Home > Choose a Freezer

How to Choose and Buy a Freezer

Before buying a freezer you need to ask yourself some questions:

Can you get a freezer into your home?

When choosing a new freezer, remember that you need to be able to get the appliance into your home. Check that the model you are interested will fit through your doorways, and if you live in an upstairs flat take into consideration any awkward areas such as narrow stairways or turns. If a lift is available, will it hold the freezer’s bulk and weight, as well as the delivery team?

Will a freezer fit into your kitchen or utility room?

Take careful measurements of the space you have available and check them against those of the freezer you are considering, remembering to allow extra space for ventilation. Flat back models push back further against a wall. Also keep in mind the height of the new model, especially if you are buying a built-in appliance. If your kitchen is already designed to accommodate integrated appliances, and you are just updating your freezer, then the new freezer must be no bigger than your old one.

Can you position the freezer within easy access of an electricity socket?

Always take the length of the power cable into consideration, as it needs to be able to reach an electrical socket without over-stretching. This is something to bear in mind if you have decided to rearrange your kitchen and change the location of the freezer.

When choosing a brand and model of freezer, you’ll also need to take the following factors into account:

Freezer Capacity

Freezer capacities can vary greatly. Some are under the counter, small-sized models with only three or four drawers, whereas very tall models may have seven or eight compartments of varying sizes. If you do not tend to keep a lot of frozen foods in stock, it’s pointless to purchase a large freezer, although bear in mind that you may welcome slightly more storage space around Christmas time.

Chest freezers do not have drawers, so it’s easier to use the net capacity as a guideline.

Individual Compartments

Some freezers have basket drawers, and others have flaps for each compartment, or they may have a combination of the two. Larger capacity appliances may have big boxes; these are larger compartments that will hold poultry and large joints of meat. Some models have integrated ice trays, which can be very convenient. Many freezers have a compartment in the door for pizzas or other boxes.

Chest freezers may have baskets inside, enabling some of the food to be stored closer to the top, so you won’t have to rummage through the contents.

Energy Efficiency

Freezers have different energy efficiency ratings. A-rated appliances are the most efficient, whereas a freezer with a G-rating is not only less efficient but also costs more to run. So if you are looking to save on your annual bills, it’s worth choosing a model with an A rating. You can find many A-graded models on the market, including some of those featured on our Top Models – Freezers page.

Frost Free Freezers

A frost free freezer is extremely convenient, and if you choose a model with this feature, it won’t build up ice, so you won’t have to defrost the appliance yourself.

Background Noise of the Freezer

Freezers emit some level of background sound. When checking the specs for the models that you’re interested in, remember that the lower the noise level (measured in dB), the quieter the appliance will be.

Further Information

If you are interested in buying a freezer online then visit our Where to Buy section, which includes details about some of the leading online suppliers and their postage and packing costs, delivery timescales, and returns and refunds policies.

You can find out more about the different brands and models available in our Brands and Top Models sections.

If you are not sure what fridge, fridge freezer, freezer or chiller is right for you, have a look at our Types section.