Top-freezer fridges cost far less than fancier styles. Consumer Reports tested dozens of models on temperature and noise to find six top picks
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Top-freezer refrigerators remain the most budget-friendly way to keep a kitchen stocked, even as flashier styles dominate showroom floors. That affordability often means giving up conveniences such as water dispensers and adjustable shelving that pricier models take for granted.
Consumer Reports tested top-freezer models for temperature accuracy, energy efficiency and noise to help shoppers find the best value, so take a look at its six top picks below.
Credit: Samsung
Consumer Reports rates the Samsung RT70F18LRSR its top pick among top-freezer refrigerators this year. It kept temperatures accurate and consistent in CR's tests, with almost no variation between the refrigerator and freezer sections. At $700, it runs quietly, connects to WiFi for remote monitoring and uses electricity efficiently, though CR flagged its crisper drawers for letting produce dry out fast and its feature set for falling short on convenience. CR's member surveys gave Samsung an excellent score for predicted reliability, though owner satisfaction came in only at a midlevel rating.
Credit: LG
Few top-freezers deliver more for the money than the LG LT18S2100W. Consumer Reports called it an incredible bargain at $755. Its temperature control tested accurate and consistent, and CR praised its energy efficiency as well. Its daily convenience features and its ability to keep produce fresh both fell behind other models CR tested. LG's brand scored top-notch for predicted reliability in CR's member surveys, though owner satisfaction settled into the middle tier.
Credit: LG
The LG LTCS20030S excels at the fundamentals, earning strong marks from Consumer Reports for accurate, even temperatures. At $950, it also runs energy efficiently, though CR rated its noise level as merely average. Its built-in icemaker underperformed in CR's tests and its crisper drawers let produce dry out fast, undercutting the value of its spillproof shelves and digital controls. Daily convenience scored subpar too, yet CR's surveys still credited LG with excellent predicted reliability, even as owner satisfaction hovered in the middle.
Credit: Samsung
Marketed as 29 inches wide, the Samsung RT18DG6700SRAA still fits comfortably into a 30-inch kitchen opening. At $775, Consumer Reports rated it strong across nearly every test, including how accurately and evenly it held temperature. It connects to WiFi and includes humidity-adjustable crisper drawers, though CR found its icemaker underperformed and its crisper drawers still let produce dry out. Samsung posted excellent marks for predicted reliability in CR's surveys, and while everyday convenience only scored in the middle of the pack, owner satisfaction landed in decent territory.
Credit: LG
Shoppers who need extra interior space should look at the LG LRTLS2403S, which measures 33 inches wide, several inches more than the other models here. At $1,000, it earned strong marks from Consumer Reports for both energy efficiency and for keeping temperature accurate and even throughout. It includes a built-in water filter and an internal water dispenser, though CR noted the dispenser lacks a child lockout and its optional icemaker turned in only middling performance. LG posted another excellent reliability score in CR's member surveys, though convenience features scored poorly here too, and owner satisfaction landed in the middle.
Credit: GE
Shoppers should think twice before paying $1,200 for the GE GTS22KGNRWW, which costs more than any other model here despite its bare-bones feature set. Consumer Reports rated it noisier than other top-freezers it tested, and its everyday convenience features scored poorly, trailing every other model here. Its ability to hold an exact temperature and keep produce fresh in the crisper drawers came in at the middle of the field, though Consumer Reports rated its energy efficiency excellent and its temperature consistency very good. GE's brand reliability tested very good in CR's surveys, but owner satisfaction ranked poorly.
