If you often take out small portions, an upright freezer makes it easier to organise and access your food. For bulky items and bulk shopping, consider a chest freezer, provided you have enough room to open it and reach everything inside. A large fridge freezer is mainly worth considering if you’re already replacing your main appliance. If so, check the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, as well as the model’s suitability for the place where you plan to install it.
If you regularly take out a ready meal or a few ingredients, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easy to separate food and access it from the front. Beko France describes this type of storage as having separate compartments; just check that the drawers are the right size for your containers.
If you shop less often, prepare meals for several weeks or store bulky items, the large compartment in a chest freezer could be a good option. You’ll also need enough floor space for it, room to open the lid fully and easy access to food at the bottom.
A large fridge freezer keeps fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as shown in the Bosch Électroménager France ranges. If your aim is to store more frozen meals, compare the capacity of the freezer compartment rather than just the total capacity shown.
Consider it if: you want to organise portions in drawers and have more vertical space than floor space.
Bear in mind: depending on the model’s layout, its compartments may not provide one large, uninterrupted space for bulky items.
Consider it if: storing food in bulk is your priority and you can make room for an appliance that opens from the top.
Bear in mind: finding small portions at the bottom may take more effort than it would in a freezer with drawers.
Consider it if: you’re replacing your main fridge and would prefer to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee that the freezer section will have enough room for your meals and food.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Check the layout and depth of the drawers or baskets, as well as the clearance needed to open them. | I want to find a meal or ingredient quickly without moving the rest of my food. Around 33% of consumers would put easy everyday access at the top of their list. |
| Capacity for larger supplies | Compare the freezer capacity, the space the appliance takes up and the clearance needed above a chest freezer’s lid. | My bulk shopping and large containers mainly need enough space. Around 42% of consumers would put this need for storage first. |
| One appliance | If you’re replacing your fridge, check the capacity of the fridge freezer’s freezer compartment, not just its total capacity. | I’d rather replace my main appliance than find room for a second one. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this all-in-one option for fresh and frozen food. |
A large compartment can hold bulky supplies, but the top-opening lid and width may make installation or access to small portions more difficult.
Measure the space, the clearance above the lid and the route into the room. If you take out portions every day, compare the layout of an upright freezer too.
Whether an appliance can be used in an unheated room depends on the model. The suitability advertised by Beko France or Liebherr for certain models doesn’t apply to all their upright and chest freezers.
Check that the room’s ambient temperature falls within the permitted range, and follow the installation instructions for the model you’re considering.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same needs, even if they have the same rating. The European Commission says the label also shows energy consumption, storage volumes and noise levels.
Compare models with similar functions and capacities using this information and their entries in EPREL.
In a fridge freezer, some of the capacity is set aside for fresh food. So a large appliance won’t necessarily offer the freezer space you’re looking for.
Work out how much room you need for frozen meals and food, then compare it with the capacity of the freezer compartment alone.
These ranges give you options to explore, model by model. They don’t guarantee availability or suitability for your space.
Beko France offers upright and chest freezers, as well as some models designed for installation in an unheated room.
The Liebherr range includes chest freezers and other types of standalone freezer.
Bosch Électroménager France offers fridge freezers, including large-capacity models, for keeping fresh and frozen food together.
Start by comparing appliances with the capacity and function you need. According to the European Commission, the energy label shows information including energy consumption, storage volumes and noise levels. The letter rating alone isn’t enough to compare appliances with different capacities. You can check these details in the model’s entry in EPREL.
Compare the stated storage time for each model you’re considering, especially if you plan to keep large quantities of food in it. This feature doesn’t replace checking other factors that matter for your installation, including usable capacity and the permitted ambient temperature.
No. Choose a model whose installation requirements cover the ambient temperatures in the room. Beko France and Liebherr offer models designed for some unheated spaces, but you should check the specifications and instructions for the exact appliance you’re considering.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting your freezer to −18 °C. You should also follow the storage instructions for the food and meals you put in it.