To increase your family’s frozen food storage, choose a chest freezer if capacity is your priority and you can access the contents from above. Choose an upright model if you open it often and want to sort food into drawers. An under-counter model is better suited to a smaller amount of extra storage. If you’re considering replacing your fridge-freezer instead, compare the capacity of its freezer compartment alone with the additional space you need.
If you freeze food from big shops or several home-cooked meals, start by working out how much extra capacity you need. A chest freezer has room for larger items, provided you keep everything organised. An upright model makes it easier to sort food and reach the items you use most often.
An under-counter freezer can give you a little extra storage without taking up the height of an upright model. Check that its freezer capacity meets your needs, though: this format won’t do the same job as a large family chest freezer.
In a utility room, cellar or garage, check the permitted temperature range for the exact model and the clearance required in its manual. According to Beko, some chest freezers with Freezer Guard can operate in an unheated room at temperatures as low as −15 °C. This feature isn’t available on every freezer.
First, assess how much frozen food you need to store and how much space you have. Then consider how easy it is to access your food and the conditions where you plan to install the freezer.
| Factor | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and size | Compare the usable freezer capacity with the appliance’s dimensions. Measure delivery routes and allow enough space to open the door or lid, as well as the clearance specified in the manual. | I do big shops, so I need enough storage, but the appliance also has to fit in the room and be easy to open. |
| Access and storage | Look at the drawers and shelves in an upright freezer, or the baskets in a chest freezer. If you want to reduce manual defrosting, check whether the model is listed as No Frost. | I take out different foods often, so I want to find them without emptying the freezer. For larger containers, I’ll also check how much usable space there really is. |
| Installation location | Compare the room temperature with the climate class and the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model. Follow the ventilation clearance guidance in the manual. | My freezer will be in a garage or cellar, so I need to check that it can handle the temperatures the room may reach. |
| Energy use and power cuts | The EU energy label shows the annual energy consumption in kWh, capacity and noise emissions, among other details. For models that meet your capacity needs, also compare the stated storage time during a power cut. | As the appliance will be running all the time, I want to compare its energy use with models of a suitable capacity. If power cuts are a concern, I’ll also check the stated storage time separately. |
| Replacing a fridge-freezer | For a fridge-freezer, distinguish between its total capacity and the capacity of its freezer compartment. Compare the latter with your current freezer space and the extra capacity you need. | If I also need to replace my fridge, a larger fridge-freezer is worth considering. If I mainly need more room for frozen food, the total capacity alone won’t help me decide. |
A chest freezer can offer plenty of storage, but it also takes up a lot of floor space. A narrow doorway, an obstruction near the lid or difficulty reaching the bottom can make installation and everyday use more challenging.
Measure the room and the delivery route. Allow space to open the lid, follow the ventilation clearance guidance in the manual and consider how you’ll reach food stored at the bottom.
The temperature in a garage, cellar or conservatory may fall outside the range the appliance is designed for. Choosing a chest freezer rather than an upright model doesn’t guarantee it’s suitable for that location.
Check the possible temperatures in the room, then consult the climate class and instructions for the exact model. Any feature designed for cold spaces should also be confirmed in the product documentation.
Two appliances with different capacities may not meet the same storage needs. According to the European Commission, the energy label also shows annual energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions.
First work out which capacity and format will suit your household, then compare kWh/year and the other label details across suitable models.
Part of a fridge-freezer’s capacity is for fresh food. For example, the Joybuy product listing for the LG GBV22NCCPY divides its stated 387 L capacity into 277 L of fridge space and 110 L of freezer space.
When deciding whether to replace your main appliance, compare only the freezer capacity with your current storage and the extra space you need.
These examples can help you compare the formats and features of specific models; they don’t represent the entire range from any one brand.
The French product listings for the Bosch GSN36AICM and GTV15NWEB let you compare an upright freezer with an under-counter model.
The brand offers chest freezers to consider if you need plenty of storage and have enough space.
Some chest freezers in the French range are described as suitable for use in an unheated room.
This selection includes compact upright models and chest freezers in a range of capacities, giving you extra space for frozen food. Compare the stated capacity with your needs, then check the dimensions and installation requirements of your chosen model.
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An option for adding storage while keeping food organised in drawers. This model is listed with a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, a reversible hinged door and an energy rating of C. Check its dimensions and climate class for your chosen location, as well as its annual energy consumption and storage time during a power cut.
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This chest freezer is listed with a capacity of 291 L and a removable basket to help keep your food organised. Its description mentions switching between fridge and freezer modes, a five-level digital control and an energy rating of E. Make sure you have room to access it from above, and check the climate class and storage time during a power cut for your installation.
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With a stated capacity of 60 L, this model is better suited to a small amount of extra storage than a large family reserve. It has a reversible door, adjustable temperature control and an energy rating of E. Compare its capacity with your needs, then check how much space you’ll need to install it and the permitted ambient temperature range.
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This chest freezer has a stated capacity of 99 L, making it an option for a smaller amount of extra storage rather than a large family reserve. It’s listed with a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and an energy rating of E. You access it from above, and the product description specifies manual defrosting. Check the model’s climate class too.
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This chest freezer could provide extra storage, provided you confirm the stated 140 L capacity for this model. The title mentions a counterbalanced lid, adjustable feet and an energy rating of E. Also check what’s included: the title lists a basket, while the description says one can be added.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for your chosen model and you follow the installation instructions. Whirlpool says the climate class is shown on the rating plate and in the technical documentation. For a cold room, check whether the exact model has a specific feature for low temperatures rather than assuming it’s available on every chest freezer.
It’s a figure to consider separately from storage volume and freezing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this by simulating a power cut and measuring how long the food stays below −9 °C. Compare the stated figures and, where available, test results for the specific models you’re considering.
No: the format alone doesn’t mean food will be kept better. A chest freezer is mainly suited to storing larger amounts and offers an open interior, while an upright model generally makes it easier to organise food in compartments. To compare two models, look at their features and any comparable test results available.
For the relevant household appliances, the European Commission says the label includes details such as the energy efficiency class, energy consumption, storage volume and noise emissions. Compare annual consumption in kWh between appliances with a capacity that meets your needs, rather than looking only at the rating letter.
In France, an old freezer must be collected as electrical and electronic equipment. The ministry responsible for the ecological transition says you can take it to a collection point or recycling centre, return it to a retailer, or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation.