Are you limited for space in your kitchen? I’ve certainly lived in my fair share of small flats over the years. It can be really tricky to store fresh food with limited storage. While I’m sure everyone would love a massive kitchen, we don’t all have that luxury.
It takes some clever planning and some effective use of space to get the job done. When you have to use all the space you’ve got, an under counter freezer is the ideal solution.
Under counter freezers are a kind of upright freezer, designed to fit under your kitchen counter. While they’re certainly not a tall freezer, they’re roughly the same size as the lower half of a fridge freezer.
I’ve reviewed some of the best under counter freezers currently available in the UK. In addition to covering their key features, I’ve also listed the pros and cons of each model so you can make an informed decision.
You can go straight to the product page for any of the freezers listed in the top 5 below by clicking on the appropriate link.
Let’s start by looking at my top choice – the Bosch Serie 2 Under Counter Freezer.
Top 5 Best Under Counter Freezers
- Top Choice – Bosch Serie 2 GTV15NW3AG Under Counter Freezer
- Runner Up – Hoover HVTU542WHK Under Counter Freezer
- Best Integrated – Candy CFU135NEK Integrated Under Counter Freezer with Fixed Door Fixing Kit
- Best Frost Free – Beko UFF584APW Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
- Best Budget – Fridgemaster MUZ4965M Under Counter Freezer
1. Top Choice – Bosch Serie 2 GTV15NW3AG Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £21.87
Pros:
- A++ energy rating
- Transparent drawers
- Reversible door
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
My top choice is the Bosch Serie 2 Under Counter Freezer. Let’s take a look at some of its key features.
It has a capacity of 82 litres, giving you space enough for 4 bags of shopping. The transparent drawers to keep food organised and make it very easy to see what you have.
The reversible door is another very handy feature that allows you to fit the freezer into the layout of your kitchen without worrying about it clashing with the doors of any of your other appliances.
With a convenient thermostat dial on the front, it is easy to adjust how cold your freezer is.
You get a 2 year manufacturer warranty included with this model in addition to AO’s 100 day returns policy. You can opt for professional fitting as well as the removal of your old machine if you’re happy to pay extra.
2. Runner Up – Hoover HVTU542WHK Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £27.72
Pros:
- A+ energy rating
- Reversible door
- 4 compartments
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Fairly small capacity
This under counter freezer from Hoover would make a great choice for smaller households or as an addition to your regular fridge freezer.
Its 82 litre capacity is on the smaller side but still gives you enough space to store 4 bags worth of frozen food. For energy efficiency, it has an A+ rating so it’s very affordable to run and not too harmful to the environment.
The reversible door means you can place anywhere you want without worry of it getting in the way of other appliances. Since it’s a chest freezer, you will have to manually defrost it now and again to make sure it runs at its best.
You get a 1-year manufacturer guarantee with this model and it can be returned to the retailer within 100 days of purchase. Fitting and removal of your old freezer are available for an additional cost too.
3. Best Integrated – Candy CFU135NEK Integrated Under Counter Freezer with Fixed Door Fixing Kit
Annual cost to run: £28.18
Pros:
- A+ energy efficiency rating
- 95-litre capacity
- Reversible door
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Wouldn’t be suitable for every kitchen
This freezer has a very neat and compact design while still giving you enough space to store plenty of frozen food at one time.
It has a capacity of 95 litres, enough for 5 bags of shopping, so this would be good for small to medium households. The A+ energy rating makes it very energy efficient, so you don’t have to worry about high running costs or the negative impact on the environment.
You can choose which side you want the door to open on too, which makes this great for smaller kitchens where space is at a premium.
You get a 1-year manufacturer guarantee and can have it professionally fitted and your old freezer removed and recycled too.
4. Best Frost Free – Beko UFF584APW Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £29.71
Pros:
- A+ energy rating
- Fast freeze
- Frost free
- Freezer guard
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Small capacity
The Beko UFF584APW Frost Free Under Counter Freezer is my best frost free pick and has some excellent features that make it well worth considering
Being a frost-free model, you won’t have to worry about manually defrosting it since the air inside is circulated to prevent the build-up of ice. Fast freeze technology is another great feature of this freezer and ensures that any food you add to it is frozen quickly.
Freezer Guard technology allows this freezer to work in temperatures as low as -15 degrees, so if you plan to put this in a garage or other outbuilding, this won’t be an issue. You get 75 litres of space, enough room for 4 bags of shopping.
