A bottom freezer refrigerator puts fresh food at eye level and tucks the freezer below, where the items reached for less often usually live. That layout is the reason many households switch away from a top-freezer model, and it is also why the search for the best bottom freezer refrigerators splits into two very different shoppers: people filling a full kitchen cutout with a 28 or 31 inch fridge, and renters squeezing a compact two-door unit into an apartment alcove.
The decision is mostly about width, depth and cubic feet, followed by door style, ice making and finish. Anyone replacing a refrigerator should measure the opening, the path to the kitchen and the door swing before ordering. The seven models below range from 7.1 cubic feet to 22.3 cubic feet, and they are compared on the numbers printed in each listing, arranged for 2026 shoppers who want a straight comparison of size and features without marketing noise.
Quick Picks
Kenmore 22.3 cu. ft. 31" Bottom Freezer Refrigerator - FPR Stainless Steel | Ice Maker, Adjustable Glass Shelving, Crispers Drawers, LED Lighting, Fingerprint Resistant SS, ENERGY STAR Certified
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Sharp SJB1045SNS 10.3 cu.ft. 24 in. 2 Door Refrigerator | Counter Depth
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BANGSON Apartment size 7.1 Cu.Ft Refrigerator with Bottom Freezer Silver | Apartment Fridge with Bottom Freezer, Large Capacity, Energy Saving, Adjustable Thermostat, Low Noise
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Kenmore 15.1 cu. ft. 28" Wide Bottom Freezer Refrigerator - FPR Stainless
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Upstreman 7.1 Cu.Ft Refrigerator with Bottom Freezer, Apartment Fridge | Energy-efficient, Large Capacity, Adjustable Thermostat, Refrigerator for Apartment, Kitchen, Dorm, Silver, BM71
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BLACK+DECKER 16 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator, Built-in Ice Maker, Black | Full Size Refrigerator with Bottom Mount Freezer Drawer, Frost Free, ENERGY STAR certified, Auto Defrost
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BLACK+DECKER 16 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator, Built-in Ice Maker, White | Full Size Refrigerator with Bottom Mount Freezer Drawer, Frost Free, ENERGY STAR certified, Auto Defrost
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| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Kenmore 22.3 cu. ft. 31 in. | Large families | 22.3 cu. ft.; ice maker; glass shelving; LED lighting |
| Kenmore 15.1 cu. ft. 28 in. | Mid-size kitchens | 15.1 cu. ft.; 28 in. wide; stainless or white |
| BLACK+DECKER 16 Cu. Ft. French Door | French door lovers | 16 cu. ft.; built-in ice maker; frost free; freezer drawer |
| Sharp SJB1045SNS | Narrow or counter-depth spaces | 10.3 cu. ft.; 24 in.; counter depth; 2 door |
| BANGSON 7.1 Cu. Ft. | Apartments and dorms | 7.1 cu. ft.; bottom freezer; energy saving |
| Upstreman 7.1 Cu. Ft. | Apartments with adjustable control | 7.1 cu. ft.; adjustable thermostat; energy-efficient |
| Frigidaire 7.5 Cu. Ft. Platinum | Tight alcoves with stated dimensions | 7.5 cu. ft.; 23 in. D x 21.5 in. W x 55.5 in. H |
How to Choose
Capacity and household size
A common rule of thumb is about four to six cubic feet per person, with extra room for batch cooking and warehouse shopping. A single renter may be comfortable with 7 cubic feet, a couple with 10 to 16, and a family of four or more with 20 or beyond. Bottom freezers usually dedicate roughly a third of the volume to the freezer drawer, so check the fresh-food share on the listing if produce is a priority.
Width, depth and clearances
Measure the cutout width, depth to the wall, height to the cabinet above and the door swing. A 28 or 31 inch width is typical for full-size models, a 24 inch width suits narrow or counter-depth spaces, and compact apartment units may be around 21.5 inches wide. Leave gaps for ventilation according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and measure the doorway, stairs and any turns on the way in.
Door style, ice and shelving
French doors open narrower and are friendly to tight aisles, while a single swing door shows everything at once. A built-in ice maker is convenient, but it takes up space inside the unit and needs a water line or a fill system, so confirm the setup on the listing. Glass shelves are easy to clean and adjustable shelves help fit tall bottles, and LED lighting makes the interior easier to see.
Energy, noise and where budget models cut corners
Look for an energy label and a stated annual usage on the listing rather than relying on phrases like energy saving. Budget compact units often cut corners on shelf count, interior lighting and noise insulation, so read the details on drawer construction and temperature control. Ignore flashy extras that you will not use, and put the budget into capacity, fit and a layout that matches how the kitchen works.
The 7 Best Options
Kenmore 22.3 Cu. Ft. 31-Inch Bottom Freezer
The largest model here, with 22.3 cubic feet and a 31 inch width in a stainless-style finish. Features named in the title include an ice maker, adjustable glass shelving, crisper drawers and LED lighting, which makes it a fit for families who shop in bulk and cook most meals at home. The ice maker, glass shelving and crisper drawers make the interior flexible, and the LED lighting helps when searching for leftovers at night. Anyone considering it should verify the water-line or ice setup on the listing and confirm that the delivery route can handle a wide cabinet.
- Large capacity plus ice maker covers heavy daily use
- Glass shelving, crisper drawers and LED lighting are all named
- Trade-off: a 31 inch width needs a wide opening and a generous door swing
Skip it if the cutout is narrower than 31 inches or if a compact kitchen limits door clearance.
