Freezers

Both upright and chest freezers are designed to keep food frozen safely, but the way they store and organise items can suit very different homes and would usually determine which would be better for your own household.

Upright freezers share the same design as a fridge and open in the same way, usually including shelves or drawers that make it easier to organise frozen food and quickly grab items you use often. Their vertical design takes up less floor space, which makes them a practical choice for kitchens, laundries, or homes where accessibility and organisation are a priority.

Chest freezers open from the top and provide a large, open storage cavity that’s ideal for bulk buying or storing larger items. Because cold air stays inside when the lid is opened, chest freezers are generally more energy efficient and work well in garages or storage areas where space allows and frequent access isn’t as important.

If you’re deciding between the two, upright freezers suit more frequent everyday use and easy organisation, while chest freezers are better for long-term storage and maximising capacity.

The right freezer size depends on how many people you’re shopping for, how often you buy frozen food and whether the freezer is for everyday use or long-term storage. Choosing a size that suits your needs helps you avoid wasted space while keeping running costs down.

For smaller households or occasional use, compact small freezers & bar freezers are a recommended options. These are well suited to apartments, small kitchens or as a backup freezer when your fridge freezer isn’t quite enough.

Medium-sized freezers (around 150 - 350 litres) are more suited for families, especially those who regularly buy and store frozen bulky meats and groceries like ice creams and veggies or those who like to freeze meal preps, to have for lunches and dinners. They offer enough capacity for weekly or fortnightly shopping without taking up excessive space.

If you buy in bulk, store large items and want long-term frozen storage, larger freezers (350+ litres) are right up your alley. These big units are commonly used in garages or storage areas and are the most popular in chest freezer designs, which maximise usable capacity.

As a general rule, it’s best to choose a freezer that matches your typical usage. A freezer that’s too large for what you need can waste energy, while one that’s too small may fill up quickly and limit how much you can store.

Energy efficiency should really be a deciding factor for you when choosing a freezer, especially since it runs all day, every day. Thankfully modern freezers are designed with keep running costs relatively low in mind and is especially important when you choose the right type and size for your needs.

Chest freezers are generally more energy efficient because when the lid is opened, the cold air tends to stay enclosed inside. This makes them better for long-term storage and bulk freezing, particularly in garages or storage areas where the freezer isn’t opened frequently. Perfect for those massive tubs of ice cream & boxes of meats from the butcher, come holiday season.

Upright freezers are more designed for convenience and more frequent use, where many newer models offer strong energy ratings while making it easier to organise and access food. Choosing an upright freezer that suits your household size helps avoid wasted energy from unused space.

You’ll also see frost-free freezers, which automatically prevent ice build-up. Frost Free models mean you don’t have to defrost your freezer every couple of months, which involves emptying the freezer entirely and draining the water, leaving you with constant frozen goods, plenty of usable space (not taken up by extra frost) and less chance of wasting food.

When comparing freezers of a similar size and type, checking the energy rating label can help you understand ongoing running costs and choose a model that balances efficiency with everyday convenience, such as our range of most efficient freezers.

Freezers are alot more flexible than what people may expect, but getting the best performance out of them can simply come down to where you place them in the home. The best place for your freezer will depend on its size, design and how often you plan to use it.

Kitchens and laundries are common spaces for upright and underbench freezers, since they offer the most convenient daily access to your frozen goods. These spaces work well when you know you plan on using the freezer quite frequently.

Garages and storage areas are better for chest freezers and larger upright models, especially if you use your freezer mainly for bulk storage and don’t plan on opening it frequently. Many freezers are designed to handle garage conditions, but to be safe, check the manufacturers manual / recommendations - if a freezer isn’t designed to go into certain spaces / environments, manufacturers will normally make note of it for you to be aware of - this is the same for spacing around the freezer, for ventilation.

For apartments, small homes or offices, compact and bar freezers are usually the go-to options. Their smaller size and footprint makes them easy to place under benches or in tight spaces without disrupting your layout.

Wherever you plan to place your freezer, allowing adequate ventilation around the appliance helps maintain efficient performance and prolong its lifespan.