Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Whether it’s an American-style fridge freezer or integrated model, we’ll help you find the best fit for your kitchen
Despite fridge freezers all having the same job to do, the household appliances are remarkably varied. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know exactly where to start.
When buying one of these appliances, your first task is to decide whether you want a freestanding model or an integrated option that you can build into a kitchen unit.
Another key point of difference is the ratio of fridge space to freezer space in the appliance. You should consider how much food your household freezes, then pick an option to suit. More broadly, be sure to buy a fridge freezer with sufficient capacity overall.
Beyond type and storage space, the differences between fridge freezers become less make-or-break. Some have retro styling; others are more contemporary. Nowadays, some fridge freezers have special features that appeal to certain users, such as smartphone connectivity and frost-free tech.
As you read our reviews, you may notice the fridge freezers seem to have relatively poor energy efficiency ratings. This is due to a shake-up of the energy efficiency rating system for appliances, which took effect in March 2021. The scale no longer includes the high-end ratings of A+++, A++ or A+, and a low-end rating of G has been added. So, the new scale goes from A to G, with the most energy-efficient appliances rated A.
The new rating system imposes higher efficiency standards, meaning some appliances which once had impressive-sounding energy ratings now have a more modest grade. For instance, the Siemens fridge freezer featured in this article has been regraded from A+ to E. Do bear in mind that, as a whole, the fridge freezer market hasn’t quite caught up to the new energy-efficiency benchmarks at this point in time.
We included a wide range of fridge freezers in this round-up to suit all needs – from the simple, budget-friendly and compact to the all-bells-and-whistles, wallet-busting makes. We then evaluated their ease of use, design, size, extra features, results, noise level, energy efficiency and cost.
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
In an ideal world, this is what the fridge freezers of the future would look like.
The LG Centum is beautifully finished, marvellously quiet and a pleasure to use, with effort-busting features such as its ice-free compartments, which consign the chore of defrosting to the permafrost of history. Best of all, it is superbly energy-efficient – a quality recognised in the appliance’s energy rating of A, which is rarely awarded.
Despite its sleek design, this fridge freezer offers a decent amount of storage space, with over two-thirds of its litrage taken up by the refrigerator compartment.
This fairly priced fridge freezer from Beko would be particularly well-suited to households that freeze lots of foodstuffs, with equal amounts of space taken up by the freezer and refrigerator compartments. The downside, inevitably, is that users may struggle for fridge space after a big shop.
Despite its reasonable pricing, this model has some interesting bells and whistles. We were particularly impressed with the appliance’s “harvestfresh” tech, which helps keep fruit and veg fresh by using lighting to simulate a natural light cycle.
Another bonus: the ice dispenser on this fridge freezer doesn’t need plumbing in.
Quiet, capacious and packed with clever tech, the serie 6 is everything we’d hoped for in a Bosch fridge freezer.
We were particularly impressed with the “Freshsense” technology – a sensor system that regulates the fridge freezer’s temperature, minimising the risk of food spoilage. We found the layout of compartments to be logical and user-friendly, and the interior of the appliance looks smart, if unspectacular.
This model integrates into your kitchen units, with the option to have the doors hinge from whichever side of the appliance suits you best.
What round-up of the best fridge freezers would be complete without a retro stunner from Smeg? And this model is a thing of beauty, with its carefully sculpted handles, its gorgeous colour and its chic, retro layout.
Offering far more than just looks, this fridge freezer is equipped with high-quality, up-to-the-minute tech. Its energy efficiency is relatively good, compared with other fridge freezers we’ve tested, and the fridge compartment is beautifully lit.
One minor downside to this model is that it lacks anti-frost technology – so you’ll need to manually defrost it every now and then.
This smart little fridge freezer is designed to slot neatly under a kitchen counter, providing basic storage for your perishables while taking up minimal space. The appliance looks great in this silver colourway, and its layout makes good use of the limited space inside, with drinks storage on the back of the door.
We were impressed to note that the doors on this fridge freezer are reversible, which could be a dealbreaker for those who need to make efficient use of their kitchen space.
It goes without saying that this model is only suitable for users who have a relatively small amount of food to store.
The Swan retro range consistently strikes a winning balance between eye-catching vintage style, solid performance and value for money – and this 80/20 fridge freezer is no exception.
We were impressed with the layout of this model, which includes plenty of handy bottle storage on the inside of the fridge door. Another selling point is the classically stylish cream colourway.
If you’re thinking of buying this fridge freezer, do bear in mind that it is relatively low-capacity, and therefore best suited to households of one or two people.
This style has been so popular it’s sold out, but AO promises it will be returning soon. Sign up for email updates to be notified as soon as it’s back.
While its not necassary to get your new fridge freezer professionally installed, it’s probably worth doing. While most models don’t require any plumbing, some may need to be connected to the water supply which is worth keeping in mind. As you might expect, many retailers will include installation, sometimes for free. If you have our best buy delivered, the centum fridge freezer from LG, from Currys, it will deliver the new model, remove your old onem and install the new model for £15.
There are a variety of styles of fridge freezers that suit different types of kitchens. Different types include:
Firstly, think about the size of your kitchen, as no matter how much you’ve idolised the aesthetically pleasing American-style fridge freezer, it simply may not fit. Another important thing to consider is how much fridge versus freezer space you’ll want, as this will determine whether you want an even split of 50/50 or more fridge space, such as an 80/20 ratio.
In addition to size, think about what features you might want your fridge freezer to have. Things such as digital displays to monitor temperature and whether the door is open, for instance, are handy, as are separate controls, water dispensers and ice-cube makers.
According to kitchen connoisseurs Magnet, the life expectancy of a fridge freezer is, on average, 10 years. Some might last longer but the best way to extend the lifespan of your appliance is to keep it clean, defrost your freezer and replace any filters.
If you’re looking to deep clean your fridge freezer, the task will go beyond a simple disinfectant wipe. While removing all of the contents can seem quite tedious, we promise it’s well worth it. Shelves and salad crisper drawers can be washed with your regular washing up liquid and hot water, while anything that can’t be removed from your fridge freezer can be wiped down.
While annual sale dates such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday are excellent periods to try and scoop a saving, especially on kitchen appliances, some brands and retailers discount their products throughout the year – so, if you’re looking to bag yourself a bargain on your new fridge freezer, we’ve rounded up the best monthly deals for you.
We’re naming the LG centum GBB92MCBAP our best buy. This fridge freezer feels a step ahead of its competitors, with superb energy efficiency, a chic design and some useful features that will save you time and effort, such as its frost-free technology. Our only complaint would be that it’s a little pricey for a fridge freezer of its size.
For more kitchen gadgets, check out our guides to the best air fryers and blenders
Or if you would prefer:
Want an ad-free experience?
View offersHi {{indy.fullName}}