What is it?

A compact chest freezer with a decent storage capacity.

It will soon be time for the annual barrage of seasonal ads, the kind with picture-perfect families sitting down to a sprawling feast in front of an immaculate 10-foot Christmas tree.

Impossible to emulate but every year we all give it a bash: turkey with trimmings ordered in advance, sauces prepared and frozen weeks ago, copious deserts stacked and waiting. But with all that culinary action, freezer space is soon at a premium.

That's when a budget option like the Ambiano Chest Freezer – one of Aldi's latest Specialbuys deals – could come in handy.

Good points?

The unit has a 99-litre capacity and its neat size, measuring 56.6cm x 52.3cm x 85cm (22in x 21in x 33in), means it doesn't encroach too much into the surrounding room. The simple design allows ample storage as there are no drawers or boxes to block usable space. It can also house larger bulk buy items easily. Being able to add such substantial freezer capacity for less than £100 is a no-brainer.

Bad points?

One small grid basket is supplied so if you have lots of loose, smaller items then it's inevitable that they'll get lost in the jumble unless you can stack like a Tetris master. No automatic temperature control means keeping a close eye on the surrounding environment and adjusting accordingly.

Best for ...

Those with large families or limited disposable income to spend on perishables. Frozen food provides cheap and long-lasting nourishment throughout the year.

Avoid if ...

You simply don't have the space to store an extra appliance.

Score: 8/10.

Ambiano Chest Freezer, £99.99 (aldi.co.uk)