Being able to freeze and store food is an essential for most people, meaning at some point you’re likely to need to buy a freezer.
An upright freezer is a stand-alone appliance (rather than a combined fridge freezer) which can give you space to stock up on frozen meals to feed the family, store meals which you’ve batch-cooked in advance, and keep frozen fruit, vegetables or even treats such as ice cream.
Upright freezers are available in a variety of sizes to suit the amount of space you have available, ranging from an undercounter option if your kitchen is small to a tall, freestanding option with plenty of compartments to keep produce organised.
We’ve carried out extensive research so read on for our upright freezers review of some of the best products on the market, plus information about popular features you may want to look out for.
See Our Best Upright Freezers
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Best For Low Budgets
1Cookology CTFZ160BK Freestanding Upright Freezer
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Best Overall
2Beko FFP1671W Frost Free Upright Freezer
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Best For Higher Budgets
5Samsung Frost Free Upright Freezer
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1. Cookology CTFZ160BK Freestanding Upright Freezer
- 153 litre capacity
- Quiet operation
- 3 drawers & 2 swing door compartments
- A+ energy rating
This Cookology freestanding freezer has a 153 litre capacity for a good amount of freezer storage at a reasonable price.
Internally, the space is divided into sections with three drawers and two swing door compartments so you can easily organise all of your frozen produce.
This freezer has an energy rating of A+ so it’s energy efficient and economical to run. It has a quiet operating volume of 42dB which makes it unobtrusive if you are placing it an open plan kitchen and living area.
Externally the appearance is clean and sleek with a plain, solid black door and a silver logo at the top.
The door is reversible to suit the placement, but the handle protrudes outwards which you may want to consider in smaller spaces so you’re not bumping into it.
This model has a metal back which is recommended for safety – freezer insulation is flammable and in the event of a fire, a metal back will do a better job of protection than a plastic back.
The downside of this freezer is that it is manual defrost, meaning it’s not designed to avoid frost building up and you’ll have to tackle this manually as needed.
Specifications
Pros
- Great price for a freezer with this capacity
- Metal back
- Reversible door
- Can be used in any location between 10ºC and 43ºC
Cons
- Manual defrost
- Handle protrudes outwards
2. Beko FFP1671W Frost Free Upright Freezer
- Large 250 litre capacity
- Top drawer has a fast freeze feature to freeze items quickly
- Frost free technology
- Freezer guard means freezer can be placed in locations down to -15ºC
Beko is a brand known for good value appliances and this upright freezer is no exception.
The freezer has a large 250 litre capacity which is roughly equivalent to 13 bags of food shopping. This makes it ideal for larger families or anyone who likes to keep their home well-stocked.
Inside the freezer there are seven compartments to help you keep the contents organised, including the top drawer which has a fast freeze feature to freeze items quickly.
This model has freezer guard technology which means you can place the freezer in locations down to -15ºC, perfect if you want to place it in the garage or a utility room which is not heated.
There’s a flame retardant metal back, and the door is reversible.
An energy rating of A+ means this freezer is energy efficient, and it runs as a quiet 42dB. It features frost free technology meaning it’s low maintenance and won’t need manual defrosting.
The temperature control knob is quite basic and it would have been useful if the control was on the outside of the freezer, but this is a minor niggle. Overall, a great value option.
Specifications
Pros
- Quiet operation (42dB)
- Reversible door
- Flame retardant metal back
- Seven compartments
Cons
- Temperature controls are basic
- Would be useful if the temperature control was on the outside
3. Haier H2F-255WSAA Freestanding Upright Freezer
- Digital temperature display on the freezer door
- A++ energy rating
- Total No Frost feature which is more advanced than Frost Free
- 262 litre capacity
With an impressive capacity of 262 litres, this tall and slimline upright freezer can accommodate the equivalent of 14 bags of shopping.
Inside, the freezer is well organised with seven compartments. There is even a small compartment set into the door which is a perfect place to store a pizza box.
This model makes smart use of technology, with a Total No Frost feature which is more advanced than a regular frost free function.
There’s a digital temperature display on the outside of the freezer door so you can view the temperature and make adjustments easily.
A helpful temperature alarm will sound if the temperature rises, for example if you accidentally leave the door open, though the alarm is quite quiet.
The price is a bit higher than some of the models we considered, but this is partly offset by lower running costs thanks to the A++ energy rating.
