If you often need to grab prepared portions, choose an upright freezer with drawers. For bulkier items and a larger stock of food, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space. A fridge-freezer may be enough for smaller quantities, while a compact or under-counter freezer adds separate storage in a limited space. In every case, check the usable freezer capacity and the ambient temperature range allowed in the room where you plan to install it.
If you often open the freezer to find a particular meal, an upright model with drawers makes it easier to keep things organised. Bosch Home Appliances notes that chest freezers generally have fewer compartments, but it’s still worth comparing the layout of the models you’re considering.
For bulk buys or bulky items, a chest freezer offers a storage compartment you can organise to suit your needs. UFC-Que Choisir notes that some chest freezers have a capacity of up to 600 L. Measure the space available and think about how you’ll reach food stored at the bottom.
A compact or under-counter freezer can provide separate storage. If you’d rather have just one appliance, check the freezer capacity of a fridge-freezer. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a small freezer compartment may not be enough for a household that eats a lot of frozen food.
Start by deciding what you’ll store and how often you’ll need to access it. Then compare the capacity and dimensions of each appliance with the room where you plan to put it.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and type | Compare the litres allocated to freezing, not just the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. If you’ll be freezing large quantities at once, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h too. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between large-capacity chest freezers and upright models, which are generally more compact. | Am I preparing a few portions in advance, or do I also need to store bulk buys and food for the whole family? The capacity you need and the available floor space will help you choose between a fridge-freezer, a compact appliance, an upright freezer and a chest freezer. |
| Access to food | Check the number and size of the drawers or baskets, and how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. Bosch Home Appliances describes chest freezers as flexible, but with fewer compartments than upright models. | If I take out a prepared meal almost every day, I want to find portions without having to move all my other food. A chest freezer may suit me if I have bulky items that I access less often. |
| Where it will go | Measure the height, width and depth, and allow for the clearances specified in the manual. For a cellar, garage or warm room, compare the room’s ambient temperature with the range permitted for the model. This is what ADEME recommends checking. | Will my appliance be in the kitchen or in a room where the temperature changes throughout the year? I’ll also need enough room to open the door or lid and access the drawers. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Compare kWh/year for appliances of a similar capacity and type, then check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. In its test protocol, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food stays below −9 °C during a simulated power cut. | I want to know how much an appliance that runs continuously will use, and compare how well it keeps food cold if the power is interrupted. |
| Prepared meals | Check the type of freezer compartment and, if you’ll be adding lots of fresh food at once, the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is nearly up. | When I cook several meals in advance, I need enough room for portions and a layout that lets me date them and find them again. |
A spacious chest freezer may be less convenient for finding portions you use every day. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between freezer types by capacity, while Bosch Home Appliances notes that chest freezers have fewer compartments.
Make a list of the food you’ll store, then compare the size of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach less visible items.
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the model, not just the type of freezer. ADEME recommends checking it against the room where you plan to install the appliance.
Find out how hot or cold the room can get, then check the climate class, operating temperature range and clearances specified in the manual.
The letter rating doesn’t tell you the annual energy use or freezer capacity on its own. Nor does it tell you how easy it is to access food or how long it will stay frozen in a power cut.
Compare kWh/year for appliances of a similar capacity and type, then consider the other factors that matter for your installation.
According to Anses, freezing food at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive.
Plan to freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is nearly up.
These ranges give you a starting point for comparison. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not every appliance from that brand.
Beko offers both upright and chest freezers. If you’re installing one outside the kitchen, check the details for the specific model.
Bosch upright freezers are worth considering if drawer storage is important for everyday use.
Liebherr’s range includes chest freezers worth considering if you need plenty of storage or want to install one in certain unheated rooms.
Whirlpool offers large-capacity upright freezers for households that want to keep extra food in a dedicated appliance.
This selection includes fridge-freezers for integrated storage and chest freezers in a range of capacities for separate storage. If you’re also considering an upright or under-counter model, focus on access to food, freezer capacity and the space available.
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A fridge-freezer lets you store portions without adding a separate freezer, provided its freezer compartment is large enough for your needs. The listing specifies a capacity of 360 L, three doors, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the freezer’s own capacity and the permitted ambient temperature range for the room.
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Worth considering if you want freezer storage in a single appliance rather than a dedicated freezer. The listing specifies a 70/30 split, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm. Check the freezer capacity and required clearances before installation.
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This 291 L chest freezer provides separate storage if you have enough floor space and are happy with a top-opening lid. The listing mentions fridge and freezer modes, an E energy rating and a removable basket. Check the ambient temperature range before installing it in a cellar or garage.
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This 99 L chest freezer can provide separate storage for modest quantities. Compare its capacity with the portions and usual purchases you need to store. The listing specifies a four-star freezer rating, an E energy rating and a removable basket. Also check that there’s enough room to open the lid.
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This 95 L model is worth considering if you need a small amount of separate storage, rather than a large freezer for the whole family. The listing mentions fridge and freezer modes, an E energy rating, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket. If the room is unheated, check the permitted ambient temperature range too.
Not necessarily. A chest freezer is worth considering if you need a large amount of storage and room for bulky items. UFC-Que Choisir notes that some chest freezers have a capacity of up to 600 L. But if you often take out individual portions, compare how easy it is to access food in an upright freezer with drawers too.
No. Check that the room’s temperature stays within the model’s operating range. ADEME recommends checking the advised ambient temperature. Beko and Liebherr state that certain models can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all their freezers.
Compare annual energy use in kWh and freezer capacity for appliances of a similar type and size. Also check how long food will stay frozen in a power cut, and the freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you regularly add lots of fresh food at once.
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is nearly up. It explains that freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive.