Households stocking up
You buy or prepare food in bulk and need more freezer space for the long term. Your main considerations are capacity and floor space, two criteria highlighted by Que Choisir.
Who is this guide for?
Households taking out portions every day
You want to find different foods quickly and make sure the drawers, door opening and maintenance are all convenient. Que Choisir reminds us that ease of use matters too.
Households with a pantry or garage
You have space outside the kitchen. Compare the actual temperatures in the room with the range the model can handle, especially in winter.
What to compare
Start by choosing a style to suit the amount of food you store and how you access it. The differences between chest, upright, under-counter and fridge-freezer models go beyond capacity.
Upright freezer
Choose this if: you take out portions often and have enough room for the door and drawers to open.
Bear in mind: drawers make it easier to organise food, but their dimensions may limit storage for larger items.
Chest freezer
Choose this if: you’re stocking up on a large amount of food or storing bulky items, and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise food to reach items at the bottom, and the defrosting method varies by model.
Table-top or under-counter freezer
Choose this if: you’re looking for an extra freezer and its capacity is enough for your needs once you’ve checked how much food you store.
Bear in mind: some compact models are designed to be built in; check the dimensions of the space and the installation requirements.
Large-capacity fridge freezer
Choose this if: you also need to replace or upgrade your fridge and want both functions in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity includes both compartments, so it doesn’t tell you the freezer capacity on its own.
For a household in France looking to increase its freezer capacity for the long term, the needs below represent distinct buying priorities.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who prioritises it most |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | List the food you want to store together and compare the usable capacity of the freezer compartment. Don’t confuse it with the total capacity of a fridge freezer. | If I buy food in bulk, I want to know how much frozen food will actually fit in the appliance. Around 25% of consumers concerned make capacity their top priority. |
| Access and storage | Check the layout and dimensions of the drawers or baskets, as well as the exact defrosting method. | If I take out portions often, I want to find and remove food without rummaging through the whole freezer. Around 20% of consumers prioritise easy access to portions. |
| Location | Measure the access route, available height and door clearance. Compare the room temperature with the conditions the model can handle. | If the appliance is going in a pantry or garage, I need to check both its dimensions and the actual room temperature. Around 20% of consumers put suitability for the location first. |
| Everyday use | Compare kWh/year and noise in dB(A), then check whether it needs manual defrosting. | For an appliance that runs all the time, I want to compare electricity use, noise and maintenance before choosing. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these everyday-use factors. |
| Keeping food frozen | Check the stated power-cut storage time or a test of the exact model, but don’t treat it as a guarantee that food will be safe after a power cut. | If a family stockpile needs to last through a power cut, I want to know the stated storage time and how to check the food afterwards. Around 15% of consumers make keeping food frozen their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing a fridge freezer’s total capacity with that of a standalone freezer
The total capacity of a fridge freezer includes the fridge compartment, so it can disguise the fact that the freezer may not have enough space for the food you want to store.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with that of the standalone appliance you’re considering.
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Assuming any cellar or garage is suitable
The permitted temperature range and suitability for cold conditions depend on the specific model. The name of the room won’t tell you whether its temperature is suitable.
Check the room temperature and the limits given in the model’s instructions.
If the location isn’t suitable, you may need to move the appliance or choose another model.
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Assuming less frost means no defrosting
Manufacturers use different technologies. A system that reduces frost doesn’t necessarily eliminate the need to defrost.
Check the cooling technology and care instructions for the exact model.
If defrosting is still required, allow time for this maintenance.
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Treating the stated storage time as a guarantee for every power cut
The stated duration varies between appliances and depends on the conditions under which it was measured. On its own, it doesn’t tell you whether food will still be safe to eat after a breakdown.
Keep the door closed during a power cut, then check the food and follow the food safety guidance for thawed products.
You may have to throw away thawed food if it can’t be stored safely.
Brands to consider
Bosch
The GSN58AWCV is an example of a family-sized upright freezer with drawers.
- Bosch states that this model offers 366 l of usable capacity, No Frost, 38 dB(A) and 13 h of storage time during a power cut.
