Better Homes And Gardens Freezer Jam

Gone are the days where you had to listen to the endless hum of your fridge, keep a separate freezer in the garage or plan a big defrost and clean once a month. The good news for us is that, nowadays, appliance manufacturers continue to design energy-efficient fridge freezers with advanced cooling and food preservation technology that not only cuts food waste, but energy costs too.

If you're looking for a new fridge freezer but feel overwhelmed with the wide variety of choices on the market, don't sweat - we've done the homework for you. Thanks to loads of useful recommendations on the Mumsnet forums, plus a range of consumer and expert reviews, we've been able to put together an unbiased, in-depth round-up of the best fridge freezers for your home.

Here are the best fridge freezers for 2021, as recommended by Mumsnetters.

1. Best overall fridge freezer: LG GBB92STAXP Freestanding Fridge Freezer

Price: £889 | Buy now from Amazon

"We have an LG fridge freezer. It's stainless steel and doesn't show any marks. It's very easy to keep clean and comes with a 10-year warranty. I would recommend it to everyone!" HappinessIsKey

Having earned the 2021 Energy Star Most Efficient distinction across multiple home appliance categories, LG takes energy efficiency seriously and their fridge freezers are nothing short of star players.

This standalone fridge freezer has everything you need at a reasonable price point and comes with some brilliant tech. For instance, DoorCooling technology promises 32 percent faster cooling throughout the fridge while air vents at the front help to maintain optimum air temperature and precise temperature control 24/7.

Another great feature is the humidity setting for fruits and fresh produce, which keeps them moist and fresher for longer, as well as the Fresh Converter setting so you can choose the optimum temperature for protein such as meat, chicken and fish.

With a total capacity of 384 litres, it has more than enough space for a variety of different-sized items despite its slim design.

Pros

Smart features
Deep fridge drawers
Open door alarm
Excellent energy efficiency rating
All-around cooling
Quiet mark of approval
Automatic defrost system

Cons

Some find the door tricky to open
Smaller freezer space

Key specs

Type: Standalone
Fridge capacity: 233 litres
Freezer capacity: 107 litres
Energy rating: A+++
Frost-free: Yes

2. Best budget fridge freezer: Hotpoint 339 Litre 60/40 Freestanding Fridge Freezer

Hotpoint fridge freezer

Price: £360 | Buy now from Amazon

"We have a Hotpoint and it's been great. We went for 200 metres to get more fridge space. We have a foldable small stool in the kitchen for my four-year-old daughter which I use to reach the top of the fridge if necessary." LadyMcFish

If you're looking for a reliable, affordable standalone fridge freezer, the Hotpoint Freestanding Fridge Freezer is a good option. It has four fridge shelves, one fruit and veg drawer and three freezer drawers.

With a total capacity of 339 litres, it may not offer enough food space for larger families but has a few other impressive features such as manual temperature control, low frost tech (which reduces ice formation) and reversible door hinges so you can place the fridge anywhere.

We also like that the stainless-steel design is striking, sturdy and easy to clean.

Pros

A+ energy efficiency
Lightweight
Reversible doors

Cons

No water/ice dispenser
High shelves are less accessible

Key specs

Type: Standalone
Fridge capacity: 228 litres
Freezer capacity: 111 litres
Energy rating: A+
Frost-free: Yes

3. Best American-style fridge freezer: LG GSB760PZXV Frost Free Side-By-Side American Fridge Freezer

LG GSB fridge freezer

Price: £829 | Buy now from Amazon

"We have an LG one. Doesn't require plumbing. Would thoroughly recommend." Babycakes1010

This wide LG American-style fridge freezer is perfect for larger families or those looking for extra storage space. With a total capacity of 626 litres, it's extremely roomy for stocking your fridge and freezer with essentials as well as bulk items or pre-cooked meals for easy mid-week dinners.

A standout feature of this unit is LG's Inverter Linear Compressor technology that maximises energy savings, lowers noise levels and keeps food fresher for longer. It's also made with a Multi Air Flow system that evenly spreads cool air into the fridge to maintain an even temperature, even after opening the door multiple times. Wheels allow the fridge freezer to be moved forwards and backwards, but not side to side.

