If you want to store large quantities and have enough floor space and clearance above, start by considering a chest freezer. For regular access to individual portions, an upright freezer with drawers can make it easier to organise your food, as long as your packaging fits. An under-counter model may work if its capacity is enough for your stock. A fridge-freezer is mainly worth considering if you also need to replace your fridge. Compare the litres available for frozen food, the permitted room temperature and the delivery route.
If you buy in bulk, freeze home-grown produce or store large packages, compare usable capacity, the size of the room and how easy it is to reach your food. Que Choisir points out that capacity alone is not the only factor to consider.
If you want to find a range of foods without having to move everything around, look at the drawers, compartments and ease of opening rather than focusing only on the number of litres.
Access routes, height, floor space and the temperature in a cellar, garage or utility room can all determine which models are suitable. ADEME recommends checking the ambient temperature range the appliance can handle.
First, make sure the appliance can hold your stock and fit into the room. Then compare its layout, temperature range and practical features. Que Choisir highlights the importance of ease of use, while ADEME recommends checking the recommended ambient temperature for the specific model.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the litres available in the freezer compartment and the shape of the chest or drawers. If you have large quantities to freeze, also check the stated freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | If I store large shops or home-grown produce, I want enough usable space for my stock. I also need to distinguish the freezer capacity from the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Around 28% of consumers prioritise capacity above all else. |
| Access and organisation | Check the baskets or drawer dimensions, and think about how easily you can take out the foods you reach for most often. | When I take out portions every day, I want to find food without rummaging through the whole chest. Around 22% of consumers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Space and delivery | Measure the available width, depth and height, as well as the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the appliance. | If space is limited or the route to the room is awkward, I need to check that the appliance will fit through and can be opened. Around 22% of consumers put installation first. |
| Room temperature | Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures against the range specified for the exact model. | If I’m installing the appliance in a cellar or garage, I want a model that can handle the temperatures it will actually be exposed to. Around 17% of consumers prioritise suitability for the room. |
| Energy use and power-cut performance | Compare the energy label, kWh/year, defrosting technology and stated storage time in hours during a power cut. | Once I’ve found a suitable capacity and installation location, I compare energy use, maintenance and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. Around 11% of consumers prioritise these practical features. |
Total capacity combines the fridge and freezer compartments. For the Bosch KGN36ELEA, Bosch states that the fridge holds 216 l and the freezer 89 l. These two capacities serve different needs.
Replacing a fridge that still meets your needs may not give you the extra freezer space you’re looking for.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the additional food you need to store.
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the model. An unheated room may be colder than the range specified for the appliance.
Check the room’s usual temperatures and compare them with the instructions or technical specifications for the exact model.
Food at the bottom of a chest freezer is less easy to reach. Drawers in an upright freezer help organise your stock, but their size may not suit all types of packaging.
Check that your usual packaging fits in the baskets or drawers, and that you can easily reach the foods you use most often.
Whirlpool’s product listing for the W3RHS31DW2 mentions one basket in its summary and three in its description, according to Whirlpool. It’s worth confirming details about specific features before choosing between two models.
Ask for the instructions or technical specifications for the exact model, and confirm what’s included if that feature matters to you.
These examples relate to specific models and features; they don’t represent each brand’s entire range.
The W3RHS31DW2 chest freezer is an example of a model with plenty of usable capacity for stocking up.
Bosch’s range includes examples of a high-capacity upright freezer and a fridge-freezer.
The CFd 2505 Plus is an example of a high-capacity chest freezer, while the FNsddi 1624 Plus is a table-top model.
Beko offers chest freezers in various sizes, including models designed for large stocks or unheated rooms.
This selection includes chest freezers, an upright freezer and fridge-freezers, so you can compare dedicated frozen-food storage with an option that also replaces your fridge.
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Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want a dedicated freezer compartment.
The stated total capacity of 544 l is split between 347 l for the fridge and 197 l for the freezer. This model is listed with No Frost, two freezer drawers and a freezing capacity of 12 kg/24 h.
Stated dimensions: 911 × 1786 × 615 mm.
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Consider this model if you also want to replace your fridge and need a freezer compartment with a capacity of 192 l.
The stated total capacity is split between 333 l for the fridge and 192 l for the freezer. The model name specifies No Frost and energy rating E.
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With a stated capacity of 291 l, this chest freezer may suit a large stock of food if you have enough floor space and can organise access to your food.
The model switches between fridge and freezer modes and has a removable basket and five-level digital controls. Its stated annual energy consumption is 226 kWh and its energy rating is E.
The product description calls for at least 10 cm of ventilation space around the appliance.
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Consider this chest freezer if 197 l is enough for your stock and you prefer storing frozen food in a chest.
The product description lists a removable basket, five digital temperature settings, a defrost drain and stated annual energy consumption of 197 kWh. The product name gives its energy rating as E.
The description calls for at least 10 cm of ventilation space around the appliance.
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An upright freezer may suit you if you prefer to separate food into drawers and 161 l is enough for the extra capacity you need.
The product description lists three drawers, two shelves, a reversible door hinge and No Frost. The stated temperature range is between −14 °C and −22 °C; the product name gives its energy rating as C.
Measure the access route to the room, then check the space available for width, depth and height. Compare the route with the appliance’s packaged dimensions and the available space with its unpackaged dimensions. Also check how far the door or lid opens and the clearances specified in the instructions.
Only if the room temperature stays within the range permitted for the model. Bosch states a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 10 to 43 °C for SN-T. If the room gets colder than 10 °C, look for an explicit low-temperature rating for the specific model rather than assuming it’s suitable because it’s a chest freezer.
Compare the usable capacity of the freezer compartment with the extra food you need to store, without including the fridge compartment. A fridge-freezer is mainly worth considering if you also want to replace your fridge and its freezer capacity is enough for your needs.
Check the technology specified for the exact model. Liebherr describes the FNsddi 1624 Plus as NoFrost and says the CFd 2505 Plus has features that limit frost build-up. Less frost doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never need to defrost it, so check the model’s instructions.
Compare the energy rating and kWh/year on each model’s energy label, then check the stated storage time in hours if power cuts are a concern. The European Commission requires energy labels to be displayed at the point of sale for products covered by the rules, including online. Check the stated storage time for each model individually.