Who is this choice for?

Households that stock up in bulk

If you freeze large shops or several prepared meals, work out the net capacity you need. Make sure your larger containers will fit and remain easy to reach.

Households that access their food often

If you regularly take out portions or prepared meals, drawers and being able to find each container matter just as much as the stated capacity.

Households with space or location constraints

Whether it’s for a compact kitchen, garage or cellar, first measure the available space and check the room temperature. The design needs to fit the space, and the model’s operating range must cover the ambient temperatures you expect.

Which features should you prioritise?

Chest freezer

Consider it: if you need to store large quantities or bulky containers and have floor space to spare.

Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising and can be harder to reach.

Upright freezer

Consider it: if you open your freezer often and want to organise your food in drawers.

Bear in mind: its height, depth and door clearance need to suit the space.

Table-top or under-counter freezer

Consider it: if you only need a little extra capacity and space is limited.

Bear in mind: the available capacity may quickly become restrictive for larger quantities and containers.

Large fridge freezer

Consider it: if you also need to replace your main fridge and only need a modest increase in freezer capacity.

Bear in mind: freezer capacity varies by model, so the appliance’s total capacity alone isn’t enough to help you choose.

To compare designs, start with what you plan to store, then check the space and the model’s features. Que Choisir highlights the difference between the capacity of chest freezers and the drawer access of upright models. The EU energy label lets you compare the annual energy consumption, capacity and noise level of the appliances you’re considering.

Feature What to check Who is it for?
Storage capacity Compare the net freezer capacity and the space available for larger containers. If you freeze a lot of food at once, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. When I buy in bulk and prepare meals in large quantities, I want to fit the containers in without losing access to my other food. Around 27% of consumers would make capacity their priority.
Access and organisation Check the layout of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food once the appliance is full. If I often take out a portion or prepared meal, I want to find it without moving all my other food. Easy everyday access would be the priority for around 20% of consumers.
Room where it will be installed Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the ambient temperature range supported by the exact model. In my garage or cellar, I need the appliance to work despite temperature fluctuations. Around 20% of consumers would make this compatibility their top priority.
Available space Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to open the door. Then compare the net capacity available. I only need a little extra space and don’t want to clutter the room, even if that means limiting what I can store. For around 13% of consumers, footprint would matter more than capacity.
Everyday running For models with similar capacities, compare the kWh/year and noise in dB(A), then check the model’s defrosting system. As the appliance will be running all the time, I want to consider its energy consumption, noise and maintenance. These factors would be a priority for around 20% of consumers.

What mistakes should you avoid?

  • Putting a standard model in a cold garage without checking its operating range

    According to Beko, climate class SN-T corresponds to an ambient temperature of 10 to 43 °C, so it does not guarantee operation below 10 °C. Suitability for lower temperatures applies only to models that explicitly state this.

    Check the room’s lowest and highest temperatures and compare them with the range listed for the model you’ve chosen, even if the product description mentions a garage.

  • Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone

    Its open interior can accommodate large quantities, but food at the bottom may be hard to find if you open the freezer often.

    If you regularly reach for prepared meals, compare the access offered by an upright freezer with drawers. If you prefer a chest freezer, check its baskets and the space needed to open the lid.

  • Comparing only the letter on the energy label

    A freezer runs continuously. The European Commission says its energy label also shows annual energy consumption, storage capacity and noise emissions.

    Compare the kWh/year and noise levels of appliances with similar capacities, rather than looking at the energy rating in isolation.

  • Relying on an appliance’s total capacity

    Part of a fridge freezer’s capacity is taken up by the fridge compartment. A small freezer, on the other hand, may not have enough room for your usual containers.

    Work out how much space your frozen food takes up and compare it with the net capacity of the freezer compartment, not just the appliance’s overall size or the number of doors.

Brands to consider, model by model

Bosch

The range includes upright freezers worth comparing if compartmentalised storage matters to you.

  • Bosch lists the GSN54EWCV with No Frost, Vario Zone and Big Box features for organising your storage space.
  • These features apply to this specific model. Check the layout, dimensions and specifications of the model you’re interested in.

Beko

The range offers chest, upright and table-top designs to suit your space and installation location.

  • Beko states that some Freezer Guard models, including the HSM14540 chest freezer, are suitable for low temperatures.
  • This suitability doesn’t apply to all Beko freezers. Check the ambient temperature range for the model you choose.

Liebherr

Its chest and upright freezers can be compared for capacity and how you organise your food.

  • Liebherr describes FrostProtect as suitable for an ambient temperature as low as -15 °C on the chest freezers concerned.
  • Check that this feature is included on the model you choose, along with its dimensions and operating range.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a freezer is suitable for my garage or cellar?

The ambient temperature range stated for the model must cover the room’s lowest and highest temperatures. According to Beko, class SN-T corresponds to 10–43 °C, which isn’t enough to establish that an appliance will work below 10 °C. For a colder space, look for an explicit statement that the model you’ve chosen is suitable.

What should I compare on the energy labels of two freezers?

Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level across appliances suited to storing a similar amount of food. The EU energy label displays this information. Also check it against the dimensions and the space you have at home.

Does No Frost mean there’s no maintenance to do?

No Frost relates to defrosting, not the appliance’s overall maintenance. Bosch says the GSN54EWCV doesn’t need manual defrosting, while Liebherr describes SmartFrost and StopFrost as features that limit frost build-up on the models concerned. Check the technology and care instructions for the model you’re considering.