Add a separate freezer when the real shortfall is frozen-food storage: a chest freezer is ideal for sizeable reserves, while an upright freezer makes sorting and everyday access easier with drawers. A large fridge freezer is mainly worthwhile if you are replacing your existing appliance too; before buying, compare frozen-food capacity, dimensions, climate class, kWh/year and stated holdover time.
If you need to find portions, prepared meals and ingredients by category quickly, an upright freezer with drawers is generally more practical than a chest freezer when frequent access and organisation are priorities, according to Que Choisir.
A chest freezer is better suited to storing large quantities such as boxes, large bags or substantial reserves, provided you have enough space on the floor in a utility room, cellar or similar area.
First check the width, depth, clearance around the appliance and the room temperature. A vertical format or a small supplementary solution may be more realistic than a large chest freezer.
Start with the capacity you are genuinely missing, then choose the format based on how often you access your food and the conditions in the room where the appliance will be installed.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Additional capacity | Compare the frozen-food compartment capacity, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. A chest freezer can hold up to 600 L according to Que Choisir; upright models are often around 200 L and can reach 400 L. | I want to know how many portions, bags or bulk items I genuinely need to add to my reserves. A small supplementary appliance may be enough if the shortfall is only occasional. |
| Access and storage | Look at the number, size and ease of use of the drawers. For a chest freezer, check the baskets available and plan a system for organising and rotating your stock. | If I regularly need to find prepared meals, I prefer separate compartments. If I mainly store large bags or parcels, an open chest may be more suitable. |
| Space and installation room | Measure the width, depth, height, delivery routes and the space needed to fully open the lid or door. Check the climate class or the ambient temperatures permitted for the model. | I need to be able to install the appliance without obstructing movement around the room. For a garage, cellar or cold utility room, I check that the operating conditions match the space. |
| Energy consumption and temperature retention | For models of a similar size and intended use, compare kWh/year, frozen-food capacity and noise levels. Also check the stated holdover time in the event of a power cut and how it was measured. | I want to compare clear long-term information rather than relying solely on an energy-efficiency letter. The EU energy label includes annual consumption, capacities and noise levels, among other details. |
Capacity does not tell you whether your food will remain easy to access. A chest freezer prioritises an open, flexible storage space, while an upright freezer prioritises drawers; a large but poorly organised appliance can become impractical for everyday use.
Make a list of the foods you usually store and how often you access them. For portions you need to find every day, look for easy-to-handle drawers; for large quantities, check the baskets and plan to use labels.
The room temperature is part of the operating conditions. An appliance that is not suitable for the room’s minimum or maximum temperatures may not be appropriate for your planned installation.
Record realistic room temperatures in winter and summer, then check the climate class or temperature limits stated on the product page and in the manual for the exact model.
The energy-efficiency letter alone does not show the balance between capacity, annual consumption and noise. The European Commission states that the label also provides this information for the appliances concerned.
Compare kWh/year, frozen-food compartment capacity and noise levels between appliances of a similar format and capacity, then consult the EPREL product database via the QR code where available.
According to Que Choisir, a chest freezer is commonly around 110 to 140 cm wide and 70 cm deep. A large upright freezer can also be deep: getting the appliance into the room does not guarantee comfortable use.
Measure the installation area, access routes, the space needed to fully open the lid or door and the clearances specified in the manual before ordering.
Worth considering for a chest freezer intended for a cold room: the French product sheet for the HSM14540 describes a static-cooling chest freezer with MinFrost technology and a minimum operating ambient temperature of -15 °C.
The brand offers NoFrost upright freezers and chest freezers with features designed for unheated rooms. The FNd 7227 is a 363 L NoFrost upright freezer according to its official product sheet.
Haier lets you compare a range of capacities in both formats: the French selection reviewed includes upright freezers with drawers and chest freezers in very different sizes.
Worth considering for a large, well-organised upright freezer: the French product sheet for the WHFF 6403 W4E states 404 L, six drawers, No Frost fan cooling, 292 kWh/year and 11 hours of holdover time.
Joybuy options for increasing your family’s freezer space, including chest freezers for bulk reserves, a drawer freezer for everyday organisation and a compact supplementary model.
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Suitable for bulk shopping and family reserves when you have enough floor space.
291 L capacity, top opening, removable basket, LED lighting, five-level digital control and stated consumption of 226 kWh/year. Stated dimensions: 1100 × 597 × 872 mm.
For a garage or cold cellar, check the climate class or ambient temperature range, as well as the holdover time in the event of a power cut. With only one basket specified, plan a category-based storage system.
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An organised option for separating portions and foods you access frequently.
Stated capacity of 161 L, three drawers, two shelves, No Frost protection, LED display, alarm, reversible door and a stated temperature range of -14 °C to -22 °C.
Check the dimensions, door-opening clearances, kWh/year, holdover time in the event of a power cut and room-temperature conditions before installation.
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Could suit a moderate family reserve containing bulky items.
141 L capacity, stated four-star freezing, removable basket, seven-level thermostat, defrost drain and stated annual consumption of 179 kWh/year. Stated dimensions: 632 × 554 × 848 mm.
Check the ambient temperature range and the model’s holdover time before installing it in a garage or cellar. The chest format requires regular rotation of stored food.
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A supplementary solution when you occasionally or moderately need more freezer space.
95 L capacity, stated four-star freezing, removable basket, seven-level thermostat, adjustable feet, defrost drain and stated annual consumption of 165 kWh/year. Stated dimensions: 550 × 475 × 848 mm.
Assess the volume of food you need to add if you regularly make large family shops. Also check compatibility with the room temperature and the model’s holdover time.
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An intermediate capacity for adding separate storage without opting for a large chest freezer.
Stated capacity of 140 L, storage basket, counterbalanced lid, castors, adjustable feet, mechanical controls and front defrost drain. Stated dimensions: 637 × 556 × 846 mm.
Before buying, check kWh/year, noise, holdover time in the event of a power cut and the room-temperature conditions. The basket makes some of the contents easier to reach, but an organised storage system is still useful.
Yes, when it addresses a distinct shortage of frozen-food storage. According to Que Choisir, separate freezers remain useful for large families thanks to their greater capacity; with a fridge freezer, compare the capacity of the frozen-food compartment rather than the appliance’s total capacity.
No. Check the climate class or the minimum and maximum ambient temperatures permitted for the exact model. Que Choisir points out that this class indicates the temperatures in the room where the appliance is installed; the Beko HSM14540, for example, states a minimum operating ambient temperature of -15 °C.
For the relevant household refrigeration appliances, the A to G label shows the annual consumption in kWh, storage capacities, noise level and a QR code linking to EPREL, among other details. Focus on comparing kWh/year, frozen-food capacity and noise levels between appliances of a similar size and type.
It is a useful criterion, but check the measurement basis and the figure published for the exact model. Que Choisir’s procedure simulates a power cut and measures how long food remains preserved below -9 °C; a manufacturer’s product sheet may state holdover time using a different method. Do not assume that a chest freezer automatically lasts longer than an upright freezer without comparable data.