It is amazing to realize households have had electrically powered refrigerators since 1913. The introduction of Freon gas made refrigerators’ marketing easier in the 1920s-1930s; freezers nonetheless as separate sections/compartments inside a refrigerator that were bigger than just an ice cube containers were introduced in the 1940s. Interestingly, the use of Freon common gas (R-12) in refrigerators was discontinued in 1994 due to the damage to the ozone layer is implied.
Ever since we’ve been preserving our ice cream in our particular fridges with more eco-friendly modern versions of refrigerant gas, such as HFC-134a among other variants.
We can say then that the manufacture and design of refrigerators have rapidly advanced for decades. In modern days refrigerators can be complex machines that offer more than just the cold preservation of foods as there are brands that include apps, mini-screens, water dispatchers among other features to their state-of-the-art refrigerators.
However, leaving aside modern applications, we must be on the lookout for smart design, efficiency, price, and long lifespan on a home appliance that can be in our family for many years. Especially, in this article, we are interested in reviewing fridges that come with integrated freezers.
Review of the 5 Top-Rated Fridges With Freezers
Manufacturer, color, type: Bosch presents their 800 Series French Door Refrigerator, a robust efficient French door style fridge made of stainless steel that comes with 5 included inner glass shelves, three doors, and a bottom freezer. The B36CT80SNB model has automatic defrost, its finish is a solid pattern, it comes in black color. Its installation is freestanding.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This elegant appliance measures 31.12 x 35.62 x 72 inches and weighs 332 pounds. The freezer capacity is 6 cubic feet, the refrigerator capacity is 14.8 cubic feet, and the total capacity of the appliance is 20.8 cubic feet and it’s equipped with a dual evaporator, an ice maker and its filtered internal water dispenser offers cool water by just pressing a button!
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The Bosch 800 Series French Door Refrigerator consumes 570 Kwh/yr (Kilowatt hours per year), a little lower than 626 Kwh/yr, which is the standard yearly consumption set by the US Federal government. This Bosch refrigerator is Energy Star certified, although it is not listed as the top efficient one by the organization.
Safety: The Energy Star organization is an environmentally conscious program run by the U.S. government Environmental Protection Agency and the American Department of Energy; they’re in charge of providing useful information on the energy consumption of home appliances, devices, by using different standardized methods. Before you purchase a refrigerator, it is recommendable to check its specs on its official website.
Other features: The veteran German Bosch company is the only manufacturer that offers dual evaporators in their freestanding refrigerators. The two evaporators Bosch technology in a refrigerator allows the freezer and food compartments to be cooled separately. It is an advanced system capable of operating each evaporator independently, or both of them at the same time if needed.
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 14.8-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 6-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 20.8-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 72″ x 35.62″ x 31.12″ |
Weight | 350 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 570 kWh |
Shelves | 5 |
Baskets/Bins | 2 |
Ice Maker | Yes |
Defrost Type | Frost-free |
Noise Level | 40 dBA |
Certifications | Energy Star® Qualified |
Warranty | 1-year limited |
Pros
- Dual evaporator
- Includes ice maker
- Strong design
- Filtered water dispenser
- FarmFresh system
- Extra features, controls, and settings
Cons
- Water filter lifespan is short
- Accessories and parts are expensive
- Expensive buy
- Limited warranty
- Complex controls
Bosch B36CT80SNB 20.8-Cu. Ft. French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator
Bosch B36CT80SNB 20.8-Cu. Ft. French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator
Additional Resources
LG LTCS20020W 20-Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
Manufacturer, color, type: The renowned electronics brand LG introduces their Top Freezer Refrigerator with Multi-Air Flow, (LK65C) that comes with a reversible door included, one inner shelf, two doors, a top freezer, this model doesn’t come with an ice maker, but an optional ice maker for this fridge is available upon ordering. It comes in white, black, and stainless-steel color, the finish is smooth for all colors, the freezer door type is a swing and it automatically defrosts.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This very modern appliance stands 66.13 inches above the floor, measures 29.75 inches (width) x 33.38 inches (depth) and weighs 202 pounds. The freezer capacity is 6 cubic feet, it doesn’t include an ice maker or a water dispatcher. The fresh food capacity of the device is 14.6 cubic feet and the overall capacity of this LG Refrigerator is 20.2 cubic feet.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The LK65C by LG consumes an average of 387 Kwh/yr, considerably lower than 431 Kwh/yr, which is the standard yearly consumption set for models of this size. This LG refrigerator is Energy Star certified.
Safety: LG recommends not to use electrical appliances inside the inner compartments of the refrigerator. Also, it is of vital importance to not store substances such as aerosol cans with a flammable propellant as they can be explosive inside the device. Keep in mind though, that soda, beer cans although are not hazardously explosive, they may burst if stored in the freezer for many hours leaving them unattended, resulting in sticky stains that would be difficult to remove later on.
