Freezers

Our test results will show you the top-performing models. Plus, we’ve covered the features you should consider when buying a freezer.

We’ve also tested freezers for temperature performance, warm-up and cool-down time, and much more.

There are two types of freezers: upright (or vertical), which look similar to a standard fridge, and chest, which have a hinged lid on top.

Choosing your ideal type requires more than considering if it’ll keep your food cold.

There are a few different names for each type of freezer, upright freezers are also known as vertical, stand up and standing freezers, while chest freezers are also known as a deep freeze.

Upright or vertical freezer

Pros:

• Easy to see and access food.
  
• Drawers and shelves for organising food.
  
• Most are frost free.
  
• Small footprint.

Cons:

• Not as good at keeping a consistent temperature.
  
• More expensive to buy.

Chest

Pros:

• Available in larger sizes (500L+).
• Better overall temperature performance.
• Cheaper to buy.
  

Cons:

• Limited storage options (such as freezer baskets).
• Deep and can be awkward to reach food in the bottom.
• Usually requires manual defrosting.
• Takes up more space.
• Quicker to warm up during a power cut.
  

Upright freezers interior layout

Vertical freezers are available with shelves or drawers.

Shelves allow you to open the door and easily see what’s there. Some have extending telescopic runners, but check how easily they roll, their weight capacity, and whether they have a lip at the front, sides and back to stop food falling out when you move the shelf.

Sliding drawers may take up more potential storage space than shelves, but they make it easier to access food (check they slide smoothly). Some have opaque fronts, so you might need to label what’s in them to make finding things easier.

Does it suit your space and needs?

• Measure the space in your kitchen, and the doorways leading to it, to make sure the freezer will fit. Remember you’ll need about 5cm space on the sides and back and 30cm on top for ventilation (check what the manufacturer recommends).

• Is the door hinged on the correct side for your kitchen? If not, maybe it’s reversible? You can look up the manual online to find out.

• Does it have enough shelves and drawers for your household?

What else to consider

• Controls: Most freezer temperature controls need regular adjustment to account for ambient temperature changes. Upright freezers often have digital controls, while chest models commonly have conventional dials, which can require a coin or screwdriver to adjust. Controls in upright freezers are often found on the front or inside of the compartment, which means you may need to move food to reach them. Chest freezer controls are often located low on the front or rear of the appliance. Check you can comfortably adjust the controls.

• Liners: Some freezers come with thin aluminium liners. Look for heavy-duty liners that won’t easily dent.

• Interior light: Lights are more common in upright models. Check the location of the light and how far it illuminates, as food can block it.

• Defrosting and draining water: Most chest freezers need regular defrosting. Otherwise ice can build up, stopping food from being chilled effectively. Because of their deep compartment, this can be a bit difficult. Defrosting requires you remove all the food, warm the freezer up, then drain off melted water. To make this easier, look for a model with a drain bung at the front and a spout to help minimise spills. The drain should be high enough for you to fit a container underneath.

Keeping cool

You can help your freezer manage temperature and save energy by placing it in an area with stable ambient temperatures (for example, out of the sun and away from draughts). It’s tempting to put a freezer in the garage, but large doors regularly opening and closing can result in large temperature changes occurring around it.

What temperature should a freezer be?

A freezer should be at least -18°C for longer-term storage of frozen food, but -12°C to -15°C is acceptable for short-term storage (about 2 weeks).

A stand-alone freezer needs to be able to cope with extreme temperatures because they're often kept in a garage or shed. Freezers are designed to cope with ambient temperatures ranging from 10°C to 43°C. However, if your freezer is in a garage or shed, temperatures can easily get lower or higher than this, making it difficult for the freezer to maintain the set internal temperature. It's best to use a thermometer to check, especially when the outside temperature changes significantly.

For more on temperature control, see our article: How to keep the right temperature in your fridge and freezer.

Buying secondhand

Before buying any secondhand appliance, check it still works. Don’t just trust the seller! For a freezer, that means inspecting it in person, if possible, and asking the seller to leave it running for at least 12 hours beforehand, so you can check temperatures. If you can’t see it running before buying, reconsider the purchase.

Do your research

• If the listing doesn’t state the freezer’s brand or model name, scrutinise the photos. Look for an energy rating sticker, which will state the model’s name.

• Search the manufacturer’s website for information on the model, such as its manual, installation guide or product information sheet.

