Best Top Freezer Refrigerator of 2019
Top freezer refrigerators might not be as grand or highly regarded as those with bottom freezers these days, but they are more efficient and a lot more commonplace. They are usually narrower than their bottom freezer counterparts, perfect for smaller kitchens.
In any event, you can get one that’s as big or as small as you wish, which explains the fact that top freezer fridges are popular all over the world.
Here are some of the best top freezer refrigerators of 2019.
Best Freezer Refrigerator Reviews
Magic Chef HVDR430SE 4.3 Cu. Ft.
This is a quality and compact top freezer refrigerator that looks sleek and works great.
Product Highlights
At 43.4” tall, this fridge certainly isn’t too small. However, it is still considered “small” in the world of refrigerators. The interior light works great for when looking up stored items in the dark. This is ideal for late-night snacks and for large gatherings.
No matter how packed, the inside of this Magic Chef model is always perfect. It comes with 3 fresh food shelves, plus a crisper for better food/beverage organization. Both the doors and the shelves are built for storing larger and smaller items.
For a fridge of this size (not too large), the Magic Chef can fit quite a lot of foods and beverages. On the other hand, it isn’t too small and yet it is narrow enough to work in the majority of mid-sized to small kitchens. This refrigerator also comes with a door can dispenser that does a fantastic job of keeping your soda and beverage cans easily accessible and safe and still.
What's to like about the Magic Chef HVDR430SE 4.3 Cu. Ft.
If you are skeptical about the freezer at the top of this compact fridge, you’ve got another thing coming, because it really does a great job of keeping your foods/beverages frozen, no matter if it’s on maximum capacity or almost empty.
The interior analog controls are very straightforward, easily accessible, and user-friendly. They can help you fine-tune the internal temperature to ideal levels.
What's not to like about the Magic Chef HVDR430SE 4.3 Cu. Ft.
Before connecting the refrigerator to the power source, you are advised to let it stand upright for around 4 hours. This is all in the manual and, although everything may end up completely fine if you plug it in straight out of the box, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
When tilting it, keep it tilted for another 24 hours. After that, it is ready for use. This might sound overly cautious, but we bet it’s got something with the stability of the refrigerant (or maybe not, but you’d have to take a risk).
PROS
CONS
Proctor Silex 86101 3.1 Cu. Ft.
This is a quality ultra-wide top freezer minifridge that can be ideal for your dorm room, office, garage, or basement.
Product Highlights
For all of its 32” height, this fridge doesn’t look like much. However, it is an extremely efficient household appliance that may not be an ideal fit for large kitchens but is fantastic for smaller rooms and apartments.
It is easy to clean and can hold 2-liter bottles, which is more than decent, as far as minifridges go. The Proctor Silex 86101 also features a soft interior light that you can turn on or off, as well as an extremely convenient and cozy layout for food and beverage storage.
One of the biggest issues with minifridges is that some don’t offer removable shelves. Being able to remove the shelves in order to make more room for dorm parties and garage hangouts is crucial.
This minifridge comes with two removable glass shelves, as well as one removable plastic drawer for fruits and veggies. Take the shelves and the plastic drawer out and you have a whole lot of room for a large pot or a whole watermelon.
What's to like about the Proctor Silex 86101 3.1 Cu. Ft.
The Proctor Silex is fairly quiet. The noise level is rated at 54 dB within a foot of the compressor. This is ideal for smaller rooms. It also has adjustable front feet and a reversible door hinge, which means more points in the convenience department. The adjustable thermostat controls do a wonderful job and the freezer compartment is easily accessible (on the top) and very efficient.
What's not to like about the Proctor Silex 86101 3.1 Cu. Ft.
The manual for this Proctor Silex model can be vague, though we might venture to say that most people won’t need a manual to operate a refrigerator. It doesn’t say anything about how to reverse the door or the drip tray at all.
The extra plastic screws and bits are actually for reversing the door opening, so make sure that you save them. The factory packaging may not properly secure the fridge for shipping, but that can be dependent on the shipping company.
PROS
CONS
Danby DCR031B1BSLDD 3.1 Cu. Ft.
This is an energy-efficient top freezer fridge that can serve multiple purposes for your dorm, small office, or regular room.
