Key specs – Dimensions: 85.4 x 62.5 x 55.9cm (HWD); Capacity: 142 litres; Fast freeze: No; Energy rating: F; Freezer star rating: 4; Temperature warning: No; Open door warning: No; Suitable for outbuildings: Yes If you don’t need one of the largest models but a compact chest freezer is too small, this Hotpoint model is a great middle ground. The 255-litre capacity will give you plenty of additional freezer space and it’s suitable for outbuildings, so you can put it wherever you like. As chest freezers are usually used as a secondary freezer, many people utilise space in their garage, shed or other outbuildings for this additional food storage. These outbuildings are often not insulated, and the internal temperature can plummet as the weather gets cold. Not all freezers will work in very low temperatures, look out for the optimum ambient or room temperature in the freezer specifications. Most chest freezers work effectively between 10 and 43°C, but if you want to keep it outside your house, you will need one that can work in lower temperatures. With an adjustable thermostat, the temperature can be precisely adjusted to suit the contents of your freezer. Plus, there are adjustable feet to ensure your freezer is stable on uneven surfaces. This model also features a counter balance lid, which means you can rummage without risking your fingers - once opened fully, the lid holds itself up.

It’s not a budget-busting price, but nevertheless it comes with most of the features you will need. The Frost Away feature reduces ice formation, so it won’t need defrosting as regularly as some others. The counterbalanced lid and LED internal light combine to make life easy when you’re searching for that missing tub of ice cream, or you can utilise the basket to store smaller items and keep them within easy reach. If price is your main priority, this simple freezer will do the job and give you extra space for summer ice creams or batch-cooked winter stews. At this price, you don’t get all the bells and whistles such as a digital temperature display or temperature warnings if you’ve left the door open. However, if you get a power cut it will keep food cold for up to 17 hours. It comes with one storage basket that slides from left to right so you can easily access the food below.Head to our guide to the best freezers and chest freezers for garages for more advice on freezer climate class. What size chest freezer should I buy?

Given that chest freezers are quite large, you may be looking to keep it in your garage. Most freezers aren’t designed to work in rooms that get colder than 10°C, though, so there's a risk that your freezer might not work properly there, and it could invalidate the warranty. Chest freezers come in all sorts of sizes, from small, square, 55 x 62cm deep models to large, deep chests that are more than 110cm wide.

The details

If you decide not to keep it in the house, the Winter Guard technology means it will work in temperatures as low as -15°C so it’s ideal for a garage or shed too. The top-opening design of the appliance is convenient and space-efficient, and the temperature control dial at the front of the freezer is so straightforward as to be foolproof. Some chest freezers have a fast-freeze function, which gives an extra burst of cooling power. This can come in handy if any pre-frozen food you've bought from the supermarket has warmed up on the drive home. High temperature warning