The most common fridge freezer problems, from 1,736 verified buyers

1. The most common fridge freezer problem owners report: “Broke down or developed a fault”, raised in 21% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Noisy” (12%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Lots of room inside”, in 19% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 95% of verified buyers rated their fridge freezer 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; fridge freezers rank 9 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 3% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 33.
5. Across the 12 fridge freezers with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 85% to 100%.
6. Paying more did not disappoint more buyers: the pricier half of these fridge freezers had a median of 99% happy buyers, against 96% for the cheaper half (up to £649).
7. Owners agree with experts here: models whose expert reviews earned our “great choice” verdict had a median of 98% happy buyers, against 87% for “good with caveats”.
8. Buyers in the UK were the happiest (98% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the US and Canada the least (90%).

Share of the 94 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Broke down or developed a fault21%
   Came up on 7 models
2. 2. Noisy12%
   Came up on 4 models
3. 3. Slow support, repairs or spare parts7%
   Came up on 2 models
4. 4. Too small, too big or doesn't fit5%
   Came up on 3 models
5. 5. Didn't perform as well as hoped4%
   Came up on 3 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Broke down or developed a fault (21% of complaints)

   Faults usually show in the first weeks, so buy from a shop with an easy returns policy, register the guarantee and keep the receipt. A longer maker's guarantee is worth paying a little for.

2. 2. Noisy (12% of complaints)

   Every fridge hums and clicks a little. If it will sit in an open-plan room, look for a low noise figure (under about 38 dB) on its energy label.

3. 3. Slow support, repairs or spare parts (7% of complaints)

   Check how long the guarantee runs, whether the maker repairs in your country, and whether parts like filters, brushes and batteries are sold separately.

4. 4. Too small, too big or doesn't fit (5% of complaints)

   Measure the space first, with room to open doors and for air to flow around it, and check the size in the maker's spec sheet.

5. 5. Didn't perform as well as hoped (4% of complaints)

   Judge it on independent tests rather than the box: the numbers makers print are often best-case figures.

Share of the 614 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Lots of room inside19%
   Came up on 10 models
2. 2. Looks good15%
   Came up on 11 models
3. 3. Quiet13%
   Came up on 9 models
4. 4. Light, compact or easy to store12%
   Came up on 7 models
5. 5. Fits flush with the worktops5%
   Came up on 2 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.