If ready meals or bulk purchases regularly overflow your current freezer compartment, it may be worth considering a separate freezer. A chest freezer suits large quantities if you have room to install it and organise the storage well. An upright freezer makes it easier to reach individual portions, while a larger fridge-freezer makes most sense if you’re replacing your fridge too.
If you regularly freeze meals or leftovers and your fridge-freezer compartment is filling up, compare the space set aside for frozen food and how easy it is to reach each portion. The model’s stated freezing capacity also matters when you’re adding lots of food at once.
A chest freezer can hold a large stock of bulk buys or seasonal produce. First, check the available floor space, room to open the lid and the permitted ambient temperature range if the appliance will go in a cellar or garage.
If you take out portions almost every day, the compartments in an upright freezer can make it easier to keep things organised than a deep chest. However, check there’s enough room to open the door and pull out the drawers, as well as space for larger dishes.
If you only run short of space occasionally, reorganising your existing freezer compartment may be enough. If it happens every time you cook or come back from shopping, choose a format that suits how you access your frozen food and the room where the appliance will be used.
Consider it: for storing lots of portions or bulky containers, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom of the freezer can be harder to reach, so use baskets or organise it by category.
Consider it: if you often take out portions and want to sort them into compartments.
Bear in mind: drawer sizes may limit how you store larger dishes, and the layout varies by model.
Consider it: if your main fridge also needs replacing and you only need a moderate amount of extra freezer space.
Bear in mind: the total capacity of a fridge-freezer isn’t the same as the capacity of its freezer compartment alone.
Consider it: if you only run short of space now and then and a clear-out would free up enough room.
Bear in mind: this won’t increase the space available for your next batch of cooking or big shop.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the freezer capacity in litres and, if you’ll be adding large quantities of food to freeze, the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. For a fridge-freezer, distinguish the freezer compartment from the total capacity. | I prepare several meals in advance or often come home with bulk buys, so I need space that’s still available next time. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this recurring need for capacity. |
| Access to portions | Check the drawers, baskets and space for your containers. With a chest freezer, consider how easy it is to reach the bottom. | I take out a portion every day, so I want to find it without moving everything else. Easy access and organisation would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Location | Measure the delivery route, clearance and opening space. Check that the room’s possible temperatures are within the range stated in the model’s instructions. | If the only available space is a cold garage or a narrow passage, I need to know whether the appliance can operate and open there. This would be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| How often you need extra space | Consider whether you regularly run out of room, then weigh up the extra freezer capacity, space taken up and stated kWh/year. | I only run short of space when preparing a few large batches of food, so reorganising my stock may be enough before I add another appliance. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this occasional need. |
When choosing between two models that fit your space, also check their stated power-cut storage time. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this in its tests, but for a purchase, the figure to check is the one for the model you’re considering.
A chest freezer needs floor space and room to lift its lid. An upright freezer needs space for the door to open and the drawers to slide out. A tight fit can also restrict ventilation.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check the clearances specified in the model’s instructions before comparing capacities.
The operating temperature range depends on the freezer you choose. A cellar or garage can get colder than the minimum ambient temperature allowed for the appliance.
Compare the possible room temperatures with the product specifications and instructions. A stated suitability down to −15 °C applies only to models for which the manufacturer specifies it.
Two freezers in the same energy class may offer different capacities. As ADEME points out, the appliance runs continuously.
Check the kWh/year alongside the freezer capacity shown on the labels of models that genuinely suit your needs.
The freezer compartment has room for bulky items, but smaller portions can be difficult to find at the bottom.
Use baskets and organise food by category and date. If you often need to find a particular portion, compare how easy it is to access food in an upright freezer too.
Worth considering for an upright freezer if interior organisation is a priority. Bosch features VarioZone and the BigBox compartment on the GSN29UWEW.
A brand to consider for a cold room, provided you choose a model specifically designed for those conditions.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a model suited to a cold outbuilding or flexible storage for larger containers.
These models show three of the options discussed above: chest freezers for extra storage, a small upright freezer for easy access to portions, and a fridge-freezer to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too. Compare their capacity with your actual needs; their inclusion here doesn’t mean these formats are interchangeable.
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For adding a large amount of storage, if you have enough room for a chest freezer.
The product title specifies switchable fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and an E energy rating. If you’re storing frozen food, check the freezer-mode setting and the permitted ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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Worth considering if your plans include replacing your main fridge, rather than adding a separate freezer.
The 495 L refers to the stated capacity of the whole appliance, not just the freezer compartment. Check the freezer capacity separately to see if it will hold your portions. The product title specifies an E energy rating.
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For adding a modest amount of freezer space, with front access to your portions.
The product title specifies a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the interior layout of this variant before buying: the details about the number of drawers and compartments don’t match.
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For adding chest freezer storage without choosing the largest model in this selection.
The product title mentions a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Allow enough room to open the lid and check the ambient temperature range if the appliance is going in a cold outbuilding.
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For more limited extra storage, if a chest freezer suits your needs.
The product title specifies switchable fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket, a 7-setting thermostat and an E energy rating. Make sure you’ll use the appliance in freezer mode for this purpose, and check the installation requirements in its instructions.
Yes, as long as the temperatures the garage can reach are within the permitted range for your chosen model. Check its instructions rather than relying on whether it’s a chest or upright freezer. For example, Beko says some Freezer Guard models can operate down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to every freezer.
Measure the space, delivery route and clearance needed to open the lid or door fully. Allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions for your chosen model and, for an upright freezer, check that the drawers can be removed.
No. Also compare the kWh/year and freezer capacity of models that meet the same needs. The European Commission says the energy label for fridges and freezers uses a scale from A to G. The rating letter alone doesn’t tell you how much space is available or the annual energy consumption stated for each appliance.