Best fridge freezers 2023: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

The best fridge freezers maximise the freshness and lifespan of your food without pushing up your energy bills or being a hassle to live with.

Our independent lab tests rate freestanding, integrated and American-style fridge freezers and all their latest functions – and give you the real running costs. We don't just rely on what the manufacturers tell us.

Go to our fridge freezer reviews to see all the models we've tested.

Best fridge freezers for 2023

These are the current top Best Buy fridge freezers we've tested of the three main types – freestanding, American-style and integrated – plus our pick of the cheapest and energy-saving models.

To see more Best Buys in each category, just follow the links.

Which? members can log in to see our recommendations. If you're not a member, join Which? to unlock the table and gain instant access to all our product reviews

Best freestanding fridge freezer

Use the Best Buy filter on our freestanding fridge freezer reviews to see more top picks.

Best American fridge freezer

Head to Best American fridge freezers to see more top-performing models.

Best integrated fridge freezer

See Best integrated fridge freezers for more models we recommend.

Best cheap fridge freezer

For more budget-friendly models, see Best cheap fridge freezers.

Best energy efficient fridge freezer

 See the models we recommend in Best energy efficient fridge freezers. 

Video: how to buy the best fridge freezer

Watch our video for tips on choosing your next fridge freezer.

Fridge freezer types explained

A quick lowdown on the pros and cons of fridge freezer types: freestanding, integrated or American-style.

Freestanding fridge freezers

Freestanding fridge freezers can be placed anywhere, so are suitable for most homes and situations. They're usually 60cm wide but slimmer models are available.

Pros:

• Usually the lowest-priced type
• Lots of choice of models, colours and finishes
• Easier to install and move if you redesign your kitchen or move house
• Typically more energy-efficient than integrated models
• Less hassle when it comes to servicing and maintenance

Cons:

• Can spoil the look of your space, especially if you have an open-plan living area

See our freestanding fridge freezer reviews.

Integrated fridge freezers

Integrated fridge freezers are hidden behind cupboard doors, so can more easily be matched to the design of your kitchen.

Pros:

• Ideal if you you like a sleek, uncluttered look with no appliances on view
• Slimmer than freestanding models and won't protrude into your kitchen

Cons:

• Tend to be smaller than freestanding models, so you won't get as much storage space
• Fewer models to choose from, compared to freestanding fridge freezers
• More expensive to buy than freestanding fridge freezers and tend to use more energy, so running costs are higher
• Trickier to install and not as easy to move if you fancy a change or are moving house
• More awkward to repair and maintain due to inaccessibility

See our integrated fridge freezer reviews.

American-style fridge freezers

American-style fridge freezers (also known as side-by-side or just American models) are wider and deeper than freestanding or integrated fridge freezers and always have at least one set of double doors.

Pros

• Offer more storage space for fresh and frozen food than regular fridge freezers
• Useful features, such as a frost-free freezer, door alarms and a fast-freeze function, often come as standard
• Lots of fridge shelves and racks for storing items of all shapes and sizes
• Many come with water dispensers and ice makers
• Some, such as the Samsung Family Hub, have tech that's unavailable on freestanding or integrated models

Cons

• Pricey to buy and expensive to run, compared to regular freestanding models
• Take up a lot of space and may be too big for your kitchen
• Water dispensers that offer unlimited chilled water have to be plumbed into the mains water supply. Alternative water dispensers have refillable jugs, but you’ll have to keep topping them up
• Tend to have fewer freezer drawers than conventional freezers

See our American-style fridge freezer reviews.

Best fridge freezer features to consider

Fridge freezer features make your life easier and preserve your food better but they can increase the model price.

The following are worth looking out for:

• Frost-free freezer One of the most important features. You’ll save hours of time and a lot of mess by never having to defrost your freezer. See all our frost-free fridge freezer reviews.
• Door alarm This sounds whenever you leave the door open, so you won't ever wake up to find a pool of water and thawed food. If yours doesn't have one, you can buy a small standalone device that sits in your fridge and makes a noise when the fridge door is open. 
• Water and ice dispenser These come with most American-style fridge freezers if you want chilled water and ice at the touch of a button. But check whether you're getting a model you refill yourself or one that needs plumbing in.

Visit fridge freezer features explained to read more about these and other features.

Fridge freezer sizes

Before buying, check the external dimensions and internal volume.

External dimensions

Carefully measure the space in your kitchen before buying a new fridge freezer. 

