Top mount fridges are the most common fridge type available. They have freezers located on top, at eye level, so you don't have to bend over to access your frozen goods. These models are typically the cheapest fridges in Australia, ranging from $500 to $2,000.
To find the right top mount fridge for your household, consider the model's size and volume, energy efficiency, running costs and noise levels. You might also want to consider its design, cleanability and finish.
The team at Finder has examined various top mount fridges from retailers like Appliances Online, Bing Lee and The Good Guys. We then picked models based on customer ratings and reviews. We also considered key product features when choosing models for each category.
The LG 410L Top Mount Fridge is our pick for the best overall top mount fridge. On Appliances Online, it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This model is also one of our picks for the best fridges available online.
Featuring a 410L capacity and adjustable shelves, this top mount fridge is the perfect option for a large household. It has the brand's LINEAR Cooling system, promising to deliver a "more precise and consistent temperature". This will help keep your food fresher for longer. It also has Smart Diagnosis and DoorCooling+, which quickly cools items in the door bin.
This model has tons of features to keep your food organised and fresh. It has a handy twist ice-maker for quick ice access, a crisper drawer for veggies and fruits, and a sleek finish to blend into any kitchen. It is also backed by a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. A few customers said the motor is quite noisy, which may be a con if you're looking for a fridge with a near-silent operation.
For the best cheap model, we recommend Hisense's 205L Top Mount Fridge. On Harvey Norman, customers gave it a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
This top mount fridge has all the features you could possibly need for a small household. It has a 205L capacity, a multi-air flow system, and frost-free technology to reduce the need for frequent defrosting. It also has recessed door handles which make the fridge sleek-looking.
Customers gave positive feedback on the product's value for money, decent capacity and small footprint. It has a strategically placed LED light to illuminate the interior and adjustable shelves and bins, so you can organise your items in any way you want. The crisper is also decently sized for storing plenty of veggies and fruits. Several reviews added that it has a relatively silent operation, too.
With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online, we chose the TCL 198L Top Mount Frost Free Fridge as the best small top mount fridge.
With a frost-free function and small capacity, this fridge is a great option for busy people in small households. The frost-free function means you won't need to defrost the unit as often as traditional models. The 198L capacity, on the other hand, means you can store all essential food items for 2–3 people. It also has a small footprint, suitable for smaller kitchen spaces.
This TCL unit features adjustable glass shelves, providing more than enough room for drinks, snacks and fresh items. It also has a humidity-controlled crisper to keep veggies and fruits their best quality for longer. Additionally, it features LED lighting for visibility. The unit comes with a 3-year warranty as well.
Our pick for the best model for big families is the Samsung 599L Top Mount Fridge, which has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on The Good Guys.
With a contemporary design and tons of useful features, this 599L fridge offers an easy storage solution for meat, veggies, fruits, snacks and leftovers. It has a convertible freezer that can be transformed into a fridge for extra space. It also has the brand's Twin Cooling Plus technology, which separates the cooling systems in the fridge and freezer to "maintain temperature control independently in both compartments".
For storage, the fridge offers a Slide & Reach pantry that keeps items at a lower temperature than the rest of the unit. You also get a movable ice maker and a huge crisper drawer. The fridge's reversible doors and sleek design allow the unit to fit any kitchen layouts. It's a bit pricier than other models in the market, but it's a worthwhile choice if you require plenty of storage space.
We recommend the Euromaid 338L Top Mount Frost Free Fridge if you're looking at stainless steel top mount fridges. This model has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online.
This Euromaid fridge offers 338L of capacity, suitable for small and medium households. It has a compact design and plenty of room to store your favourite food items. The crisper drawer is perfect to keep your veggies and fruits fresh. It's got a dairy chiller compartment to store cheese, butter and the likes. Additionally, it features adjustable shelves for easy organisation and a reversible door for convenience.
Customers praised the unit's affordable price, sleek design, decent capacity and cleanability. Because it has an automatic defrost function, cleaning the unit is a breeze. Users added that it's got a relatively near-silent operation, while others said its interior lighting is quite bright. It doesn't have an ice-maker, but buyers don't seem to mind.
Our pick for the best energy-efficient model is the Mitsubishi Electric 458L Top Mount Fridge MR-458ER-SB-A. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online.
With an inverter compressor, this fridge is an ideal option for large households wanting to save on running costs. It offers a 458L capacity, glass shelves and a sliding chilled case. Apart from an interior LED lighting, this has a door alarm system, a 2-way flexi-glass shelf and a sleek design. It is backed by a 5-year warranty as well.
