For storing large batches or bulky food, start by looking at a chest freezer. If you often reach for smaller portions, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to keep things organised. A large fridge freezer could save you from needing a second appliance, provided its freezer compartment is genuinely big enough for your household. In all three cases, check the space needed to open the door or lid, the ventilation requirements in the manual and the ambient temperature range specified for the model.
If your shopping includes large bags, family-sized meals or bulky cuts of food, a chest freezer is worth considering. You’ll also need a suitable spot with enough room to open the lid, and should check the temperature of the room where you plan to put it.
If several people regularly take out small portions, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to separate different types of food. Check the drawer layout and whether there’s room for larger dishes.
If you’re also short on fridge space, compare a large fridge freezer with a separate freezer. The key figure is the capacity of the freezer compartment, not the appliance’s total capacity.
Worth considering: for bulk buys and bulky food, if you have enough floor space.
The trade-off: with top access, you’ll need to organise the contents so you can find smaller items easily.
Worth considering: if you want to organise food by category and access your supplies frequently.
The trade-off: the drawers can make it harder to store very bulky items.
Worth considering: if you need more fridge and freezer space without installing a separate appliance.
The trade-off: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room in the freezer compartment itself.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and bulky food | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres and the space available for the types of food you store. | When the shopping includes large batches or family-sized meals, I want to store them without relying on narrow drawers. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise this need for extra capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the number and size of the drawers or baskets, as well as the defrosting method. | If we often take out small portions, being able to find each type of food quickly matters more to us than having one large compartment. Easy access and organisation come first for around 36% of shoppers. |
| Location and installation | Measure the available space with the door or lid open, then check the ventilation requirements and ambient temperature range specified for the model. | When the available space is difficult to work with or a second appliance isn’t practical, I first need to know what can be installed. This is the main consideration for around 28% of shoppers. |
Some of that capacity is for chilled food. The European Commission says the label shows the capacity of the freezer compartments separately.
Work out how many litres of freezer space your household needs, then compare that figure across the models you’re considering.
The recommended ambient temperature depends on the appliance. ADEME advises checking its climate class; a specific low-temperature rating, such as the one Beko lists for the HSM14540, doesn’t apply to other models.
Keep track of the room temperature throughout the year and compare it with the range specified for the exact model.
The compartment can hold bulky food, but smaller portions at the bottom may be harder to find.
Check which baskets are available and plan to organise food by category. If you need easy everyday access, compare the drawers in an upright freezer too.
A space may look large enough, but the door or lid might not open fully. The Bosch manual we consulted also advises against blocking the ventilation openings.
Check the delivery route, the clearance needed to open the appliance and the installation instructions for the model you choose, including the power supply requirements.
The range includes chest freezers, some of which are designed for unheated spaces.
Bosch offers freestanding and built-in upright freezers, as well as fridge freezers.
The brand offers, among other options, high-capacity upright freezers.
The range includes freezers and fridge freezers, including built-in models.
These models illustrate the three options covered: chest freezers for extra storage, an upright freezer with separate compartments, and a large fridge freezer if you want to avoid adding a second appliance. Compare their freezer capacity and installation requirements to find the right fit for your household.
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Worth considering for bulk storage if a top-opening lid suits your space.
The product name lists a capacity of 291 L, a convertible fridge-freezer function, a removable basket and an E energy rating.
If you’re planning to keep it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range for this model.
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Consider this if you’d rather organise food in separate compartments than store it in a chest freezer.
The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, drawers, a No-Frost function, an alarm and a C energy rating.
Check that the drawers can fit your largest dishes, and that the dimensions and ambient temperature range suit the space where you plan to put it.
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Compare it with a separate freezer if you also need more fridge space.
The product name lists a total capacity of 495 L and an E energy rating. This isn’t all freezer space: check the freezer capacity before deciding whether it’s enough for your supplies.
Also check the layout of the freezer compartment and the installation requirements.
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An option for extra storage if a larger chest freezer offers more capacity than you need.
The product name lists a capacity of 140 L, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating.
Before installation, check the net freezer capacity, the space needed to open the lid and the ambient temperature range.
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Worth considering for a modest amount of extra storage, rather than for a large household’s biggest shopping trips.
The product name lists a capacity of 99 L, an adjustable thermostat, a removable basket, a sliding lid and an E energy rating.
Check that the capacity is enough for your food and that the ambient temperature range suits the room you’ve chosen.
Measure the available width, depth and height, as well as the delivery route and the space needed to open the lid fully. For ventilation, follow the clearances specified in the manual for the model you choose.
Yes, provided the ambient temperature range specified for the model covers the temperatures the garage actually reaches. ADEME recommends checking the climate class; a low-temperature rating listed for one model doesn’t automatically apply to others.
Compare their annual energy consumption in kWh on the energy label, after checking that both offer the freezer capacity and format you need. The European Commission says the label also shows the energy rating, storage capacities and noise level.
Not necessarily: first consider whether manual defrosting would be inconvenient for you. Bosch and Electrolux describe NoFrost as a technology that prevents frost build-up on certain models; check whether it’s included on the specific model you’re comparing.
Follow the instructions for your chosen model on the power supply, ventilation and clearances. A Bosch manual advises against blocking the ventilation openings; don’t assume the clearances specified for a different appliance will apply.