Households building up a large stock
If you batch-cook or buy in bulk, prioritise usable capacity and space for larger containers. A chest freezer is worth considering if you have enough floor space and the room temperature is suitable.
Who are these formats best suited to?
The amount of food you want to store matters, but how you organise it and where you plan to install the appliance can also affect which format is right for you.
Households that regularly take out portions
If you often reach for a ready-made meal or a small bag of food, an upright freezer’s compartments and front access can make it easier to organise everything. Check the size and ease of use of the drawers, not just how many there are.
Households with room-related constraints
In a garage, cellar or small kitchen, start by measuring the available space and checking the room temperature. The model’s operating temperature range and the clearance needed to open it may matter more than its capacity.
What should you compare?
Chest freezer
Consider one if: having plenty of storage and open space inside matters more than being able to reach each portion quickly.
Bear in mind: it takes up a lot of floor space, and food at the bottom can be harder to find quickly.
Upright freezer
Consider one if: you open your freezer often and want to keep portions, bags and containers separate.
Bear in mind: the space is divided between compartments, so check that the layout suits your larger containers.
Under-counter freezer
Consider one if: there isn’t enough height for a full-size upright freezer, but you still need a separate freezer compartment.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to size your storage carefully and follow the installation requirements in the manual.
Fridge freezer
Consider one if: you also need chilled storage and the freezer compartment alone is enough for your meals and shopping.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s total capacity includes the fridge, so it doesn’t represent your frozen food storage space.
To compare these formats for your home, start with the capacity you’ll actually use for frozen food, then check accessibility and installation requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the freezer’s net capacity, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer, and measure the available floor space. | I want enough room for prepared meals and bulk buys without taking up more space than necessary. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the drawers or baskets and make sure the door or lid can open without obstruction. | If I regularly take out a portion, I want to find it without moving the rest of my food. Easy access would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Installation location | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the range permitted for the model. | In an unheated room or somewhere with wide temperature fluctuations, I need an appliance designed to work in those conditions. This would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ongoing use and power cuts | Compare kWh/year consumption between models with a similar function and capacity, as well as the stated storage time in hours. | I want to consider how much energy it uses over time and know how long it is expected to keep food frozen if the power goes off. Around 20% of consumers would put these questions at the top of their list. |
What mistakes should you avoid before buying?
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Assuming any freezer is suitable for a garage
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. If the temperature falls below its minimum operating limit, food may not be kept safely frozen.
Check the room temperature throughout the year and compare it with the range in the manual. A general mention of garage suitability is no substitute for checking this.
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Choosing based only on the capacity in litres
Capacity doesn’t tell you how much space the appliance will take up, or how easy it will be to reach food in the drawers or at the bottom of a chest freezer.
Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open it, then check whether the compartments suit the size of your containers.
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Comparing old and new energy ratings as if they were the same
The A+++ or A++ ratings on older labels can’t be read in the same way as the A to G scale used today.
To compare current appliances of similar capacity, check their rating and annual consumption in kWh on the same scale.
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Assuming the format alone tells you about storage time or freezing capacity
A chest freezer doesn’t automatically keep food frozen for longer than an upright model, and the amount of food an appliance can freeze over a given period varies by model.
If you often freeze large shops or are concerned about power cuts, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the stated storage time in hours separately. UFC-Que Choisir also assesses these criteria in its freezer tests.
Brands to know when comparing
These ranges offer a starting point for comparing formats and features; always check the specifications of the exact model you’re considering.
Bosch
Bosch’s range of upright freezers includes freestanding and integrated models, worth considering if you prefer compartmentalised storage.
- Bosch offers features such as No Frost and easy-access storage areas on selected models.
- Check the capacity, dimensions, energy consumption and permitted ambient temperature range for your chosen model; you can’t assume these specifications apply to the whole range.
Beko
Beko’s range includes upright freezers in different sizes, some of which are designed for cold rooms.
- Beko states that the RFNM200E40WN model can operate at an ambient temperature as low as −15 °C.
- This specification applies to this model only. Before installing any other Beko appliance in a garage, check its permitted temperature range in the product details or manual.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers chest and upright freezers, so you can compare options for larger storage needs with those that provide compartmentalised access.
- As a specific example, Whirlpool lists a capacity of 404 L and a freezing capacity of 19 kg/24 h for the WHFF 6403 W4E upright freezer.
- These figures don’t apply to the brand’s other models; also compare the space the appliance takes up and its installation requirements.
Joybuy products by freezer type
These appliances show four ways to meet your needs: a fridge freezer with a freezer compartment, a dedicated upright freezer, a chest freezer or a small upright freezer to consider for under-counter use. Compare the capacity available for frozen food and the constraints of your room before choosing.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L 3-door fridge freezer
Worth considering if you want chilled and frozen storage in one appliance.
The 360 L refers to the stated capacity of the whole appliance, not just its freezer section. The product name lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating; check the freezer’s capacity and the permitted ambient temperature range before deciding.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L 4-door fridge freezer
This multi-door fridge freezer is worth comparing if you need chilled storage as well as space for frozen food.
The 467 L refers to the stated capacity of the whole appliance. The product name lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating; check the freezer’s net capacity separately, and make sure there’s enough space to open the doors.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer
Consider this if you’d prefer a dedicated freezer with separate spaces for organising portions.
The product name lists three drawers, No Frost, a reversible door hinge and a C energy rating. Measure the space you have in mind and check the manual for the permitted ambient temperature range, as well as the energy consumption and storage-time details that matter to you.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
This chest freezer is worth considering if you want dedicated storage and have enough floor space, including clearance above the lid.
The product name lists a removable basket, the option to switch between fridge and freezer modes, and an E energy rating. If you plan to keep it in a garage or cellar, check the permitted ambient temperature range carefully. If power cuts are a concern, compare the stated storage time too.
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COMFEE’ RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
This compact format may suit you if you want a separate freezer in a limited space, rather than a large storage area.
The product name lists three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. If you plan to place it under a worktop, check the dimensions and clearances required in the manual, then make sure 60 L is enough for your meals and shopping.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install any freezer in an unheated garage?
No. Choose a model with an operating temperature range that covers the temperatures your garage actually reaches. UFC-Que Choisir lists, for example, SN ratings of 10 to 32 °C and N ratings of 16 to 32 °C. A specific manufacturer statement may apply to one model without covering the whole range. Check the manual for the appliance you’re considering.
Is No Frost technology essential?
No, it isn’t the first thing to consider when working out how much storage you need. Manufacturers describe No Frost as a way to limit frost and the maintenance that goes with it; also check the model’s usable capacity, operating temperature range and energy consumption.
How can I compare storage time during a power cut?
Compare the stated times in hours for the specific models you’re interested in, rather than assuming that either a chest or upright freezer will keep food frozen for longer. UFC-Que Choisir simulates a power cut as part of its testing and measures how long food stays below −9 °C, so it’s also important to compare the test conditions.
What should I look for on the energy labels of two freezers?
Check each appliance’s rating on the A to G scale and its annual consumption in kWh, then consider these figures alongside its net capacity and purpose. A fridge freezer and a dedicated freezer won’t necessarily use the same proportion of their total capacity for frozen food.