Factors in newer freezer designs, such as insulation thickness and size and type of compressor, can have an impact on efficiency.

When you’re comparing freezers, it’s worth comparing the energy use figures on the labels, the annual running costs from our test or checking the Energy Rating website which has a 10-year running cost calculator.

The fridge is one of the few household appliances that is always running. This means a loud one can become a major annoyance.

We trawled through our test data and analysed noise readings for household appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Fridges were the quietest, with an average running noise of 33dBA. That’s almost as quiet as a cat purring.

Our noise test is conducted while the fridge’s compressor is on and off, but not while it’s defrosting. Measurements are taken a metre away and up from the floor. While our noise measurements are objective (31dBA is 31dBA), how people perceive noise is subjective. This is why we don’t consider noise when scoring fridges.

Our members often ask why our noise readings don’t match those stated by the manufacturer. The answer is they were measured in different conditions. When we test noise, we want our results to be directly comparable. This means all models are tested in the same lab and under the same conditions. This won’t be the same as how a manufacturer measures noise. Only compare noise readings of models we have tested.

White noise

The decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear so a sound difference of 10dBA will sound like double the sound. This means a 30dBA fridge will sound twice as loud as a 20dBA model, while a 40dBA fridge will sound four times louder. Most people will only notice a difference of 5dBA or greater, so two fridges with noise readings 3dBA apart will sound about the same.

• 30dBA – Fridges (equivalent to a whisper)
• 40dBA – Dishwashers (equivalent to running water)
• 50dBA – Clothes dryers and dehumidifiers (equivalent to moderate rainfall)
• 60dBA – Washing machines (equivalent to normal conversation/TV)
• 70dBA – Vacuum cleaners (equivalent to a dull roar)

The design and layout of your home also affects how noisy you’ll find a fridge. Sound waves are dispersed by objects, which will muffle the sound. This means open-plan areas do little to minimise a fridge’s noise. A fridge with walls or cabinetry at its back and sides will also be quieter as these help deflect the sound.

We asked our members about their freezers to find out which brand is most reliable.

To see which brands are best, become a paying Consumer member or log in.