Households with a vegetable garden or orchard
If you’re expecting a large harvest, consider both the space you’ll need for containers and how much the appliance can freeze in 24 hours.
Who is this choice for?
Households that buy or cook in bulk
An extra appliance lets you keep your supplies separate from the freezer compartment in your fridge. The right style also depends on how often you need to find specific foods.
Anyone planning to install a freezer in a garage, cellar or utility room
Check the temperatures the room reaches, especially if it’s unheated, then compare them with the permitted range for the exact model.
What should you check?
First, choose a style that suits your supplies and available space. Then compare each model’s specifications with your installation conditions and the amount you expect to freeze at once.
Chest freezer
Consider one: for large harvests or containers of different shapes, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom of the compartment can be harder to find. Baskets and labels help you organise your supplies. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this trade-off between capacity and access.
Upright freezer
Consider one: if you regularly sort your harvest, prepared meals and other supplies into drawers.
Bear in mind: check that your larger containers will fit in the compartments. Storage options vary by model.
Compact freezer
Consider one: as extra storage when space and the amount you need to store are limited.
Bear in mind: compare the capacity and freezing capacity with the largest delivery or harvest you expect, not just your usual supplies.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the net capacity in litres, the shape of the compartment or drawers, and the space available for your containers. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between large-capacity chest freezers and upright models with organised compartments. | I want to store my harvest and find food easily, without having to move a large proportion of my supplies. |
| Space required | Measure the installation space and delivery route, and allow enough clearance to open the door or lid and remove the drawers. | Space in my utility room or kitchen is limited, but the appliance needs to be accessible once installed. |
| Room temperature | Check the lowest and highest temperatures in the room. Consult the manual for the climate class and any specific temperature tolerance stated for the exact model; Beko explains that the climate class defines an ambient temperature range. | My garage or cellar can get cold in winter, so I need to confirm that the freezer is suitable for these conditions. |
| Energy and maintenance | Compare the stated consumption in kWh/year with the net capacity and the details on the energy label. Check whether defrosting is manual or whether the model has a No Frost function. | I’ll use this freezer all year round and want to know its stated energy consumption and what maintenance it will need. |
| Large batches and power cuts | Check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. These figures answer different questions: how much food can be frozen and how long the freezer can keep food cold without power. | I may have a large harvest all at once, and I also want to compare how the models are stated to perform during a power cut. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on stated capacity alone
A chest freezer can hold bulky containers, but food at the bottom takes more organising. In an upright freezer, drawer dimensions may limit which containers will fit.
Compare the net capacity, external dimensions, opening and internal layout with what you actually plan to store.
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Assuming any model will work in a garage
The climate class describes the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed for. A claim about a model made for a cold room does not apply to an entire range.
Check the room temperature and consult the manual for the model you’ve chosen. For example, Beko states that its B5RFNE315G can tolerate temperatures as low as −15 °C. You’ll need to confirm this feature for any other model you’re considering.
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Comparing only the energy label rating
A rating on its own tells you neither the available capacity nor the stated annual energy consumption of the appliance you’ll be using.
Check the kWh/year figure and net capacity too, then compare appliances suited to similar storage needs. ADEME recommends using the energy label to help you choose, while the European EPREL database lets you look up information on registered models.
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Confusing storage capacity with freezing capacity
The available space doesn’t tell you how much food a model can freeze in 24 hours. Its storage time in the event of a power cut is another separate feature.
Check both figures for the exact model and compare its freezing capacity with the amount you expect to add in a day.
A guide to the brands
Beko
The brand offers freezers in different styles, including some models stated to work at low ambient temperatures.
- Beko states that the B5RFNE315G can tolerate temperatures as low as −15 °C. Its CF200EWN chest freezer has a net capacity of 198 L and a climate class of SN-T.
- These features relate to different models. Check the ambient temperature range and internal layout of the one you’re considering.
Bosch
The features to compare across Bosch models vary depending on the style and model number.
- Bosch describes its GSN58AW30 as having flexible storage and a No Frost function, while its under-counter GTV15NWEB has a usable capacity of 83 L.
- Don’t assume that a feature or capacity found on one model will be available on another. Check the specifications for the exact model number.
Freezers available on Joybuy
These models show three ways to add freezer storage: a larger-capacity chest freezer, an upright model with compartments and compact appliances for extra storage. Compare their stated features with your available space, the size of your harvests and the temperature of the room.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
This 291 L chest freezer can hold large amounts of food, while its removable basket helps keep smaller items separate. The product title lists an E rating, LED lighting, a five-level digital control and a defrost drain. The fridge and freezer modes are alternatives and cannot run at the same time.
Before installing it in a garage or filling it with a large harvest, check the manual for the ambient temperature range, freezing capacity and storage time in the event of a power cut.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost upright freezer
This 161 L upright model is suited to anyone who prefers to organise their supplies in drawers. The title lists a No Frost function, LED display, alarm, reversible door and C energy rating. Compare its 161 L capacity with the size of a plentiful harvest and your containers.
For the model you’re considering, check the installation dimensions, permitted ambient temperature, kWh/year, freezing capacity and storage time in the event of a power cut.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
With a stated capacity of 60 L and three drawers, this model is suited to smaller, separated supplies rather than a large harvest. The title lists a reversible door, adjustable thermostat and E rating.
If you plan to freeze large batches, check the model’s freezing capacity in its specifications. Also check its annual energy consumption, storage time and permitted ambient temperature range before choosing where to put it.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
This 99 L chest freezer has a compartment and removable basket to help organise extra supplies. Its title lists a sliding lid, adjustable thermostat and E rating. The model description states that it needs manual defrosting, so bear this maintenance in mind.
If you plan to store a harvest in it, compare its capacity and freezing capacity with the amount you expect to freeze. Also check its kWh/year figure and the permitted ambient temperature range for the room.
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AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
This 95 L chest freezer is suited to a limited amount of extra storage. The title lists an E rating, seven-level control, removable basket and defrost drain. It can switch between freezer and fridge modes, but they cannot run at the same time.
The product specifications state 165 kWh/year. If you expect a large batch or plan to put it in an unheated room, also check its freezing capacity, storage time and permitted ambient temperature range.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install any freezer in a garage or cellar?
No. Check that the temperatures in the room stay within the ambient range permitted in the model’s manual. Beko explains that the climate class defines this range and states that certain specific models, including the B5RFNE315G, can tolerate temperatures as low as −15 °C. This doesn’t apply to all freezers.
What should I measure before choosing a chest or upright freezer?
Measure the installation space and the route to the room, then allow enough space to open the door or lid fully and access the baskets or drawers. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether the appliance and your containers will be easy to use.
Do I need No Frost to store a harvest?
No. It’s a feature to consider if you want to reduce manual defrosting, not a substitute for checking capacity and installation requirements. Bosch offers this feature on some models. Check that it’s included on the model you choose, along with its capacity and how much it can freeze in 24 hours.
How should I compare storage time in the event of a power cut?
Compare the stated hours for models that meet your capacity needs, without assuming that the same figure will suit every household. UFC-Que Choisir includes keeping food cold without power in its testing protocol. Bear in mind that the stated figure for an appliance depends on the conditions under which it was measured.
What should I look for on a freezer’s energy label?
Check the stated annual consumption in kWh and compare it with the usable capacity and style you need, rather than looking at the energy rating alone. ADEME recommends using the energy label to help you choose, while the European Commission’s EPREL database lets you look up information on registered models.