bit-tech Shopping: Haier HNCM070E Freezer

Rating: 8

Time with product: 20 Days

Strengths: Compact, inexpensive, efficient

Weaknesses: no defrost, no lock

Summary: For first time buyers looking for a way to store bulk food purchase, this is a great little freezer. It's not super tricked out -- it's largely a metal box with insulation -- but it works! It is stripped down but it does what it should quietly and efficiently. The lights are simple and the manual defrost appears pretty straight forward. It?d be nice if it were frost free, but at this price point, that?s a stretch. And in truth, my folks? frost free got a bit frosty over time, so I?m glad to have an easy access drain on this Haier. It?s a bit small, enabling us to tuck it into a little nook in the basement. Energy usage is not at the bottom of the scale, but it?s below the norm. We've not had it a month yet to see what kind of bump we get in our electric bill, but the compressor does not run often, suggesting a) it's well insulated b) it's not going to be that expensive to run. It doesn?t have wheels, but empty it?s easy to slide about; full is another story. Purse string note: Buy this from Amazon (not one of their partners), as you benefit from free shipping (a big savings) and a price that can't be beat. That said, this is a tremendous value that we look forward to saving us $$ by facilitating bulk purchases.