Households that freeze large quantities
For bulk buys, pre-prepared portions or bulky packaging, usable capacity matters. You’ll also need room for the appliance and a way to reach food stored at the bottom of a chest freezer.
Which type is right for you?
Households that regularly use frozen food
If you often take out portions, bags or tubs, drawers and compartments can make it easier to keep everything organised. Total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how easy the food is to reach.
Households short on space
A small freezer can provide extra capacity without taking up as much room as a large chest freezer. Make sure its capacity suits what you actually want to store, and that the chosen location allows it to be installed in line with the instructions.
How do the different types compare?
First decide whether you want to add a separate freezer or replace your main fridge as well. If you’re buying an additional appliance, weigh up the capacity you need against how easily you can access the food and the space available.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and bulky items | Usable freezer capacity, external dimensions and the size of your usual packaging. | If I’m storing bulk buys or large portions, I need a freezer that can fit the packaging easily; around 27% of consumers would put this need for capacity first. |
| Storage and access | The size and layout of drawers or baskets, and access to food stored at the back. | If I often take out small portions, I want to find them without moving everything else. Storage and easy access would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Location | Dimensions, door or lid clearance, required ventilation and whether the climate class suits the room. | If the appliance needs to fit a specific space or a room where the temperature varies, whether it can be installed there matters more than its capacity; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this constraint. |
| Continuous use | Consumption in kWh/year for comparable capacities, noise and stated power-cut storage time. | In a living area, I want to take noise and the electricity used by an appliance that runs continuously into account; this would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
What to avoid before you buy
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Choosing based only on the stated capacity in litres
A large chest freezer can hold bulky packaging, but food at the bottom will be harder to reach. With an upright freezer, you’ll also need to allow space for the drawers to open.
Make a note of what you’ll store and take out most often, then check the baskets, drawers and how the door or lid opens.
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Ignoring the room temperature
The climate class shows the ambient temperature range the model is designed for. Depending on the season, a garage, cellar or conservatory may fall outside this range.
Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the climate class shown on the product information or appliance rating plate.
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Comparing only the energy rating letter
According to ADEME, a freezer runs continuously. Two appliances with the same rating letter can have different annual energy consumption, particularly if their capacities differ.
Compare the kWh/year and freezer capacity of models that meet similar needs.
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Assuming the defrosting method based on the type
The defrosting method depends on the model. For example, the product information for the Whirlpool WH2010FO2FR states that it requires manual defrosting.
Check the « defrosting » specification for the exact model before planning its maintenance.
Brands to consider
Bosch
Worth considering if you’re looking for an upright freezer with plenty of organised storage.
- Bosch’s product information for the GSN58AWEV lists a capacity of 366 L and removable drawers and shelves.
- These features apply to the GSN58AWEV: check the capacity and layout of the model you’re considering.
Whirlpool
Offers models to consider both as a separate freezer and as a replacement fridge freezer.
- Whirlpool’s product information for the WB70E973W lists a total capacity of 462 L for this fridge freezer.
- The total capacity of a fridge freezer isn’t the same as its freezer capacity: check the capacity of each compartment.
Haier
Offers two different layouts to consider: a large chest freezer and an upright model.
- Haier lists a capacity of 418 L for the HCE420E chest freezer and 276 L for the H4F272WCH1 upright freezer.
- According to Haier, the HCE420E is 132 cm wide. Allow enough room to open the lid, too.
Beko
Its guides cover chest, upright and under-counter freezers, helping you focus first on how and where you’ll use the appliance.
- The under-counter type described by Beko suits smaller storage needs in a suitable location.
- The type alone doesn’t determine capacity, energy consumption or climate class: compare the specifications for the exact models.
Options available on Joybuy
These models suit two different needs: replacing your main fridge freezer or adding a separate freezer, either as a compact upright model or a chest freezer. Check the freezer capacity and the space available rather than directly comparing the total capacity of a fridge freezer with that of a standalone freezer.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge freezer, 467 L
Consider this if you also need to replace your main fridge, rather than add a separate freezer.
The model name indicates a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Compare the freezer compartment capacity with your needs separately, and check the installation dimensions.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge freezer, 360 L
This fridge freezer is an option if you’re looking to replace your main appliance, but it isn’t a second, separate freezer.
The model name indicates a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost and an E rating. Check the freezer compartment capacity, along with the dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer
A separate freezer to consider if you want extra capacity with easy front access.
The product name indicates a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, three freezer drawers and a C rating. Check the dimensions, kWh/year and climate class before choosing where to put it.
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COMFEE’ RCU60WH2(E), 60 L freezer
Worth considering for a small amount of extra freezer space, rather than storing large quantities.
The product name indicates a capacity of 60 L, a reversible door and an E rating. Before you buy, check the exact interior layout, as well as the kWh/year and climate class.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
This chest freezer adds storage that’s accessed from above, so allow enough room to open the lid.
The product name indicates a capacity of 140 L, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E rating. Check the kWh/year, climate class and defrosting method for this model.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a freezer in a garage or cellar?
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model’s climate class. Check the class on the product information or rating plate, then compare it with the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year. Not every appliance is automatically suitable for a garage.
What should you compare on the energy labels of two freezers?
Compare the kWh/year with the freezer capacity, and take noise into account based on where you plan to put the appliance. The European Commission states that, since March 2021, the energy label for household fridges and freezers has used a scale from A to G. The letter alone doesn’t replace comparing annual energy consumption across models with similar capacities.
Can a large fridge freezer replace a separate freezer?
A large fridge freezer is mainly an alternative if you also need to replace your main fridge. Its total capacity is split between refrigeration and freezing, so check the freezer compartment capacity before comparing it with that of a standalone appliance.
What should you do with your old freezer when replacing it?
In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a « one-for-one » take-back scheme linked to buying an appliance of the same type. Ask the retailer how to arrange collection of your old appliance when your new one is delivered or collected.