An upright freezer makes it easier to organise food if you regularly take out individual portions. For larger reserves that you access less often, consider a chest freezer, provided you have enough space. A fridge freezer may be enough if you also need a fridge and its freezer compartment can hold everything you want to store. In every case, compare the usable freezer capacity, how easy it is to reach your food and the installation requirements.
If you regularly take out meals, tubs or bags, think about how you’ll separate them and find what you need. The removable drawers and shelves in the Bosch GSN58AWCV give an example of the ways an upright freezer can help you stay organised, according to Bosch Electroménager France.
A chest freezer is worth considering if you store large containers or bulk buys and have a suitable space for it. Check the top-opening access, its dimensions and the ambient temperatures permitted for the model you choose.
If you also need to buy a fridge, a fridge freezer may be suitable for a smaller frozen stock. Compare the capacity of its freezer compartment with everything you want to store at once, rather than relying on the total capacity shown.
Start by listing the food you want to store at the same time. Then check how easy it will be to reach and where the appliance will fit before comparing its features.
Consider it: if you often take out small portions and want to keep them in separate sections.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough height and depth. Front access doesn’t remove the need to check that the door can open fully.
Consider it: if you store large containers and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: with top access, you may need to move food around to reach items at the bottom.
Consider it: if you also need refrigeration and your frozen food will fit in the freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity includes the fridge section, too. Check the freezer capacity separately.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Check the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment, not just the total capacity. If you often add fresh food, also check the stated freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | I want to be able to store my portions, tubs, bags and larger items at the same time, rather than choosing a capacity based only on my usual shopping. |
| Access to food | Look at the number and layout of the drawers, compartments or baskets. Check whether your containers will fit and can be taken out easily. | If I open the freezer often to take out a portion, I’d like to find it without having to move everything else. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, delivery access route and door clearance. Check the manual for ventilation requirements, and compare the climate class with the room temperature. | For a utility room or garage, the appliance needs to operate at the temperatures it will actually encounter, including seasonal changes. |
| Power cut | Compare the stated power-cut storage time in hours for the models you’re considering. Don’t assume it based on whether the freezer is a chest or upright model. Check the manufacturer’s guidance on how long it will stay cold. | If I’m storing a lot of food, it’s particularly useful to know the stated storage time in case of a power cut. |
| Energy and noise | Compare the kWh/year, energy class and capacity of appliances that meet the same needs. The label also shows airborne acoustical noise emissions, according to the European Commission. | If the appliance is near a living space, I also want to take its stated noise level into account. I won’t judge its energy use by size alone. |
Capacity figures alone don’t tell you how easy it will be to find smaller portions or fit in large containers.
List what you’ll store at the same time, then choose between drawers, compartments and top access based on how often you’ll take food out.
The climate class indicates the range of ambient temperatures the appliance is designed for. Bosch Electroménager France, for example, gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for class SN and 10 to 43 °C for class SN-T.
Compare the seasonal temperatures at the installation location with the range stated for the exact model. A model’s suitability for particularly cold conditions applies only if the manufacturer specifies it.
An appliance may fit in the space you’ve measured but still be difficult to open or use. Electrolux France recommends leaving space for air to circulate around the appliance.
Check the delivery access route, the clearance needed to open the door or lid, and the spaces specified in the model’s manual.
According to Anses, home freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive. Freezing won’t make food safe again if it has already been stored incorrectly.
Freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the end of its use-by date, as Anses recommends. The DGCCRF advises against freezing food when its use-by date is very close, has arrived or has passed.
The features below relate to the specific models listed, not every appliance from each brand.
Bosch Electroménager France’s product information lets you compare a dedicated upright freezer, the GSN58AWCV, with a fridge freezer, the KGN39AIAU.
The W3RHS31DW2 chest freezer is one option to consider when floor space and room temperature are important factors in your choice.
The CF200EWN is an example of a chest freezer to compare if you want extra storage without opting for the larger Whirlpool chest freezer mentioned above.
This selection includes fridge freezers for households that also need refrigeration, as well as two more compact dedicated freezers. Before choosing, compare the freezer space with the amount of food you want to store at once.
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Worth considering if you need a fridge and want freezer space too. Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the amount you need to store, as 467 L refers to the appliance as a whole. The model name indicates Total No Frost and energy class E. Also check that the four doors can open fully and that there’s enough clearance for installation.
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If you regularly store portions and also need refrigeration, check that the freezer compartment can hold everything you need: 360 L is the stated capacity for the fridge freezer as a whole. The model name indicates a three-door design, Total No Frost, energy class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
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Consider this fridge freezer if you have a smaller amount of frozen food to store and need a fridge as well. The model name indicates a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost. Check the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment and the permitted room temperature at the installation location.
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Consider this dedicated freezer for a small stock of portions rather than large bulk buys. The model name indicates three drawers, a reversible door and energy class E. Check its climate class, annual energy consumption, stated power-cut storage time and the clearance needed in your chosen location.
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This chest freezer could provide extra storage if top access suits the way you shop and cook. The model name indicates a removable basket, a sliding lid and energy class E. Check that you have enough space to open it, as well as the model’s climate class, annual energy consumption and stated power-cut storage time.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range permitted for the exact model, or the manufacturer explicitly states that it can operate in other conditions. Bosch Electroménager France, for example, gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for class SN and 10 to 43 °C for class SN-T. Whirlpool France says its W3RHS31DW2 can operate in temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to other chest freezers.
Yes. Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for the model you choose, and make sure there’s room to open the door or lid. Electrolux France recommends leaving space for air to circulate around the appliance and keeping it away from heat sources.
According to Anses, it’s better to freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the end of its use-by date. The DGCCRF advises against freezing food when its use-by date is very close, has arrived or has passed: freezing won’t make food safe again if it has already been stored incorrectly.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh alongside freezer capacity and the function of each appliance; a fridge freezer also keeps food chilled. According to the European Commission, the energy label shows the energy efficiency class, energy consumption, storage volumes and airborne acoustical noise emissions.