This fridge has a multi-airflow system to efficiently cool down all food items, even in hard-to-cool places. Its glass shelves are also tempered and can withstand up to 100kg of weight. However, they're not adjustable. The sliding chilled case is equipped with a smooth roller, while the smooth finish doesn't mark easily. This beast of a unit also has a near-silent operation and a 4.5 star energy rating.
eBay prices last updated on 25 April, 2024 at 08:14 pm
How did we pick this list
12 Brands considered
54 Products compared
6 Best products chosen
Why you can trust our picks
We examined top mount fridges available in various online retailers like Appliances Online, The Good Guys and Harvey Norman. We evaluated models from the following brands:
CHiQ
Esatto
Euromaid
Haier
Hisense
Kelvinator
LG
Mitsubishi Electric
Samsung
Smeg
TCL
Westinghouse
We then made a shortlist based on customer ratings and reviews (as of June 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, including size, energy efficiency, ease of use, noise and running costs. We came up with what we believe are the 6 best top mount fridges you can get in Australia.
What is a top mount fridge?
A top mount fridge means the freezer is located on top with the fridge compartment beneath. This fridge type has the freezer at eye-level so you'll have to bend over to access some areas of the fridge, which may be inconvenient especially for those with back problems.
Before deciding on which top mount fridge to purchase, consider the following key features:
Temperature performance
There are 3 main factors that affect how well a fridge keeps your food safe and fresh longer: stability, evenness and ambient change. Look out for a fridge that maintains a stable temperature as the compressor runs its regular cycle, and keeps a uniform temperature throughout the whole fridge with no warm or cold spots.
Size and volume
The size of your fridge should correspond with the number of people in your household, how often you eat out and your cooking habits. As a general rule of thumb, allocate 100 to 150L of fridge space per person. If you can't decide between a smaller and larger option, it's best to opt for the bigger one.
Running cost
How efficiently your fridge consumes energy can significantly affect your total running costs and environmental impact. To reduce your household costs, though, the initial upfront price may be greater – consider a model with a higher star rating.
Noise
Before deciding on a model, you may want to test out the noise levels in the store. You can also find out from the product manual how many decibels (dBA) the model runs at – a typical fridge runs on average at 35dBA during normal operation, which is the level of a quiet conversation.
Finish
There are several finish types to choose from including stainless steel, classic white, black, coloured and glass. Stainless steel has a professional look, but is more likely to show fingerprint marks and is not usually magnetic. Classic white fridges cost less and are easier to clean. Glass looks modern and is easier to clean than stainless steel.
Temperature controls
Fridges with separate controls for the freezer and fresh food compartments offer more flexibility. Some models may offer 24-hour memory that automatically adjusts for heavy usage periods. An open door warning that alerts you when the fridge door is left open or not shut properly can help your fridge maintain the right temperature and save energy.
Additional factors to consider
There are several handy features that can maximise the lifespan of your fridge and make life more convenient to use. Keep an eye out for the following:
Water and ice dispenser. If you usually keep opening your fridge for cold drinks, you might benefit from a model that includes a water and ice dispenser on the outside. However, most water dispensers need to be connected to a tap, which can increase installation costs.
Rollers. A fridge with rollers or adjustable feet will make it easier to move your fridge when cleaning. Adjustable feet ensure your fridge is kept level from left to right, and you can use them to slightly elevate the front so that the fridge door can shut easily or even on its own if left open.
Chiller. To keep your food fresher for longer, look for a model that has a separate temperature control for the chiller or meat compartment. This temperature should be set at zero degrees so your fresh and cooked food will last longer.
Frost-free feature. Some models can help prevent ice build-up with a fan design that continually circulates dry, cold air throughout your freezer.
Built-in deodoriser. Fridges with built-in air deodorisers have an active carbon filter to keep your fridge smelling fresh by removing unpleasant odours. Some models also include built-in antibacterial agents to help prevent odour and mould growth.
4 things to watch out for
Measure your kitchen first. Check that the fridge isn't too large for your kitchen or you'll end up paying unnecessarily high running costs. Check for 5cm clearance on all sides of the fridge to provide enough space to vent fridge heat. Also, remember to check whether the fridge door is hinged on the left or right (or if the door is reversible) to ensure its design is compatible with your kitchen layout.