Bear in mind that this unit is made with thicker doors (around 9cm), so you'll need to place the unit in an area with adequate space for them to open fully.

Pros

Smart features
Plenty of shelf space and capacity
Well lit with LED lights
Open door alarm

Cons

Heavy and awkward to move
Doors scratch easily with fridge magnets

Key specs

Type: Side-by-side
Fridge capacity: 406 litres
Freezer capacity: 220 litres
Energy rating: A+
Frost-free: Yes

4. Best fridge freezer under £500: Bosch 287 Litre Freestanding Fridge Freezer

Bosch fridge freezer

Price: £449 | Buy now from Appliances Direct

"I have [a Bosch Fridge Freezer]. It's very quiet, large, easy to keep clean and food remains fresher for longer." 12345kbm

With an impressive A+++ energy rating, this Bosch Freestanding Fridge Freezer will not only save you money but will also help to cut your overall energy usage.

There's plenty of fridge storage space (287 litres, which is equivalent to 15 bags of shopping), plus a retractable glass shelf so you'll be able to shop and organise your groceries well. The fridge portion has an easy-to-clean VitaFresh box for fruits and veggies. The equally large freezer has a BigBox frozen food drawer for stacking pre-cooked meals or frozen food items such as chips and veggies, ice cream containers or convenience meals such as pizzas.

Additional features include LED lighting, reversible door hinges and a SuperFreezing function which ensures that new food is frozen quickly, preventing other content inside the freezer from defrosting.

Pros

Great value
Removable wine rack
Energy-efficient
Sleek, stainless-steel design
Full-sized freezer on bottom

Cons

Needs manual defrosting
No open door alarm

Key specs

Type: Standalone
Fridge capacity: 193 litres
Freezer capacity: 94 litres
Energy rating: A+++
Frost-free: No

5. Best slim fridge freezer: Russell Hobbs RH55FF171W-ML Freestanding Fridge Freezer

Russell Hobbs fridge freezer

Price: £359.99 | Buy now from Amazon

If you're looking for a narrow fridge freezer that won't take up too much space in your kitchen, the Russell Hobbs Freestanding Fridge Freezer is worth considering. However, the slim design doesn't mean the fridge itself is small. It comes with four glass shelves, three of which are adjustable, three fixed door racks and three freezer drawers, making it easy to alter the layout to best suit your needs.

And, thanks to fully reversible doors and a low 39dB noise output, it's discreet enough to fit anywhere in the house.

Pros

Manual temperature control
Slim design
Smart features
Easy to clean
Full-size freezer

Cons

No inverter
Not the most energy-efficient
Manual defrost

Key specs

Type: Standalone
Fridge capacity: 187 litres
Freezer capacity: 75 litres
Energy rating: F
Frost-free: No

6. Best frost-free fridge freezer: Candy CVNB6182WH5KN Freestanding Fridge Freezer

Candy Fridge freezer

Price: £329.99 | Buy now from Argos

With no-frost tech, anti-spill glass shelves and four transparent glass freezer shelves that simply require a wipe down now and then, the Candy Freestanding Fridge Freezer gets an A+ for its durability and low maintenance features.

It also has loads of door storage space and a large salad crisper drawer to ensure fresh produce lasts longer. With a total capacity of 323 litres, it's large enough for a medium-sized family.

However, the best feature of this fridge freezer is its Total No Frost system which ensures cold air is distributed evenly into the fridge cavity via multiple jets. This results in a constant, even temperature and humidity level throughout the unit, so food stays fresher for longer. Plus, you'll never have to scrape off bits of frost from the top or sides of the fridge – bonus!

