Refrigerators Without Freezers: What You Can Actually Buy

Yes, you can buy a refrigerator without a freezer — and they're more common than you might think

A refrigerator without a freezer is a real product category, not a special order. These units cool food to around 35–38°F but have no separate freezing compartment at all. You'll find them sold as "refrigerator only" or "fresh food refrigerator" models, and they range from compact 2-cubic-foot units to full-size 20-cubic-foot cabinets. The main trade-off is space: you get more room for fresh groceries, but you cannot store frozen items inside the unit itself.

Manufacturers including Frigidaire, GE, Whirlpool, and LG all make freezer-free models. They're not hidden in a back corner of the showroom — they're listed in product catalogs and online retailers under standard refrigerator categories. Home Depot, Lowe's, and Best Buy stock them regularly, and specialty appliance dealers often carry several options.

Key Takeaways

• Freezer-free refrigerators are standard products from major manufacturers, available in compact, counter-depth, and full-size styles.
• You gain 20 to 40 percent more fresh-food storage compared to a same-width refrigerator with a freezer section.
• The price is usually lower than a comparable refrigerator-freezer combination because the unit is simpler to build and cool.
• You will need a separate freezer if you want to store frozen foods — a chest freezer or upright freezer in a garage, basement, or utility room.

Why someone chooses a refrigerator without a freezer

The most common reason is fresh-food volume. A standard 25-cubic-foot refrigerator splits its space roughly 70 percent fresh food and 30 percent freezer. A 25-cubic-foot freezer-free model gives you all 25 cubic feet for produce, dairy, meat, and leftovers. If you cook with fresh ingredients, shop frequently, or live in a household that rarely uses frozen items, that extra space pays for itself in reduced waste.

A second reason is kitchen layout. Some kitchens are too narrow for a standard refrigerator-freezer but have room for a tall, shallow unit. Freezer-free models often come in counter-depth (24 inches deep instead of 30), which fits flush with your counters and takes up less floor space. This is especially useful in apartments, condos, or older homes where the kitchen footprint is fixed.

A third reason is cost. Freezer-free models typically cost $100 to $300 less than a refrigerator-freezer of the same size and brand. You're not paying for the freezer compartment, the extra insulation, or the more complex cooling system needed to maintain two different temperatures.

What freezer-free refrigerators look like and how they're built

A freezer-free refrigerator looks like a standard refrigerator from the outside — same width, height, and depth options. The difference is inside: there are no freezer drawers, no ice maker, and no separate cold zone. The entire interior is one temperature zone, usually with adjustable shelves, crisper drawers for produce, and door storage.

Cooling works the same way as any refrigerator. A compressor circulates refrigerant through coils, and a thermostat maintains the target temperature (usually 35–38°F). Because there's only one temperature zone to manage, the system is simpler and uses slightly less electricity than a refrigerator-freezer of the same size. Energy Guide labels will show the annual cost — typically $50 to $100 per year for a full-size unit, depending on the model and your local electricity rate.

Some freezer-free models include an ice maker that sits in a cabinet or drawer and makes ice separately, using water from the refrigerator's water line. The ice is stored in an insulated bin but is not part of the refrigerator's cooling system. This is less common than you might expect — most freezer-free models do not include ice makers at all.

Where to find freezer-free refrigerators and what sizes are available

You can find freezer-free models at any major appliance retailer. Search online for "refrigerator only" or "fresh food refrigerator" and filter by brand and size. Here are the common sizes:

• Compact (2–4 cubic feet): Designed for dorms, offices, or as a second unit. Usually 24 inches wide or narrower. Price range: $200–$500.
• Mid-size (10–15 cubic feet): Fits smaller kitchens or apartments. Often 28–30 inches wide. Price range: $600–$1,200.
• Full-size (18–25 cubic feet): Standard kitchen refrigerator footprint, 30–36 inches wide. Price range: $1,000–$2,500.
• Counter-depth (20–24 cubic feet): Shallower (24 inches deep) to fit flush with counters. Price range: $1,200–$2,800.

