For bulk shopping or large batches of food, choose a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and can keep its contents organised. An upright freezer is a better choice if you need to find portions regularly. A small freezer is more suitable as extra storage, while a fridge freezer saves you from needing a second appliance, provided its freezer compartment is large enough. In every case, check the installation space, the room temperature and the specifications of the exact model.
How often you take food out matters just as much as how much you need to store. It can help you decide between open storage, easy-access drawers and a compact model.
If you buy in bulk or prepare large dishes, consider the usable capacity, the space needed to open the appliance and how easily you can reach food stored at the bottom. A chest freezer could be a good fit if you have enough floor space.
If you often take out containers or portions, drawers and a clear view of the contents may matter more than maximum capacity. Depending on the model, an upright freezer lets you separate different types of food without having to move everything else.
Whether it’s a small kitchen, pantry, cellar or garage, measure the appliance and the clearance it needs before choosing a format. Also check that the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model you’re considering.
Start by choosing a format that suits the food you store and how often you use it. Then check the location and the model’s operating specifications. Que Choisir distinguishes between chest, upright and small freezers; its test also looks at storage and how appliances perform during a power cut.
Consider it: for bulk shopping or bulky food, if you have enough room to open the lid.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise the contents to find smaller items at the bottom.
Consider it: for sorting portions into drawers and finding them easily when you need them.
Bear in mind: the shape of the drawers may limit space for larger items.
Consider it: as extra storage when space is limited.
Bear in mind: its smaller capacity makes it less suitable for very large shops.
Consider it: if you want to combine refrigeration and freezing without installing two appliances.
Bear in mind: only the freezer compartment’s capacity counts towards your frozen food storage.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage layout | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the space taken up by your bags or dishes, and check how easy it is to reach items at the bottom. | If I store large quantities, I want to fit bulky items without losing track of them; around 36% of consumers prioritise this extra capacity. |
| Access to portions | Check the drawers and baskets, and whether dividers can be removed or moved. | If I often take out prepared meals, I’d rather be able to see the portions without emptying the appliance; around 29% of consumers put easy access first. |
| Location | Measure access routes and clearance; check the room temperature against the model’s climate class. | In a cramped or unheated room, I first need to know whether the appliance can be installed there and operate within the specified temperature range; this is the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Day-to-day operation | Check the kWh/year, noise level and stated storage time during a power cut for each model. | If I use my freezer all year round, I keep an eye on energy use, noise and how long it stays cold during a power cut; around 14% of consumers put these factors first. |
A large chest freezer can hold bulky items, but smaller bags may be harder to find. Drawers make it easier to organise food, but their shape may make it difficult to store a large dish.
Make a note of what you really store — bags, containers, dishes or large items — then check the baskets, drawers and access to the bottom of the appliance.
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Depending on the season, a garage or cellar may fall outside this range.
Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the manufacturer’s guidance for the exact model, including any wording about use in cold rooms.
No Frost is about frost build-up and maintenance. On its own, this feature doesn’t tell you how long the appliance will stay cold during a power cut.
Compare the defrosting system, stated storage time during a power cut, freezing capacity in kg/24 h and alarms separately.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity that applies when a business sells goods to a consumer is separate from an optional commercial guarantee. The latter does not replace the former.
Keep your proof of purchase and read the terms of any commercial guarantee offered. If the product is faulty or does not match its description, contact the seller.
These ranges give you examples of features and formats to consider. Always check the specifications of the particular model you’re interested in.
The range includes chest, upright and table-top freezers, with some models designed for cold rooms.
The range includes chest and upright freezers, as well as table-top models for different storage spaces.
Some Bosch upright freezers combine drawers with flexible storage options.
The French range includes chest and upright freezers, with different configurations to suit different storage needs.
This selection includes chest freezers in different capacities, as well as an upright model. Compare them based on how much you need to store and how you want to access your food. For each one, also confirm the installation requirements and operating specifications that matter to you.
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Worth considering if you want a dedicated chest freezer for bulk shopping and batch cooking, with a removable basket for smaller items.
The product name lists an E energy rating, five digital temperature settings, fridge or freezer modes, and a drain for defrosting.
Before installing it in a cold room, check the climate class for this model. If you regularly add large amounts of food to freeze, also compare its storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity in kg/24 h.
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This capacity is better suited to extra storage than to keeping very large shops. The removable basket can help you separate smaller items.
The product name lists an E energy rating, a seven-setting thermostat, fridge or freezer modes, and a drain for defrosting.
Check the climate class for your chosen location, along with the storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity if you plan to add fresh food regularly.
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The upright design and drawers are suited to households that want to organise portions and find them easily when needed.
The product name lists No Frost, a C energy rating, an LED display, an alarm and a reversible door.
Measure the space where you plan to put it and check the model’s climate class. To compare how it performs day to day, also check its annual energy consumption, noise level, storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity.
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Consider it for extra storage if you’re short on space, rather than as your only freezer for large shops.
The product name lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat, sliding door, four-star rating and E energy rating.
This model requires manual defrosting when the frost exceeds 5 mm. Also check the climate class, annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut for this model.
No. An upright freezer generally makes it easier to organise food and access portions regularly, while a chest freezer offers open space for bulky items. If you choose a chest freezer, make sure you’ll be able to reach the bottom and organise smaller items.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model you choose. Beko explains that the climate class defines this range. You should also check that any feature advertised for cold rooms applies to the exact model.
Compare the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh for the models you’re considering, as well as their noise ratings. For appliances covered by EU energy labelling, the European Commission’s EPREL database lets you look up information for a specific model.
In France, contact the professional seller under the legal guarantee of conformity if an item you bought as a consumer does not conform. According to the Ministry of the Economy, this mandatory guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. It is separate from any commercial guarantee that may be offered.