- At 191 × 70 × 78 cm, it needs a suitable space. These figures are provided by the manufacturer and are not independent measurements.
Liebherr
The CFd 2505 Plus is an example of a large-capacity chest freezer.
- Liebherr states that it has a total capacity of 359 l and features FrostProtect, which the manufacturer says is suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C. SmartFrost is described as reducing the need to defrost.
- At 167 cm wide, it needs plenty of floor space. Reduced defrosting doesn’t mean defrosting is no longer needed.
Beko
The HSM14540 is a mid-capacity chest freezer for home use.
- Beko states that this model has 205 l net capacity, uses 202 kWh/year, produces 36 dB(A) and provides 23 h of storage time during a power cut. It is also stated to be suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Its static cooling and single basket are worth considering if you store lots of small portions.
Electrolux
The LUB3AE88S is a compact built-in freezer to consider as an extra appliance.
- Electrolux states that this model has 98 l net capacity, uses 177 kWh/year, produces 34 dB and provides 12,7 h of storage time during a power cut.
- Its built-in installation and limited capacity don’t automatically make it suitable for a large family stockpile.
Samsung
The RB38T650ESA/EF is an example of a fridge freezer to consider if you also need more fridge space.
- Samsung states that this model has a total capacity of around 385 to 386 l.
- This figure includes both compartments. Check the freezer capacity separately before comparing it with a standalone appliance.
Freezers available on Joybuy
This selection includes an upright freezer with drawers and chest freezers ranging from 95 to 291 l, so you can compare options for extra storage or a family stockpile to suit the space you have available.
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Heinrich´s 161 L upright freezer
This upright freezer could suit you if you want to keep different portions organised separately.
161 L; three freezer drawers and two drawers; No Frost; energy rating C.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR 140 L chest freezer
This chest freezer could suit you if you’re looking for mid-sized storage and would like a basket to help keep things organised.
140 L; energy rating E; basket; counterbalanced lid; dimensions: 637 × 556 × 846 mm.
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AUCMA 291 L convertible chest freezer
With a stated capacity of 291 L, this chest freezer could suit you if you need more storage. You can switch between fridge and freezer modes, but they can’t run at the same time.
Energy rating E; 226 kWh/year; 38 dB; five-level digital control; dimensions: 1100 × 597 × 872 mm.
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AUCMA 95 L convertible chest freezer
This compact model could suit you if 95 L is enough as an extra freezer. You can switch between fridge and freezer modes, but they can’t run at the same time.
Energy rating E; 165 kWh/year; 38 dB; seven-level thermostat; removable basket; dimensions: 550 × 475 × 848 mm.
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AUCMA 197 L convertible chest freezer
This 197 L chest freezer could help you increase your frozen food storage. You can switch between fridge and freezer modes, but they can’t be used at the same time.
197 kWh/year; 38 dB; five-level digital control; removable basket; dimensions: 816 × 554 × 848 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Is a climate class enough to tell you whether a freezer can go in a cellar or cold garage?
No. Compare the ambient temperature range stated for the model with the actual temperatures in the room. Liebherr states that the CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer, and Beko that the HSM14540, are specifically suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C. This doesn’t apply to every model.
What temperature should you set a freezer to for storing food?
The French Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting it to −18 °C. Also check the instructions to distinguish between storing food that is already frozen and freezing fresh food, which depends on the compartment and its specifications.
Do No Frost and frost-reducing systems require the same maintenance?
No. Check the technology and care instructions for the specific model. Bosch states that the GSN58AWCV is No Frost, while Liebherr describes SmartFrost on the CFd 2505 Plus as a technology that reduces the need to defrost.
Can you rely on the stated power-cut storage time alone?
No. The storage time is specific to the model and the conditions under which it was measured. In its testing protocol, Que Choisir measures, among other things, how long it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C without power. After a breakdown, check the food; the French Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing food that has thawed.
How do you compare a fridge freezer’s capacity with that of a standalone freezer?
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the usable capacity of the standalone appliance. A fridge freezer’s total capacity also includes the fridge compartment, so it doesn’t tell you how much room is available for frozen food.