Best Upright Freezer Reviews

Updated February 2, 2021

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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1 Cookology - CTFZ160BK Tall Freestanding Upright Freezer
Best For Low Budgets
Cookology CTFZ160BK Freestanding Upright Freezer
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2 Beko - FFP1671W Frost Free Upright Freezer
Best Overall
Beko FFP1671W Frost Free Upright Freezer
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3 Haier - H2F-255WSAA Freestanding Upright Freezer Haier H2F-255WSAA Freestanding Upright Freezer
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4 Fridgemaster - MTZ55153 153 Litre Freestanding Upright Freezer Fridgemaster MTZ55153 Freestanding Upright Freezer
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5
Best For Higher Budgets
5Samsung Frost Free Upright Freezer
Samsung - RR7000M RZ32M7120SA Frost Free Upright Freezer
Best For Higher Budgets
Samsung Frost Free Upright Freezer
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6 INDESIT - UI6F1TW 167cm Tall Freestanding Upright Freezer INDESIT UI6F1TW Freestanding Upright Freezer
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1. Cookology CTFZ160BK Freestanding Upright Freezer

Highlights
  • 153 litre capacity
  • Quiet operation
  • 3 drawers & 2 swing door compartments
  • A+ energy rating
Best For Low Budgets
Cookology - CTFZ160BK Tall Freestanding Upright Freezer

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

Size:
142 x 55 x 60 cm

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

Highlights
  • 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
Best Overall
Beko - FFP1671W Frost Free Upright Freezer

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

Size:
171 x 60 x 65 cm
Weight:
87 kg

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

Highlights
  • 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

Size:
186.5 x 60 x 64 cm
Weight:
69 kg

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

Highlights
  • 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

Size:
143.4 x 55 x 54.2 cm
Weight:
42 kg

Pros

  • Reversible door
  • Sleek appearance
  • A+ energy rating
  • 2 year warranty

Cons

  • Manual defrost
  • No temperature alert

5. Samsung Frost Free Upright Freezer

Highlights
  • 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
Best For Higher Budgets
Samsung - RR7000M RZ32M7120SA Frost Free Upright Freezer

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

Size:
185.3 x 59.5 x 69.4 cm
Weight:
86 kg

Pros

  • Fast freeze function
  • LED interior light
  • Frost free model
  • Reversible door

Cons

  • Premium price
  • Short power cable

6. INDESIT UI6F1TW Freestanding Upright Freezer

Highlights
  • 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

Size:
167 x 59.5 x 64.5 cm
Weight:
63 kg

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

Q: Which upright freezer is the best?
A:

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
Q: What is the best temperature for an upright freezer?
A:

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.

Q: What is the best way to defrost an upright freezer?
A:

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.

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