If you regularly buy in bulk or need to store a harvest, choose a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and need the extra capacity. An upright freezer is a better choice if you need to organise your food and access it often. A compact model is more suitable as an additional freezer. Before you choose, check the dimensions, the permitted ambient temperature in the room, the usable capacity, annual energy consumption and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
If you buy in bulk, freeze a harvest or store large containers, start by considering the usable capacity and the space you actually have available. Que Choisir says some chest freezers hold up to 600 L; also check how easy it is to reach food at the bottom.
If you regularly take out different types of food, the drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to keep everything organised. For a chest freezer, check the arrangement of the baskets and how easy it is to reach the bottom of the compartment.
If the temperature in the room changes with the seasons, compare its minimum and maximum temperatures with the range permitted for the model. Liebherr and Beko list some chest freezers as suitable for ambient temperatures as low as -15 °C. Check that this applies to the specific model you choose.
For a family food store, first work out whether your main concern is how much you need to store, how easy it is to access your food or where the appliance will go. Then compare the specifications of models that meet that need.
Worth considering: for bulky food shops, if you have enough floor space and clearance above the lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom of the compartment can take more effort to organise and retrieve.
Worth considering: if you open the freezer often and want to organise food in drawers.
Bear in mind: check that the usable capacity and drawer sizes can accommodate your largest packages.
Worth considering: as an additional freezer when space is limited.
Bear in mind: check that its capacity meets your usual needs before relying on it as your main family freezer.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the usable capacity with the containers you usually store, then measure the floor space and clearance needed to open the freezer. | When bulk buys or harvests start to build up, you need room for bulky packages that will be in storage for a while. Around 31% of consumers say capacity is their top priority. |
| Access to food | Check the size and removability of the drawers or baskets, as well as access to food stored at the bottom. | If you check your food stores often, being able to find what you need without moving other items becomes a priority. Around 25% of consumers put access and organisation ahead of other factors. |
| Location | Compare the room temperature with the ambient temperature range permitted for the model, and follow the clearance requirements in its manual. | If your cellar or garage has a variable temperature, choose an appliance designed for those conditions. Room suitability is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Check the kWh/year, noise level and storage time in hours listed for comparable models. | If your freezer will be left running all the time, energy consumption and storage time in the event of a power cut are important considerations. Around 19% of consumers make these their priority. |
A large compartment can hold bulky items, but food at the bottom will be harder to reach if it is covered by other items.
Compare the size of your usual packaging with the internal space, and check how many baskets are included. Also think about how you will separate food you use often from longer-term stores.
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Bosch says that temperatures outside this range can affect how it works. You cannot tell whether a model is suitable for a cold room just from its type.
Compare the room temperatures throughout the year with the range permitted for the exact model, then check the manual for installation requirements.
The letter on its own does not tell you how much electricity two appliances of different capacities will use. ADEME points out that a freezer’s energy consumption depends, among other things, on its size and how it is used.
Look at kWh/year and usable capacity together, ideally comparing models designed for similar storage needs. Check the noise level and storage time in the event of a power cut separately.
A small separate freezer gives you extra space, but it may not have enough capacity for large family-sized shops.
Estimate how much room your usual bulk buys and containers will take up before choosing a compact model. If you need to store a large amount, compare the usable capacities of chest and upright freezers first.
Bosch offers upright freezers worth considering if easy access through a door and internal storage are important to you.
Depending on the model, Liebherr chest freezers are worth considering for larger food stores or installation in an unheated room.
Beko offers chest freezers, including some designed for unheated rooms.
Whirlpool offers chest and upright freezers, with specifications that let you compare capacity and operating conditions model by model.
This selection includes chest freezers in different capacities and an upright model with drawers. Smaller chest freezers can work as an additional freezer; compare each model’s capacity with the amount you want to store long-term.
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Worth considering if you want to store bulk buys and have enough room to open a chest freezer. The product name lists fridge or freezer modes, an energy rating of E, LED lighting and a removable basket. Check the manual for the permitted ambient temperature range and storage time in the event of a power cut at your installation.
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If you need a smaller additional food store than a large chest freezer can provide, compare its 141 L capacity with the containers you usually use. The product name lists fridge or freezer modes, an energy rating of E and a removable basket. Check the permitted ambient temperature range and the stated storage time for this model.
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This 140 L chest freezer is worth considering as an additional freezer, rather than assuming it will hold regular bulk buys. The product name lists a storage basket, a balanced lid and an energy rating of E. Check the model’s energy label for kWh/year and its manual for installation requirements.
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If you prefer to organise food by category, consider this 161 L upright freezer and check that its drawers can accommodate your packaging. The product name lists a No Frost function, an alarm and an energy rating of C. Before choosing where to put it, check the dimensions, kWh/year, permitted ambient temperature and storage time for this model.
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At 95 L, this chest freezer is mainly worth considering as an extra if you are short on space; check that its capacity suits your usual shopping. The product name lists fridge or freezer modes, an energy rating of E and a removable basket. Check the manual for the permitted ambient temperature and storage time in the event of a power cut.
Choose a model whose ambient temperature range covers the actual conditions in the room, in both winter and summer. Bosch lists a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 16 to 32 °C for class N. If the room gets colder, look for a model specifically stated to be suitable, such as some Liebherr or Beko chest freezers listed for temperatures as low as -15 °C.
Start by working out the usable capacity you need, then compare the kWh/year, dimensions and operating conditions of models that can hold your food stores. Don’t rely on the energy rating letter alone: ADEME says energy consumption depends, among other things, on the size and use of the appliance.
Check its energy label and look up the product in the European EPREL database, using the label’s QR code if helpful. The European Union presents EPREL as a source of information about appliances sold in its market; make sure the model and variant match the product you are considering.
It is a duration, expressed in hours, which you should check for the exact model and against the stated test conditions. In its test, Que Choisir measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power. Whirlpool lists 32 h for the WHM4612, but this figure does not apply to other models.