How Much Does a Refrigerator Weigh?

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Are you in the market for a new refrigerator in the kitchen? Would you like to know how much a refrigerator weighs? Do you get a chill when you think about a heavy fridge possibly ruining your kitchen floor? If so, then this guide is perfect for you.

You might be wondering how much refrigerators weigh if you’re moving soon – you’ll certainly need more than one person to move large French door models. Whether you are just window shopping or you are looking to plan your next kitchen renovation, you can find everything you need to know about the average refrigerator weight below.

Take a look below to find out which fridge is the right size for your home, from your classic top-freezer model to a luxurious French door design! If you’re trying to decide on a fridge to buy, make sure it’s a good fit for whatever type of kitchen layout you have.

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Average Refrigerator Weight of the Most Common Types of Fridges

Here’s a quick breakdown for you of the average refrigerator weight of several different kinds of fridges.

How Much Does A Refrigerator Weigh?

You may be asking yourself how much does a refrigerator weigh, but this depends entirely on the type of refrigerator you are considering and what it is made from. 

The main deciding factor of a fridge’s weight tends to be its size, which is why mini-fridges are seeing a resurgence when it comes to space-conscious shoppers. 

It can be hard to know whether a fridge is heavy or not if you don’t know what the average fridge weights, fortunately, I have you covered.  

In terms of a full-size refrigerator with a freezer compartment, you can expect your average model to weigh somewhere between 180 to 280 pounds. 

For larger options such as a French door or a side-by-side refrigerator, the average refrigerator weight is anywhere between 250 to 350 pounds. 

The lightest fridge options out there, such as mini-refrigerators, will usually weigh around 30 to 50 pounds. This is perfect as a secondary storage option but may be too small for your main refrigerated goods storage method.

Top-Freezer Refrigerators

Incredibly popular in kitchens where space is limited, top-freezer refrigerators are perfect for space-conscious shoppers. They feature the freezer at the top half of the refrigerator, with refrigerated goods being stored in the bottom compartment. 

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons these types of fridges are so popular is that they are incredibly inexpensive when compared to other variants out there. They are common in places such as rented apartments and even garages. 

In terms of the average refrigerator weight, this type tends to be the lightest (aside from a mini-fridge) because of its smaller size. The freezer compartment at the top does make this model slightly top-heavy, but when compared to the weight of other fridge types, top freezer refrigerators are one of the lightest full-size options out there. 

Examples of a top-freezer refrigerator

Samsung 18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator with FlexZone™ – 180.7 pounds

Whirlpool 17.7 Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer – 173 pounds

Side-By-Side Refrigerators

The perfect middle ground between a top or bottom fridge and a French door model is side-by-side refrigerators. Featuring a 2-door style and a fantastic amount of storage space for refrigerated goods, these are incredible choices if you have enough room in your kitchen. 

Some of the top fridge innovations are most commonly found on side-by-side refrigerators such as ice-makers or even touch-screen water dispensers. Sadly, this means they tend to be slightly more expensive than some of the more standard refrigerator variants. 

Due to its side-by-side design, this type of refrigerator tends to offer the best storage for frozen goods than other options. The fridge is almost always split exactly in half for refrigerated and frozen goods, so you won’t be running out of room any time soon. 

However, this added storage space does come with a heavier weight than most other fridge/freezer models out there. If you don’t mind a heavier refrigerator, this may be an excellent choice for your next home renovation. 

Examples of a side-by-side refrigerator

Samsung – 27.3 cu. ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Family Hub™ – 253.5 pounds

LG – Door-in-Door 26.0 Cu. Ft. Side-by-Side Refrigerator – 304 pounds

Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators

An alternative to top freezer models, bottom-freezer refrigerators are exactly what you would expect from the name – a fridge where the freezer is on the bottom, and the refrigerated goods are at the top. 

These types of freezers are perhaps most popular in Europe, especially the UK, where the most inexpensive fridge options will feature this design. They, however, tend to be slightly more expensive than top-freezer models in the US. 

The typical weight of these types of fridges isn’t too different from a top-freezer model. But as you might expect, the weight distribution is slightly different. As the freezer is found towards the bottom, these tend to be bottom-heavy refrigerators. 

If you are seeking a cheap and size-conscious design, then bottom-freezer refrigerators are one of the best options for you. 

Examples of a Bottom – Freezer Refrigerator

LG – 25.5 Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Fridge – 226 pounds

Whirlpool – 18.5 Cu. Ft. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator – 280 pounds

French Door Refrigerators

Quickly becoming one of the most popular refrigerator types out there, French-door refrigerators are perfect for those seeking style. They provide a luxurious look that other types of refrigerators just cannot compete with, but this does mean they tend to be slightly more expensive. 

In terms of storage space, French door refrigerators are practically unbeaten. Due to their large size and two-door design, they are one of the largest fridge types available. This sadly also means they tend to be one of the heaviest too. 

However, if you can spare the space and don’t mind a heavier design, then few refrigerator styles can compete with these. Offering lots of storage space and looking fantastic too, a French door fridge is truly one of the best options out there.  

Examples of French door fridges

Samsung – 27 cu. ft. Large Capacity 3-Door French Door Refrigerator – 305 pounds

Whirlpool – 26.8 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator – 327 pounds

Mini-Fridge

If you’re looking for a small addition to your storage capabilities, or you just want to add a refrigerator to another room, then mini-fridges might be exactly what you are looking for. 

