Start by choosing the format that suits the space available and the way you access your frozen food: a chest freezer is ideal for large volumes in a room with enough floor space, while an upright freezer makes sorting and everyday access easier thanks to its drawers. An under-counter model is mainly useful as an extra freezer; consider a large fridge freezer if you also need to increase your refrigeration capacity.
You need space for frozen food, promotional purchases or meals prepared in advance. Usable capacity matters, but so does being able to store and quickly find your food. Que Choisir points out that chest and upright freezers suit different organisational needs.
You may need more capacity than the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer can provide. The choice often comes down to balancing the large open volume of a chest freezer with the more orderly access offered by an upright model with drawers.
A chest or large upright freezer can be installed outside the kitchen, provided the actual room temperature falls within the range specified for the model. This check is particularly important in an unheated room.
Start by calculating how much storage you genuinely need, then check access, placement and the information on the energy label before comparing models.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the net volume of the freezer compartment in litres, rather than the total volume of a fridge freezer. Also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you regularly add large quantities of food. | I want to store bulk purchases, prepared meals or family-sized portions without buying capacity that would remain largely unused. |
| Access and storage | The drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to separate different categories. With a chest freezer, check how many baskets are included and plan a way to organise the contents. Measure the door or lid clearance. | I want to find a portion without having to move all the food, while still being able to store bulky packaging when necessary. |
| Suitability for the room | The climate class and the model’s minimum and maximum ambient temperatures must cover the room’s temperatures throughout the year. Also follow the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions. | My freezer may be installed in a garage, cellar, outbuilding or warm kitchen, so I need to check the actual conditions in which it will be used. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Compare the energy class, annual consumption in kWh, net volume and noise levels of appliances with similar formats and capacities. Look for the storage time during a power cut in the model documentation. | I want to assess the consumption of an appliance that runs continuously and understand how long it is expected to maintain a safe temperature during a power failure. |
A chest freezer can offer plenty of storage, but it generally requires more width and depth than an upright model. Its open storage layout also makes food placed at the bottom harder to reach.
Mark out the appliance’s actual footprint on the floor, allow room for the lid to open and use labelled baskets or boxes to organise the food.
The climate class defines the ambient temperatures in which the appliance is designed to operate. Some manufacturers specify use down to -15 °C for particular models, but this cannot be assumed for an entire range.
Record the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures over the year, then compare them with the documentation for the exact model before ordering.
The energy class should be considered alongside annual consumption, usable volume and noise. Two appliances with very different capacities do not provide the same service, even if their labels appear comparable.
Compare annual kWh, the freezer’s net volume and the noise class of appliances with similar capacities and formats.
A freezer runs continuously, so it is worth comparing the stated annual consumption before you buy.
An appliance may fit into the room but still be difficult to use if the door cannot open fully or the drawers cannot be pulled out. Large upright freezers can be both wide and deep.
Measure the delivery route, installation area, ventilation clearances and the space needed to open the door and remove the drawers.
The range includes upright and integrated freezers. Bosch focuses on drawers, dimensional requirements and storage needs according to household size.
Beko offers chest and upright freezers, including models designed for colder rooms.
The range covers upright freezers and chest freezers in various capacities, allowing you to compare a kitchen installation with a larger storage solution.
Whirlpool offers large-capacity No Frost upright freezers for households that prioritise drawers and organised access.
Joybuy chest and upright freezer options for increasing your household’s frozen-food storage. Check the dimensions, climate class and storage time of your chosen model according to the room where it will be installed.
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For households looking for additional storage in a medium-sized chest freezer.
Stated capacity of 197 L, dimensions of 816 × 554 × 848 mm, five-level digital control, removable basket and defrost drain. Stated consumption: 197 kWh/year; stated noise level: 38 dB.
The basket provides partial organisation; check the ambient temperature range and storage time before installing the appliance in a garage, cellar or unheated room.
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For adding to your household storage when 141 L is the capacity you need.
Stated dimensions of 632 × 554 × 848 mm, seven-level thermostat, removable basket and defrost drain. The appliance is described as convertible between refrigerator and freezer modes.
Using refrigerator mode reduces the space available for frozen food. Check the ambient temperature conditions and storage time before installing it in a garage.
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For regular access to portions and food categories in an organised upright format.
Stated capacity of 161 L, three drawers, two shelves, LED display, alarm, reversible door and No Frost system. The stated temperature range is -14 °C to -22 °C.
Check the dimensions, door and drawer clearances, noise level, consumption, climate class and storage time before choosing where to install it.
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For extra freezing capacity in a small space rather than a very large family storage solution.
Stated capacity of 99 L, removable basket, castors, stated noise level of 39 dB and stated freezing capacity of 4.5 kg/24 h.
Check the type of lid opening and the clearance required in the model documentation, along with the ambient temperature conditions and storage time.
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For adding medium-capacity chest freezer storage in a kitchen or utility room with enough floor space.
Stated capacity of 140 L, dimensions of 637 × 556 × 846 mm, storage basket, castors, counterbalanced lid, adjustable feet and front water drain.
As with any chest freezer, items at the bottom are harder to reach. Check the noise level, annual consumption, climate class and storage time according to your installation.
A chest freezer is suitable when maximum capacity and flexibility for bulky packaging are the priorities, provided you have enough floor space. Que Choisir states that some chest freezers can hold up to 600 L. Choose an upright model if you access your food frequently and want to separate it into drawers, accepting that the maximum capacity is generally more limited.
No. Check the minimum and maximum ambient temperatures specified by the climate class of the exact model. For example, Beko states that its HSM27050 can be used down to -15 °C, as does Haier for its H4F272WCH1; this suitability should not be assumed for other appliances.
For refrigeration appliances sold in the European Union, the European Commission states that the label includes the energy class from A to G, annual consumption in kWh, compartment volumes and airborne noise emissions. Focus on comparing appliances with similar volumes and formats: a better class alone does not prove lower absolute consumption if the capacities differ.
Look for the model’s storage time in its technical data sheet, instructions or available regulatory information. Que Choisir assesses this criterion by measuring the time needed to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power; storage time is not always included in commercial descriptions.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory for new goods sold by a business to a private individual. The seller must provide goods that conform to the contract; keep the product description, order confirmation and delivery documents.