Sounds and Noise
Freezers are generally a fairly quiet appliance to have running in your home, so it’s unlikely you’ll be kept awake at night. However, as your freezer is always on, it will make some noise most of the time.
When buying a new model, it’s possible to find some that are quieter than others. Find out what noise levels to expect in this section of our guide.
Gentle Humming
The most common sound you’re likely to hear coming from your freezer is a gentle hum.
This is the sound of the compressor running, cooling the appliance down.
As the freezer needs to be cold all the time, the compressor will be running quite often. That means you’ll hear this noise most of the time, although thankfully it’s a quiet hum that you’re unlikely to hear over the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.
If you notice your freezer is humming more often or louder than normal, this could be a sign of a fault you need to get fixed. Luckily most new freezers come with a warranty that should cover this sort of problem.
If you notice your freezer is humming more often or louder than normal, this could be a sign of a fault you need to get fixed.
Groaning, Popping and More
Alongside the normal humming sound, freezers can make a host of other noises.
These include groaning, creaking, popping and even hissing. A lot of these sounds come from the changing temperature inside the appliance. The panels can expand and contract with fluctuating temperatures, which causes a lot of the creaking sounds.
Similarly, some special features can contribute to the noises a freezer makes. If you have a frost free freezer, the heating element melting ice around the compressor can make some hissing sounds.
How Loud?
If you’re really concerned about how loud a freezer actually is to run, manufacturers list the appliance’s sound level on their spec sheets. This is measured in decibels (dB).
Most freezers have a sound emission between 40-45 dB, though quieter and louder ones are available. Of course, what’s loud to some may be barely noticeable to others. To put this into perspective, a whisper is usually measured around 30-40 dB, while normal conversation can be 50 dB or higher.
It’s worth noting that these dB readings are taken in ideal conditions, so the noise level in your kitchen may differ.
Most freezers have a sound emission between 40-45 dB, though quieter and louder ones are available.
Helpful Sounds
Most sounds are a by-product, but some freezers emit sounds to alert you if something goes wrong.
Some models have an acoustic alarm that sounds when the door is left open too long or it detects significant changes in temperature. These features can be extremely useful, particularly if you are prone to leaving the door open.
