No Frost, Low Frost or static cooling: how to choose a fridge
All fridge cooling systems in one place: static, drip, Low Frost and No Frost. How they work, which one dries out food, how much electricity they use and what the manufacturers’ fancy names really mean – explained simply and based on independent tests and studies.
In short
Key takeaways
Fridges deal with frost in three ways: static cooling, a drip system or No Frost. If you don’t have time to read it all, here is the essence:
- 1For everyday convenience and a family, choose No Frost, ideally Total No Frost – no defrosting at all.
- 2No Frost air is drier: keep food in containers with lids and it will not dry out.
- 3Lots of vegetables? Look for two cooling systems or a 0 °C humidity drawer.
- 4For long-term storage of meat and fish a static chest freezer is better – fewer swings.
- 5Compare the annual kWh and the noise in dB, not just the class and the fancy names.
- 6Before buying, measure the niche and the doorways; for a built-in model, the mounting type.
No Frost fridges in the 1Store.lv range: about 280–1150 € (September 2026).
Three cooling systems: how a fridge deals with frost
Think of a cold glass on a hot day – droplets form on it straight away. The same happens in a fridge: moisture from the air and from food settles on the coldest surface. Above zero it is water, below zero it becomes frost and ice. Fridges differ only in where this cold surface is and what happens to the frost.
Manual
Static cooling
The cold wall is right inside the compartment. Ice slowly builds up in the freezer, which has to be switched off and defrosted now and then.
Cheapest and simplest
Semi-automatic
Drip system
The back wall of the fridge “weeps”: the frost melts and the water runs away through a channel. The freezer still needs defrosting.
Better for vegetables
Automatic
No Frost
The evaporator is hidden behind a panel, a fan blows cold air around and the frost melts by itself. Nothing needs defrosting.
Most convenient
Many two-door fridges combine both: No Frost in the freezer and a drip system in the fridge compartment. If you want No Frost in both compartments, look for “Total No Frost” or “Full No Frost” and check the product description.
How No Frost works – step by step
- 1The evaporator – the fridge’s “cold radiator” – sits behind a panel, not in the compartment wall.
- 2A fan blows cold air through vents to every shelf.
- 3Moisture from the air settles and freezes on the evaporator, not on your food or drawers.
- 4Usually once or twice a day, for about half an hour, a small heater switches on and the frost melts. Modern models do this “smartly” – depending on how often you open the door and how long the compressor runs.
- 5The water drains into a tray above the compressor and evaporates from its heat. You don’t have to do anything.
That is why No Frost air is drier: every time it passes the cold evaporator, some of its moisture stays behind as frost.
No Frost pros and cons – without the marketing
Pros
- +No defrosting. No ice forms in the compartment and drawers do not freeze shut.
- +More even temperature. Stiftung Warentest: with a fan, all open shelves have roughly the same temperature. In Consumer Reports tests, door shelves in manual-defrost upright freezers were 5–10 °C warmer.
- +Cools down faster after the door is opened or a full shopping bag goes in.
- +Efficiency does not drop over time. In a static freezer a 1 cm layer of ice raises consumption by 10–15 % (Stiftung Warentest).
- +No emptying the freezer. Defrosting a static freezer means taking the food out for a few hours – with No Frost you never have to.
Cons
- –Drier air. Uncovered food loses moisture faster – consumer organisations (Consumentenbond, Test-Aankoop) and the manufacturers themselves say so.
- –Higher risk of freezer burn – because of the moving air and small temperature swings during defrosting (Consumer Reports, CHOICE).
- –Slightly higher electricity use. The fan and defrosting use energy; in one study automatic defrost raised a freezer’s consumption by 17.7 %.
- –Slightly louder – you can hear the fan and defrost sounds (Consumentenbond, Consumer Reports).
- –More expensive to buy than a static model of the same size (Verbraucherzentrale).
Freezer: No Frost, Low Frost or static?