Other features: This refrigerator is equipped with the LG Humidity-Controlled Crispers technology, which helps maintain humidity levels of your foods to help extend the freshness of your stored fruits and vegetables. Also, this device is equipped with a reversible hinge which means the door can be installed both ways. (From left to right, or right to left).
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 14.7-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 5.5-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 20.2-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 66″ x 34″ x 30″ |
Weight | 173 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 387 kWh |
Shelves | 2 |
Baskets/Bins | 2 |
Ice Maker | Optional |
Defrost Type | N/A |
Noise Level | N/A |
Certifications | ENERGY STAR® Qualified |
Warranty | 1-year limited |
Pros
- Affordable price
- Comes with humidity control crispers
- Equipped with a reversible hinge for its doors
- Quiet
Cons
- No ice maker
- Needs installation
LG LTCS20020W 20-Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
LG LTCS20020W 20-Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
Additional Resources
GE GTS22KSNRSS 21.9-Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator
Manufacturer, color, type: The veteran General Electric company that was founded by Thomas Alva Edison in 1889 nowadays known as GE, present their line of top-freezer refrigerators. Featuring in this list is the GE Top Freezer GTS22KSNRSS model. This fridge is made of stainless steel and comes with 3 included inner glass shelves, two bin baskets, and a top freezer. The GE Top Freezer Refrigerator comes in grey steel color. Its installation is the standard depth.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This refrigerator measures 66.38 inches high x 32.75 inches wide x 34.50 inches and weighs 202 pounds. The freezer capacity is 6.7 cubic feet, the refrigerator capacity is 15.3 cubic feet, and the total capacity of the appliance is 21.9 cubic feet. it’s equipped with an ice maker.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The GE 21.9 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator consumes 451 Kwh/yr. This GE refrigerator is UL listed which means that the global safety certification company UL, headquartered in the United States (it stands for Underwriters’ Laboratories) has approved that a product is safe for marketing and use.
Safety: GE recommends not to use an extension cord on their fridge. This appliance in particular needs to be connected to a cold potable water supply only as it is needed for the automatic icemaker operation. Also, do not apply strong chemical cleaners to the refrigerator, as those may damage its plastic parts.
Other features: This appliance is ‘garage ready’ which means that has been tested to be resistant enough to perform in varying temperatures, from 38F to 110 F (3° to 43° Celsius). Also, this GE refrigerator comes with a reversible hinge for its door.
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 15.25-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 6.68-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 21.9-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 34.5″ x 32.75″ x 66.37″ |
Weight | 202 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 422 kWh |
Shelves | 3 |
Baskets/Bins | 3 |
Ice Maker | Optional |
Defrost Type | Frost Free |
Noise Level | N/A |
Certifications | N/A |
Warranty | 1-year limited |
Pros
- Performs in hot and cold environments
- Door bins are deep
- Freezer size is large compared to other refrigerators the same size
Cons
- Ice maker is not standard
- Not ENERGY STAR® Qualified
- Needs installation
- Some customers have complained it’s loud
GE GTS22KSNRSS 21.9-Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator
Additional Resources
Whirlpool WRB322DMBM 22-Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator w/ SpillGuard
Manufacturer, color, type: Whirpool, which has been a top seller of home appliances for decades, presents their 22 cubic feet Refrigerator that has a bottom freezer inbuilt. (Model WRB322DMBM). This device is made of stainless steel, includes 5 glass shelves and 3 basket bins. It can be chosen in various colors: Black, fingerprint resistant black stainless, Stainless-steel grey, and white. Its bottom freezer has a pull-out drawer/door, the installation of the refrigerator is standard depth and it includes an ice maker.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This refrigerator elevates 70 inches above the floor. It is 32.75 inches wide and 30.88 inches deep. The freezer capacity is 6.5 cubic feet, (It comes with sliding bulk storage baskets). The refrigerator fresh food capacity is 15.6 cubic feet, and the total capacity of the appliance is 22.1 cubic feet. It weighs 252 pounds.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The Whirpool Bottom Freezer Refrigerator consumes 584 Kwh/yr. This appliance is UL-listed and Energy Star certified.
Safety: Whirpool highly recommends not to apply strong chemical cleaners to the refrigerator, as those may damage its plastic parts.
Other features: This appliance comes with a reversible hinge for its door and it is equipped with Whirpool’s Accu-Chill Temperature Management System, which allows you to save energy and cool your food faster, as it includes a smart compressor that only activates when necessary.
