Bottom-freezer refrigerators

Bottom-freezer refrigerators

We find few reviewers who had anything bad to say about bottom-freezer models. Bottom-freezer refrigerators have seen a jump in popularity during the last few years. For adults, the entire refrigerator compartment is easier to reach without stooping and the freezer usually has a pull-out drawer (or a swing-out door). More bottom-freezer refrigerators are made for the Amana brand than for others.

The Amana ABB1921DE (*est. $850) is Energy Star rated and offers a 18.6 cubic foot capacity. It has a swing-out freezer door with a wire slide-out freezer drawer. There is also a freezer light – sometimes rare among bottom-freezer refrigerators. Its sound insulation package makes it one of the more quiet refrigerators on the market. The Amana doesn't have a water dispenser or icemaker, though an icemaker is optional. It has gallon door storage and humidity-controlled crisper drawers. This Amana bottom-freezer refrigerator is available in white only.

The similar Amana ABB1922FE (*est. $1,000) has a slide-out freezer drawer instead of a hinged door. Most people prefer a pull-out drawer over a swing-out door. This bottom-freezer refrigerator comes in white, black and bisque; it is also available in a stainless steel finish as the Amana ABB1922FES (*est. $1,300). All of these Amana models are 18.5 cubic foot refrigerators. All include a freezer light. Although Amana bottom-freezer refrigerators have had a historically good record for overall reliability, that’s no guarantee now that the brand has changed hands again.

If you want a larger bottom-freezer refrigerator, the Amana ABB2221FE (*est. $900) has a 22.1 cubic foot capacity. This model scores well for temperature control and costs less than other refrigerators of its size. This refrigerator is Energy Star rated and has a swing-out freezer door. A slide-out freezer basket, adjustable door buckets, adjustable split glass shelves and a freezer light are also included. There are also two humidity controlled crisper drawers. There is an ice maker but no water dispenser. The Amana ABB2221FE comes in white and black only. The similar Amana ABB2222FE (*est. $1,000) has a pull-out drawer instead of a swing-out door. It’s also available with a stainless steel finish as the Amana ABB2222FES (*est. $1,300).

Another large bottom–freezer refrigerator is the LG LBC22518 (*est. $900) which is similar in size to the Amana above. It has a 22.4 cubic foot capacity and is Energy Star rated. An interior touchpad controls settings. This LG bottom-freezer fridge has a swing-out freezer door and is available in white, back and stainless steel (*est. $1,150). The LG does not offer a through-the-door water or ice dispenser, but the internal icemaker makes three ice cube shapes and offers "accelerated freezing" to speed up ice production for up to 24 hours, helpful for entertaining. This refrigerator scores points for good sound insulation. Although LG hasn’t been making refrigerators long enough to have a long reliability track record, owners reporting to J.D. Power & Associates give the LG high initial ratings for performance and overall satisfaction.