For storing large quantities, consider a chest freezer if you have a suitable space. If you often take food out and want to organise it in drawers, an upright freezer may be more practical. A large fridge freezer is worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge. No Frost can help reduce the need for defrosting, but you should still compare capacity, location, noise and energy use for each model.
If you buy in bulk, store home-grown produce or have large packets to freeze, start by working out how much capacity you need and how much floor space you have. If the appliance will go in a utility room or cellar, also check the temperatures the model is designed to operate in.
If you open the freezer frequently, consider how easy it is to organise and take out food. An upright freezer’s drawers can make items easier to reach, provided your largest packets will fit.
If the freezer will be near a living area, compare the dimensions, stated noise emissions and annual energy consumption of the models you’re considering. If you’re replacing your main fridge, check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately.
First, choose a format that suits the amount you need to store and where you plan to put it. Then compare the features of the models that fit the bill.
Worth considering: for storing large quantities if you have enough floor space; Que Choisir notes that some chest freezers hold up to 600 L.
The trade-off: food at the bottom can be harder to reach, so you’ll need to organise it carefully.
Worth considering: if you want to sort food into drawers and take things out regularly without having to rummage through a chest freezer.
The trade-off: check that the compartments are large enough for your biggest packets.
Worth considering: if you’re also replacing your main fridge and would rather have both functions in one appliance.
The trade-off: its total capacity isn’t the same as its freezer capacity, so check the size of the dedicated freezer compartment.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and access | Compare the usable freezer capacity with the amount you need to store. Check the size of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | I store large packets, but I also want to find the food I use often without difficulty. |
| Location | Measure the appliance, delivery route and space needed to open it. Check the manual for clearance requirements, climate class and permitted ambient temperature range. | My freezer may go in a cellar or garage, so the model needs to be suitable for the temperatures in that room. |
| Noise and energy use | Compare annual energy consumption and noise emissions in dB(A) for appliances of a similar capacity. To assess how well they maintain a low temperature, check the specifications and test results for the specific models; Que Choisir’s test protocol looks at temperature stability and energy consumption, among other things. | If the freezer is near a living area, noise matters as much to me as capacity. I also want to be able to compare the energy use of the models I’m considering. |
| Defrosting | Check the cooling system and care instructions in the manual. Bosch, Beko and Liebherr describe No Frost as a way to avoid or reduce defrosting; compare noise and energy use separately. | If I want to spend less time defrosting, this feature matters, but I still need to consider the other criteria. |
A large chest freezer can hold plenty, but food at the bottom is less easy to reach. In an upright freezer, how easy it is to organise food depends on the size of the drawers.
Measure your largest packets and check the baskets, drawers and openings before you choose.
An unheated or poorly ventilated room may fall outside the conditions the appliance is designed for. Whether it’s suitable depends on the specific model, not just on whether it’s a chest or upright freezer.
Compare the room temperature with the model’s stated ambient temperature range and follow the clearance instructions in the manual.
No Frost is about managing frost; it doesn’t tell you how much energy a freezer uses or how noisy it is. Que Choisir assesses these factors separately in its testing process.
Compare annual energy consumption and dB(A) ratings and, where needed, look at test results for specific models on a like-for-like basis.
These brand examples can help you identify features to compare; they don’t apply to every model in each range.
The range includes high-capacity chest freezers and NoFrost models.
Worth considering for No Frost upright freezers and, depending on the model, installation in a cold room.
Some models focus on flexible storage in a vertical design.
The range includes chest and upright formats to suit different space and access needs.
This Joybuy selection includes chest freezers for different storage needs and compact upright freezers. For each appliance, check that its dimensions and installation requirements are suitable for your room.
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Worth considering if you need to store large quantities and have room to open a chest freezer from the top. The model is described as switching between fridge and freezer modes, and comes with a removable basket, LED lighting, five temperature settings and an E energy rating. If you plan to put it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range and required clearances. Also consult the manual for defrosting instructions.
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The upright design suits households that need regular access to their food, while the stated No Frost feature may appeal if you want to spend less time defrosting. The product name lists a reversible door and a C energy rating. Check the compartment layout, dimensions, noise level, annual energy consumption and installation requirements for this model.
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This chest freezer is worth considering if you need a smaller amount of extra capacity than the 291 L AUCMA model offers. Its name lists fridge and freezer modes, a seven-setting thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating. If you plan to install it in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range; the stated drain alone doesn’t tell you what maintenance is required.
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Worth considering for extra storage rather than very large quantities. The product name lists a four-star freezer rating, an adjustable thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Measure the space and check the annual energy consumption, permitted ambient temperatures and defrosting instructions before choosing.
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This compact upright model may suit you if you only need a little extra freezer space. The product name lists a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the exact compartment layout before relying on drawer-style storage, as well as the dimensions, noise level, annual energy consumption and permitted ambient temperature range.
No. A chest freezer is worth considering if you need plenty of capacity and have enough floor space; Que Choisir cites models that hold up to 600 L. If you often take food out or want to sort it into drawers, compare upright freezers too and check the size of their compartments.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model and you follow the instructions in its manual. Electrolux advises keeping the appliance within its specified ambient temperature range. Beko says some Freezer Guard models can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
Yes. Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for the model you choose. Electrolux advises leaving enough space for air to circulate around the appliance; also measure the room needed to open the door or lid fully.
No. Bosch, Beko and Liebherr describe No Frost as a technology that avoids or reduces defrosting, which may matter if you want to spend less time on maintenance. Compare the capacity, energy use, noise and installation requirements of your chosen model separately.
For appliances of a similar capacity, look at both the energy rating and the stated annual energy consumption, rather than relying on the letter alone. The EU regulation on energy labelling for mains-powered refrigerating appliances covers products with a capacity of more than 10 L and up to 1 500 L. Also check the noise emissions listed for the model you’re interested in.