If you regularly store large quantities, choose a chest freezer if you have room to open the lid and are happy to organise the cavity. An upright freezer is a better choice if you access your provisions often and want to sort them into compartments. A small model is more suitable as extra storage; a large fridge freezer is only an alternative if its freezer compartment can genuinely hold your stock.
If you freeze batches, home-grown produce or prepared meals, compare the usable capacity with the size of your containers. Que Choisir particularly recommends chest freezers for bulky storage: the baskets and the space needed to open the lid matter just as much as the stated capacity.
If you regularly take food out of the freezer, the drawers and shelves in an upright model can make it easier to organise items by category. Also check that it can accommodate large packs and that the door opens in the right direction for your space.
In a small kitchen, measure the appliance and the space needed to open it. For an unheated cellar or garage, compare the room temperature with the permitted ambient temperature range for the specific model: Beko says that its Freezer Guard cold-weather suitability applies only to the models concerned.
Choose this if : you mainly store large quantities and have floor space to spare.
Bear in mind : food at the bottom of the cavity takes more organising to keep it accessible.
Choose this if : you open the appliance often and want to separate different types of food.
Bear in mind : drawers help organise the space, but their size may limit how you store bulky items.
Choose this if : you need extra storage and have limited space.
Bear in mind : compare its capacity with your provisions before ruling out a larger appliance.
Consider this if : you’re already planning to replace your fridge and only have moderate freezing needs.
Check : the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, not that of the entire appliance.
| Criterion | What to check | What consumers need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and food size | Compare the usable capacity in litres, the size of the larger compartments and the appliance dimensions. | If I store large packs, I want to be able to fit them in without blocking access to the rest; around 30 % of consumers make capacity their top priority. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the baskets, drawers or shelves, as well as how the door or lid opens. | When I take food out every week, I want to find each category without moving the whole stock; around 30 % of consumers share this priority. |
| Installation room | Compare the room temperature with the model’s climate class and allow for the required installation clearances. | If my only available space is a cellar, garage or small kitchen, I first need to know whether the appliance can operate and be opened there; around 20 % of consumers prioritise this constraint. |
| Food preservation and maintenance | Check the stated holdover time in the event of a power cut, the alarms, defrosting system and energy consumption shown on the energy label. | I want to prepare for a power cut and know what day-to-day maintenance the appliance will need; around 20 % of consumers put keeping food frozen and maintenance first. |
The climate class describes the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. Beko warns that an unsuitable temperature can affect how it works; cold-weather suitability stated for certain models does not apply to an entire category.
Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then check the permitted range in the product details or manual for the model you choose.
A large cavity can hold bulky packs, but that doesn’t necessarily make items at the bottom easy to reach. Conversely, the compartments in an upright freezer take up some of the storage space.
Make a list of the sizes of the items you freeze and check the baskets, drawers or larger compartments before comparing capacities in litres.
The stated holdover time in the event of a power cut depends on the freezer. Que Choisir assesses this in a simulated power cut, so you can’t determine how long it will last from whether it’s a chest or upright model.
Compare the stated holdover times for the models you’re interested in and follow food safety advice if a power cut occurs.
The energy label helps you compare appliances, as ADEME points out, but it doesn’t tell you whether their compartments will fit your provisions or whether their climate class is suitable for your room.
Consider the energy consumption shown on the label alongside usable capacity, interior layout and installation conditions.
These examples highlight features to compare on specific models; they do not necessarily apply to other appliances from the same brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer with detailed information on storage, holdover time and installation conditions.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a compartmentalised upright model and frost control matters to you.
Worth considering if you need a large-capacity chest freezer and the room temperature is an important factor.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an upright freezer with an interior layout that can be adapted to suit your provisions.
These Joybuy models include a compartmentalised upright freezer and several chest freezers, from compact extra storage to a larger cavity. First choose the format that suits your provisions, then check the space required and permitted ambient temperature for the specific model.
Image unavailable
An upright model to consider if you’d rather organise your provisions in compartments than in a single cavity.
Stated capacity of 161 L, No Frost protection, LED display, reversible door hinge and alarm. Energy rating C.
For a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range for this model; also check its holdover time in the event of a power cut.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you store large quantities and have enough floor space for a chest freezer.
Stated capacity of 291 L, fridge and freezer modes, top-opening lid, removable basket, LED lighting and energy rating E.
Allow room to open the lid and reach food at the bottom. Check the ambient temperature range and holdover time for this model before installing it in a cold room.
Image unavailable
A chest freezer to compare if you need extra capacity rather than a large cavity for storing regular batches.
Stated capacity of 140 L, storage basket, counterbalanced lid, temperature control and energy rating E.
Compare this capacity with your usual stock and leave enough room above the lid. Also check the permitted ambient temperature range and holdover time in the event of a power cut.
Image unavailable
A model to consider for extra storage if you have only a small amount of additional food to freeze and prefer a compact chest freezer.
Stated capacity of 99 L, adjustable thermostat, removable basket, sliding lid and energy rating E.
The basket doesn’t give you direct access to the entire cavity. Check the space needed to open the lid, the permitted ambient temperature and this model’s holdover time.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing for limited extra storage; check that 95 L is enough for the provisions you usually keep.
Fridge and freezer modes, top-opening lid, seven-level thermostat, removable basket and energy rating E.
Allow room to open the lid. If you plan to install it in a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range for this model as well as its holdover time in the event of a power cut.
Choose a model whose ambient temperature range covers the temperatures the room actually reaches. For example, Beko states a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN; if the room gets colder, you’ll need a model that is explicitly rated for cold conditions. A rating down to −15 °C for certain appliances does not apply to all freezers.
Compare the stated holdover time for each model rather than estimating it from the format alone. Que Choisir measures this in a simulated power cut, tracking how long food stays below −9 °C. If food has thawed, follow food safety advice: Anses recommends not refreezing it.
No Frost is worth considering if you want to reduce the hassle of frost build-up, but it doesn’t replace the need to choose the right capacity and layout. Beko states that its RFNE448E35W upright freezer prevents frost from forming; check this feature on the model you’re considering, then compare its compartments, energy consumption and noise level too.