To build up a separate, sizeable stock of frozen food, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and a suitable room. An upright freezer makes it easier to access portions sorted into categories, while a tabletop or under-counter model is better suited to occasional extra storage. If you’re also replacing your fridge, compare larger fridge-freezers and check the capacity of the freezer compartment, not just the total capacity.
If you buy in bulk or freeze home-cooked meals, a chest freezer can hold a separate stock of food away from your fridge. Make sure you have enough floor space and check that the room temperature is suitable for the model you choose.
An upright freezer with drawers lets you sort food by category and find portions without rummaging at the bottom of a chest freezer. Make sure the drawers can be opened and removed where you plan to put it.
A tabletop or under-counter model can add to your existing freezer compartment when space is limited. Measure the space and check the manual for the clearances needed for installation.
First decide whether you’re adding extra storage or replacing your main appliance, then make sure the frozen capacity, access to food and installation requirements suit the way you’ll use it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen capacity | Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment in litres, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. According to UFC-Que Choisir, some chest freezers hold up to 600 L and the largest upright models up to 400 L. Choose according to how much you actually plan to store. | I batch-cook meals to freeze or buy in bulk, so I need enough storage without taking up more space than necessary. |
| Format and access | Consider the drawers in an upright freezer, how you could organise food in a chest freezer, and whether the door or lid can open fully. A tabletop or under-counter model is suitable for limited extra storage; a fridge-freezer also meets your refrigeration needs. | If I regularly take out portions, I want to find them easily. For bulky containers, I’d prefer a space I can organise. |
| Location | Measure the appliance’s overall dimensions, the route to the room and the clearances specified in the manual. Make sure the model’s permitted ambient temperature range is suitable for the room. | I may put the appliance in a utility room, cellar or garage, so it needs to fit and operate in the conditions there. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare models with similar capacities and formats. The EU energy label shows details including annual consumption in kWh, capacity and noise emissions. Consider these figures as well as the energy efficiency class. | If it’s near a living area, noise matters to me. I also want to compare the energy use of appliances that meet the same storage needs. |
| Power cuts | Check the stated storage period in hours for each model and see whether it has a temperature alarm. In its test protocol, UFC-Que Choisir measures the time taken for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C during a simulated power cut. | If I’m storing a lot of food, I want to know how long the appliance is stated to keep it frozen during a power cut. |
A chest freezer needs floor space and room above the lid; with an upright model, the drawers need to open and come out fully.
Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the space needed to open it, then check the clearances specified in the manual.
The permitted ambient temperature range varies by model. A feature advertised for one model designed for cold rooms won’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then confirm the climate class or permitted temperature range for the exact model, along with its ventilation requirements.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same storage needs.
For models with similar formats and capacities, also compare the kWh/year, frozen capacity in litres and noise in dB(A) shown on the label or product page.
How long an appliance can keep food frozen may matter more if it holds a large stock or you’re concerned about power cuts.
Check the stated storage period for the model you’re considering. If it’s a deciding factor, look for test results that specify the conditions.
Depending on the model, Bosch freezers feature storage solutions and No Frost systems.
Whirlpool offers chest and upright freezers, giving you two ways to organise a separate stock of frozen food.
Beko offers upright freezers, including some models designed for unheated rooms.
These options include chest and upright freezers for extra storage, as well as fridge-freezers to consider if you’re also replacing your main appliance.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your main appliance and want more freezer storage. The product title states a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. To see how much room there is for frozen food, check the freezer compartment capacity separately, as well as the dimensions and installation clearances.
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An option if you’re replacing a fridge-freezer rather than adding a separate freezer. The product title lists a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost technology. Check the freezer capacity against your storage needs. The stated ambient temperature range for this model starts at 16 °C, so check that it’s suitable for the room you have in mind.
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This chest freezer could work as separate storage if you have enough floor space and room to open the lid. The product title lists fridge and freezer modes, an E energy rating, a removable basket and a five-setting digital control. If you’re planning to put it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range. Also check the stated storage period during a power cut if it matters for the food you’re storing.
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An upright model is worth considering if you want to store portions in easily accessible compartments. The product title lists drawers, No Frost, an alarm and a C energy rating. Before choosing a location, check the dimensions, make sure the drawers can open fully and confirm the appliance’s permitted ambient temperature range.
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This chest freezer could provide separate storage if its 140 L capacity meets your needs and the lid can open where you plan to put it. The product title lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. If you’re installing it in a cold room, check the permitted ambient temperature range. Also check the storage period during a power cut if that matters to you.
Yes, provided the model’s permitted ambient temperature range covers the temperatures the room actually reaches. Check the room temperature, then consult the manual for the climate class and ventilation requirements. Don’t assume a feature listed for one model applies to the whole range.
Start with the frozen capacity you need, then compare annual energy use in kWh, noise in dB(A), dimensions, storage layout and how long food stays frozen during a power cut. The EU energy label shows details including the class, energy use, capacity and noise emissions. The rating letter alone doesn’t tell you how well appliances with different capacities will meet your needs.
No. Maintenance depends on the model’s cooling system. For an appliance that builds up frost, Electrolux recommends defrosting when the layer reaches around 3 to 5 mm. Check your appliance’s manual, especially if it’s described as No Frost.
Yes. Household freezers and the relevant combination appliances are covered by energy labelling requirements. The DGCCRF states that Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 has applied to these appliances since 1 March 2021, and that products subject to this requirement in France must have their label and product information sheet in French.