Pros

Temperature adjustment features
Freshness control button
Total no frost system
Simple, sleek design
Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

Not the most stylish
A little noisy
Can be difficult to reach the highest shelves
Low energy-efficiency rating

Key specs

Type: Standalone
Fridge capacity: 203 litres
Freezer capacity: 120 litres
Energy rating: F
Frost-free: Yes

7. Best value fridge freezer: Beko CFG3582S Fridge Freezer

Beko Fridge freezer

Price: £329.99 | Buy now from Argos

"Our Beko has been brilliant value for money." RainingZen

"We've ended up with a Beko with a slimline water tank. It fits the bill and we can't fault it." idontlikealdi

When it comes to price, quality and practicality, this fridge freezer from household appliance specialists, Beko, ticks all the boxes. It comfortably holds 14 bags of shopping and offers flexible storage for both fresh and frozen produce. We think the 50/50 split is ideal if you like to stock up on freezer goods.

It's made with frost-free technology, so there's no manual defrosting needed, plus FreezerGuard technology allows you to place your fridge freezer anywhere in your home, including the garage as it'll work in temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius.

The adjustable shelves are made with shatterproof safety glass and the fridge includes a large crisper draw for fresh fruit and veg. Even though it may look small, this unit utilises space efficiently and has plenty of shelf space for most families. Many reviewers have remarked how quiet it is too, making it ideal for open-plan living.

Pros

Frost-free
LED lighting
Ample freezer space
Lightweight

Cons

No bottle rack
No open door alarm
Energy-efficiency rating is low

Key specs

Type: Stand alone
Fridge capacity: 168 litres
Freezer capacity: 102 litres
Energy rating: F
Frost-free: Yes

8. Best energy-efficient fridge freezer: Hisense RQ563N4AI1 American Fridge Freezer

Hisense fridge freezer

Price: £669 | Buy now from Amazon

"Got a Hisense one a few months ago. After doing lots of research, Hisense fridge freezers got a good rating. They're very budget-friendly too. Very pleased with ours so far." ginyogarepeat

"We live off grid so electricity usage is a very important factor for any appliance we buy. Our current American-style is a Hisense because it was by far the most economical in terms of energy use at the time." SharpLily

With an A+ energy rating at an affordable price, it's no wonder Mumsnetters have good things to say about the Hisense American Fridge Freezer. Part of Hisense's new Flat Series, this clean modern design, with its stainless-steel finish and recessed handles, is sure to make a statement in your home.

Easily one of the most spacious fridge freezers on our list, this unit is ideal for larger families with a total storage capacity of 507 litres and loads of shelf space with easy access. Yet, it's affordable to run thanks to its high energy efficiency score.

The fridge section has three glass shelves, two moisture control crispers and six door balconies for a range of drinks and containers. The freezer below is equally impressive with four standard drawers and two transparent easy-access drawers with rollers so you can easily see what's inside.

A responsive LED touch control panel allows you to reach optimal cooling temperatures within each compartment thanks to the Super Cool and Super Freeze features. Plus, the special holiday mode feature allows you to empty the unit when you go away on holiday and save energy.

Pros

A+ energy rating
Nofrost technology
Modern, spacious design
Magnetic doors
LED lighting
Twin freezer compartments
Easy to clean

Cons

Doesn't have a wine shelf or rack
Difficult to move
Fingerprints are visible on the fridge doors

Key specs

Type: Freestanding French door
Fridge capacity: 290 litres
Freezer capacity: 142 litres
Energy rating: A+
Frost-free: Yes

9. Best fridge freezer with ice dispenser: Samsung RS68A8830S9 Freestanding 65/35 American Fridge Freezer, Stainless Steel

Samsung fridge freezer

Price: £1,149.99 | Buy now from Argos

"We've had our Samsung one for over 15 years. It's amazing. I use the ice dispenser and the water constantly. It is the best appliance ever." UpsyDaisyarmpit

If you're going to splash out on a fridge freezer, this Samsung unit is well worth the investment. Ideal for those who love to entertain, this model is equipped with an extra wide wine rack (for larger Champagne or Prosecco bottles) and generous, flat shelves for storing cakes and platters. Plus, it has a nifty water and ice dispenser that produces crushed and cubed ice.

