Which fridge freezer brand is the most reliable?

We investigated the performance and reliability of some of the most popular fridge freezer brands including Bosch, LG and Samsung.

In our unique large-appliance survey, we ask more than 4,500 Which? members and members of the public if they’re happy with their fridge freezer and if they’ve experienced problems, so you can see which brands are worth the money. 

Head to our round-up of the best fridge freezers to help you decide what model you need

Which fridge freezer brands develop the fewest faults?

This table summarises what we found about how quickly fridge freezer brands develop faults or break down, based on fridge freezers bought in the past seven years.

Only logged-in Which? members can see the full results of our brand reliability survey. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Looking for a fridge freezer with low running costs? See our guide to the best energy efficient fridge freezers

Which fridge freezer brands do owners recommend?

As well as faults, our survey also revealed which fridge freezer brands owners feel happy with – and which they’d recommend to a friend.

These results are shown as each brand’s customer score, and is based on fridge freezers bought in the past seven years.

Only logged-in Which? members can see the full results of our survey. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Already decided on a fridge freezer brand? Head to our fridge freezer reviews to find the model that suits your needs and budget

The three most common fridge freezer faults

Taking good care of your fridge freezer, including cleaning and defrosting it, can help to keep it in good working order. Nevertheless, faults do sometimes occur for no obvious reason.

Our survey of 4,712 fridge freezer owners revealed the three most common faults.

1. Broke down for no obvious reason (11% of all faults)

Perhaps the most frustrating problem of all. If you have no idea what's going on with your fridge freezer, our guide to common fridge freezer faults may be able to help.

2. Build-up of ice in the fridge (10%)

This common issue can sometimes be caused by a torn or warped door seal, which lets warm air into the fridge. Replacement seals are widely available, and it's a relatively simple problem to fix.

Unfortunately, it can also be caused by an issue with a more complex part, such as the defrost heater. Replacing that is much more expensive and requires the help of a professional.

3. Build-up of ice in the frost-free freezer (9%)

This issue can sometimes be caused by a torn or warped door seal, which lets warm air into the freezer. This creates condensation, which then leads to a build-up of frost. Replacement seals are widely available and it's a relatively simple problem to fix yourself.

Another simple check is to see if your thermostat is set too low. This can sometimes cause ice inside your freezer to build up.

Ice build-up can also be caused by a more complex issue, such as a problem with the thermostat. If this is the case, you'll need the help of a professional.

You can contact the manufacturer to help you diagnose and hopefully resolve the problem. Or use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable tradesperson in your area. 

To help keep it running at its best, find out how to defrost your fridge freezer

How easy is it to repair a fridge freezer?

Some issues can be rectified fairly easily. Read our guide to common fridge freezer faults and how to deal with them or, if in doubt, check your appliance's instruction manual for a troubleshooting guide.

For more serious faults, such as a broken compressor – which isn't as easily or as cheaply fixed – you may need to speak to the experts, check your warranty or make a call on whether it's actually worth repairing or not. 

If it's beyond repair, you may be better off investing in a newer, more energy efficient fridge freezer.

Which? cold appliances expert Fran Roberts-Thornton says:

Performing routine maintenance can help to keep your fridge freezer running smoothly. 

Our survey found that more than half of the fridge freezer owners surveyed had never cleaned the condenser coils on their appliance. A build-up of dust on the condenser coils can prevent them from cooling, which in turn prevents your fridge freezer from functioning properly.

If yours is beyond repair, find out how to dispose of or recycle a fridge freezer

Which fridge freezer brands offer the best guarantees?

Most fridge freezer brands offer product guarantees of one to two years as standard, but there are some that offer longer cover:

• Bosch – selected Bosch home appliances come with a five-year warranty.
• Ikea – most Ikea fridge freezers have a five-year guarantee as standard, although Lagan and Tillreda appliances have a two-year guarantee.
• John Lewis – a three-year guarantee is included.

Faulty product? Find out how to get a refund, repair or replacement

How we discover the most reliable brands

Which? has a wealth of information on the UK's favourite appliance brands. Every year, we ask Which? members to tell us about the home appliances they own – from how likely they would be to recommend a brand to how reliable the products are once they get them home.

This year, more than 3,800 Which? Connect Panel members and more than 5,500 members of the public told us about more than 27,850 individual products – including fridge freezers, washing machines and dishwashers. We calculate each brand's customer score, fault rate and reliability rating using the results of our annual survey.

Our surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best fridge freezers you should buy.

For more on what it takes to be a Best Buy, head to how we test fridge freezers