If you often take out frozen portions, start by looking at an upright freezer with drawers: it makes food easier to organise and access. A chest freezer is better suited to storing large quantities, provided you have room to open it and the space is suitable for the model you choose. Replacing your fridge-freezer makes most sense if your main appliance also needs replacing; if so, compare the freezer compartment capacity, not the total capacity.
If you regularly take out meals or small bags of food, storage matters just as much as capacity. An upright freezer with drawers lets you separate food into categories and access portions without rummaging through a deep chest. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide describes this as a useful compromise.
If you store bulky packs or large quantities, a chest freezer is worth considering if you have enough floor space. Its open interior accommodates a range of sizes, but food at the bottom can be harder to find.
Whether you’re looking at a small kitchen, pantry, cellar or garage, start by measuring the available space and checking the room temperature. ADEME recommends checking the ambient temperature range specified for the model. Choosing an upright or chest freezer alone won’t guarantee it’s suitable for the room.
First decide what matters most: easy access to food, storage capacity, where the appliance will go, or replacing your main fridge-freezer. This will help you choose a format; then compare the specifications of the exact model you’re considering.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Usable drawer dimensions and the clearance needed to open the door. | If I use portions several times a week, I want to find them without moving other food around. Around 36% of consumers prioritise easy everyday access. |
| Storage capacity | Freezer capacity in litres, room for large packs and basket storage. | If I store large packs, a spacious chest matters more to me than separate drawers. This is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Suitability for the room | The model’s ambient temperature range and required ventilation clearances. | If I have a cellar, garage or cramped room, I need to be able to install the appliance somewhere it will work as intended. For around 21% of consumers, suitability for the room comes before the format. |
| Replacing a fridge-freezer | Freezer compartment capacity and the dimensions of the new main appliance. | If I also need to replace my fridge, I’d rather check whether a fridge-freezer can meet both needs than add another appliance. Around 14% of consumers prioritise replacing their existing appliance. |
For domestic refrigeration appliances sold in the European Union, the European Commission says the energy label provides details including annual energy consumption, storage volumes and noise emissions. Compare these figures with the capacity you actually need: the total capacity of a fridge-freezer is not the same as its freezer capacity.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the large capacity of chest freezers and the more direct access offered by upright models. A deep chest can make it harder to find small portions at the bottom, and it needs plenty of floor space.
Think about where you’ll put tubs, bags and large packs, then check that you’ll be able to open the lid fully. If you take out portions every day, compare the drawer layouts of upright freezers too.
An unheated room may fall outside the ambient temperature range specified for an appliance. ADEME recommends checking the climate class and the recommended temperature for the installation location.
Note the room temperature throughout the year and compare it with the documentation for the exact model. Don’t assume an appliance is suitable based on its format or brand.
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes its fridge compartment, so it doesn’t tell you how much extra space you’ll have for frozen food.
Compare the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment with your current appliance and any standalone freezers you’re considering.
According to Anses, freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive. The French Ministry of the Economy says you must not freeze a product on or after its use-by date.
Plan to freeze food when you buy or prepare it, and follow the storage instructions for each type of food.
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a freestanding or integrated upright freezer and drawer organisation and a seamless kitchen fit are priorities.
A brand to consider if you need a chest freezer for an unheated room, subject to the requirements of the specific model.
Another option to compare if you’re looking for a chest freezer with clearly stated installation requirements.
A range of upright freezers to consider if you want compartments to keep your food organised.
These Joybuy options include upright and chest freezers, as well as a fridge-freezer if you’re replacing your main appliance. Choose a format to suit the amount of food you store and how easily you need to access it, then check the dimensions and installation requirements of the model you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you want to keep portions separate in an upright freezer rather than stacking them in a chest.
The product name specifies three freezer drawers, a No Frost system, an energy rating of C and a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C. Measure the space and check the permitted ambient temperature before installing it in an unheated room.
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This chest freezer is suited to households that prioritise space for large quantities and don’t mind reaching into the bottom to find food.
The product name specifies a removable basket, an energy rating of E and convertible fridge and freezer modes. Check how much room you’ll need to open the lid, as well as the ambient temperature range if you plan to put it in a cellar or garage.
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Worth comparing if you want a chest freezer but don’t need the 291 L AUCMA model. Bear in mind that small portions can be harder to reach from the top.
The product name specifies a removable basket, an energy rating of E and two modes: fridge and freezer. Check the dimensions, lid clearance and permitted ambient temperature for the room you have in mind.
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This model offers less capacity than the other two AUCMA options in this selection. It may suit you if an open chest fits the way you like to store food.
The product name specifies a removable basket, a seven-setting thermostat, an energy rating of E and convertible fridge and freezer modes. Check the dimensions and ambient temperature range before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if you’re also replacing your main fridge, rather than looking for a separate freezer to provide extra capacity.
The product name specifies a total capacity of 467 L, a Total No Frost system and an energy rating of E. To see whether this replacement will give you the extra space you need, compare the capacity of its freezer compartment with that of your current appliance.
No. Check the ambient temperature range for the exact model and compare it with the room temperature. For example, Beko says its HSM14540 can operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, while Liebherr features FrostProtect on some chest freezers. These specifications don’t apply to every model from either brand.
Compare annual energy consumption, storage volumes, energy rating and noise emissions across appliances with similar capacity. The European Commission says this information appears on the labels of relevant domestic refrigeration appliances in the European Union. The energy rating letter alone won’t tell you how much room there is for your frozen food.
Plan to freeze them as soon as you buy or prepare them, following the storage instructions. Anses points out that freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria multiplying but doesn’t destroy most micro-organisms. The French Ministry of the Economy says you must not freeze a product on or after its use-by date.
When you replace an appliance, ADEME says you can hand the old one to the retailer or delivery team, or take it to a suitable collection point for electrical equipment. Don’t dispose of it as ordinary rubbish: refrigeration appliances need specialist handling.