• Check what the seller is telling you matches the manual for that model.

• Check out our freezer reviews for older models (set the filter to include discontinued models), including their specifications and features. While these results are from when the model was first tested, and performance can decrease with age, we expect that a secondhand freezer less than 10 years old and kept in good condition should still perform comparably with the results.

• Can’t see the model on our website? You can still check out older models’ energy efficiency on the GenLess Efficient Appliance Calculator.

Hands-on checks

• Make sure it turns on.

• Check the door or lid seal is intact and creates a good seal when shut. Put a torch inside, so you can see if light shines through the seal, or try opening the door with your little finger (using very light pressure). If it’s easy to open, then the seals are getting old. While seals can be easily replaced, it can be a sign the appliance has been poorly maintained.

• Make sure the interior is in good nick and doesn’t smell too bad. Only buy if it looks well cared for.

• Look for stains, both inside and outside. These could indicate a leak.

• Look for cracks in chest freezer. This can be a safety issue when the appliance is off and the ice melts.

• Check the shelves and baskets aren’t cracked or buckled. These are replaceable (check the manufacturer’s website, Trade Me, your local op-shop or landfill shop), but the older a freezer is, the harder it is to find spare parts.

• Listen for excessive sounds or vibrations.

• Check the lights, ice and water dispensers, and temperature controls work.

• Check the sides and back are in good order. Dents could potentially affect the motor or compressor.

• If it’s a frost-free model, see if there’s an excessive build-up of ice. This can indicate a drainage issue.

• If you can, check the temperature (we suggest using an infrared thermometer). You want it to be -15°C. Check the temperature is fairly consistent throughout the compartments.

Questions to ask the seller

• Why are they selling it?

• Is there anything wrong with it?

• How old is it?

• Has it ever been repaired?

• Are they the original owner? If so, do they have the receipt?

Refrigerant gases

Refrigerant gases are what keep freezers cool. One group of gases that was once common in freezers is fluorocarbons (CFCs, HFCs and HCFCs), but these are nasty ozone-depleting substances and active greenhouse gases. Most new freezers use hydrocarbon R600a (also called isobutane), which is more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than fluorocarbons.

Most freezers have a sticker or metal plate, generally on the back, stating the model’s name and refrigerant gas. If you want a more environmentally friendly model, then look for one using R600a gas.

Safety first

The refrigerants in freezers are combustible, meaning they can catch fire. While this isn’t an issue during everyday use, it’s important to remember when you’re moving a freezer.

Failing to transport a freezer properly could mean it catches on fire when it’s turned back on because the gas hasn’t had a chance to equalise. Make sure to transport the freezer upright, as this helps keep the gas where it needs to be.

If you have to move a freezer on its side, try to keep it on an angle. Once moved, sit it upright for about 24 hours before turning it on – this gives the gas time to settle. The time required may vary by manufacturer, so check the manual.

Your rights if things go wrong

Bought something and want to take it back? Here's what you need to know about your rights.

Consumer members can also contact our Consumer Advice Line for help. Our advisers will talk you through your rights.

Buying new

If a product you buy is faulty or not of acceptable quality, you don’t have to put up with it. The Consumer Guarantees Act has got you covered – you don’t need a warranty. Here's more about how you can get a refund, repair or replacement for a faulty product.

Buying used

What are your consumer rights when purchasing a used freezer? It depends on the seller.

If you’re buying from a secondhand dealer (including those listed as “In-trade” on Trade Me) and discover the freezer is faulty, you're covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. The freezer should be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and match the description. However, if you’re dealing with a private seller, you’re not covered by the act.

Here's more info about your rights when buying secondhand goods.

Energy Rating Labels have a scale of stars to show how energy efficient a particular model of an appliance is, compared to other models of the same size or capacity.

More stars = more energy efficient.

The energy consumption figure is given in kilowatt-hours (kWh). You can use this figure and the cost (tariff) from your latest power bill to calculate how much a model will cost to run.

Lower kWh = cheaper to run.

Fridge and freezer annual energy consumption in kWh is based on standards testing and assumes the appliance is on 24 hours a day.

You should only compare star ratings of fridges or freezers with the same or similar capacities.

There are now two fridge and freezer energy rating labels, using different standards and with different ratings. For more information on energy ratings and how to use them, see our Energy rating labels explained article.