If you want to store plenty of meals and provisions, choose a chest freezer if you have floor space and can keep its contents organised. An upright freezer is a better choice if you often need to access a variety of portions. An under-counter model is more suited to adding extra storage, while a fridge freezer combines two functions in one space. In either case, check how much freezer capacity it offers. If you plan to install it outside the kitchen, also check the model’s climate class and ventilation instructions.
If you freeze several portions at a time, buy in bulk or freeze home-grown produce, start by working out how much capacity you need and how much space you have. A chest freezer can hold large batches in its open compartment, as long as you organise it so that food stays easy to reach.
If you often reach for meals and want to keep different types of food separate, the drawers and compartments in an upright freezer may matter more than its overall capacity. Check the layout of the model you’re considering.
If there’s no room for a large freestanding appliance, consider an under-counter freezer or, when replacing your fridge, a fridge freezer. Make sure its installation dimensions and net freezer capacity suit your needs.
First decide what matters most: how much you need to store, how easy it is to reach your food, the space available in your kitchen or where the appliance will be installed. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the potential for greater capacity in a chest freezer and the more compact format of an upright model. You’ll still need to compare the exact specifications of each appliance.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the net capacity in litres, external dimensions and how the lid or door opens. If you’re adding a lot of fresh food at once, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h too. | If you’re stocking up in batches, you’ll need enough room for containers and provisions without exceeding the space you have at home. Around 27% of consumers make storage capacity their top priority. |
| Access to food | Check the layout of the drawers, shelves or baskets and make sure you can still use them easily once the appliance is installed. | If you use your frozen portions often, being able to find a meal without shifting your whole stockpile is essential. Around 33% of consumers put easy, organised access first. |
| Kitchen space | Measure the space or housing, allow for the required clearances and check the net freezer capacity, which is separate from the total capacity of a fridge freezer. | If there’s little room for an additional appliance, you’ll need to increase your frozen storage without getting in the way of other kitchen activities. Around 20% of consumers put the appliance’s footprint first. |
| Installation location | Compare the room’s temperatures with the model’s climate class and follow its ventilation instructions. | If you’re installing the appliance in a garage, cellar or utility room where temperatures can vary, first check that it’s suitable for the location. Around 20% of consumers put installation requirements first. |
Capacity won’t tell you whether a chest freezer will fit through the door, whether its lid can open fully or whether the drawers in an upright model can be pulled out. The appliance’s dimensions and the space needed to use it matter too.
Measure the space, access routes and the clearance needed for the door or lid before comparing capacities.
A chest design doesn’t guarantee that an appliance will work in a cold or hot room. Whirlpool explains that the climate class indicates the ambient temperatures an appliance is designed for. Air circulation requirements also depend on how it’s installed.
Check the possible temperatures in the room, then consult the climate class and instructions for the exact model.
Some of a fridge freezer’s capacity is reserved for refrigeration. For example, Electrolux lists 70 l of freezer capacity and 179 l of fridge capacity for its ENS3SE18S built-in model.
Compare the net freezer capacity separately from the total capacity before deciding whether a fridge freezer will hold enough provisions.
Food at the bottom of a chest freezer can be hard to find. Freezing food doesn’t remove the need to follow the storage advice from Anses.
Label and date portions, keep older food within easy reach and follow the relevant guidance for freezing and defrosting your food.
Whirlpool offers chest freezers for households with enough floor space.
Bosch upright freezers are worth considering if easy access and organised storage are important to you.
Electrolux offers built-in options to consider if fitting the appliance into your kitchen is a priority.
Liebherr chest freezers may appeal to households looking for a large compartment or considering an unheated room.
These models show three ways to store frozen food: an upright freezer to keep food separate, chest freezers for extra storage and a fridge freezer if you want both functions in one appliance. Compare their capacity with the space you have and the amount of food you plan to store.
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Consider this model if you’d rather organise your provisions in an upright freezer than in an open compartment. The product name lists three drawers, an LED display, a reversible door hinge and a No Frost function. Check the dimensions, clearances and climate class for your planned installation location.
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Consider this model if you want refrigeration and freezing in one appliance. The advertised 467 l capacity is for the fridge freezer as a whole, and the product name lists Total No Frost. Check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately, as well as the dimensions and installation clearances.
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Consider this chest freezer if you buy provisions in batches and have room to open the lid. It’s described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a removable basket and five temperature settings. Check which mode you’ll use and the climate class before installing it in an unusual location.
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Worth comparing if you want extra freezer storage without opting for the largest chest freezer in this selection. The product name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and temperature control. Measure the floor space needed and allow room to open the lid. If the room is unheated, check the climate class too.
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Consider this chest freezer if you need less extra storage than the 140 l and 291 l models featured here. The product name lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and sliding lid. Check that 99 l is enough for your provisions and that the room’s conditions are suitable for the model.
No. A chest freezer is worth considering if capacity and the flexibility of an open compartment are your priorities. An upright model may suit you better if you open the appliance often and want to keep portions separate. UFC-Que Choisir compares these formats in terms of capacity and footprint. Then compare the litre capacity and layout of the models you’re considering.
Yes, as long as the room’s temperatures are within the range specified for the model and you follow the installation instructions. Check its climate class and ventilation clearances. Don’t assume an appliance is suitable for an unheated room just because it’s a chest freezer.
Follow the clearances specified in the model’s instructions rather than relying on one measurement for every appliance. Electrolux advises that air must be able to circulate around a cooling appliance. Also make sure there’s room to open the door or lid fully.
Anses states that home freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying. This doesn’t replace the necessary precautions for preparing, storing and defrosting food, so follow the guidance for the food you’re storing.
Yes. ADEME recommends checking the energy label when choosing a household appliance. To compare two freezers, look at the energy rating and consumption shown on their labels, while also checking that the storage capacity meets your needs.