For storing home-cooked portions, stick with a fridge freezer if you only need occasional freezer space. Consider an upright freezer if you often want to find and retrieve specific meals, or a chest freezer if you’re building up a larger stock and have room for one. Before choosing, compare the freezer compartment’s capacity, the internal layout and installation requirements: the appliance’s total capacity alone won’t tell you which option suits your needs.
If you regularly take prepared meals out of the freezer, being able to see and reach your containers without moving everything else matters more than having the largest possible capacity. The drawers in an upright freezer can make it easier to keep things organised.
If you batch-cook large quantities or use bulky containers, check the freezer’s net capacity and the floor space available. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide, for example, distinguishes between large-capacity chest freezers and more compact uprights.
If you want to avoid an oversized appliance, compare the capacity you need with the installed dimensions, required clearances and the information on the energy label. The usable capacity needs to be considered alongside the space the appliance will take up in your home.
How often you use your portions is the first thing to consider when choosing a format. Then check that the freezer capacity, access to your containers and the space available are right for the amount you want to store.
Choose this if: frozen portions are an addition to your usual shopping and you want both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: only part of the total capacity is reserved for freezing, so this compartment can quickly fill up if you’re building a large stock.
Choose this if: you often take portions from your freezer and want to organise them in drawers or compartments.
Bear in mind: dividers can limit the space available for large containers. You’ll also need to allow room to open the door.
Choose this if: you want plenty of storage capacity and have a room where you can install and open the chest freezer.
Bear in mind: portions at the bottom of the chest take more effort to organise than those in drawers.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Number and size of drawers or baskets; access to containers at the bottom. | If I often take a meal from my freezer, I want to find it without moving the other boxes. Around 38% of consumers prioritise easy access and organisation. |
| Storage capacity | Net capacity of the freezer compartment, separate from the total capacity; the space actually available for your containers. | When batch-cooking large quantities, I need to be able to store my portions without counting the fridge space. Capacity is the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Space and ongoing use | Dimensions, including clearance and opening space; annual energy consumption shown on the energy label and the ambient temperature allowed in the instructions. | If space is limited, I want to avoid an appliance that’s too large or unsuitable for the room it will be used in. For around 31% of consumers, location and energy consumption come before other considerations. |
The fridge and freezer have separate compartments. A large total capacity doesn’t necessarily mean there’s enough room for the meals you plan to freeze.
Estimate how much space your usual containers take up, then compare the net capacity and layout of the freezer compartment alone.
An open chest can hold containers in a range of sizes, but finding a portion beneath other boxes may be less convenient than opening a drawer in an upright freezer.
Choose baskets, boxes and labels that suit the way you organise your meals. Also check how much room you’ll need to open the lid.
Permitted ambient temperatures and ventilation clearances vary by model. A chest or upright freezer won’t automatically be suitable for a garage or unheated cellar.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the room needed to open the door or lid. Then check the model’s instructions for the required clearances and ambient temperature range.
The DGCCRF states that when you buy a new appliance, taking back an equivalent used appliance is free of charge. However, delivery, disconnection and commissioning arrangements need to be checked separately.
Before paying, check which services are available for your appliance and address, as well as any access requirements and arrangements for taking away your old appliance.
Bosch’s range includes freestanding and integrated upright freezers, worth considering if you want to organise your portions in drawers.
Liebherr chest freezers are worth considering if you need a large-capacity chest for storing a substantial stock and have the floor space for one.
Beko offers upright freezers and fridge freezers, among other appliances. These are two formats to compare if you’re choosing between a separate appliance and a fridge freezer.
These appliances cover the three formats we’ve looked at: two fridge freezers for keeping frozen food in the kitchen, an upright freezer for organising portions, and two chest freezers for storing food in a chest. First choose the format that suits how you’ll use it, then check the specifications and the space available for the model you’ve selected.
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Worth considering if you want to store frozen portions in an appliance that also takes care of everyday refrigeration. Compare the space available in the freezer with the space your containers take up.
Stated total capacity: 360 L. Energy rating E; Total No Frost. Check the installed dimensions and delivery arrangements.
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This fridge freezer is worth considering if you want one appliance with multiple doors. When planning how much space you need for meals, look at the freezer compartment separately from the total capacity.
Stated total capacity: 467 L. Energy rating E; Total No Frost. Check how much room is needed to open the doors.
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An upright freezer is worth considering if you want to organise your portions and access them often. Check that the drawer layout suits the size of your containers.
Stated capacity: 161 L. The listing specifies three freezer drawers, No Frost and energy rating C. Check the dimensions and clearances in the product details and instructions.
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This chest freezer is worth considering if you’d rather store food in a chest than in drawers. Think about how you’ll find portions underneath those stored at the top.
Stated capacity: 99 L. The listing specifies a removable wire basket and energy rating E. Before installing it in an unheated room, check how much space the lid needs and the permitted ambient temperature.
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Worth considering if you want to switch between refrigeration and freezing to suit your needs. If you’re storing frozen meals, check the usable capacity in freezer mode rather than relying on the stated total capacity alone.
Stated capacity: 291 L for this convertible appliance. The listing specifies energy rating E and a removable basket. Check the clearances and permitted ambient temperature for the intended location.
Compare the net capacity of the freezer compartment, not the total capacity of the fridge freezer. The fridge compartment can’t store your frozen meals, so check the internal layout against the size of your containers too.
Yes, but only if the model’s stated ambient temperature range is suitable for your garage. For example, Beko says its B5RFNE315G with FreezerGuard can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, while Liebherr states that some FrostProtect chest freezers are suitable for these conditions. These specifications don’t apply to all their appliances.
No. Depending on the model, No Frost relates to frost build-up. It doesn’t tell you how many containers will fit in the drawers or how easy it will be to reach a particular portion. Check the feature and the internal layout separately.
The DGCCRF states that when you buy a new appliance, the retailer must take back an equivalent used appliance free of charge. Before ordering, check how to arrange collection, especially if the old appliance needs to be disconnected or carried down from an upper floor.
Don’t assume it does. Before paying, check which services are available for the model, seller and your address. Delivery, installation, commissioning and disconnection of your old appliance may be listed separately.