Best Manual Defrost Freezers of 2025

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 8 Feb 2025

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Manual defrost freezers are a type of freezer that require occasional defrosting to prevent ice build-up. These freezers come in a variety of sizes and styles, from chest freezers to upright freezers. They are ideal for those who do not need to access their frozen items frequently, as the defrosting process can be time-consuming. However, manual defrost freezers are often more energy-efficient than their automatic defrost counterparts and can be more affordable. If you are in the market for a freezer and don't mind putting in a bit of extra work, a manual defrost freezer may be a great option for you.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Haden 85L Under Counter Freezer with Manual Defrost Cover #TOP 1
Haden 85L Under Counter Freezer with Manual Defrost
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Haden White 55cm Under Counter Freezer with 4 Drawers Cover #TOP 2
Haden White 55cm Under Counter Freezer with 4 Drawers
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Haden 168L Tall Freezer with Reversible Door Cover #TOP 3
Haden 168L Tall Freezer with Reversible Door
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 5 Manual Defrost Freezers

Haden 85L Under Counter Freezer with Manual Defrost

HZ184IX
Silver
Haden 85L Under Counter Freezer with Manual Defrost Cover
Haden 85L Under Counter Freezer - 55cm, Manual Defrost, 4 Freezer Draws - Mechanical Temperature Control - Silver Freestanding Freezer

The Haden 85L Freezer is an efficient undercounter solution, ideal for maximising your kitchen space. With its ample 85L capacity, you can store a variety of frozen goods easily. The metal backed construction ensures durability and safety, giving you peace of mind. Its manual defrost feature allows you to manage the defrosting process yourself, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. Additionally, the mechanical temperature control guarantees consistent refrigeration, keeping your food fresh and well-preserved.

What We Like
Compact yet spacious design
Durable metal construction
Manual defrost for efficiency
Consistent refrigeration control
Reversible door for flexibility
#TOP 2

Haden White 55cm Under Counter Freezer with 4 Drawers

HZ184W
White
55 cm
Haden White 55cm Under Counter Freezer with 4 Drawers Cover
Haden White 55cm Under Counter Freezer - 85L Capacity, 4 Freezer Drawers, Mechanical Temperature Control, Manual Defrost, and Reversible Door - Compact and Efficient Freezer Under Counter

The Haden Under Counter Freezer is a compact and efficient solution for your kitchen. With 85 litres of storage and four freezer drawers, you'll have plenty of space for all your frozen goods, from meats to desserts. The mechanical temperature control allows you to easily adjust the freezing conditions to suit your needs, ensuring your food remains perfectly frozen. Additionally, the manual defrost feature prevents ice build-up, keeping the freezer running efficiently and effectively. This freezer is perfect for maximising space while offering convenience.

What We Like
Compact design fits smaller kitchens
Offers ample 85-litre capacity
Easy mechanical temperature control
Manual defrost prevents ice build-up
Reversible door for flexible placement
#TOP 3

Haden 168L Tall Freezer with Reversible Door

HZ218IX
Silver
Haden 168L Tall Freezer with Reversible Door Cover
Haden 168L Freestanding Tall Freezer - Reversible Door - 4 x moveable draws & 1 Top tray - Manual defrost - Mechanical temperature control - 143cm Height

The Haden Tall Freezer offers a spacious 168-litre capacity, perfect for storing a variety of frozen goods. Its mechanical temperature control allows you to easily set and maintain the ideal temperature, ensuring everything from ice cream to frozen vegetables is preserved perfectly. With enhanced safety features, including a flame retardant construction, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your freezer is built to last. Its compact design and reversible door make it versatile for any kitchen layout, providing you with both style and convenience.

What We Like
High storage capacity
Precise temperature control
Safety features included
Compact and versatile design
#TOP 4

Haden 95L Chest Freezer with Adjustable Thermostat

206039
White
Haden 95L Chest Freezer with Adjustable Thermostat Cover
Haden 95l Chest Freezer - 4 Star Freezer Rating - Metal Backed With F Energy Rating And Adjustable Thermostat - Easy To Clean ​- Manual Defrost - 1 Basket

The Haden 95L Chest Freezer offers a spacious 95L capacity, perfect for storing a variety of frozen foods. With its adjustable thermostat, you can easily control the temperature to suit your needs, whether you're storing meats or frozen meals. Cleaning is hassle-free thanks to its easy-to-clean interior, allowing you to maintain a tidy space with minimal effort. Additionally, the freezer features a drain tube for easy defrosting and a removable storage basket, which lets you organise your food items efficiently.

What We Like
Large storage capacity
Easy temperature control
Simple to clean
Convenient defrosting features
#TOP 5

Fridgemaster 61 Litre Under Counter Freezer

MUZ4860EB
Black
Fridgemaster 61 Litre Under Counter Freezer Cover
Fridgemaster 61 Litre Freestanding Under Counter Freezer - Black, MUZ4860EB

The Fridgemaster Under Counter Freezer offers a generous 61-litre capacity, allowing you to store up to three bags of food shopping with ease. Its manual defrost feature ensures that you can maintain optimal performance, while the three freezer drawers help you keep your food organised and accessible. Additionally, the reversible door provides flexibility in placement, making it easier to fit into your kitchen layout. This convenient design makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to maximise their storage without compromising on space.

What We Like
Spacious 61-litre capacity
Manual defrost for maintenance
Three organised freezer drawers
Reversible door for flexibility
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is a manual defrost freezer better?

Best for Energy Use: Manual Defrost A manual defrost freezer may use up to 40 percent less energy than a self-defrosting model. 1 A manual defrost freezer does not contain heating elements, which reduces the overall energy use of the appliance.

2. Do you have to manually defrost a freezer?

How often do you need to defrost a freezer? Most freezers without a self-defrost feature need to be manually defrosted once a year. Some freezers will produce lots of ice buildup and need more frequent defrosting. Regardless, perform this chore every time a quarter-inch of ice has accumulated.

3. How often do you have to defrost a manual defrost freezer?

To maintain the efficiency of a manual-defrost freezer, You should defrost it each time it develops a quarter-inch of ice build-up on the interior walls. Many people defrost their freezers once a year, but you may need to do yours more or less often, depending on your usage habits.

Editor's Notes

During our manual defrost freezer research, we found 5 manual defrost freezer products and shortlisted 5 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,554 customer reviews through our big data system to write the manual defrost freezers list. We found that most customers choose manual defrost freezers with an average price of £186.33.

The manual defrost freezers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of manual defrost freezers, including HADEN, Fridgemaster. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 114 consumers with an average rating of 4.6.

Written by
Mohammed Clark Avatar

Mohammed Clark is an architect and a contractor. His architectural skills are not limited to designing the plan for structures alone, but it extends to aesthetics and home décor. Before establishing his firm, he worked under a construction firm for eight years. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.