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Shoppers searching for the best top freezer refrigerator consumer reports guidance usually want independent, test-style comparisons. We are not affiliated with Consumer Reports and do not reproduce its ratings. Instead, we compare top freezer refrigerators on criteria independent testers commonly weigh: temperature steadiness, energy use, noise and convenience.
Our comparison uses Amazon listing specs and manufacturer information. For Consumer Reports’ own test scores, check its website directly.
Quick Answer: The Best Top Freezer Refrigerator Consumer Reports
- Best OverallKenmore 20.2 Garage Ready
- Best CompactFrigidaire 11.6 ADA
- Best EfficiencyKenmore 18.1 Top Mount Black
- Best Ice MakerSummit FF18 30-Inch
- Best FitBLACK+DECKER 14.6 Top Mount
- Best Even CoolingFrigidaire 18.3 Garage Ready
Kenmore 20.2 is our top best top freezer refrigerator consumer reports-style pick: an inverter compressor for steady, quiet cooling, a garage-ready rating and 20.2 cubic feet. Frigidaire 11.6 ADA is ENERGY STAR with electronic controls, Kenmore 18.1 is ENERGY STAR at 367 kWh, Summit FF18SSIM is ENERGY STAR with an ice maker, BLACK+DECKER 14.6 is shallow and Frigidaire 18.3 has EvenTemp cooling.
Best Top Freezer Refrigerator Consumer Reports Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenmore 20.2 Garage Ready | Best Overall | 30-inch top freezer, garage ready | Inverter | Check Price |
| Frigidaire 11.6 ADA | Best Compact | 24-inch ADA top freezer | Electronic controls | Check Price |
| Kenmore 18.1 Top Mount Black | Best Efficiency | 30-inch top freezer | 367 kWh/yr | Check Price |
| Summit FF18 30-Inch | Best Ice Maker | Full-size top freezer | ENERGY STAR | Check Price |
| BLACK+DECKER 14.6 Top Mount | Best Fit | 28-inch top freezer | 26.3 in. deep | Check Price |
| Frigidaire 18.3 Garage Ready | Best Even Cooling | 30-inch top freezer, garage ready | EvenTemp | Check Price |
The 6 Top Freezer Refrigerators We Recommend
Measure the opening width, height and depth, plus the door swing and the path through your entry doors, before you order a full-size refrigerator. Specs below come from each Amazon listing. Scores below are our own BRD Scores, not Consumer Reports ratings.
1. Kenmore 20.2 Cu. Ft. 30" Top-Mount Refrigerator with Inverter Compressor, Garage Ready
1. Kenmore holds steady temperatures.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Garage ready 45–110°F
- Inverter compressor
- Larger capacity
- Fingerprint-resistant
Cons
- No ice maker
- Standard depth
- Taller than 18.1 model
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 20.2 cu ft
- Dimensions: 29.72" W x 31.69" D x 68.78" H (listed)
- Compressor: Inverter
- Garage: Rated for 45°F to 110°F rooms (listed)
- Finish: Fingerprint-resistant metallic steel
- Ratings: 318 on Amazon
Kenmore’s 20.2 cubic foot top mount lists garage-ready performance from 45°F to 110°F and an inverter compressor.
Garage ready.
2. Frigidaire 11.6 Cu. Ft. Compact ADA Top-Freezer Refrigerator, Black, ENERGY STAR
2. Frigidaire is precise.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- ADA compliant
- ENERGY STAR
- Electronic controls
- Good review count
Cons
- Small capacity
- Black only on this listing
- Basic shelves
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 11.6 cu ft (8.4 fridge + 3.2 freezer)
- Height: 59.88"
- Energy: 310 kWh/year, ENERGY STAR
- Controls: Electronic
- Compliance: ADA (listed)
- Ratings: 154 on Amazon
Frigidaire’s 11.6 cubic foot ADA top freezer is ENERGY STAR certified with electronic controls and humidity crispers.
ENERGY STAR.
3. Kenmore 18.1 Cu. Ft. 30" Top-Mount Refrigerator, Black, ENERGY STAR
3. Kenmore uses little power.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- ENERGY STAR
- Edge-to-edge shelves
- Gallon door bin
- Good review count
Cons
- No ice maker
- Standard depth
- Black shows dust
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 18.1 cu ft (13.36 fridge + 4.77 freezer)
- Dimensions: 29.72" W x 30.12" D x 66.14" H (listed)
- Energy: 367 kWh/year, ENERGY STAR
- Shelves: Edge-to-edge glass
- Storage: Gallon door bin, 2 freezer door bins
- Ratings: 165 on Amazon
Kenmore’s 18.1 cubic foot top mount is ENERGY STAR at a listed 367 kWh a year, with edge-to-edge glass shelves.
