Freezers: Expert and User Reviews

The editors of ConsumerReports.org evaluated dozens of stand-alone freezers, including self-defrosting uprights, manual-defrost uprights and chest freezers. Each freezer is rated for temperature control, energy efficiency, noise level and ease of use. Some of the freezers have been lab-tested, while a few are rated on their similarity to the tested models.

Reviewed.com conducts thorough reviews of a number of freezers. Each is ranked on a scale to 10; some also earn Editor's Choice or Best of Year honors as well. Testing is exceptionally well documented. The site looks to factors such as design, usability, performance, and features to name top choices. Value, though not apparently spelled out, also looks to be a factor. This site is continually updated, although older reviews are not removed, which makes it a good resource for those who may be shopping at appliance clearance outlets.

HomeDepot.com boasts an impressive amount of user feedback for freezers; quite a few models receive hundreds or even thousands of reviews. Some are imported from the manufacturer's website, but plenty are unique to HomeDepot.com. Reviews are broken down by features, energy efficiency, quality and value; reviewers can also say if they would recommend the freezer.

As with HomeDepot.com, some of the freezer reviews from Lowes.com are imported from the manufacturer's website, others are unique to Lowes. Reviews here are broken down by features, value, design and quality and reviewers, again, can say if they would recommend the freezer to a friend. Noteworthy freezers receive an average rating of at least 4 stars from at least 10 users.

BestBuy.com carries a good selection of freezers and some of their freezers get hundreds of reviews. Best of all, all of their reviews are original to BestBuy.com. Reviews tend to be very targeted and helpful, and owners can say if they would recommend the freezer to a friend. In some cases, reviews are reposted from the manufacturer website; but you can choose whether to view those reviews or not.

Although it doesn't have the same volume as HomeDepot.com in this category, Amazon.com is a good source of reviews that come straight from the owner and are unique to the site. Some of the more popular freezers receive more than a hundred user reviews and, as usual, customers are eager to tell it exactly how it is. This is also a good source for discovering how freezers perform over time as plenty of owners are eager to come back to their original review to offer an update.