Your fridge freezer compartment may be enough for a few portions if you shop frequently. If you regularly prepare meals in advance or stock up, check its freezer capacity before considering a separate appliance. An upright freezer makes it easier to organise portions, while a chest freezer prioritises storage space. An under-counter model can provide extra capacity when space is tight. Usable capacity, access to food and room temperature all matter just as much as the format.
If you divide your meals between several containers or bags, check how many will actually fit in your fridge freezer compartment. The drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to organise and access your portions.
For larger packs and less frequent shopping, a chest freezer may offer the space you need, provided you have enough floor space. If you plan to keep it in a pantry, cellar or garage, also check that the model is designed to operate at the temperatures the room reaches.
An under-counter freezer lets you keep a few extra supplies separate from those in your fridge, without installing a large upright model. UFC-Que Choisir puts the capacity of this format at between 30 and 100 L, so measure your containers before settling on this option.
Start by estimating how much space your portions and shopping will take up. Then check how you’ll access them and where the appliance can operate.
| Criteria | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare freezer capacity, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a small compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food or want to store one to two weeks’ worth of supplies. | I only freeze a few portions between shopping trips: the existing compartment may be enough if they fit. If I regularly buy larger quantities, I’ll work out how much space I need before choosing a separate appliance. |
| Format and access | Measure your containers, the available floor space and the clearance needed to open the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir describes upright freezers as typically around 200 L, with some reaching 400 L; chest freezers can hold up to 600 L, while under-counter models range from 30 to 100 L. | I want to find small portions quickly, so drawers could be useful. If I mainly store large bags or dishes, I could consider a chest freezer, as long as I organise its contents. For extra capacity in a small kitchen, I’ll look at an under-counter model. |
| Location | Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures and compare them with the model’s documentation. Beko gives an ambient temperature range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T; this alone does not cover a room that falls below 10 °C. | I’m planning to put my appliance in a cellar or garage, so I’ll check its operating range for that specific room, even if the product description mentions garage use. |
| Energy and maintenance | Compare the energy rating and annual energy consumption of models with a similar format and capacity. ADEME gives freezers an energy rating scale from A to G; check separately whether the model has No Frost and how it needs to be defrosted. | As the appliance will run continuously, its energy consumption matters to me. If I want to reduce frost-related maintenance, I’ll also look at the model’s features, without confusing them with its energy rating. |
| Stored food and power cuts | Compare the stated power-cut storage time and, if you often add a lot of food at once, the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these as separate criteria in its freezer testing process. | I keep a lot of food in reserve or come home with several items to freeze, so I’ll check both figures for the models I’m considering rather than relying on capacity alone. |
A spacious chest freezer can make small portions harder to find. Conversely, the drawers in an upright freezer need to be large enough for your containers and dishes.
Measure your containers and check how easy it is to reach the bottom of a chest freezer or move the drawers. If you store lots of portions, plan to organise them into categories or use labels.
Beko gives an ambient temperature range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T. A garage that drops below 10 °C is outside this range, unless the model has an additional feature specifically designed for those conditions.
Check the room’s temperatures over a representative period, then compare them with the manual for the appliance you’re considering.
How long an appliance can keep food cold during a power cut and how much food it can freeze in 24 hours are two different things. UFC-Que Choisir assesses them separately.
If you store a lot of food or buy in bulk, compare the storage time during a power cut and the freezing capacity of models with a similar capacity.
No Frost is a feature related to frost management. Its presence alone isn’t enough to compare the electricity consumption of two freezers.
Also check their energy labels and annual consumption, taking the format and capacity of each model into account.
These examples show features to look for in a specific model; they don’t indicate what you’ll find across an entire brand.
Worth considering if you plan to install your freezer in an unheated room.
Worth considering if you want an upright freezer and storage options and freezing specifications matter to you.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freezer with maintenance features or one designed for a cool room, depending on the model.
These options include a fridge freezer, an upright freezer and chest freezers. They give you a chance to consider both integrated freezing and dedicated storage. Check the freezer capacity and make sure the location is suitable for your household.
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An integrated option if you want refrigeration and freezing in a single appliance. The 467 L figure is the total capacity, so check how much freezer space is available for your portions.
Four-door model with Total No Frost and an E energy rating. If you plan to keep it in an unheated room, check its ambient temperature range.
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Worth considering if you want to organise portions in a dedicated appliance rather than in an open chest freezer. This model is listed with drawers, a reversible hinged door and a No Frost function.
It’s also listed with a C energy rating, LED display and alarm. Check its dimensions, storage time during a power cut and the permitted ambient temperature for your chosen location.
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Worth considering for larger stocks if you have room to open a chest freezer and organise food in its spacious interior.
It’s listed with fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket, a five-level digital control and an E energy rating. The word ‘garage’ in the product name doesn’t replace checking the model’s permitted ambient temperature range.
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This 197 L chest freezer is another option for storing food in a dedicated appliance. Check that its open interior suits your containers and the way you want to find smaller portions.
It’s listed with fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket, a five-level digital control and an E energy rating. Before installing it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range.
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A chest freezer worth considering for extra capacity if 99 L is enough for the portions you want to store separately from your fridge.
It’s listed with a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. The model description specifies manual defrosting; also check how much room you need to open the lid and the permitted ambient temperature range.
It may be enough for a few portions if there’s room for your containers as well as the food already stored inside. If you eat a lot of frozen food or want to store one to two weeks’ worth of supplies, UFC-Que Choisir advises against relying on a basic freezer compartment. Check its capacity before deciding whether you need a separate appliance.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the range permitted for the exact model. Beko gives a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T, which on its own isn’t suitable for a room that falls below 10 °C. Beko says some of its Freezer Guard models can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, as can Liebherr models fitted with FrostProtect. Check that the specific model you’re considering has the relevant feature.
Not necessarily. A chest freezer offers open space for larger packs, while the drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to organise and access portions. Choose according to the capacity you need, the size of your containers, the floor space available and how you plan to organise your food.
Compare the A to G rating and annual energy consumption, taking the capacity and format of each appliance into account. ADEME gives this scale for freezers; the rating alone won’t tell you which capacity is right for your storage needs.
Check how easy it is to access food, the permitted ambient temperature, annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut. If you often add large quantities after shopping, compare the freezing capacity in kg/24 h too. UFC-Que Choisir assesses energy consumption, storage time and freezing capacity as separate criteria.