Best bottom-mount fridges in Australia 2024

The best bottom-mount fridges in Australia

• Best overall bottom-mount fridge: Haier 417L Bottom-mount Fridge with Water Dispenser
• Best cheap bottom-mount fridge: Hisense HRBM417C 417L Bottom-mount Fridge
• Best bottom-mount fridge for families: Westinghouse 496L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge
• Best bottom-mount fridge for large families: Esatto 529L Bottom-mount Fridge EBM529W
• Best small bottom-mount fridge: LG 306L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge GB-335WL
• Best stainless steel bottom-mount fridge: Fisher & Paykel 494L ActiveSmart Bottom-mount Fridge
• Best white bottom-mount fridge: Kelvinator 496L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge White KBM5302WC-R
• Best black bottom-mount fridge: LG 420L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge GB-W455MBL
• Best bottom-mount fridge for energy efficiency: Electrolux 496L Right Hinge Bottom-mount Fridge

A bottom-mount fridge has a refrigerator compartment at the top, while the freezer is located at the bottom. It offers tons of space for large items, like tall bottles, containers and jars, and is suitable for big families. You also get easy access to frozen food.

When picking a bottom-mount fridge, consider the size, energy rating and price. You might also want to look into the model's shelving, ease of use and cleanability. Additionally, you can choose from models with a stainless-steel, sleek black, white and fingerprint-resistant finish. Frost-free options are available as well.

For this list, we evaluated bottom-mount fridges available on various online retailers. We considered options based on customer reviews and ratings. For each category, we factored in each model's key product features as well.

Read our full methodology below. If you're interested in other styles of refrigerators, check out our complete guide to the best fridges in Australia.

---

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman, we chose the Haier 417L Bottom-mount Fridge with Water Dispenser as the best overall model.

One of our picks for the best fridges, this Haier bottom-mount fridge has a modern, finger-resistant design to fit any aesthetic. Its spacious LED-lit interior features spill-safe shelves for various food items. It also has a water dispenser, Super Freeze function and a 4-star energy rating.

An affordable option for families, this fridge has a 417L capacity. The door can be reversed and is easy to move. Customers loved the Super Freeze function, allowing food to stay fresh for longer. However, the water dispenser can leak when full.

---

Why we chose it

We picked the Hisense HRBM417C 417L Bottom-mount Fridge as the best cheap bottom-mount fridge. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on JB Hi-Fi.

Featuring inverted technology and a pure flat design, the HRBM417C is a budget-friendly option for large households. It has a 4.5-star energy rating, a multi-function touch control panel and a reversible door. It is also backed by a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Customers gave positive feedback on the fridge's sleek design, large capacity and cleanability. It has a relatively quiet operation compared to other models at the same price range, according to reviews. While the exterior isn't smudge-proof, it's still easy to clean with a damp microfibre cloth. The adjustable shelves are easy to organise as well.

---

Why we chose it

We recommend Westinghouse's 496L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge as the best option for families. On Appliances Online, it has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Westinghouse's 496L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge is a large and convenient appliance for a busy household. It features FreshSeal crispers to keep food fresh for longer, thanks to advanced seals and humidity control. Its interior is LED-illuminated so you can easily see what's inside the fridge. Apart from adjustable door pins, it has easy-glide telescopic runners for accessibility.

With a 4.5-star energy rating and a frost-free function, this fridge is easy to clean and maintain. It offers tons of storage space for both fresh ingredients and leftovers, ensuring your food items are organised just the way you like them. It's bulkier than other bottom-mount fridges, but the large design means plenty of room to spare for food.

---

Why we chose it

When it comes to the best model for large families, we selected the Esatto 529L Bottom-mount Fridge EBM529W, garnering a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online.

This Esatto fridge has 2 adjustable glass shelves, 2 crisper drawers for fruit and veggies, and humidity control. It also features a temperature control panel and LED lighting to illuminate its interior. With a frost-free function, the fridge's cooling system doesn't cause any frost build-up inside the unit.

This bottom-mount fridge offers 529L of spacious capacity to cater to the needs of larger families. It has a sleek yet simple design that blends into any kitchen. Users added that the shelves are quite easy to organise, while others loved that the motor is relatively silent. However, this only has an energy rating of 3.5 stars.

---

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best small bottom-mount fridge is the LG 306L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge GB-335WL, which has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on The Good Guys.

This LG bottom-mount fridge features surround cooling, door cooling for door-store items and a seamless design to fit your kitchen cabinetry. It also features a reversible door, a class white finish and a 10-year parts warranty for peace of mind.

