If you regularly store a large amount of shopping or prepared meals, a chest freezer offers plenty of capacity if you have enough floor space and can easily reach the food inside. An upright freezer makes it easier to organise food by category and access it frequently, according to UFC-Que Choisir. An under-counter model is better suited to extra storage, while a fridge-freezer makes sense if you also need to replace your fridge and its freezer compartment is large enough. Then check the installation requirements, how long food stays frozen during a power cut and the annual energy consumption in kWh.
If bulk buys and prepared meals are already filling your freezer compartment, compare the capacity of a chest freezer with the more organised access an upright model offers. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these two types in particular by their capacity and ease of access.
If you want extra storage but don’t have a large utility room, measure the available space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the appliance. An upright, under-counter or fridge-freezer model won’t all meet the same storage needs.
If you’re considering a cellar or garage, compare the room’s temperatures with the operating range specified for the exact model. A feature listed for one chest freezer won’t necessarily apply to others.
Consider it: for large stocks of food if you have enough floor space; UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers can hold up to 600 L.
Bear in mind: the top-opening lid and access to food at the bottom mean you’ll need space and a good system for keeping things organised.
Consider it: if you often reach for frozen meals or vegetables and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: check the door clearance and whether the drawers can be removed. According to UFC-Que Choisir, large upright freezers hold up to 400 L, compared with up to 600 L for chest freezers.
Consider it: for extra storage under a worktop rather than for large family shops.
Bear in mind: check the capacity of the model you choose: Bosch lists 83 L for its GTV15NWEB under-counter freezer.
Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge and the freezer compartment can hold your usual stock.
Bear in mind: compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, not the total capacity of the fridge-freezer.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and storage | Compare the usable freezer capacity in litres, especially for a fridge-freezer. Check access to the drawers in an upright model or the baskets in a chest freezer. | I store shopping and prepared meals, so I need enough space without losing sight of food at the bottom of the appliance. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, along with the clearance needed for the door or lid and the delivery route. If the room is not very warm, compare its temperatures with the model’s operating range. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to be able to open the door and remove the drawers; in a garage, the ambient temperature matters too. |
| Energy consumption | The European Commission says the energy label shows the energy class, kWh/year, capacity and noise level, among other details. Compare the kWh/year for appliances of a similar type and capacity. | I want to know the annual energy consumption while still having the freezer capacity my household needs. |
| Power cuts | Compare the stated hours of storage time for each model and check whether it has a temperature alarm. Consider how often you open the appliance. | If I store a lot of frozen food, how long it stays cold during a power cut will influence my choice. |
A large chest freezer takes up floor space, while an upright model needs room in front of its door and drawers. UFC-Que Choisir points out that these requirements vary depending on the type.
Also measure the delivery route, the clearance needed for the lid or door and whether the drawers can be removed.
The energy class by itself doesn’t tell you the appliance’s annual energy consumption. The energy label shown by the European Commission also includes the kWh/year and capacity.
Compare these details for models of a similar type and capacity, then use the QR code on the label to view information about the model.
The temperature in a cellar or garage may fall outside the appliance’s operating range. For example, Liebherr states that its CFe 1870 chest freezer can operate at temperatures down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to every model.
Check the room’s usual temperatures and compare them with the instructions for the freezer you’re considering.
If you’re replacing a freezer in France, arrange for the old one to be taken away with the delivery or make another suitable arrangement. The eco-organisation ecosystem says retailers must offer free “one-for-one” take-back when you buy an equivalent appliance, including for online purchases.
Choose the take-back option when you place your order and keep the confirmation.
Bosch offers upright freezers, including under-counter models, for households that value easy access to food or need a compact fit.
Beko chest freezers are worth considering if you’re looking to store larger shops outside your fridge’s built-in freezer compartment.
Liebherr offers chest freezers designed for colder rooms, as well as upright models with NoFrost on selected models.
This selection includes chest freezers, an upright freezer and a fridge-freezer. Compare the freezer capacity you need, then check the installation requirements for each model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer for larger shops and would also like the option to use it as a fridge. The product name lists a removable basket, LED lighting and an E energy class. Check which mode you need, the ambient temperature range and the storage time during a power cut for your installation.
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Consider this if you’re also replacing your fridge: the stated 360 L capacity is for the whole appliance, not just the freezer compartment. The product name lists Total No Frost and an E energy class. Check the freezer capacity separately, along with the ambient temperature range suited to the room.
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This chest freezer could be a good choice if you need extra storage and have room for a top-opening lid. The product name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy class. Also compare the kWh/year, storage time during a power cut and the model’s ambient temperature range.
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With a stated capacity of 99 L, this chest freezer is better suited to extra storage than to large family stocks. Its name lists a removable basket, a 4-star freezer rating and an E energy class. Measure the clearance needed for the lid and check the kWh/year, storage time and ambient temperature range.
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This upright freezer is suited to households that prefer to access food stored in drawers. The product name lists No Frost, three freezer drawers and a C energy class. Before choosing where to put it, check its dimensions, drawer clearance and the ambient temperature range.
Yes, provided the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in the room. Compare the temperatures you can expect with the product details or instructions. For example, Liebherr says its CFe 1870 chest freezer can operate down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
No. Also compare the kWh/year and freezer capacity of models with a similar type and capacity. According to the European Commission, the energy label shows the energy class, annual consumption, capacity and noise level, among other details. Its QR code links to detailed information about the model.
It tells you how long food stays frozen during a power failure or cut, according to the definition given by UFC-Que Choisir. If you keep a large stock of food, compare this figure in the product details for the models you’re considering rather than trying to estimate it from their capacity.
Arrange for it to be taken away when you order your new appliance. According to the eco-organisation ecosystem, the retailer must offer a free “one-for-one” take-back service for an equivalent appliance, including for online sales. Check the arrangements available for your delivery.