Add a dedicated freezer if prepared portions or bulk purchases regularly exceed your available capacity and you have a suitable space for the model. An upright freezer makes sorting and accessing portions easier, while a chest freezer is better suited to larger volumes. If you only run short of space occasionally, better menu and stock planning may save you from adding a second appliance that runs continuously.
If you cook in advance and want to quickly find individual portions, an upright freezer with drawers is the first format to consider. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between upright freezers, which are more compact, and chest freezers designed for larger volumes.
A chest freezer can be a good choice for large packs if you are happy with the floor space it occupies and the room meets the climate-class requirements and clearance distances specified for your chosen model.
When you mainly run out of space after special offers or during busy periods, first measure how much food you actually keep frozen, then plan your menus and shopping before adding an appliance that will remain switched on.
Start by estimating the volume you genuinely need to store, then check everyday access, the installation space and the operating specifications of the exact model.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the net volume in litres with the portions and bulk purchases you actually store. Also check the freezing capacity if you often add a large amount of fresh food at once. | I want to handle busy periods without having a permanently oversized appliance that is almost empty. A chest freezer can offer a generous volume, while an upright freezer is often more compact. |
| Access and storage | Look at the drawers, shelves, baskets and the door or lid opening arc. Measure the space, including the room needed to open it. | I need to be able to identify and remove prepared dishes without moving the entire stock. Drawers make it easier to separate portions; a chest freezer often requires baskets, storage boxes or labels. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare kWh/year, dB(A), the noise class, storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity between appliances of a similar volume and format. | I am looking for extra storage that will not disturb a living area and whose energy use remains suitable for the way I use it. UFC-Que Choisir measures energy consumption, noise and cold retention as part of its testing protocol. |
| Installation space | Check the climate class, the room’s actual temperatures and the specified ventilation clearances. Keep the appliance away from heat sources. | My appliance needs to work in an alcove, pantry, cellar or garage. Compatibility depends on the model and ambient temperature, not simply on the type of room. |
A chest freezer can suit large volumes, but food placed at the bottom is harder to reach. Without boxes, labels and regular stock rotation, portions can easily be forgotten.
Over several weeks, measure the maximum volume of portions and purchases you actually freeze. If you take food out frequently, also compare an upright freezer with drawers.
An oversized appliance permanently takes up floor space and runs continuously.
Permitted ambient temperatures and clearance requirements vary between appliances. Insufficient ventilation or a room that is too cold for the model may affect its operation.
Record the room temperature in winter and summer, check the climate class and follow the clearances specified in the manual. Beko’s Freezer Guard function, advertised as working down to -15 °C, applies only to models explicitly equipped with it.
The energy class alone is not enough to compare a small upright freezer with a large chest freezer. Volume, kWh/year, noise, storage time and freezing capacity provide useful additional information.
Compare appliances with a similar format and capacity, then check the label and technical specifications for kWh/year, dB(A), noise class, storage time and freezing capacity.
Anses states that at -18 °C bacterial growth is halted, but most micro-organisms survive freezing. Extra capacity therefore does not replace proper food-storage practices.
Freeze food soon after buying or preparing it, date your portions, thaw them safely and never refreeze food that has already thawed.
Beko offers chest and upright freezers. Some chest freezers in its range highlight the Freezer Guard function for unheated rooms.
Hisense offers large-capacity chest freezers and No Frost upright models, with some designed to be installed close to a wall.
Haier offers upright and chest formats, allowing you to match capacity to the amount of storage you genuinely need.
Whirlpool offers upright freezers for households looking for vertical storage and frost-reduction features.
These Joybuy options include upright and chest freezers, giving you dedicated extra storage for prepared portions or bulk purchases.
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A vertical option for keeping frequently accessed portions separate.
161 L, three drawers, two shelves, No Frost system, Fast Freeze function, alarm and reversible door; stated temperature range from -14 °C to -22 °C. Check the dimensions, noise level, kWh/year, storage time and clearances before installation.
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Dedicated storage for bulk purchases and large quantities of prepared portions.
197 L, class E, 197 kWh/year, stated 38 dB, five-level digital control, removable basket and defrost drain. Allow at least 10 cm of clearance around the appliance and check its suitability for a cold room before installation.
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Compact extra storage when your lack of capacity is moderate or occasional.
95 L, class E, 165 kWh/year, stated 38 dB, seven-level thermostat, removable basket and defrost drain. Measure your usual portion volume and check the climate class, ventilation and storage time before buying.
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A format designed for households with a regular need for substantial extra storage.
291 L, class E, 226 kWh/year, stated 38 dB, LED lighting, five-level digital control, removable basket and defrost drain. Its dimensions of 1100 × 597 × 872 mm require a permanent floor space and at least 10 cm of ventilation around the appliance.
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Mid-range capacity for supplementing an existing freezer without choosing a large chest model.
140 L, class E, storage basket, lid held between 40 and 75 degrees, castors, adjustable feet and mechanical thermostat. The stated dimensions are 637 × 556 × 846 mm; check kWh/year, noise, climate class and the required clearances.
For domestic freezing, Anses states that at -18 °C bacterial growth is halted, but most micro-organisms survive. Freeze food soon after buying or preparing it, thaw it in the fridge, in the microwave using the defrost setting or quickly during cooking, then eat it without refreezing it.
No. A chest freezer offers flexible space for large packs and substantial volumes, but it takes up more floor space and food at the bottom is harder to reach. If you take out portions several times a week, an upright freezer with drawers may be more convenient, despite often having a lower maximum capacity.
No. Compare the model’s climate class and ambient-temperature range with the temperatures actually recorded in the room. Some Beko chest freezers explicitly featuring Freezer Guard are advertised as operating down to -15 °C, but this feature does not apply to every freezer.
Always follow the model’s manual as your first point of reference. For its freestanding appliances, Whirlpool recommends 5 cm above and 10 cm behind to help heat escape, while also advising you to keep the appliance away from heat sources; other models may require different distances.