If you regularly take out individual portions, start by comparing upright freezers with drawers. For bulkier items, a chest freezer may be a good option if you have enough floor space. A compact freezer can meet a limited need for extra storage, while a large fridge-freezer makes most sense if you also need to replace your fridge. For a cellar or cold garage, check the permitted ambient temperature for the exact model: its climate class alone does not confirm that it can be used in a room that falls below freezing.
If you regularly take out individual portions, compare how easy the drawers are to access and how much space is actually available for frozen food. Que Choisir Ensemble points out that ease of use matters just as much as the stated capacity.
If you want to store bulk buys or home-grown produce, consider the usable capacity, how flexibly it can be arranged and how much floor space it takes up. Que Choisir Ensemble lists capacity and layout among the factors to consider.
If the appliance needs to fit into a small space or work in a cellar or garage, check its dimensions, how it opens and the permitted ambient temperatures for that specific model.
Start with what matters most in your day-to-day use, then check each model’s dimensions and features against the space you have in mind.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Layout and ease of use of the drawers or baskets; usable frozen-food capacity. | If I prepare meals in advance and often take out small portions, I prioritise storage that’s easy to look through. Around 25% of consumers prioritise access to individual portions. |
| Storage capacity | Usable litres, external dimensions, space needed to open the lid and whether baskets are included. | When I store bulk buys or home-grown produce, I check both the capacity and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. Around 25% of consumers prioritise ample storage. |
| Space required | The appliance’s height, width and depth, as well as the space needed to open it. | If space is limited, I measure the room before choosing rather than simply opting for the largest capacity. Around 19% of consumers prioritise a compact design. |
| Cold room | The room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, and the limits specified for the exact model. | If I’m installing the appliance in an unheated cellar or garage, I check that it’s designed for the temperatures it will actually encounter. Around 19% of consumers prioritise suitability for a cold room. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Annual consumption in kWh, the associated capacity and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If I want to compare long-term running costs and how long food will stay frozen during a power cut, I look at these two figures separately. Around 12% of consumers prioritise energy use and power cuts. |
Total capacity combines compartments with different uses, so it doesn’t tell you how much extra freezer space you’ll have.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment, which is listed separately on the energy label or in the model specifications.
The climate class alone doesn’t confirm that an appliance can cope with sub-zero temperatures. Any additional cold-weather suitability must be specified for the exact model.
Compare the room’s seasonal temperatures with the model’s limits. Beko’s French website gives conflicting minimum temperatures for the Beko B5RCNE416HXB, so ask for clarification before choosing it for a cold garage.
An open space can hold food in a range of shapes, but finding small portions at the bottom takes some organisation. A chest freezer also uses up floor space.
Check whether baskets are included, the available width and the clearance above the lid. If you often take out small portions, compare models with drawers too.
A freezer runs continuously. Its energy rating and annual consumption are shown on the label, but consumption alone doesn’t tell you what it will cost to run in your home.
Compare the kWh/year and usable frozen-food capacity of the models you’re considering, taking your own electricity tariff into account.
Bosch upright freezers are worth considering if you’re looking for compartmentalised storage. The GSN51AWDV is one specific model, not a description of every Bosch upright freezer.
The HSM29540 chest freezer is an example of a separate storage option. The B5RCNE416HXB addresses a different decision: whether you also need to replace your fridge.
The Fe 1003 Pure is a table-top model designed to provide a modest amount of extra storage.
The WHM251122 is an example of a chest freezer to consider if capacity and stated storage time during a power cut matter to you.
This selection includes upright and chest freezers to give your household extra storage, with a range of capacities and storage layouts.
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Drawers and shelves make it easier to separate portions and keep them organised.
Stated capacity: 161 L; three drawers and two shelves. The title specifies a reversible door and a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C. This appliance isn’t designed to be built in.
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The basket is a handy way to organise food in a chest freezer.
Stated capacity: 140 L; storage basket and energy class E. The title specifies a counterbalanced lid, while the product description also mentions wheels and a front water drain.
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Its stated capacity is suited to households looking to add substantial storage. Check that you have enough room before choosing a chest freezer.
The product description lists a removable basket, stated annual consumption of 226 kWh and dimensions of 1 100 × 597 × 872 mm. Leave at least 10 cm of clearance around the appliance for ventilation.
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The removable basket helps you organise the space inside this chest freezer.
The product description lists a capacity of 197 L, stated annual consumption of 197 kWh and dimensions of 816 × 554 × 848 mm. Leave at least 10 cm of clearance around the appliance for ventilation.
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Its 99 L capacity makes it a more modest option for extra storage than a large chest freezer.
The title specifies a removable basket and energy class E. The product description states a freezing capacity of 4,5 kg/24 h and mentions a sliding lid.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment, not just the total capacity. The European Commission lists compartment capacities separately on the energy label. According to Beko France, the B5RCNE416HXB offers 118 L of freezer space out of 415 L in total.
Not on the basis of this climate class alone: it doesn’t confirm that the appliance will work at sub-zero temperatures. Check the limits for the exact model. Beko France states that the HSM29540 chest freezer can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C. Also take the room’s summer temperatures into account.
No, not for freezing fresh food. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between a freezer compartment, which is intended for temporarily storing products that have already been frozen, and a freezer that can freeze food. It states that a four-star compartment can freeze food. If you’re adding fresh food, check the model’s freezing capacity too.
No. The stated storage time is one feature to compare, but it doesn’t on its own determine whether food is safe to eat after a break in the cold chain. Follow the Ministry of Agriculture’s food safety advice, including its guidance not to refreeze food that has thawed.
Compare the kWh/year shown on the energy label with each appliance’s usable frozen-food capacity. The energy class and annual consumption are two factors to consider; the cost also depends on your household’s electricity tariff.