If you want to store a large amount of bulk groceries, choose a chest freezer if you have enough space. If you regularly reach for ready meals, an upright freezer with drawers makes them easier to access. An under-counter freezer or a larger fridge freezer is better suited to occasional extra storage. In every case, check the freezer capacity, dimensions, room temperature, energy consumption and how long it can keep food frozen during a power cut.
If you buy in bulk or cook in large batches, start by working out how much freezer capacity you need and how much space you have available. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a chest freezer generally takes up more floor space than an upright model, so a suitable cellar or utility room can make installation easier.
If you prepare meals to enjoy throughout the week, easy access and organisation matter just as much as capacity. Check the drawers and compartments, and consider how easily you can reach each portion.
If your current freezer is almost big enough but your kitchen is short on space, an under-counter freezer may meet a limited need. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of fridge freezers, rather than confusing it with their total capacity.
Your choice depends first on how much you need to store and how often you take food out. The space you have in mind may then rule out certain formats.
Worth considering: for storing a large amount of groceries or prepared meals, if you have a dedicated area of floor space.
Bear in mind: reaching in from the top takes more organisation when you’re looking for smaller portions.
Worth considering: if you regularly take out portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: the compartments may limit the space available for some larger containers.
Worth considering: if you need extra freezer space but have limited room.
Bear in mind: this format is less suited to building up a large stock.
Worth considering: if you’re already replacing your fridge and only need a little extra freezer space.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity is not the same as the space reserved for frozen food.
| Feature | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the net capacity in litres and the appliance’s dimensions with the quantities and containers you plan to store. | If I want to store a large amount of groceries and prepared meals, I need enough room for everything I plan to freeze; around 31% of shoppers would prioritise capacity. |
| Access to food | Check the drawers or baskets, and whether you can reach portions without moving the rest of your frozen food. | If I freeze portions every week, I want to find them easily; almost 25% of shoppers would prioritise access and organisation. |
| Location | Measure doorways and the space needed to open the appliance, then compare the room temperature with the range specified for the exact model. | In a small kitchen, cellar or garage, I need to be able to install and run the appliance in the conditions of the room; around 25% of shoppers would put this consideration first. |
| Energy consumption and power cuts | Compare annual energy consumption in kWh and the stated storage time during a power cut between models of similar capacity. | If I’m storing a substantial amount of food, I want to consider ongoing energy consumption and how long it will stay cold during a power cut; around 19% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
A large-capacity chest freezer won’t be suitable if it won’t fit through the access points or there isn’t enough room to open the lid. UFC-Que Choisir notes that chest freezers generally take up more floor space than upright models.
Measure the space, access points and clearance needed to open the lid before comparing capacities.
The temperature in a cellar or garage may fall outside the range the appliance is designed for. Beko says that an unsuitable ambient temperature can affect its performance and energy consumption.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then consult the climate class or cold-room specification for the exact model on its product page.
The main compartment can hold large containers, but smaller portions at the bottom are harder to find quickly than they are in drawers.
If you mainly prepare individual meals, consider an upright freezer with drawers, or plan to use baskets, containers and labels to organise a chest freezer.
A freezer runs continuously, while how long it can keep food cold becomes important during a power cut. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol looks at energy consumption at 25 °C and 32 °C, as well as how the temperature changes when the power is off.
Compare the energy label, annual energy consumption and stated storage time during a power cut across appliances with similar capacities and formats.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity chest freezer or an appliance designed for a cold room. Check the specifications of the model you choose.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an upright freezer with drawers, especially if the temperature of the room where it will be installed needs careful checking.
Worth considering if you want a large-capacity upright freezer with compartments to help organise portions and containers.
An upright freezer is a better choice if you regularly take out portions and want to organise them in drawers. A chest freezer is better for storing a large stock or larger containers, if you have enough space. Either way, make sure you can easily reach the food you store.
Yes, as long as the temperature in the room falls within the operating range of the model you choose. The climate class alone doesn’t guarantee that an appliance will work in a very cold room. Beko and Liebherr specify cold-room features for certain models, so check the product details for each one.
Compare the energy label and annual energy consumption in kWh across appliances with similar capacities and formats. A freezer runs continuously, so don’t choose based on the energy rating alone without considering how much capacity you actually need.
Yes, it’s worth checking if you plan to store a lot of food. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C without power. Compare the stated storage times model by model, and check the conditions under which they were measured.