If your larger shops regularly exceed the freezer space you have available, compare a chest freezer for its open storage space with an upright model for its drawers and easy access. A compact model is better suited to a smaller, occasional need. If you also need to replace your fridge, consider the freezer capacity of a fridge freezer too. For the specific model, check the usable capacity, installation and opening space, permitted ambient temperature, power-cut storage time and kWh/year.
If you buy in bulk or prepare portions in advance, compare the usable capacity with the space you actually need for your bags and packaging. Que Choisir highlights capacity and access as key differences between chest and upright freezers.
If you often take food out of the freezer, drawer storage and being able to see what’s inside may matter more than the stated capacity alone.
For a cellar, garage or utility room, check the minimum and maximum ambient temperatures permitted for the specific model. A claim that certain Beko or Whirlpool models are suitable for these conditions does not apply to the entire range.
First decide whether you need a lot more freezer space, or whether replacing your current fridge could meet your needs as well.
Consider it: for bulk shopping or bulky packaging, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is less easy to reach.
Consider it: if you open the appliance often and want to separate food into drawers.
Bear in mind: compartments may limit the space available for very wide packaging.
Consider it: if you only need a little extra freezer space and have limited room.
Bear in mind: check that the usable capacity is sufficient before relying on it for bulk shopping.
Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge or need more space for both fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: compare the freezer compartment capacity with your needs, rather than looking at the total capacity of the appliance.
| Feature | What to check | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and bulky items | Usable capacity in litres and interior layout for the packaging you want to store. | If I buy in bulk, I need room for large bags without blocking access to everything else. Around 42% of consumers put this need for more storage space first. |
| Access and storage | Drawer or basket layout and the space needed to open the door or lid. | If I often take food out, I want to find it without moving everything around. For around 33% of consumers, access and organisation are the priority. |
| Location and continuous use | Permitted ambient temperatures, kWh/year on the energy label and storage time during a power cut. | In a cellar or garage, I need to confirm the appliance is suitable for the room and check its ongoing energy consumption. Installation-related needs come first for around 25% of consumers. |
A large chest freezer and an upright model with a similar capacity won’t store food in the same way: the open space is good for bulky items, while compartments make it easier to organise food.
Make a list of the packaging you plan to store, then check the baskets, drawers and removable parts of the specific model.
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the model, not its design. Beko and Whirlpool state that certain models are suitable for low temperatures, but this only applies to specific models.
Before you buy, compare the minimum and maximum temperatures in the manual with those at the intended location.
A freezer runs continuously, as ADEME points out. When comparing models, consider the energy rating alongside annual consumption and usable capacity.
Check the kWh/year on each model’s energy label and, if necessary, look up its declared information in EPREL.
How long the freezer can keep food frozen during a power cut and how easy it is to access the contents also matter, particularly if you’re placing a chest freezer in a tight space.
Check the model’s stated storage time during a power cut, the route to its position and the clearance needed to open the door or lid fully.
Worth considering if the appliance will be used in an unheated room, but always check the specific model.
Worth comparing if you’re looking for an upright freezer with a layout that makes it easier to separate food.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer and the room temperature is a key factor.
This selection includes chest freezers with different capacities and an upright model with drawers. Compare them based on how much extra space you need and how you like to access your food. If you’re placing a freezer in a cellar or garage, always confirm the ambient temperature permitted for the model.
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Worth considering for bulk shopping if you have enough floor space and room to raise the lid.
Removable basket, LED light, five-level digital control and E energy rating. Fridge and freezer modes are alternatives, so select freezer mode for this use. Check the permitted ambient temperature and storage time during a power cut.
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Worth considering if you want a chest freezer for extra supplies but don’t need the 291 L capacity of the other AUCMA model featured here.
Removable basket, five-level digital control and E energy rating. Selecting fridge mode replaces freezer mode. Check the space needed to open the lid, the permitted ambient temperature and storage time during a power cut.
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Worth considering for a little extra freezer space rather than storing very large quantities.
Removable basket, seven-level thermostat and E energy rating. Fridge and freezer modes can’t be used at the same time. Check the permitted ambient temperature, storage time during a power cut and the space needed to open the lid.
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Worth considering if you prefer to access food stored in drawers rather than stacked in a chest freezer.
Three freezer drawers, No Frost function, alarm and C energy rating. The stated temperature range of -14 °C to -22 °C is the appliance’s operating temperature range, not its permitted ambient temperature range. Check the latter, along with the dimensions, kWh/year and storage time during a power cut.
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Worth considering if you need a little extra freezer space, with a basket to keep some items separate.
Counterbalanced lid, adjustable temperature control and E energy rating. Check the kWh/year, storage time during a power cut, permitted ambient temperature and clearance needed to open the lid.
No. Check the permitted ambient temperatures in the manual for the specific model. Whirlpool says the WHM2112 is suitable for temperatures as low as -15 °C, while Beko offers Freezer Guard on certain models. Neither statement applies to every freezer from these brands.
Compare the kWh/year and A to G rating of freezers with a usable capacity that meets your needs. ADEME points out that freezers run continuously. The European Commission also lets you check declared information for eligible models in EPREL.
Measure the route to the space where you plan to install it, then check the appliance dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. Make sure there’s enough room to raise a chest freezer lid fully or open an upright freezer door.
For goods sold by a business in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished appliances, as the French Ministry of the Economy points out. If the appliance doesn’t match its description, notify the seller and make a claim under this guarantee.
Arrange for it to be taken back or find a suitable collection point for electrical and electronic equipment. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition says that France has a collection scheme for household waste electrical and electronic equipment. Check the arrangements with the seller or collection point.