If your fridge freezer compartment is regularly overflowing, choose according to how much you need to store, how often you need to access it and how much space you have: a chest freezer suits larger stocks, an upright freezer is handy for portions you use often, and a compact model can provide extra capacity. If you also need to replace your fridge, check the capacity of the freezer compartment alone before adding another appliance; ADEME reminds us that a freezer runs continuously. For a cellar or garage, check that the permitted ambient temperature range is suitable for the specific model.
You buy frozen food or ingredients to freeze in bulk, and need to balance usable capacity, floor space and easy access to your food. Que Choisir Ensemble also points out that ease of use is an important factor when choosing a freezer.
You freeze home-cooked portions and want to find them easily. Also check that the compartment you’re considering can freeze fresh food, rather than just store food that’s already frozen.
You’re thinking of using a cellar, pantry or garage where the temperature may fall outside the recommended range for some appliances. The permitted ambient temperature for the specific model is then a key consideration.
First decide whether you also need to replace your fridge. If not, compare the space you have with the way you access your food; then consider which type of freezer would suit you best.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and bulky packaging | Estimate how much you need to store at any one time and compare the freezer’s usable capacity, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Check the internal and external dimensions too. | If your bulk buys or bulky packaging are overflowing from your current compartment, you’ll need suitable storage without giving up all your floor space; around 29% of consumers prioritise capacity. |
| Access to portions | Compare the drawers in an upright freezer with the baskets in a chest freezer; check that your containers will fit and can be taken out easily. | If you often reach for prepared meals, being able to find portions without moving a large part of your stock is more important; around 23% of consumers prioritise easy access to portions. |
| Installation in a cold room | Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures and compare them with the permitted range in the manual for the exact model. | If you’re planning to use a cold cellar, pantry or garage, the appliance must be designed to operate at those temperatures; around 18% of consumers prioritise compatibility with a cold room. |
| Electricity consumption | Compare the kWh/year figures for models with a suitable capacity, then estimate the cost using your electricity tariff. Don’t rely on the energy efficiency rating alone. | An extra appliance that runs continuously can affect your choice if you’re keeping an eye on your household’s energy use; around 18% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Freezer compartment in a new fridge freezer | If you need to replace your fridge, compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the amount you plan to store, and check that it can freeze fresh food. | If you’d rather avoid a separate appliance, a fridge freezer could meet your needs, as long as its freezer compartment is large enough; around 12% of consumers prioritise this option. |
The stated capacity of a fridge freezer covers separate compartments. For the Bosch KGN492IAF, the manufacturer lists 311 l for refrigeration and 129 l for freezing.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the amount you expect to store.
The permitted installation range depends on the model. Bosch specifies an ambient temperature of +10 °C to +43 °C for climate class SN-T, while some specific models are advertised as operating at temperatures as low as −15 °C.
Compare the room temperature with the range permitted in the manual for the model you’ve chosen.
The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between storing food that is already frozen and being able to freeze fresh food.
If you freeze prepared meals, check the freezing capacity and look for a four-star rating on the compartment you’re considering.
A freezer runs continuously, and its energy consumption also depends on the specific model and its installation conditions. ADEME provides general consumption figures, but these can’t predict how much your appliance will use.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the labels of models with a suitable capacity, and take your electricity tariff into account.
Examples of chest and upright freezers to compare based on capacity and how you like to organise your food.
Examples of an upright freezer and a fridge freezer to compare if you’re deciding between adding an appliance and replacing your fridge.
Compact models and a chest freezer to consider depending on the space available and the temperature of the room.
An example of a high-capacity chest freezer for storing larger quantities.
These models offer upright and chest freezer storage, from compact sizes to larger capacities.
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An upright freezer with drawers could suit you if you want to store portions separately and access them regularly.
Stated capacity: 161 l. No Frost, three freezer drawers and energy class C. Stated temperature range: −14 °C to −22 °C.
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Its compact size could suit you if you need extra capacity or want to freeze smaller quantities.
Stated capacity: 60 l, three drawers and a four-star compartment. Stated freezing capacity: 6 kg/24 h. Energy class E. The thermostat is behind the bottom drawer, which you’ll need to remove to access it.
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A chest freezer could suit you if you want a dedicated space for frozen food; plan how you’ll organise it so you can find items at the bottom.
Stated capacity: 140 l, with one storage basket. Counterbalanced lid, castors and energy class E.
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This large capacity could suit you if you need to store a lot, provided you have enough room and can organise access to items at the bottom.
Stated capacity: 291 l. Four-star freezer, removable basket and defrost drain. Energy class E.
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This chest freezer could suit you if you want to store frozen food and freeze fresh food, and have enough room for it.
Stated capacity: 197 l. Four-star freezer, removable basket, defrost drain and five digital temperature settings. Energy class E.
Not necessarily. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between a freezer compartment for temporarily storing food that is already frozen and a four-star compartment designed to freeze food. Check the star rating and the manual for the specific compartment.
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until it is close to its use-by date. Defrost it in the fridge, in the microwave using the defrost setting, or quickly while cooking, and never refreeze food once it has thawed.
No: compare the temperature in your garage with the permitted range for the model you’ve chosen. Bosch specifies +10 °C to +43 °C for climate class SN-T; some specific models are listed as suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to every appliance.
Check the kWh/year figure on the energy label and multiply it by your tariff in €/kWh to get a rough annual estimate. This standardised figure doesn’t guarantee how much the appliance will use in your conditions.
The DGCCRF states that the energy label and product information for the appliances concerned must be in French. When you buy goods from a trader, the legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory; it is separate from any optional commercial warranty extension.