If you have floor space and need to store bulky food, consider a chest freezer. If you often reach for a variety of foods, an upright freezer with drawers may be more convenient. For a little extra capacity, consider an under-counter model; if you also need more fridge space, compare the capacity of both compartments in a fridge-freezer instead. In every case, check that the model’s dimensions and operating temperature range are suitable for its location.
If you have a utility room, cellar or a reasonably spacious garage, a chest freezer can be a good option for storing bulky food. However, measure its floor area and make sure you’re comfortable with a lid that opens upwards.
If you often take out different types of frozen food, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to separate and access them. This upright design is also worth considering if floor width is limited.
In a kitchen or under a worktop, a compact freezer can provide extra capacity without needing a separate room for a large appliance. Check that its additional capacity is enough for your needs.
Consider one: for bulky food, if you have enough floor space and headroom.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom of the freezer is less accessible than food in drawers.
Consider one: if you want to separate different types of food and access them often, in a relatively narrow space.
Bear in mind: its height and door clearance need to suit the room; a very large chest freezer may offer more capacity.
Consider one: if you only want to supplement your existing freezer compartment in a small space.
Bear in mind: this design won’t meet the same need for substantial storage as a large, separate appliance.
Consider one: if you’re replacing an appliance and also want more fridge space.
Bear in mind: only part of its total capacity is for frozen food.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres, rather than the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Check there’s room for bulky food. | If I store large batches, I want a substantial increase in capacity without having to divide food into small portions; around 31 % of consumers would make capacity their priority. |
| Storage and access | Look at the drawers or baskets and check how much space is needed to open the door or lid fully. | When I often take out different foods, I’d rather find each type without rummaging at the bottom of a chest freezer. Nearly 25 % of consumers would prioritise this kind of access. |
| Room temperature | Compare the location’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the range specified for the model; check its climate class on the product details or rating plate. | In an unheated cellar or garage, I need to be able to choose an appliance that can cope with temperature changes; around 31 % of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Compact extra capacity | Measure the space and check the required ventilation clearances, as well as the freezer capacity. | If I only have a small space in the kitchen, I’m looking for an extra freezer that will fit and give me enough storage; around 13 % of consumers would prioritise this compact option. |
A large chest freezer won’t be practical if the lid can’t open fully or the appliance won’t fit through to its intended location.
Before choosing a capacity, measure the installation route, floor area and headroom, and check that you can access the baskets.
An appliance’s design doesn’t guarantee that it will work at low room temperatures. Claims about use in cold rooms apply to specific models.
Compare the room temperature with the model’s operating range. If it falls below the stated climate range, look for an explicit manufacturer claim that the appliance is suitable for low ambient temperatures.
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes the fridge section, so it doesn’t show how much room there is for frozen food.
Check the capacity of its freezer compartment separately before comparing it with a chest or upright freezer.
Features such as No Frost, SmartFrost or StopFrost depend on the model; you can’t tell whether an appliance has them just from choosing a chest or upright freezer.
Check the product details and manual for the model you’re considering to find out about its technology and care instructions.
Beko offers chest, upright and compact freezers.
Whirlpool offers, among other things, chest freezers designed to store large quantities of food.
Bosch offers upright freezers, including models for households that prefer vertical storage.
Liebherr offers chest freezers for spaces that can accommodate a large appliance.
Choose a model with an operating range that covers the temperatures the room actually reaches. UFC-Que Choisir gives the following climate ranges: SN from 10 to 32 °C, N from 16 to 32 °C, ST from 16 to 38 °C and T from 16 to 43 °C. If the temperature could fall below 10 °C, check that the specific model you choose is explicitly rated for lower ambient temperatures; a chest design alone doesn’t guarantee this.
Check the model’s technical details and rating plate. Whirlpool France states that, for the appliances it describes, the plate is inside an upright freezer or on the back of a chest freezer.
Check their EU energy labels and compare appliances with similar capacity. The European Commission states that household freezers have used energy classes from A to G since 1 March 2021; also take each appliance’s freezer capacity into account.
It depends on the model’s technology, not just its design. UFC-Que Choisir describes No Frost as eliminating the need for manual defrosting; Liebherr says SmartFrost and StopFrost reduce frost build-up on the chest freezers that have these features. Check the care instructions for the model before buying.