For bulk storage, choose a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and need to store bulky items; an upright freezer makes it easier to sort and access food, thanks to its drawers. A compact model can provide extra capacity, while a fridge freezer may be enough if its freezer compartment can hold the food you usually store. Before choosing a separate appliance, check its capacity, dimensions and permitted room temperature range against the space you have available. Then compare its annual energy consumption and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
If you buy food in large quantities, cook in advance or store bulky items, weigh up the capacity you need against the floor space available. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide highlights the generous storage capacity of chest freezers in particular.
If you open your freezer often and sort food into bags, boxes and different categories, the drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to find what you need than in an open chest.
For a cellar, garage, utility room or small kitchen, first check the dimensions, the clearance needed and the permitted room temperature for the model. An unheated space is not automatically suitable for every freezer.
If you want to increase your frozen food storage at home, start by working out whether capacity, access to food, the room or day-to-day use matters most to you.
Consider one : for bulk storage or bulky items, if there’s enough room to open the lid.
The trade-off : you’ll need to organise the chest yourself to find food stored at the bottom.
Consider one : if you regularly access different types of food and prefer drawers.
The trade-off : fixed compartments may limit the space available for particularly bulky items.
Consider one : as extra capacity when space is limited and you don’t need to store much.
The trade-off : check its capacity before relying on it for substantial storage needs.
Stick with one : if you don’t want to install a second appliance and its freezer compartment has enough room for your usual supplies.
The trade-off : it’s the capacity of the freezer compartment, not the fridge freezer as a whole, that determines how much space you have for frozen food.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the freezer’s capacity in litres with the amount of food you usually store, then measure the space the model needs. | If bulk buys or bulky items regularly fill your existing compartment, extra capacity comes first; around 33 % of consumers prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the layout of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. | If you often take small amounts from several categories, being able to find each item quickly is essential; this is the priority for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Fitting the appliance in the room | Measure the space and the access route ; compare the room’s actual temperatures with the range permitted for the model. | In a cellar, garage or narrow kitchen, the priority is making sure the appliance can be installed and run in the conditions of the room. Around 20 % of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Everyday running | Compare kWh/year for models with similar capacities, then check the defrosting requirements and stated storage time during a power cut separately. | For an appliance that runs all the time, energy consumption, maintenance or storage time during a power cut may matter more than the type of freezer; around 20 % of consumers prioritise these factors. |
A large chest freezer may be difficult to get through a doorway or position somewhere that allows the lid to open fully.
Measure the space, as well as the doors, corridors and stairs on the delivery route. Allow for the clearance specified in the manual.
Permitted room temperatures vary by model. Boulanger lists the Haier HCE200EFR as suitable for temperatures from 10 °C to 38 °C, while Liebherr says FrostProtect allows the CFe 2500 to operate down to −15 °C. These specifications do not apply to other models.
Note the room’s highest and lowest temperatures, then compare them with the product details and manual for the model you’re considering.
The rating alone won’t tell you the annual energy consumption, how much frost maintenance is needed or how long food will stay frozen during a power cut.
For appliances of a similar capacity, compare the kWh/year, then check the cooling system, defrosting requirements and stated storage time during a power cut separately.
According to ADEME, refrigeration appliances contain fluids that need to be handled through an appropriate treatment scheme.
When replacing an appliance in France, ask the retailer or delivery company about taking the old one away, or take it to the designated area for electrical and electronic equipment at a recycling centre.
The specifications below apply to the models named, not to every appliance from each brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a high-capacity chest freezer or a model designed for a cold room.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an upright freezer with drawers. Compare the specifications of each model.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a medium-capacity chest freezer and need to check specific installation requirements.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer with a capacity of around 200 L, but pay close attention to the room temperature.
These three standalone appliances include one upright freezer with compartments and two medium-capacity chest freezers. If you’re looking to store a lot, make sure each model has enough capacity before choosing between drawer access and top access.
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Worth considering if you’d rather organise food in an upright freezer than stack it in a chest. The product name lists three freezer drawers, No Frost protection, an LED display and a C energy rating. Check that the 161 L capacity suits your needs, and confirm the dimensions and permitted room temperature for the space where you plan to install it.
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Worth considering for extra storage if 141 L is enough for your needs and a top-opening lid suits the room. The product name mentions a switchable fridge and freezer mode, a removable basket, a seven-setting thermostat, a defrost drain and an E energy rating. Check the permitted room temperature range before installing it in a garage.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 140 L chest freezer with a basket to keep some food separate from the rest. The product name lists a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating. Measure the space needed to open the lid, and check that the capacity and permitted room temperature range suit your needs.
Only if the actual temperatures in the garage stay within the range specified for your chosen model. Electrolux recommends keeping to the ambient temperature stated for the appliance and allowing air to circulate; a compatibility claim for a different model isn’t enough.
Compare the energy label rating and kWh/year for appliances with a similar capacity and design. Then check the stated storage time during a power cut, defrosting requirements and internal layout separately, according to your needs. ADEME describes the energy label as a guide to help you choose, not the only factor to consider.
ADEME says you can hand it over to the retailer or delivery company when your new appliance is delivered, or take it to the designated area for electrical and electronic equipment at a recycling centre. Refrigeration appliances need to go through an appropriate treatment scheme to deal with their fluids.
Yes. Follow the manual for your model when cleaning and maintaining it. Whirlpool says the No Frost system in its UW8F2DWHBIN2 model prevents frost from forming; you should still check the instructions for the appliance you buy.