Which freezer brand is most reliable?

We investigated the performance and reliability of some of the biggest freezer brands – including Hisense, Logik and Samsung – to see which ones are the most reliable. 

In our unique large-appliance survey, we asked 3,427 Which? members and members of the public if they are happy with their freezer and whether they’ve experienced problems. You can find out here which brands are worth the money.

Which models come out on top? Head to our best freezers page to find out

Which freezer brands develop the fewest faults?

This table summarises how quickly freezer brands develop faults, based on freezers bought in the past seven years. 

As you can see, freezer brands vary on when they develop faults – it might surprise you where popular brands such as LG, Candy and John Lewis are placed.

Our survey data also takes into account whether the freezer needed to be repaired or replaced as a result of the fault.

Only logged-in Which? members can see the full results of our freezer brand reliability survey. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Browse all our freezer reviews to find the right brand and model for your home

Which freezer brands do owners recommend?

As well as faults, our survey data also revealed which freezer brands owners feel happy with, and which they’d recommend.

These results are shown as each brand’s customer score, and is based on freezers bought in the past seven years.

Only logged-in Which? members can see the full results of our survey. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Looking for a bigger freezer? Head to our guide to the best chest freezers

The 3 most common freezer faults

1. Broke down (20% of all faults)

No matter how fancy our appliances are, sometimes they just break and it can be hard to figure out why. According to our survey, half of people who experience a freezer breakdown report that it renders the freezer unusable.

If your freezer is out of power, try to keep the door shut as much as possible and keep an eye on the internal temperature. Call an appliance repair expert to come and take a look at it.

2. Ice build-up in frost-free freezer (17%)

This common issue can sometimes be caused by a torn or warped door seal, which lets warm air into the freezer. Replacement seals are widely available and it's a relatively simple problem to fix.

Unfortunately it can also be caused by an issue with a more complex part, such as the defrost heater. Replacing this is much more expensive and requires the help of a professional.

Discover how to defrost your freezer in 7 easy steps

3. Freezer not maintaining correct temperature (8%)

There are several reasons why a freezer might not be maintaining the correct temperature. Some issues more easily fixed than others.

If your freezer isn't staying cold, there are a few simple things to check to try to fix the problem.

First, find the evaporator fan inside the freezer and make sure that nothing is impeding it. If it’s blocked up, move things around and give it space to work. It could even be a build-up of ice preventing it from moving freely.

You should also look at the condenser coils at the back of the appliance. A build-up of dust on these can prevent the freezer from cooling properly. A good clean might help them to work more efficiently, which could remedy the issue.

If those simple checks don’t solve the problem, you’ll have some more complex investigations on your hands. Issues with the compressor, thermostat or refrigerant gas are just some of the areas that could be to blame. Unless you have the tools and the know-how, it’s probably time to call an engineer.

How easy is it to repair a freezer?

Freezers are large, expensive and complex appliances. You might want have a go at repairing minor issues, but leave the larger stuff to the professionals.

Issues such as ice build-up can usually be sorted by replacing the seal on the door and defrosting the freezer before replacing your food. Likewise, you'll probably be able to replace any broken lightbulbs or things of that nature yourself.

But bigger issues, such as control panels not working, broken doors and hinges, or a sudden breakdown are best dealt with by an appliance engineer.

Search Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable appliance repair service near you:

Time for a new appliance? Get rid of your old one responsibly with help from our guides to disposing of a fridge freezer and recycling electrical items.

Which freezer brands offer the best guarantees?

Most freezer brands offer product guarantees of one or two years as standard. Some will cover the full operation and service of the freezer, while others may just cover the parts, so it's important to read the terms and conditions.

Some may also have a shorter warranty as standard, with the option to extend it for a fee. Many will provide cover for up to 10 years.

We've spotlighted a few manufacturers' warranties to help you see what's on offer:

• John Lewis includes a two-year warranty on all large domestic appliances it sells, and a three-year guarantee on John Lewis & Partners own-brand large appliances. 
• Beko freezer owners can extended the warranty from one to two years by registering online. Beko large appliances come with a 10-year Beko Parts Guarantee.
• Haier offers a two-year guarantee as standard, with 24 months of call-out, parts and labour on all home appliances.
• Liebherr provides a two-year service and operational guarantee.

Faulty product? How to get a refund, repair or replacement

How we discover the most reliable freezer brands

Which? has a wealth of information on Britain's favourite brands. Every year we ask consumers to tell us about the home appliances they own – from how likely they would be to recommend a brand, to how reliable the products are once they get them home.

This year, 10,249 Which? Connect Panel members and members of the public told us about more than 33,000 individual products, from freezers to washing machines and vacuum cleaners. We calculate each brand's customer score, fault rate and reliability rating using the results of our annual survey.

Our surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best freezer to buy.

For more on what it takes to be a Best Buy, head to our how we test freezers guide