If you prepare a variety of portions that you’ll want to reach for regularly, choose an upright freezer for easy access and organisation. For larger batches, consider a chest freezer if you have the space and a way to organise the food. A fridge freezer or compact model is better for smaller quantities when space is limited. In every case, compare the usable freezer capacity and check for a four-star rating if you freeze your own meals.
If you alternate between recipes and individual portions, clear drawers, adjustable storage and labels will help you find what you’ve frozen. The total capacity alone won’t tell you how easy your containers will be to reach.
For family meals or big cooking sessions, check the freezer capacity and the size of your containers. A chest freezer also needs floor space, plus an organisation system that keeps older portions within easy reach.
If you only freeze a few portions, measure the available space before choosing between a compact freezer and the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer. Remember to allow for the door to open, not just the dimensions of the closed appliance.
First, choose a type that suits the number of portions you need to store and the space available. Then consider how you’ll access your food over the coming weeks.
Consider one : if you want to keep different recipes separate and regularly take out portions without moving a stack of containers.
Trade-off : check the height and flexibility of the drawers, as the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee your dishes will fit.
Consider one : if you freeze large batches and have a suitable spot for a top-opening appliance.
Trade-off : storing food in layers means you’ll need baskets or containers to find older portions.
Consider one : if you need a single appliance for both chilling and freezing moderate quantities.
Trade-off : look at the capacity of the freezer compartment, not the total capacity of the fridge freezer.
Consider one : if space is limited and you keep a few portions that you replace regularly.
Trade-off : the smaller capacity leaves less room for several recipes or larger containers.
| Criteria | What to check | Best for which shoppers? |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Number and height of drawers; whether baskets or shelves can be moved. | When I prepare several recipes, I want to find each container before it gets forgotten at the back. Around 36% of shoppers would put easy access to portions first. |
| Batch storage | Net freezer capacity in litres; freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you often add freshly prepared food. | For a big cooking session, I need enough room for the containers I plan to use, without relying on improvised storage. This capacity would be the top priority for around 29% of shoppers. |
| Space required | Dimensions and clearance needed to open the appliance; capacity of the freezer compartment alone in a fridge freezer. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to fit and open the appliance without giving up space I need for other things. Around 21% of shoppers would make this their first consideration. |
| Everyday use | Annual energy consumption in kWh, noise in dB(A) and the model’s defrosting method. | If the appliance is near a living area, I want to know how noisy it is and what maintenance it will need. These considerations would come first for around 14% of shoppers. |
If you’re freezing meals you’ve prepared at home, also check for a four-star rating. The Ministry of Agriculture explains that this indicates a compartment capable of quickly bringing the centre of food to −18 °C; a simple ice box designed to store already frozen products doesn’t do the same job. The European Commission says the energy label can help you compare appliances’ annual energy consumption, storage capacity and noise levels.
In a deep chest freezer, meals can be difficult to find. So a large capacity doesn’t guarantee you’ll use the oldest portions first.
Count your usual containers and plan to use labelled baskets or containers so you can eat the portions you froze first before the later ones.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, an ice box is for temporarily storing products that are already frozen, while a four-star compartment can freeze food.
If you freeze meals yourself, check that the chosen model is described as four-star in its product details and manual.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model, not just its style. Placing it somewhere outside its operating conditions could affect food storage.
Before installation, check the ambient temperature range, climate class and ventilation requirements in the manual.
The DGCCRF advises against freezing food when its use-by date is close, has arrived or has passed. The Ministry of Agriculture also warns that refreezing thawed food encourages bacteria to multiply.
Plan to freeze food well in advance, label portions with the date and never refreeze food once it has thawed.
Bosch offers upright freezers, including models designed to make drawer organisation easier.
Beko’s range includes chest freezers, where capacity and food organisation need to be considered together.
Electrolux offers upright freezers, including built-in models where the installation space matters just as much as the drawers.
Whirlpool offers chest freezers, some of which can be installed in a cold room subject to certain conditions.
This selection includes a fridge freezer for chilling and freezing in one appliance, a chest freezer for organising batches, and two compact freezers for smaller quantities. Before you choose, compare the space available for frozen food with the size of your usual containers.
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Worth considering if you want to combine chilling and freezing in one appliance. The product name lists a total capacity of 467 l, Total No Frost cooling and an E energy rating. Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and four-star rating separately, and make sure you have enough room to open the doors.
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This four-star chest freezer could suit batches that fit into 99 l, as long as you plan how to find portions stored at the bottom. The product name lists a removable basket and an E energy rating; check how much room you’ll need to open the lid.
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Consider this model if you want to keep a few portions separate in a 60 l upright freezer. The model name lists three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating; compare the size of your containers with the drawers and check for a four-star rating if you freeze prepared meals.
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This 31 l four-star model is better suited to a few portions than large batches. The product name lists a reversible door, an E energy rating and stated energy consumption of 147 kWh per year; measure the available space and door clearance before choosing it.
Set the freezer to −18 °C, in line with the Ministry of Agriculture’s guidance. If you freeze freshly prepared meals yourself, also check that the compartment has a four-star rating.
You can plan to freeze portions and leftovers before the food gets close to its use-by date, but don’t refreeze food once it has thawed. The DGCCRF advises against freezing food when its use-by date is close, has arrived or has passed; the Ministry of Agriculture warns that refreezing can encourage bacteria to multiply.
Yes, but only if the model’s installation requirements are suitable for the temperature of the room. Beko and Whirlpool state that their HSM14540 and WHM2112 models respectively operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C. Check the manual for the chest freezer you’re considering rather than assuming all models have the same feature.
According to the European Commission, you can compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, storage capacities and noise level shown on the European energy label. For a fridge freezer, check the capacity of the freezer compartment: the total capacity also includes the fridge.
No. No Frost relates to frost build-up, not cleaning the compartments and containers. Follow the care instructions in the manual for your chosen model, including any guidance on what to do before putting food back inside.