The best commercial refrigerator for a UK kitchen, café or shop is the one rated for your conditions. Check the climate class on its energy label: class 4 is tested at 30°C, and class 5 at 40°C for hot kitchens. Then compare the energy class and annual energy use, the refrigerant, the build and the support for parts and service. A cheap cabinet rated for a cool room will struggle next to a range.
This guide explains how to compare commercial fridges using the information the law requires on the label, what else to check, and where the main brands sold in the UK fit.
At a glance
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Climate class | Class 4 (30°C, 55% humidity) for most kitchens, class 5 (40°C, 40% humidity) for hot ones |
| Energy class | A+++ to G on the label, with the annual energy use in kWh |
| Net volume | Usable litres, chilled and frozen, as declared on the label |
| Refrigerant | Natural refrigerants such as R290 are now common in cabinets |
| Build | Stainless steel, gastronorm sizing if you use GN pans, easy-clean interior |
| Controller and alarms | Clear display, high and low temperature alarms, condenser clean reminders |
| Support | Parts availability, service network and manuals you can get hold of |
Start with the energy label
Professional refrigerated storage cabinets sold in Great Britain carry an energy label under Regulation (EU) 2015/1094, retained in UK law. The label shows the energy efficiency class, the annual energy consumption, the net volume of the chilled and frozen compartments, and the climate class with its test temperature and humidity.
The energy classes run from A+++ down to G, based on an energy efficiency index. A better class costs more to buy but less to run, and a commercial fridge runs around the clock, so the running cost over its life usually outweighs the price difference. Our guide to commercial refrigeration energy costs shows how to work it out.
Climate class: the figure most buyers miss
The climate class tells you the room conditions the cabinet was tested in. The regulation defines three:
| Climate class | Room temperature | Relative humidity |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 25°C | 60% |
| 4 | 30°C | 55% |
| 5 | 40°C | 40% |
Source: Regulation (EU) 2015/1094, Annex IX, Table 3.
A busy commercial kitchen in summer can easily pass 30°C near the cooking line. A cabinet rated for class 3 or 4 in a room that hot will run constantly, struggle to hold temperature and wear faster. If the fridge will sit near ovens, fryers or a pass, look for class 5. For a cooler back room or a shop floor, class 4 is usually enough.
Other things to compare
- Refrigerant. Many current cabinets use natural refrigerants such as R290 (propane), which have a very low global warming potential. Our guide to R290 in commercial refrigeration explains what that means for servicing.
- Size and format. Upright cabinets, counters, prep stations and back bar units each suit different jobs. Check whether the interior takes gastronorm pans if your kitchen works in GN sizes.
- Build quality. Stainless steel inside and out, rounded interior corners for cleaning, strong hinges and door seals that can be replaced easily.
- Controller. A clear display, high and low temperature alarms, door alarms, and a condenser cleaning reminder all help. Our error code guides for Foster, Williams and Polar show what different controllers display.
- Condenser access. Commercial fridge condensers need regular cleaning. Polar says its U-Series condensers need monthly cleaning, and a design that makes this easy will be cleaned more often.
- Parts and service. A cabinet is only as good as the support behind it. Check that parts and manuals are easy to get in the UK and that local engineers work on the brand.
Brands you will see in the UK
UK caterers commonly buy from manufacturers such as Foster and Williams, both of which build commercial refrigeration in England, and from brands such as Polar, Tefcold, Gram and True, among others. Each makes a range from budget to premium, so comparing models matters more than comparing logos. Two cabinets of the same size can differ widely in climate class, energy class and build.
People often ask whether one budget brand is better than another, for example Polar or Tefcold. The honest answer is to compare the specific models on their labels: climate class, energy class, annual kWh, net volume and refrigerant, and then the warranty terms and parts support you are offered. The right choice for a cool café counter may be the wrong one for a hot kitchen.
Looking after it once it is installed
Even the best cabinet will fail early if it is starved of air or never cleaned. Leave the ventilation gaps the manual asks for, keep it away from direct heat where you can, clean the condenser regularly, and check door seals. Planned refrigeration maintenance keeps cabinets efficient, and our commercial refrigeration repair engineers work on all the main brands across London. When an older cabinet keeps failing, our guide to repairing or replacing a commercial fridge helps with the decision.
Questions people ask about commercial refrigerators
What is the best commercial fridge for a hot kitchen?
One rated climate class 5, which is tested at 40°C and 40% humidity, so it can hold temperature near ovens and fryers. Class 3 and 4 cabinets are tested at 25°C and 30°C and may struggle in a hot kitchen.
What does climate class mean on a commercial fridge?
It is the room condition the cabinet was tested in. Under Regulation (EU) 2015/1094, class 3 is 25°C at 60% humidity, class 4 is 30°C at 55%, and class 5 is 40°C at 40%.
What energy rating should a commercial fridge have?
As high as your budget allows. The label runs from A+++ to G and shows the annual energy use in kWh, which is the best figure for comparing running costs, because commercial fridges run all the time.
Which commercial refrigeration brands are most common in the UK?
Foster and Williams are long-established UK manufacturers, and brands such as Polar, Tefcold, Gram and True are also widely sold. Each has budget and premium ranges, so compare individual models rather than brands.
Is Polar or Tefcold better?
It depends on the model and where it will be used. Compare the climate class, energy class, annual energy use, net volume and refrigerant on each label, then the warranty and parts support offered.
How long should a commercial fridge last?
It depends heavily on the conditions and maintenance. A cabinet rated for its environment, kept ventilated and with its condenser cleaned regularly will last far longer than one squeezed next to a range and never serviced.
The short version
Read the label before the brochure. Pick the climate class for your room, compare the energy class and annual kWh, check the refrigerant, build and controller, and make sure parts and service are easy to get. Then keep it ventilated and the condenser clean.
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Written by
Ali Elm
Ali is the Head of Operations at Be Cool Refrigeration with over a decade of hands-on experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration. He oversees every installation, repair, and maintenance project, making sure the work meets the highest standards. Ali holds full F-Gas certification and has worked across residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems throughout London and the South East. When he is not on site, he writes these guides to help business owners and homeowners understand their cooling systems better.