Choose a chest freezer if you mainly store large quantities and have enough floor space; opt for an upright model if you want to find food easily in organised drawers. A tabletop freezer, which may fit under a worktop if the instructions allow it, is better suited to occasional extra storage. In every case, check that the model’s recommended ambient temperature range covers the temperature of the room where you plan to put it, particularly if it’s going in a garage or cellar.
If you store large packs, lots of portions or bulky shopping, and have enough floor space, a chest freezer is worth considering. You’ll need to accept that food at the bottom is less easy to access, as highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir’s comparison of chest and upright freezers.
If you want to keep ready meals, frozen food and individual portions you use regularly separate, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to stay organised. However, check their dimensions if you use large containers.
If your fridge freezer compartment sometimes runs out of space but your kitchen is small, consider a tabletop freezer. Beko also offers compact models that can fit under a worktop; this is only suitable if the instructions for your chosen model allow it, and the capacity will be more limited.
When adding extra freezer space at home, start with what matters most to you, then check the dimensions and operating conditions for the room where you plan to put it.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity for large quantities | Compare usable capacity in litres, internal dimensions and the clearance needed to open the lid. If you freeze lots of fresh food at once, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | When I store a big shop or several ready meals, I want to know that the containers will actually fit; around 28% of consumers prioritise capacity above all else. |
| Access and storage | Check the number and depth of the drawers, as well as whether baskets or shelves can be moved, depending on the model. | I often take out small portions and want to find them without rummaging at the bottom of a compartment; easy-to-organise storage is a priority for around 28% of consumers. |
| Space required | Measure the space available, the door opening and the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions. If you plan to install it under a worktop, check that this is permitted for the model. | In a small kitchen, I’m mainly looking for extra space alongside my fridge freezer compartment, even if capacity is limited; around 22% of consumers put compactness first. |
| Room and energy use | Check the room’s temperatures against the appliance’s recommended range. Then compare the kWh/year and usable capacity of models suited to your needs. | If the appliance is going in a cellar, garage or near a living area, I first want to make sure it’s suitable for that location and for continuous use; for around 22% of consumers, these conditions matter more than other criteria. |
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Depending on the season, a cellar or garage may fall outside this range; suitability advertised for a particular model doesn’t apply to an entire range.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the model’s documentation. If the room gets very cold, look for an explicitly stated lower temperature limit that’s suitable.
The open space can accommodate bulky containers, but smaller portions may be difficult to find beneath other food.
If you often open the freezer to take out a portion, compare upright models with drawers too. If you choose a chest freezer, check its baskets and how far down you’ll need to reach.
The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you the available capacity or the declared annual energy consumption of an appliance that runs continuously. ADEME points out that freezers are among the appliances used without interruption.
Check the kWh/year alongside the usable capacity, and compare models that suit your storage needs.
If you prepare meals to freeze or add lots of fresh food, freezing capacity matters just as much as available space.
Check for a four-star rating and the freezing capacity in kg/24 h of the compartment or appliance you’re considering. The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting your freezer to −18 °C.
Worth considering if you’re interested in freestanding upright freezers with drawer storage.
A brand to look at for chest freezers and their basket storage.
The brand offers upright, chest and compact formats, making it useful for comparing capacity, access and placement.
Choose a model whose ambient temperature range covers the temperatures the room actually reaches, both in winter and summer. Beko and Bosch explain the standard climate classes; if the room drops below the lower limit, check that the model you’re considering is explicitly stated to be suitable for lower temperatures.
Yes. Also compare the declared consumption in kWh/year and usable capacity of freezers suited to the same needs. The European rules outlined by Your Europe require the energy label for relevant products to be displayed at the point of sale, including online.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting it to −18 °C. Also follow the appliance instructions and food storage guidance; the ministry advises against refreezing food once it has thawed.
If you’ve bought a new freezer from a business in France and it doesn’t match its description, contact the seller under the legal guarantee of conformity. The Ministry of the Economy explains that this legal guarantee applies to goods sold by a business; it is separate from a voluntary returns policy.
An old freezer should be taken to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment. The Ministry for Ecological Transition lists options including a collection point, a recycling centre or returning it to a retailer; check what take-back options are available when you make your purchase.