If you mainly store fresh ingredients and a modest supply of frozen portions, compare the capacities of the two compartments in a fridge freezer. If frozen portions and other frozen food take up more space, consider a separate freezer: an upright model makes it easier to access food in different compartments, while a chest freezer needs more floor space and careful organisation inside. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how much frozen food you eat and how often you shop before choosing a format.
You prepare meals for several days, still use fresh ingredients during the week and freeze some portions. Check the capacity of each compartment rather than looking at the total capacity alone.
You cook in batches, shop less often or regularly stock up on frozen food. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking whether a fridge freezer’s compartment will really meet your needs before choosing a single appliance.
A separate freezer could fit outside the kitchen. Check the available floor space, how easy it is to reach your food and the ambient temperature range specified for the model you’re considering.
For batch-cooked meals, start by working out how much fresh food and how many frozen portions you need to store at the same time. Then consider access and where the appliance will go.
Consider it : if you want to keep fresh food and a modest supply of frozen food in one appliance.
Limitation : the freezer compartment may be too small if you build up a lot of frozen portions.
Consider it : if you only freeze food occasionally and mainly keep meals fresh.
Limitation : UFC-Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment may not be enough for households that eat a lot of frozen food.
Consider it : as extra storage if you often take out portions arranged in separate compartments.
Limitation : you’ll need to allow for the space it takes up and the energy used by an additional appliance.
Consider it : for a large supply of frozen food if you have enough floor space.
Limitation : food at the bottom is less easy to reach than food in the drawers of an upright freezer.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Balance between fresh and frozen food | Check the usable capacity of each compartment separately on the model’s product information or energy label. | When I prepare meals for several days, I want room for fresh ingredients without cramming in the portions I need to freeze; around 33% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Capacity for frozen food | Work out how much freezer space you need for the portions you’ll store at the same time. Check the freezing capacity if you often add large quantities of food. | If I shop less often and keep lots of portions, the built-in compartment may no longer meet my main need; around 27% of consumers prioritise having plenty of freezer space. |
| Access to portions | Look at the drawers or baskets and check whether your containers will be easy to reach and remove. | If I often need to find a particular portion, I’d rather be able to separate and see what I’ve stored; around 20% of consumers prioritise access and organisation over capacity. |
| Installation and energy use | Measure the space and check the kWh/year figure. If the appliance will be in an unheated room, also check the permitted ambient temperature range. | If the appliance is going in a utility room or garage, I need to be able to install it there and use it in the conditions specified; around 20% of consumers put location and energy use first. |
Two fridge freezers with the same total capacity can have different amounts of space for fresh and frozen food.
Compare the usable litres in each compartment with the quantities you expect to store at the same time. The European Commission says these capacities are shown on the energy label.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a chest freezer takes up more floor space than an upright model. You’ll also need enough room to open the lid where you plan to put it.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the lid. Think about how you’ll find portions stored at the bottom.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. A feature specified for one appliance won’t necessarily apply to others.
Check the room temperature against the range given in the freezer’s instruction manual.
Fridges and freezers run continuously, ADEME points out, so extra capacity should be for storage you’ll actually use.
Compare the kWh/year figures and usable capacities of appliances that suit your space, rather than choosing based on the advertised size alone.
Bosch fridge freezers let you compare the balance between fridge and freezer space on a specific model.
The range includes upright and chest freezers, two formats to compare based on the storage capacity and access you need.
A Beko upright freezer could be a useful point of comparison if you want separate storage alongside your fridge.
Whirlpool chest freezers are worth considering if your priority is a separate supply of frozen food.
Electrolux built-in fridge freezers are worth considering if your kitchen housing dictates the dimensions you can choose.
These Joybuy models include fridge freezers for keeping fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance, as well as an upright freezer designed to provide extra storage alongside a fridge.
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Keep fresh ingredients and a supply of frozen portions in the same appliance. The stated capacities are 311 L for the fridge and 156 L for the freezer, with two freezer drawers. Check that its stated width of 83,3 cm will fit the space and the delivery route.
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Separate fresh ingredients from portions stored in the freezer. This model has a stated fridge capacity of 235 L, a freezer capacity of 125 L and three drawers. Compare its stated dimensions of 185 × 59,5 × 66,7 cm with the space available.
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Worth considering if fresh food takes priority over frozen portions. The stated capacities are 279 L for the fridge and 89 L for the freezer, with three clear drawers. Check that 89 L is enough for your needs and that the stated height of 203 cm will fit.
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Keep fresh food and frozen supplies in one fridge freezer. It has a stated fridge capacity of 311 L, a freezer capacity of 129 L and uses 223 kWh/year. If space for portions is a priority, check the interior layout. Also check the stated height of 203 cm and access for installation.
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Add extra freezer space alongside a fridge: this appliance does not keep fresh ingredients chilled. It has a stated capacity of 161 L, three drawers and two shelves. Before choosing a spot for it, check its dimensions and annual energy use in the product information.
Compare its usable capacity with the portions you want to store at the same time, then check that there’s still enough fridge space for fresh ingredients. The European Commission includes storage capacities on the energy label; UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking your consumption of frozen food into account.
An upright freezer is a good choice if you want to sort portions into drawers and access them often. A chest freezer gives you open space for a large supply, but food at the bottom takes more effort to organise and find. Check the baskets and interior access of the model you choose.
Only if the model’s specified ambient temperature range suits the conditions in your garage. Check the instruction manual or product information: suitability stated for some appliances does not apply to every freezer.
Compare annual energy use with the storage capacity you need, and check the noise level if it matters where the appliance will go. The European Commission says the label for fridges and freezers includes the energy rating, energy use, storage capacities and noise emissions.
It adds another appliance that runs continuously, as ADEME points out. Before installing one, compare its annual energy use in kWh and usable capacity with the amount of frozen food you actually plan to store.