The best freezers in the UK: integrated, freestanding and chest models

Finding a freezer that will stand the test of time, is energy-efficient and meets your food storage needs is of paramount importance. But with the variety available - freestanding freezers and integrated freezers, not to mention all the extras - it can be tricky to find one that has all of the qualities you’re after.

So, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best freezers available in the UK right now to help you find the right one for you.

If you enjoy our round-up, check out our other Buyer's Guides, including the best energy-saving fridge freezers, the best washing machines, best electric ovens, best dishwashers, best vacuum cleaners and many more household appliances.

The best tall freezers in the UK for 2024

HAIER H3F-320WSAAU1 Tall Freezer

Capacity: 330 litres
Dimensions: 190.5 x 59.5 x 67 cm
Compartments: Seven compartments and three shelves in the door
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, upright
Reversible door: Yes

Our kitchen appliances are increasingly becoming ‘smart’, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and this freezer from Haier follows suit. When you set it up, you can download its accompanying smartphone app, which will send you alerts if something is wrong or you’ve left the door ajar.

This model also keeps the inside frost free and comes with rapid freezing functionality to quickly get food down to -26°C. You can even change the temperature to convert it into a fridge.

Hotpoint UH8F1CWUK1 freezer

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Capacity: 291 litres
Dimensions: 59.5 x 63 x 187.5 cm
Compartments: Four drawers and three shelves
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, upright
Reversible door: Yes

Offering a contemporary look in a graphite hue and four spacious drawers for storage, this Hotpoint freezer is both stylish and more than capable of coping with the needs of a large family. It has a generous 291-litre capacity, enough to hold 16 shopping bags-worth of food.

Even better, you don’t need to bother defrosting it by hand, as ice-build up is prevented thanks to its ‘No Frost’ technology.

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Bosch Serie 6 GSN36AWFPG Freestanding Freezer

Capacity: 242 litres
Dimensions: 60 x 65 x 186 cm
Compartments: Four drawers and three shelves
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, upright
Reversible door: Yes

If you have lots of mouths to feed then this Bosch freezer is worth a look. It has a whopping 242-litre capacity – enough to hold up to 15 bags of shopping. It also has fast-freeze technology to help your food keep more of its flavour and freshness when you put it into cold storage, as well as an inbuilt alarm to alert you if the temperature creeps above freezing.

Indesit UI6F1TW.1 freezer

Capacity: 223 litres
Dimensions: 59.5 x 64.5 x 167 cm
Compartments: Four drawers and two flap-front sections
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, upright
Reversible door: Yes

Thanks to its four deep drawers and two flap-front compartments, this slimline freezer manages to squeeze 223 litres of capacity into its 60cm-wide interior. It’s ideal if you need to pack a lot of storage space into a compact kitchen. It also has a fast-freeze function to start preserving your food as soon as it’s inside and a frost-free setting to prevent ice build-up.

LG InstaView ThinQ American-Style Fridge Freezer

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Capacity: 416 litres
Dimensions: 179 x 91.3 x 73.5 cm
Compartments: 8 compartments
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, upright

The standout element of this fridge-freezer is undoubtedly the useful window panel. LG’s InstaView ThinQ technology illuminates the contents so you can see what’s inside. All you have to do is knock twice.

Another clever feature is its UV light, which automatically reduces bacteria in the water nozzle by 99.99%.

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IceKing RZ245W.E

Buy now from Crampton and Moore, (£429.99)

Capacity: 242 litres
Dimensions: 60 x 60 x 170 cm
Compartments: 7 drawers of varying sizes
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, upright
Reversible door: Yes

We love the tall and slim design of the IceKing freestanding freezer, but its appeal goes beyond aesthetics. Seven compartments, including an extra-deep drawer, will help you keep your supplies organised, while a manual thermostat gives you complete control over temperature.

Plus, adjustable feet and a reversible door mean this is a model that will fit even the most awkward kitchen layout.

The best chest freezers in the UK for 2024

Russell Hobbs RHCF200 Chest Freezer

Capacity: 198 litres
Dimensions: 85 x 94.5 x 52.3 cm
Compartments: One main compartment, plus small wire basket
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, chest

While the Hotpoint chest freezer above has 251 litres of space, this one is slightly smaller, with a 198-litre capacity and a width of 94.5cm. It also has adjustable feet and temperature controls, and a counterbalanced lid, which stays open to let you rummage inside with both hands.

The freezer should work efficiently at temperatures as low as -5°C and as high as 43°C.

Hotpoint CS1A 250 H FA.1 chest freezer

Buy now from Currys, (£350)

Capacity: 251 litres
Dimensions: 69.8 x 91.6 x 101 cm
Compartments: One basket drawer and one large compartment
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, chest

Anyone with a large family knows that buying food in bulk and freezing numerous portions saves hours in the kitchen. A deep and wide chest freezer, like this one from Hotpoint has ample room to preserve huge amounts of food.

This model also has ‘FrostAway’, a feature that keeps the air inside the freezer dry to reduce ice formation by up to 50 per cent.

