If you regularly run out of space for frozen food or pre-prepared portions, start by considering how much extra capacity you need and how often you need to get to your food. A chest freezer is suited to storing large quantities, while an upright freezer makes it easier to organise and access food in separate compartments. A small under-counter model can provide a little extra space; if you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a larger fridge freezer with that of a separate appliance. In every case, check where it will go, the permitted room temperature range and the model’s annual energy consumption.
If you often batch-cook or buy food in bulk and have a suitably large room, prioritise usable capacity without forgetting the floor space you’ll need. The Que Choisir guide recommends chest freezers in particular for this type of need.
If you regularly take out portions or different types of frozen food, an upright freezer’s drawers may matter more than having a very large, open storage space.
For a cellar, garage or under-counter space, check the dimensions and required clearances, as well as the permitted room temperature range for the specific model.
How often you need access and how much space you have will help you choose between types. You can then compare models by usable capacity, room temperature range and kWh/year.
Consider it if: you store large quantities and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to reach through the top-opening lid.
Consider it if: you want to find your portions easily in drawers or compartments.
Bear in mind: compartments offer less flexibility than a large open space for bulky packaging.
Consider it if: a compact appliance will provide enough extra capacity.
Bear in mind: its more limited capacity won’t replace a large storage space.
Consider it if: you already need to replace your fridge and also want more space for fresh food.
Bear in mind: you won’t have a separate freezer; check that the freezer compartment alone will be big enough.
| Factor | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity needed | Compare the usable capacity in litres with the amount you need to store, then measure the space and access routes. | If bulk shopping or batch cooking regularly overflows your current compartment, extra storage becomes the priority; around 37% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers or baskets, how the door or lid opens, and how easy it is to reach food at the bottom. | If you often take out portions without moving the rest of the food, I’d prioritise storage that’s easy to browse; this would be the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Suitability for the room | Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures against the range permitted for the model, and check the required clearances too. | In a cellar, garage or narrow space, I need to be able to install and use the appliance in the conditions it’s designed for; around 27% of consumers would put this first. |
| Energy use and appliance choice | Compare the kWh/year and usable capacity of a second appliance with those of a replacement fridge freezer. | If I already need to replace my fridge, I want to know whether a fridge freezer would meet my needs without adding another appliance that runs continuously; around 9% of consumers would put this question first. |
The energy rating helps you assess an appliance’s efficiency; the climate class relates to the room temperatures it’s designed to operate in. As Beko and Bosch explain, this distinction is particularly important in an unheated room.
Check how warm or cold the room can get, then confirm the temperature range listed for the exact model before deciding where to put it.
A large capacity won’t be much use if the freezer won’t fit through the doors or if the lid and bottom are difficult to reach once it’s in place.
Measure access routes and mark out the floor space, allowing room to open the lid and reach the food.
Two appliances won’t necessarily offer the same freezer capacity. ADEME also points out that freezers run continuously, so annual energy consumption matters when choosing a second appliance.
Consider kWh/year, usable capacity and how much storage you actually need together, rather than choosing a larger capacity for occasional use alone.
Worth considering if you plan to install your appliance in an unheated room, but always check the specific model.
Worth considering for a modest amount of extra storage or when installation space is limited.
Upright freezers with different capacities to compare if you prefer vertical access to your food.
These models show a range of ways to make more room for frozen food: chest freezers in different sizes, a small upright freezer, an upright model and a fridge freezer to consider if you also need to replace your fridge. Compare their usable freezer capacity with your needs before choosing.
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Worth considering if you need a chest freezer for larger quantities, provided you have enough space and can reach the food from above.
The title lists a capacity of 291 L, an E energy rating, fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and LED lighting. Check the permitted room temperature range for the intended location, particularly if it’s unheated.
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This chest freezer could suit you if you need a smaller amount of extra storage and are happy to access it from above; its basket doesn’t offer the same organisation as an upright freezer.
The title lists a capacity of 95 L, an E energy rating, fridge and freezer modes, and a removable basket. The mention of garage use doesn’t remove the need to check the permitted room temperature range for this model.
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Worth considering for a modest amount of extra storage if you prefer front access to a chest freezer; check the required clearances before considering an under-counter installation.
The title lists a capacity of 60 L, a reversible door and an E energy rating. The title and description show the compartments differently, so check their exact layout, as well as the climate class and kWh/year.
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Worth comparing if you’re also replacing your fridge, rather than looking for a separate second freezer.
The title lists a total capacity of 282 L and an E energy rating. Check the usable capacity of the freezer compartment separately: the total capacity doesn’t show how much room is available for frozen food.
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This upright model is worth considering if you want more storage while still being able to access different portions regularly.
The title lists a capacity of 161 L, drawers, No Frost and a C energy rating. Check the dimensions, annual energy consumption and permitted room temperature range before choosing where to put it.
Yes, as long as the model’s specified room temperature range covers the temperatures that room can reach. Beko, for example, lists a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN. If your room drops below 10 °C, check that the specific model is explicitly suitable for low temperatures.
No. A chest freezer is well suited to storing large quantities, but you’ll need to allow for its floor space and access from above. If you often take out portions, the drawers in an upright freezer may be more practical for everyday use.
Compare the usable freezer capacity and kWh/year of the models you’re considering, and take into account whether you also need to replace your fridge. A fridge freezer may meet a modest need, but its total capacity includes the fridge section too.
Look at annual energy consumption in kWh alongside usable capacity, rather than focusing only on the energy rating letter. These details help you compare models that can hold the amount of food you want to store.