Edge-to-edge shelves.
4. Summit FF18SSIM 30" Top-Freezer Refrigerator, 18 Cu. Ft.
4. Summit adds ice.
👍 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.
Humidity crispers.
5. BLACK+DECKER BR1460HS 14.6 Cu. Ft. Top-Mount Refrigerator, Stainless Look, ENERGY STAR
5. BLACK+DECKER is shallow.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fits 28-inch openings
- Shallow 26.3 inches
- ENERGY STAR
- Frost free
Cons
- Stainless-look finish
- No ice maker
- Few reviews
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 14.6 cu ft
- Dimensions: 27.9" W x 26.3" D x 66" H (listed)
- Defrost: Frost free
- Certification: ENERGY STAR
- Controls: Adjustable fridge and freezer
- Ratings: 24 on Amazon
BLACK+DECKER’s BR1460HS fits a 28-inch opening and is only about 26 inches deep.
ENERGY STAR.
6. Frigidaire FFHT1835VS 18.3 Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator, Stainless, Garage Ready
6. Frigidaire spreads cold air.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Garage ready per listing
- EvenTemp cooling
- Gallon door bins
- Stainless finish
Cons
- Ice maker not included
- Few reviews
- Standard depth
📄 Detailed Review
- Capacity: 18.3 cu ft (13.4 fridge + 4.9 freezer)
- Dimensions: 30" W x 30.37" D x 66.37" H (listed)
- Cooling: EvenTemp
- Ice: Ice maker ready
- Crispers: Humidity-controlled
- Use: Garage ready (listed)
Frigidaire’s FFHT1835VS is a stainless 18.3 cubic foot top freezer listed as garage ready.
Garage ready.
How We Chose the Best Top Freezer Refrigerator Consumer Reports
To choose the best top freezer refrigerator consumer reports, we compared full-size refrigerators sold on Amazon in the U.S. on total capacity, outside width, depth and height, door layout, freezer location, ice and water features, listed energy use, ENERGY STAR status and warranty. We checked whether each model is standard depth or counter depth, whether the ice maker and water dispenser are inside or on the door, and how much clearance the doors need. We read owner reviews for recurring problems such as ice maker failures, uneven cooling, noisy fans and delivery damage, and we left out listings whose specifications contradicted themselves.
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.
How to Choose the Best Top Freezer Refrigerator Consumer Reports
Temperature steadiness
Inverters and electronic controls help.
Energy
Compare kWh.
Noise
Inverters run quieter.
Convenience
Shelves and bins.
Fit
Width and depth.
Reliability
Warranty and service.
Independent tests
See Consumer Reports for its scores.
Standard depth vs counter depth
Standard-depth refrigerators usually stick out several inches past the counters but hold more food. Counter-depth models sit closer to flush for a built-in look, with less capacity for the same width.
Ice makers and water lines
Ice makers and dispensers need a water line and a filter that is replaced every few months. If you do not have a nearby water supply, an ice-maker-ready model or one without a dispenser avoids plumbing work.
Measure the path, not just the opening
Check doorways, hallways and turns on the delivery route. Many full-size refrigerators are about 30 to 36 inches deep with doors, and removing doors or handles may be needed to get through narrow entries.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Refrigerator
- Verify temps at home. Thermometer.
- Register warranty. Support.
- Read the manual. Clearances.
- Keep the box briefly. Damage.
Below are common questions readers ask about choosing the best top freezer refrigerator consumer reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best top freezer refrigerator consumer reports readers would like?
Kenmore 20.2 is our top pick on test-style criteria.
Is this from Consumer Reports?
No; we are independent and do not reproduce its ratings.
Do electronic controls help?
They allow more precise settings.
Which is most efficient?
Frigidaire 11.6 ADA lists 310 kWh a year.
Where are Consumer Reports scores?
On Consumer Reports’ own website.
Final Verdict
Kenmore 20.2 is our top best top freezer refrigerator consumer reports-style pick, with Frigidaire 11.6 for compact spaces and Kenmore 18.1 for efficiency. Check independent scores before choosing the best top freezer refrigerator consumer reports readers trust.
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Prices and availability change often. Check the retailer listing for the current price, warranty and exact dimensions before you buy.
