If you want to build up a large stock of food, choose a chest freezer if you have enough floor space; an upright freezer is a better fit if you want to reach food easily and organise it in drawers. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the differences in capacity and layout between the two styles. Whichever you choose, check the usable capacity, annual energy consumption, how long food stays frozen during a power cut and whether the model is suitable for the room temperature. If you only need a little extra freezer space, you could also consider a larger fridge-freezer.
If you regularly buy or prepare large quantities of food, a chest freezer is worth considering for its capacity, provided you have enough floor space for it. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference in capacity between the two styles.
If you open your freezer often and want to keep different foods separate, the drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to stay organised. Check the drawer layout of the model you’re considering.
If you’re using an unheated cellar or garage, the room temperature becomes an important factor. Compare the room’s lowest and highest temperatures with the range permitted for the specific model, even if the range is described as suitable for unheated rooms.
If you want to store more groceries, start by choosing a style that suits the amount you want to keep in reserve and the space you have available. An under-counter freezer or a larger fridge-freezer could also work if space or your need for extra storage points you in that direction.
Consider it if : you want to build up a large stock of food and have a sufficiently large space for it.
Bear in mind : a chest freezer takes up more floor space, and organising food at the bottom requires more planning, as UFC-Que Choisir explains.
Consider it if : you’d prefer easy-to-reach compartments for finding food day to day.
Bear in mind : the largest upright freezers have less capacity than the largest chest freezers featured by UFC-Que Choisir.
Consider it if : you have space under a worktop and the model’s usable capacity is enough for the food you want to store.
Bear in mind : this style may not meet your needs if you want to store very large quantities.
Consider it if : you’re also replacing your fridge and only need a moderate amount of extra freezer space.
Bear in mind : the freezer compartment’s capacity tells you how much space you’ll have for frozen food, not the appliance’s total capacity.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and floor space | Compare the usable capacity in litres with the amount you need to store, then measure the space and delivery access. | If I’m stocking up in bulk, I need to be able to put everything away without blocking the room; around 36% of consumers put capacity at the top of their list. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the layout of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | If I often take out different foods, I want to find them without emptying a deep freezer; easy access and organisation come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Room temperature | Compare the room’s lowest and highest temperatures with the appliance’s climate class and instructions. | If I’m using an unheated cellar or garage, I need an appliance suited to the temperature there; this is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Continuous use and power cuts | Compare kWh/year, freezer capacity, noise and the stated storage time during a power cut. | For an appliance that runs all the time, I want to check its energy consumption and find out how long it can keep food frozen during a power cut; around 14% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
A large chest freezer might not fit through your doorways, or there may not be enough room to open the lid comfortably.
Measure the space, delivery route and clearance needed to open the lid before choosing a model.
Temperatures in an unheated room can fall outside the range the appliance is designed for. A feature intended for these spaces only applies to the specific models for which the manufacturer lists it.
Check the highest and lowest temperatures where you plan to put the freezer, then compare them with the chosen model’s specifications and installation instructions.
Energy class on its own doesn’t tell you the model’s capacity, annual energy consumption or noise level.
For appliances covered by the label, compare the A to G energy class, kWh/year, freezer capacity and noise level shown on the European energy label.
Storage time during a power cut varies by model. UFC-Que Choisir assesses it, among other things, by simulating a power cut as part of its testing process.
Check the stated storage time for the model you’re considering. If you’re comparing test results, make sure you check the testing conditions too.
Beko offers chest freezers designed, among other things, for storing large quantities of food.
Bosch’s upright freezer range includes models with drawer storage and, depending on the model, flexible storage options.
Liebherr offers chest freezers for different locations, including some unheated rooms.
Choose a model with an operating temperature range that covers the temperatures the room actually reaches. For example, Bosch lists a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 10 to 43 °C for class SN-T. If the room gets colder than this, look for an explicit statement that the specific model is suitable; don’t assume this applies to the entire range.
For appliances covered by European energy labelling, compare the A to G energy class, annual consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level. The European Commission says that the label’s QR code links to the information declared for that model in EPREL.
Bosch describes No Frost as a feature that prevents the need for manual defrosting on models that include it. Check whether it’s available on the model you’re considering rather than assuming it comes with every upright or chest freezer.
Find out about collection through France’s waste electrical and electronic equipment scheme, as described by the Ministry for Ecological Transition. If you’d like your old appliance taken away when the new one is delivered, ask the retailer about the practical arrangements before you buy.