Who is an extra freezer for?

Households that buy or cook in bulk

You want more room for bulk-bought groceries, ready meals or large items. If you have space in a utility room or another spare room, a chest freezer could give you the extra storage you need.

People who regularly access their frozen food

You prefer to keep different types of food separate and find a portion without having to move anything stacked on top. The drawers in an upright freezer suit this way of using a freezer.

People with limited space

You mainly want to supplement the freezer compartment in your fridge in a kitchen or small pantry, and are happy with a more modest amount of extra storage.

Which features should you prioritise?

Chest freezer

Consider it: if you want to store larger quantities or bulky items, and have enough floor space.

Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to reach, so it helps to organise it by area, in baskets or in labelled batches.

Upright freezer

Consider it: if you open the appliance frequently and want to keep food organised in drawers.

Bear in mind: compartments may be less flexible for storing very large items than an open chest freezer.

Under-counter freezer

Consider it: if you have limited space and need a compact appliance for extra storage.

Bear in mind: capacity is more limited, so think about how much food you want to store or freeze at a time.

Feature What to check Best for
Capacity and size Compare usable capacity with the appliance’s dimensions, the route to the room and the clearance needed to open it. If I want to store lots of groceries or bulky items, I’d prioritise capacity, provided I have room for the appliance. Around 33% of consumers would put this need for capacity first.
Access to food Check the drawer layout in an upright freezer, or the number and position of baskets in a chest freezer. If I often take out a portion, I want to find each type of food without moving a stack of items. Easy access would come first for around 27% of consumers.
Limited space Measure the available height, width and depth, then check the usable capacity and how much the model can freeze in 24 hours. In a small kitchen or pantry, I’d choose an extra freezer that genuinely fits the space, even if it holds less. Around 13% of consumers would prioritise this space constraint.
Use and installation Compare the annual kWh figures and the cooling system. If the appliance will be kept in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature in the manual. If the appliance will be used in another room, I want to know that it can be installed there and understand its maintenance and running-cost requirements. This would be the main consideration for around 27% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing the capacity without measuring the route and available space

    A large-capacity chest freezer can take up a lot of floor space and needs room for its lid to open. The Whirlpool WHM4612, for example, measures 140,5 cm wide and has a capacity of 437 L. Its capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether it will fit in your home.

    Measure the appliance, doorways and route to its final position. Also check the ventilation clearance required in the manual.

    A narrow access route or insufficient clearance can make delivery and installation difficult.

  • Assuming any model will work in a cold garage

    The minimum permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Beko and Whirlpool state that certain models can operate down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to every model in their ranges.

    If you’re planning to use the freezer in an unheated cellar or garage, check that the temperature range in the product details or manual suits the room.

  • Buying a chest freezer without planning how to organise it

    The large, open space can accommodate a variety of food, but items underneath others can be difficult to find.

    Plan out areas and labelled batches, or choose an upright freezer with drawers if easy access matters more to you.

    Depending on the accessories supplied with the chest freezer, baskets or labels may help you keep everything organised.

  • Comparing only the energy label rating

    A freezer runs continuously, while its energy consumption depends on factors including the model and its capacity. The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you the appliance’s annual consumption.

    Compare the annual kWh figures for models with similar capacities and features, then consider which cooling system you want.

Brands to consider

Bosch

Bosch offers upright freezers with drawers and under-counter models. Both formats are worth considering, depending on your available space and how often you need to access your food.

  • Bosch says the GSN29EWEV upright freezer offers 200 L of capacity, No Frost, Big Box, Vario Zone and an open-door alarm.
  • The GTV15NWEB under-counter model is listed with a capacity of 83 L and no No Frost. Check the specifications of the model you’re considering rather than assuming these features apply across the range.

Whirlpool

The WHM4612 chest freezer is a good example of a model designed to store larger quantities, provided you have room to install it.

  • Whirlpool lists the WHM4612 as having a capacity of 437 L, three baskets and a 32-hour power-failure safe-storage time.
  • Its stated operating temperature of down to −15 °C and its dimensions apply to this model only. Check the manual and available space before choosing a chest freezer.

Beko

Some Beko upright freezers combine vertical storage with stated operation in an unheated room.

  • Beko lists No Frost and operation down to −15 °C for the B1RFNE314W and RFNE448E55W models, with capacities of 286 L and 404 L respectively.
  • Don’t assume that another Beko model is suitable for a garage. Check its permitted ambient temperature range in the product details or manual.

Related Joybuy products

Products matching this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a chest freezer will fit in my home?

Measure both the space where it will go and the entire delivery route. Allow room for the lid to open and for the ventilation clearance specified in the manual. Don’t go by capacity alone: Whirlpool lists its 437 L WHM4612 chest freezer as 140,5 cm wide and 69,8 cm deep.

Can I put a freezer in an unheated garage?

Yes, if the model’s stated ambient temperature range is suitable for your garage. Some Beko and Whirlpool models are listed as operating down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to other models. Also check the installation clearances specified in the manual.

Should I choose No Frost for an extra freezer?

No Frost is worth considering if you want to reduce the need for manual defrosting. Darty distinguishes between No Frost frost-free cooling and static cooling. Also compare the usable capacity and annual kWh figures of models suited to the same use. This feature alone isn’t enough to choose between two appliances.

What should I check before paying for an extended warranty?

Check what the warranty adds to your rights and which repairs or services it covers. In France, the Ministry of the Economy points out that the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a private individual. An extended warranty offered by the retailer is separate from this statutory guarantee.