Households that buy in bulk
You need space for multipacks and family-sized supplies, and can devote more floor space to storing them. Que Choisir’s guide highlights capacity as one of the key differences between chest freezers.
Who is an extra freezer for?
Anyone who wants to find food quickly
You open the freezer often and prefer to keep food separate rather than search through one open compartment. Bosch describes the drawers and compartments available in its upright models.
Households with a small kitchen, cellar or garage
Your choice will depend first on the space available, how the appliance opens, its ventilation requirements and the temperatures reached in the room. Check whether each model is suitable for an unheated room.
Which features should you prioritise for your home?
Start by choosing a style to suit the amount you store and how often you need access, then check that each appliance will fit its intended spot. Que Choisir notes the capacity of chest freezers and the smaller footprint of upright models. If you’re also thinking of replacing your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a large fridge freezer separately with what you need.
Chest freezer
Consider it: for bulk buys or larger items, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food is less easy to reach than in the drawers of an upright freezer.
Upright freezer
Consider it: if you want to organise food and access it frequently, but have limited floor space.
Bear in mind: make sure its capacity is enough for the amount you want to store.
Countertop or under-counter freezer
Consider it: for a modest amount of extra storage in a small kitchen.
Bear in mind: its more limited capacity makes it less suitable for large family shops.
Large fridge freezer
Consider it: if you’re replacing your main appliance and want both functions in one.
Check: make sure the freezer space available is sufficient for your supplies.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the capacity in litres with your usual shop and check how much floor space the appliance takes up. | If I bring home a large shop, I want to store everything without having to split my supplies between different places. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Available space | Measure the delivery route, the space where the appliance will go, the opening clearance and the gaps specified in the manual. | In a small kitchen or narrow passage, I don’t want a new appliance to get in the way. Lack of space is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers or baskets and consider how you’ll reach the food you use most often. | When I often take out small portions, I want to find them without moving all my other supplies. Easy access comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Room where it will be installed | Check the room’s seasonal temperatures against the ambient temperature range allowed for the model; also compare its annual energy consumption. | If the appliance is going in an unheated cellar or garage, I want to make sure it can handle the temperatures there. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing a chest freezer just for its capacity
A large open compartment can make small portions you use every day harder to find, even though it can hold bulky supplies.
Think about how you’ll organise your shopping. If you often need to reach different types of food, compare an upright model with drawers too.
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Assuming any model will work in a cellar or garage
The ambient temperature an appliance can handle depends on its climate class or a feature specific to that model. A marketing claim mentioning a garage doesn’t replace checking its operating temperature range.
Note the room’s lowest and highest temperatures throughout the year, then compare them with the documentation for the model you’re considering.
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Measuring only the space the appliance takes up when closed
A freezer might fit in its intended spot but still not leave enough room to open the door or lid, remove the drawers and allow for ventilation.
Check the delivery route, then confirm the dimensions and installation clearances in the manual for the exact model.
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Leaving plans for your old appliance until delivery
If your new purchase is replacing a freezer, arranging for the old one to be taken away takes a little planning.
When you place your order, ask about the removal options available with your chosen delivery service.
Brands to consider across different ranges
Bosch
The range includes freestanding and integrated upright freezers, making it easy to compare different interior layouts.
- Bosch describes models with drawers and compartments for keeping food separate.
- Check the dimensions, ventilation requirements and permitted ambient temperature range in the manual for your chosen model, especially if it’s going in an unheated room.
Liebherr
Its chest freezers are worth considering for bulk storage, with some models designed for use in cold rooms.
- According to Liebherr, some chest freezers with FrostProtect can operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- This applies to models with FrostProtect, not every freezer in the range.
Beko
The range includes chest and upright freezers, so you can compare models by capacity and where you plan to install them.
- Beko says that some models have Freezer Guard, a feature designed for low ambient temperatures.
- The minimum permitted temperature and other installation requirements depend on the exact model.
Whirlpool
The range includes upright, chest and integrated models, giving you several installation styles to consider.
- Some models offer drawer storage or a No Frost function.
- Capacity, features and energy consumption vary by model, so compare the specifications of the models you’re considering.
Extra freezers available from Joybuy
This selection includes chest freezers in different capacities and upright models with more compartments for organised storage. Choose one to suit your supplies and available space, then check the installation requirements for your chosen model.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
Worth considering if you need a modest amount of extra freezer space without opting for a large chest freezer.
Removable basket, adjustable thermostat and E energy rating. You’ll need to defrost it manually; check the permitted ambient temperature range and the clearance required for your chosen location.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you buy in bulk and want the option to use the appliance as either a fridge or a freezer.
Removable basket, LED light and E energy rating. Allow enough space to open the lid, and check that you can leave the ventilation clearances specified for this model. A ‘garage’ label alone doesn’t confirm its permitted ambient temperature range.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
Worth considering if you need more space than a small chest freezer offers, but don’t need a model for larger supplies.
Storage basket, counterbalanced lid, temperature control and E energy rating. Before choosing a location, check the lid’s opening clearance, ventilation requirements and permitted ambient temperature range.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
Worth considering for a specific storage need when space is limited and you prefer a compartmentalised layout.
Reversible door and E energy rating. Compare its 60 L capacity with your usual supplies. If you’re installing it under a worktop, check the dimensions and clearances specified in the manual.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer with No Frost
Worth considering if you need more capacity than a small upright model, with separate compartments for your food.
No Frost function and C energy rating. The appliance’s stated internal temperature range doesn’t tell you which ambient temperatures it can handle. Check this, along with its external dimensions and installation clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install any freezer in a garage or cellar?
No. The model’s permitted ambient temperature range must cover the temperatures the room actually reaches. Check the seasonal highs and lows, then consult its climate class or installation requirements. According to Liebherr, some chest freezers with FrostProtect can operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C; this doesn’t apply to every freezer.
Is a chest freezer better than an upright model for storing large quantities?
A chest freezer is worth comparing if capacity is your priority and you have enough floor space. Que Choisir says some chest freezers offer up to 600 L of capacity. If you often take out small portions, compare how easy each model is to access and the drawers in an upright freezer, rather than looking at capacity alone.
What should I compare when looking at two freezer specifications?
First compare capacity, dimensions and the permitted ambient temperature range with your needs and the room where you plan to install the appliance. Then look at annual energy consumption, energy rating and noise level. If the specification includes it, check how long the freezer can keep food frozen during a power cut. Finally, check the installation clearances in each model’s manual.