Households building up a large stock
If you buy in bulk or regularly freeze food, a chest freezer is worth considering if you have the floor space. However, make sure its storage space is easy to organise so you can find food stored at the bottom.
Which type is right for you?
The amount you need to store isn’t the only factor when choosing a type of freezer. Available space and how often you access your food matter too.
Households that use their freezer frequently
An upright freezer with drawers lets you sort food into categories and access each one more easily. Check that there’s enough room to open the door and pull out the drawers.
People with limited space or a cold room
A compact model may provide useful extra capacity, but its dimensions must suit the space available. If it’s going in an unheated cellar or garage, also check the ambient temperatures permitted for that specific model.
What should you compare before choosing?
First, estimate how much frozen food you need to store and measure the available space. Then compare the features of models that meet both requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the freezer’s net capacity with the quantity and size of the food you need to store. UFC-Que Choisir describes chest freezers with capacities of up to 600 L and standard upright models of around 200 L, with larger models also available. | I want to store bulk purchases, or simply add a little extra space to my fridge’s freezer compartment. |
| Type and access | Measure the floor space, height and clearance needed for the door or lid. Consider an upright freezer’s drawers or a chest freezer’s baskets, depending on the packaging you need to store. | If I open the freezer every day, I want to find food without having to move everything around. |
| Location | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the operating range specified for the model. Don’t assume a freezer is suitable for a cold room just because of its type. | My appliance will be in a cellar, utility room or garage where the temperature changes with the seasons. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the A to G energy rating and kWh/year figures for appliances with similar capacities and uses. The A to G scale is set out by the European Union; the letter alone doesn’t tell you the energy consumption stated for each model. | I want to compare the consumption of appliances that can hold my stock, rather than choosing based on the label letter alone. |
| Power cuts | Check the stated autonomy in hours and the method used when comparing test results. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures how long food stays below −9 °C during a simulated power cut. | Power cuts are a concern where I plan to install the appliance. I want to compare durations measured under clearly defined conditions. |
| Maintenance and noise | Check the defrosting system, its maintenance instructions and the noise level in dB, especially if the freezer will be near a living area. | I want maintenance that suits how I use the appliance and a noise level that works for its intended location. |
| Fridge-freezer or separate appliance | If you’re considering a large fridge-freezer, compare the capacity of its freezer compartment alone with your needs. For example, Whirlpool lists a total capacity of 300 L, including 79 L for freezing, for the WHC20D021B2. | I may be replacing my fridge too, but I don’t want to confuse the total capacity with the space actually available for frozen food. |
What should you avoid?
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Choosing a chest freezer for its capacity without measuring the space
An appliance may fit in the room but still leave too little space to open the lid or reach the food comfortably.
Measure the appliance, the delivery route, the floor space, the clearance needed and the ventilation space specified in the manual.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a cold garage
Beko and Liebherr state that some models fitted with Freezer Guard and FrostProtect respectively can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C. This doesn’t apply to all their freezers.
Note the room’s seasonal temperatures and check the ambient temperature limits listed for the model you’re considering.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
Two freezers with different capacities may not meet the same storage needs, even if their energy labels show different letters.
Compare kWh/year, net capacity and type together, then look at appliances suited to similar uses.
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Confusing an extended warranty with your statutory rights
In France, the Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between an optional commercial warranty and the statutory guarantee of conformity that applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer.
Before accepting an extended warranty, check its duration, territorial coverage, exclusions and claims process. It is separate from your statutory rights.
Which brands should you consider?
These examples highlight features to check on specific models; they don’t describe every freezer made by each brand.
Beko
Worth considering for a cold room if the model you choose has Freezer Guard.
- According to Beko France, the Freezer Guard models concerned are designed to operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C. The HSM14540 chest freezer’s specifications include a 205 L capacity and a minimum ambient temperature of −15 °C.
- This operating range applies only to the models concerned. Check it for the specific model you’re considering.
Liebherr
Worth considering for a high-capacity chest freezer or a FrostProtect model intended for a cold room.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 497 L for the CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer and says its FrostProtect feature allows it to operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- The CFe 2500 Pure’s capacity and temperature range shouldn’t be assumed to apply to other models from the brand.
Whirlpool
Worth considering if you’re choosing between a chest freezer, an upright freezer and a large fridge-freezer.
- Whirlpool describes the upright freezer as a vertical design that generally takes up less floor space than a chest freezer.
- For its WHC20D021B2 fridge-freezer, Whirlpool lists a total capacity of 300 L, including 79 L for the freezer. Compare the freezer compartment, not the total capacity, with the amount of food you plan to store.
Electrolux
Worth considering for a built-in freezer, provided its installation dimensions and features suit your needs.
- Electrolux lists a net capacity of 212 L, 10 hours of power-cut storage time, energy consumption of 236 kWh/year and a frost-free compartment for the built-in EUN7NE18S.
- These specifications apply to the EUN7NE18S. Check any other model’s details separately.
Freezers available on Joybuy
This selection includes chest freezers for extra frozen food storage and an upright model with drawers to help you organise your food. Compare their capacities with your needs before choosing a type.
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AUCMA 141 L convertible chest freezer
This chest freezer offers a stated capacity of 141 L for frozen food when set to freezer mode. Its specifications mention a removable basket, a defrost drain and an E energy rating. If you’re installing it in a cold room or are concerned about power cuts, check the model’s ambient temperature range and power-cut storage time.
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Heinrich´s 161 L upright freezer, white
This upright freezer could suit you if you’d rather organise frozen food than rummage through a chest freezer. Its name indicates three freezer drawers, No Frost protection, a reversible door and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions, door clearance and ambient temperature range for your intended location.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR 140 L chest freezer
This chest freezer has a stated capacity of 140 L and includes a basket to separate some of the contents. Bear in mind that food at the bottom may be harder to reach. Its name mentions a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Measure the space and check its annual energy consumption and ambient temperature range if these factors affect your choice.
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AUCMA 95 L convertible chest freezer
With a stated capacity of 95 L, this chest freezer is better suited to extra storage than to holding a large family’s stock. It can switch between fridge and freezer modes, so check the setting you need to keep food frozen. The product name indicates a removable basket, a defrost drain and an E energy rating.
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CHiQ JR99DWE 99 L chest freezer
This chest freezer has a stated capacity of 99 L, making it suitable for extra storage. It includes a removable basket for smaller items. Its name indicates a four-star freezer compartment, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Consider how you’ll reach food beneath the basket, and check the defrosting instructions before installing it.
Frequently asked questions
Which freezer should I install in a garage or cellar?
Choose a model whose ambient temperature range covers the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures. Beko France and Liebherr state that some Freezer Guard and FrostProtect models respectively can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C. Check this feature for the specific model rather than assuming it’s suitable based on whether it’s a chest or upright freezer.
Does a chest freezer always use less energy than an upright freezer?
No. You can’t determine a model’s energy consumption from its type alone. Compare the kWh/year and energy rating of appliances with capacities suited to similar needs, as well as their installation requirements.
How can I compare power-cut storage times?
Check the time stated in hours, then find out what it measures before comparing two figures. In its freezer testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir simulates a power cut and measures how long food stays below −9 °C. A duration measured using a different method isn’t directly comparable.
Does a frost-free freezer need no maintenance at all?
No. A compartment described as frost-free, such as the one in the Electrolux EUN7NE18S, still needs to be cleaned and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Also check which defrosting system the model you choose actually has: terms relating to frost don’t all describe the same features.
Does an extended warranty replace statutory cover in France?
No. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer, while a commercial warranty is optional and provides cover in addition to statutory rights. Check the terms of any extended warranty separately.