The best chest freezer in NZ overall is the Midea Inverter 143L Chest Freezer, a quiet, energy-efficient all-rounder that suits most Kiwi households looking for reliable extra freezer space. This guide compares eight chest freezers available in New Zealand right now, from compact 142L units for a single garage corner to a 418L convertible and a 373L Fisher & Paykel built for hunters, gardeners and big families.
Each pick is ranked with a clear best-for angle, honest trade-offs and full specs, so shoppers can match capacity, running cost and defrost style to how they actually shop and store food. Anyone who only needs to chill a few drinks and snacks may be better served by a compact bar fridge instead of a full chest freezer.
Quick comparison
| Model | Best for | Capacity | Energy | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea Inverter 143L | Best overall | 143L | 4.5 star | 24 + 12 mth |
| Novello 145L | Simple second freezer | 145L | n/a | – |
| Midea 418L Convertible | Convertible fridge/freezer | 418L | 3 star | 24 + 12 mth |
| Parmco 142L | Best warranty | 142L | 3 star | 7 years |
| Haier 195L Hybrid | Best frost-free | 195L | 4.5 star | 24 mth |
| Westinghouse 300L | Bulk-buying families | 300L | 3.5 star | 24 mth |
| Sheffield 147L | Best budget | 147L | 2 star | 12 mth |
| Fisher & Paykel 373L | Premium large | 373L | 3.5 star | 24 mth |
1. Midea Inverter 143L Chest Freezer – Best Overall
The Midea Inverter 143L is the best overall chest freezer in NZ for most homes, pairing a quiet inverter compressor with a family-friendly 143-litre capacity.
In the chest format it keeps a compact footprint, measuring 600mm wide, 560mm deep and 850mm tall, so it slips into a garage corner, laundry or spare room without dominating the space. The cabinet is plain white with a recessed profile and a simple exterior that reads more practical than premium.
The inverter compressor is the real point of difference. Instead of switching hard on and off, it ramps up and down, which is why the listing flags a measured 37dB running level, quiet enough to sit near living areas. A faster-freezing mode helps pull the temperature down quickly after a big shop, and Midea lists the model with both a 4.5-star freezer and 5-star fridge energy rating. Defrosting is manual, as with most chest freezers.
For a couple or small family, 143L holds roughly a week or two of frozen meals. It will feel tight for bulk hunters or large households, though, and the manual defrost is an occasional chore. It is also sold in 83L, 99L, 198L and 418L sizes if this capacity is not the right fit, and it is backed by Midea’s 24-month warranty plus 12 months extended cover.
Pros
- Quiet inverter operation at around 37dB
- Efficient 4.5-star freezer energy rating
- Compact 600mm-wide footprint
- Long 24 + 12 month warranty
Cons
- Manual defrost
- 143L is modest for bulk storage
Key specs: Midea Inverter 143L; model MDRC211FZE01APE; 600 x 560 x 850mm (W x D x H); 37dB; 4.5-star freezer energy rating; 24 + 12 month warranty; white. Also available in 83L, 99L, 198L and 418L.
2. Novello Chest Freezer – Best for a Simple Second Freezer
The Novello 145L is the pick for anyone who just wants straightforward, no-frills extra freezer space without paying for smart features.
It measures 705mm wide, 545mm deep and 845mm tall, with a 145-litre gross capacity that is a touch larger than many rivals in the 140L class. The cabinet is white with a recessed handle, so nothing protrudes to catch in a narrow garage walkway.
Operation is deliberately basic: a mechanical dial control that you set once and forget, running on a standard 220-240V supply, with a single storage basket to keep smaller items off the floor of the freezer. There is no inverter, fast-freeze or electronic display here, and defrosting is manual.
That simplicity is the appeal and the limitation. For a couple or small family stocking up, 145L is genuinely useful and easy to live with, but the single basket and plain thermostat make it a workhorse rather than a feature-rich buy. If you want quiet running or quick freezing, look higher up this list.
Pros
- Slightly roomier 145L capacity
- Simple recessed-handle design
- Easy mechanical dial control
- Storage basket included
Cons
- Single basket only
- No fast-freeze or quiet inverter
- Manual defrost
Key specs: Novello 145L; SKU PR2946; 705 x 545 x 845mm (W x D x H); 145L gross; mechanical control; 220-240V; storage basket; white.