No Frost
Never needs defrosting
Convenience
Price
€€€Frost
does not form
Defrosting
not needed
Temperature
even
Humidity
drier
Electricity
a little more
Best for
large families
Low Frost
Less ice
Convenience
Price
€€€Frost
forms slowly
Defrosting
less often
Temperature
depends on the shelf
Humidity
more humid
Electricity
less
Best for
budget-minded buyers
Static
The simplest
Convenience
Price
€€€Frost
forms
Defrosting
at 3–5 mm of ice
Temperature
depends on the shelf
Humidity
more humid
Electricity
less, if defrosted
Best for
budget, summer house
Low Frost, SmartFrost and FrostLess are not No Frost: according to manufacturers, ice forms about half as fast, but the freezer still needs defrosting now and then. In a No Frost freezer wrap your food – the air is drier.
Does No Frost dry out food? Yes – and here is how to avoid it
It is not a myth. Think of laundry on a line: it dries faster in the wind. In a No Frost fridge the “wind” is the fan, and the air is dry because the moisture stays on the evaporator. Uncovered cheese dries up, greens wilt, cut meat gets dry.
This applies most to models with one evaporator: air from the freezer, where the moisture has already frozen out, also goes into the fridge compartment (Consumer Reports). Models with two separate cooling systems – for example Samsung Twin Cooling Plus, Beko NeoFrost, Liebherr DuoCooling – give the fridge its own “climate”, and the manufacturers promise more humid air (Samsung – up to 70 %).
How to store food in a No Frost fridge
- cheese, meat, fish and cooked dishes – in containers with lids, in film or wax paper;
- greens – in a bag or box with a damp paper towel;
- vegetables and fruit – in the crisper drawer; if it has a humidity slider, close it for vegetables (more humid) and open it for fruit;
- bread – in a bag;
- do not put food right in front of the air vents.
Freezer burn – what it is
Greyish-white, dry spots on frozen meat or fish are freezer burn: ice on the surface of the food evaporates straight into the dry air. It is not dangerous to health (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA), but taste and texture suffer. In a No Frost freezer the risk is higher because of the moving air and small temperature swings during defrosting. In a study with beef (Wang et al., 2020) larger temperature swings increased juice loss and discoloration.
- freeze in airtight bags and squeeze the air out – vacuum sealing is best;
- divide into portions so you don’t thaw and refreeze;
- keep −18 °C and don’t open the freezer without need;
- write the date – food stored for a long time suffers most.
Marketing vs reality: what the fancy names really mean
Manufacturers give the same thing different names. We have grouped them by what actually happens inside. Numbers next to the names are manufacturers’ claims, not results of independent tests.
Just a fan
A fan with a nice name
Air circulation through several vents – useful, but it is the basis of any No Frost. DoorCooling+ is an extra vent towards the door shelves.
Real difference
Really two cooling systems
The fridge and the freezer have separate evaporators, circuits or air paths: less odour transfer and more humid air in the fridge.
Real difference
Fresh zones around 0 °C
Drawers kept close to 0 °C or with adjustable humidity really do keep vegetables, meat and fish fresh longer (Liebherr promises up to 90 % humidity).
Not No Frost
Less frost – but not No Frost
Better insulation or evaporator design cuts ice roughly by half, but the freezer still needs defrosting.
Electronics
Controls, sensors and compressor
More precise temperature and “smart” defrosting (LG Linear Cooling – ±0.5 °C). Useful, but not a separate cooling system.
Convenience
Nothing to do with frost
Glass doors, thinner walls, a steel plate, ionisers and LED light – convenience and design, but not related to No Frost.
“Total No Frost” is not a standardised term. It usually means No Frost in both compartments, but always check the product description.
Electricity, noise and the right temperature
- Since 2021 the EU energy label uses classes from A to G, but the most important number is the annual consumption in kWh.
