
Looking for a new fridge freezer, but don’t need, or can’t fit, a large side by side or French door model? This leaves you to choose between either a top mount or bottom mount refrigerator. Here, we look at the key differences between these two styles to help you decide which might best suit you and your home.
Before we go any further looking at the differences between the two types of fridge, let’s get the most obvious one out of the way: top mounts have a top mounted freezer compartment, and bottom mounts have a bottom-mounted freezer.
It’s good to clarify that, because those names imply the location of the fridge compartment, whereas they’re actually referring to the freezer section. Sometimes, you might see top mounts referred to as top freezer refrigerators and bottom mounts as bottom freezer refrigerators, which are more accurate names, though seldom used.
In terms of features commonly shared by both types of refrigerator, you’ll generally find crisper drawers, adjustable shelving, temperature controls and defrosting systems. When it comes to the differences, though, what effect does the configuration have on function, price and performance?
Top mount fridges are the classic style of fridge that many of us will have grown up with, before homes and kitchens started growing bigger, and fridges along with them.
These fridges have the smallest average fridge space and freezer space of the various types of fridge freezer you can buy. If yours is an individual or small household, or if you have a small kitchen, it’s probably the right sort of size for you.
It’s the most simple design of fridge freezer, because in addition to both sections having a single door - as bottom mount models also do - the freezer compartment usually just consists of one shelf within an otherwise empty space. This makes the freezer compartment simpler to clean and its top mounted position means that any fridge spills won’t drip their way into the freezer.
Because its bottom shelf is almost at floor level, you may find yourself having to frequently bend down to reach everyday items. If you or anyone in your house has bad knees or a crook back, this may pose a problem.
This smaller size and simplicity of design means that the top mount fridges are generally cheaper to buy than bottom mount models. In terms of energy use and running costs they are similar to bottom mount models, but usually use less energy and cost less to run than double door side by side and French door fridges.
At first glance, bottom mount fridges - or bottom freezer refrigerators - may appear to just be a reverse configuration of top mount models, but there’s more to them than that.
Both the fridge and the freezer sections of bottom mounts tend to be more spacious than in top mount fridges, making them potentially better suited to small-to-mid-sized households.
With the fridge section at eye level, bottom mount fridges enable easy access to everyday fresh food items without needing to bend over, which can be a big plus if you suffer from back or joint problems. Another potential advantage for families is that, with the higher shelves out of children’s reach, you can keep certain food and drinks tucked away from prying eyes and hands.
Bottom mount fridges tend to have more advanced features than top mounts. The freezer sections are also more complex, with multiple freezer drawers or compartments, as opposed to the single shelf you’ll usually find in top mounts.
If you’d like a fridge with a built-in water dispenser, you’ll find more choice among bottom mount than top mount fridges. Having said that, this feature which is frequently found in French door and side by side models, is relatively scarce in both top and bottom mounts.
Their advanced features and more spacious freezer capacity mean that bottom mount fridges generally cost more to buy than top mount ones. In terms of energy efficiency, their power use and running costs are similar to equivalent capacity top mounts. Around half of the top mounts, and more than half of the bottom mounts, stocked by Appliances Online have at least a 4 Star Energy Rating.
It really comes down to your priorities, with the ‘bending factor’ being a key one for a lot of people: whichever configuration will provide easier access to the most commonly used items, the better. For a lot of people, that gives bottom mounts the advantage.
If you want more advanced functions, a chilled water dispenser or automatic ice maker, or a little more freezer storage space to stock up on frozen bargains, you’re also more likely to find these features in a bottom mount model. If you want the most budget-friendly option, though, or have limited space in your kitchen, a top mount fridge could be the way to go.
Like most appliances, ‘best’ is subjective and will depend on the features you most value or use, but you can get an idea of quality and performance by looking at customer reviews. Appliances Online displays customer star ratings and reviews for appliances when possible, so when you find some models you like the look of, read some of these to get an idea of customer satisfaction.
Most fridges have a 2-year warranty as standard, but a few brands offer longer warranties, up to 5 years, which may give you added peace of mind with regards to the manufacturer’s confidence in their product.
If you’ve decided that a bottom mount is the best type of refrigerator for your family, Appliances Online typically has over 130 models to choose from, from leading brands like Westinghouse, Smeg, Electrolux and Whirlpool. If a top mount refrigerator’s going to work better for your kitchen space, Appliances Online often has over 120 models from brands including Samsung, LG, Esatto and Haier.
Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery reaches 95% of Australia's population, and you’ll usually receive your new fridge the day after you order it (Mon-Fri) as long as it’s in stock. Plus, we offer paid Same Day Delivery in metro areas of NSW, QLD and VIC for those times when you just can’t wait - as long as you order before midday, Mon-Fri.
We’ll also take your old fridge or other kitchen appliance away for free, recycling it and keeping it out of landfill. Other Australian appliance retailers don’t always offer these sorts of services, so you should factor them in if you’re shopping around. For more guidance on selecting the ideal type or size of fridge, check out our Fridge Buying Guide, call our friendly team 24/7 on 1300 000 500, or message us via that little chat icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.