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A best apartment size refrigerator top freezer design is the classic small-kitchen fridge for good reasons. Top-freezer models are usually the least expensive and most energy-efficient layout for their size, they have the fewest moving parts to fail, and the freezer sits at a comfortable height for grabbing ice and frozen meals.

We compared six slim top-freezer refrigerators from 21.5 to 30 inches wide, with and without ice makers. Height is the big variable here, ranging from about 56 to 68 inches, so check your overhead cabinets as well as the width.

best apartment size refrigerator top freezer 2026 buying guide cover
Best Apartment Size Refrigerator Top Freezer – 2026 buying guide by Best Refrigerator Deals

Quick Answer: The Best Apartment Size Refrigerator Top Freezer

The best apartment size refrigerator top freezer pick is the Summit FF1088W: 24 inches wide, ENERGY STAR certified and the lowest listed energy use here. The Impecca 24-inch holds more, and the Summit FF18SSIM is the pick if you have 30 inches and want an ice maker.

Best Apartment Size Refrigerator Top Freezer Comparison Table

ProductBest ForTypeKey FeatureBuy
Summit FF1088W 24"Best Overall24" top-freezer apartment refrigerator297 kWh/yr, ENERGY STARCheck Price
Impecca 24" Top FreezerMost Space in 24″24" top-freezer apartment refrigerator11.5 cu ftCheck Price
Summit FF18 30-InchBest 30-InchFull-size top freezer18 cu ft, ice makerCheck Price
Summit CTR15 28-InchBest 28-InchFull-size top freezer14.3 cu ftCheck Price
Summit FF1087BIM 24"24″ With Ice Maker24" top-freezer apartment refrigeratorIce makerCheck Price
Summit FF882PL 22"Narrowest22" top-freezer apartment refrigerator21.5" wideCheck Price

The 6 Top-Freezer Apartment Refrigerators

Every best apartment size refrigerator top freezer pick keeps the freezer on top. BRD Scores weigh capacity, fit, efficiency and features.

best apartment size refrigerator top freezer: Summit FF1088W 24"
Best Overall

1. Summit FF1088W 24" Top-Freezer Refrigerator, 10.1 Cu. Ft., White

9.2 BRD Score /10

Check Price on Amazon.com ↗

1. Summit’s FF1088W lists 297 kWh per year, the lowest here, and is ENERGY STAR certified.

👍 Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ENERGY STAR certified
  • Lowest listed kWh of the full-height picks
  • Two humidity crispers
  • Only 60 inches tall

Cons

  • No ice maker
  • White finish only
  • 10.1 cu ft is snug for families
📄 Detailed Review
  • Capacity: 10.1 cu ft
  • Dimensions: 23.25" W x 26.5" D x 60.25" H
  • Certification: ENERGY STAR, ADA compliant
  • Listed energy use: 297 kWh/year
  • Controls: Touch control thermostat
  • Storage: Glass shelves, 2 humidity crispers

Summit’s FF1088W fits 10.1 cubic feet into a 24-inch-wide, 60-inch-tall cabinet. It is ENERGY STAR certified, ADA compliant, frost-free and lists 297 kWh per year, with adjustable spill-proof glass shelves and two humidity-controlled crispers.

Its 60-inch height fits under low cabinets.

See the Summit FF1088W 24" on Amazon →

Impecca 24" Top Freezer
Most Space in 24″

2. Impecca 24" Top-Freezer Refrigerator, 11.5 Cu. Ft., Stainless

9.0 BRD Score /10

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2. Impecca’s 24-inch top-freezer fridge holds 11.5 cubic feet with auto defrost.

👍 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.

Stainless finish at a lower listed energy than most.

See the Impecca 24" Top Freezer on Amazon →

Summit FF18 30-Inch
Best 30-Inch

3. Summit FF18SSIM 30" Top-Freezer Refrigerator, 18 Cu. Ft.

8.9 BRD Score /10

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3. Summit’s FF18SSIM is a 30-inch top-freezer with an ice maker.

👍 Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ENERGY STAR certified full-size
  • 18 cu ft with a 4 cu ft freezer
  • Frost-free plus ice maker
  • Gallon door storage, LED lighting

Cons

  • Needs a 30-inch opening
  • Stainless finish needs wiping
  • Large to move down stairs
📄 Detailed Review
  • Capacity: 18 cu ft (4 cu ft freezer)
  • Dimensions: 29.75" W x 31.25" D x 66.5" H
  • Listed energy use: 447 kWh/year
  • Certification: ENERGY STAR
  • Defrost: Frost-free
  • Extras: Ice maker, LED lighting, humidity crispers

The Summit FF18 is a 30-inch, 18 cubic foot top-freezer refrigerator with ENERGY STAR certification. It pairs a touch thermostat in the fresh-food section with dial controls for the 4 cubic foot freezer, and adds LED lighting, gallon door storage, humidity-controlled crispers and a built-in ice maker.

ENERGY STAR certified with near full-size capacity.