This unit is equipped with Digital Inverter Technology that controls internal temperature more effectively to improve cooling performance while increasing energy efficiency. Other impressive features include: Twin Cooling Plus which keeps your food fresher for longer and stops food odours from mixing and, while SpaceMax technology may sound like something from outer space, it simply means that the fridge is designed with thinner, sleeker doors to allow for more space inside the unit.

Pros

Frost-free
Open door alarm
Energy-efficient
Large capacity (634 litres)
Reliable and durable
Stylish and practical

Cons

Pricey
Water dispenser doesn't have a drip tray
Stainless steel doors may dent quite easily

Key specs

Type: Standalone American-style
Fridge capacity: 409 litres
Freezer capacity: 225 litres
Energy rating: F
Frost-free: Yes

10. Best two-door fridge freezer: Haier HTF-540DP7 Freestanding Fridge Freezer

Haier Fridge freezer

Price: Now £879 (was £1,299) | Buy now from Amazon

"We have a Haier one with four doors. It's a good compromise as I was worried about the lack of freezer space in the tall two-door options. Ours is a fridge all at the top, both doors, then two doors at the bottom for the freezer, with four drawers inside and two trays at the top. It has water and ice. It's the best fridge I've ever had. We used to have one of the two tall-door options and there's so much more fridge space in this one." ChickensForTheHound

Large enough to accommodate weekly shopping trips, meal prep and family gatherings, Haier's Freestanding Fridge Freezer is brimming with the latest big appliance tech to encourage better organisation and less food waste.

One of its best features is the exclusive T-ABT technology which uses special UV light to eliminate bacteria from the fridge's airflow. This prevents cross contamination and helps to maintain your food's original flavour.

The unit is also built with Total No Frost technology which circulates air in both the fridge and freezer compartments to reduce the build-up of ice and condensation, eliminating the need to manually defrost the freezer.

The MyZone Box in the fridge allows you to adjust the temperature depending on your storage needs and the Humidity Box is said to keep your fruit and veg fresher two times longer than a standard fridge would.

Pros

Fold-away wine rack
Easy-to-open integrated door handles
Bright interior LED lighting
Fully transparent drawers
Holiday mode
Super cooling and freezing functions
Modern and spacious

Cons

No reversible doors
Some reviewers feel the freezer drawers are too small
A little noisy
Low energy rating

Key specs

Type: Standalone
Fridge capacity: 354 litres
Freezer capacity: 174 litres
Energy rating: F
Frost-free: Yes

What should I look for when buying a fridge freezer?

When looking for a new fridge freezer, it's important to consider the following:

Price

Fridge freezers range from as little as £90 to a whopping £8,000 for the most luxe unit on the market. Some payment plans such as Buy Now Pay Later available under AO Finance allows you to delay payment by securing an item now but paying nothing for six to 12 months on products over £200.

Size and capacity

Whether you live in an apartment or spacious detached home, it's important to consider where you'll want to place your fridge freezer. Check the dimensions (height, width and depth) carefully before purchasing one, keeping in mind that the unit has to fit through the kitchen door too.

Slimline or narrow fridge freezers are around 54cm wide, whereas standard American-style brands are 91cm wide. Some units also come with reversible door hinges offering more flexibility.

Take note that the models on our list are standalone fridge freezers, not integrated models which are generally built into kitchen cabinets with cabinet doors attached to the front of the appliance.

In terms of internal space and storage, the average capacity of traditional free-standing fridge freezers is between 200 to 300 litres with a depth of 35 to 36 inches. However, this varies from one design to another. For instance, American-style fridge freezers such as the LG GSB760PZXV Frost Free Side-By-Side American Fridge Freezer on our list is made with double-fridge doors that open outwards for maximum capacity inside, whereas shallow or slimline models generally have a capacity of 150 to 200 litres.

Number of people in your household

With so many models available, it can be intimidating to pick the right size fridge freeze for your needs. Wider two-door models with a 50/50 split (50 percent for the fridge and 50 percent for the freezer) are generally good options for larger families, but it totally depends on whether you use the fridge or freezer more.