3. Midea Chest Freezer / Fridge Convertible – Best Convertible
The Midea 418L Convertible is the best choice if you want one appliance that can flip between a deep freezer and a large fridge as your needs change.
This is a large chest at 1449mm long, 778mm wide and 885mm tall, so it needs a garage or utility space rather than a kitchen nook. The white cabinet uses a counterbalanced hinge that holds the heavy lid open, and the interior is designed to wipe clean easily.
A single control switches the whole unit between modes: freezer from -24C to -12C, or fridge from 0C to 10C. That means it can run as a chest freezer through winter and convert to a drinks or overflow fridge for a party or the holidays. Two removable storage baskets help tame the depth, it uses R600a refrigerant (90g), and defrosting is manual. Note it is delivery only, dispatched directly from the distributor.
With 418L on tap it swallows bulk meat, garden vegetables or event catering, and the convertible range makes it flexible year-round. The trade-offs are real, though: the 3-star energy rating is lower than the smaller inverter Midea, manual defrosting a unit this deep is a job, and reaching the bottom means leaning well in. It is also offered in 493L and 688L for even larger needs.
Pros
- True fridge-or-freezer conversion
- Large 418L capacity
- Two removable baskets and counterbalanced lid
- 24 + 12 month warranty
Cons
- Only a 3-star energy rating
- Manual defrost on a deep cabinet
- Large footprint, delivery only
Key specs: Midea 418L Convertible; model MDRC564FZF01AP; 1449 x 778 x 885mm (L x W x H); freezer -24C to -12C / fridge 0C to 10C; 3-star energy; R600a; two baskets; 24 + 12 month warranty. Also available in 493L and 688L.
4. Parmco White Chest Freezer – Best for Warranty
The Parmco 142L stands out for its 7-year manufacturer’s warranty, the longest in this guide, making it the reassurance pick for buyers who plan to keep a freezer for years.
It is a compact 142-litre unit in plain white, with a roller wheel on one end so you can pull it out to sweep behind and push it back without a struggle. The exterior is understated, built around function rather than styling.
Under the lid it uses direct cooling with a mechanical temperature dial, adjustable legs for uneven garage floors, rear-mounted hinges and a water-disposal device to drain melt during defrosting. A wire basket is included, and the running noise is rated at 42dB, a little more noticeable than the inverter Midea in a quiet room. Defrosting is manual.
For a couple or small family the 142L capacity and 3-star energy rating are perfectly adequate, but the feature list is modest: one basket, a simple dial and no fast-freeze. The genuine headline here is that 7-year Parmco warranty, which is well beyond the 12 to 24 months most rivals offer and the main reason to choose it.
Pros
- Class-leading 7-year Parmco warranty
- Rollers for easy cleaning access
- Defrost water-disposal drain
- Adjustable legs
Cons
- 42dB running noise
- Single basket, no fast-freeze
- Manual defrost
Key specs: Parmco 142L; model CF142W (SKU PR13714); 142L gross; 42dB; mechanical control; direct cooling; wire basket; rollers; adjustable legs; 3-star energy; 7-year warranty; white.
5. Haier Hybrid Frost Free Chest Freezer – Best Frost-Free
The Haier 195L 500 Series is the best frost-free chest freezer here, combining no-defrost convenience with the flexibility to run as a fridge or a freezer.
It measures 865mm tall, 940mm wide and 565mm deep, which is compact for a hybrid unit, and comes in white with tidy 500 Series styling and an antibacterial door seal. The design is clearly aimed at people who want the practicality of a chest freezer without the usual maintenance.
The standout is frost-free operation: dual-layer air circulation keeps cold air moving so frost does not build up, which means no manual defrosting. It also switches between fridge and freezer modes across roughly -26C to 10C, has a SuperFreeze fast-freeze mode and an H-DEO deodoriser to cut food odours. Haier states it holds a cold internal temperature for up to 133 hours during a power cut. Owners on Harvey Norman NZ rate it 5.0 out of 5, praising how well it optimises storage and how easy it is to move.
