The top-freezers (also called the top-mount refrigerators) appeared earlier than their bottom-freezer brothers. Why the manufacturers decided to produce fridges with freezer on top? My opinion is… due to the evolution.

First there were independent refrigerator and freezer units without any successful attempts to combine them into one appliance.
Little later a compact refrigerator was born with micro-freezer compartment in the upper part of the refrigerator.
When the developers started to think of a (real) combination appliance, they only followed the existing trends and put the smaller and lightweight freezer on top. Was it wise? Who knows? Top-mount refrigerators have their advocates as well as foes and both groups have their own arguments why to use or not to use this type of fridges.

Top-freezer advantages

- The top position of the freezer provides easier access to frozen foodstuff. You don´t have to go down on your knees when looking for your favourite vanilla ice;

- Compared to side-by-side models, the top-freezer type offers more or less the same space but as both refrigerator and freezer compartments are full-width, the top-freezer are better for accommodating oversized items (e.g. giant pizzas) which sometimes are too wide to be put in side-by-side fridges;

Top-freezer disadvantages

- On the other hand, the bottom position of the refrigerator compartment is far from being ergonomic. You will have to go down on your knees if you want anything not frozen (especially the fruits and vegetables from the bottom crisper). Think about it as the statistics say that people open their refrigerators 10 times as often as their freezers;

- The second disadvantage of the top-mounts may be considered speculative and it definitely depends on more than just the position of the freezer. Nevertheless, the hot air always tends to rise and in any room there is certain difference between the temperature under the ceiling and the one right above the floor. Even though we are talking about just couple of centimeters here, my opinion is that - in, say, 10 years span - a top-mount refrigerator will be less energy efficient than the same-sized and feature-rich bottom-freezer.

Top-mount refrigerator brands, series and models

At the time of writing this article (June 2007), Amazon.com reported following best selling top-mount refrigerators:

1.) Summit FF1320W, 10.4 cu. ft. Freestanding Counter-Depth Top Mount Refrigerator with Interior Light, Adjustable Glass Shelves and Adjustable Thermostat: White;

2.) Avanti RA757PST, 7.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator with 3 Glass Shelves, Full Range Temperature Control & Integrated Door Handle Avanti RA757PST 7.5 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator with 3 Glass Shelves, Full Range Temperature Control & Integrated Door Handle;

3.) Maytag MTF2193ARB, 21 Cu. Ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator with Cool Flow Ventilation and Icemaker: Black.

As the best selling product list change every hour I would rather suggest you check your current freezer-on-top refrigerator bestseller chart here.