LG is named the best rated bottom-mount fridge brand at the Finder Retails Award 2019/20 and the 335L exemplifies why the brand is a favourite among customers. It is easy to use, affordable and sturdy. The fridge's small footprint is also suitable for apartments and smaller households, offering more than enough storage space for all your food items. It has a 4-star energy rating, too. Some customers found the motor a bit noisy, but this seems to be a minor concern.

---

Why we chose it

With a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman, we picked Fisher & Paykel's 494L ActiveSmart Bottom-mount Fridge as the best stainless steel model.

This bottom-mount fridge features a spacious 494L capacity, offering plenty of room for upright bottles, large plates and tall jars. It has adjustable shelves and 2 crispers to suit any needs. Apart from a bottle chill rack, this has ActiveSmart Foodcare which the brand says ensures the temperature and humidity-controlled settings are adjusted to the user's lifestyle for efficient cooling and energy savings.

With a sleek design and large capacity, this option is a favourite among customers with large households. It features easy-sliding drawers for organisation and a powerful inverter-controlled compressor to maintain the ideal fridge temperature all year round. But it should be noted that this only has a 3-star energy rating, which may be too low for some buyers.

---

Why we chose it

Kelvinator's 496L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge White KBM5302WC-R is our choice for the best white bottom-mount fridge. It has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online.

The KBM5302WC-R features adjustable door bins, spill-safe glass shelves and pocket handles for easy access and organisation. It has 2 rear rollers and a frost-free design for cleanability. Apart from a 528L capacity, this model has an energy rating of 3.5 stars as well.

Numerous buyers were impressed by the fridge's sleek design, value for money and large capacity. Its FlexStor feature allows users to adjust the height and position of the door bins to cater to tall bottles. The crispers also keep fruit and veggies fresh for longer. The exterior isn't mark-resistant, but customers added that it's still pretty easy to clean using a damp microfibre cloth.

---

Why we chose it

For the best black option, we recommend the LG 420L Bottom-mount Frost Free Fridge GB-W455MBL. Customers on JB Hi-Fi gave it a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

LG's GB-W455MBL fridge is a bottom-mount option with a sleek design and large capacity. It has air vents in the front ceiling to direct cold air onto items and an LED temperature panel on the fridge door. Apart from a 2-step folding shelf for tall bottles, it also comes with a manual twist ice tray and ice bank. It has a manual fill 2.3L door water as well.

Priced just under $1,800, this is a solid option for households wanting a matte black fridge. It has a reversible door and tons of space for any and every food item. Its Smart Diagnosis feature also lets you accurately diagnose the appliance when it fails or malfunctions. The brand offers a 10-year parts warranty on the fridge's inverter compressor as well.

---

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best energy-efficient model is the Electrolux 496L Right Hinge Bottom-mount Fridge, which has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.

With a 4.5-star energy rating and mark-resistant stainless steel finish, this bottom-mount Electrolux fridge is an ideal option if you have a busy lifestyle. It is easy to clean and has a Holiday mode, which lets you empty the fridge and save on energy while on vacation. The MultiZone compartment and FlexStor interior allow for easy organising to fit tall bottles and large platters. It has separate temperature controls for the fridge and freezer, too.

Customers raved about the product's useful features, high energy rating and large capacity. It has an automatic ice maker and a freezer temperature range of -13 to -23 degrees to keep your food items fresh for longer. While it's larger than other bottom-mount fridges out there, this beast remains sleek, blending into any kitchen cabinetry. One critic said the fridge is hard to open, but this seems to be an isolated case.

---

What is a bottom-mount fridge?

A bottom-mount fridge is essentially a conventional refrigerator turned upside down, with the fridge compartment at the top and the freezer compartment at the bottom. The basic premise behind this design is that you're likely to use the fridge section much more regularly than you use the freezer, and mounting it on top makes it much easier to access.

With items in the refrigerator compartment located at waist height and above, you don't have to worry about bending over to get out the essential items you use every day. The main downside is that they're usually a little more expensive than top-mount fridges.

If you need help deciding what type of fridge you should buy, check out our refrigerator buying guide.

How to compare bottom-mount fridges

Compare bottom-mount fridges across the following categories to find the best fridge for your kitchen.