Product Highlights
For those who are looking for a perfect balance between a lively design and simplicity with an emphasis on compactness and dorm room practicality, this Danby model is a great choice. Upon looking at it, you can notice the 20th-century refrigerator simplicity. Tactile materials, smooth surfaces, and the feel of a unified design are the main focus points.
It is perfect for small offices, rooms, dorms, garages, and small and secluded rooms and apartments because it is very compact without looking cheap or poorly built.
On the contrary, it is clear that a great deal of care, thought, and attention went into the design of this rock-solid minifridge. The Danby is an energy-efficient model that comes with tall bottle storage, a CanStor beverage dispenser, and a crisper drawer that has a lot of space.
What's to like about the Danby DCR031B1BSLDD 3.1 Cu. Ft.
The separate top-mounted freezer comes with cycle defrost and door storage. The convenient freezer-fridge combination brings more efficiency and space to the table, which is essential in small fridges.
The model also comes with reversible door hinges, which may play a vital role in small spaces. Most minifridges don’t perform perfectly in the freezing department, but this Danby model will keep the items frozen.
What's not to like about the Danby DCR031B1BSLDD 3.1 Cu. Ft.
One of the biggest downsides of this fridge is that it isn’t exactly quiet. That’s not to say that the unit is too loud, but a bit of noise suppression would go a long way in making the Danby ideal.
The Canadian company’s QC isn’t perfect, but they’ve been working on improving it after a few complaints about damaged goods. However, if you buy from a reputable online store, the return process should be very simple.
PROS
CONS
Willz WLR31TS1 3.1 Cu. Ft.
This is a 3.1 cubic feet top freezer refrigerator that excels with its imaginative internal design.
Product Highlights
The Willz WLR31TS1 boasts a gorgeous design and quality build. There is nothing cheap looking about this product; the first two words that come to mind when you see this fridge are “sleek” and “class.” However, this is not to say that this minifridge is all about the looks. On the contrary, the true feeling of classy functionality will hit you as soon as you open the fridge door.
The interior light is perfectly placed and designed so that you won’t have any trouble picking out what you need, even if it’s pitch-dark outside the unit. This is ideal for midnight snacks, whether in full consciousness or in sleep-walking mode. It is also equipped with the very powerful R600a compressor that isn’t too loud. The Willz 3.1 Cu. Ft. refrigerator is energy efficient and friendly to blackout generators.
The 2-liter bottle door storage is truly a rare thing when it comes to minifridges. It’s tastefully designed and doesn’t look at-all robust, though it can easily fit a few 2-liter bottles. The vegetable crisper is fully removable for extra space and so are the glass shelves, which is always a great feature with minifridges.
What's to like about the Willz WLR31TS1 3.1 Cu. Ft.
The adjustable thermostat is one of the best on the market. Within the minifridge category, it is borderline peerless. The separate freezer at the top of this Willz is very efficient, which isn’t always the case with compact fridges. Another thing that makes this unit stand out is the amount of room that you get. The interior has been designed with both beauty and functionality in mind, which is truly a rare sight to see.
What's not to like about the Willz WLR31TS1 3.1 Cu. Ft.
Unfortunately, there have been some complaints regarding the compressor. Although the R600a compressor is fantastic, some units were equipped with faulty units. Once again, buy from a webstore that has a generous return policy and you shouldn’t have any problem. Some models also seem to have sealing issues, but this is a manufacturing defect and should be covered under the warranty.
PROS
CONS
Midea WHD-113FB1 3.1 Cu. Ft.
The Midea WHD-113FB1 offers all the features that you get with a normal fridge packed into a compact, practical design.
Product Highlights
This Midea model has clearly been designed with maximum compactness in mind, and when you need an efficient minifridge for your small office, dorm, or garage, practicality comes to the fore. It can be put to use in a variety of different scenarios — take out the glass shelves and you’ve got a perfect beverage cooler for parties; add all the extras and you can store a ton of food in it.
The Midea WHD comes with separate fruit and vegetable drawers, which not many minifridges can offer. Somehow, with this model, practicality works, even with all the shelves placed in their spots. It also has adjustable legs as well as reversible door hinges. Both of these features are immensely important in confined rooms, the exact intention of the manufacturer.
