To store more meals and groceries, start by considering the space you have and how you want to access your food. A chest freezer has room for bulky containers, while an upright model makes it easier to organise portions. If the appliance is going in a cellar, pantry or garage, first check that its operating temperature range covers the temperatures the room actually reaches. A large fridge-freezer is also worth considering if your current fridge section is too small.
If you regularly prepare or buy large quantities, you need to be able to find meals and portions without rummaging through the whole appliance. The internal layout matters just as much as the stated capacity.
There may be room for an extra appliance outside the kitchen, provided the temperature in that space stays within the range specified for your chosen model.
If you need to keep the kitchen or utility room clear, measure the appliance and the clearance needed for its door or lid before prioritising capacity.
For a large household, a chest freezer, an upright freezer and an under-counter model each suit different space and access requirements. Replacing your existing fridge-freezer is another option if you need more fridge space too.
Consider it if: you have enough floor space and store large batches or bulky containers.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom of the freezer is less easy to reach, so plan how you’ll organise it.
Consider it if: you freeze portions that you want to separate and find easily.
Bear in mind: a large upright freezer can still be tall and deep, even with its separate compartments.
Consider it if: height is your main constraint and you only need a modest amount of extra storage.
Bear in mind: before ruling out a larger model, check that its freezer capacity will genuinely meet your household’s needs.
Consider it if: you’re short on fridge space too and can replace your main appliance.
Bear in mind: its total capacity doesn’t all go towards freezing; compare the two compartments separately.
| Feature | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the net capacity with the external dimensions, then measure the route to the room and the clearance needed to open the appliance. | To store more groceries without blocking walkways, the capacity needs to fit the space available; around 31% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Access to meals | Check the size of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food stored at the back. | When I use portions regularly, I want to find a meal without moving the rest of the stock; easy access and organisation come first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Room temperature | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the operating range specified for the exact model. | In an unheated garage or cellar, I need to be able to install the appliance within the limits set out in its manual; around 25% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Power-cut storage time and maintenance | Check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut, the defrosting type and the kWh/year figure for each model. | If I’m keeping a large amount of food, power cuts, ice build-up and ongoing energy use all influence my choice; around 19% of consumers put these factors first. |
To compare the energy use, capacity and noise levels of models that meet the same needs, check their energy labels: the European Commission explains the information they show. The letter rating doesn’t replace comparing kWh/year and capacity.
A chest freezer may offer the capacity you want but still be too big for the room or leave too little space to open the lid. A large upright model can also be too tall or deep.
Measure the space, doorways and corridors along the route to its intended position, then check the clearance needed around the model you’re considering.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the climate class indicates the ambient temperature range an appliance is designed to operate in. If a room falls below the model’s lower limit, it could affect freezing performance.
Record the temperatures reached in the room over a representative period and compare them with the model’s manual, even if it claims to offer protection against the cold.
Bulky containers may be easy to fit in a chest freezer, but portions stored at the bottom can be harder to find than in an upright model.
If you freeze lots of individual meals, check the baskets and how they’re arranged. For large batches, make sure your containers will fit inside the freezer.
Two appliances with different capacities won’t necessarily meet the same needs, even if their letter ratings are easy to compare.
Compare the annual energy use in kWh, net capacity and noise levels shown on the label, then consider which defrosting type suits how you’ll use the appliance.
The features below apply to the models mentioned, not every freezer made by each brand. They can help you compare formats and check installation requirements.
Worth considering if an upright freezer with separate storage compartments suits the way you store meals. Bosch says the GSN58AWEV offers 366 l, No Frost and a stated storage time of 12 h.
Worth considering if you have enough width for a chest freezer: Liebherr states that the CFe 2500 Pure has a capacity of 497 l.
Worth considering for a chest freezer outside the kitchen if top access suits your household. Beko states that the HSM27050 has a capacity of 284 l.
Yes, as long as the temperatures reached in the room stay within the operating range specified for the exact model. Check the minimum and maximum temperatures in its manual: compatibility stated by Beko or Liebherr for some models doesn’t apply to all their appliances.
Compare the energy rating, annual energy use in kWh, freezer capacity and noise levels of appliances that suit your space. The European Commission explains this information on the label; the rating alone doesn’t tell you the capacity or annual energy use.
No. It’s a feature to prioritise if you want to avoid manual defrosting. If a static-cooling model better suits your capacity or installation needs, check the maintenance requirements in its manual and make sure the interior layout works for you.
Compare the stated storage time for each model, especially if you plan to keep a large stock of food in it. This figure helps you assess appliances under their stated reference conditions; it isn’t a guarantee for every power cut, whatever its duration or how the freezer is used.
It may meet your needs if the fridge section is also too small and the freezer compartment has enough room for your meals. If you only need more freezer storage, compare its freezer capacity with that of an extra appliance rather than relying on the combined total capacity.