The compromises are capacity and cost. At 195L it is mid-small for the outlay, and the frost-free hybrid technology commands a premium over a plain manual-defrost box. It is also on special order at some retailers, so allow lead time. For efficiency it earns a strong 4.5-star rating despite being frost-free.
Pros
- No manual defrosting (frost-free)
- Converts between fridge and freezer
- 4.5-star energy rating
- H-DEO deodoriser and long power-outage hold
Cons
- Premium price for the technology
- 195L is a modest capacity
- May be on special order
Key specs: Haier 195L 500 Series Hybrid; model HCF200FI; 865 x 940 x 565mm (H x W x D); 195L; frost-free; fridge/freezer convertible (approx -26C to 10C); 4.5-star energy; 24-month warranty.
6. Westinghouse Chest Freezer – Best for Bulk-Buying Families
The Westinghouse 300L is the best mid-large chest freezer for families who bulk-buy, with a genuinely useful 300 litres and a clever hovering lid.
It stands 847mm tall, 1114mm wide and 630mm deep in white, with a recessed handle, ultra-thin hinges, a removable high-insulation door seal and adjustable legs. It is a wide cabinet, so measure the space before committing.
The signature feature is the hovering door, which holds open at any angle between 30 and 60 degrees so you can pack and unpack without holding the lid. It also has a Quick Chill fast-freeze function, an adjustable thermostat, power-off protection and one removable sliding basket, with a manual defrost drain. Owners rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 86 reviews on Harvey Norman NZ, calling it quiet, cheap to run and easy enough to reach the bottom.
With 300L it comfortably handles a big meat order or a garden harvest, and the 3.5-star energy rating is reasonable for the size. The main limitations are that a single basket leaves a lot of deep, unsorted space at the bottom, defrosting is manual, and at over a metre wide it takes real floor space.
Pros
- Hovering lid stays open hands-free
- Strong 4.8/5 owner rating across 86 reviews
- Quick Chill and power-off protection
- Practical 300L family size
Cons
- Only one basket for 300L
- Manual defrost
- Wide 1114mm footprint
Key specs: Westinghouse 300L; model WCM3000WE; 847 x 1114 x 630mm (H x W x D); 300L; hovering lid; Quick Chill; adjustable thermostat; 3.5-star energy; 24-month warranty; white.
7. Sheffield 147L Chest Freezer – Best Budget Buy
The Sheffield 147L is the best budget chest freezer here, a compact, no-nonsense unit for a first freezer or a small household.
At 840mm tall, 700mm wide and 550mm deep it has one of the smallest footprints in this guide, so it fits an apartment laundry or a garage nook. The exterior is white, and the interior is white too, which makes it easy to see and wipe clean.
Inside it uses high-density foam insulation, a mechanical dial thermostat and a single internal basket, simple and easy to operate. Defrosting is manual. The 147L IEC capacity is right for a couple or a modest weekly stock-up.
The catch is efficiency and cover: it carries a 2-star energy rating, the lowest here, so it uses more power per litre than the better-rated models, and the warranty is a shorter 12 months. This is a buy-on-price-and-size choice rather than a long-term efficiency play.
Pros
- Smallest and most affordable option
- White easy-clean interior
- Compact 700mm width
- Simple to operate
Cons
- Only a 2-star energy rating
- Shorter 12-month warranty
- Single basket and manual defrost
Key specs: Sheffield 147L; model PL147CF; 840 x 700 x 550mm (H x W x D); 147L IEC; mechanical control; high-density foam; 2-star energy; 12-month warranty; white.
8. Fisher & Paykel 373L Series 3 Chest Freezer – Best Premium Large Capacity
The Fisher & Paykel 373L Series 3 is the premium big-capacity pick, built for hunters, gardeners and large families who fill a freezer fast.
It is the largest unit here at 874mm tall, 1240mm wide and 695mm deep, with a 373L capacity (376L gross) in clean white Fisher & Paykel styling. It needs real floor space, so it is best suited to a dedicated garage or utility area.
Storage is the strong suit: two removable, stackable wire baskets with dividers keep bulk food sorted rather than piled in a heap. An easy control panel lets you set the temperature or trigger a fast-freeze to lock in flavour and nutrition after a big load, and defrosting is manual. It is on special order, so allow lead time when ordering.
