Households that stock up in bulk
If you buy in bulk, freeze home-grown produce or prepare several meals in advance, capacity may be the deciding factor. A chest freezer is worth considering if you have a suitable room and enough floor space.
Which format is right for you?
People who access their food often
If you regularly reach for vegetables, meals or other food categories without wanting to rummage through a deep freezer, the drawers and compartments in an upright freezer may matter more than maximum capacity.
Households with limited space
Whether it’s going in a kitchen, utility room, cellar or garage, the freezer needs to fit through the delivery route, allow room to open its door or lid, and have suitable ventilation and room temperature. These checks may rule out an appliance that would otherwise be large enough for your storage needs.
What sets chest and upright freezers apart?
For storing larger quantities, first decide whether capacity or easy access to food matters more. Then check that your chosen format can be delivered and installed in the room you have in mind. A small under-counter freezer is better suited to extra storage, while a fridge freezer may be enough if you don’t need a large, separate freezer.
Chest freezer
Worth considering: for storing large quantities in a room with enough floor space. Que Choisir’s guide describes chest freezers with capacities of up to 600 L.
Bear in mind: an open tub gives you flexibility for bulky containers, but food at the bottom can be harder to reach unless you organise it into baskets or sections.
Upright freezer
Worth considering: if you often take food out and want to organise it in drawers or compartments.
Bear in mind: according to the formats described by Que Choisir, upright freezers generally have less capacity than the largest chest freezers. You’ll also need to allow room to open the door and access the drawers.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the stated capacity with the amount of food you want to store, then measure the space and delivery route. | If I want to store bulk buys, home-grown produce or prepared meals, my first priority is enough space in one appliance. Around 29% of consumers prioritise capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the drawers or baskets, and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | If I often take out different types of food, I want to find what I need without moving everything else. Easy access is the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Available space | Measure the installation space and access routes, and allow room to open the appliance. Also follow the ventilation clearances in the manual. | In a narrow room, I need to be able to get the appliance in and open its door or lid fully. Around 21% of consumers prioritise these installation requirements. |
| Room conditions and power cuts | Check the permitted room-temperature range, the stated storage time in the event of a power cut and whether the appliance has any temperature alarms. | If I’m putting the freezer in a cellar or garage, or my stored food would be difficult to replace, I want an appliance suited to the room and to know how it performs during a power cut. Around 21% of consumers put this concern first. |
The set temperature inside a freezer doesn’t tell you the minimum room temperature at which it can operate. If the room isn’t heated, check the temperature range in the manual for the specific model rather than relying on whether it’s a chest or upright freezer.
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing based on capacity alone
A large capacity won’t help if the appliance won’t fit through a doorway, the lid hits an obstruction or air can’t circulate as required.
Note the external dimensions, measure the delivery route and check the manual for opening and ventilation clearances before comparing capacities.
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Assuming any model will work in a garage
The permitted room-temperature range varies by appliance. Liebherr and Beko state that some of their chest freezers can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to every model.
Compare the minimum and maximum temperatures specified for the exact model with the conditions in the room you have in mind.
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Buying a chest freezer without planning how to organise it
The open tub can hold containers of different sizes, but small portions and older items can be hard to find beneath other food.
Sort food into baskets or boxes, label them and keep items you plan to use first within easy reach. If you mostly take out food by category, consider an upright model with drawers too.
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Overlooking storage time during a power cut
If you’re storing a lot of food, how long it stays frozen during a power cut is a separate consideration from capacity. Que Choisir recommends taking this storage time into account.
Compare the stated storage times under similar conditions and check whether the model has an alert for rising temperatures.
Brands to consider, depending on the model
Liebherr
Worth considering if you’re looking for a high-capacity chest freezer or planning to put one in an unheated room. Always check the exact model.
- Liebherr states that its CFe 2500 Pure has a capacity of 497 L, measures 82 × 167 × 71 cm and features FrostProtect, designed for ambient temperatures down to −15 °C.
- These specifications apply to the CFe 2500 Pure only; they don’t describe all Liebherr freezers.
Beko
Worth considering for chest freezers designed for storing larger quantities, especially if you’re planning to install one in an unheated room.
- Beko describes some chest freezers with Freezer Guard as suitable for ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Check the product information for your chosen chest freezer to confirm its capacity, operating range, storage time during a power cut and any alerts. These specifications vary by model.
Electrolux
Worth considering for an upright or integrated model if keeping food separate in drawers matters more than the capacity of a large chest freezer.
- Electrolux offers freezers with transparent drawers and, depending on the model, LowFrost or No Frost features.
- Check the capacity and installation requirements for each appliance, especially for an integrated model.
Freezers for different storage needs
This selection of Joybuy models includes an upright freezer with drawers and chest freezers ranging from 95 to 140 L. They’re options to consider if you want easy access to food or extra storage. If you’re aiming to store very large quantities, compare the capacity you need for your food before choosing one of these sizes.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if keeping food separate and taking it out by category matters more than having a very large capacity.
The product name lists three freezer drawers, a No Frost function, an LED display and an alarm. Check the dimensions, permitted room-temperature range and storage time during a power cut for your chosen location.
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AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you need a little extra storage, rather than space for very large quantities.
The product is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a removable basket and a seven-level thermostat. If you’re putting it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted room-temperature range. Also check its storage time during a power cut.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
Worth considering as extra storage if a compact chest freezer suits your needs.
This model has a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat and a sliding lid. It requires manual defrosting. Also check the permitted room-temperature range and its storage time during a power cut.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
Worth considering if a 140 L chest freezer suits the amount you need to store and the space you have available.
The product name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and a temperature control. Check the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the lid, then check the permitted room-temperature range and stated storage time during a power cut.
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TCL CF126EWE0FR, 98 L chest freezer
Worth considering as extra storage if 98 L is enough for the food you want to keep.
The product name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and a temperature control. Before choosing a location, check the dimensions, opening clearance, permitted room-temperature range and storage time during a power cut.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put any freezer in a garage or cellar?
No. The room temperature must stay within the permitted range for your chosen model, and you’ll need to allow for the ventilation specified in its manual. Liebherr and Beko state that some of their chest freezers can operate at temperatures down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
What should I measure before ordering a chest freezer?
Measure the space and the entire delivery route, then check how much room is needed to open the lid and ventilate the appliance. As a guide to the format, Que Choisir commonly cites chest freezers measuring 110 to 140 cm wide and around 70 cm deep. Only the dimensions of the model you choose can confirm whether it will fit.
How can I stop food getting forgotten at the bottom of a chest freezer?
Organise the freezer into categories using baskets or boxes, and label portions with the date. Keep the food you plan to use first within easy reach. If you often take out different types of food, an upright freezer with drawers may suit you better.
What should I do with an old freezer in France?
Take it to a collection point for waste electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in general waste. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition explains this scheme for household appliances. Ask the retailer or your local authority about the collection or drop-off options available to you.