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With top scores across the board, including for performance, internal layout, cleaning and maintenance and value for money, Hisense is the clear winner for the best standalone freezer.
There are a number of reasons why a separate freezer could be a smart investment:
However, there are also a couple of reasons why you might decide you don't need a separate freezer:
Freezers are generally split into two categories:
Chest freezers have a door that opens at the top – just like a treasure chest – and offer one large compartment for your frozen goods. Sometimes referred to as deep freezers, they tend to be more affordable than upright models and more energy efficient. They also offer more storage space.
The amount of wide-open space available makes them a good choice for storing big cuts of meat and other large items, but it can also mean you'll need to spend a lot of time bending over and digging around to find whatever you're looking for. However, some models come with baskets and dividers to help make the storage space more practical.
Finally, while a chest freezer will do a better job than an upright freezer of keeping everything frozen, if there's a power outage, these models need to be manually defrosted – which can be a hassle.
Upright freezers look a lot like your traditional fridge/freezer combo, with the obvious difference that they only have one door instead of two. They don't require as much floor space as chest freezers, plus they come with adjustable shelves and in-the-door storage so that you can better organise all your items.
The design of upright freezers makes it a whole lot easier to access the frozen goods inside, and most are frost-free so you don't have to go through the hassle of manually defrosting them.
The downsides are that they're a little more expensive than chest freezers, less energy efficient, and not as good at accommodating larger items.
Before you start shopping around for a new freezer, make sure you know exactly what you're looking for. How much floor space do you have? How much storage capacity do you need? What's your freezer budget?
Answering these questions will help narrow down your choices and help you understand what type of freezer you want. You can then start comparing a range of suitable freezers to find one that's right for you. Factors you'll need to compare include the following:
Consider how much floor space you have in your home and whether the freezer you want to buy will fit. Remember that you'll need to leave sufficient space for proper ventilation as well as enough space to fully open the freezer door, so check the manufacturer's specifications to find out exactly how much room is required.
How much storage space do you need for frozen items? Chest freezers generally range in size from 140 litres to more than 700 litres, while most upright models can hold anywhere between 175 and 500 litres.
It can be hard to grasp just how much storage space these figures equate to in the real world, so it's worth heading to your nearest appliance store and physically looking into these freezers to work out how much storage capacity you need.
Upright freezers generally make it easier to search for and find whatever you're looking for, whereas chest freezers often require you to rummage around through piles of frozen goods before you find those fish fingers you were looking for.
Check what accessories and attachments are included to help you organise and separate your frozen goods. Upright freezers come with shelves (which are usually adjustable if you need to make room for larger items) and drawers as well as additional storage on the back of the door. Some also come with plumbed-in ice makers for when you're fixing a cold drink.
Many chest freezers now come with hanging baskets and even compartment dividers to help you arrange your frozen goods for easy access.
Check out the energy star rating and annual consumption figure to get a better idea of how much power it will use. The higher the star rating, the less energy it consumes.
Remember to factor energy usage into your equations when comparing the prices of different models. While a fridge that is more energy efficient may have a slightly higher price tag, it could end up costing less in the long run.
If you want your kitchen to have a streamlined, modern look, there are special freezers available that can be integrated into your cabinetry. However, these are more expensive than traditional freezers and more difficult to install.
Manually defrosting a freezer is a pain, but it's the only option available on chest freezers, so look for a model that has a drainage system to make the process a little easier.
| Total Score | Overall rating | Value for Money | Cleaning & maintenance | Internal layout | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense | 8.43 | 4.6 | 4.68 | 4.5 | 4.36 | 4.56 |
| Haier | 8.11 | 4.49 | 4.51 | 3.91 | 4.11 | 4.34 |
| LG | 8.05 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.36 | 4.47 |
| Westinghouse | 8.02 | 4.38 | 4.19 | 4.17 | 4.19 | 4.51 |
| Fisher & Paykel | 7.91 | 4.33 | 4.18 | 4.18 | 4.14 | 4.33 |
| Samsung | 7.88 | 4.26 | 4.21 | 4.24 | 4.26 | 4.42 |
| Miele | 7.86 | 4.42 | 4.25 | 4.08 | 4.25 | 4.33 |
| Other | 7.64 | 4.07 | 4.36 | 4.07 | 4.25 | 4.25 |
These are the seven best freezers you can get right now in Australia.
Looking to upsize your freezer space? See the online stockists helping you to grab a bargain on a chest or upright model.
