If your main issue is a lack of space for frozen food, a separate freezer is a practical solution. A chest freezer offers plenty of storage, while an upright freezer makes food easier to access in drawers and generally takes up less floor space. A large fridge-freezer is a better choice if you also need to replace your fridge. Whichever you choose, check that the model’s full ambient temperature range and installation instructions are suitable for your cellar or utility room.
If bulk buys or home-grown produce are taking up more space than you have available, and you have a suitably wide space for an appliance, compare usable freezer capacity, dimensions and how easy it is to reach food stored at the back. UFC-Que Choisir points out that ease of use matters just as much as capacity.
If you want to find different portions quickly, take a look at the drawers in an upright freezer or the baskets in a chest freezer. Consider how easy they are to handle, and how accessible the food underneath is.
If you’re already thinking about replacing your fridge-freezer, compare its freezer capacity with your needs before adding an appliance that runs continuously. ADEME points out that freezers run continuously.
Best if: you store bulky or large quantities of food and have enough floor space for the appliance and its open lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is less easy to reach straight away. Check the dimensions and space needed to open the lid.
Best if: you often reach for your supplies and want to organise them in drawers, with a smaller floor footprint.
Bear in mind: check that the usable capacity suits your bulkier packaging, and allow enough room to open the door.
Best if: you also need to replace or upgrade your fridge, and the freezer compartment is big enough for your supplies.
Bear in mind: compare the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment, not the appliance’s total capacity, with that of a separate freezer.
For households looking to increase their frozen storage beyond what a fridge-freezer offers, the choice mainly comes down to how much you need to store, how often you’ll access it, how much space you have and whether you also need to replace your fridge.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and footprint | Compare freezer capacity, dimensions, the route to the room and the space needed to open the appliance. | If I’m building up large reserves, I want enough space without blocking the cellar or utility room. Around 36 % of consumers prioritise capacity and footprint. |
| Access and storage | Check the number of drawers or baskets, how easy they are to handle and how much room is needed to open the appliance. | If I often take out different portions, I want to find them without rummaging through the whole freezer. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise everyday access. |
| Room suitability | Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the model’s full operating range and installation instructions. | If temperatures vary in my cellar or utility room, the model needs to suit both extremes and the intended location. Around 21 % of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Energy use and a second appliance | For comparable freezer capacities, compare the kWh/year shown on the energy labels, and remember that this figure is not the same as your actual bill. | If I don’t need to replace my fridge, I want to check whether it’s worth adding an appliance that runs continuously. Around 14 % of consumers prioritise energy use and the usefulness of a second appliance. |
A claim that an appliance can operate in cold conditions, or a single stated temperature limit, doesn’t guarantee that it covers the room’s full temperature range.
Check the room’s temperature extremes and the model’s full ambient temperature range, as well as the ventilation instructions in the manual for the exact model reference.
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes its fridge compartment. For the Bosch KGN36VLED, Bosch lists 237 l of fridge capacity and 89 l of freezer capacity.
Compare only the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres with the amount of storage you need.
These features vary by model. ADEME points out that freezers run continuously; the shape alone—whether chest or upright—doesn’t tell you the kWh/year or how long the appliance will stay cold during a power cut.
Check the figures given for each model rather than assuming one style uses less energy or keeps food frozen for longer.
Its chest freezers include the CFd 2505 Plus, a 359 l model worth considering if you have a suitable space.
Its models illustrate two distinct options: a separate upright freezer or a fridge-freezer.
The WHCF 204 4 chest freezer offers 204 l of capacity, making it a model to consider for medium-sized household storage needs.
The HCE420E chest freezer has a stated capacity of 418 l and is worth considering if you have enough floor space.
This selection includes separate upright and chest freezers to add frozen storage alongside your existing fridge. If you’re placing one in a cellar or utility room, check the room’s temperature extremes against the model’s full operating range and follow its installation instructions.
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This drawer-style model could suit you if you want to organise portions separately and access food more easily.
The Joybuy listing specifies a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, 3 drawers and 2 shelves, an LED display, a reversible door hinge and an alarm. The stated energy class is C.
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This chest freezer could suit you if you want extra standalone storage, with removable baskets to keep some supplies to hand.
The Joybuy listing specifies a capacity of 150 L, two removable baskets and six temperature settings.
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Its stated capacity may appeal if you’re looking for plenty of storage. The convertible function also lets you choose between fridge and freezer modes.
The Joybuy listing specifies a capacity of 291 L, energy class E, a removable basket, interior lighting and dimensions of 1 100 × 597 × 872 mm. Check the ventilation instructions and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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This chest freezer could suit you if you want extra standalone storage, with a removable basket to keep some foods separate.
The Joybuy listing specifies a capacity of 197 L, energy class E, a removable basket and dimensions of 816 × 554 × 848 mm. Stated annual energy use is 197 kWh. Check the ventilation instructions and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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Its compact size could suit you if you want to add a smaller amount of frozen storage and keep a few items separate in a basket.
The Joybuy listing specifies a capacity of 99 L, energy class E, a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat and a freezing capacity of 4,5 kg/24 h. It also states that manual defrosting is required when the ice exceeds 5 mm. Check the ventilation instructions and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
No. The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for, and a claim that one model is suitable for particularly cold conditions doesn’t apply to other models. Compare the temperature extremes in your cellar with the full range for your chosen model, and follow its installation instructions.
For relevant appliances sold in the European Union, the energy label shows information including the A to G energy class, annual energy use in kWh, capacity and noise level. The European Commission describes this information for fridges and freezers. Compare kWh/year and the freezer capacity you need, but don’t treat the annual figure as your actual bill.
Measure the route to the room and the space where the appliance will go. Check that the door or lid can open fully, then follow the clearance and electrical instructions in the manual for the exact model reference.
No. In France, goods bought by an individual from a professional seller are covered by the mandatory statutory guarantee of conformity, which is separate from any optional commercial warranty. In its guidance dated 3 October 2023, the DGCCRF states that claims must be made within two years of delivery of the goods.