The best small freezers in the UK for 2024

Hotpoint Aquarius HZA1.UK integrated freezer

Capacity: 91 litres
Dimensions: 54.5 x 59.6 x 81.5 cm
Compartments: Three drawers
Energy rating: F
Type: Integrated, upright
Reversible door: Yes

Despite being a compact model that sits beneath your worktop, this Hotpoint Aquarius freezer doesn’t compromise on storage space. Its three deep drawers offer 91 litres of capacity. An evaporator helps prevent ice building up on the inside and it comes with an adjustable thermostat to keep your food at the right temperature with optimum energy efficiency.

John Lewis JLBIUCFZ03 integrated under-counter freezer

Buy now from John Lewis, (£609)

Capacity: 85 litres
Dimensions: 60 x 55 x 82 cm
Compartments: Three drawers
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, under-counter
Reversible door: Yes

This under-the-counter model has three transparent drawers for easy loading and unloading. The door can also be supplied with the hinges on the right or left, depending on which way suits your kitchen. But the biggest advantages of this stainless-steel John Lewis freezer are its frost-free technology and fast-freeze function, which drops the temperature to preserve your food quickly.

Russell Hobbs RHUCFZ3B under-counter freezer in black

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Capacity: 68 litres
Dimensions: 50 x 54 x 84.5 cm
Compartments: Three sections
Energy rating: F
Type: Freestanding, under-counter
Reversible door: Yes

It may be small, but this sleek, Russell Hobbs freezer has a 68-litre capacity – easily enough room to hold three bags of groceries. It’s easy to slot under a worktop too so you’ll have no trouble trying to find space for it in your kitchen. Plus, it has a reversible door that can be opened from the left or right, depending on your kitchen’s layout.

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Russell Hobbs Upright Freezer

Buy now from Wayfair (£142.64)

Capacity: 31 litres
Dimensions: 49.2 x 47.2 x 45 cm
Compartments: Two sections
Energy rating: A+
Type: Freestanding, on-counter
Reversible door: Yes

Small enough to be placed on countertops and in storage areas, this 31L freestanding freezer provides extra space when you need it. Keep it in your utility room or bring it out on special occasions like Christmas.

Open it up, and you’ll find an icebox, bottle rack and removable wire shelf inside.

As an added bonus, this model is 10% more efficient than a standard A-rated appliance.

Simple Value DD1-05 Table Top Freezer

Buy now from Argos, (£115)

Capacity: 33 litres
Dimensions: 51 x 49 x 44 cm
Compartments: Two
Energy rating: E
Type: Freestanding, upright
Reversible door: Yes

If space is at a premium, or if you’re just looking for an extra freezer to store outside of the kitchen, try this compact deep-freeze. It’ll sit on any table top or work surface, and hold up to two shopping bags of food.

Plus, the plastic interior is quick and easy to clean, which makes maintenance simple.

FAQs:

Which are the best energy ratings for freezers?

Fridge freezers are one of the most energy-hungry appliances in the home so, as they are working 24/7, it’s important to choose a model that is as efficient as possible for your budget. Here's what to look for:

One of the quickest ways of doing this is by looking at an appliance’s energy rating. The scale goes from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient. You will typically spend more upfront on a higher-rated appliance but it will ultimately save you money on bills later down the line.
Another consideration when it comes to efficiency is size and capacity. What do you stock up on most in your household? Are you a keen cook and love fresh produce? Or do you like having a good stash of frozen options for easy weeknight dinners? This will help you decide which fridge freezer ratio best suits your needs.
Smart ‘no frost’ technology for the freezer and climate control settings in the fridge can also help keep energy usage down and ensure food stays fresh for longer.

Which is the best freezer to buy?

Not sure if you should go for a chest or upright fridge freezer? We asked Lauren Clark, AO.com’s large appliance expert, to give us the low-down on what to consider when you’re investing in a new freezer…

It’s important to think about the size, specific features and whether you want an integrated or free-standing model. The classic option is a free-standing design that can be easily installed and moved, whereas integrated models sit behind a cupboard door and add a polished look to a kitchen.

There are also three main types to consider when purchasing a freezer:

Upright: These are popular choices for family homes. Upright freezers are manufactured in both free-standing and integrated models, so they can be enclosed behind cabinets. Upright models also offer a large amount of space for frozen food and, for anyone with limited kitchen space, there are slimline options available.
Under-counter: If you have a small kitchen or you need a second appliance because you’re short on storage in your main freezer, then this option is for you.
Chest: These are an option if you have a large household or like to stock up on frozen foods. Chest freezers open via a lid on the top and offer plenty of space. But it’s worth noting that these models are not currently designed to be integrated.

What is the best freezer temperature?

The experts at Whirlpool suggest keeping the freezer temperature at or below 0°F (-18°C), though they add the caveat that you may need to consider other factors, like the environment it's in, and adjust higher or lower accordingly.

This is a digital version of a feature that originally appeared in Your Home magazine. For more inspirational home ideas, why not subscribe today?