Households stocking up in bulk
For bulk shopping, batch cooking or bulky food, a chest freezer offers one large compartment. You’ll need to allow for its floor space and think about how you’ll find items stored at the bottom.
Who are these styles best suited to?
Households that access frozen food often
An upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to sort food by category and access it from the front. Check that its compartments can accommodate the packaging you usually freeze.
Households considering installation outside the kitchen
If you’re planning to put the freezer in a garage, cellar or other unheated room, compare the room’s actual temperatures with the operating range specified for the exact model.
What are the key differences between the styles?
Start with how much you need to freeze and the space available, then consider how easy it is to access food and the operating conditions the appliance requires.
| Factor | What to check | Based on my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and style | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity, then check its external dimensions and the route it will take on delivery. According to UFC-Que Choisir, chest freezers can hold up to 600 l; upright models are generally around 200 l, although larger models are available. | I stock up in bulk or store bulky items: a chest freezer is worth considering. If floor space is limited, I’ll compare upright models and the size of their drawers instead. |
| Access and organisation | Check how the lid or door opens, the number and size of compartments, and how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. | If I often need to find small portions, I’ll favour drawers. For bulky items, I may prefer one large compartment and organise the contents myself. |
| Available space | Measure the space, allow room to open the door or lid, and check the installation clearances specified in the manual. A top-mount or under-counter model is more of a supplementary option if there’s no room for a chest freezer or large upright model. | My kitchen is small: a compact appliance could provide extra storage, but I’ll check that its capacity is genuinely enough for my needs. |
| Room for installation | Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then check the climate class or low-temperature suitability of the exact model. Bosch explains that the climate class corresponds to the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. | If my freezer is going in a garage or cellar, I won’t assume that a model designed for a kitchen will also work in that room. |
| Energy consumption | Check the declared annual consumption in kWh/an alongside the usable capacity and energy rating. It’s best to compare appliances with similar capacities and formats, rather than looking at the letter alone. | As the appliance runs continuously, I want to compare its declared energy consumption with the freezer capacity I need. |
| Power cuts | Compare the stated storage time, in hours, on the product specifications for the exact models, and take account of the measurement methods where these are provided. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir measures the time taken for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C without a power supply. | If keeping food cold during a power cut is important to me, I’ll check this separately from capacity and storage features. |
| Fresh and frozen food | For a fridge freezer, distinguish the capacity of each compartment from the total capacity, and measure the space needed for the whole appliance. | I also need more space for fresh food: a fridge freezer could meet both needs, as long as its freezer compartment is large enough for my requirements. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Choosing based on capacity alone
A large chest freezer needs plenty of floor space, and food at the bottom may be harder to reach. An upright model makes it easier to organise the contents, but its drawer size may limit the packaging you can store.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the appliance. Then think about where you’ll put the food you use most often.
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Putting a freezer in the garage without checking the temperature
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. According to Bosch, a room outside this range can affect how it works.
Compare the room’s temperatures throughout the year with the specifications for the exact model. Only rely on low-temperature suitability if it’s explicitly stated for that model.
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Comparing energy ratings by letter alone
Two appliances with different capacities may not meet the same needs, even if they have the same energy rating.
Also look at the usable capacity and declared annual consumption in kWh/an, ideally comparing models with similar formats and capacities.
Which models highlight the differences between brands?
These brand examples show the formats and features of specific models; they don’t represent each brand’s entire range.
Liebherr
The CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer shows how a large compartment can suit those storing bulky items.
- For this specific model, Liebherr states a total capacity of 497 l and FrostProtect functionality down to −15 °C.
- A chest freezer of this capacity needs careful measuring to make sure there’s enough floor space; it doesn’t offer the drawer-by-drawer organisation of an upright model.
Bosch
The GSN58AWCV is an example of a freestanding upright model to consider if vertical storage suits your habits.
- Bosch lists 366 l of usable freezer capacity and 13 h of storage time in the event of a power cut.
- Check the dimensions, delivery route and compartment sizes before choosing this model.
Beko
The CF200EWN chest freezer is an example of the specifications to check for a particular installation and use.
- For this model, Beko states 36 h of storage time, energy consumption of 199,94 kWh/an and an SN-T climate class.
- The climate class and features listed for the CF200EWN shouldn’t be assumed to apply to other Beko models.
Which Joybuy products should you consider?
This selection includes a fridge freezer for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance, an upright model for organising food in drawers, and a 140 l chest freezer. If you’re looking to store very large quantities, compare the capacity of each freezer compartment with the amount you want to keep frozen.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 l three-door fridge freezer
This fridge freezer is a good choice if you want space for both fresh and frozen food in one appliance. It has a total capacity of 360 l, including a 125 l freezer compartment with three drawers. No Frost, 271 kWh/an and 11 h of storage time are stated for this model. If your priority is a very large freezer compartment or installation in an unheated room, check the capacity you need and the specified ambient temperature range respectively.
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Heinrich´s, 161 l upright freezer
This 161 l upright freezer is designed for households that prefer to organise food in drawers rather than store it all in one compartment. It has three drawers, two shelves and No Frost functionality. Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions and the specified ambient temperature range. It’s also worth comparing its annual energy consumption and storage time with those of the other models you’re considering.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 l chest freezer
This 140 l chest freezer offers one large compartment instead of drawers, but check that its capacity is enough for the amount of food you actually need to store. It measures 637 × 556 × 846 mm and includes a basket. The counterbalanced lid is stated to remain open between 40 and 75°. Before deciding, also check the clearance needed to open the lid, along with the model’s annual energy consumption, climate class and storage time.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a freezer in a garage or cellar?
Yes, provided the room’s actual temperatures fall within the range specified for the model you choose. Bosch, for example, gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 10 to 43 °C for SN-T. Liebherr states that FrostProtect on its CFe 2500 works down to −15 °C. Always check the exact model rather than assuming it’s suitable based on the brand or style alone.
How do you compare storage time during a power cut?
Check the stated storage time in hours for each model, and review the measurement conditions where these are provided. Storage time can’t be inferred from capacity: in its test protocol, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C without a power supply.
Is the energy rating enough to help you choose a freezer?
No. Also check the declared annual consumption in kWh/an and the usable capacity. Appliances with different capacities may meet different storage needs, even if they have the same energy rating.