Households freezing large quantities
If you prepare lots of portions or store bulky items, first work out how much capacity you need and how much floor space you can spare for the appliance.
Who are these options for?
People who regularly take out portions
If you often take out different meals, the layout of the drawers and shelves matters just as much as the stated capacity. Good organisation makes it easier to find what you need and rotate your stock.
Households short on space
If you don’t have a utility room or much spare floor space, compare the usable freezer capacity with the appliance’s dimensions and the installation requirements for the room you have in mind.
How do the different styles compare?
For meals prepared in advance, first decide whether you need a large capacity or easy access to individual portions. Then check whether your chosen style can be installed in the room you have in mind.
Chest freezer
Consider it: if you need plenty of capacity or space for bulky containers and have a suitable area of floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can take more organising to keep it accessible.
Upright freezer
Consider it: if you want to organise portions by meal or date and access them regularly.
Bear in mind: the drawers may limit the space available for large dishes or packaging.
Under-counter freezer
Consider it: if you need some extra capacity but don’t have room for a tall appliance or chest freezer.
Bear in mind: check that the available capacity suits the number of portions you plan to store and that the model’s installation requirements can be met.
Larger fridge freezer
Consider it: if you’re already replacing your fridge and would rather not have a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity of a fridge freezer isn’t the same as the capacity of its freezer compartment.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers? |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer capacity in litres with the portions and containers you plan to store. Then measure the floor space needed with the lid or door open. | When prepared meals pile up alongside frozen food, I want to store everything without running out of space. Around 36% of shoppers would put capacity at the top of their list. |
| Access to portions | Check the internal dimensions of the drawers and whether the shelves can be moved. | If I take out a different meal every day, I want to find the right portion without moving all the other food around. Around 29% of shoppers would prioritise easy, organised access. |
| Space and installation | Measure the access route, door opening and clearances; check that the climate class suits the room temperature. | In a small kitchen or separate room, I first need to know where the appliance can operate and whether there’s room to open it. Around 21% of shoppers would put suitability for installation first. |
| Everyday use | For similar capacities, compare kWh/year, noise levels and defrosting type. Also check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | As a freezer runs all the time, I take its energy consumption and maintenance into account. Around 14% of shoppers would put these factors first. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing based on litres alone
A chest freezer can offer plenty of capacity but take up more floor space. A smaller upright model may make everyday portions easier to reach.
Try arranging your usual containers in the compartments you’re considering, then measure the space needed with the door or lid open.
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Assuming any model will work in a garage
The permitted ambient temperature and ventilation requirements depend on the appliance, not just its style or brand.
Compare the possible temperatures in the room with the climate class of the exact model, and follow the clearance requirements in its instructions.
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Looking only at the energy rating
The letter on the label doesn’t tell you everything. Check the annual energy consumption, freezer capacity and noise level too, especially for an appliance that will be running all the time.
Compare these details across models of a similar type and capacity. If power cuts are a concern, check the stated storage time separately.
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Relying on freezing to beat a use-by date
Choosing the right appliance doesn’t remove the need to keep track of food dates.
Anses advises freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is nearly up. Date your portions too, to make it easier to rotate your stock.
Brands to consider by model
Liebherr
A brand worth exploring when comparing upright and chest freezers in different capacities.
- Liebherr offers models with NoFrost and lists a capacity of 497 l for its CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer.
- Features and operating conditions vary by model. Check the capacity, dimensions and climate class of the one you choose.
Bosch
A brand to consider if storage in an upright freezer is a priority.
- Bosch lists a freezer capacity of 328 l for its GSN54EWCV, along with Vario Zone and Big Box storage features.
- These specifications apply to this model. In particular, check whether its stated depth of 780 mm will fit the space you have available.
Beko
A brand worth exploring for drawer-style upright freezers and, on selected models, No Frost features.
- Beko says some of its Freezer Guard models can operate in ambient temperatures as low as -15 °C.
- This doesn’t apply to every Beko upright freezer. Check the exact model and its instructions before installing it in a cold room.
Haier
A brand worth exploring to compare chest freezers in different sizes, as well as upright models.
- Haier’s range of chest freezers includes models with stated capacities from 196 l to 696 l.
- A large chest freezer won’t necessarily offer the same compartmentalised access as an upright model. Check that the layout of the exact model suits your containers.
Appliances for different ways of storing food
These appliances cover a range of options: replacing your fridge with a larger fridge freezer, adding an upright freezer or storing food in a chest freezer. Choose according to the space you have and how you plan to organise your portions.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge and want to keep your frozen food in one appliance. Check the capacity of the freezer compartment separately.
Stated total capacity: 467 L. Total No Frost, energy rating E, Smart Inverter; silver finish.
Measure the access route and clearances, then check the permitted ambient temperature in the instructions.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge freezer, 360 L
Another option if you’re replacing your fridge but want to keep an integrated freezer compartment. Compare its freezer capacity, rather than its total capacity, with the portions you plan to store.
Stated total capacity: 360 L. Total No Frost, energy rating E, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
Check the door opening, clearances and ambient temperature range in the instructions.
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Heinrich’s, 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you want extra, separate storage and prefer to organise portions in drawers.
Stated capacity: 161 L. No Frost, energy rating C, reversible door and alarm; stated temperature range is -14 °C to -22 °C.
Check the dimensions, clearances and climate class before choosing where to put it.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering for storing batches in a chest freezer. As the appliance can switch between fridge and freezer modes, check the usable capacity in the mode you plan to use.
Stated capacity: 291 L. Energy rating E, five-level temperature control, removable basket and defrost drain.
Allow space to open the lid and check the ventilation requirements and permitted ambient temperatures in the instructions.
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COMFEE’ RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
Worth considering for a little extra freezer space rather than large quantities. Check that its capacity suits your meal containers.
Stated capacity: 60 L. Three drawers, reversible door, freestanding design and energy rating E.
Freestanding doesn’t mean it can be installed under a worktop: check the dimensions and required clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a freezer in a garage or cellar?
Yes, provided the temperatures in the room fall within the range permitted for the exact model and its ventilation requirements are met. Electrolux recommends checking the appliance’s climate class. Beko’s stated operating temperature of down to -15 °C applies only to selected Freezer Guard models.
Are the dimensions of my old appliance enough to choose a new one?
No. You’ll also need to measure the delivery route, the space needed to open the door or lid, and the clearances required in the new appliance’s instructions. Ventilation requirements vary by model. For example, the instructions for the Electrolux ENT6MD18S4 specify openings of at least 200 cm² for that particular appliance.
What should I look for on a fridge freezer’s energy label?
Focus on the capacity of the freezer compartments, annual energy consumption in kWh, energy rating and noise level. The European Commission says these details appear on the label. The fridge freezer’s total capacity alone won’t tell you how much room there is for your portions.
Can I wait until the last day of the use-by date to freeze food?
It’s better to plan ahead: Anses recommends freezing food when you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is nearly up. Follow the instructions for the individual product too; extra freezer capacity doesn’t remove the need to keep track of dates.