For batch cooking or freezing a large shop, choose according to how much you need to freeze at once and how much space you actually have between cooking sessions. A fridge-freezer avoids adding another appliance if its freezer compartment is large enough. An upright freezer makes portions easy to access in drawers, while a chest freezer can accommodate bulky containers, but takes up more floor space and needs careful organisation.
You prepare several meals at once and want to find frozen portions easily. The load-freezing scenarios described by UFC-Que Choisir show why it is useful to distinguish between the storage space available and the amount an appliance can freeze in one load.
You bring home a lot of food that needs chilling or freezing at once. Consider both the storage volume and the model’s freezing capacity: UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocols treat these as separate criteria.
You need extra storage, but also have to consider the floor space it takes up, access to food and where the appliance will go. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide also highlights the importance of ease of use.
Start with how much you need to freeze at once, then check storage, placement and running costs.
Consider one if : you also need to replace your fridge and its freezer compartment can hold your supplies between cooking sessions.
Bear in mind : its frozen food storage may be limited compared with a separate freezer.
Consider one if : you’re happy with your fridge and want to organise portions in drawers.
Bear in mind : the compartments may limit the size of your containers, and the appliance will take up extra space.
Consider one if : your meals or shopping include large quantities and you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind : access from the top can make portions at the bottom harder to find.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage volume | Usable volume of the freezer compartment, in litres; external dimensions and space available for containers. | If you store several portions or shopping until your next cooking session, check that the freezer compartment meets your needs. Around 27 % of consumers prioritise storage volume. |
| Large loads | Stated freezing capacity in kg/24 h; test results for large loads, where available. | If you need to freeze a large quantity on the day you shop or cook, compare the amount you expect to freeze with the stated capacity. This is the top priority for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Access to portions | Number and dimensions of drawers; baskets and access to food in an open compartment. | If you regularly take out prepared meals, check that your containers fit in the drawers or that you can organise the baskets. Easy access to portions is the top priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Placement | Dimensions and clearance requirements given in the instructions; permitted ambient temperature range for the model you choose. | If the appliance needs to fit in a confined space or an unheated room, measure the area and check the installation requirements. Around 13 % of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Running costs and noise | Energy consumption in kWh/year and noise level in dB(A), for models with a capacity that meets your needs. | If the appliance will run near living areas or is being added alongside a fridge you’re keeping, compare the noise and energy consumption of both appliances. This is the top priority for around 13 % of consumers. |
The fridge’s capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food. Check the usable volume of the freezer compartment alone for the exact model.
Compare this with the volume of your containers and the amount you need to store when your stocks are at their fullest.
Storage space alone won’t tell you how much food an appliance can freeze in a day or how well it maintains its temperature after a large load.
Compare the stated capacity in kg/24 h with the amount you’ll be adding, and look at test results for large loads where available.
An open compartment can hold bulky containers, but food at the bottom is less accessible than in drawers.
Check the internal dimensions and baskets, then plan how to organise the contents based on how often you take out portions.
Freezers and fridges run continuously. ADEME points out that these appliances contribute to household electricity consumption.
Compare the kWh/year figures for models that meet your needs, and also take into account the energy consumption of the fridge you’re keeping.
The specifications below apply only to the models mentioned and are not representative of every range from these brands.
The KGN39VWCK fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance.
The B5RFNE315G upright freezer is worth considering if drawer storage is an important part of your decision.
The WHM251122 chest freezer is worth considering if you want open storage for bulky food.
The FNe 4605 and CFd 2505 models illustrate two formats to compare, depending on your space and storage needs.
The H4F272WEH1 is an example of a drawer-style upright freezer to consider if you want separate storage away from your fridge.
This selection brings together upright freezers and fridge-freezers, so you can compare separate frozen food storage with an integrated freezer compartment.
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Worth considering if you want to store frozen portions separately in an upright format.
The title lists 161 L, No-Frost, 3 freezer drawers, 2 drawers, an LED display, a reversible door hinge, an alarm, a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C and Energy Class C.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The title lists 360 L, Total No Frost, Class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a combined appliance with an integrated freezer compartment.
The title lists a width of 83 cm, a 276 L fridge, a 168 L freezer, 40 dB and Energy Class E.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance with several compartments.
The title lists 474 L and Energy Class E.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance and store bulky frozen items.
The title lists 268 L, a water dispenser, a large freezer drawer and Energy Class E.
Count the portions and shopping that need to fit in the freezer at the same time, taking into account the actual size of their containers. Then compare this with the usable freezer capacity, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer, and separately check its stated capacity for days when you need to freeze a large load.
Only if the permitted ambient temperature range for the model covers the temperatures in your garage. Check the installation instructions for the exact model rather than assuming it is suitable based on its format.
No, it depends on the technology and the model. Liebherr’s product information lists NoFrost for the FNe 4605 upright freezer; for the CFd 2505 chest freezer, it describes features that reduce frost build-up without guaranteeing that defrosting won’t be needed. Check the care instructions for the model you choose.
When you buy from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity applies under its statutory terms. The DGCCRF states that claims must be made within two years of the goods being delivered, whether new or second-hand. Household refrigeration appliances are subject to energy labelling: check the information for the exact model and distinguish the optional commercial warranty from the legal guarantee.
The FAQ from the Ministry for Ecological Transition states that the “one-for-one” take-back service applies to household appliances when you buy an appliance of the same type, with no sales-floor area threshold specified in that FAQ. Confirm the collection and delivery arrangements with the seller.