Features and accessories

You can also check the specs sheet to find out what other accessories are included with the fridge. Examples of possible accessories include the following:

• Climate-controlled compartments to allow you to store specific foods at the optimum temperature
• Wi-Fi connectivity to help you keep track of what's in your fridge, send you a mobile alert when the fridge door has been left open, and more
• Air deodoriser
• Child-proof settings to stop kids adjusting the temperature or fiddling with the water and ice dispensers
• Bottle racks
• Egg trays
• Covered shelves
• Sliding door bins

Bottom-mount fridges vs other types of fridges

Before buying a bottom-mount refrigerator, you may want to consider whether a different type of fridge may be a better choice for your kitchen:

• Top-mount fridges. Top-mount fridges feature the freezer compartment at the top and the refrigerator section at the bottom. They're affordable and reliable, cheap to run and there's a wide range of products to choose from. However, bending down to access the crisper drawer and other items in the fridge can be a pain.
• Side-by-side fridges. If you're looking for a refrigerator that offers extra freezer space, you may want to consider a side-by-side model. As the name suggests, these models feature the fridge and freezer alongside one another. They allow you to easily access frequently used items in both compartments, typically have capacities between 500 and 800 litres and commonly also feature water and ice dispensers. However, they take up more space than top- and bottom-mount refrigerators.
• French door fridges. French door fridges feature 2 refrigeration compartments at the top and one large freezer section at the bottom. They offer flexible storage space, commonly include features like ice and water dispensers and are a popular choice for large families. However, they take up more space than top- and bottom-mount refrigerators. Check out our French door fridge buying guide for more information.
• 4-door fridges. 4-door fridges are basically French door fridges with 2 doors each for both the fridge and freezer. They offer large storage capacity – up to 800 litres in some cases – and they're well worth considering for larger families.
• Wine fridges. If you've got an extensive wine collection or even if you're just a wine enthusiast, you may want to consider a dedicated wine fridge. Check out our wine fridge buying guide for more information.

3 things to consider

Make sure you consider the following factors when shopping around for a fridge:

1. Freezer space. The amount of freezer space in bottom-mount fridges is usually limited. If you like cooking meals in advance or buying frozen goods in bulk, you might need to consider buying a separate chest or upright freezer. When you combine a standalone fridge with a separate freezer you get what is known as a pigeon pair.
2. Ventilation. Another factor to consider when measuring up your kitchen space is that fridges need extra space for ventilation. Don't forget that you'll need to leave space around the top, back and side of the fridge to ensure that it doesn't overheat.
3. Cleaning. It's also important to make sure your fridge is easy to clean. Check that there are no corners or cracks where muck will accumulate, and make sure shelves and drawers are easy to remove when you need to clean them.

Frequently asked questions

• Are bottom-mount fridges more expensive to run?

  Bottom-mount fridges may be more expensive up-front than French and top-mount options, but they can be more energy-efficient and cheaper to run. However, your bottom-mount fridge's energy savings still depend on its model, energy rating and usage.

• How do you clean the interior of a bottom-mount fridge?

  Before cleaning your fridge's interior, remove all the items, shelves and bins. Throw away leftovers and food items that have gone bad. Use a clean cloth dampened with a vinegar and baking soda mix to remove any caked-on grime in the interior. Clean the shelving racks and bins using dishwashing liquid and clean water. Make sure all parts are clean before assembling.

• How often should I replace my fridge's water filter?

  You should replace your fridge's water filter every 6 months. Check your manufacturer's manual for the recommended replacement period for your fridge's model and make.

Best rated bottom-mount fridge brand award breakdown

• Want more information? See how Australians rated the features of their bottom-mount fridges

  	Overall rating	Recommended	Cooling performance	Value for money	Design & quality	Functions & features	Energy efficiency	Ease of use
  LG	4.51	97%	4.56	4.46	4.53	4.35	4.28	4.6
  Fisher & Paykel	4.25	100%	4.39	4.09	4.36	4.25	4.05	4.57
  Westinghouse	4.17	100%	4.36	4.17	4.38	4.31	3.92	4.5
  Samsung	4.05	100%	4.26	4.14	4.25	3.77	3.84	4.36
  Beko*	4	100%	3.5	4	4	3.5	4	4
  Bosch*	3	100%	3.5	3	5	3	2.5	2.5
  CHIQ*	4	100%	4.5	2.25	3.75	4.25	2.75	3.25
  Electrolux*	4.2	100%	4.9	3.9	4.5	4.4	4.3	4.8
  Haier*	4.2	100%	4.5	4.3	4.2	4.1	4.4	4.5
  Hisense*	3.64	86%	3.86	4	3.86	3.64	3.36	3.71
  Kelvinator*	4.17	100%	4.06	4.11	3.83	4.28	4.22	4.22
  Mitsubishi*	3.6	100%	4.3	4.1	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.88
  Panasonic*	3.9	100%	4	3.75	4.2	4	3.75	3.58

  *Brand did not meet the sample threshold to qualify for the award

  Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2019, Roy Morgan. Metric out of 5 stars unless otherwise indicated. Methodology and more info.