Best energy efficient fridge freezers for 2023

Fridge freezers use electricity 24 hours a day, so if you need to replace yours, it makes sense to buy one that's as efficient as possible. Use our recommendations to buy the best energy efficient fridge freezer for your budget.

Here we reveal our pick of some the most energy efficient fridge freezers we've tested – including top freestanding and American-style models.

Not only are these models very economical to run compared with others of a similar type and size, they are also decent when it comes to our tough chilling and freezing tests, so you can be confident that you're getting the best combination of price and performance. 

Check out our list of the best fridge freezers to help keep your food fresher for longer.

Best energy efficient fridge freezers

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Looking for more efficient refrigeration appliances? See our guide to the best energy efficient fridges and best energy efficient freezers.

Fridge freezer energy labels

Every fridge freezer has an energy label that provides information about the appliance you've bought. Read on as we decode what all the signs, symbols and figures on the label actually mean:

Energy efficiency rating

Fridge freezers are tested for how much energy they use during typical use. They're then given a rating on a scale of A to G, with A being the most efficient product, and G being the least efficient.

QR code for more product information

Hover your smartphone camera over the QR code on the energy label to access the specific product page on EPREL (the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling) database, where you can access further information about the product.

Energy consumption

The annual energy consumption is now shown in kWh per year for refrigeration appliances. 

Volumes

This is the total volume in litres of all the chilled and frozen compartments in your fridge freezer, based on the total volume stated by the manufacturer.

Noise

The noise level of the appliance is shown in decibels and then rated on a scale of A to D, with A being the quietest.

Energy labels help, but to see which models make the grade as the best – and the worst – on the market, head to our fridge freezer reviews.

How much do fridge freezers cost to run?

Although fridge freezer energy labels give an indication of which ones are the cheapest to run, our in-depth testing has found that even models that have the same energy label can cost different amounts over the course of a year.

When we test fridge freezers, we measure how much energy they use to keep cool, as well as the amount they use when chilling and freezing fresh items, and we calculate how much they're likely to add to your yearly electricity bills – so you can factor in that cost when you're buying one. 

Even if you're not a Which? member, you can visit our fridge freezer reviews to see the annual running costs of every fridge freezer we've tested. Alternatively, search our running costs tool for your model.  

Large fridge freezers can be more expensive to run than smaller ones. See our guide to American fridge freezer running costs.

Where have all the A-rated fridge freezers gone?

If you've been shopping for a new appliance recently, you may be wondering where all the A-rated fridge freezers have gone. A couple of years ago, shops were awash with appliances with energy ratings of A+, A++ and even A+++, and now there are barely any.

That's because on 1 March 2021 a new energy label came into force, which replaced the confusing A+, A++ and A+++ ratings and reset the scale back to A to G. The change was intended to reinvigorate the sustainability race for manufacturers by completely emptying the top A-rating category to leave room for improvement.

On the updated scale, fridges and fridge freezers that previously had the most efficient A+++ rating are now rated D. 

For this reason, unless you’re after an integrated or American-style model, or one with a low upfront price, we recommend you look for a fridge freezer rated D or above.

Only a handful of fridge freezers have been released with a C or B rating, but Samsung and LG have already managed to bring out models rated A on the new scale. You'll pay a premium for them, though.

A-rated fridge freezers we've tested

Samsung RL38A776ASR freestanding fridge freezer

This Samsung fridge freezer was one of the first to receive an A rating for energy efficiency under the new labelling system, so it should be economical to run.

Samsung says its SpaceMax walls are thinner than standard fridge freezers, so there’s more room inside for your food.

Read our Samsung RL38A776ASR review to get the full picture on this pricey fridge freezer.

LG GBB92MCBAP freestanding fridge freezer

The LG GBB92MCBAP freestanding fridge freezer is the first A-rated fridge freezer from LG, under the new energy labelling scheme.

LG says its precise temperature technology will help keep food fresh and that its ‘DoorCooling+ technology’ means an even temperature inside.

Read our full LG GBB92MCBAP review to find out how it did in our tests.

Fridge freezer efficiency tips

Whether your fridge is old or new, these quick tips will help to ensure it's running as efficiently as possible.

• Don’t leave the door open for longer than necessary, or the fridge freezer will be filled with warm air and have to work to cool down again.
• Avoid putting warm food in your freezer – let it cool down first.
• Keep your fridge freezer at least three quarters full – don’t overfill, though, or you’ll stop air from circulating around the compartments, and the appliance will use more energy to keep cold.
• Don't let ice build up - defrosting your fridge freezer can help to improve its efficiency. Thick blocks of ice can limit your appliance's effectiveness at keeping your food at a specific temperature. 
• Clean the condenser coils - Dust on the coils behind your fridge freezer can prevent it from cooling properly, by as much as 25% if it's particularly thick.

See 10 ways to save on your energy bills for advice on reducing your energy consumption.

What is an Eco Buy fridge freezer?

If you want to make the most sustainable choice when next buying a fridge freezer, an Eco Buy is for you. 

Eco Buy fridge freezers will have a lower impact on the environment over their lifetimes than other fridge freezers. 

We calculate this in two ways: how reliable and therefore long-lasting it's likely to be, so you don't have to repair or replace it as often, and how energy efficient it is. 

To become an Eco Buy, a fridge freezer must: 

• have a total test score of at least 70% 
• be rated five stars for energy efficiency 
• have four stars or more for chilling and freezing power 
• come from a brand that gets a good longevity rating in our annual consumer surveys. 

Only between 5% and 10% of fridge freezers are sustainable enough to be Eco Buys. To find out which qualify, head to our fridge freezer reviews and use the Eco Buy filter.

Read our advice on how to dispose of or recycle a fridge freezer.