Smeg UKC8174NE Built In Fridge Freezer Review, Prices & Score
Compare current retailer offers alongside a detailed BestBuysUK product review and Score.
Where to buy the Smeg UKC8174NE fridge freezer
🏆 Review & price summary
The Smeg UKC8174NE fridge freezer is a quiet, fully integrated bottom-freezer appliance with 242 litres of usable storage, four freezer drawers, an internal LCD touch display and reversible door fitting. Its 35dB(A) noise rating, inverter compressor, fan-assisted refrigerator and useful FastFreeze, fast-cooling and Holiday functions make it convenient for everyday use. The main compromises are the E energy rating, the moderate overall capacity and No-Frost protection that applies to the freezer rather than both compartments.
✓ Key strengths
- ✓ Quiet 35dB(A) operation suits open-plan kitchens
- ✓ Four freezer drawers make frozen-food organisation straightforward
- ✓ Reversible door and sliding hinge provide useful installation flexibility
- ✓ LCD touch controls include FastFreeze, fast cooling and Holiday functions
- ✓ Inverter compressor, fan-assisted refrigerator cooling and LED lighting are well judged for everyday use
- ✓ Four-star freezer performance includes an 8.3kg-per-24-hour freezing capacity
Worth considering
- E energy rating is behind more efficient D- and C-rated fridge freezers
- The 242-litre total capacity is moderate for a full-height integrated fridge freezer, with 88 litres allocated to the freezer
- It requires a specific 1, 780mm-high, 560mm-wide built-in niche and a sliding-hinge installation
Key Specifications
- Colour
- White
- Format
- Bottom mount; refrigerator above freezer
- Display
- LCD touch display
- Functions
- Fast cooling, FastFreeze and Holiday mode
- Hinge type
- Sliding hinge
- Net weight
- 59.5kg
- Noise level
- 35dB(A)
- Refrigerant
- R600a isobutane
- Cooling type
- Fan-assisted refrigerator cooling
- Door storage
- One adjustable door shelf and one bottle shelf
- Installation
- Built-in integrated appliance
- Climate class
- SN, N, ST, T
- Nominal power
- 120W
- Defrost system
- Automatic defrost
- Freezer rating
- Four-star freezer
- Freezer volume
- 88 litres
- Hinge position
- Right-hand hinge position as supplied
- Compressor type
- Inverter
- Door-open alarm
- Yes
- Freezer drawers
- Four
- Reversible door
- Yes
- Frost protection
- No-Frost system on freezer only
- Freezing capacity
- 8.3kg per 24 hours
- Power cable length
- 240cm
- Refrigerator volume
- 154 litres
- Temperature control
- Electronic
- Total usable volume
- 242 litres
- Electrical connection
- 230-240V, 50Hz
- Number of compressors
- One
- Refrigerator shelving
- Two adjustable glass shelves
- Temperature-rise time
- 10.3 hours
- Energy efficiency class
- E
- Annual energy consumption
- 236kWh/year
- Manufacturer product code
- UKC8174NE
- Fruit and vegetable drawers
- Two
- Airborne noise emission class
- B
- Interior refrigerator lighting
- LED
- Appliance dimensions (H x W x D)
- 1772 x 546 x 549mm
- Recommended built-in niche (H x W x D)
- 1780 x 560 x 560mm
Who Should Buy It?
- ✓ Households with a 1,780mm-high, 560mm-wide integrated tall-appliance niche.
- ✓ Buyers wanting a bottom-freezer layout with four freezer drawers and an 88-litre frozen-food compartment.
- ✓ Those who value quiet operation, reversible door fitting and internal electronic controls.
- ✓ Shoppers wanting fast cooling, FastFreeze and Holiday functions without moving to an American-style appliance.
Fridge Freezers to compare with the Smeg UKC8174NE fridge freezer
These alternatives are selected from our current ranked fridge freezers, prioritising shared verified comparison traits and comparable BestBuysUK Scores.
| Model | BestBuysUK Score | Profile | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bertazzoni REF603BBNPVC/20 177cm Built-In Fridge Freezer
|
74/100 | Integrated · Large Capacity · Quiet | Compare review → |
 Smeg C875TNE 70cm Built-In Fridge Freezer
|
84/100 | Integrated · Large Capacity · Quiet | Compare review → |
 AEG OSC6L185ES 6000 Low Frost AI CoolAssist Integrated Fridge Freezer
|
85/100 | Integrated · Large Capacity · Quiet | Compare review → |
Smeg's official documents specify 242 litres rather than the retailer’s supplied information figure of 264 litres, and state that No-Frost applies to the freezer only. The official specification also confirms two adjustable refrigerator shelves and a non-50/50 compartment split.
Design and installation
The Smeg UKC8174NE fridge freezer is designed for fully integrated installation behind a kitchen furniture door. Its official dimensions are 1,772mm high, 546mm wide and 549mm deep, with a recommended built-in niche measuring 1,780mm high, 560mm wide and 560mm deep.
A reversible door and sliding hinge give useful installation flexibility, although the required niche dimensions should be checked carefully before purchase. The white finish, internal LCD touch display and concealed installation suit kitchens where a continuous cabinetry look is the priority.
Storage and layout
The Smeg UKC8174NE fridge freezer provides 242 litres of total usable volume, divided into 154 litres for fresh food and 88 litres for frozen storage. The refrigerator has two adjustable glass shelves, two fruit-and-vegetable drawers, a bottle shelf and adjustable door storage.
The freezer is arranged across four drawers, which makes it easier to separate different food types than a single large compartment. The layout is practical for everyday family shopping, although the total capacity is more moderate than that of larger integrated models.
Cooling performance
The refrigerator uses fan-assisted cooling, while the freezer has a No-Frost system. Smeg specifies a four-star freezer, an 8.3kg-per-24-hour freezing capacity and a 10.3-hour temperature-rise time, giving the appliance solid frozen-food performance.
Fast cooling and FastFreeze functions are available through the electronic controls. The FastFreeze mode is intended for pre-freezing and rapidly freezing fresh food, while the fan helps distribute cold air more evenly in the refrigerator compartment.
Controls and convenience
The internal LCD touch display provides separate temperature adjustment for the refrigerator and freezer. The manual specifies a fridge temperature range of 2°C to 8°C and a freezer range of -15°C to -24°C, with recommended settings of 4°C and -18°C.
Useful convenience functions include Holiday mode, FastFreeze, fast cooling, a door-open alarm and the option to switch off the refrigerator compartment while keeping the freezer operating. LED lighting and an included ice box complete a well-equipped, straightforward specification.
Energy use and noise
The Smeg UKC8174NE fridge freezer carries an E energy rating and an official annual consumption figure of 236kWh. That places its efficiency below models in the higher D, C or better bands, so energy-conscious buyers should compare the label rather than relying on the inverter compressor or other convenience features.
Noise output is a stronger point: the appliance is rated at 35dB(A) and noise emission class B. That is quiet for a full-height fridge freezer and should make it suitable for open-plan kitchens, subject to correct installation and ventilation.
Research note: this BestBuysUK assessment is based on the manufacturer's published specifications and other reputable technical sources. Specifications and retailer availability can change, so verify critical details before purchase.