If your food stocks regularly outgrow the space in your fridge freezer, it may be worth considering a separate freezer. A chest freezer prioritises storage space, while an upright freezer makes it easier to access food stored in drawers. A large fridge freezer is still an option if you’re already replacing your fridge and its freezer compartment is big enough. In every case, check the dimensions, the room temperature and the model’s annual energy consumption.
If you prepare meals in advance or buy in bulk, work out how much space you need for the containers you usually use. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the benefits of a conventional freezer for larger families. How long food stays frozen during a power cut may also matter when you have substantial stocks.
If you want to keep meals, vegetables and purchased products separate, take a look at the drawer layout in an upright freezer. A chest freezer has a less compartmentalised interior, so keeping it organised takes more attention.
A cellar, utility room or garage can accommodate an appliance if its dimensions and the model’s stated ambient temperature range are suitable for that location. A mention of garage use does not remove the need to check this.
First decide whether you need a separate freezer or whether the compartment in a new fridge freezer will be enough. Then assess the available capacity alongside how easily you can access your food and how much room you actually have.
Best for: bulk shopping or large containers, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom may be harder to find than in drawers.
Best for: food stocks you access often and want to organise by category.
Bear in mind: the drawer dimensions may limit the size of the packaging and larger containers you can store.
Worth considering: as an additional freezer when space is limited.
Bear in mind: the 30 to 100 L capacity listed for these formats in UFC-Que Choisir’s guide will generally not be enough on its own for large food stocks.
Worth considering: if you’re replacing your main fridge and want both functions in one place.
Check: only the freezer compartment’s capacity tells you how much room there is for your food stocks.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity for food stocks | Freezer capacity in litres and space for the containers you usually use. | If I freeze large quantities, I want to store my food stocks without relying on the total capacity of a fridge freezer alone; around 33% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Access and storage | Drawer or basket dimensions, and how easy they are to access once the appliance is installed. | When I often take a meal from my freezer, I want to find it without moving everything else; organisation comes before other criteria for around 27% of consumers. |
| Available space | Overall dimensions, the route to the room and clearance to open the door or lid. | If space is tight, I’d rather check that an additional appliance offers enough extra freezer capacity to justify the space it takes up; this is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Installation and keeping food frozen | Permitted ambient temperatures, kWh/year and stated storage time during a power cut. | If the room is unheated or my food stocks are at risk during power cuts, I want a model that suits the location and to know how long it keeps food frozen; around 20% of consumers prioritise these considerations. |
A large storage space is less useful if the lid is difficult to open or food at the bottom is hard to find. UFC-Que Choisir describes chest freezers with capacities of up to 600 L, but this maximum tells you nothing about whether one will suit your room.
Measure the appliance, the route to its location and the space needed to open it. Then consider where you would put the containers you actually use.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Liebherr and Whirlpool state that certain specific models can be used at temperatures down to −15 °C, but this does not apply to all their freezers.
Compare the temperatures in the room with the range stated in the documentation for the model you’re considering.
A freezer runs continuously, as ADEME points out. The rating alone is not enough to compare the annual energy consumption and freezer capacity of two appliances.
Check the kWh/year and freezer capacity together in the product information.
A power cut can have a greater impact when the appliance holds a large share of a household’s food stocks. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses how long food stays frozen during a power cut. Compare this figure model by model.
Look for the stated storage time in hours or a test carried out under comparable conditions. Don’t infer it from the size of the chest or upright freezer.
Worth looking at if you’re considering upright storage or installation in a cold room.
A brand to consider when comparing the layout of an upright freezer with the capacity of a chest freezer.
Worth looking at if you need a chest freezer for family food stocks and are considering using a separate room.
These products let you compare two ways of increasing freezer capacity: adding a chest freezer or choosing a large fridge freezer when replacing your main fridge. Compare the capacity actually available for frozen food and the installation requirements of each model.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge and want both functions in one appliance.
The product name lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Before choosing this fridge freezer for your food stocks, check the capacity of the freezer compartment itself, the dimensions and the ambient temperature range.
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A chest freezer to consider if your priority is dedicated space for large food stocks.
The product name specifies fridge or freezer mode, a removable basket, a five-level temperature control and an E energy rating. Before installing it in a cold room, check the ambient temperature range. If it matters to you, also check how long it keeps food frozen during a power cut.
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Worth comparing as an additional freezer if space is limited. Check that 140 L is enough for your containers and the amount of food you plan to store.
The product name specifies a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Check the dimensions, permitted ambient temperature, kWh/year and storage time during a power cut for your installation.
Check the annual consumption in kWh and the capacity of the compartments, as well as the energy efficiency rating. The European Commission says this information appears on the labels of refrigeration appliances. To compare two formats, consider how their capacity relates to the freezer space you actually need.
Yes, if the model’s stated ambient temperature range covers the temperatures your garage reaches. Liebherr states that the FNe 5207 can be used at temperatures down to −15 °C, as does Whirlpool for the WHM2112. However, these specifications do not automatically apply to other models.
It helps you compare how well different models keep food frozen if your food stocks depend on a single appliance. In its test protocol, UFC-Que Choisir measures the time it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C without power. Check the conditions attached to any stated duration before comparing results.
Don’t assume a freezer will display this index. In its list dated 8 July 2025, the Ministry for Ecological Transition names other product categories but does not mention freezers. For the model you’re considering, check the available information on spare parts and after-sales service.