For large stocks of frozen food, consider a chest freezer if you have enough room to open it and reach what’s inside. An upright freezer may suit you better if you store and take out food often. A small model is more suited to providing extra capacity, while a large fridge freezer is worth comparing if you also need to replace your main fridge. In every case, compare freezer capacity, dimensions and climate class with the conditions in the space where you plan to put it.
If you store bulk buys, multipacks or prepared meals, a chest freezer can give you plenty of extra capacity, provided you have enough floor space. As Que Choisir points out, your choice of format should also take access to food into account. Check the temperature of the room before choosing a model.
If you want to keep food separate and find it without moving other items every time you prepare a meal, consider an upright freezer with drawers. Its main advantage is vertical organisation. However, make sure the door and drawers can open fully where you plan to put it.
A table-top or under-counter model can provide extra capacity, but may not be suitable for storing large amounts. If your main fridge also needs replacing, compare the capacity of both compartments with that of a separate freezer.
Start by working out how much frozen food you need to store and how often you’ll need to access it. Then measure the space and check its temperature range. These practical constraints may rule out a format before you even compare energy labels.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the model’s freezer capacity in litres with its external dimensions. Also consider whether you’ll access it from above or through a door. | If I regularly buy in bulk, I want enough space to stock up without making food difficult to reach. Around 33% of consumers would make capacity their priority. |
| Access and storage | Check the drawers or baskets and the clearance needed to use them. | If I often take food out of the freezer, I want to find a particular type of food without emptying a pile of items. Easy everyday access would come first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Location | Measure the route and available space, then check the room temperature against the model’s climate class. | In a tight space, I need to be able to install and open the appliance without ending up with storage I can’t use. For around 20% of consumers, finding a model to suit the space would be the main priority. |
| Replacing your fridge | For a fridge freezer, compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately rather than looking only at the total capacity. | If my fridge is short of space too, I’d rather consider replacing both compartments than adding another appliance. Replacing both at once would be a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
A chest freezer needs floor space and clear access from above. Que Choisir gives an average width of 110 to 140 cm and a depth of around 70 cm for this format. Food stored at the bottom can also be harder to find.
Mark out the model’s dimensions on the floor, check the route to its intended position and allow the clearance needed to open it, as specified in the manual.
A climate class indicates the ambient temperature range an appliance is designed for. Beko says some models with Freezer Guard can be used at temperatures down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all chest freezers.
Check the temperatures the room may reach in both cold and warm weather, then compare them with the conditions stated for the exact model. If you can’t establish the temperature range, don’t assume the location is suitable.
The European Commission says the label for refrigeration appliances also gives annual energy consumption, storage capacity and noise level. The letter alone won’t tell you how much freezer space you’ll get or how noisy the appliance is.
Look at the energy class, kWh/year, freezer capacity in litres and stated noise level together, keeping in mind how much space you actually need.
Part of a fridge freezer’s total capacity is taken up by the fridge. So a large overall capacity doesn’t necessarily mean the freezer compartment will hold all your shopping.
Note the capacity of each compartment separately and compare the space for frozen food with that of the standalone freezers you’re considering.
These brands offer formats and features worth comparing model by model. Their inclusion here doesn’t guarantee that a particular model is available.
Worth considering for a large upright freezer or a fridge freezer, depending on the capacity and layout you’re looking for.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer, particularly if the temperature of the room needs careful checking.
Worth considering when comparing an upright layout with chest freezers that have baskets, depending on the model.
Worth considering for a compact or integrated freezer if fitting seamlessly into your kitchen matters more than stocking up in bulk.
These models include chest freezers for adding extra capacity and upright freezers for easier organisation or a more compact format. If you’re considering replacing your fridge instead, compare the fridge and freezer capacities of a fridge freezer separately.
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Worth considering if you need plenty of extra capacity and have room to open the lid. The model is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes. Its title mentions LED lighting, a five-level digital control, a removable basket and an E energy rating.
Check that the climate class is suitable for the temperature of the room, and confirm the stated storage period in the event of a power cut before choosing this location.
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Worth considering for a little extra capacity rather than for large bulk buys. Its title mentions a sliding lid, a removable basket, four-star freezing and an E energy rating.
The product description recommends manual defrosting when the frost is more than 5 mm thick. Also check the climate class and storage period in the event of a power cut for your chosen location.
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Worth considering if you want extra standalone storage with access from above. The title lists a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating.
Before ordering, confirm whether a basket is included: the title and product description don’t agree on this point. Also check that the lid can open fully, along with the climate class and storage period in the event of a power cut.
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Worth considering for a compact extra freezer rather than for storing large amounts. The title lists a reversible door and an E energy rating.
Check the interior layout before buying: the title and product description give different storage configurations. Also check the climate class and storage period in the event of a power cut.
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Worth considering if you want vertical storage with separate compartments. The title mentions No Frost technology, a reversible door hinge and a C energy rating.
Check its dimensions and the clearance needed to access the compartments, as well as its climate class and storage period in the event of a power cut.
Compare the lowest and highest temperatures the room may reach with the climate class of the exact model. ADEME recommends checking the ambient temperature advised for the room where the appliance will be kept. A general mention of a garage in a product title isn’t a substitute for this check.
Look at the energy class alongside annual energy consumption, freezer capacity and stated noise level. The European Commission says the label for refrigeration appliances includes this information. For a fridge freezer, make sure you distinguish the freezer capacity from the fridge capacity.
No. Check the stated figure for each model rather than trying to estimate it from capacity. Que Choisir assesses this feature by simulating a power cut as part of its testing process. Check the figure and the conditions in the details for the appliance you’re considering.
Ask the retailer or your local council about collection and take-back options available at your address. Arrange this before your new appliance is delivered if the old one is in the same space.