To significantly increase your frozen food storage, choose a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and need plenty of capacity. An upright freezer is a better choice if you want easy access to food you use regularly. A compact model is more suited to providing extra capacity. A fridge freezer is worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too and its freezer compartment will be big enough for your household. Whatever you choose, check the dimensions and the permitted ambient temperature range for the room where you plan to install it.
If you keep plenty of frozen food in reserve and have a pantry or another suitable room, start by working out how much capacity you need, how much floor space you have and the temperature of the room. UFC-Que Choisir notes that chest freezers are particularly suited to homes with enough space.
If you want to keep everyday items separate and find them without rummaging, look at upright freezers and their internal layout. Electrolux describes this type as easy to organise; check the number and size of compartments on the model you’re considering.
A compact freezer can supplement an existing freezer compartment when space is limited. Electrolux notes that under-counter models have less capacity, so compare their storage space with the amount of food you actually plan to keep.
First, work out how much you need to store and how often you’ll access it. Then check that the appliance will fit, operate and open properly in the space you have planned.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare freezer capacity in litres, rather than the total capacity of a fridge freezer. A chest freezer is suitable for storing large quantities, while a compact model offers less storage, according to Electrolux. | I want enough room for my usual supplies without choosing a large appliance when I only need extra capacity. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers or baskets and consider how easy it is to reach items at the bottom. Electrolux describes upright freezers as easy to organise; storage in a chest freezer depends on its layout. | If I often take out small items, I want to find them without moving the rest of my frozen food. |
| Available space | Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed for the door or lid. UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers generally take up more floor space than upright models. | I need to be able to open the appliance easily once it’s installed, not just fit it into the room. |
| Room temperature | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the model’s specified ambient temperature range. Beko France notes that the climate class depends on the temperature of the installation location. | If I’m using an unheated cellar or garage, I want the appliance to be rated for the temperatures the room may reach. |
| Frost and power cuts | Check the defrosting method and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut for each model. This figure doesn’t remove the need to assess the condition of food after a power failure. | I’d like to know what maintenance is required and how long the appliance is expected to keep food frozen during a power cut before I store my supplies in it. |
UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers are commonly 110 to 140 cm wide and around 70 cm deep. Their footprint and the clearance needed to open the lid can make an apparently suitable spot impractical.
Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the space you’ll need to access its contents.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance. For example, Beko says the HSM14540 will operate at temperatures down to -15 °C, while Liebherr specifies FrostProtect down to -15 °C for the CFe 1870. These ratings don’t apply to all their freezers.
Compare the model’s official temperature range with the temperatures the room reaches in both winter and summer.
Electrolux distinguishes between the lower capacity of compact models and chest freezers designed for larger quantities. An extra-capacity appliance may not have enough room for the supplies you plan to store.
Make a list of the food you want to keep, then compare your needs with the stated freezer capacity.
The stated storage time varies by model: Whirlpool gives 24 hours for the UW8F2DWHBIN2. This figure alone doesn’t tell you what to do with each food item after a power cut.
Compare the storage times of the models you’re considering. After a power cut, check the actual condition of the food before refreezing anything. The ministry responsible for agriculture advises against refreezing food that has thawed.
The HSM14540 chest freezer is an example of the features to look for if you’ll be storing food in an unheated room.
The CFe 1870 Pure is an example of a chest freezer to consider if capacity and installation in an unheated room are important to you.
The UW8F2DWHBIN2 upright freezer is worth considering if you want vertical storage with No Frost technology.
This selection includes freestanding freezers for extra storage, as well as fridge freezers to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too. Compare the freezer capacity and installation requirements before making your choice.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too: the stated 360 L capacity is for the whole appliance, not just the freezer compartment. The title lists Total No Frost, energy class E, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Check the separate freezer capacity, dimensions and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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This style is suited to households that are also looking to replace their fridge. The title lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost, energy class E and Smart Inverter technology. Compare the actual capacity available for frozen food and check there’s enough space to open all four doors.
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This freestanding appliance is designed for households looking to add freezer space and organise food in vertical compartments. The title lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, a reversible door and energy class C. Check its dimensions, door clearance and ambient temperature range before planning to install it in a cellar or garage; the operating temperature listed in the title refers to the inside of the appliance, not the room.
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Its 60 L capacity is better suited to providing extra space than storing a large family stock. The title lists a freestanding design, reversible door, temperature control and energy class E. Check the exact internal layout before buying, along with the ventilation requirements and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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This freestanding chest freezer can provide extra capacity if you prefer top access and have enough space to open the lid. The title lists a capacity of 99 L, a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat and energy class E. Allow for manual defrosting and check the ambient temperature range before installing it in a cold room.
No. The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Compare the temperature range in its specifications with the room temperatures in both winter and summer. Beko says the HSM14540 will operate at temperatures down to -15 °C, and Liebherr lists FrostProtect down to -15 °C for the CFe 1870. This doesn’t mean all freezers are suitable for an unheated room.
A chest freezer is suitable for storing large quantities, but generally takes up more floor space, according to UFC-Que Choisir. An upright freezer makes it easier to organise food and access it regularly, as Electrolux notes. Remember to measure the space needed to open the lid or door too.
No. On models with this feature, it’s designed to prevent frost build-up, as with the UW8F2DWHBIN2 upright freezer described by Whirlpool. Always follow the model’s instructions for maintaining the seals, vents and interior.
The ministry responsible for agriculture advises against refreezing food that has thawed, as thawing and refreezing can encourage bacteria to multiply. A freezer’s stated storage time can help you compare models, but it doesn’t replace checking the actual condition of food after a power cut.