How Heavy Is A Refrigerator

How Heavy Is A Refrigerator featured photo

Refrigerators are probably the most used kitchen appliance apart from the gas stove. While we all know that refrigerators are heavy, have you really thought about how heavy a fridge is? I have never really given a thought about it until I was looking at refrigerators to replace our old fridge.

A standard, full-sized refrigerator weighs between 200 to 300 lbs.  A mini fridge weighs less than 120 lbs while a top-mount and bottom-mount freezer refrigerators can weigh between 100 to 280 lbs. Bigger refrigerators like side-by-side or french door refrigerators can weigh between 250 to 380 lbs.

If you are someone who is looking for a new fridge, moving houses, or just curious about how heavy a fridge is, we will be talking about the different types of refrigerators and how much they weigh. We will also be talking about factors that affect the weight of a fridge so you can make informed decisions if you are planning on buying one. 

How Much Does A Refrigerator Weigh?

Refrigerators have been around for a long time and we can say that a fridge is one of a home’s most essential kitchen appliances. With so many types and models of a refrigerator, their weight is not set in stone. However, all refrigerators have this in common: they are heavy.

There are different fridge configurations and their weight depends on the manufacturer, capacity, and type. A standard, full-sized top-mount or bottom-mount freezer refrigerator weighs more or less bout 250 lbs. A mini fridge weighs about 40 to 70 lbs while a french door fridge typically weighs about 300 lbs.

Let’s take a look at some of the refrigerator brands and their weight.

Refrigerator Weight by Type

Two-door Top-freezer Refrigerator

These types of refrigerators are what you would commonly see in a smaller household as these are space-saving, full-sized fridges. This design has the freezer on top and the refrigerator on the bottom – a classic refrigerator look.

Top-freezer fridges, or top-mount freezers, are usually smaller than other types of refrigerators. This fridge is great for compact kitchens. Top-freezer refrigerators weigh more or less 120 to 250 pounds.

BrandTypeWeight (lbs.)Total Capacity (cubic feet)Reference:
GETop Freezer20221.9Link
LGTop Freezer17320.20Link
SamsungTop Freezer159.8416.1Link
WhirlpoolTop Freezer21421Link
FrigidaireTop Freezer123.510.1Link
Magic ChefTop Freezer11710.1Link

Two-door Bottom-freezer Refrigerator

Bottom-mount freezer refrigerators tend to have more freezer space and are usually bigger than top-mount fridges. These refrigerators are typically found in households that need more storage for frozen items.

As the name suggests, this refrigerator has a freezer on the bottom and a refrigerator on top. Bottom freezer refrigerators can weigh anything between 120 to 280 pounds while some brands weigh less than 100 lbs.

BrandTypeWeight (lbs.)Total Capacity (cubic feet)Reference:
GEBottom Freezer25324.8Link
HaierBottom Freezer17415Link
LGBottom Freezer167.614.7Link
WhirlpoolBottom Freezer23018.7Link
AmanaBottom Freezer28522Link
BoschBottom Freezer96.618.3Link

French Door Refrigerator

French door refrigerators offer a sleek and modern design to a kitchen. These types of fridges take up the most space and are typically the heaviest out of all the fridge configurations.

A french door refrigerator has two sets of doors on top that opens from the center out and a single drawer door for the freezer on the bottom. These refrigerators can weigh anything from 250 to 380 pounds. These fridges weigh that much as they have a large interior capacity and they have more drawers and storage bins.

A common type of french door refrigerator has three doors but, you can also find different models that have five doors.

BrandTypeWeight (lbs.)Total Capacity (cubic feet)Reference:
HaierFrench Door30827Link
WhirlpoolFrench Door32425Link
SamsungFrench Door222.6722.2Link
RCAFrench Door97.815Link
LGFrench Door34030.7Link
KitchenAidFrench Door30325Link
GEFrench Door38827.9Link

Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Most people think that side-by-side and french-door refrigerators are the same. While both of these fridges have two doors that open from the center out, a french door refrigerator has a single drawer on the bottom for the freezer (or more if it is a five-door fridge). A side-by-side refrigerator is a top-to-bottom freezer and a refrigerator with two doors with the fridge on the right while the freezer is on the left side.

A side-by-side refrigerator can weigh between 240 to 350 pounds.

BrandTypeWeight (lbs.)Total Capacity (cubic feet)Reference:
SamsungSide-by-side277.7828.1Link
WhirlpoolSide-by-side22621Link
GESide-by-side34021.9Link
LGSide-by-side54226Link
FrigidaireSide-by-side308.7522.3Link

Mini Refrigerators

A Mini refrigerator is, as the name suggests, a small refrigerator that weighs about 60 to 70 lbs. But, some mini fridges weigh less than 60 lbs. These refrigerators are typically seen in college dorm rooms or even regular bedrooms as they are small and compact.

BrandTypeWeight (lbs.)Total Capacity (cubic feet)Reference:
GalanzMini Fridge41.92.5Link
GEMini Fridge775.6Link
Magic ChefMini Fridge50.93.5Link

Factors Affecting A Refrigerator’s Weight

There are a lot of factors that affect a fridge’s weight. As we said earlier and seen on our comparison charts, the weight of a refrigerator will depend on its type and manufacturer.

Aside from those things, the features and accessories can also add to the weight of a fridge. Some refrigerators have a built-in ice dispenser and water dispenser which can add to a refrigerator’s total weight. Glass shelves will also make a fridge heavier than when plastic shelves are used. Other factors are the refrigerator’s materials and its manufacturing date. Most older refrigerators are heavier compared to modern fridges.

Tips For Moving A Refrigerator

You would probably have to move a refrigerator at some point in your life and it will definitely be a hard task. If you are moving out and bringing your fridge with you, the first thing you need to do is to ask for help. We have established that a standard, full-sized fridge is very heavy and you probably won’t be able to move it by yourself.

The next thing to do is to get a dolly for moving your fridge. This will make it easier to transport your fridge from your house to a moving van and vice versa.

But, before hauling your fridge to the dolly, you have to empty your fridge first and put perishable foods inside a cooler so it does not spoil during the move. Next is to disconnect all the water lines and wiring, defrost, and clean your fridge.

Cleaning your fridge after defrosting it will prevent mold from growing inside. After your fridge has been cleaned, secure your fridge with rope or tape to prevent the doors from opening during the move. Put the fridge on the dolly and you are good to go.

Final Thoughts

The average weight of a refrigerator will depend on its type, model, and also its manufacturer. A mini fridge can weigh about 40 to 70 lbs and a standard full-sized fridge can weigh anything between 200 to 300 lbs. The bigger french door and a side-by-side fridge can weigh about 250 to 370 pounds.

Knowing the size of your fridge is important so you can assess the space where you will put the fridge. Hopefully, this article helped answer your question. If you have any more concerns, let us know via the contact form on our website.

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