Freezers: Expert and User Reviews

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

Reviewed conducts thorough reviews of a number of freezers. The editors are meticulous about documenting their testing process, which is based on factors such as design, usability, performance and features. Value, though not specifically spelled out, also looks to be a factor.

Home Depot boasts an impressive amount of user feedback for freezers. Some are imported from the manufacturer's website, but plenty are unique to Home Depot. Reviews are broken down by features, energy efficiency, quality and value; reviewers can also say if they would recommend the freezer.

As with Home Depot, some of the freezer reviews from Lowe's are imported from the manufacturer's website, while others are unique to Lowe's. 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.

Best Buy carries a good selection of freezers, and their reviews tend to be very targeted and helpful. Owners can also 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 other sites in this category, Amazon is a good source of reviews that come straight from the owner and are unique to the site. Amazon customers are especially eager to tell it exactly how it is, and some of them update their original reviews with notes on how the freezer has performed over time.