If you want to store a large amount of frozen food in a separate appliance, choose a chest freezer if capacity is your priority and you have floor space to spare. An upright freezer is a better choice if you take food out frequently and want to organise it in drawers. A large fridge freezer is worth considering mainly if you’re replacing your fridge too and its freezer compartment has enough capacity for your stock. In every case, check how much clearance you need to open the appliance and whether it’s suitable for the room temperature.
If you regularly buy or prepare large quantities, a chest freezer could be the right choice if you prioritise separate freezer capacity. You’ll need to have enough floor space and be able to open the lid without obstruction. Que Choisir highlights the large capacities available in chest freezers.
If you often take out portions, bags or boxes, the drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to sort and reach your food without moving as much around. Make sure, though, that there’s enough room to open the door and pull out the drawers where you plan to put it.
In a room where the temperature varies, choose based on the ambient temperature range supported by the exact model, rather than its format alone. Whirlpool France explains the role of the climate class; some models also state that they’re suitable for use in colder conditions.
Best if: separate freezer capacity matters more than having immediate access to every item, and you have floor space available.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising, and you’ll need enough clearance to open the lid fully.
Best if: you often reach for frozen food and want to sort it into categories in drawers.
Bear in mind: if you have a very large stock, check that the model has enough capacity and allow room in front of the door.
Worth considering: if you also need to replace your fridge and the freezer compartment meets your needs.
Check: the total capacity includes the fridge, so it doesn’t represent the space available for frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Compare the freezer capacity in litres, the dimensions, the delivery access route and the clearance needed to open the appliance. | If I’m stocking up in bulk, I want enough room for my food without blocking the way through the room; around 36 % of consumers would prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access to food | Check the drawers and how they come out, or the depth of the chest and any baskets provided to help organise its contents. | If I often take out small portions, I want to find them without moving the rest of my stock. Around 29 % of consumers would prioritise easy access. |
| Room suitability | Compare the permitted ambient temperatures with the conditions in the room; if it’s near a living area, check the stated noise level in dB(A) too. | In a cellar, garage or open-plan room, I need to choose an appliance that’s suitable for its location; around 21 % of consumers would put this first. |
| Maintenance and continuous use | Check the annual energy consumption in kWh, the defrosting system and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | I want to limit how often I need to defrost my appliance or know how long it can keep food frozen, as stated by the manufacturer. Around 14 % of consumers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
A chest freezer takes up floor space and opens from the top; an upright freezer needs room in front of the door to pull out the drawers.
Measure the space, the delivery access route and the full opening area before comparing capacities.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model, not just its format. Liebherr and Beko state that certain models are suitable for cold conditions, but this doesn’t apply across their entire ranges.
Compare the room temperature throughout the year with the climate class and operating guidance for the model you’re considering.
In a fridge freezer, some of the capacity is taken up by fresh food. The European Commission’s product information for the Midea MDRM923CIE46M, for example, lists 276 l of freezer capacity and a total capacity of 706 l.
If you want to store a lot of frozen food, compare the capacities of the freezer compartments, not just the total capacities.
These features vary between models: one model having No Frost tells you nothing about how long another will keep food frozen in the event of a power cut.
For appliances with enough capacity for your needs, compare the defrosting system, annual energy consumption and stated storage time in their product details.
Worth considering for high-capacity chest freezers and certain installations in unheated rooms.
Worth considering for freestanding upright freezers when storage and easy access to food are priorities.
Worth considering for chest freezers in a range of capacities, designed for storing larger quantities.
Worth considering for a narrower upright freezer, especially if space is limited.
These Joybuy appliances include chest freezers for separate storage, a drawer-style upright freezer and a fridge freezer to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too. Compare their capacities with the amount you need to store before choosing a format.
Image unavailable
A separate freezer for your stock if you have room for a chest freezer with a top-opening lid. The product name lists a removable basket, LED lighting, five-level digital controls and a defrost drain.
Before installing it in a garage or cellar, check the permitted ambient temperature for this model and make sure there’s enough clearance for the lid.
Image unavailable
A separate freezer if 197 L is enough for your stock. This convertible chest freezer is listed with a removable basket, five-level digital controls and a defrost drain.
Allow enough room for the lid to open and check the permitted ambient temperature before placing it in a cold room.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too, rather than looking for a very large freezer compartment on its own. The stated capacity of 467 L is the total capacity; check the freezer compartment capacity separately.
The product name lists Total No Frost. Also check the dimensions and permitted ambient temperature range for the room where you plan to put it.
Image unavailable
For sorting food into drawers rather than storing it in a chest freezer. The product name lists No Frost, an LED display and a reversible door hinge.
Check that 161 L is enough for your stock, then measure the space needed to open the door and pull out the drawers. The internal temperature adjustment range is not a substitute for the permitted ambient temperature range.
Image unavailable
A separate freezer if a 141 L chest freezer is right for the amount of food you need to store. The product name lists a removable basket, a seven-level thermostat and a defrost drain.
Check the clearance above the chest freezer and its permitted ambient temperature, especially if you plan to put it in a garage or cellar.
No. A chest freezer is a good choice if capacity and floor space are your priorities, while a drawer-style upright freezer may be more convenient if you take food out frequently. Que Choisir says chest freezers can hold up to 600 l; before choosing one, also think about how easy it will be to reach food at the bottom.
No. Check the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model. Whirlpool France explains that the climate class indicates suitable installation conditions; a statement that certain models are suitable for cold conditions doesn’t apply to all chest or upright freezers.
Compare the stated noise emissions in dB(A) in the product details for the models you’re considering; don’t assume the noise level based on the format alone. Bosch lists 42 dB(A) for the GSV36VWEV and 39 dB(A) for the GSN58VWEV. These figures apply to those two models, not to all upright freezers.