If you’re building up a stock of meals and groceries that you won’t need to access often, consider a chest freezer. If you regularly take out individual portions, an upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to keep everything organised. A large fridge-freezer is mainly worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too: compare its freezer capacity, not just its total capacity. In all cases, check the space it needs, its stated storage time in the event of a power cut, and the ambient temperature range it can handle if you’re planning to put it in an unheated room.
If you buy in bulk, freeze meals in batches or keep seasonal supplies, start by comparing freezer capacity and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. If the appliance won’t be going in the kitchen, where you’ll put it also becomes a key consideration.
If you often take out a prepared meal, look at how the drawers, baskets or shelves let you separate portions and find them again. Bosch offers removable compartments on some of its upright freezers, but the layout varies by model.
If you’d like to keep fresh and frozen food together in one large appliance, check the freezer capacity separately. Measure the appliance and the route to its final position before choosing a fridge-freezer.
Consider it: for storing a large stock that you won’t need to access often, if you can organise food by category.
Bear in mind: access is from the top, so you’ll need room to open the lid and reach food at the bottom.
Consider it: if you regularly take out individual portions and want to store them in easy-to-reach compartments.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s height and drawer layout need to suit both the room and the size of your containers.
Consider it: if you’re replacing your fridge too and would prefer fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity includes the fridge section, so check that the freezer compartment will genuinely hold enough for your needs.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres, then check its dimensions against your containers. With a fridge-freezer, don’t mistake the total capacity for the freezer capacity. | If I want to store lots of groceries or prepared meals, I need enough room for my supplies without relying on the total capacity shown for the whole appliance. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access to portions | Look at the model’s drawers, baskets or shelves, and how its door or lid opens. | If I often take out a prepared meal, I want to find the right portion without rummaging through the other food. Around 29% of consumers would put access and organisation first. |
| Installation | Measure the space, access route and clearance needed to open the door or lid. If it’s going in an unheated room, check the ambient temperature range the model can handle. | If space is limited or I’m planning to use a cellar or garage, the appliance needs to be suitable for the conditions where it will be installed. Around 21% of consumers would make suitability for the room their top priority. |
| Maintenance and food storage | Check the energy label and, depending on your needs, look at defrosting, alerts and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If I want to store food without having to defrost the appliance frequently, I also pay attention to continuous operation and power cuts. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise these maintenance and food-storage considerations. |
An appliance may have the capacity you need but still be too large to get into the room, or leave too little space to open its door or lid. With a fridge-freezer, some of the stated capacity is taken up by the fridge section.
Measure the delivery route, the space where it will go and the clearance needed to open it. Check the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres separately.
The ambient temperature range an appliance can handle depends on the model, not just whether it’s a chest freezer. Beko says the HSM35050 works down to −15 °C, as does Liebherr’s CFe 1870 Pure, but this doesn’t apply to all their other models.
Compare the stated temperature range for the appliance you’re considering with the conditions in your cellar or garage.
No Frost, frost-reducing features, alarms and interior storage vary from model to model.
Check the model’s product information for its cooling system, defrosting and alert functions, and drawers or baskets.
ANSES says that home freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most microorganisms survive.
Freeze food promptly, label portions, and follow food safety guidance for keeping food cold and defrosting it.
The range includes chest freezers worth comparing if you need extra food storage.
Some upright freezers in the range have removable compartments or shelves to help you organise your food.
The brand offers chest freezers and large fridge-freezers, whose capacities need to be read differently.
In France, Whirlpool offers a range of chest freezers designed, among other things, for storing large quantities.
These two appliances illustrate the two dedicated freezer formats: an upright freezer for organising portions and a chest freezer for extra storage. Compare their stated capacities with the amount of food you actually plan to keep.
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Worth considering if you’d like to organise portions in an upright freezer rather than stack them in a chest freezer.
The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost, an alarm and energy class C. Check that this capacity suits your needs, along with the dimensions, storage time in the event of a power cut and ambient temperature range, before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for extra storage and can access your food from the top.
The product name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid, an adjustable thermostat and energy class E. Compare the 140 L capacity with the amount you plan to store. Also check the storage time in the event of a power cut and the ambient temperature range if you want to put it in an unheated room.
Yes, if the model is designed for the ambient temperature in your garage; its chest format alone doesn’t tell you that. Beko states that the HSM35050 works down to −15 °C, as does Liebherr’s CFe 1870 Pure. Check the stated temperature range for the model you choose.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, as well as freezer capacity and noise levels, between appliances suited to the same use. The European Commission says that the energy label for the relevant refrigeration appliances also shows their energy class; the letter alone doesn’t tell you their annual energy consumption.
No. According to ANSES, home freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most microorganisms survive. Freeze meals promptly, keep food cold and defrost them in the fridge, in the microwave using the defrost setting, or quickly by cooking or reheating.
When replacing your appliance, ADEME says you can hand the old one to the retailer or delivery driver, or take it to the section for electrical and electronic equipment at a recycling centre.