Households that buy in bulk
You’re looking for a separate supply of food for bulk buys, large packs or bulky items. The usable capacity should also suit the space you have at home.
Who are these formats suited to?
People who want to find food quickly
You regularly add new items and want to organise them so nothing gets forgotten at the back. Drawers or baskets matter just as much as the stated capacity.
Households with limited space
Floor space, height, the room needed to open the door or lid, and the room temperature will determine which models you can install and use.
How do the different formats compare?
Start by considering how much food you need to store and how you want to access it, then rule out any appliances that won’t suit your space. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the differences between chest and upright freezers, including their footprint and interior layout. Its tests also assess how well they freeze food after a big shop.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the net capacity with the space you can actually use for your food packaging. If you’ll be adding lots of unfrozen food, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h too. | If I buy in bulk, I want to store large bags without filling up the freezer straight away; around 33% of consumers are said to make capacity their priority. |
| Access and storage | Consider the drawers in an upright freezer, or the baskets and depth of a chest freezer, depending on how often you take food out. | When I top up my supplies regularly, I want to find everything without emptying the freezer. Ease of access is said to be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Suitability for your space | Measure the access route and the space needed to open the door or lid. Check the room’s temperatures against those allowed in the model’s manual. | If my only option is a narrow or unheated room, I first need to know whether the appliance can work and open there; this is said to be the main criterion for around 20% of consumers. |
| Number of appliances | If you’re considering a larger fridge-freezer, compare the net capacity of its freezer compartment with the amount of storage you need. A compact freezer can provide extra space if your needs are modest. | I’d rather avoid a second large appliance if my next fridge-freezer can hold my frozen food; around 14% of consumers are said to prioritise this option. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing capacity without measuring the opening space
A chest freezer may have room for large packs, but you’ll need to be able to lift the lid and reach everything inside. An upright freezer also needs enough clearance in front of the door.
Before choosing a model, measure the delivery route and the space where it will go, including ventilation clearance and room for the door or lid to open.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage
The ambient temperature range a freezer can handle depends on the model. A feature designed for use in a cold room on one appliance doesn’t necessarily apply to other models from the same brand.
Check the temperatures your garage or cellar can reach throughout the year, then consult the manual for the specific appliance.
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Making your decision based only on No Frost or the energy rating
These details don’t tell you whether your bulk buys will fit in the compartments or how the appliance will cope when you add a lot of food after shopping.
Also compare net capacity, interior layout, freezing capacity, storage time in the event of a power cut, noise and the annual energy consumption shown on the label.
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Confusing your statutory guarantee with an optional extended warranty
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies when a business sells goods to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. A commercial extended warranty is separate cover with its own terms and conditions.
Before taking out an extended warranty, read its duration, exclusions and claim process, then compare them with the statutory rights that apply to your purchase.
Brands to consider, model by model
Bosch
The range includes upright freezers for households that prefer vertical storage with separate compartments.
- Bosch lists a capacity of 366 L, No Frost, a freezing capacity of 20.8 kg/24 h and 12 hours’ storage time in the event of a power cut for the GSN58AWEV.
- Its stated dimensions of 191 × 70 × 78 cm mean you’ll need to check the available height and depth, as well as the width of the doorway.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s chest freezer range may suit households with enough floor space for a freezer that opens from the top.
- Whirlpool lists a capacity of 308 L, three baskets and 36 hours’ storage time in the event of a power cut for the W3RHS31DW2.
- You’ll need to bend down to reach the bottom of a chest freezer and organise the food inside. Check the permitted ambient temperature range for your chosen model separately.
Liebherr
Liebherr’s NoFrost upright range is for people looking for vertical storage who want to reduce the need for manual defrosting.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 260 L and a noise level of 33 dB for the FNa 6635 Plus NoFrost. The brand says its FrostProtect feature allows this model to operate in ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Check the manual and the space required for its stated dimensions of 145.5 × 69.7 × 76 cm. These features don’t apply to the entire range.
Freezers for a separate food supply
These chest and upright freezers offer two ways to keep food separate from your fridge. If you want to avoid having a second appliance, compare the freezer capacity of a fridge-freezer instead.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
This chest freezer offers a top-opening compartment and a removable basket, making it a handy way to store bulk buys separately.
The product name states a capacity of 291 L, fridge and freezer modes, a five-level digital setting, LED lighting and a drain for defrosting. Check the permitted ambient temperature and freezing capacity if you plan to install it in a cold room or regularly add large quantities of food.
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AUCMA, 197 L convertible chest freezer
This chest freezer gives you extra storage while keeping smaller items separate, thanks to its removable basket.
The product name states a capacity of 197 L, fridge and freezer modes, a five-level digital setting and a drain for defrosting. Before installing it in a garage or adding a large amount of food after shopping, check the ambient temperature range and freezing capacity.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost upright freezer, stainless steel
This upright freezer has drawer storage, making it easy to organise food by category and access it regularly.
The product name states a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, an alarm and a reversible door hinge. Check its dimensions, the space needed to open the door and the permitted ambient temperature before choosing where to put it.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
Designed as extra storage rather than for large bulk buys, this chest freezer combines a top-opening compartment with a removable basket.
The product name states a capacity of 99 L, an adjustable thermostat and a sliding lid. Check that this capacity suits your shopping needs, and read the manual for the recommended installation conditions.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
This chest freezer offers a separate supply of food and a storage basket, with a capacity to consider based on how much you buy.
The product name states a capacity of 140 L, a balanced lid, temperature control and adjustable feet. Check the clearance needed for the lid, the permitted ambient temperature and the freezing capacity to make sure it suits your space and shopping habits.
Frequently asked questions
Chest or upright freezer: which should I choose for big food shops?
Choose based on how you store and access your food. A chest freezer gives you more flexibility for large packs, while the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to keep things organised. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the difference in footprint, so measure your available space before comparing capacities.
Can I put any freezer in a garage?
No. Compare the temperatures your garage can reach with the ambient temperature range permitted in the manual for the specific model. Some appliances have a feature designed for cold rooms, but you shouldn’t assume other models have it.
What should I check if I freeze lots of food after shopping?
Check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h, as well as the net capacity and available space in the compartments. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing procedure specifically looks at freezing food after a shopping trip; a fast-freeze function doesn’t replace the model’s kg/24 h figure.
Is the energy rating enough to compare two freezers?
No. Also check the annual energy consumption on the energy label, and compare appliances of a suitable format and capacity for the same needs. ADEME recommends looking at the features summarised on the label rather than focusing on just one letter.
Does an extended warranty replace my statutory rights?
No. In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. An optional extended warranty has its own terms and conditions, so compare them separately if one is offered.