If you regularly take out frozen portions, an upright freezer makes it easier to sort and access items in its compartments. For a larger stock-up, compare chest freezers if you have enough space and the model is suitable for the room temperature where it will be kept. If you only need a little extra space and are also replacing your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a fridge freezer separately from its total capacity.
If you regularly take out portions or bags of food, the compartments in an upright freezer can help you organise everything and find it easily. Make sure its freezer capacity and door opening suit the way you use it.
A chest freezer is worth considering if you want to build up a sizeable stock and have enough floor space. For everyday use, the baskets and access to the bottom of the freezer matter just as much as its stated capacity.
If your current freezer compartment only overflows now and again, and you also need to replace your fridge, consider fridge freezers with a larger freezer compartment. Compare the freezer compartment on its own: the total capacity also includes the fridge section.
First decide how you want to access your food and how much freezer capacity you need. Then check that the appliance can be installed and used where you plan to put it.
Worth considering: if you often take out portions and want to organise them across several compartments.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space in front of the door to open it and pull out the drawers; storage life during a power cut and defrosting features vary by model.
Worth considering: if you’re building up a large stock and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise your food, as items at the bottom are less easy to reach.
Worth considering: if you only need a little extra freezer space and are also replacing your fridge.
Bear in mind: compare the freezer compartment on its own, rather than the appliance’s total capacity.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Look at the drawers or shelves in an upright freezer, and the number of baskets in a chest freezer. Check how easy it is to reach items at the back or bottom. | I often take out pre-portioned meals, so I want to find them without moving my whole stock. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the net freezer capacity, then measure the width, depth and clearance needed to open the appliance. For a fridge freezer, distinguish the freezer capacity from the total capacity. | My shopping or prepared meals need to fit inside without blocking the way or making the compartments difficult to use. |
| Installation location | Check the minimum and maximum temperatures in the room. Check the climate class or stated ambient temperature range for the exact model, especially if it will be kept in a garage or cellar. | If the appliance is going in an unheated room, I need to make sure it can cope with the temperatures the room actually reaches. |
| Energy use and power cuts | For comparable models, the EU energy label includes information such as annual consumption in kWh, capacity and noise level, according to the European Commission. Check power-cut storage time separately: UFC-Que Choisir assesses it by testing how long the appliance keeps food cold. | I want to take account of the electricity used throughout the year without confusing this with how long the appliance keeps food cold during a power cut. |
A large freezer can be less practical if recently bought items hide the food at the bottom.
Check which baskets are included, how easy it is to organise the contents and how easily you can reach the bottom.
The ambient temperature an appliance can operate in depends on its climate class or the guidance given for that model. A stated suitability for one freezer doesn’t apply to every appliance in its category.
Compare the actual temperatures in the room with the range stated on the product page for the model you’re considering.
The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you about storage, noise or how long food stays cold during a power cut. In a fridge freezer, some of the total capacity is reserved for fresh food.
Make a note of each appliance’s freezer capacity, annual consumption in kWh, noise level and storage time during a power cut.
A chest freezer needs room for its lid to open; an upright freezer needs clearance in front of the door and drawers. You’ll also need to consider the route to its final location.
Measure the space, delivery route and clearance needed to open and use the appliance before choosing its size.
These examples relate to specific models or ranges. Check the details of the appliance you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to every product from a brand.
Bosch upright freezers offer a range of vertical storage layouts to compare. The GSN33VWEP is one example, with compartments to help organise your frozen food.
The range includes chest and upright freezers, with features that vary from model to model.
The range lets you compare the compartment-based storage of upright freezers with the open interior of chest freezers.
This selection includes fridge freezers for a modest increase in freezer space, as well as upright freezers and a chest freezer for separate storage. Compare the capacity dedicated to frozen food and the space available before choosing a format.
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Worth comparing if you’re also replacing your fridge and want an all-in-one solution rather than a separate freezer.
The product name indicates an E energy rating and a noise level of 40 dB. Check the exact capacity of the freezer compartment before deciding whether it’s big enough for your food.
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This fridge freezer is worth comparing if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in the same appliance.
Its name indicates a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating. Check the freezer capacity separately, and make sure you have enough space for its three doors.
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This small, separate freezer could be a good fit if you only need a little extra storage and 60 L is enough for your portions.
The name indicates a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the internal layout before buying: the title and description don’t present the storage features in the same way.
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This chest freezer is worth considering if you want separate storage and have enough floor space for it.
The product name indicates a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Also measure the clearance above the appliance and check the ambient temperature range of the intended location.
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Its upright design is worth comparing if you want to organise portions in a separate freezer.
The product name indicates three drawers, No Frost technology and a C energy rating. Check the dimensions, annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut to see if it suits your space and needs.
Yes, if the ambient temperature range for the model covers the temperatures the garage actually reaches. Bosch explains the role of the climate class, while Liebherr states that some models are suitable for unheated rooms. Check the details for the exact appliance, particularly for the coldest periods.
Compare their annual consumption in kWh and their freezer capacity on a like-for-like basis. According to the European Commission, the energy label for refrigerating appliances includes information such as energy consumption, capacity and noise level. Storage time during a power cut is a separate figure, so don’t infer it from the energy rating.
Yes. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory for new goods sold by a business to a private individual in France. It covers goods that do not conform to the contract. If there’s a problem after delivery, distinguish this from a return request because you’ve simply changed your mind.