Brands that consistently stock freezer-free models include Frigidaire, GE, Whirlpool, LG, and Samsung. Specialty retailers like Yale Appliance and local appliance dealers often have more options than big-box stores. If you cannot find what you want in stock, most retailers can order a model and deliver it within 1–2 weeks.

Pairing a freezer-free refrigerator with a separate freezer

If you want frozen storage, you'll need a separate unit. A chest freezer or upright freezer can sit in a garage, basement, utility room, or even a kitchen corner. This setup gives you the best of both: maximum fresh-food space in the refrigerator and dedicated frozen-food storage elsewhere.

A 7-cubic-foot chest freezer costs $300–$600 and holds roughly what a standard refrigerator freezer holds. An upright freezer takes up less floor space but costs slightly more ($400–$800 for the same capacity). Both use about $10–$20 per month in electricity, depending on the model and how often you open it.

This arrangement works well if you buy in bulk, cook and freeze meals ahead, or have a large household. It also means you can replace the refrigerator or freezer independently — if one breaks, you're not without both fresh and frozen storage.

Installation and setup for a freezer-free refrigerator

Installation is identical to any refrigerator. Unpack the unit, remove shipping bolts and foam, position it in your kitchen, and let it sit upright for 4–6 hours before plugging it in (this allows refrigerant to settle if the unit was transported on its side). Connect the water line if the model has an ice maker or water dispenser. Plug it in and set the thermostat to the middle position — most units reach the correct temperature within 2–4 hours.

Check the manual for the exact model number (usually on a sticker inside the door or on the back). Manuals are often available as free PDFs on the manufacturer's website. If you're unsure about water line connection or placement, most retailers offer delivery and installation for $100–$300, which includes positioning, leveling, and testing.

Energy use and operating costs

A freezer-free refrigerator typically uses 400–600 kilowatt-hours per year, depending on size and features. At an average U.S. electricity rate of about 14 cents per kilowatt-hour, that works out to $56–$84 per year. Actual costs vary by region — some areas pay 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, others pay 18 cents or more.

To lower energy use, keep the refrigerator away from direct sunlight and heat sources (ovens, radiators), leave 2–3 inches of clearance on all sides for air circulation, and keep the door seals clean. Don't set the temperature colder than 35°F — colder doesn't preserve food better and wastes electricity. If you add a separate freezer, budget an additional $15–$30 per month depending on the freezer size and how full it stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a freezer compartment to a refrigerator that doesn't have one?

No. The cooling system is designed for one temperature zone. Adding a freezer compartment would require a second evaporator coil, a second thermostat, and rewiring the compressor — essentially rebuilding the unit. It's not a modification any technician will do. A separate freezer is the only practical option.

Will a freezer-free refrigerator keep ice cream or frozen vegetables?

No. The interior temperature is 35–38°F, which is above freezing. Ice cream will melt, and frozen vegetables will thaw. If you need to store any frozen items, you must use a separate freezer.

Do freezer-free refrigerators have ice makers?

Most do not. Some models offer an optional ice maker that sits in a drawer or cabinet and makes ice separately, but it's not standard. If ice is important to you, check the product specifications before buying, or plan to use ice trays or a standalone ice maker.

Is a freezer-free refrigerator cheaper to run than a regular refrigerator?

Slightly. A freezer-free model uses about 10–15 percent less electricity than a refrigerator-freezer of the same size because it has only one temperature zone to cool. Over a year, that's roughly $10–$15 in savings, depending on your electricity rate and how much you use the freezer section of a standard unit.

What happens if I need to store frozen food later?

You can buy a chest or upright freezer at any time and place it in another room. You don't have to decide this when you buy the refrigerator. Many households start with a freezer-free refrigerator and add a freezer later when their needs change.