If you often take out pre-prepared portions, start by looking at upright freezers with drawers. For bulk shopping or large dishes, compare chest freezers, bearing in mind that food stored at the bottom is less easy to reach. If you need an under-counter or integrated appliance, check the space and installation requirements before choosing the capacity and defrost features, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir’s buying criteria and the specifications for the models in question.
If you regularly take out a container or a dish, an upright freezer with drawers lets you keep meals separate and find them without searching through your whole stock. Do check that the drawers fit your containers, though: Bosch, for example, offers flexible storage in its GSN54EWCV, but not across all its upright freezers.
A chest freezer is worth considering if you have floor space for bulk shopping or large dishes. Use categories or baskets to make sure you can find portions stored at the bottom.
An under-counter or integrated model can provide extra freezer space. Before choosing, measure the space and check the door fitting, installation clearances and capacity of the specific model.
Start with the number of portions you need to store and how often you take them out. Then check that the type you have in mind will fit the space available.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Compare the number and size of the drawers, baskets or flexible storage areas. With a chest freezer, think about where to put the food you take out often. | I want to find a portion without moving other dishes. An upright freezer with compartments could suit me, as long as the storage fits my containers. |
| Capacity and containers | Compare the stated capacity in litres with the size of your dishes. Also check their dimensions against the compartments or opening. | My bulk purchases and home-cooked meals need to fit in the freezer, but capacity alone doesn’t tell me how easy they’ll be to store. |
| Where it will go | Measure the height, width and depth, and check that the door or lid can open fully. For an integrated model, check the available space, door fitting and installation instructions. | If my kitchen has a dedicated space, I’ll choose an appliance that fits the unit rather than relying on capacity alone. |
| Maintenance and energy use | Check the model’s cooling system and defrosting instructions. Compare the energy label’s A to G rating and stated annual consumption across similar appliances, using the European Commission’s guidance. | I want to factor in maintenance and energy use over time, without assuming that these depend on the type or brand. |
Food at the bottom is less easy to reach, even if a chest freezer offers the space you need for storing extra food.
Keep the baskets or easy-to-reach areas for the meals you take out often. If you check your stock every day, compare upright freezers with drawers too.
Two under-counter appliances may require different spaces: Liebherr specifies 86–92 × 60 × 56 cm for the SUFNc 375i and 82–88 × 60 × 56 cm for the SUFd 3603.
Measure all three dimensions, then check the clearances and door fitting in the instructions for your chosen model.
If it doesn’t fit, you may need to adapt the unit.
Each appliance has its own energy rating and stated consumption. The European Commission’s energy label uses a scale from A to G.
Check the energy label for the exact model and compare appliances with similar capacities and uses.
The minimum permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Beko says its HSM14540 will operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
If you’re planning to use it in a cellar or unheated garage, check the ambient temperature range in the product details and manual for the appliance you’re considering.
These examples highlight features to check on each model; they don’t describe what’s available across every range.
Worth considering if you want a freestanding upright freezer that makes it easier to organise portions.
Worth considering if you need a chest freezer for meals or bulk shopping.
Worth considering for both freestanding upright and under-counter models when the available space determines your choice.
Worth considering if you want to fit a freezer into a fitted kitchen.
These upright and chest freezers let you compare vertical storage for portions you access often with chest models for building up a larger stock. Check the space needed and the interior layout of each appliance before choosing.
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This freestanding model could suit a small stock of portions you want to keep separate. The product details state a capacity of 60 L and dimensions of 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm. The title and description give different numbers of drawers, so check the interior layout if you plan to store several containers.
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The stated 161 L capacity and drawer and shelf storage are worth considering if you separate different types of meals. The product is listed with No Frost and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions for your available space, as well as the exact interior layout.
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This 99 L chest freezer comes with a removable basket, which is designed to keep smaller items separate. Food at the bottom is less easy to reach, so plan how you’ll organise it. The description states that it needs manual defrosting and has a stated freezing capacity of 4,5 kg/24 h.
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The stated 140 L capacity is an option to compare if you need to store meals and bulk purchases. A basket is listed for keeping some items separate. Organise the rest of the freezer into zones so you can find portions stored at the bottom. Check how much clearance you need to open the lid.
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This 98 L chest freezer is worth comparing if you need less storage space. It comes with a basket, listed as a way to keep some items separate. Its stated dimensions are 637 × 556 × 846 mm; also check how much room you need to open the lid. Food stored at the bottom will be less easy to reach.
An upright freezer with drawers is a better fit if you often take out portions and want to keep them organised. A chest freezer is worth considering for a larger stock or big dishes. Use baskets or storage zones to keep everyday meals within easy reach.
It can provide extra space if you only need to store a limited number of portions, or if they’re small. Liebherr states a capacity of 80 L for the SUFNc 375i and 87 L for the SUFd 3603. Compare this with your containers and check the space requirements for the specific model you choose.
It lets you compare the energy rating and stated annual consumption of similar models. The European Commission says the scale runs from A to G. Check the label for each appliance rather than assuming its energy use based on its type.
No. Electrolux describes No Frost on its KUN7NE18S as a technology that prevents frost from forming, but you’ll still need to follow the maintenance and installation instructions in the manual for your chosen model.
Only if the model’s recommended ambient temperature range is suitable for your garage. Beko says its HSM14540 will operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C. Check the product details and manual separately for any other appliance.