- In the EU formula, No Frost freezer compartments are allowed 10 % more consumption within the same class (factor 1.1). So a No Frost and a static model with the same class can use different amounts – compare the kWh.
- In a static freezer a layer of ice works like a fur coat: 1 cm of ice raises consumption by 10–15 %. A regularly defrosted static freezer stays more economical.
- Noise is shown on the label in dB(A) and as a class. For an open-plan kitchen or a studio, choose the lowest number you can.
A
< 30 dB
B
30–35 dB
C
36–41 dB
D
≥ 42 dB
Freezers: an upright No Frost or a chest freezer?
Upright freezer with No Frost
- drawers – food is easy to find;
- no defrosting;
- even temperature on every shelf;
- wrap food more carefully – higher risk of freezer burn.
Chest freezer (usually static)
- usually cheaper to buy and to run (CHOICE, Verbraucherzentrale);
- stays cold longer during a power cut;
- fewer temperature swings – better for long-term storage;
- defrost when the ice is about 3–5 mm; food at the bottom is harder to reach.
See freezers.
How to choose: find yourself
A family, the door opens all day
Total No Frost: even temperature, fast cooling, no defrosting.
Lots of fresh vegetables and greens
Two cooling systems or a 0 °C humidity drawer. Alternative – a No Frost freezer with a drip-system fridge.
You freeze a lot of meat, fish and berries
Day to day – a No Frost freezer; for long-term storage – a static chest freezer.
Summer house, tight budget, occasional use
A static or Low Frost model – simpler and cheaper.
Studio or open-plan kitchen
Look at the noise class and dB – choose the lowest number.
Fitted kitchen
A built-in No Frost with the right mounting – sliding door or door-on-door.
What else to check
- Size. Measure the niche or the space and the doorways on the way to the kitchen. Side-by-Side models are usually about 90 cm wide, standard two-door fridges 55–60 cm.
- Capacity. As a guide: 200–300 l for 1–2 people, 300–400 l for 3–4 people, and a Side-by-Side (600 l and more) for a large family or those who freeze a lot.
- No Frost in both compartments or only in the freezer – look for “Total No Frost” or check the description.
- Interior layout: crisper drawers, a 0 °C zone, a bottle shelf, door shelves.
- Extras: water and ice dispenser (with or without a water connection), Wi-Fi, inverter compressor.
Built-in No Frost fridges: sliding door or door-on-door
A built-in fridge is hidden in a kitchen cabinet, and the furniture door is attached to the fridge door in one of two ways:
- Sliding door – the furniture door hangs on furniture hinges and is linked to the fridge door with a sliding rail. Mounting is simpler, and it is common in more affordable models.
- Door-on-door (fixed door) – the furniture door is screwed directly onto the fridge door and is carried by the fridge hinges. The doors move as one and usually open wider.
When replacing an old built-in fridge, check the niche size (often about 178 cm high), the mounting type and the ventilation gaps given by the manufacturer. If the mounting system is different, it can be adapted.
Available now · in stock in Riga
Best sellers you can get right away
The most purchased models that are in our warehouse. Order on a working day by 17:00 and collect within 1 hour. The list updates automatically.
GorenjeNRK418ECS4
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SamsungRB34C600ESA/EF
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SamsungRB38C671DSA/EF
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CandyCNCQ2T518DX
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See all fridges, built-in fridges and everything available now.
Delivery, installation and recycling of the old fridge
- In Riga and the nearby area (up to 20 km) – delivery with our own van, including carry-in; elsewhere in Latvia – with DPD. See Delivery Terms.
- Installation of built-in fridges and door rehanging – in Riga and the nearby area, see Installation and connection.
- When we deliver the new fridge, we take the old one for recycling free of charge – see Recycling.
- Pickup from our warehouse at Rēzeknes iela 3A, Riga. Advice on WhatsApp +371 22059100.
Frequently asked questions
What does No Frost mean in a fridge?
