If you only need more room for frozen food, start by choosing a standalone freezer that suits the space you have: a chest freezer for bulkier supplies, an upright model for easier access, or a compact option if space is limited. Consider a large fridge-freezer instead if you also need to replace your fridge. In every case, check the dimensions, the room temperature and the amount of space you’ll actually have for freezing.
If you buy in bulk, batch-cook or store large items, a chest freezer could be a good fit if you have enough floor space in a utility room or cellar. Before choosing a spot, check that the model’s climate class is suitable for the room temperature.
An upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to sort and reach the food you use regularly. It’s worth considering if you’d rather find what you need without rummaging at the bottom of a chest freezer, provided you have enough room to open the door fully.
A compact model may be enough if you only need a little extra storage. If you’re planning to put it under a worktop, measure the space and check that the model is designed for this type of installation, with the required ventilation clearances.
First decide whether you only need more room for frozen food or whether you also need to replace your fridge. Then compare the formats that suit your home, along with their capacity and how easy they are to access.
| Criterion | What to check | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Location and temperature | Measure the access route, the space needed to open the appliance and the ventilation clearances. Compare the room temperature with the model’s climate class. | In a cellar, utility room or small kitchen, I need to be able to install and use the appliance within its specified temperature range. Around 33% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Access to food | Check the size of an upright freezer’s drawers, or how easy it is to reach the bottom of a chest freezer and its baskets. | If I often take food out of the freezer, I want to find it without moving my whole stock around; easy access and organisation come first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Storage capacity | Compare the net freezer capacity, the stated storage time in the event of a power cut and the kWh/year figures for models that meet your needs. | To store bulk purchases or batch-cooked food, I need enough space without overlooking how long food will stay frozen during a power cut. This is the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Standalone appliance or fridge-freezer | If you’re also replacing your fridge, distinguish the freezer capacity from the fridge-freezer’s total capacity and check its overall dimensions. | If my fridge has also become too small, I’d rather look at replacing both functions with one appliance; around 13% of consumers prefer this option. |
A chest freezer needs floor space and enough room above it to open the lid. A generous capacity won’t make it practical if you can’t open it properly.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearances specified in the manual before comparing capacities.
The temperature in an unheated room may fall outside the operating range specified for a freezer. A chest design alone doesn’t guarantee that it will work in a cold environment.
Check the possible temperatures in the room throughout the year and compare them with the appliance’s exact climate class.
Appliances designed for different storage needs can’t be compared on their energy rating alone. ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously.
Also check the kWh/year figure for each model and choose a capacity you’ll actually use.
No Frost reduces the need for manual defrosting, but Que Choisir notes that some fan-assisted models may be noisier than static-cooling models.
If the appliance will be near a living area, compare its stated noise level as well as its maintenance requirements.
Its chest and upright ranges let you explore two ways to organise your frozen food storage.
Its chest freezers may appeal to households considering an unheated room, as long as you check the exact model.
Its large fridge-freezers are worth considering when you need to rethink both your fridge and freezer space.
This selection includes chest freezers for extra storage, a small upright freezer for occasional use and a fridge-freezer to consider if you also need to replace your fridge. For each model, make sure the location and freezer capacity suit the way you’ll use it.
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Worth considering for extra storage if you have enough room for a chest freezer and to open its lid.
If you’re planning to put it in a cellar or another unheated room, check the climate class. Also check the storage time in the event of a power cut if it’s important to you.
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Worth considering if you want to replace your fridge as well, rather than simply add more freezer storage.
Compare the freezer capacity with your actual needs, then measure the access route and the space needed to open the doors.
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This chest freezer could provide extra storage if you have enough floor space and room to open the lid.
Check the climate class for your chosen location and the freezing capacity if you often add large quantities of fresh food.
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Worth considering for compact extra storage with drawers, rather than for storing large quantities of food bought in bulk.
Measure the space and required clearances: its compact size doesn’t mean it can be installed under any worktop.
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Consider this extra chest freezer if you want dedicated storage and can easily reach its lid.
Before regularly freezing fresh food in it, check the freezing capacity and the instructions in the manual. Also check the climate class for your chosen location.
Yes, if the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the temperature in the room. Que Choisir gives 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 16 to 32 °C for class N. Check the class shown on the appliance or in its manual, as a chest freezer isn’t automatically suitable for a cold room.
Follow the instructions for your model on when to plug it in and how to install it. In its installation instructions for the appliances concerned, Electrolux advises waiting at least four hours before plugging the appliance in and leaving space for air to circulate around it. The instructions for your freezer take precedence.
Compare their kWh/year figures, taking into account the freezer capacity you need, rather than looking only at their energy classes. As ADEME points out, a freezer runs continuously, so it’s worth checking the stated annual energy consumption for each model.
Check that the model is designed to freeze fresh food, and look at its freezing capacity and loading instructions. A generous storage capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much fresh food you can add at once.
Put it away once the freezer has been set up according to its manual, keeping the cold chain intact during transport. The DGCCRF reminds consumers to follow the maximum storage temperatures shown on the packaging of pre-packed food.