If you’re storing a large shop, batch-cooked meals or home-grown produce, start by considering how much you need to store and how you’ll access it. A chest freezer is better suited to larger containers, while an upright freezer makes it easier to organise portions you use often. An under-counter model is more of an extra, while a large fridge freezer meets a different need by combining both functions, provided its freezer compartment is big enough. In every case, check the appliance’s dimensions, ventilation requirements and permitted ambient temperature range against the space where you plan to put it.
The amount you need to store isn’t the only deciding factor: how often you access your food and where the appliance will go matter too.
If you shop in bulk, batch-cook or freeze home-grown produce, look at the usable capacity and the space available for bulky containers. If you’re storing a lot, compare the stated storage time in the event of a power cut too.
If you store a variety of foods and take them out regularly, accessible drawers may matter more than maximum capacity. Check that their layout works for the containers you usually use.
Whether you’re putting the appliance under a worktop, in a narrow kitchen, cellar or garage, measure the available space and check that there’s room to open it. ADEME also recommends checking the recommended ambient temperature for the room, indicated by the appliance’s climate class.
For bulk shopping, batch-cooked meals or home-grown produce, start with the factor that really limits your choice: capacity, access to food, installation or combining functions.
Consider one if: you need to store large containers and stock up in bulk, and have enough floor space and room to open the lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom may be harder to find than in drawers.
Consider one if: you often take out different portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: drawers may leave less room for very large packages.
Consider one if: you need extra freezer space but have limited room and capacity isn’t your main priority.
Bear in mind: its compact size won’t provide enough space for a large stock-up on its own.
Consider one if: you also need to replace your fridge and would prefer to combine both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: its total capacity includes the fridge, so only part of it is for frozen food.
| Criterion | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare usable capacity in litres and check how much space you need to get the appliance into position and open it. | When bulk shopping or home-grown produce starts to pile up, I want to store large containers without running out of room. Around 36% of shoppers would prioritise storage capacity above all else. |
| Access to food | Check the size, ease of removal and flexibility of the drawers or baskets. | When I’m taking out different portions regularly, I’d rather find them without moving the rest of the food around. Easy access and organisation would be the main priority for around 29% of shoppers. |
| Installation location | Check that the room temperature falls within the range permitted for the appliance and follow its ventilation instructions. | If the only free space is in a cellar, garage or alcove, I first need an appliance that’s suitable for that location. This would be the main priority for around 21% of shoppers. |
| Combined functions | Distinguish between total capacity and freezer capacity, and measure the space available for installation. | If I’m also replacing my fridge or have limited space, I might prefer a single appliance, even if it offers less freezer capacity. Around 14% of shoppers would put combining both functions at the top of their list. |
A large capacity won’t be much use if the drawers can’t fit your containers, the bottom of a chest freezer is hard to reach or the door won’t open fully.
Measure the access route into your home and the space where the appliance will go. Then check how far the door or lid opens and the dimensions of the internal storage.
A chest freezer isn’t automatically suitable for an unheated room: the permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Some Liebherr and Beko models are specified to operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to their entire ranges.
Compare the seasonal temperatures in your room with the range stated in the documentation for the model you’re considering.
An appliance needs the specified clearance for installation, particularly if it’s being fitted inside a cabinet.
Follow the instructions for the model you choose rather than using the ventilation clearances for a different freezer.
A fridge freezer’s total capacity includes the fridge compartment too. So it doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food on its own.
Check the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres separately before comparing a fridge freezer with a dedicated freezer.
These ranges illustrate different formats. Always check the features and installation requirements for the specific model you’re considering.
The range includes chest and upright freezers, with FrostProtect available on some chest models.
Some upright models in the range feature No Frost, flexible storage or a large BigBox drawer.
The range includes chest freezers and fridge freezers, two formats for different needs.
The range includes upright freezers and fridge freezers, with No Frost and integrated models available.
The range covers chest and upright freezers, as well as compact and under-counter models.
These models let you compare two chest freezers for extra storage, an upright freezer for organising food, and two fridge freezers if you’d like to combine refrigeration and freezing too. Check how much room each one actually offers for frozen food before you choose.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want chest freezer storage and use containers in a range of sizes. The model is listed with a removable basket, LED lighting and switchable fridge or freezer modes. When used as a fridge, its 291 L capacity isn’t freezer storage. Check the permitted ambient temperature range and installation instructions for the room you have in mind.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you need to combine refrigeration and freezing in a four-door appliance. The stated 467 L capacity is the total, not the freezer compartment alone, so check the freezer capacity against the amount you plan to store. The product name lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the installation clearances in the instructions too.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re looking for a single appliance and want to keep frozen food separate from chilled products. The stated 360 L capacity covers both functions, so compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the amount you want to store. The product name lists Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and an E energy rating. Check the permitted ambient temperature range and ventilation requirements for your space.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d rather organise portions in an upright freezer than stack them in a chest freezer. The product name lists a 161 L capacity, drawers, a No Frost function and a C energy rating. Check that the compartments can fit your largest containers. Measure the space and consult the instructions for the permitted ambient temperature and installation requirements.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you want extra chest freezer storage and have enough floor space for the appliance. The stated 140 L capacity comes with a storage basket and counterbalanced lid. Food stored beneath the basket will be less accessible than food in drawers. Check the model’s ventilation requirements and permitted ambient temperature range.
No. Compare the minimum and maximum temperatures in the room with the operating range stated for the specific model. Some manufacturers specify that certain models can operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all chest freezers.
The required clearance depends on the appliance and how it’s installed, so follow the installation instructions for the model you choose. Guidance for fitting a specific model into a cabinet shouldn’t be applied to a freestanding appliance.
Yes, especially if you’re planning to store a lot or are concerned about power cuts. Que Choisir includes this in its freezer testing protocol. When you’re buying, compare the stated storage times for the models you’re considering, under the conditions specified by their manufacturers.
According to the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity for two years for a new or second-hand product. Any commercial guarantee is in addition to your legal guarantees; it doesn’t replace them.
Take it to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it out with ordinary rubbish. Find out about the take-back options available at delivery or the collection points that suit your circumstances.