Whirlpool WRT312CZJ 12 cu. ft. Top Freezer
Quick verdict
The Whirlpool WRT312CZJ 12 cu. ft. Top Freezer is an 11.6 cu. ft. top-freezer from Whirlpool in the budget tier. At 394 kWh/year it draws roughly 49% more than the class median — expect a higher monthly operating cost. At about $850 the $/cu.ft. runs above peers — the premium goes toward feature set and brand position. Standout features: an ice maker. Our reviewers rate it 4.2/5 — best for small kitchen households.
Best for
- Apartments and dorms
Key specs
- Capacity
- 11.6 cu. ft.
- Dimensions
- 24.0" × 62.0" × 31.0"
- Annual energy
- 394 kWh/year
- Ice / Water
- Ice ✓ · No water
- Wi-Fi
- No
Our Review
The Whirlpool WRT312CZJ 12 cu. ft. Top Freezer is a 11.6 cu. ft. top-freezer refrigerator from Whirlpool, sitting in the sub-$1,000 range. With a 8.6 cu. ft. fresh-food compartment and 3.0 cu. ft. of freezer space, it's positioned for apartments and dorms.
What stands out
This is squarely a mainstream model — Whirlpool optimizes for value, parts availability, and a feature set that covers what most households actually use. You won't find exotic materials, but everything that ships works as advertised.
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification means it sits in the top ~10% of the category for energy use. At ~394 kWh/year, expect roughly $63 in annual running cost at the U.S. average electricity rate — meaningfully less than older models from a decade ago.
Layout and capacity
Exterior dimensions are 24.0" W × 62.0" H × 31.0" D — check your opening, especially the depth with handles extended. Total useable capacity is 11.6 cu. ft., split 8.6 fresh / 3.0 freezer.
Bottom line
The Whirlpool WRT312CZJ 12 cu. ft. Top Freezer is a strong mainstream choice — most of what people actually use a fridge for, at a price that makes sense. Service parts are widely available.
Full Specs
Capacity Total capacity | 11.6 cu. ft. |
|---|---|
| Fresh-food | 8.6 cu. ft. |
| Freezer | 3.0 cu. ft. |
Dimensions Width | 24.0" |
| Height | 62.0" |
| Depth | 31.0" |
| Depth (with handles) | 33.5" |
Energy ENERGY STAR | Yes |
| Annual energy use | 394 kWh/year |
| Est. annual cost | $63 |
Features Ice maker | Yes |
| Water dispenser | No |
| Wi-Fi connected | No |
| Smart features | No |
| Door style | Top Freezer |
| Finishes available | Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel, Fingerprint-Resistant Stainless, White, Black |
| Noise level | — |
Pros & Cons
+Pros
- ✓Simplest, most reliable layout — fewer moving parts to fail
- ✓ENERGY STAR Most Efficient — lowest-in-class energy use
- ✓Automatic ice maker keeps the bin stocked without trays
–Cons
- ✕Bending to reach fresh-food drawers becomes a daily nuisance for tall users
Rating Breakdown
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Current Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | See retailer | Shop at Home Depot |
| Best Buy | See retailer | Shop at Best Buy |
| Lowe's | See retailer | Shop at Lowe's |
Prices and availability vary by region. We may earn a commission on purchases at no cost to you — see our disclosure & methodology. Affiliate relationships do not influence ratings.