Don't forget about your front door and hallways. To avoid buying a fridge that can't fit through the door or tight hallways, ensure you confirm these dimensions too.
Set your fridge to the optimal temperature. Ensure your fridge is adjusted to the manual's recommended settings for both winter and summer. Generally, your fridge should be kept at 3 degrees and the freezer at -18 degrees Celsius. To avoid cold and hot spots forming, maintain good airflow in all areas of your fridge.
Save costs by disposing of your old fridge. When buying a new fridge, ask the retailer if they offer disposal services for old fridges. If the old fridge is still in working condition, you may be able to sell it second-hand. Otherwise, some scrap metal dealers may still accept it if they can recover some residual value from the raw materials.
Frequently asked questions
Domestic use fridges typically consume between 100 and 250w. However, the power consumption is affected by its type, model, size, location in the house, season and the temperature where it is set.
Top mount and bottom mount fridges are popular options in the market. One isn't necessarily better than the other, it all comes down to what your household needs.
Top mount fridges have the classic fridge layout – the freezer is at the top at eye level for easy access to meat, fish and other frozen items. Most top mount models also keep their compressors at the base of the rear. However, you almost always have to duck to retrieve food and drink from the fridge's main shelf.
Bottom mount fridges have freezers at the bottom part. They are designed to be more user-friendly, so you don't have to duck to access fridge items. A disadvantage of a bottom mount fridge is that the crisper drawer tends to be colder than needed.
Generally, you should defrost your fridge at least once a month or when its freezer has at least an inch of ice build-up. If your unit has a frost-free function, you might not even need to defrost your unit at all. Check your manufacturer's manual for instructions and recommendations regarding defrosting your fridge's specific model and make.
Best Rated Top Mount Fridges Brand: Westinghouse
As the top-rated brand for features and functions, Westinghouse took out the award for top mount fridges. Recommended by 94% of Aussies polled, it also had high scores for cooling performance and design.
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.
Previous Retail Awards
Best Rated Top-Mount Fridge Brand 2019: Samsung
96% of surveyed customers recommend Samsung top mount fridges. With the highest overall score, the appliance and electronics company was chosen as the best brand in Australia for top mount fridges. Customers gave Samsung fridges high ratings for ease of use, design, quality and cooling performance. Samsung is also the 2019 Finder Retail Awards winner for TVs and microwaves.
Overall rating
Recommended
Cooling performance
Value for Money
Design & quality
Functions & features
Energy efficiency
Ease of use
Samsung
4.22
96%
4.2
4.17
4.25
4.1
4.02
4.23
LG
4.19
93%
4.27
4.13
4.13
4.04
3.83
4.32
Hisense
4.14
94%
4.31
4.31
4.11
4.14
3.58
4.36
Westinghouse
4.02
97%
4.27
4.15
4.02
3.98
3.97
4.25
Haier
3.96
92%
4.11
4.25
3.86
3.89
3.5
4.21
Kelvinator
3.79
86%
4.36
4.25
3.96
3.82
4.04
4.29
Beko*
4.7
100%
4.7
5
4.6
4.3
4.5
4.5
Bosch*
4.5
100%
4.5
3.5
4
5
4.5
4.5
Bushman*
4
100%
5
5
5
4.5
4.5
3.5
Electrolux*
4.29
100%
4.29
4.07
3.93
4.07
4.21
4
Esatto*
4
50%
4.5
5
4.25
4.5
4.25
4
Hitachi*
4.17
100%
4.33
4.67
4.67
4.67
3.17
4.33
Mitsubishi*
3.6
80%
3.8
3.7
3.9
3.8
3.8
3.6
Sharp*
5
100%
5
5
5
4.5
5
4.5
Smeg*
3
100%
3.5
3.5
2.75
3
3
3.25
Fisher & Paykel**
4.29
100%
4.63
4.39
4.39
4.34
4.11
4.56
*Brand did not meet the sample threshold to qualify for the award **Brand was the statistical winner for the category, but no longer offers a product in the market so was disqualified from the award
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2019, Roy Morgan. Metric out of 5 stars unless otherwise indicated. Methodology and more info.
Why you can trust Finder Shopping best guides
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Our editorial team has decades of experience testing and comparing products. We only use experienced journalists with proven track records.
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We assess hundreds of products for each guide to ensure you're getting a full overview of the market. All guides are regularly reviewed and fact-checked.
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Selections are based on our own research, comparisons and testing. We do not use automation software or AI. Every best guide follows a stringent methodology.
Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
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