Families stocking up
If you buy large quantities of food or store bulky items, compare freezer capacity with the space you have available. Que Choisir points out that both capacity and ease of use matter when choosing a freezer.
Who is this choice for?
Households preparing portions
If you freeze ready meals and take them out regularly, consider how easily the appliance lets you separate and find your containers. The Observatoire E.Leclerc des Nouvelles Consommations describes storing prepared meals in the fridge or freezer.
Households short on space
If you’re installing the appliance in a kitchen, utility room or outbuilding, check its dimensions, the clearance needed to open it and the ambient temperature range permitted for the model you’re considering.
What should you compare?
Chest freezer
Worth considering: for large shops and bulky containers, if you have enough floor space and clearance to open the lid.
Keep in mind: food at the bottom is less accessible; Que Choisir highlights the importance of ease of use.
Upright freezer
Worth considering: if you regularly take out portions and prefer to organise them in drawers.
Keep in mind: check that the drawers fit your containers and can be opened where you plan to install the appliance; capacity and features vary by model.
Large fridge-freezer
Worth considering: if you’re also replacing your fridge and want both functions in one appliance.
Keep in mind: total capacity is not the same as freezer capacity. Bosch lists 103 l for the freezer and 260 l for the fridge in the KGN39VLCT.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare freezer capacity in litres with the size of your containers. For a fridge-freezer, check the freezer and fridge capacities separately. | If you’re stocking up or storing bulky items, freezer capacity comes first; around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Access to portions | Check the layout of the drawers or baskets, how the appliance opens and how easy it is to take containers out. | If you regularly take out prepared meals, quickly finding the portion you want may matter more than maximum capacity; around 29% of consumers prioritise accessibility. |
| Installation | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to open the appliance; check the permitted ambient temperature for the model. | If the appliance needs to fit into a tight space or an outbuilding, its dimensions and the room conditions will guide your choice; around 21% of consumers prioritise installation. |
| Running costs | Compare the kWh/year figures for the models you’re considering and check what maintenance is required. | If you want to plan for the electricity and maintenance costs of an appliance that runs continuously, these factors may come first; around 14% of consumers prioritise them. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a fridge-freezer based on its total capacity
A large fridge compartment doesn’t mean there will be enough space for your frozen food.
Compare the usable freezer and fridge capacities separately. For the Bosch KGN39VLCT, the manufacturer lists 103 l and 260 l respectively.
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Ordering a chest freezer without checking the lid clearance
A chest freezer takes up floor space, and its contents aren’t organised in the same way as those in an upright freezer with drawers.
Measure the space and allow enough room to open the lid. If you’ll be looking for portions every day, make sure you’re happy with how accessible food at the bottom will be.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a cold outbuilding
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model; installing an appliance in an unsuitable location could cause problems.
Check the temperature range specified by the manufacturer for the exact model before choosing a garage or cellar.
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Confusing reduced frost build-up with no defrosting
These descriptions don’t necessarily refer to the same maintenance features.
Check the technology listed and the instructions for the exact model. Bosch says the GSN36VWEP No Frost doesn’t need manual defrosting; Liebherr describes the CFe 2500 Pure as reducing frost build-up.
Brands and models to know
Haier
The HCE301D chest freezer and H4F272WDH1BE upright freezer show two different ways to organise frozen food.
- Haier France lists a capacity of 300 l and no drawers for the HCE301D chest freezer. The H4F272WDH1BE is listed at 276 l, with four drawers and Total No Frost.
- These specifications apply to these specific models and don’t describe the full range.
Bosch
The GSN36VWEP and KGN39VLCT let you compare a dedicated upright freezer with a fridge-freezer.
- Bosch Home Appliances France lists a freezer capacity of 242 l and No Frost for the GSN36VWEP. For the KGN39VLCT, the brand lists 103 l of freezer capacity and 260 l of fridge capacity.
- This information comes from the manufacturer and applies to the models listed; it isn’t an independent performance comparison.
Liebherr
Consider the CFe 2500 Pure domestic chest freezer if you’re looking for a large capacity and may install it in an outbuilding.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 497 l, dimensions of 82 × 167 × 71 cm and FrostProtect down to −15 °C for this model.
- Reduced frost build-up doesn’t mean no defrosting is needed; check the instructions for your model.
Whirlpool
The French catalogue includes several chest freezers, some of which are described as convertible.
- The W3RHS31DW2 and W3RHS19DW are among the models worth considering.
- Check the specifications for the exact model, especially for variants that may have different identifiers or basket information.
Freezers for different needs
This selection includes chest and upright freezers, as well as fridge-freezers for households that are also replacing their fridge.
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Hisense RS3P558NEID, 544 l fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want more freezer space.
Listed with 197 l of freezer capacity and 347 l of fridge capacity; Total No Frost and Super Freeze features listed.
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Heinrich´s, 161 l upright freezer, C rated
Worth considering if you want a dedicated upright freezer for keeping portions organised separately.
Listed with a capacity of 161 l, three drawers and two shelves; No Frost feature listed. Temperature range shown: −14 °C to −22 °C.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, 525 l fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want a separate freezer compartment.
Listed with 192 l of freezer capacity and 333 l of fridge capacity; No Frost feature listed. Energy rating E.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 l chest freezer
Worth considering if you want to store supplies in a chest freezer with a basket to keep some of the contents organised.
Listed with a capacity of 140 l, a storage basket and counterbalanced lid; wheels and front water drain listed. Energy rating E.
The basket makes some food easier to reach, but the layout is different from the drawers in an upright freezer.
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AUCMA, 291 l convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you’re looking for a large-capacity chest freezer for supplies and want to keep a few items separate in a basket.
Listed with a capacity of 291 l, a removable basket, interior lighting and a five-level digital control. Energy rating E.
The basket makes some items easier to reach, but it doesn’t organise everything into drawers.
Frequently asked questions
Can a large fridge-freezer replace a dedicated freezer?
Yes, if you’re also replacing your fridge and the freezer capacity is enough for your portions and supplies. Check it separately from the fridge capacity: the Bosch KGN39VLCT lists 103 l for the freezer and 260 l for the fridge.
Can you install a freezer in a garage or an unheated utility room?
It depends on the model and the actual temperature in the room. Check the ambient temperature range specified by the manufacturer and the clearance required. Liebherr says the CFe 2500 Pure is suitable down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all models.
Do No Frost and reduced frost build-up mean the same thing for maintenance?
No. Bosch says the GSN36VWEP No Frost doesn’t need manual defrosting, while Liebherr describes the CFe 2500 Pure as reducing frost build-up. Check the instructions for your chosen model to find out what maintenance is required.
How can you estimate a freezer’s electricity consumption?
Check the kWh/year figure on the energy label and multiply it by the price per kWh on your tariff to estimate the annual cost on that basis. Actual consumption also depends on how the appliance is used and the ambient temperature.
What statutory guarantee applies in France when you buy from a trader?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. For a new item, the French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to claim under the guarantee, without having to prove during those two years that the fault existed on the day of sale. You make your claim to the seller.