If your main priority is increasing your frozen food storage, compare separate freezers: an upright model makes it easier to organise portions, while a chest freezer suits larger quantities if you have enough floor space. An under-counter model is better for a little extra capacity; consider a larger fridge-freezer if you also need more chilled storage. In every case, check the freezer compartment capacity, the space needed to open the appliance, its energy consumption, how long it can keep food frozen during a power cut and the ambient temperature it can operate in.
If you often take out one portion at a time, look at the drawer layout in an upright freezer or the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer. This will help you work out whether you can reach each meal without moving the rest of your food.
A chest freezer is worth comparing if you store bulky items and have enough room for both the appliance and its open lid. If you plan to keep it in a cellar, pantry or garage, also check that the room temperature falls within the range specified for the model.
If there’s no room for a large separate appliance, compare the capacity of an under-counter freezer with the freezer compartment of a larger fridge-freezer. A fridge-freezer makes most sense if you’d also like more space for fresh food.
First decide whether you need substantial frozen storage or just a little extra capacity. Then check that your chosen format will be practical to install and use.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Look at the layout of the drawers, baskets and compartments. Check how much room there is for large containers. | I often take out a prepared meal: I need to be able to find it without emptying a large part of the appliance. |
| Frozen storage capacity | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity, not just the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers can hold up to 600 l, compared with up to 400 l for large upright models. The capacity of the specific model is what matters. | For bulk shopping or bulky food, I need genuinely generous storage. If I only need room for a few extra portions, an under-counter model may be enough. |
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the route to the installation spot. Allow room for the door to swing open or the lid to lift. | An upright model would make better use of the height available in my home. A chest freezer is only an option if I have enough floor space and can easily reach in from above. |
| Installation location | Compare the room’s ambient temperature with the climate range specified for the exact model. Beko explains that a climate class sets the temperature range the appliance is designed to operate in. A cold-weather rating advertised for certain models does not apply to every model. | My cellar or pantry can get cold, so I need to confirm the appliance is suitable before choosing that spot. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the stated kWh/year for appliances of a similar capacity and format, then check their energy ratings. The letter alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption. | I’m adding an appliance that will stay plugged in all the time, so its energy consumption matters just as much as the capacity I’ll actually use. |
| Power cuts and maintenance | Check the model’s storage time during a power cut and the conditions under which it is stated. Distinguish No Frost from technologies that claim to reduce frost, and don’t assume they all eliminate the need to defrost. | I want to compare how long food stays frozen during a power cut and find out what maintenance the manual recommends. |
A chest freezer needs floor space and room above it for the lid to open. A large capacity won’t be much use if it’s difficult to reach food at the bottom.
Measure the space, the route to it and the clearance needed to open the lid. If you often use individual portions, check whether the model comes with baskets too.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance, not just its format. Beko warns that operating outside the specified temperature range may affect how it works.
Check the room temperature at different times of year and compare it with the range stated for the model you’re considering. Only rely on suitability down to −15 °C if this is listed for that specific product.
Appliances with different capacities won’t meet the same needs, even if their energy rating letters look similar.
First work out how much usable capacity you need. Then compare the stated kWh/year for models of a similar size and format, along with their storage time during a power cut and internal layout.
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes the chilled section too, so it doesn’t show how much room there is for frozen meals.
Compare the freezer compartment and how easy it is to access separately. Choose a larger fridge-freezer if you’d also make use of the extra chilled storage.
The GSN58AWCV product details offer an example of an upright freezer to consider if vertical storage and easy access to portions matter to you.
The CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is an example worth considering for storing larger quantities in a room where the temperature may drop.
If you’re looking for a chest freezer for a cold room, you can consider Beko models specifically equipped with Freezer Guard, taking the actual room temperature into account.
This option is for you if you want more chilled storage as well as more room for frozen food. Compare its freezer compartment with the amount of storage you actually need.
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This fridge-freezer is worth considering if you also need more chilled storage. Its stated total capacity of 262 L doesn’t tell you how much room is available for frozen meals, so check the freezer compartment capacity before comparing it with a separate appliance. The model is listed as 54 cm wide and 176 cm high. Also check the clearance needed with the door open and the permitted ambient temperature at your chosen location.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model you choose. Beko says that climate class SN-T corresponds to 10 to 43 °C, while Liebherr states that its CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is suitable down to −15 °C. Check your appliance’s product details rather than assuming it’s suitable based on whether it’s a chest or upright model.
Compare the current A to G energy rating and the stated annual consumption in kWh, taking usable capacity into account. For a fridge-freezer, check the capacity of the freezer section separately: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee plenty of frozen storage.
Check the stated storage time for the exact model and find out how it was measured before comparing two figures. In its freezer test, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food stays below −9 °C after a power cut. A figure stated by a manufacturer may be based on different conditions.
No. These terms don’t all describe the same way of working. Bosch says No Frost eliminates the need for manual defrosting on the models that have it, while Liebherr describes SmartFrost and StopFrost as systems that reduce frost build-up. Check what the feature does on your chosen model and follow the maintenance guidance in its manual.