Looking from the outside, the Midea boasts a sleek, classy pitch-black design that works with a variety of room designs. The temperature ranges are adjustable for both the refrigerator and the freezer compartment at 32° to 50° and -11.2° to 5°F, respectively. The noise level of this unit is extremely low. Needless to say, this is a 115V/60Hz fridge for the US market.
What's to like about the Midea WHD-113FB1 3.1 Cu. Ft.
First of all, the noise levels of this minifridge are well below 45dB. This is extremely quiet in the world of minifridges, which is one more thing that makes this model an ideal choice for smaller confined spaces.
Along with the mentioned versatility, the spaciousness belies the external size of this unit. You can fit a 2-liter plastic bottle in the door and separate various food and beverage products effectively and efficiently.
What's not to like about the Midea WHD-113FB1 3.1 Cu. Ft.
The biggest downside of this freezer is that it does its job too well. Yes, the Midea WHD refrigerator is so powerful that the drinks can get a bit too cold when pushed to the back of the compartment. Is this necessarily a bad thing? Well, it may cool your beverage a tad too much, but it also gives you an opportunity to cool different products to different temperatures.
PROS
CONS
BUYER'S GUIDE
Choosing a refrigerator for a large kitchen on a fairly infinite budget isn’t that hard. You just pick the most expensive appliance from a top manufacturer. You can’t really go wrong.
On the contrary, picking an ideal minifridge for your dorm room, small office, room, or garage is a tad more complicated. The first thing you need to look at is the affordability. However, practicality and compactness are also quite an issue here.
The refrigerator capacity, energy efficiency, dimensions, and warranty are some of the most important factors in choosing an ideal top freezer fridge. With this in mind, here’s what to look in a minifridge.
Refrigerator Capacity
Large fridges have more capacity – it’s simple as that, and you won’t really find a small fridge that will be able to top a large one in this area. However, when picking a compact top freezer refrigerator, you’re going to have to think about capacity even more than you would with large models.
Think about your needs. Do you need the fridge to store a small number of snacks and beverages, or do you intend to stay in the room in question for a longer time period?
Additionally, think about flexibility when looking at different models. If the glass shelves and the fruit/vegetable compartments are removable, you can always take them out for when you need more space (for example, for a party or gathering that requires beverages by the case).
Energy Efficiency
Depending on what you need a fridge for, you’re going to have to think about energy efficiency. A minifridge might be cheap on paper but the energy consumption may set you back manifold the actual price over its lifetime. As a general rule, larger models tend to be more energy efficient.
This is not to say that a large kitchen fridge will consume less energy than a small minifridge – it will consume more since you have a larger area to cool, but the bigger minifridge may be more energy efficient.
This means that it will require lower energy/power to cool per cubic foot of space, but if you have a large fridge of many cubic feet, it’s still going to draw more electrical energy overall.
Dimensions
Somewhat contradictory, the first thing that you should look at in a small fridge (aside from your budget), is its height. In most instances, the other two dimensions of the fridge are the ones that may cause issues when trying to fit in an already tight space.
Carefully measure the potential location in the room in question before shopping, and simply cross off the models that won’t fit. Don’t make a mistake of going for a model that is too large because you’re only going to make a problem for yourself. Make the most out of the space that you have at hand and measure everything properly.
Warranty
If you’re going with a budget top freezer refrigerator, it is wise to pay attention to the warranty. A longer warranty may indicate the higher confidence of the manufacturer in its products.
Just to be safe, make sure that you’ve checked all the user comments and experiences online. In the United States, all electronic and electric products are required to come with some sort of factory warranty.
Look for at least a 2-year warranty. This is a reasonable period and shows you that the manufacturer really means business with its quality control and construction.
Ice Maker
The ability to make ice cubes may not sound like a vital feature, but it really is a great perk. Look for top freezer refrigerators that come with a separate freezer because these offer better cooling properties. However, don’t cross a model off the list just because it doesn’t come with ice trays. These are very cheap and simple to use.
A fridge that has an automatic ice maker is a fantastic choice for parties and gatherings, but that’s certainly going to add to the cost, and you may not find any compact and budget refrigerators that come with one. As you may know, features like automatic ice makers and filtered water dispensers are notorious for failing prematurely.