Kenmore 15.1 Cu. Ft. 28-Inch Bottom Freezer
A mid-size model at 15.1 cubic feet and 28 inches wide, offered in stainless and white finishes. It suits couples and small families that want a full-size layout without the footprint of a big fridge, and it fits many older kitchen cutouts better than wider models. For a household that does not need an ice maker, a simpler layout often means fewer parts to maintain, and the listing’s focus on capacity and width makes it easy to compare against other mid-size refrigerators. Both finish options are offered, so the choice can follow the rest of the kitchen.
- 28 inch width fits many standard openings
- Choice of stainless or white finish
- Trade-off: the visible title lists few features beyond size and finish
Skip it if an ice maker or French doors are on the wish list.
BLACK+DECKER 16 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator
This full-size refrigerator combines French doors with a bottom-mount freezer drawer, a built-in ice maker and frost-free operation, in black or white finishes. It appeals to buyers who like the French door layout and want the freezer below. Frost-free operation, as named in the title, means the freezer does not need manual defrosting, which saves a chore over the years. Buyers should still confirm warranty and service terms on the listing before ordering, since support varies by seller and region.
- French doors need less swing space than a single door
- Built-in ice maker and frost-free operation are named
- Trade-off: the title is truncated at the energy information, so check labeling on the listing
Skip it if a single wide door is preferred or if only a basic fridge is needed.
Sharp SJB1045SNS 10.3 Cu. Ft. Counter Depth
At 24 inches wide and 10.3 cubic feet, this two-door counter-depth model suits narrow kitchens and city apartments. The counter-depth label means it sits closer to the front edge of surrounding cabinets than a standard-depth fridge. Narrow models like this one are popular in condos and galley kitchens where a wide door swing would block the walkway. Because the title does not say where the freezer sits, shoppers who want a bottom freezer must read the listing images and specifications carefully.
- 24 inch width fits tighter spaces
- Counter-depth profile keeps the kitchen aisle open
- Trade-off: the title does not say where the freezer sits, so confirm bottom placement on the listing
Skip it if a big capacity is required for a family.
BANGSON 7.1 Cu. Ft. Apartment Refrigerator
Listed as an apartment-size fridge with a bottom freezer, large capacity for its size and energy saving claims, in silver or black finishes. It suits dorms, offices, studios and secondary spaces. It can also work as a second fridge in a garage or basement, though temperature limits for unheated areas should be checked on the listing. For a single person, 7.1 cubic feet can handle weekly groceries without much waste, as long as bulk shopping is kept in check.
- Bottom freezer layout in a compact body
- Two finish options to match a small kitchen
- Trade-off: 7.1 cubic feet is small for a family
Skip it if the main kitchen needs everyday storage for several people.
Upstreman 7.1 Cu. Ft. Apartment Refrigerator
Another 7.1 cubic foot unit with a bottom freezer, an adjustable thermostat and an energy-efficient label. It suits renters and anyone who wants a compact backup fridge, with control over the internal temperature. Because compact fridges can run colder or warmer depending on room conditions and door habits, a thermostat dial is a useful control, and a small appliance thermometer is an inexpensive way to confirm that the settings match what the food needs.
- Adjustable thermostat is named in the title
- Compact bottom-freezer layout fits small spaces
- Trade-off: the title does not list outside dimensions, so check them
Skip it if a built-in ice maker or French doors are needed.
Frigidaire 7.5 Cu. Ft. Platinum Series Apartment Refrigerator
This two-door apartment-size model lists its dimensions clearly at 23 inches deep, 21.5 inches wide and 55.5 inches tall, in stainless. It suits cooks who want to confirm the footprint before ordering and who need a refrigerator and freezer combination in a narrow alcove. A listing with measurements in the title is helpful when a space is already tight, since a quarter inch can decide whether a unit slides in. The Platinum Series name points to a named product line, but the exact features are best confirmed on the full listing.
- Exact dimensions are listed in the title
- Stainless finish matches common apartment appliances
- Trade-off: the title does not say where the freezer sits, so confirm layout on the listing
Skip it if a full-size capacity is required.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You are feeding a large household
The Kenmore 22.3 cu. ft. model offers the biggest capacity and lists an ice maker and LED lighting.
You have a standard cutout and a mid-size family
The Kenmore 15.1 cu. ft. 28 inch fridge keeps the full-size layout in a narrower body.
You want French doors and ice
The BLACK+DECKER 16 cu. ft. French door refrigerator combines both with a bottom freezer drawer.
You live in a studio or small apartment
The BANGSON, Upstreman and Frigidaire units are compact, while the Sharp 24 inch counter-depth model offers a bit more room for a narrow space.
Common Mistakes
- Measuring the cutout but not the doorway, stairs or hallway turns.
- Ignoring door swing and ventilation clearances.
- Choosing by cubic feet alone without checking the fresh-food share.
- Assuming a two-door fridge has the freezer on the bottom without reading the listing.
- Skipping the water line plan when the model has an ice maker.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are bottom freezer refrigerators more efficient?
It depends on the model. Check the energy label and annual usage on the listing rather than assuming a layout is efficient.
How much space is needed around a refrigerator?
Manufacturers usually specify gaps at the sides, top and back for airflow. Follow the instructions for the model you choose.
Can a compact fridge be the main fridge?
For one person it can work, but larger households usually outgrow a 7 cubic foot unit quickly.
Do all models include an ice maker?
No. Only some listings name one, so check the features list and the water line requirement.
Top picks from this guide
BLACK+DECKERBLACK+DECKER 16 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator, Built-in Ice Maker,…BANGSONBANGSON Apartment size 7.1 Cu.Ft Refrigerator with Bottom Freezer Silver…UpstremanUpstreman 7.1 Cu.Ft Refrigerator with Bottom Freezer, Apartment Fridge |…SharpSharp SJB1045SNS 10.3 cu.ft. 24 in. 2 Door Refrigerator |…
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