With 373L it offers serious storage, a whole cut of beef, a season of venison or a large garden harvest, and it draws about 299kWh a year at a 3.5-star energy rating. The downsides are that it is the priciest and largest option here, it is manual defrost, and it is genuine overkill for a couple.
Pros
- Large 373L capacity
- Stackable baskets with dividers
- Fast-freeze control
- Reputable Fisher & Paykel brand and 24-month warranty
Cons
- Biggest footprint here
- Premium price
- Manual defrost and on special order
Key specs: Fisher & Paykel 373L Series 3; model RC376W2; 874 x 1240 x 695mm (H x W x D); 373L (376L gross); approx 299kWh/yr; 3.5-star energy; 24-month warranty; white.
How to choose a chest freezer in NZ
Capacity comes first. A useful rule of thumb is around 40 to 50 litres of freezer space per person, so a couple is well served by 100 to 200L, while a large family that buys meat in bulk, keeps a big vegetable garden, or hunts and fishes should look at 300L or more. It is smarter to have a slightly larger, well-organised freezer than a small one crammed full, and for best efficiency aim to keep it about 75 to 80 percent full.
Running cost matters over the years. Chest freezers are cheaper to run than upright freezers because cold air stays inside when you lift the lid, and a higher energy-star rating cuts long-term power use. It is the same logic that applies to other big whiteware such as front loader washing machines, where the star rating drives the bill.
Defrosting is the other key decision. Most chest freezers, including all the manual-defrost models here, need clearing roughly once or twice a year, while the frost-free Haier avoids that chore entirely. If you already run energy-hungry appliances like clothes dryers, a more efficient freezer helps keep the total running cost in check.
Placement and features finish the shortlist. A garage is fine, but warm, moist air makes frost build faster, so expect to defrost more often out there. Look for the extras that suit you: fast-freeze modes, a hovering lid, stackable baskets with dividers, or a convertible fridge/freezer mode if you want one appliance to do two jobs.
Related guides
For more kitchen and whiteware buying help, see our guides to the best tumble dryers and the best air fryers.
Verdict
For most New Zealand homes the Midea Inverter 143L is the best all-round chest freezer, thanks to its quiet inverter running, efficient 4.5-star rating and long warranty. Bulk-buying families should size up to the Westinghouse 300L or the Fisher & Paykel 373L, buyers who hate defrosting should choose the frost-free Haier 195L hybrid, and anyone shopping purely on price will be happy with the Sheffield 147L. If long-term peace of mind matters most, the Parmco 142L and its 7-year warranty are hard to beat.
FAQs
How many litres of chest freezer do I need?
Allow roughly 40 to 50 litres per person. A couple is usually well suited to a 100 to 200L freezer, while a large family, bulk buyer, hunter or keen gardener should look at 300L or more. Keeping the freezer about 75 to 80 percent full runs most efficiently.
Are chest freezers cheaper to run than upright freezers?
Yes. Chest freezers are generally cheaper to run because cold air stays inside when you lift the lid, rather than spilling out of a front door. An efficient chest freezer can cost roughly half as much per year to run as a comparable upright model, so the star rating is worth checking.
Do chest freezers need to be defrosted manually?
Most do. Manual-defrost chest freezers, which is nearly every model in this guide, need clearing about once or twice a year, or when frost passes roughly a centimetre thick. Frost-free models like the Haier 195L hybrid avoid manual defrosting through constant air circulation inside the cabinet.
Can you put a chest freezer in the garage?
Yes, a garage is a common spot for a chest freezer. Keep it out of direct heat and avoid extreme temperatures, and be aware that warm, moist garage air makes frost build up faster, so a manual-defrost model may need defrosting twice a year or more in that location.
How long will food stay frozen if the power goes out?
A full chest freezer generally holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours during a power cut if the lid stays closed, or around 24 hours if it is half full. Some models hold cold far longer; Haier rates its 195L hybrid at up to 133 hours.
What is a convertible chest freezer?
A convertible chest freezer can switch between freezer and fridge modes using its temperature control. The Midea 418L runs as a freezer from -24C to -12C or a fridge from 0C to 10C, and the Haier 195L hybrid spans roughly -26C to 10C, so one appliance can do either job as needs change.