Specifications
Pros
- Reversible door
- Handy door space for a pizza box
- Alert sounds if the temperature rises, for example if the door is left open
- Metal back
Cons
- Temperature alarm is quiet
- Ice cubes made in the ice cube tray are tiny
4. Fridgemaster MTZ55153 Freestanding Upright Freezer
- 153 litre capacity
- 5 storage compartments
- Quiet operation (40dB)
- Slimline (55cm wide)
A slimline and slightly shorter model, this Fridgemaster has a 153 litre capacity. It has a sleek appearance with a white body complemented by a silver handle and logo.
Inside the freezer, space is split into five storage compartments so you can easily arrange your groceries.
The door is also reversible so the freezer can open from the left or the right depending on what suits your kitchen layout.
This is a low-cost option so some of the features are quite basic, such as the temperature control which is a simple dial rather than a digital touch display.
There’s also no temperature alert.
The main drawback for us is the manual defrost which means you’ll need to defrost the freezer whenever frost starts to build up.
The freezer has an A+ energy rating and operates at 40dB so it’s both energy efficient and quiet to run.
Specifications
Pros
- Reversible door
- Sleek appearance
- A+ energy rating
- 2 year warranty
Cons
- Manual defrost
- No temperature alert
5. Samsung Frost Free Upright Freezer
- Sleek silver finish
- 315 litre capacity with multiple compartments and small shelves in the door
- Ice maker on the inside of the door
- Temperature visible on the outside of the door
This sleek silver Samsung upright freezer has a huge capacity of 315 litres, roughly equivalent to 17 bags of shopping.
It’s a premium model, reflected in the higher price tag.
It has a wealth of features including an open door alert, a temperature display panel on the outside of the door, a temperature warning light and an LED light inside the freezer.
The space is well organised into a number of sections, with both pull-out drawers and open shelving. On the inside of the door is a slimline ice maker and a number of useful small shelves.
If you have a stock of new groceries the fast freeze function will rapidly freeze them to retain the nutrients and quality.
This model is also frost free so you won’t need to manually defrost it.
Specifications
Pros
- Fast freeze function
- LED interior light
- Frost free model
- Reversible door
Cons
- Premium price
- Short power cable
6. INDESIT UI6F1TW Freestanding Upright Freezer
- 222 litre capacity
- Six compartments
- Frost free system
- Fast freeze feature to rapidly freeze food
This tall upright freezer is a slim 60cm wide to fit easily into many standard kitchen layouts.
Placement of this freezer is helped by the levelling feet, which are useful if you have an uneven floor.
The door is also reversible so you can choose whether you want to open the freezer from the left or right.
Inside there are six compartments to give a total capacity of 222 litres.
There is a fast freeze feature to rapidly freeze food to lock in nutrients.
The controls are from an LED display inside the freezer, but there’s no temperature indicator.
The frost free system means that frost won’t build up requiring you to manually defrost it. The energy rating of A+ keeps ongoing running costs low.
Specifications
Pros
- Reversible door
- Levelling feet for placement on uneven floors
- Quiet operation (42dB)
- Internal LED display
Cons
- No temperature indicator
- No internal light
Upright Freezers Buying Guide
Upright Freezer Brands
Many of the reputable and recognised electronic appliance brands such as Samsung, Indesit and Bosch produce their own upright freezer models.
Some of these brands can come at a higher price, but if you are looking for a budget model there are manufacturers such as Beko who offer great value.
Type
Many people keep their freezer in the kitchen or in a utility room, so the type of freezer you opt for can be dictated by the amount of space you have available.
You might also want to consider how the freezer looks, so here are a few options to consider:
Undercounter
As their name suggests, an undercounter freezer is designed to sit underneath the kitchen counter or work surface.
They are usually fairly compact in size, around the same width as a kitchen cupboard so work well if you are limited on space.
Integrated & Built In
An integrated or built in freezer is designed to sit behind a cupboard door so the appliance is concealed.
This gives a more streamlined look in your kitchen, although this type won’t have any of the features which can be built into a door panel, such as an ice maker or a water dispenser.
Size & Capacity
The freezer size that will best suit you depends on the storage space you need.
If you regularly cook meals in bulk to freeze them or you are catering for a big family, a large capacity might be needed like an American fridge freezer.