F.A.Q.
How can I tell if a top freezer refrigerator is a good fit for my space?
First of all, think about the limits of the space in question. Know where you want to put your new fridge. Most importantly, move things around and utilize the space that you’ve got as efficiently as possible. Are there any vertical space limits in your dorm room/office/garage? If you aren’t limited vertically, look for a tall, narrow fridge. You can maximize the footprint with a taller fridge.
Secondly, write down the measurements of the space that you’ve chosen for the new fridge. Have them by your side at all times as you browse or window shop. Consider the footprint of the fridge in question. Think hard and carefully about how much you can compromise.
At the end of the day, you can only move things around to a certain extent. Oh, and never buy a product that doesn’t fit your maximum “allowed” space.
How cold should my top freezer refrigerator be?
According to the FDA, the ideal refrigerator temperature is 40° Fahrenheit and below, while the perfect freezer temp is 0° Fahrenheit and below. However, any temperatures above 38° may be a bit too high.
And this doesn’t mean too high for your preference but that your food may spoil at these temperatures. E. coli, Salmonella and other bacteria can grow at this temperature and they are not stuff that you want to mess around with. But, what should you set the fridge temperature to?
First of all, make sure that your fridge’s thermometer is working properly. This is why you need to pay close attention to the quality of thermometers in each top freezer that you come across. It might seem trivial, but you don’t want to waste money on a fridge that doesn’t do its job properly. With experience, you will know if your fridge and freezer are at the proper temperature.
Additionally, you should be looking at fridges that can go to as low as around 32° and -8° in terms of refrigerator and freezer temperatures.
How do I install a top freezer refrigerator?
This question may sound a bit ridiculous at first. After all, all you really need to do is unpack it and plug it in, no?
As a matter of fact, in between unpacking and plugging it in, there are a few steps that you should carefully consider.
Top freezer refrigerators might not be as large or heavy as the double-door variety, but they still weigh quite a bit. You should always unpack them outside because you’re going to have issues ripping open the cardboard boxes in a confined space, especially when we’re talking about your dorm room or small office.
You’re also going to need a hand truck or dolly. No matter how many friends tag along to help you with installing the new freezer, you’re better off using a hand or dolly truck. Tilt the fridge, balance it on one side, and push and pull to its location. Be careful not to scratch your walls and corners. The shelves and other removable accessories will be taped in place. You can remove the tape after plugging it in.
Place the fridge in front of the space that you’ve picked for it. Clean up all the dirt and dust there. Plug it in properly and slowly slide it into the chosen space. When setting the fridge against the wall (as you likely will), pay attention to the air gap. Don’t back your top freezer refrigerator completely against the wall to facilitate the performance of the evaporator/heat exchanger.
How can you tell which models are better at conserving energy?
ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerators are always better at conserving energy that those that aren’t certified. Why is this important? Because we want to save our planet from pollution, but also because you might want to save on the utility bill.
A refrigerator is one of those devices that you have to keep plugged in and running even if you’re on a long vacation, so it’s doubly important to be energy efficient here.
Other than this, the 115V/60Hz voltage is more than acceptable.
How much room do I need to leave behind my refrigerator/freezer?
As mentioned, before leaving your fridge in the spot you’ve chosen for it, you should realize that your fridge needs air space of at least 2 inches in order to “breathe” properly. This is owing to the refrigerator’s evaporator in the back. All home fridges are compressor based and the refrigerant gas has to be cooled down after compressing and condensing.
Once again, always leave at least 2 inches between the wall and the back of your fridge/freezer.
FINAL VERDICT
On this list of top freezer refrigerators, all of them can do a fantastic job and are great, overall. However, the Midea WHD-113FB1 3.1 Cu. Ft. may be the best of them all. With its sleek black design, it is very beautiful and tasteful.
However, it is also highly tweakable and can be used for efficient food storage and as a beer fridge for gatherings and parties. It also features different compartments without compromising its multi-functionality.
The temperature ranges of 32° to 50° and -11.2° to 5°F for the refrigerator and freezer compartments are ideal. Together with the low noise levels, the Midea is hard to fault here.