If you’re mainly short of space for frozen food, choose a format that suits what you store: a chest freezer can take bulky packs, while the drawers in an upright make it easier to organise meals you use regularly. A compact model is better suited to providing extra capacity; replacing your fridge-freezer is worth considering mainly if you also need to replace the fridge section. In every case, compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, the dimensions and the features of the specific model.
If you need to store more groceries, ready meals or frozen food, a standalone appliance can add extra capacity to your fridge-freezer. A chest freezer has room for bulky packs, while an upright lets you separate food into drawers.
A compact freezer can provide extra capacity where there isn’t room for a large upright or chest freezer. Measure its height, width and depth, and remember to allow enough space to open the door or lid.
The temperature in the room may matter more than the format when choosing a freezer. Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the climate class specified for the model, as recommended in Whirlpool and Liebherr’s installation information.
Consider this if: you often take out meals or bags of food and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: the drawers limit the space available for bulky packs.
Consider this if: you need to store large packs and have enough room for the freezer and its lid.
Bear in mind: items stored underneath other food may be harder to find, even with baskets.
Consider this if: you need some extra capacity and are guided by the available height or an under-counter space.
Bear in mind: check that its freezer capacity is genuinely enough for your groceries and meals.
Consider this if: you also need to replace or upgrade the fridge section.
Check: its freezer capacity separately from the total capacity: replacing your fridge-freezer won’t necessarily give you the extra freezer space you’re looking for.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Compare the freezer capacity in litres, then check the external dimensions. Make sure the appliance will fit through the access route and allow enough clearance for the door or lid to open. | I want to store more groceries without blocking the way or finding out that my large packs won’t fit. |
| Access to food | Check the number and layout of drawers or baskets on the specific model. Make sure you can reach items at the bottom of a chest freezer. | If I often take out a ready meal or a bag of food, I want to find it without moving everything else. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the kWh/year figures on the labels of models with similar formats and capacities. Check the energy label and, where applicable, the European Commission’s EPREL database. | An appliance that runs continuously makes me want to check its annual energy consumption, not just its energy efficiency class. |
| Defrosting | Check the technology listed and the model’s care instructions. Don’t confuse No Frost with LowFrost or StopFrost, which are described as systems that reduce frost build-up. | I’d rather know what maintenance to expect before choosing an appliance I’ll open regularly. |
| Installation room | Measure the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures. Check they fall within the range for the climate class shown on the product information or rating plate. | For a garage, cellar or conservatory, I want a model suited to the room’s temperatures, not just one that fits the available space. |
| Power cut | Check the stated storage time in hours for the exact model and the conditions under which it was measured. Don’t assume this figure based on whether it’s a chest or upright freezer. | If I’m concerned about power cuts, I want to compare how long each model I’m considering is said to keep food frozen. |
A chest or upright freezer isn’t automatically suitable for all the temperatures you might get in a garage or conservatory.
Note the likely temperatures in the room, then compare them with the range specified for the exact model on its product information or rating plate.
The stated capacity doesn’t show how easy it will be to access meals, bags of food and large packs once the appliance is full.
Check the drawers or baskets, their dimensions and the available opening space, based on the food you store most often.
Appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same needs. UFC-Que Choisir also measures freezer energy consumption at 25 °C and 32 °C in its test protocol, highlighting the importance of ambient conditions.
For comparable models, consider both the capacity and the stated annual consumption in kWh/year. Check their energy labels and, where applicable, the EPREL data.
Manufacturers describe these systems as ways to reduce frost build-up or make defrosting less frequent, but they aren’t the same as No Frost.
Check the technology listed and the care instructions in the manual for the model you’re considering.
Whirlpool offers chest and upright freezers, among other appliances. Their product information lets you compare the layout and listed features.
The Liebherr models mentioned here illustrate two different options: a small table-top appliance and a chest freezer.
Electrolux integrated freezers let you compare installation requirements and different cooling technologies.
Bosch is worth considering if access to spare parts is important to you in the long term.
These options include chest freezers for extra storage, a small upright freezer for occasional use and an upright for organising food. Compare them based on the space you have, how easily you can access your meals and the capacity you need.
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This chest freezer is suited to households looking for extra room for bulky packs. The product title lists a capacity of 197 L, a removable basket, an energy efficiency class of E and a choice of fridge or freezer modes. Check the climate class for the room you plan to use it in, the clearance needed to open the lid and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut, if that matters to you.
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This 99 L chest freezer is suited to providing extra storage rather than storing large quantities of meals. The product title lists a removable basket, a sliding lid, 4-star freezing and an energy efficiency class of E. Allow enough room to open the lid, and check the model’s climate class and annual energy consumption.
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This 140 L chest freezer provides extra capacity and includes a basket to keep some items within easy reach. The product title lists a counterbalanced lid, adjustable feet and an energy efficiency class of E. Measure the space and allow clearance for the lid to open. Also check the climate class and the energy consumption and defrosting information for this model.
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This 60 L upright model may suit you if you’re mainly looking for a compact freezer to provide extra capacity. The product title lists a reversible door and an energy efficiency class of E. Check the internal layout before counting on three drawers: the title and descriptions show different configurations. Also check the dimensions of the space, the climate class and the annual energy consumption.
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This upright freezer is for those who prefer to organise food in drawers rather than a chest freezer. The product title lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost technology, three freezer drawers and an energy efficiency class of C. Check its dimensions against your available space, as well as its climate class, annual energy consumption and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
Yes, as long as the room’s temperature stays within the range specified for the model’s climate class. For example, Liebherr lists a range of +10 °C to +32 °C for climate class SN and +16 °C to +32 °C for class N. Check the class shown on the product information or rating plate for the appliance you’re considering, then compare it with the actual temperatures in your room.
Compare the stated number of hours for each model, rather than assuming that all appliances in a particular format have the same storage time. Whirlpool France lists 32 hours for the WHM4612 chest freezer, while Electrolux France lists 10 hours for the KUN7NE18S integrated freezer. Take into account the conditions associated with each figure and, where available, independent test results.
No. Manufacturers’ product information distinguishes No Frost from LowFrost and StopFrost systems, which are described as reducing frost build-up or making defrosting less frequent. Check the model’s manual to find out what maintenance it needs; the technology name alone isn’t enough to compare energy consumption.
Look at the stated annual energy consumption in kWh/year alongside the freezer capacity, then compare appliances that meet similar needs. The energy label helps you find these figures. For models covered by energy labelling, you can also look up their registered information in the European Commission’s EPREL database.