If you’re short of space in the freezer compartment alone, a separate appliance gives you extra storage without replacing your fridge. An upright freezer is well suited to frequent access and drawer-by-drawer organisation; a chest freezer is better for storing bulky items, provided you have enough room for it and to open the lid. If you’re also running out of space for fresh food, compare the capacities of both compartments in a larger fridge freezer before adding another appliance.
If infrequent shopping trips, bulk buys or bulky foods are filling up your freezer compartment, a separate appliance tackles the problem without changing the space you have for fresh food. Que Choisir highlights the benefits of a separate freezer for larger families in particular.
If you access your freezer frequently, the drawers in an upright model make it easier to sort different types of food. A chest freezer offers more open space, but you’ll need to organise it carefully to reach items at the bottom.
If you’re planning to keep your freezer in a cellar, utility room or garage, the ambient temperature should be a key consideration. Check the permitted range for the specific model: suitability advertised for certain models doesn’t apply to an entire range.
First, work out whether you’re short of space for frozen food alone or for fresh food too. If a separate freezer is the answer, your access needs and available space will help you choose between an upright and a chest model.
Consider this if: drawers and easy access to food matter more to you than one large, open space.
Bear in mind: drawers divide up the available space, which can make it harder to store very bulky food; you’ll also need enough clearance to open the door and remove items.
Consider this if: you need to store large quantities or bulky items and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need room to open the lid and organise your food so you can reach anything stored at the bottom.
Consider this if: both the fridge and freezer compartments are too small, or you already need to replace your fridge.
Bear in mind: replacing the whole appliance doesn’t automatically give you enough freezer space; compare the capacity of each compartment separately.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the usable capacity in litres and the space you can actually use for the food you plan to store, especially bulky items. | If bulk buys won’t fit in my current freezer compartment, I mainly want more room for frozen food. Around 36% of consumers would make capacity their top priority. |
| Storage and placement | Measure the appliance, the route it needs to take to its final location and the clearance needed to open the door or lid. | If I often take food out of the freezer, I want to find it easily without blocking walkways. Access and floor space would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Energy use and room temperature | Compare kWh/year for appliances with the capacity you need and check the model’s permitted ambient temperature range. | Before putting an appliance in a cold outbuilding, I want to avoid an unsuitable installation and take its continuous operation into account. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
| Adding or replacing an appliance | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities of a fridge freezer separately with the space you’re short of today. | If I’m also running out of room for fresh food, I want to solve both problems rather than just gain more freezer space. This would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
A large capacity is no use if the appliance blocks a walkway or the lid can’t open fully.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance above the freezer before choosing a model.
The room temperature may fall outside the appliance’s operating range. The fact that it’s an upright or chest model doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable.
Check the ambient temperature range for your chosen model in its product details or manual. Beko states that some models can be used at temperatures as low as −15 °C.
The energy rating doesn’t replace comparing usable capacity and annual energy consumption. The European Commission states that the energy label for fridges and freezers has used a scale from A to G since 1 March 2021.
When comparing appliances that meet the same storage needs, also check their kWh/year and noise ratings.
An extra freezer runs continuously, as ADEME points out, so its energy use adds to that of the appliances you already have.
An extra appliance increases your freezer capacity, but won’t free up any space for fresh food.
Assess each shortfall separately. If both compartments are too small, also compare the capacities of a larger fridge freezer.
Beko offers upright and chest freezers, with features that vary between models.
Whirlpool’s range includes freestanding and built-in upright freezers, particularly suited to vertical storage.
Liebherr offers freestanding and built-in freezers, as well as NoFrost models.
Compare the kWh/year for models with a usable capacity suited to the same needs, then consider noise and the space you have available. The European Commission states that the energy label for fridges and freezers has used a scale from A to G since 1 March 2021; the letter alone doesn’t tell you the model’s annual energy consumption.
Yes, as long as the garage temperature stays within the range permitted for your chosen model. Check its technical details or manual rather than relying on the type of freezer alone: Beko’s stated suitability for temperatures as low as −15 °C applies to certain models, not all freezers.
Compare larger fridge freezers if both the fridge and freezer compartments are too small, or if you already need to replace your fridge. Check the capacity of each compartment separately: a greater total capacity won’t necessarily solve a shortage of freezer space.
In France, you can take an old fridge or freezer to a collection point, a recycling centre or a retailer, or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition classifies these appliances as waste electrical and electronic equipment.