Your cooking style

Do you like to cook mostly fresh produce or is your freezer generally stacked with meals for the month ahead? Your daily schedule, cooking style and family preferences will largely determine the best split for yourself. If you eat a lot of fresh food, for example, a 70/30 split is ideal as the fridge capacity is larger.

Your lifestyle

If you regularly host guests and have the kitchen space, then you may want a fridge freezer with handy features such as a wine rack, ice maker and water dispenser such as the Samsung RS68A8830S9 Freestanding 65/35 American Fridge Freezer on our list. If, however, you don't spend much time in the kitchen, then a smaller, simpler unit will work just fine.

Special features

While most of today's modern fridge freezers come with a host of high-tech features, some have more than others. When it comes to choosing the right model for your home, consider which of the following features you'd like yours to have:

Frost-free: This includes built-in technology to stop the build-up of ice or frost. Auto-defrost also means the unit has a self-regulating, automatic defrost function without you having to manually defrost the fridge freezer once a month.
Smart technology: Some handy smart features include electric control panels at the top of the fridge for various functions such as temperature control, fast-freeze mode to chill food quickly, fridge fans to circulate cold air evenly, and humidity drawers to keep salad ingredients crisp and fresh. A few smart fridges are also synced to an app, allowing you to check and adjust the current temperature or receive notifications on your smartphone.
Ice/water dispenser: Many fridge freezers come with simple, internal water dispensers that don't require additional plumbing. Ice makers can vary from model to model but operate on similar principles. They generally use timers, thermostats, electric motors and valves to make the ice and drop it into a holding container where you can take it, or by placing your glass under the ice dispenser on the unit. Many give you the choice of cubed or crushed ice.
Holiday mode: This feature allows you to empty your fridge freezer before you go away, while still maintaining an energy efficient, optimal internal temperature of the unit so that you can resume using it immediately when you get home.
LED lighting: This feature is great because LED lights are the most energy-efficient yet produce less heat and offer brighter light for the same wattage as fluorescent lights. This makes them a good option for fridge freezers, especially for late night snacks.
Reversible doors: If you're set on your fridge freezer fitting into a specific space, reversible doors allow you to take the doors off the hinges and reverse them, so that they open and close fully in the direction you choose.
Open-door alarm: This feature simply lets you know if anyone in the family has left the door open. It helps to ensure the fridge freezer stays at its optimal chilling temperature and is handier than you think.

What is the best energy rating for a fridge freezer?

According to the Energy Savings Trust, "Appliances are tested for how much energy they use during typical use. This gives them a rating on a scale of A to G, with A being the most efficient product of its class, and G being the least efficient. Some appliances use an older scale, from A+++ to G, with A+++ being the most efficient."

Bear in mind that appliances are also categorised by their size, so it's best to compare energy ratings in fridge freezers with similar dimensions.

How long should a fridge freezer last?

If you have a newer model that's maintained well, your fridge freezer should last up to 10 years say experts from GloTech Repairs.

They suggest the following ways to extend the life of your fridge freezer:

Keep your freezer well stocked as this retains colder air more easily
Stock the separate parts of your fridge accordingly to distribute cold air evenly
If your fridge doesn't have frost-free technology, make sure to defrost it regularly
Check your door seals regularly and make sure not to leave the doors open
Keep your fridge freezer away from heat sources such as cookers and radiators

What is the best fridge freezer?

Based on our extensive research, we think the LG GBB92STAXP Freestanding Fridge Freezer is the best overall fridge freezer to buy. It's sleek yet spacious and holds an award-winning energy efficiency rating. It's jam-packed with brilliant tech features, considering its competitive price point, and promises fast, even cooling throughout the fridge and freezer.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which fridge freezers discerning Mumsnet users had bought for their homes.

We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which units had won accolades or been featured in 'best buy' lists across websites and print media, and what consumer reviews said about them.

Having collated all that information, we picked the fridge freezers we thought would make the best buys in several interest categories.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.