It is a cooling system in which a fan circulates cold air, while the frost collects on a hidden evaporator and melts automatically. So no ice forms in the freezer and it never needs defrosting.
What is the difference between static, drip and No Frost cooling?
In static cooling the cold wall is inside the compartment and the freezer needs defrosting. In a drip system the fridge compartment defrosts itself – the water runs away through a channel – but the freezer needs defrosting. In No Frost the frost collects on a hidden evaporator and melts automatically, so nothing needs defrosting.
Does the fridge compartment need No Frost?
Not necessarily. A drip system in the fridge compartment defrosts itself and keeps the air more humid, which suits vegetables. No Frost in both compartments (Total No Frost) gives a more even temperature, but food needs wrapping.
Does a No Frost fridge need defrosting?
No, the freezer does not need defrosting. The fridge should still be cleaned regularly – No Frost prevents ice, not dirt and odours.
Does No Frost dry out food?
Yes, uncovered food – because the air is dry and moving. Keep food in containers with lids, in film and in the crisper drawer, and the difference is small. In models with two cooling systems the fridge air is more humid.
Which is better – No Frost or Low Frost?
No Frost is more convenient because ice does not form at all. With Low Frost ice forms more slowly, but the freezer still needs defrosting now and then. Low Frost is a cheaper compromise.
What is Total No Frost?
Usually No Frost in both compartments, the fridge and the freezer. The term is not standardised, so check the description to see whether No Frost applies only to the freezer.
Does No Frost use more electricity?
A little – the fan and automatic defrosting use energy. But in a static freezer a 1 cm layer of ice raises consumption by 10–15 %. Compare the annual consumption in kWh on the energy label, not just the class.
Is a No Frost fridge noisier?
Usually slightly: you can hear the fan and defrost sounds. Compare the noise class (A–D) and dB on the energy label.
Where is it best to store frozen meat for a long time?
In a static chest freezer: less air movement and fewer temperature swings mean less freezer burn. In a No Frost freezer keep meat in airtight packaging.
What temperature should I set?
+4 °C or below in the fridge and −18 °C in the freezer. Lower temperatures increase electricity use.
Can you install a built-in No Frost fridge?
Yes, in Riga and the nearby area (up to 20 km) for fridges bought at 1Store.lv: we remove the old one, adapt the mounting, build in the new one and rehang the doors. We agree the price before the work.
How much does a No Frost fridge cost?
In the 1Store.lv range (September 2026) No Frost fridges cost from about 280 € (compact two-door models) to 1150 € (Side-by-Side with InstaView and an ice dispenser).
Sources. This article uses data from independent testers, standards and studies, as well as manufacturers’ technical descriptions (marked in the text as manufacturers’ claims). Updated in September 2026.
Show sources (20)
- Stiftung Warentest – Kühlschränke im Test
- Stiftung Warentest – Gefriertruhe und Gefrierschrank
- Verbraucherzentrale – So finden Sie den passenden Kühlschrank
- Consumer Reports – Freezer Buying Guide
- Consumer Reports – Dual-evaporator cooling
- CHOICE – Freezer buying guide
- CHOICE – How to defrost your freezer
- Consumentenbond – Extra functies in een koelkast
- EU Delegated Regulation 2019/2016 (energy label)
- EUFIC – How to store food in the fridge and freezer
- Latvian Food and Veterinary Service – storing food (LV portals)
- U.S. FDA – Are You Storing Food Safely?
- Bansal, Fothergill, Fernandes (2010), Int. J. Refrigeration – defrost energy
- Wang et al. (2020), Int. J. Refrigeration – temperature fluctuations and frozen beef
- Hoffmann et al. (2023), Procedia Computer Science – crisper humidity
- Samsung – Twin Cooling Plus
- Liebherr – NoFrost, SmartFrost, BioFresh
- Beko – NeoFrost Dual Cooling
- Haier – Fresher technologies
- Electrolux – user manual (defrost at 3–5 mm)
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