if one of these new models addresses them!
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Pay attention to dimensions. If you need a top freezer refrigerator mainly because other refrigerator styles simply won't fit in the space you have available, keep in mind that some of the larger capacity models can be wider, deeper, and taller than average. (Read more about refrigerator sizes here.)
Learn more about choosing a new fridge with our video!
1. Amana ART318FFDW - 18 cu ft - $743
Let’s start things off with a top freezer model from Amana. Amana might sound new to you, but it is a trusted appliance brand that has been producing appliances in the US since 1934. It is known for its reasonably priced American-made products and is now a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation.
Their top freezer refrigerator model, the Amana ART318FFDW, is a top-selling 30" wide model with an 18 cubic feet capacity. The interior features humidity-controlled crispers that help keep fruits and vegetables right where you can see them. Items that need to be easily accessed, like butter, cream cheese, and yogurt, can be put in the dairy bin. You can also fit big beverages in the gallon door storage bins. Note, however, that this model is not Energy Star rated. The temperature controls are also upfront for easy adjustment, and the door is reversible.
This model retails in white or black at $743 and in stainless steel at $777. The warranty covers one year for parts and labor. If you're looking for a basic model for an affordable price, consider this Amana refrigerator!
Features
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Refrigerator capacity: 13.06 cubic feet
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Freezer capacity: 5.09 cubic feet
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Reversible Door
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Humidity-Controlled Garden Fresh™ Crispers
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Dairy Bin and Gallon Door Storage Bins
Dimensions:
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Width: 29.75"
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Depth: 31.375"
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Height: 65.875"
Click here to read over 105 real customer reviews of this product!
2. Hotpoint HPE16BTNRWW - 15.6 cu ft - $748
Next up is a model from Hotpoint. Although you may be more familiar with smarter and more advanced models these days, Hotpoint remains fundamental, simple, and affordable! The Hotpoint HPE16BTNRWW is an Energy Star rated top freezer refrigerator with 15.6 cu. ft. capacity, which is great for small families, or even for those folks who are leaving independently. Its narrow 28" width makes it a great choice for kitchens with limited space!
Though this refrigerator is affordable, its brand remains competitive when it comes to durability and also has features that are usable and helpful in providing usual kitchen needs. It has a natural-looking LED lighting, pocket handles for a neat look, and temperature controls that are easy to use for both fresh and freezer compartments.
This model also has wire shelves that can be easily adjusted to fit small to large, and even short to tall food items in both refrigerator sections. A clear crisper is a good spot for your fruits and vegetables, and you also get gallon door bins for milk and juices, and a dairy compartment. It is accessible as this model is ADA-compliant.
Perfect for small families and a variety of households, this top freezer refrigerator is available in white at $748.
Features
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Refrigerator capacity: 11.58 cubic feet
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Freezer capacity: 4.03 cubic feet
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Icemaker-ready (Optional)
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With dairy compartment and adjustable wire shelves
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LED lighting
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Energy Star rated
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ADA-compliant
Dimensions:
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Width: 28"
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Depth: 30.5"
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Height: 61.75"
3. Maytag MRT118FFFZ - 18 cu ft - $999
Another great top freezer for you to consider comes from Maytag. Maytag is now owned by Whirlpool, combining their separate storied histories in washing machines and other appliances into one! The Maytag MRT118FFFZ is a 30" wide top freezer refrigerator with an 18 cubic feet capacity and the unique PowerCold feature to help cool down groceries that have warmed up during the journey between the store and the kitchen.
The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish option is a great way for you to get that sleek stainless steel gleam with fewer smudges and marks. Prices start at $899 for white and black, and $999 for fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. Inside, you'll find a full-width pantry drawer. The bottom-mounted FreshLock crispers carry weight from the bottom rather than the top, so they slide in and out smoothly even if heavily loaded. The white plastic door shelves are not fully enclosed at the bottom, allowing you to keep track of shorter items like jam jars.
Another impressive bonus is the ten-year limited parts warranty on the compressor to finish it off! If you’re looking for the best top freezer refrigerator, check out this option from Maytag that keeps it simple.
Features
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Refrigerator capacity: 13.06 cubic feet
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Freezer capacity: 5.09 cubic feet
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BrightSeries LED lighting
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Optional ice maker kit available (not pre-installed)
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Up-front electronic temperature controls for easy adjustments
- Full-width deli drawer and a clear dairy bin
Dimensions:
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Width: 30"
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Depth: 31.375"
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Height: 65.375"
Click here to read over 365 real customer reviews of this product!
