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A best apartment size refrigerator with bottom freezer puts fresh food at eye level, where you reach dozens of times a day, and moves the freezer to a pull-out drawer below. It is the more comfortable layout for daily cooking, and it is surprisingly hard to find in narrow widths: most slim apartment fridges are top-freezer designs.
We found three slim bottom-freezer refrigerators and one under-counter drawer unit worth considering, all from Summit, plus one top-freezer alternative for buyers whose budget or height limits rule out bottom-freezer models. We compared width, height, capacity, ice makers and listed energy use.
Quick Answer: The Best Apartment Size Refrigerator With Bottom Freezer
- Best OverallSummit FFBF249 24"
- Best With Ice MakerSummit FFBF181 24" Bottom Freezer
- Most SpaceSummit FFBF279 28"
- Best Under-CounterSummit SPRF34D7 Drawers
- Best Top-Freezer AlternativeImpecca 24" Top Freezer
The best apartment size refrigerator with bottom freezer for most small kitchens is the Summit FFBF249: 24 inches wide, 10.6 cubic feet, digital thermostats and door alarms. Choose the Summit FFBF181 if you want an ice maker, or the 28-inch FFBF279 for 14.6 cubic feet.
Best Apartment Size Refrigerator With Bottom Freezer Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit FFBF249 24" | Best Overall | 24" bottom-freezer refrigerator | 24", 10.6 cu ft, alarms | Check Price |
| Summit FFBF181 24" Bottom Freezer | Best With Ice Maker | 24" counter-depth bottom-freezer refrigerator | 11.7 cu ft, ice maker | Check Price |
| Summit FFBF279 28" | Most Space | 28" bottom-freezer refrigerator | 14.6 cu ft, 28" | Check Price |
| Summit SPRF34D7 Drawers | Best Under-Counter | Undercounter drawer refrigerator-freezer | Fridge + freezer drawers | Check Price |
| Impecca 24" Top Freezer | Best Top-Freezer Alternative | 24" top-freezer apartment refrigerator | 11.5 cu ft | Check Price |
The 5 Slim Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Each best apartment size refrigerator with bottom freezer pick except the last keeps the freezer below. BRD Scores weigh layout, capacity, features and efficiency.
1. Summit FFBF249SS2 24" Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator, 10.6 Cu. Ft.
1. Summit’s FFBF249 is a counter-depth 24-inch bottom-freezer fridge with digital thermostats and open-door and high-temperature alarms.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open-door and high-temp alarms
- Digital thermostats
- Frost-free
- Counter-depth 24-inch body
Cons
- Premium price
- No ice maker on this model
- Left-hand door on this listing
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 10.6 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.38" W x 23.75" D x 73.75" H
- Controls: Digital thermostats
- Alarms: Open door and high temperature
- Listed energy use: 370 kWh/year
- Defrost: Frost-free
Summit’s FFBF249SS2 is a 24-inch bottom-freezer refrigerator with 10.6 cubic feet, digital thermostats, frost-free operation and both open-door and high-temperature alarms. Listed use is 370 kWh per year.
The alarms are useful in busy shared apartments, and it lists 370 kWh per year. Counter depth means it sits closer to flush with cabinets, which helps in narrow galley kitchens where every inch of walkway counts.
2. Summit FFBF181ES2IM 24" Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator with Ice Maker
2. Summit’s FFBF181 adds a factory ice maker and slide-out freezer storage.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Factory ice maker
- Counter-depth 24-inch body
- Bottom freezer keeps fresh food at eye level
- Stainless steel
Cons
- 78 inches tall
- Premium price
- Higher listed kWh
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11.7 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.38" W x 23.75" D x 78.38" H
- Freezer: Bottom mount with ice maker
- Listed energy use: 464 kWh/year
- Finish: Stainless steel
- Extras: Spill-proof glass shelves, crisper
Summit’s FFBF181ES2IM fits 11.7 cubic feet into a 24-inch-wide, counter-depth body. The bottom freezer has an ice maker and slide-out storage, while the fridge section has spill-proof glass shelves and a large crisper.
Tall at 78 inches, so check cabinet clearance. The slide-out freezer baskets keep ice and frozen meals separated, and the fresh-food section includes spill-proof glass shelves and a large crisper.
3. Summit FFBF279SSXIM 28" Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator with Ice Maker
3. Summit’s FFBF279 holds 14.6 cubic feet in a body under 27 inches deep.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 14.6 cu ft under 27 inches deep
- Factory ice maker
- Bottom freezer
- Stainless doors
Cons
- Premium price
- Highest listed kWh here
- 28-inch width needed
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 14.6 cu ft
- Dimensions: 27.63" W x 26.75" D x 67.63" H
- Freezer: Bottom mount, factory ice maker
- Listed energy use: 507 kWh/year
- Finish: Stainless steel doors
- Lighting: LED
Summit’s FFBF279SSXIM brings 14.6 cubic feet to kitchens that cannot take a full-depth fridge: it is under 27 inches deep. It has a bottom freezer with a factory ice maker, LED lighting and stainless doors.