People who use a freezer only occasionally may not want to dedicate a large amount of space in the kitchen to a big appliance.
Slim Upright Freezer
Freezers are generally available in standard sizes and are designed that way to fit easily into kitchen layouts.
A slim upright freezer will usually have a single door and may be part of a fridge/freezer.
Small Upright Freezer
A smaller option for an upright freezer is an under counter appliance, which is designed to fit underneath your kitchen worktop.
Tall Upright Freezer
A tall upright freezer provides plenty of storage space and could be around 1.7m – 2m high.
Deep Upright Freezer
As mentioned above, freezers are usually designed to fit into a kitchen layout but there are deep upright freezer models available if you have the right amount of space.
Large Upright Freezer
If you need a really large amount of freezer storage, look for one of the models which has a double-door frontage offering double the capacity of a standard model.
Features
There are some freezer features which can help make life easier and even improve the taste of the food stored inside.
A fast freeze feature, for example, lowers the temperature of all or part of your freezer and is useful when you have a quantity of unfrozen food to freeze.
Freezing food quickly means it is of a better quality once it has thawed.
Frost Free
A frost free or auto-defrost freezer has an internal heating system that helps frost from building up inside, making it maintenance-free.
If you see a freezer described as manual defrost, this means you’ll need to leave the freezer open to defrost it whenever the frost builds up to keep it functioning well.
Reversible Door
If a freezer has a reversible door it means it can be adjusted to open outwards from either the left or the right.
This can be a useful feature if it would better suit your kitchen layout to switch the door around.
Ice Maker
Some freezers have an ice maker, often located in the door panel, which provides quick access to ice whenever you want it.
There is usually a dispenser on the outside of the door which you simply push to dispense the ice, the same as a fridge freezer.
Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of freezers has been greatly improved compared by modern technology and construction.
The efficiency is important since appliances such as freezers are always switched on.
You can tell the efficiency by the energy rating, which is scored by letters with A being the most efficient.
Material
Most freezers have a casing which is made of metal, such as stainless steel. This may be finished in a colour, often black or white, or left in a metal finish.
A freezer will have a plastic liner, and an insulating material between the outer and inner casing which helps keep the freezer at a consistently cold temperature.
Pricing range
The cost of an upright freezer will depend on a number of factors, including the size, the features and the brand. Smaller, under counter options will generally cost less.
Opting for a brand such as Samsung or Bosch will typically cost you more. If you are looking for a cheap upright freezer, look for lesser known brands or those who specialise in budget appliances, such as Beko.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer to this question will depend on your own unique requirements. But there are a few standard points which we think you should look for in any freezer:
- The insulation in a freezer is flammable, so a metal back is a safer option than a plastic back which offers no protection in the event of a fire
- An energy rating of at least A+ will help keep running costs down
- A frost free freezer requires no maintenance, so this is recommended if you are short on time
The standard recommendation is that -18ºC is the ideal temperature for your freezer.
Food stored at a higher temperature than this may lose quality.
If you keep your freezer colder than -18ºC, it takes more energy and therefore pushes your running costs up.
To help keep your freezer cold it’s best to keep it relatively full. It’s more efficient to keep items cold than to cool the air in an empty freezer.
That’s why it’s best to think about the capacity you need and not buy a freezer which is much larger than your requirements.
Not all freezers need to be defrosted. If you want to avoid the effort and time it will take to defrost a freezer, look out for options which are described as ‘frost free’ or ‘no frost’.
These use a fan to avoid the build-up of frost minimising maintenance.
If you opt for a manual defrost model, you can defrost the freezer by simply leaving the door open. The frost will melt as the internal temperature rises.
Our Verdict
We discovered some great upright freezers in our research, to suit all budgets. At the lower end of the price range is our Best Entry Level pick, the Cookology CTFZ160BK Freestanding Upright Freezer.
It has a good capacity, organised into 3 drawers and 2 swing door compartments and an A+ energy rating.
Our Best Value pick is the Beko FFP1671W Frost Free Upright Freezer. It’s highly rated, has a 250 litre capacity and frost free technology.
Finally, if you have more to spend we recommend our Best Top of the Range pick, the Samsung RR7000M RZ32M7120SA Frost Free Upright Freezer.
It has a vast 315 litre capacity and a wealth of features including fast freeze, open door and temperature alerts, and an ice maker.
