Kenmore 16542

*Est. $425
Reviewed
December 2010
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Kenmore 16542

Midsize chest freezer

Pros
  • Good performance
  • Energy efficient
  • Interior light
Cons
  • Lock can be opened without key
  • Somewhat noisy
  • Must be manually defrosted
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 
 

The Kenmore 16542 offers 14.8 cubic feet of storage (enough room to meet the needs of most families), interior and power-on lights, two lift-out baskets and a keyed lock. It is Energy Star-compliant and uses about 357 kWh of electricity per year. Although this specific model is not included in the professional reviews we found, the nearly identical Kenmore 16552 (now discontinued) was a top performer in tests. User reviews for this model are very positive overall, though we did read one report that the lock can be opened without a key and won't prevent theft. If you don't need a freezer this large, the 8.8-cubic-foot Kenmore 16922 (*Est. $290) performs just as well but is slightly less energy-efficient.

ConsumerReports.org includes the older Kenmore 16552 in its most recent roundup of freezers. This model is very similar to the 16542. We also found user reviews for the Kenmore 16542 at Sears.com and reviews for Kenmore chest freezers in general at Viewpoints.com.

Where To Buy
 
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

Editors subject 22 upright and chest freezers to extensive tests, rating each on temperature performance, noise and energy efficiency. The Kenmore 16552, a discontinued freezer that is almost identical to the 16542, is included.

Review: Freezers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Sept. 2009

2. Sears.com

About 30 users review the Kenmore 16542 on Sears.com, where the freezer receives a high average rating (4 stars out of 5). Almost every user says the freezer works great and the dividing compartments provide optimal organization. One owner reports that the freezer's lock can easily be picked with a pencil.

Review: Kenmore White 14.8 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer Energy Star, Contributors to Sears.com

3. Viewpoints.com

More than a dozen owner reviews at Viewpoints.com give Kenmore chest freezers an average rating of about 4.5 stars out of 5. While many of the reviews here are quite lengthy, it's not always clear which models users are talking about. However, users seem very pleased with the Kenmore brand overall.

Review: Kenmore Freezer Chest Reviews, Contributors to Viewpoints.com

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