Households that cook and freeze in batches
If you prepare meals in advance, buy in bulk or store seasonal produce, start by looking at freezer capacity and the space you’ll need for containers or larger items.
Who is this choice for?
The amount you need to store isn’t the only factor: how often you access your food and the space available also affect which type is right for you.
Households that want to find food quickly
If you often dip into your freezer, drawers or shelves can make it easier to organise food by category. Check that you’ll have room to open and remove them where you plan to put the appliance.
People with limited space or an unheated room
For a small kitchen, under-counter space, cellar or garage, measure the available space and check the ventilation requirements. If the room is unheated, also compare its usual temperatures with the range the model can operate in.
How do the different types compare?
To add to your fridge, start with your main need: storing more batches, getting to food easily, finding a suitable spot or replacing your fridge as well.
Chest freezer
Consider it: for bulk shopping or larger items, if you have enough suitable floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is less easy to reach, and you’ll need enough room to open the lid fully.
Upright freezer
Consider it: if you take food out often and want to organise it across drawers or shelves.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to leave space in front of the door and check that the compartments are large enough for your containers.
Under-counter freezer
Consider it: for a small amount of extra storage when your kitchen has limited space.
Bear in mind: its limited capacity won’t be as well suited to regular bulk shopping.
Large fridge freezer
Consider it: if your fridge also needs replacing and you’d like both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately. The fridge freezer’s total capacity won’t tell you how much frozen food it can hold.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity for batches | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres with the space available for your containers. | I freeze meals and bulk buys, so I need enough room to store them without blocking access to other food. Around 36% of consumers prioritise having this extra capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the layout of the drawers or shelves and the space needed to use them. | I open the freezer often and want to find food quickly among several categories. Easy, organised access is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Where it will go | Measure the appliance and the clearance needed around it; compare the room temperature with the range the model can operate in. | If it’s going under a worktop or in an unheated room, I first need to make sure I can install and use it in the right conditions. This compatibility comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Choosing an appliance | If your fridge needs replacing, compare the freezer capacity of a fridge freezer with that of a separate appliance, as well as their kWh/year figures. | My fridge needs replacing too, so I want to know whether a fridge freezer will hold all my frozen food without needing a second appliance. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this decision. |
When comparing two models, the energy label shows details including storage volume, annual energy consumption and noise level, as the European Commission points out. Compare kWh/year with the capacity and usage you have in mind, rather than choosing by energy rating alone. Also check the defrosting system and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut if these matter to you.
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers can hold up to 600 l, depending on the model. However, this tells you nothing about the floor space you have at home or how easy it is to reach food at the bottom.
Measure the floor space and the clearance needed for the lid, then compare access with an upright freezer if you open it often.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage
The permitted ambient temperature range varies by model. A feature designed for cold rooms on some models won’t necessarily apply to other appliances in the same range.
Check the room’s usual temperatures, the climate class and any specific guidance in the manual for the model you choose.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
Two appliances with the same rating can have different capacities. As a freezer runs continuously, it’s worth considering its annual energy consumption alongside the capacity you actually need.
Check the kWh/year figure, capacity in litres and noise level together on the energy label, then compare appliances suited to the same use.
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Assuming every model in a range has the same features
No Frost, LowFrost and performance during a power cut vary by model. A general brand overview doesn’t mean the appliance you’re considering has these features.
Check the full model number, defrosting system and stated storage time for that specific model before choosing.
Brands to know when comparing freezer types
These ranges offer useful comparisons across chest, upright and compact freezers. The features mentioned apply only to the specific models concerned.
Liebherr
The range includes chest freezers, freestanding models and built-in freezers.
- Liebherr states that its CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer has a capacity of 497 l and FrostProtect down to −15 °C.
- If you’re installing it in a cold room, check this suitability for the specific model rather than assuming it applies to the whole range.
Bosch
The range of upright freezers is worth considering if you prefer vertical storage.
- Bosch offers models with drawers and No Frost technology.
- Check each appliance’s product details for the number of compartments, capacity and whether it actually has this feature.
Beko
The chest freezer range includes a variety of capacities, as well as some models designed for colder locations.
- Beko lists Freezer Guard down to −15 °C on certain specified models.
- This doesn’t apply to all its chest freezers: check the model’s manual against the temperature of the room where you plan to put it.
Electrolux
The range includes built-in freezers to consider when you need an appliance to fit into a cabinet space.
- Electrolux offers built-in models with LowFrost or No Frost, depending on the model.
- Measure the cabinet space and follow the ventilation requirements in the manual. Also check which defrosting feature the model you choose has.
Freezers to consider on Joybuy
These appliances show three ways to add freezer storage: a compact upright model, an upright freezer and chest freezers with different capacities. If you’re also thinking of replacing your fridge, compare fridge freezers separately by the capacity of their freezer compartment.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 l upright freezer
Worth considering for a little extra storage when space is limited, rather than for large bulk buys.
The product title lists three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions and clearance needed before installing it under a worktop, as well as the permitted ambient temperature range if the room is unheated.
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Heinrich´s, 161 l No Frost upright freezer
Consider it if you want to organise extra food in compartments and access it regularly.
The product title lists No Frost, a reversible door hinge and a C energy rating. Before choosing this upright freezer, measure the space needed to open the door and check the exact layout of the compartments.
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AUCMA, 291 l convertible chest freezer
Worth considering for storing batches if you have enough floor space and are happy to access your food from above.
The product title lists fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions, lid clearance and ambient temperature range. A mention of a garage in a product title alone isn’t enough to confirm that it’s suitable for an unheated room.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 l chest freezer
Consider it for extra chest freezer storage if you don’t regularly need to store large batches.
The product title lists a removable basket, adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Check the space needed to open the lid, the defrosting system and the permitted temperature range for the intended location.
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AUCMA, 95 l convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want a small amount of extra storage in a chest freezer that can also be used as a fridge.
The product title lists a seven-level thermostat, a removable basket and an E energy rating. Consider whether its 95 l capacity suits the amount you freeze, and check the ambient temperature range before planning to install it in a cellar or garage.
Frequently asked questions
Which figures should I compare on a freezer’s energy label?
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level, as well as the energy rating. The European Commission says these details appear on the label. To choose based on how you’ll use it, compare appliances with a similar type and capacity.
Can a freezer run in an unheated garage?
Yes, if the model’s permitted ambient temperature range covers the temperatures in your garage. Some brands say that certain models can operate down to −15 °C, but check this in the manual for the specific appliance you’re considering.
Do I need to leave space around a freezer?
Yes, follow the ventilation clearances set out in the installation instructions. Also leave enough room to open the door or lid fully and, for an upright freezer, to remove the drawers.
What should I do with an old freezer I’m replacing in France?
Take it to a collection point for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The French Ministry for Ecological Transition says that a collection and treatment scheme for household appliances operates in France. Ask the retailer or your local authority about the options available to you.