Functional Fit:The freezer performs as expected—it freezes well and maintains a consistent temperature, which is exactly what a freezer is supposed to do. The interior is spacious, and the door seals effectively. Additionally, I needed extra countertop space in my kitchen, and this unit provides a good amount of it. One suggestion: it would be great if the company offered a version as a standalone cabinet, so I could extend my countertop space using the already well-designed metal structure.Build & Design:This unit is very well built for its category. As an engineer, I particularly appreciated the defrost pan and coil design. Like all freezers, this one features a defrost pan to collect condensate and evaporate water, and it is no exception here. What pleasantly surprised me was that the hot return from the compressor to the cooling fins runs through the condensate pan. This means that any water present will quickly evaporate—thanks to the hot copper pipes running at about 120–140°F—which both removes the water rapidly and improves efficiency as the water cools the pipes.However, the design includes an open back where the compressor and fans are covered only by a mesh, which does very little to block noise. The unit also offers many configurable settings, although the instruction table is a bit confusing due to mixed degree scales (F & C) and unclear explanations of each setting.Temperature Sensor & Compressor Cycling:One oddity I noticed is how frequently the compressor kicks in response to rising temperature (you can see the numbers on the LCD). I suspect this may be due to the placement of the internal temperature sensor. When the freezer is fully loaded with food, the overall mass takes longer to cool than what the sensor indicates, resulting in more frequent compressor cycling.Noise Issues (Deducting a Star):One of the major drawbacks is the noise level. Although it is advertised as a commercial unit—where noise might be more acceptable—the noise in my apartment’s kitchen was overwhelming. For reference, here are the measured noise levels:- Front: 57 dBA- Sides: 60 dBA- Rear: 66 dBA- Interior (echoing sheet metal chamber): 74 dBAIn my open-concept living area, the noise level increased from 34 dBA to 47 dBA when the freezer was operating (cycling on for about 7 minutes every 4 minutes by default). I nearly returned it at that point.After narrowing down the source of the noise (aside from the obvious open back), I identified three main contributors:- The Compressor: Its noise contribution is relatively low in volume, but its sound is quite annoying.- The AC Cooling Fan: This fan cools the coils that handle the hot gas (the efficient R210/propane).- The Interior AC Fans: These cool the condenser and circulate cold air within the freezer.Customer Support & Noise Reduction:I contacted customer support with the noise measurements, and they were impressively prompt and helpful. They sent me a pair of free DC fans that are quieter than the default AC variants and also suggested a few configuration changes. In parallel, I decided to address the noise issue at the rear of the unit.I embarked on a mini-project where I purchased 2 lb/sq ft of Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) to target low-frequency noise and added soundproofing fabric to reduce sound reflectivity and absorb high frequencies. I then lined the entire rear 'box' area—where the compressor and cooling fins are located—while ensuring proper airflow. Additionally, I replaced the fans with my own choices that met or exceeded the original airflow specifications. I installed 120mm Noctua 12V Industrial PPC fans for the interior and 200mm double-stacked (for static pressure) Noctua fans for cooling the hot gas. The overall cost of this project was about $450, and as a result, the freezer’s noise level dropped to approximately 42 dBA—roughly three times quieter than the original and even quieter than some ultra-quiet appliances.Final Thoughts:At this point, I have exactly what I wanted—a countertop freezer with front doors that can hold large amounts of food from my Costco shopping. Originally, I considered purchasing two units, but after all the modifications, one unit was sufficient to meet my needs and satisfy my enthusiasm for the project. Although the cost of materials and labor made this an expensive endeavor, there are very few countertop freezers on the market, so beggars can’t be choosers.