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 16-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 6-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 22-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 33.37″ x 32.62″ x 70″ |
Weight | 298 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 584 kWh |
Shelves | 5 |
Baskets/Bins | 2 |
Ice Maker | Yes |
Defrost Type | Automatic |
Noise Level | N/A |
Certifications | ENERGY STAR-Certified, UL-Listed |
Warranty | 1-year limited |
Pros
- Great price for multiple features
- Includes a reversible door hinge
- Shelves are resistant and easy to clean
- Smooth finish and comes in different colors
Cons
- Vibrates and loud
- Consumes more energy than other refrigerators of the same size
- Some users have complained the freezer opens when the top door is closed
Whirlpool WRB322DMBM 22-Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator w/ SpillGuard
Whirlpool WRB322DMBM 22-Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator w/ SpillGuard
Additional Resources
Samsung RF28R7551SR 27.7-Cu. Ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator w/ Family Hub
Manufacturer, color, type: The Korean multinational Samsung that is well known for its high quality in electronic devices, has also broken into the home appliances market. They feature their Family Hub 4 Door French Door Smart Refrigerator with a bottom freezer. (Model ME21M706BAS). This high-tech appliance is made of stainless steel, it includes 4 doors, 1 basket bin, and 5 glass shelves. It can be chosen in various colors: Fingerprint-resistant black or grey stainless steel or their favorite Tuscan stainless-steel style. Its bottom freezer has a pull-out drawer/door, the installation of the refrigerator can be standard depth or counter depth.
Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This refrigerator is 70 inches tall, 35.75 wide, and 31 inches deep. The freezer capacity is 6.5 cubic feet. The refrigerator fresh food capacity is 15.7 cubic feet, and the total capacity of the appliance is 22.2 cubic feet. It weighs 346 pounds.
Efficiency, Energy Consumption: The Samsung French Door Smart Refrigerator consumes 690 Kwh/yr. This appliance is Energy Star certified.
Safety: We must remember that a refrigerator is an electrically powered device that may work with water and will store liquids, therefore the incorrect handling of it can result in electrical shock and/or unpleasant accidents. Do not pull the cord from the socket, disconnect the plug carefully from the AC outlet before moving your device. Do not allow kids or pets to jump or ‘climb’ on it. A refrigerator weighs between 100-300 pounds, making it dangerous if it accidentally falls on an adult person, a child, or even a pet.
Other features: Samsung, who is a leader in electronics has built high-tech refrigerators that are worthy of a futuristic film: The Samsung Family Hub line offers a digital screen/bulletin that is displayed on the front part of your refrigerator, it allows you to manage a family calendar, play music, share photos, plus it is capable to connect to your home WIFI so you can monitor your fridge remotely as it comes with 3 inbuilt cameras, impressive, isn’t it?
Specification | Value |
---|---|
Internal Capacity | 15.6-Cu. Ft. |
Freezer Capacity | 8.3-Cu. Ft. |
Total Capacity | 27.7-Cu. Ft. |
Dimensions | 36″ x 37.5″ x 72″ |
Weight | 346 lbs. |
Annual Energy Consumption | 755 kWh |
Shelves | 3 |
Baskets/Bins | 6 |
Ice Maker | Yes |
Defrost Type | Automatic |
Noise Level | N/A |
Certifications | ENERGY STAR® Certified |
Warranty | 1-year |
Pros
- High tech device
- Can be monitored remotely via WiFi
- External water and ice dispenser
- Family Hub™ display screen
Cons
- Expensive buy
- Consumes more energy because of all built-in digital features
Samsung RF28R7551SR 27.7-Cu. Ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator w/ Family Hub
Samsung RF28R7551SR 27.7-Cu. Ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator w/ Family Hub
Additional Resources
Fridge With Freezer Buying Guide
Choosing the Best Refrigerator With a Freezer For Your Home
There are some important points to take into consideration before adopting that new fridge with a top or bottom freezer that will cool your favorite foods 24/7:
Size & Design
Usually, refrigerators with freezers are big, heavy machines that will stand still in our kitchens for a long time. The size and design of a refrigerator with an integrated freezer should be kept in mind before purchasing one. It is recommendable to measure the empty space where your refrigerator will be located, before bringing it home.
If you are buying online, look for the size specs on the fridge model you are after, and match it with the designed space you have in your kitchen/dining room for it. If you are purchasing at a department store, make sure you carry a tape measure in your pocket and freely measure the fridge you have put an eye on, at the physical store.
Design is also an important factor when buying a refrigerator, as not all of them open the same way. Among the most popular refrigerator with freezer designs, we have French door fridges that have two mini doors at the top (central opening) and a freezer on the bottom, and the standard common top/bottom freezer refrigerator with reversible doors.
