If somebody ever had to move a refrigerator, they can tell you first-hand that it’s not easy. Why?
Because refrigerators are heavy. Exactly how heavy?
A standard-size refrigerator can weigh anywhere between 180 and 360 pounds.
Whereas a mini-fridge weighs between 25 and 50 pounds.
The actual weight depends on the size and model of your refrigerator.
Whether you are moving your house or planning your next kitchen renovation.
Find everything you need to learn about refrigerator weights in this post below.
Types of Refrigerators (by weight)
A refrigerator’s weight depends on the type of refrigerator and what it is made from.
There are five popular types of household refrigerators, each with unique designs and sizes.
Related Reading: Why Refrigerator Noise Stops When Door Open – Click Here.
1. Top Freezer
These refrigerators have a freezer at the top, with the bottom compartment dedicated to refrigerated goods.
In terms of weight, this type tends to be on the light side because of its smaller size.
These models are somewhat top-heavy due to the freezer compartment being above.
Still, compared to the weights of other fridge types, top freezer refrigerators can be considered the lightest full-size options.
Examples include:
- Samsung 18 cu. ft. refrigerator with Twin Cooling Plus™ technology – 180.7 pounds
- Whirlpool Top-Freezer refrigerator, 17.7 Cu. Ft. – 173 pounds
2. Side-by-Side
The side-by-side fridge is divided in half for refrigerator and freezer compartments, with a separate door.
Because of its spacious design, this type of refrigerator offers the best storage capacity for frozen goods than other models.
However, this additional storage space is heavier than most other fridge units out there.
Popular models in this category are:
- Samsung – 27.3 cu. ft. refrigerator with Family Hub™ – 253.5 pounds
- LG – 26.0 cu. Ft. Door-in-Door Refrigerator – 304 pounds
3. Bottom Freezer
These refrigerators are precisely what the name implies.
A fridge where the freezer is at the bottom and the refrigeration compartment is at the top.
The typical weight of these fridges is similar to a top-freezer model, but the weight distribution is a little different.
The freezer is designed to be at the bottom, making them bottom-heavy refrigerators.
Some recommended models are:
- LG – 25.5 Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator – 226 pounds
- Whirlpool – 18.5 Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Fridge – 280 pounds
4. French Door
Few refrigerator styles can compete with the French door type.
They offer lots of storage space and functionality and look fantastic with their three-door design.
A French door fridge is truly the king of the refrigerator models out there.
Unfortunately, this also means they tend to be on the heaviest side.
Two good examples are:
- Samsung – 27 cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator, stainless steel – 305 pounds
- Whirlpool – 26.8 Cu. Ft. French Door Fridge – 327 pounds
5. Mini Fridge
As their name suggests, they are the smallest refrigerators with the lowest weight on this list.
This is not just because of their small size but also because they seldom come with a freezer and a fridge combined into one unit.
Their light design makes them highly portable, but lesser space means that they are perhaps not the best choice as your primary storage option.
- Insignia – Mini Fridge, 1.7 Cu. Ft.– 32.8 pounds
- Insignia – Retro Mini fridge, 3.1 cu. ft.– 53 pounds
Factors affecting a refrigerator’s weight
1. Size
Generally, it can be safely assumed that a fridge will likely weigh around 10 pounds for each cubic foot in size.
For example, a Black & Decker mini-fridge is approximately 3.375 cubic feet.
According to the 10-pound rule, the weight of this refrigerator should be around 33 to 34 pounds.
(Which is 33.1 pounds, as mentioned in this refrigerator’s user manual!)
2. Design
Metal designs tend to be much heavier than most plastic models out there.
This is mainly because the density of plastics can be controlled during production as a man-made material.
Some refrigerators have glass shelving, while others stick to a light plastic design.
This can make a significant difference when calculating the overall weight of your refrigerator.
3. Manufacturing Year
The old fridges, especially the ones made before 1995, are fitted with a propulsion tank and heavy electrical devices.
This adds to the weight of the fridge, which usually weighs up to 250 pounds or more.
However, modern refrigerators have removable features built using lightweight materials, making these units less heavy.
4. Additional Features
Here is a list of standard features to consider when calculating a refrigerator’s weight.
With each feature, you will have to add more weight to your initial estimate:
- Ice maker
- Water dispenser
- Additional freezer drawer
- Door-in-door feature
- Climate-controlled crisper drawers
Related Reading: Total Time It Takes A Refrigerator To Get Cold – Read More.
How much does a refrigerator weigh? – FAQ
1. Which style of refrigerator has the least weight?
On average, mini-fridges weigh the least at 62 pounds or 27 kilograms.
2. How much does a Whirlpool refrigerator weigh?
A standard 18-cubic-foot Whirlpool refrigerator weighs just over 170 pounds.
3. How heavy is a 25 cubic foot refrigerator?
A 25-cubic-foot, French door, Whirlpool refrigerator weighs around 330 pounds.
4. How much does a fridge compressor weigh?
The weight of refrigerator compressors can be about 15 to 20 pounds on average.
5. How much weight can my refrigerator shelf hold?
The weight should not exceed 50 pounds for full-width shelves, and for half-width shelves, the weight limit is 25 pounds.
6. Will heavy fridge damage my floors?
If your fridge stands on carpet or linoleum, it may dent the surface.
In terms of stone or laminate flooring, they should be fairly dent-proof.
Except for a few minor scratches if you move your fridge around regularly.
Related Reading: Best 30-inch Refrigerator – Learn More.
Wrapping it up!
Now that you understand what impacts the weight of refrigerators and know the different types of fridges categorized according to their weights.
Picking the right one for your needs should not be too difficult.
Refrigerator weight is directly linked with your chosen type, so consider how heavy you want your new fridge to be.
