What to Think About When Buying a Freezer
Stand-alone freezers used to be all about utility, with no-frills designs and an open-box interior that made it a challenge to keep foods organized. Those bare-bones freezers are still available—and many of them do well in ourfreezer ratings—but we’re also seeing a lot of improvements to the look and functionality of freezers. Consider these factors before you hit the store:
Location, Location
If you plan to keep the freezer in a living area, consider how noisy it is (and also how it looks). Most manufacturers say that their freezers can operate in a room where the temperature can reach up 110° F, but check product specifications if you plan to put the freezer in an unheated area,such as a garage. Make sure that the unit is not exposed to temperatures above 110° F or below0° F, because that may damage the freezer.
Freezers Come in Three Sizes
Freezers, whether chest or upright, come in three basic sizes: compact or small (5 to 9 cubic feet), medium (12 to 18 cubic feet), and large (more than 18 cubic feet). Upright freezers have a smaller footprint for the equivalent storage space.
What if the Power Goes Off?
Most manufacturers claim that their freezers can keep food adequately frozen for 24 hours with the power off, as long as the freezer remains unopened. But our tests simulating a prolonged power failure showed that some uprights allowed a relatively large increase in temperature after only 9 hours.
Temperature Control
Most of the freezers in our tests maintained a consistent temperature. Manual-defrost uprights were the exception. Without fans to circulate cold air, temperatures of on-door shelves were between 9 and 19 degrees higher than in the rest of the freezer.
Energy Use
Don’t expect your new freezer to be quite as energy efficient as its yellow EnergyGuide label implies. That’s because our tests are tougher and, we believe, more like real-world conditions than those specified by the U.S. Department of Energy. But Energy Star products must meet certain governmental energy-efficiency standards.
FAQs
If you want to save money upfront and on ongoing utility bills, a chest model may be the best freezer for you. If you want to conveniently store and organize foods in an appliance that fits in a limited space, an upright freezer may be your best choice.
Which type of freezer is most efficient? ›
An upright freezer has a front-mounted door like a refrigerator and shelves that allow for easy organization. While a chest freezer typically requires more floor space, it's usually more energy efficient, since the door opens from the top and allows less cold air to escape.
What is the average lifespan of an upright freezer? ›
Both upright and chest freezers can last an average of 10 to 15 years. To make your freezer last longer and live its best life make sure the unit gets proper ventilation, don't overload it with food and keep it set at a consistent temperature. Do some maintenance, too. Yes, freezer maintenance is real.
Are glass or wire shelves better in a freezer? ›
Now this freezer here has glass shelving, which is OK, but we've found that if you can find a freezer with wire shelves, those shelves tend to be a little bit more sturdy and can hold a little bit more weight without bowing in the center because of the weight of the collections.
What is the difference between a garage ready freezer and a regular freezer? ›
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GARAGE READY FREEZER AND A REGULAR FREEZER? A regular freezer is designed to work within a smaller temperature range in a controlled interior environment, like a house. Garage ready freezers are equipped to handle a larger fluctuation of external temperatures, with a range of 0-110°F.
Where is the best place to buy a freezer? ›
The Home Depot is your one-stop shop for all your appliance needs, including freezers, ice makers and refrigerators. We also carry a large selection of freezer parts and other accessories, if you're looking to repair or upgrade your current deep freezer.
What is a good price for a freezer? ›
Chest freezer prices are $350 to $800. Upright deep freezer prices are $450 to $1,100. Deep freezer installation costs $50 to $150, including delivery. Compact deep freezer prices are $150 to $450.
What is the best rating for a freezer? ›
Energy label scales range from A to G, and choosing a higher rated fridge freezer can have a significant impact on your running costs. Choosing a A-rated fridge freezer over a E-rated unit will save you about £330 in GB and £770 in NI in energy bills over the 17-year lifetime of the product.
Who makes the most reliable top freezer refrigerator? ›
More
- Best Overall: Samsung 21 Cu. ...
- Best Budget:: GE 19.2 Cu. ...
- Best for Small Spaces: Frigidaire 11.6 Cu. ...
- Best for Energy Efficiency:: Frigidaire 20.0 Cu. ...
- Best for Large Families: LG 24 Cu. ...
- Best for Style and Design: Smeg Fab50 Retro-Style Refrigerator » ...
- Best for Organizing:: GE 21.9 Cu.
Freezers typically last anywhere from 12 to 20 years. Along with gas and electric ranges, freezers tend to be the longest-lasting kitchen appliances.
To store frozen foods at best quality, keep the freezer set to maintain zero (0 °F or -17.8 °C). Some combination refrigerator-freezers cannot keep the freezer air that cold.
What is the most reliable refrigerator freezer on the market? ›
Which are the best fridge freezers in 2024? At a glance
- Best fridge freezer overall - Bosch Series 6.
- Best value fridge freezer - Indesit Freestanding.
- Best American fridge freezer - Samsung Side-By-Side American.
- Best French fridge freezer - Fisher & Paykel Freestanding.
- Best integrated fridge freezer - Bosch Series 2.
Buying Appliances FAQ
In addition to holiday weekends, fall and early winter (from September through December) are typically the best times of year to buy appliances. This is when new models begin to roll out before the holiday season.
Do chest freezers last longer than upright freezers? ›
Chest freezers tend to have longer lifecycles than upright choices because of the way they are made.
What is the difference between an upright freezer and a garage ready upright freezer? ›
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GARAGE READY FREEZER AND A REGULAR FREEZER? A regular freezer is designed to work within a smaller temperature range in a controlled interior environment, like a house. Garage ready freezers are equipped to handle a larger fluctuation of external temperatures, with a range of 0-110°F.
