Households that stock up on food
If you shop less often, cook in advance or store bulky items, compare the usable capacity and freezing capacity of each model. The stated storage time in the event of a power cut may also influence your choice.
Who are these formats for?
Households with a utility room, cellar or garage
If the room may be unheated, compare its minimum and maximum temperatures with the ambient temperature range specified for the model you’re considering. A specification for one model doesn’t necessarily apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Households that check their food stocks often
If you want to see and find food quickly, the compartments in an upright freezer can make it easier to keep everything organised. Still, check that its capacity suits the amount of frozen food you want to store.
How do the formats compare?
First decide whether the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer can hold your food stocks. Then compare the space available, how easy it is to access food and the conditions in the room. Que Choisir highlights the different uses of chest and upright freezers for family food stocks.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size of your food stocks | Compare the usable capacity in litres and the external dimensions. If you freeze large quantities of fresh food, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | If you shop less often or buy bulky items, you’ll need enough freezer space without relying on the total capacity of the fridge. Around 34 % of consumers make this their priority. |
| Access and space | Measure the floor space and clearance needed to open the freezer, and check the baskets, drawers and compartments of the model. | If you check your frozen food often, finding a bag at the bottom of a chest freezer may be less convenient than opening a drawer. Access and floor space come first for around 25 % of consumers. |
| Unheated room | Compare the room’s actual temperatures with the ambient temperature range specified for the model, including if it is described as suitable for a garage. | If I’m putting a freezer in a garage, cellar or utility room where temperatures fluctuate, I need to choose based on the appliance’s installation conditions, not just its size. This is the top priority for around 25 % of consumers. |
| One appliance only | With a large fridge-freezer, compare the capacity of the freezer compartment separately from the total capacity, and check the dimensions of your kitchen. | If I can’t make room for a separate freezer, I’ll first look for a fridge-freezer that can meet my frozen food storage needs. Around 16 % of consumers prioritise avoiding a second appliance. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
A large chest can hold bulky food stocks, but it may take up a lot of floor space and make items at the bottom harder to reach.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the lid. If you open your freezer often, compare it with an upright model with drawers too.
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Assuming every freezer is suitable for a cold garage
The climate class or stated suitability for an unheated room applies to specific temperature conditions. For some Beko and Whirlpool models, operation down to −15 °C is specified for the models listed, not for every freezer in their ranges.
Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then check the range specified in the product details and on the model’s rating plate.
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Overlooking ongoing energy use
Freezers run continuously, so two models with capacities that suit you may not have the same stated annual energy consumption.
Compare the kWh/year shown on the energy labels of the models you’re considering, along with the capacity you actually need and their installation requirements.
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Assuming a large fridge-freezer is the same as a separate freezer
An appliance with a large total capacity may still have limited freezer space if you want to store substantial food stocks.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the amount of frozen food you keep between big shopping trips.
Brands to consider, model by model
Bosch
Worth considering for an upright freezer if organisation and easy access to food are important to you.
- Bosch offers upright freezers with bins designed to help you organise food. For the GSN58AWCV model, the brand states a usable capacity of 366 L and a storage time of 13 h in the event of a power cut.
- These specifications apply to the models listed. Check the dimensions, ambient temperature range and features of the upright freezer you’re considering.
Beko
Worth considering for a chest freezer, especially if you plan to install it in an unheated room.
- For some models, Beko states that they can operate at ambient temperatures down to −15 °C. The brand lists a capacity of 198 L and a storage time of 36 h for its CF200EWN chest freezer.
- The ambient temperature range and features vary by model, so check them for the chest freezer you plan to install.
Whirlpool
Worth considering for family-sized chest freezers in a range of capacities.
- Whirlpool states a usable capacity of 371 L for its W3RHS37EW1 chest freezer.
- Compare the dimensions, energy label and ambient temperature requirements of the model you choose, rather than assuming that one model’s specifications apply to the whole range.
Standalone freezers available on Joybuy
These models include chest freezers for food stocks of different sizes, as well as an upright freezer for organising food. If you’re considering a large fridge-freezer instead, compare the capacity of its freezer compartment with your needs before choosing a separate appliance.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want a chest freezer for bulky food stocks and have enough space to open the lid from above.
The product description lists an E energy rating, freezer and fridge modes, five-level digital control and a removable basket.
If you’re placing it in a cellar or garage, check the ambient temperature range permitted for this model.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
With a capacity of 99 L, it’s better suited to extra storage than to holding very large family food stocks.
The product description lists a four-star rating, an E energy rating, an adjustable thermostat and a removable wire basket.
Check the dimensions and ambient temperature range if you plan to put it in an unheated room.
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AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want a small, separate freezer; 95 L won’t meet the same needs as a large family-sized chest freezer.
The product description lists fridge and freezer modes, an E energy rating, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket.
If you plan to put it in a garage, check the ambient temperature range specified for this model.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel
This upright freezer is for households that want to separate and find their food easily, rather than storing it all in one large chest.
The product description lists drawers, a No Frost function, a reversible door and a C energy rating.
Check its dimensions and the specified ambient temperature range before deciding where to put it.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
With a capacity of 140 L, it may suit you as an additional freezer, provided it matches the amount of food you store.
The product description lists a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating.
Before buying, check the space needed to open the lid and the model’s ambient temperature requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install any freezer in a garage or cellar?
No. The ambient temperature range specified for the model must cover the conditions in the room. For example, Bosch gives a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T. Some Beko and Whirlpool models are specified to operate down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to every model from these brands.
What should I compare on a freezer’s energy label?
Compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, stated capacity and noise level for the models you’re considering. In the European Union, the energy labelling of refrigeration appliances is covered by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016. The label doesn’t replace the need to check the dimensions, internal layout and installation conditions.
How can I compare stated storage times in the event of a power cut?
Compare the figures for the specific models and check what they refer to. In its test procedure for fridge-freezers, Que Choisir describes measuring the time taken for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C without power; Bosch states 13 h for the GSN58AWCV. A figure given for one model doesn’t apply to others.
What should I do with my old freezer when replacing it?
In France, old freezers are covered by the collection scheme for electrical and electronic equipment. The ministries responsible for the ecological transition state that a ‘one-for-one’ take-back in store is linked to buying an appliance of the same type. Ask the retailer how their take-back service works.