Choose a chest freezer if you prioritise generous storage capacity and have suitable floor space; an upright freezer is a better choice if you open it frequently and want to organise food in drawers. Before buying, check the dimensions and required clearances, the model’s ambient temperature range, usable capacity, noise level, annual energy consumption and storage time in the event of a power cut.
If you buy in bulk, freeze prepared portions or have outgrown the capacity of a standard fridge freezer, start by comparing usable capacity, freezing performance and internal organisation. Que Choisir particularly distinguishes between the uses and capacities of chest and upright freezers.
In a room where the temperature varies considerably, check the model’s climate range before prioritising capacity. According to Bosch Électroménager France, the climate class indicates the ambient temperature range in which the appliance is designed to operate.
If you regularly need to find bags, boxes and portions, an upright freezer with drawers makes visual organisation easier. A chest freezer provides a large open space instead, which needs to be arranged using baskets or designated storage zones.
Start with the available space and the amount you actually need to store, then compare the specifications of the exact model rather than relying solely on its format or energy label.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and access | Compare the usable frozen-food capacity, width, depth and height. Check how the lid or door opens, the required ventilation clearances, and whether the drawers or baskets can be removed. | I want to store more than I can in a fridge freezer while still being able to find portions easily. A chest freezer makes room for large containers; drawers make everyday organisation easier. |
| Installation in an unheated room | Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the appliance’s climate class and specified operating range. Also follow the ventilation and levelling instructions in the manual. | My freezer will be installed in a garage, cellar or utility room. The chest-freezer format alone does not confirm that the appliance is suitable for the temperatures in that room. |
| Energy consumption and power cuts | Compare kWh/year, usable frozen-food capacity and noise level between appliances with a similar capacity. Check the storage time during a power cut, freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the model information available via the EPREL QR code. | I want to limit the energy used by an appliance that runs continuously and protect a substantial food supply during a power cut. The energy label letter alone does not allow this comparison. |
The format does not prove that the appliance can cope with the room’s temperatures. Temperatures that are too low or too high for the climate class may affect its performance and energy consumption.
Measure the room’s extreme temperatures and check the climate range in the documentation or on the rating plate of the exact model. A claim such as “down to -15 °C” must be explicitly stated for the model concerned.
A large chest freezer can be difficult to position and organise day to day, while an upright freezer may be more suitable when food needs to be sorted and accessed frequently.
Compare usable capacity, dimensions, lid or door opening, drawers or baskets, and how easy they are to handle once the appliance is installed.
The energy label also shows annual consumption, the volume of the frozen compartments and noise level. Appliances with different formats or capacities cannot be compared on the letter alone.
Compare kWh/year, usable capacity, noise and storage time during a power cut between appliances with similar functions and capacities, then consult the model’s EPREL information using the QR code.
No Frost defrosting, storage time during a power cut, alarms and internal organisation vary between models. For example, Bosch states 11 hours of storage time for the GSV36VWEV, while Whirlpool claims up to 32 hours for its WHM251122 chest freezer.
Check the exact model’s specifications for the defrosting system, storage time, freezing capacity, alarms, and the number and type of drawers or baskets.
Liebherr is worth considering if you are looking for a large-capacity chest freezer, particularly for an unheated room.
Bosch can be a useful reference point for an upright freezer with structured storage in a kitchen or utility room.
Whirlpool lets you compare, within the same brand, a chest freezer designed for long-term storage with a high-capacity upright freezer featuring drawers.
These Joybuy options include upright freezers, chest freezers and a large-capacity fridge freezer for family food storage at home.
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An option for regular access to food and compartmentalised storage.
Advertised capacity of 161 L, with 3 drawers, 2 shelves, LED display, Fast Freeze function, alarm and reversible door.
Check the dimensions, annual energy consumption, storage time during a power cut and climate range before installing it in a garage or cellar. The 161 L capacity may be limited for a very substantial family food supply.
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This 291 L chest freezer is suitable for a substantial food supply and bulky products, provided you have dedicated floor space.
Advertised features include top opening, removable basket, LED lighting, five-level digital control, adjustable feet and a defrost drain.
Check the climate range, storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity. As the appliance is convertible, make sure that freezer mode is active before storing frozen food in it for an extended period.
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A practical additional storage solution when space is more limited.
Advertised capacity of 141 L in a 632 × 554 × 848 mm format, with removable basket, seven-level mechanical thermostat and defrost drain.
Check the climate requirements, storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity. Also confirm that freezer mode is selected before storing a supply of frozen food.
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This chest freezer can provide additional household storage, with a basket for smaller items.
Advertised features include 140 L capacity, dimensions of 637 × 556 × 846 mm, counterbalanced lid, castors, adjustable feet, mechanical control and front drainage.
Check the model’s annual energy consumption, storage time during a power cut, freezing capacity and climate range. Its capacity may be insufficient for intensive family storage.
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This option is aimed at households replacing their fridge as well and looking for a large total capacity in the kitchen.
Advertised features include 444 L total capacity, Total No Frost, energy consumption of 289 kWh/year, noise level of 40 dB and an SN-T climate class from 10 °C to 43 °C.
Check the capacity actually allocated to freezing, the dimensions and the compartment layout before choosing it for a large supply of frozen food. Based on the stated range, it is not suitable for a room where the temperature falls below 10 °C.
Measure the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the climate class and operating range of the exact model. Bosch states that this class appears on the rating plate; some specific chest freezers claim compatibility down to -15 °C, but this does not apply to every model.
At a minimum, compare the A to G energy class, annual consumption in kWh, the volume of the frozen compartments and the noise level. The European Commission explains that the label provides these details, while the QR code gives access to detailed model information in EPREL.
No. A chest freezer is ideal for large quantities and bulky products thanks to its open space, but it needs to be organised using baskets, labelled bags or designated zones. An upright freezer makes drawer-based organisation and frequent access easier; however, check that the drawers can be opened and removed in the space provided.
Look for the exact model’s storage time during a power cut and consider a temperature alarm if you keep a substantial food supply. According to Que Choisir’s testing protocol, this criterion is the time needed for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without power, which may vary between appliances.
A freezer comes under France’s waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. The ministry responsible for ecological transition recommends not leaving it with ordinary household waste: check whether the retailer offers take-back, or find out about local collection services or a suitable collection point.