Choose a chest freezer if you store bulky food and have enough floor space; opt for an upright model if you want to find and take out portions stored in drawers regularly. For either type, check the space needed to open it, the room temperature it can operate in, the ventilation requirements in the manual, its power-cut storage time and the energy consumption shown on the label.
If you buy in bulk or freeze home-grown produce, a chest freezer can accommodate bulky packaging. You’ll need to allow for its floor space and plan how to reach food at the bottom, as UFC-Que Choisir and Boulanger point out.
If you often need to find portions, prepared meals or bags of food, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easier to keep things organised. Check that they’re still easy to open once the appliance is in place.
The room temperature is an important factor: check the ambient temperature range permitted for the exact model, along with the ventilation and installation instructions in its manual. Suitability for these conditions, as stated for certain Beko or Liebherr models, doesn’t apply to every freezer.
To increase your household’s freezer capacity in a dedicated space, start by considering how much you need to store and how often you’ll access it. Then rule out any models that aren’t suitable for the room.
Best for: bulk shopping or bulky packaging, if there’s enough floor space in the room.
The trade-off: food at the bottom takes more organisation to reach, and you may need to bend down.
Best for: sorting portions into drawers and taking food out regularly without rummaging through a chest.
The trade-off: drawer dimensions can limit the size of bulky packaging, and the drawers need room to open fully.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Compare the net capacity in litres with the packaging you usually store, then measure the appliance, the delivery route and the space needed to open it. | If I store bulk buys or large packages, I want to increase my freezer capacity without making the room difficult to use. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access and storage | Check the size and opening of the drawers in an upright freezer, or the baskets and access to the bottom of a chest freezer. | When I often take portions out of the freezer, I want to find them without moving the rest of the food. Easy access would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Room temperature | Check the permitted ambient temperature range for the exact model and the ventilation clearances specified in its manual. | In a cellar or garage where the temperature fluctuates, I need to choose an appliance that suits the actual conditions in the room. Whether the location is suitable would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Energy use and power-cut storage time | For models with similar capacities and uses, compare the kWh/year, the stated storage time during a power cut and the defrosting method. | I want to consider continuous running costs, maintenance and the possibility of a power cut before choosing a model. Around 19% of consumers would put these considerations first. |
If the room is too cold or too warm for the appliance’s permitted temperature range, it may not work properly. The claim that some models can operate down to −15 °C applies to specific models, not all chest or upright freezers.
Check the lowest and highest temperatures the room is likely to reach, then compare them with the climate class, any additional guidance and the manual for the model you’re considering.
A chest freezer needs space above it for the lid to open; an upright model needs clearance in front of the door so you can access the drawers. You’ll also need to consider the delivery route.
Measure the route to the room and the space needed to open and use the freezer, not just the spot where it will stand.
The open compartment can hold a range of sizes, but food at the bottom can be hard to find. UFC-Que Choisir also includes ease of use in its freezer testing criteria.
Plan to use baskets and date labels, or choose an upright model if you regularly take out small portions.
The ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously. The rating on its own doesn’t tell you the model’s stated annual energy consumption, its usable capacity or how long it can keep food frozen during a power cut.
Compare the kWh/year for appliances that meet similar storage needs, then look separately at power-cut storage time and defrosting.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a drawer-style upright freezer for a dedicated room where the temperature can drop.
A range of chest freezers to consider if you have plenty of floor space for your food stocks.
Upright and chest freezers to consider if you’d like to compare the two ways of organising your household’s food stocks.
Yes, provided the room temperature stays within the range permitted for the model and you follow the installation instructions. Beko says the B5RFNE315G can operate down to −15 °C, and Liebherr gives the same limit for relevant FrostProtect models. Check the specifications for the exact model rather than assuming this applies to all freezers.
A chest freezer is worth considering if your shopping includes bulky packages and you have enough floor space for it. If you regularly take out small portions, an upright freezer with drawers can make it easier to browse your supplies. In either case, measure the space needed to open it.
Compare the kWh/year on the labels of models with similar capacities and uses, rather than looking only at their energy ratings. The ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously; also consider power-cut storage time and defrosting as separate factors.
Choose a location that allows the appliance to open, provides the ventilation required in the manual and has a suitable electrical connection. UFC-Que Choisir says an earthed connection is essential. Also check the manufacturer’s instructions for the connections and clearances required for your appliance.