It comes with a 1-year manufacturer guarantee and 100-day returns from the retailer.
5. Best Budget – Fridgemaster MUZ4965M Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £25.56
Pros:
- A+ energy rating
- Manual temperature control
- Reversible door
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Very small capacity
If you’re on a tight budget, then the Fridgemaster MUZ4965M Under Counter Freezer could be the perfect choice for you.
Not only is the freezer very affordable to purchase initially but its A+ energy rating ensures that it’s very cheap to run and good for the environment. The 65-litre capacity is admittedly very small so this would be best suited to a small household or as an addition to your main fridge freezer.
The reversible door means you can choose where to put this and don’t have the concern of it getting in the way of other appliances. Manual temperature control is another very handy feature that lets you set whatever temperature you need depending on the type of food you’re freezing.
It comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty and 100 days return policy. Professional fitting and disconnection/removal of your old machine are also available.
Under Counter Freezer Buying Guide
Integrated vs Free Standing
An integrated under counter freezer comes with the benefit of blending in seamlessly with the rest of the decor in your kitchen since it’s hidden behind a cupboard door.
A freestanding under counter freezer can be placed anywhere but it won’t have any covering, so you might want to get one that matches the look of your kitchen as it is. Freestanding freezers don’t even need to be stored under kitchen worktops. Their versatility allows them to even be placed under a regular tabletop or even on their own.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is another important thing to consider. Because of their smaller size, most under-counter freezers have good energy efficiency, making them cheap to run and good for the environment.
When choosing a freezer, it’s usually best to go for models that are A+ rated or higher.
Capacity
The freezer capacity is always going to be a big consideration. It’s always worth fitting as much storage capacity into the space you have available.
The external size of under counter freezers can vary quite a bit, so be sure to make the most of how much storage space you have. Most models will have shelves and racks to help keep your food organised too.
It is always worthwhile making sure you have plenty of space so you don’t have to sacrifice the ice cream to fit everything in.
Dimensions
The dimensions of an under counter freezer are vital to know before making a purchase since you’ll need to know if you can fit it in your kitchen. When measuring the space you have available, be sure to measure for depth as well as height and width.
You should also think about whether the door will interfere with any of your other appliances when opened. A lot of freezers have reversible doors to eliminate this problem.
Noise Level
Both fridges and freezers alike will make some noise. From funny gurgles to a constant hum, a little bit of noise is just part of how making things cold works.
For some, a noisy freezer might not be an issue at all, although some people have their living room and kitchen in the same room. I’ve certainly lived with this myself. In these cases, you absolutely want to make sure the freezer has a low noise level.
Features
Under counter freezers don’t tend to be as fully featured as fridge freezers but there are still plenty of models that come with a range of features that are very handy.
Some key features to look out for when buying an under counter freezer include –
- Frost-free (no-frost) technology
- Fast freezing
- Manual temperature control
- Reversible door
- Ice cube dispenser
F.A.Qs
Are frost-free freezers any good?
Generally, frost-free freezers are good for storing frozen food. Some people have concerns about whether food will stay fresh because of how the freezers remove frost (periodically raising the temperature throughout the day) but this usually isn’t an issue.
Do frost free freezers cost more to run?
All things being equal, when compared to freezers that need to be manually defrosted, frost-free freezers use more energy and therefore cost more to run. However, the extra cost usually isn’t prohibitively expensive.
Are freezers expensive to run?
How expensive a freezer is to run will depend mostly on its size and energy efficiency. If running costs are a concern, then it’s usually better to opt for a smaller model that’s A+ energy rated or better.
What is the difference between frost free and automatic defrost?
The difference between a frost free freezer and automatic defrost is in how they remove frost. Auto defrost is the more common feature of the two and gets rid of frost by simply melting it by raising the temperature inside the freezer and then draining the water.
A frost free freezer prevents frost build up by circulating the air inside.
What is the best way to extend the lifespan of a freezer?
In order to keep an under counter freezer functioning for a long time, you need to maintain it properly. This means making sure it’s kept in good conditions and also that you defrost it regularly if you don’t have a frost free or automatic defrost model.
Other Under Counter Fridge Freezer Reviews
Polar CD081 Frost Free Commercial Under Counter Freezer – Stainless Steel
Annual cost to run: £78.69
Pros:
- Good for commercial use
- Well insulated
- Sturdy shelves
- 2 year commercial warranty
Cons:
- Quite old fashioned looking
- Very expensive to run
If you’re looking for a freezer for commercial use, then the Polar CD081 is well worth considering.
It has a capacity of 78 litres, enough for 4 bags of shopping. It’s a frost free model, so it won’t need to be manually defrosted – always handy when you’re using it in a commercial setting and time is of the essence.
The shelves inside are very sturdy and great for keeping the food inside organised. Despite its A energy rating, this freezer is very costly to run, so that’s something to bear in mind.
You get a 2 year commercial warranty included and it can be returned to AO.com within 100 days if you’re unhappy for any reason.
Electra EFUZ48W Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £25.87
Pros:
- A+ energy rating
- Reversible door
- Very affordable
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Small capacity
If you’re looking for an under counter freezer that’s very affordable and cheap to run, then this offering from Electra is well worth considering.
Although the 63 litre capacity doesn’t give you a huge amount of space, it’s still enough to store 3 bags of food shopping and the small size means this freezer is very affordable to run over the course of a year.
It will need to be manually defrosted when required in order to keep it running at its best. The reversible door is great when you’re limited for space and don’t want to worry about it clashing with your other appliances.
You get a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer and professional connection and removal of your old freezer are available too.
Hisense FV105D4BC21 Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £21.71
Pros:
- A++ energy rating
- Reversible door
- Multiple drawers
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Reversible door is quite hard to fit
- Stainless steel won’t suit all kitchens
Another affordable under counter freezer that holds a decent amount of shopping and has some nice features. Let’s take a closer look
The 82 litre capacity gives you enough space for 4 bags of food shopping, so this would be great for smaller households or as an addition to a main fridge freezer. The reversible door means you can have it open from the right or left, depending on the layout of your kitchen.
It isn’t frost-free, so you will need to manually defrost every once in a while. The 3 included drawers make it very easy to keep your food well organised.
You get a generous 2 year warranty from the manufacturer as well as AO’s 100 day returns policy, so you can buy with full peace of mind.
Lec U5010W.1 Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £23.72
Pros:
- A+ energy rating
- Cheap to run
- Reversible door
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- On the more expensive side for its capacity
The Lec U5010W.1 Under Counter Freezer is up next. Let’s have a look at some of its key features.
The 70 litre capacity gives you enough space to store 3 bags of food shopping. While this is definitely on the smaller side, it does make it a very compact freezer that’s easy to fit in even the smallest kitchens.
It has an A++ energy rating, making it very cheap to run and great for the environment too. The reversible door means it’s very easy to put this where you want without fear of it interfering with any of your other appliances. You will need to manually defrost it when you notice a build up of ice to keep it running well.
You get a 1 year manufacturer warranty and it can be returned to AO within 100 days of purchase. If you want to have it professionally connected and your old machine removed, then this is available for an additional fee.
AEG ATB8101VNX Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
Annual cost to run: £28.95
Pros:
- A+ energy rating
- Frost free
- 4 freezer drawers
- Reversible door
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
Lastly, is the AEG ATB8101VNX Frost Free Under Counter Freezer. It has a lot of nice features that make it a great choice if you can afford the high initial cost. Let’s take a closer look.
The capacity of this freezer is 80 litres, which is enough to hold 4 bags of food shopping. It’s a frost free model, which means you won’t have to manually defrost since the air is well circulated to prevent ice build ups.
The 4 drawers make it very convenient to keep your food organised and the reversible door means you can choose which side it opens from. This is great for smaller kitchens where you’re limited for space.
You get a 2 year warranty from the manufacturer included and it can be returned to AO within 100 days of purchase. Professional installation and removal of your old freezer are also available if needed.
Final Thoughts
You should now have a much clearer idea of what to look for when buying an under counter freezer. It may seem like they’re all similar but it’s definitely worth considering the features of different models as well as the space you have available and your budget before making a final decision.
There are of course other brands like HotPoint, Indesit, Samsung, and Miele, but I think the choices here are some of the best under counter freezers available.
Nobody likes paying for the delivery of their new freezer either, so AO.com even have a free delivery option for deliveries within the UK.
Related Reading
Best Washing Machines For Every Budget 2020 – Under £200, £300, £500
Best Dishwashers UK Reviewed 2020 – An Expert Buyers Guide
Best Budget Fridge Freezer Under £300 UK 2020 – Cheap But Quality