Keep in mind if the space you have for your fridge would allow a reversible door device to be put there; the hinge of a refrigerator should always be in the side of the corner; although some models allow you to change the swing of the door, it is not recommendable to do it yourself without the right tools as the refrigerant gas that runs inside your fridge can escape if a perforation is done/or excessive force is applied on the wrong place.
Also, bear in mind if purchasing a refrigerator with a bottom freezer will be for you, as you will be crouching to take out heavy frozen goods from it for a long time. Unfortunately, is not uncommon to read reviews online of many dissatisfied clients that have complained after purchasing a refrigerator that in the end had a not so adaptable design for their home needs.
Price & Delivery
Refrigerators will never be cheap devices, as the complexity of their design, their storage size, and the materials they may be built of, make them one of the most expensive common home appliances.
However, not everything is lost if your longtime refrigerator broke and you are in immediate need of a 60 inches freestanding refrigerator for your family as some brands and stores may allow you to pay a refrigerator in installments, and certain banks may offer you months without interest at selected stores; therefore, if your desired refrigerator is there, do not hesitate to ask the sellers (online or in a physical store) what would be a good payment plan for your fridge.
The price of a refrigerator with a freezer may vary depending on the brand. The multinational German Bosch offers refrigerators with freezers for prices around $2000, $6000 dollars, whereas great brands like LG offer simpler refrigerators starting from $675 dollars, up to more complex ones of prices around $3000, $4000.
Delivery is another issue you may check with the selected store when purchasing a refrigerator as, unlike other house appliances/power tools that can be shipped worldwide, the delivery of a refrigerator will likely be domestic (In the same county, city, state) so you may check with store the delivery days and price of shipping. Also, make sure you read the opinion of clients (online reviews) that have had the same model purchased at that same store.
Energy consumption & Warranty
The limited and extended warranty of a refrigerator can be more complex than other home appliances; although it is common to get a one-year warranty in store for your purchased fridge, there are clauses you may want to check out on a user’s manual (That can be downloaded online) in regards of further repairs, pieces repairment and/or replacement.
Energy consumption is also a good topic to discuss, as there are refrigerators of high electricity consumption and some others that are energy efficient/more eco-friendly. ENERGY STAR®, which is the American program that advocates energy efficiency on electrically powered machines, certifies home appliances such as refrigerators for efficient energy consumption; by measuring their annual Kilowatt Hours Per Year (Kwh/yr); but what is the difference?
Refrigerators that have been certified by Energy Star have been reviewed by the organization, therefore those are prone to offer us high-performance features such as modern more efficient inner compressors that create less heat therefore they’d need less electricity to be fed with; improved insulation that helps your foods, meats, vegetables to stay cold on a low stable temperature; and defrost automatic mechanisms that help the refrigerator operate more efficiently and waste less electricity.
It is well known that 20, 30 years ago, only manual defrost refrigerators were available in the market; not only those old models ‘sucked up’ more socket energy, but also, it was a tremendous hassle to be manually defrosting a big refrigerator with its freezer every couple of months.
Lastly, we have gathered for you our top 5 list of refrigerators with freezers that promise you great performance with less consumption.
Get a cold drink, and enjoy the ride!
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FAQs
In our modern times, almost all refrigerators come with an inbuilt top or bottom freezer, except for certain refrigerators like the small coolers you find in hotel rooms, for example.
The advantages of having a fridge that can preserve frozen foods and that can defrost automatically can save you money in the long term, as instead of purchasing two different appliances that may take up more space to cool your drinks and foods, you have two in one. And even if it seems an expensive purchase at the beginning, as time goes by, you’d realize you made the right decision by acquiring a fridge freezer combo.
The useful life of a refrigerator with a freezer varies from 10 up to 20 years. A fridge with an integrated freezer can endure a few repairs over the years that can extend its lifespan.
Nowadays it is hard to tell where our home devices will be built, and even if there are brands like Whirlpool that proudly announce their top refrigerators are American-made, most multinational companies that build electrical appliances have headquarters/factories outsourced in different countries.
The American manufacture is not something that should be of great concern though, as international brands have strict quality control on their products; it does not matter where those were ‘originally born’.
It depends on its size/capacity. A modern refrigerator that is energy efficient may use from 400 to 600 Kilowatt Hours per Year. A much better energy usage than refrigerators older by a few decades.
In this list, we named veteran brands that are longtime experts in refrigerator manufacturing such as GE, Bosch, Whirlpool, and even brands like LG and Samsung that initially started their operations as electronics manufacturers they’re competing high with their great home appliances in today’s markets. There is not the best brand per se, but many top ones you can choose from depending on your personal needs and budget.
The more high-quality brands that are out there offering the same products, the more fortunate we become, as the competition among them, will result in great deals for us as consumers. We wish you can acquire the best fridge freezer in 2021 that will offer you many years of fresh foods!