Best if you have 28 inches of width. Its stainless doors and LED lighting give it a premium look in an open-plan apartment.
4. Summit SPRF34D7 24" 2-Drawer Refrigerator-Freezer
4. Summit’s SPRF34D7 puts a freezer drawer under a fridge drawer in a 34-inch-tall unit.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- True freezer drawer
- Built-in capable
- Panel-ready fronts
- Commercial NSF-7 listing
Cons
- Premium price
- Smaller capacity than upright models
- 24-inch cutout needed
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 3.9 cu ft
- Dimensions: 23.63" W x 23.75" D x 34" H
- Layout: Top fridge drawer, bottom freezer drawer
- Installation: Built-in or freestanding (front breathing)
- Listed energy use: 380 kWh/year
- Certification: ETL-S to NSF-7
Summit’s SPRF34D7 replaces doors with two drawers: a refrigerator drawer on top and a freezer drawer below. It breathes from the front so it can be built in, accepts custom panels and is ETL-S listed to NSF-7 standards. Listed use is 380 kWh per year.
For secondary storage in islands or bars. Panel-ready fronts let it disappear into custom cabinetry.
5. Impecca 24" Top-Freezer Refrigerator, 11.5 Cu. Ft., Stainless
5. If bottom-freezer models are too tall or pricey, Impecca’s 24-inch top-freezer fridge holds 11.5 cubic feet.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 11.5 cu ft in 24 inches
- Auto defrost
- Stainless finish
- Low listed 308 kWh/year
Cons
- No ice maker
- Less-known brand
- Taller than Summit’s 60-inch model
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11.5 cu ft (8.9 fridge + 2.6 freezer)
- Dimensions: 23.4" W x 25.6" D x 67.7" H
- Defrost: Automatic
- Listed energy use: 308 kWh/year
- Finish: Stainless
- Installation: Freestanding
Impecca’s 24-inch top-freezer fridge holds 11.5 cubic feet, split into 8.9 cubic feet of fresh food and a top freezer. It defrosts automatically, has a stainless finish and lists 308 kWh per year.
Lower listed energy than the bottom-freezer picks. Auto defrost and a stainless finish keep maintenance low.
How We Chose the Best Apartment Size Refrigerator With Bottom Freezer
To choose the best apartment size refrigerator with bottom freezer, we compared apartment-size refrigerators sold on Amazon in the U.S. on exact width, depth and height, total capacity, freezer layout, ice maker availability, ENERGY STAR status and listed energy use, and checked each listing for frost-free operation and door swing. Availability of large appliances varies by ZIP code, so confirm delivery to your address before ordering.
We checked efficiency claims against ENERGY STAR refrigerator guidance and food-safety temperatures against the FDA’s food storage advice (40°F or colder in the fridge, 0°F in the freezer). Our full process is explained on our How We Test page. We do not list prices or star ratings because they change daily.
Is the Best Apartment Size Refrigerator With Bottom Freezer Right for You?
Eye-level fresh food
You open the fridge far more than the freezer, so bottom-freezer layouts reduce bending.
Freezer drawers
Pull-out drawers are easy to organize but need clearance to open.
Height
Slim bottom-freezer fridges are often 73 to 78 inches tall.
Energy use
Bottom-freezer models often list more kWh than top-freezer ones.
Price
Expect to pay more than for top-freezer apartment fridges.
Door swing and hinge side
Several slim Summit models are sold in left-hand and right-hand versions. Pick the hinge side that opens toward your counter so you can set food down easily.
Bottom-Freezer Organization Tips
- Use bins in the drawer. Prevents items sliding.
- Store ice at the front. Most-used items first.
- Keep drinks at eye level. Easy access.
- Clear drawer tracks. Crumbs cause sticking.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best apartment size refrigerator with bottom freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best apartment size refrigerator with bottom freezer?
The Summit FFBF249 is our top pick.
Are there 24-inch bottom-freezer fridges?
Yes, including the Summit FFBF249 and FFBF181.
Do bottom-freezer apartment fridges have ice makers?
The Summit FFBF181 and FFBF279 do.
Are bottom-freezer fridges less efficient?
They often list slightly more kWh.
How tall are they?
Slim bottom-freezer models here are about 68 to 78 inches tall.
Final Verdict
The best apartment size refrigerator with bottom freezer is the Summit FFBF249. Choose the FFBF181 for an ice maker and the FFBF279 for 28-inch capacity.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