4. Frigidaire FFHT2045VS - 20.0 cu ft - $1,099
Next up is a great model from Frigidaire. Frigidaire is the US subsidiary of Electrolux and has been around since 1918. One of their best top freezer refrigerator offerings is the Frigidaire FFHT2045VS, available in stainless steel at $1,099, as well as in black or white at $999.
With an optional ice maker and single-knob temperature control, this 20.0 cubic feet refrigerator is easy to manage. It uses bright LED lighting that will help you find your food faster. With its EvenTemp™ Cooling System, it can provide a fair distribution of air in your unit. The interior storage options are more basic than some of the other refrigerators on our list: there is a full-width deli drawer, two glass shelves, generous door bins, and a full-width glass freezer shelf.
The Frigidaire Auto-Close Doors feature can give you an extra assurance that the door will be securely closed to prevent the food from spoilage. This model is also Energy Star rated, so it's definitely more efficient than your typical older refrigerator!
Features
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Refrigerator capacity: 14.6 cubic feet
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Freezer capacity: 5.4 cubic feet
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Optional ice maker (not pre-installed)
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Energy Star rated
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Full-width deli drawer
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Bright LED lighting
Dimensions:
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Width: 30"
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Depth: 32"
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Height: 66.375"
Click here to read over 195 real customer reviews of this product!
Frigidaire FFHT2045VS - $1,099
5. GE GTS18GSNRSS - 17.5 cu ft - $898
The next model that made our list of the six best top freezer refrigerator models for 2024 is from GE Appliances. GE has a claim to fame with Thomas Edison being one of its original founders in 1892. The GE GTS18GSNRSS is a 28" wide that is available in stainless steel at $898 and in black or white at $848.
At 17.5 cubic feet, it has the interior storage options people seem to appreciate, namely a sliding deli drawer, gallon storage, and a dairy compartment. It uses LED lighting. There are two full-width cabinet shelves and two adjustable shelves in the fresh food section. The frost free freezer has a spill-proof floor, so cleanup is easier.
GE’s 16-22 cubic feet refrigerators were voted #1 in Quality and Dependability in a 2020 independent study by the Stevenson Company. Check out all this model has to offer when researching new refrigerators.
Features
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Refrigerator capacity: 13.49 cubic feet
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Freezer capacity: 4.04 cubic feet
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LED lighting
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Optional icemaker kit (not pre-installed)
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Up-front temperature controls
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Sliding deli drawer
Dimensions:
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Width: 28"
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Depth: 32.5"
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Height: 67.375"
Click here to read over 85 real customer reviews of this product!
6. Whirlpool WRT518SZFM - 18 cu ft - $999
Last but not least is our review of a fantastic model from Whirlpool. Whirlpool is a home appliance maker and manufacturer that owns many brands you may be familiar with (including a few on this list). The 18 cubic feet top freezer refrigerator Whirlpool WRT518SZFM offers a handy 28" width that works well for narrow spaces.
Built-in pocket handles give this model a streamlined look, and LED interior lighting provides bright, clear light that’s also energy-efficient. The adjustable bins and shelves, plus the Flexi-Slide bin attached to the top shelf make the most of the narrow width and overall capacity.
This model comes in stainless steel at $999, stainless steel finish at $1,019, and white or black at $899. Whether you’re just upgrading your refrigerator or investing in a whole new suite of appliances, these color options make matching easier!
Features Overview:
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Refrigerator capacity: 13.66 cubic feet
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Freezer capacity: 3.98 cubic feet
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LED lighting
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Compatible with EZ Connect Icemaker (not pre-installed)
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Flexi-Slide bin moves side to side to adjust for tall items on the shelf below
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Up-front electronic temperature control
Dimensions:
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Width: 28"
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Depth: 31.6"
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Height: 67.1"
Click here to read over 1,080 real customer reviews of this product!
From LED lighting to spill-proof glass shelves, each of these refrigerators has a lot to offer and would be a great fit for any home. Add them to your list and check them out in person!
Shopping for a new refrigerator in 2024 is an exciting experience due to all of the new features and options available. We hope you enjoyed this review of the best top 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.
