To stock up on frozen food for your family, choose a chest freezer if you have room to organise a large supply in an open space, or an upright freezer if easy access and compartmentalised storage are your priorities. A fridge freezer is a good choice if you also need to replace your fridge and its freezer section will meet your needs; an under-counter model is better suited to extra storage. Whichever type you choose, check the freezer capacity, dimensions, annual energy consumption, power-cut storage time and the recommended ambient temperature range for the room.
If you stock up on bulk buys or pre-prepared meals, compare the usable capacity and the amount of fresh food the appliance can freeze in 24 hours. Also check that you can get the appliance into place and access all your frozen food.
An upright freezer with drawers makes it easy to separate different types of food and find what you need. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking, in particular, that the drawers are easy to use in the space you have chosen.
Your choice depends on the temperatures the room actually reaches in both winter and summer. Compare these with the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model: a chest or upright design alone does not tell you whether it is suitable.
Start with how much you need to store and how you plan to use your freezer, then check that the type you choose will fit its location and meet your requirements.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare freezer capacity in litres, not the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Check the dimensions, delivery access and kg/24 h rating if you regularly freeze fresh food. | I want to store bulk buys without choosing an appliance I can’t get into place. UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers can hold up to 600 L and the largest upright freezers around 400 L; these figures are only a guide, so check the capacity of the model you’re considering. |
| Access | Look at the drawers, compartments or open space in a chest freezer. Make sure there’s enough room to open the door or lid and take food out. | If I often take out individual portions, I’d prefer to keep them separate and find them without moving other food around. For bulky items, I might prefer the open space in a chest freezer, as long as I can keep it organised. |
| Location | Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the ambient temperature range for the exact model. Suitability for low temperatures must be clearly stated. | I might keep my freezer in an unheated garage or utility room, so I need to know whether it’s designed for the temperatures there. For example, Bosch gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN and 10 to 43 °C for SN-T. |
| Electricity | Check the kWh/year figure on the energy label alongside the capacity and type of appliance. Ideally, compare appliances that meet similar storage needs. | My freezer will be running all the time, so annual energy consumption matters to me. ADEME points out that refrigeration appliances run continuously; its indicative average doesn’t predict the kWh/year for a specific model. |
| Power cuts | Check the model’s stated storage time and distinguish it from a test result. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir measures how long food stays below −9 °C during a simulated power cut. | I store a lot of food and want to know how long the appliance is stated to keep it cold. |
A large chest freezer has room for bulky items, but food at the bottom can be harder to reach than in the drawers of an upright freezer.
Think about how you’ll organise food into different categories, then measure the space you’ll need to open the lid or door and get things out.
The climate class refers to the room temperature, not the temperature set inside the freezer. Installing an appliance outside its recommended range can affect how it works.
Compare the room’s temperature extremes with the specifications for the exact model. If the room gets very cold, look for an explicit statement from the manufacturer that the appliance is suitable for low temperatures.
A freezer runs continuously, and a power cut can put your food at risk. The energy rating letter alone doesn’t tell you its annual energy consumption or how long it will keep food cold.
Check the model’s kWh/year figure on its label and its stated storage time during a power cut. Compare these figures between appliances with a capacity that suits your needs.
A feature designed to reduce frost doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much space is available, how easy it is to access food or whether the appliance is suitable for the room where you plan to install it.
Consider it as one factor in upkeep, then check the capacity, storage layout and ambient temperature range separately.
These models show how different types of freezer compare; their features don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
The CFe 2500 Pure is an example of a chest freezer designed for larger stores of frozen food.
The RFNE448E35W is an example of a large upright freezer for organising food across separate compartments.
The GTV15NWEB is an example of an under-counter freezer for extra storage in a small space.
The WHK25364W4E is an example of a fridge freezer to consider if you also need to replace your fridge.
This selection includes fridge freezers with an integrated freezer section, a small chest freezer and a separate upright freezer. If you’re stocking up for the family, focus on the space available for frozen food: a fridge freezer’s total capacity isn’t the same as its freezer capacity.
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Worth considering if you want fridge and freezer storage in one three-door appliance. The model name gives a total capacity of 360 L and Total No Frost; to work out how much frozen food you can store, check the freezer section’s capacity. Check the ambient temperature range before installing it in an unheated room.
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This Low Frost fridge freezer is a good option if you’re looking for a fridge with an integrated freezer, rather than a large dedicated freezer. Its name gives a total capacity of 262 L and a width of 54 cm; check that the freezer section has enough room for your shopping. The stated ambient temperature range for this model is 16 to 38 °C, so compare it with the temperatures in your chosen room.
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This separate 99 L chest freezer is better suited to extra storage than to regular, large family shops. Its removable basket can help keep smaller items within easy reach; check that you’ll be able to open the lid in your chosen location. If you plan to keep it in a cellar or garage, check the model’s ambient temperature range.
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This separate 161 L upright freezer is worth considering if you’d rather organise your frozen food in compartments than store it in a chest freezer. The product name lists No Frost and an energy rating of C. Measure the space and check the model’s annual energy consumption, power-cut storage time and ambient temperature range; an adjustable internal temperature doesn’t tell you what room temperature the appliance can handle.
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This TwinTech No Frost built-in fridge freezer is designed for an integrated kitchen where freezer space is a secondary consideration. The 249 L in its name is the total capacity of the appliance, not the freezer section alone. Check the freezer capacity, niche dimensions and sliding door system compatibility before choosing.
Yes, as long as the ambient temperature range specified for the model covers the temperatures the garage actually reaches. Check the room’s temperature extremes and consult the product specifications or manual: Bosch says climate class SN starts at 10 °C, while some models, such as the Liebherr CFe 2500 Pure, are specifically stated to work down to −15 °C. Don’t assume this feature applies to other appliances.
An upright freezer with drawers generally makes it easier to separate food and access different categories. A chest freezer provides convenient open space for bulky items, but you’ll need to organise what’s at the bottom. Whichever type you choose, check that you’ll be able to use the door, lid and compartments once the appliance is in place.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh with the freezer capacity and type of appliance you’re considering; don’t rely on the energy rating letter alone. The French Ministry of the Economy says that labels on relevant new appliances include details such as the model reference, energy rating and kWh/year. These figures help you compare models that meet your needs.
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop and get it back into the freezer as soon as possible, as recommended by Anses. Make sure you have enough accessible space in your freezer before you leave home. According to Anses, freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria multiplying, but doesn’t destroy most microorganisms.