See the Summit FF18 30-Inch on Amazon →

Summit CTR15 28-Inch
Best 28-Inch

4. Summit CTR15SSIMLHD 28" Top-Freezer Refrigerator with Ice Maker

8.6 BRD Score /10

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4. Summit’s 28-inch CTR15 top-freezer has an ice maker.

👍 Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Full-size storage in a 28-inch width
  • Frost-free with ice maker
  • Two humidity-controlled crispers
  • Gallon-size door racks

Cons

  • Left-hand door swing only on this listing
  • Needs a dedicated 28-inch opening
  • Higher energy use than compacts
📄 Detailed Review
  • Capacity: 14.3 cu ft
  • Dimensions: 27.75" W x 27.88" D x 67.5" H
  • Listed energy use: 416 kWh/year
  • Defrost: Frost-free
  • Freezer: SuperFreeze setting, ice maker
  • Door swing: Left-hand

Summit’s CTR15 is a 28-inch-wide, full-size top-freezer refrigerator with 14.3 cubic feet of space. It is frost-free, includes a built-in ice maker, two humidity-controlled crispers, spill-proof glass shelves and a SuperFreeze setting for newly loaded food. This listing has a left-hand door swing.

Middle ground between 24 and 30 inches.

See the Summit CTR15 28-Inch on Amazon →

Summit FF1087BIM 24"
24″ With Ice Maker

5. Summit FF1087BIM 24" Top-Freezer Refrigerator with Ice Maker, Black

8.4 BRD Score /10

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5. Summit’s FF1087BIM is the 24-inch top-freezer with an ice maker.

👍 Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Factory ice maker
  • Slim 24-inch width
  • Frost-free
  • Gallon-size door rack

Cons

  • Higher kWh than the non-ice-maker version
  • Black finish shows fingerprints
  • 10.1 cu ft
📄 Detailed Review
  • Capacity: 10.1 cu ft
  • Dimensions: 23.25" W x 26.5" D x 60.25" H
  • Freezer: Top mount with ice maker
  • Listed energy use: 381 kWh/year
  • Controls: Touch control thermostat
  • Defrost: Frost-free

Summit’s FF1087BIM is the ice-maker version of its slim 24-inch apartment fridge. It keeps the 10.1 cubic foot capacity, frost-free operation, touch thermostat, glass shelves and two crispers, and lists 381 kWh per year.

Higher listed energy than the FF1088W.

See the Summit FF1087BIM 24" on Amazon →

Summit FF882PL 22"
Narrowest

6. Summit FF882PL 22" Refrigerator-Freezer, 7.0 Cu. Ft.

8.2 BRD Score /10

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6. Summit’s FF882PL is under 22 inches wide.

👍 Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Only 21.5 inches wide
  • ENERGY STAR certified
  • Frost-free
  • Separate thermostats for each section

Cons

  • 7 cu ft is small for families
  • Premium price
  • Stainless look, not stainless
📄 Detailed Review
  • Capacity: 7.0 cu ft
  • Dimensions: 21.5" W x 23.5" D x 55.75" H
  • Certification: ENERGY STAR, ADA height
  • Defrost: Frost-free
  • Controls: Separate dial thermostats
  • Storage: Glass shelves, humidity crisper

Summit’s FF882PL squeezes 7 cubic feet into a cabinet just under 22 inches wide and 55.75 inches tall. It is ENERGY STAR certified, frost-free and has separate dial thermostats, two glass shelves and a humidity-controlled crisper.

7 cubic feet suits one person.

See the Summit FF882PL 22" on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Apartment Size Refrigerator Top Freezer

To choose the best apartment size refrigerator top 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.

Why Pick the Best Apartment Size Refrigerator Top Freezer Layout

Lower cost

Top-freezer fridges usually cost less than bottom-freezer models of the same size.

Efficiency

The layout is among the most efficient for its capacity.

Freezer access

The freezer sits near eye level; the fridge requires bending for bottom shelves.

Height limits

Check overhead cabinet clearance.

Ice maker options

Some include factory ice makers that need a water line.

Bar chart: Listed energy use (kWh/year)
Listed energy use (kWh/year): how each best apartment size refrigerator top freezer pick compares.

Top-Freezer Fridge Tips

  • Keep heavy items low. Easier to lift.
  • Use the freezer door wisely. Store ice packs in the door.
  • Check crisper humidity. Adjust for produce.
  • Clean coils yearly. Improves efficiency.
Organize a top-freezer fridge tips card
Practical tips for getting the most from the best apartment size refrigerator top freezer.

Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best apartment size refrigerator top freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best apartment size refrigerator top freezer model?

The Summit FF1088W is our top pick.

Are top-freezer fridges more efficient?

Generally yes, for their size.

How tall are top-freezer apartment fridges?

About 56 to 68 inches.

Do top-freezer fridges have ice makers?

Some, like the Summit FF1087BIM and FF18SSIM.

Top or bottom freezer for an apartment?

Top freezers cost less; bottom freezers are easier to use daily.

Final Verdict

The best apartment size refrigerator top freezer pick is the Summit FF1088W. Choose the Impecca 24-inch for more space and the Summit FF18SSIM for 30 inches with an ice maker.

More refrigerator research from Best Refrigerator Deals:

Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.