Zanussi ZRB34211XV fridge freezer review
Wondering which brand of fridge freezer to buy? Not all are created equal. Check out our review of the Zanussi ZRB34211XV to find out if this is the one for you.
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Zanussi ZRB34211XV fridge freezer – discontinued
Pros: A combination of drawers and shelving, good visibility of contents, one extra-deep freezer drawer, easy to clean, auto-defrost.
Cons: Door shelves and fridge drawers feel a little flimsy, can't manually control freezer temp.
Overall score: 4.2/5
This product is no longer available. Find more like this in our review of fridge freezers.
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Zanussi offers a full range of household appliances at middle-of-the-range prices. Their ethos is to make day-to-day chores easier. We found the majority of fridge freezers we tested ticked that box, but did Zanussi have the edge?
Read our full review of the best fridge freezers.
First impressions of the Zanussi ZRB34211XV fridge freezer
This appliance has a slightly rounded exterior with a more prominent logo than some brands. The plastic handles detract a little from the overall smartness of the stainless steel finish. Looking inside, visibility is good but there's a lot going on in the way of shelving and drawers. Temperature can clearly be changed at the touch of a button – nothing daunting here. The freezer looks roomy considering its capacity, which is at the lower end of those we tested. A deeper middle drawer is a useful feature.
Is the Zanussi ZRB34211XV fridge freezer easy to set up?
Like most fridge freezers, this simply requires a period for the coolant to settle before plugging in and then a wait for the appliance to cool before adding food.
What is the overall quality like?
The quality is acceptable for the price. The drawers and door shelves feel a little flimsy, but if not handled roughly they'll probably last. Aesthetically, the plastic door handles look less expensive than stainless steel versions.
Capacity vs usable space
The fridge holds 220 litres and the shelves have been packed in, so arguably you should be able to fit a lot in the fridge. However, if you're inclined to store taller items, some of the space is not that usable. In general, it's good to be able to store similar items on the same shelf, but if you're taking height into account, you might find it's all a bit of a mish-mash, with shallower items having to go on the same shelf regardless of what they are.
The freezer holds 91 litres and feels spacious for its size – especially the deeper middle drawer – allowing for larger freezer items like joints of meat.
What's the handle like?
The handle is a solid, tough plastic that's inset into the bottom of the fridge and top of the freezer along the full width of the appliance. The gap for inserting your fingers between the two doors is not huge and might be less comfortable for larger hands. It isn't as easy to open as handles that are recessed into the sides of doors or external handles, and we found we had to pull quite hard. Also, once open, the door has a tendency to swing open.
What are the shelving options in the fridge?
There are three adjustable-height glass shelves in the main compartment, and if you remove the upper drawer, there's a fourth. It also has a bottle rack for four bottles. Spacing depth is quite narrow for all but the top shelf however you arrange the heights, but if you don't need the bottle rack, you can slide that out to easily create more room.
How are the fridge drawers?
This model has two large, deep drawers that are side by side, plus a full-width shallow drawer above. We like that this allows for separating different types of food, and the fact that you can easily slide out the upper drawer to reveal another shelf does give you options.
What benefits does the freezer offer?
The freezer has three drawers, the middle of which is deeper – handy for storing larger items. The freezer also has a fast freeze option to lower the temperature if you're planning to add a batch of unfrozen food, and it defrosts automatically.
How's the overall visibility?
Food is very easy to see at a glance in this appliance. All the shelves and drawers are clear plastic or glass, so no need to do any rummaging to see you what you've got.
Is it easy to control and monitor temperature?
For the fridge, you simply press a button and the temperature you've selected is highlighted. You have the option to select fast freeze but not to alter the temperature in the freezer otherwise. There's no digital temperature readout.
Is there a door alarm?
No.
What is its footprint?
The footprint is 184.5cm (H) x 59.5cm (W) x 65cm (D) with recessed handles, providing maximum clearance in your kitchen.
Is it easy to clean?
This fridge freezer is very easy to clean, with drawers and shelves coming out and repositioning smoothly. There are a few rims and ridges where food could collect, but these are minimal.
Are there any accessories?
This comes with a removable ice cube tray. The egg holder is built into the top door shelf.
Are there any accessories available for purchase?
Yes. You can buy a combination wire shelf and bottle rack, plus a bottle retainer for the fridge door. Replacement drawers and other parts are readily available online.
Overall star ratings for Zanussi ZRB34211XV fridge freezer
Quality 4/5
Practicality 4/5
Capacity vs usable space 4/5
Temperature control 4/5
Ease of cleaning 4.5/5
Value for money 4.5/5
Overall score: 4.2/5
Our conclusion
This appliance offers flexibility in its storage options, but you might need to remove a shelf to really make the most of it as spacing is a little tight. Overall, the quality and level of functionality is good for the price.
This product is no longer available. Find more like this in our review of fridge freezers.
Product specifications at a glance
Dimensions:
184.5cm (H) x 59.5cm (W) x 65cm (D)
Capacity:
Fridge 220 litres
Freezer 91 litres
Energy efficiency class: A ++
Annual energy consumption per year in kWh: 239
Fast freeze: Yes
Automatic defrost: Yes
Reversible door handle: Yes
Fridge can be switched off separately: No
No. of fridge shelves: 3
No. of fridge door shelves: 3
No. of fridge drawers: 3
No. of freezer drawers: 3
Digital display: No
Separate controls for fridge and freezer: Temperature control for fridge only.
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This review was last updated in March 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
