Households that stock up in bulk
You buy family-sized packs or freeze large containers. Usable capacity matters, but you also need to be able to fit the appliance in your home and open its door or lid.
Who is this choice for?
People who prepare meals in advance
You regularly freeze meals in containers or bags. Storage that makes it easy to identify and retrieve food may matter more than capacity alone.
Households with limited space
You’re looking for extra freezer space in a kitchen or under a worktop. Measure the space available and compare it with the capacity you actually need.
What sets the different formats apart?
Chest freezer
Worth considering: if bulk buys and large containers are a priority and you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom may be harder to find; also check there’s enough clearance to open the lid.
Upright freezer
Worth considering: if you often store and retrieve portions, containers or small packs.
Bear in mind: the drawers need to fit your largest containers and be easy to use in the room where you plan to put the freezer.
Compact or under-counter freezer
Worth considering: if limited height means you need a compact appliance and you’re looking for extra freezer space.
Bear in mind: it may not have enough capacity for a big shop or several batches of food.
Large fridge freezer
Worth considering: if you also need to replace your main fridge.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Usable freezer capacity and room for the containers you usually use. | If I do a big shop, I want to store bulk buys without giving up space for large containers; around 30% of consumers prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access and storage | Layout of the drawers or baskets, and whether you can remove larger containers. | When I freeze several portions, I want to find a container without moving everything else. Around 30% of consumers put this need for organisation first. |
| Available space | Dimensions, clearance for the door or lid, and the room’s climate class. | In a small kitchen or for an under-counter space, I first need to know whether the appliance will fit and can be opened; around 20% of consumers prioritise this constraint. |
| Running costs and protecting your supplies | Annual energy consumption in kWh/year, power-cut storage time and any alarms. | If I keep food in the freezer for a long time, I want to consider its continuous running costs and what might happen during a power cut. For around 20% of consumers, these are the most important factors. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing capacity before measuring the space
A chest freezer can take up a lot of floor space. UFC-Que Choisir notes that dimensions vary by format; the room temperature must also be suitable for the model’s climate class.
Measure the space, the route needed for delivery and the clearance required to open the door or lid. Then check the manual for the model you’re considering.
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Confusing capacity with convenient storage
A large capacity doesn’t guarantee that you’ll easily find portions stored at the bottom or that your containers will fit in the drawers. UFC-Que Choisir includes ease of use in its test criteria.
Compare the dimensions of your usual containers with the layout of the model’s baskets, drawers and removable compartments.
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Comparing only the letter on the energy label
When comparing appliances of different capacities, the letter alone won’t tell you how their annual energy consumption compares. Energy information also includes numerical values specific to each model.
Check the kWh/year alongside the frozen storage capacity shown on the label or product specifications.
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Forgetting about power cuts and keeping track of food
A power cut or poor food storage can put your supplies at risk. ANSES warns that breaks in the cold chain can increase the risks associated with food storage.
Compare the stated storage time during a power cut and any alarms, then label your food so you can keep track of your supplies and use them in rotation.
Brands to compare
Bosch
The range includes upright freezers worth considering if drawer storage and convenience features are important to you.
- Bosch offers No Frost and flexible storage in some models; check that these features are included in the model you choose.
- Compare capacity, dimensions, energy consumption and storage time during a power cut for each model; don’t assume they’ll match those of another Bosch upright freezer.
Liebherr
The chest freezer range may appeal to households planning to install one in a utility room, cellar or garage.
- Liebherr offers FrostProtect on some chest freezers designed for unheated rooms.
- You should still check the climate class and permitted temperatures in the manual for the specific model.
Whirlpool
The range includes chest and upright freezers, two formats to compare based on the space available and how you want to access your food.
- Product specifications let you compare details such as capacity and the interior layout of each format.
- Features of one Whirlpool upright freezer don’t automatically apply to its chest freezers or other upright models.
Freezers for different needs
These models suit three different needs: organising portions in an upright freezer, adding extra storage with a chest freezer or fitting a compact freezer for occasional use. Compare their capacity with your usual shopping before you choose.
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Heinrich´s 161 L stainless steel upright freezer
An upright freezer to consider if you want to keep portions separate and access your supplies regularly.
The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, an alarm and energy class C. Check its dimensions, climate class, annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut for the space you have in mind.
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CHiQ JR99DWE 99 L chest freezer
This chest freezer can provide extra storage if 99 L is enough for your shopping and batch cooking; don’t mistake it for a large family-sized model.
The product name mentions a removable basket and energy class E. Check the clearance needed to open the lid, as well as the climate class, kWh/year and storage time during a power cut.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E) 60 L upright freezer
This 60 L model is suitable as an extra freezer when space is at a premium; it may not be large enough for a big shop.
The product name lists a reversible door and energy class E. Check the interior layout before buying, along with the installation dimensions, kWh/year, climate class and storage time during a power cut.
Frequently asked questions
Which figures should I compare when two freezers have similar capacities?
Compare usable freezer capacity, dimensions, kWh/year, noise level, storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity, checking the conditions specified for each figure. The energy label and product specifications help you compare appliances beyond their format.
Can you install a chest freezer in a cellar or garage?
Yes, as long as the model’s permitted temperature range matches the actual conditions in the room. Check its climate class and manual: the features Liebherr offers on some chest freezers designed for unheated rooms don’t apply to every appliance.
Why check storage time during a power cut?
It helps you compare how long appliances can maintain their temperature without power under the conditions specified for the measurement; it doesn’t, on its own, guarantee that every food item will be safe after an outage. UFC-Que Choisir tests how well freezers maintain their temperature without power as part of its testing process.
What precautions should you take with frozen food?
A freezer doesn’t replace good food storage practices. ANSES warns that poor storage, a break in the cold chain or cross-contamination can encourage bacteria to grow; follow the instructions on packaging and keep an eye on the appliance’s temperature alerts.