As neat as a snug fit looks, remember that you often need to allow for additional space at the back of the appliance, and sometimes the sides as well. This space is important, as it can help prevent the fridge freezer from overheating.

Internal storage volume

Before you start comparing fridge freezer storage volumes, bear in mind that manufacturers typically calculate this with all the shelves, drawers and door racks taken out. 

When we test fridge freezers, we leave everything inside and measure the space you can actually use to store food.

Manufacturer's storage measurements vs Which? test results

The table below shows the differences in measurement (%) between manufacturers' claims and our own test results.

It demonstrates why you might find that your fridge freezer is less spacious than you think. 

The differences between our measurements and manufacturers’ can be huge – the worst differ by more than 35%. Even fridge freezers with the same external dimensions can hold different quantities of food.

How much do fridge freezers cost to run? 

Your fridge freezer is plugged in and running 24/7, so it's vital to get an energy efficient model

Running costs can vary from just under £50 a year to more than £210 per year, depending on the type and size of model. On average, a freestanding fridge freezer will cost around £98 per year, while a large American-style fridge freezer will cost around £142.

When we test fridge freezers, we measure how much energy they use to keep cool, as well as how much energy it takes to chill and freeze fresh items, so you can work out how much extra the appliance is likely to add to your bills before you buy. 

We've pulled this information together into a handy fridge freezer running costs tool, so you can check the model you're interested in before you buy.  

A lot of a fridge freezer's environmental impact comes from it being on all day, every day.

An energy efficient model is a great way to reduce your environmental impact, and save you money. But not all energy-efficient fridge freezers are good chillers, and some are from brands that develop faults more quickly than average.

That's why we've started recommending Eco Buy fridge freezers. We've chosen our Eco Buys because they balance good chilling and freezing performance with energy efficiency and brand reliability. To find the most sustainable models, go to our fridge freezer reviews and use the filter for Eco Buys.

See all our recommendations for the best energy efficient fridge freezers. 

How much should I pay for a fridge freezer?

The average price of all the fridge freezers we've reviewed is a fairly hefty £800, but you don't have to spend anything like that to get a great one.

Fridge freezer prices: Best Buys vs Don't Buys vs Eco Buys

Our table shows that all the models good enough to be Best Buys cost at least £400. 

There are currently none good enough to be Eco Buys that cost less than £700. We want to see more manufacturers producing models that are kind to the planet and kind to your wallet, so that environmentally friendly fridge freezers aren't reserved for those with bigger budgets. 

There are plenty of Don't Buys in the £400 or less price bracket, so you need to pick carefully if you're after a cheap fridge freezer.

Paying more can also unlock premium features, such as a super-sleek black steel finish and multi-temperature zones.

The integrated or American models we've seen tend to cost more than freestanding models, so you'll need to spend more if you have your eye on one of those.

Is it worth repairing an old fridge freezer?

This will depend on how old your fridge freezer is and what's wrong with it. When we surveyed fridge freezer owners about faults, the most common issues reported were cracked or broken drawers, blocked drains and outlets, and a build-up of ice in the fridge or freezer compartment. 

These type of issues can sometimes be rectified without needing to call in the experts. Read our news story on common fridge freezer faults, or, if you're in any doubt, check your appliance's instruction manual for a troubleshooting guide.

For more catastrophic faults, such as a broken compressor, which isn't as easily or as cheaply fixed, you may need to speak to the experts, check your warranty or make a call on whether it's actually worth repairing or not. If it's really broken, you may be better off investing in a newer, more energy-efficient fridge freezer.

Appliance beyond repair? Find out How to dispose of or recycle a fridge freezer. 

Fridge freezers for garages

Every fridge freezer has a climate class, which tells you the range of room temperatures it’s designed to work in. 

In the UK, models have a climate class beginning with either SN or N, meaning they're designed for room temperatures as low as 10°C or 16°C respectively.

Unless the manufacturer says otherwise, using a fridge freezer outside its designated range could damage it and invalidate your warranty – which is why you'll struggle to find ones suitable for your garage.

Regardless of climate class, we test every fridge freezer in room temperatures as high as 32°C and as low as 10°C, as this is how hot and cold it can get in your kitchen at different times of year.

The worst models struggle to maintain a safe and stable temperature in these conditions, potentially reducing the lifespan of your food.

Want a freezer for your garage instead? See our guide to the best freezers and chest freezers for garages.