What Is a Bottom Mount Fridge?
A bottom mount fridge — sometimes called a bottom freezer fridge — has the refrigerator compartment on top and the freezer drawer at the bottom. This is the reverse of the classic top mount design that dominated Australian kitchens for decades. Bottom mount fridges have become increasingly popular in Australia and are now one of the most common fridge styles available. This guide explains what a bottom mount fridge is, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether it's right for your kitchen.
Bottom Mount vs Top Mount Fridge: The Key Difference
In a top mount fridge, the freezer is at the top and the fridge is below. This design is simple and affordable, but it means reaching down for everyday fridge items (dairy, produce, drinks) while the freezer — which is used less often — is at eye level.
In a bottom mount fridge, this arrangement is reversed: the fridge is at eye level (easy access to everyday items), while the freezer is in a pull-out drawer at the bottom (less frequently used, but requires bending).
Advantages of a Bottom Mount Fridge
1. Fridge Contents at Eye Level
The most practical advantage: everything in your fridge — leftovers, drinks, cheese, produce — is at eye level and easy to reach without bending. This is a genuine ergonomic improvement over top mounts for everyday use.
2. Better Organisation
Bottom mount fridges typically have more flexible shelving, full-width shelves and wide crisper drawers that are easier to access and organise than top mount fridges.
3. Modern Look
Bottom mount fridges have a cleaner, more modern aesthetic than top mount models, which suits contemporary kitchen designs.
4. More Fridge Space
At the same external footprint, bottom mount fridges often offer more usable fridge capacity than top mounts of the same size.
Disadvantages of a Bottom Mount Fridge
1. Freezer Requires Bending
The freezer pull-out drawer at the bottom requires bending. For households who use the freezer frequently (buying in bulk, batch cooking, meal prep), this can become tiring.
2. Higher Price
Bottom mount fridges typically cost $100–$300 more than a comparable top mount at the same capacity, though the price gap has narrowed significantly.
Bottom Mount Fridge vs French Door Fridge
French door fridges also put the fridge on top with a freezer drawer below, but the fridge section opens with two doors side by side rather than a single wide door. French door fridges offer a wider fridge interior (better for wide platters and large items) but are significantly more expensive.
Who Is a Bottom Mount Fridge Best For?
- Households who use the fridge far more frequently than the freezer
- Anyone who wants the ergonomic convenience of eye-level fridge access
- Buyers who want a modern fridge look at a mid-range price
- Households with fresh produce focus (better crisper access)
Shop Bottom Mount Fridges at Oceania Appliances
We stock a wide range of bottom mount fridges from Samsung, LG, Hisense, Westinghouse, Fisher & Paykel and Electrolux at our Wetherill Park showroom. Delivery available across all of greater Sydney.
- Showroom: 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park NSW 2164
- Phone / WhatsApp: 0422 489 492
- Email: support@oceaniaappliances.com.au