As their name might suggest, they have the lowest typical refrigerator weight on this list. This is partly due to how small they are, but also due to the fact they rarely combine both a refrigerator and freezer design.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of mini-fridges, outside their small size, is how inexpensive they can be. This makes these incredible options for anyone who wants to add extra storage to their home without breaking the bank. 

Their light design also means they are extremely portable compared to other refrigerator types out there. However, they perhaps aren’t the best choice for your main storage option as you usually won’t be able to fit all your groceries within one. 

Examples of a mini-fridge refrigerator

Insignia™ – 1.7 Cu. Ft. Mini Fridge – 32.8 pounds

Insignia™ – Retro 3.1 cu. ft. Mini fridge – 53 pounds

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Factors That Make Up A Refrigerator’s Weight?

There is a range of different factors that come into play when it comes down to how much a refrigerator will weigh. One of the biggest deciding factors is the material used in the fridge’s construction. 

Metal and ceramic designs tend to be far heavier than most plastic options out there. This is mainly because you can generally control the weight of plastics because it is a man-made material, and there is a range of different plastics out there. 

You also have to consider the fridge’s contents, including food and even the shelving type used. Some refrigerators will use glass shelving, whereas others will stick to a light plastic design. This can truly make a difference when it comes to your refrigerator weight. 

Typically though, the smaller your chosen fridge is, the lighter it will be. Anyone looking for the lightest options should check out mini-refrigerators or even some of the fridge and freezer combo styles out there. 

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How To Move A Refrigerator

Whether you’re renovating your kitchen or installing a new refrigerator, chances are there will come a point in your life where you need to move your fridge. As most modern refrigerators weigh more than you might expect, it can be difficult to move them. 

Before you even try to move your refrigerator, you will want someone beside you that you can trust. Moving most modern refrigerators is a two-person job as your typical fridge will weigh anywhere between 200 to 300 pounds or 90 to 135 kilograms. 

You will also want to empty your refrigerator of any contents and even remove its shelves if they are glass or add a lot of weight to your fridge. Using twine or similar material to keep your fridge doors closed is another recommended safety measure before you start moving your refrigerator. 

The best tool to use when moving a heavy refrigerator is a moving dolly. Moving dollies slot safely under your fridge and give you the leverage needed to raise it off the ground. You can then wheel your refrigerator to where it needs to go without relying too much on heavy lifting from yourself. 

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Selecting The Right Refrigerator Size To Reduce Weight And Cost

One of the main reasons you may be tempted to purchase a smaller fridge with a low refrigerator weight is that they tend to be cheaper than their larger counterparts. For example, mini-fridges and top-freezer fridges are some of the cheapest options out there, but also the lightest. 

The main reason for this is that smaller refrigerators tend to be made out of cheaper materials, and they will use less due to their size. This means manufacturers can offer you budget options that still offer fantastic refrigerating capabilities. 

Anyone who is on a strict budget should be sure to check out bottom and top freezer fridges as they tend to be the perfect balance between price and functionality. However, if you are looking to splash out, then keep French door and side-by-side refrigerators in mind!

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FAQs

How much extra weight does the ice maker add?

Most ice makers found within refrigerators shouldn’t be too heavy, but they do add weight that you might not need. Your average ice maker will usually weigh around 20 pounds or 9kg which isn’t the heaviest of additions to a modern fridge. 

How much does a fridge compressor weigh?

As technology has improved, a typical fridge compressor has gotten slightly lighter than they once were. As a result, your average fridge compressor will weigh anything between 12 to 20 pounds or around 6 to 10 kilograms. 

How much weight can my refrigerator shelf hold?

The weight your refrigerator shelf can hold is completely dependant on the model and the design of the fridge itself. In general, you can expect most refrigerator shelves to offer support for weights up to 5o pounds, or 22kg. 

If you are at all unsure about your specific model, then be sure to check the system specifications. You can also contact the manufacturer or seller as they will usually be able to advise you! 

Will a heavy refrigerator damage my floors?

Most modern refrigerators are designed in a way that protects your floor from as much damage as possible. However, if your fridge is extremely heavy, then it may damage your floor in some ways, depending on the material. 

If your fridge is placed on carpet or linoleum, it may leave dents on the surface. In terms of laminate and stone flooring, they should be fairly damage-free – minus a few scuffs and scratches if you shift your refrigerator around regularly. 

What style of refrigerator weighs the least?

In terms of general weight, most bottom freezer refrigerators weigh less than some expensive models out there, such as a French door refrigerator. There are a few variations to this, but if you are just looking for lightweight options, then a bottom freezer refrigerator may be the best suited to your needs. 

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Final Thoughts

Now you know the main differences between some of the top refrigerator types out there, choosing the right one for your needs shouldn’t be too difficult. Refrigerator weight can largely impact your chosen type, so be sure to consider how heavy you want your chosen fridge to be. 

If you’ve been wondering how much a fridge weighs, I hope you’ve gotten the answer you needed!

The average refrigerator weight ranges depending on the type of fridge. Scroll back up the the top to see the comparison table!

When you’re next looking to upgrade your refrigerator, or you know someone who is planning on renovating their kitchen, be sure to keep my guide in mind. This way, you can be certain that you are buying the right refrigerator for your needs! 

Be sure to check out my partner site’s helpful post that tells you how long it takes for your fridge to get cold.