To stock up, start by choosing a format based on how much you need to store, how often you’ll access the food and how much space you have. A chest freezer can hold bulky items, while an upright model makes it easier to organise them. An under-counter model is better suited to providing extra capacity; consider a fridge freezer if you also need to replace your fridge. For each appliance, check the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, the permitted ambient temperature and the installation instructions.
If you buy or prepare food in large quantities, compare the usable capacity with the size of your containers. Don’t estimate how much space you need based on household size alone. Que Choisir lists capacity and format among the criteria to consider.
If you freeze prepared meals and take them out regularly, think about how easy it is to organise and access portions, as well as the overall capacity. The E.Leclerc Observatory of New Consumer Habits describes batch cooking as a way of preparing meals.
If the appliance needs to go in a small kitchen or garage, measure the available space and clearance for opening it, then check the permitted ambient temperature and installation instructions in the model’s manual. Que Choisir highlights the importance of format and climate class when choosing a freezer.
Consider it: if you store large quantities or bulky containers and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food stored at the bottom may take more sorting to find.
Consider it: if you often take out portions and want to organise them by category in drawers.
Bear in mind: check the available height, door clearance and drawer dimensions to make sure they’ll fit your containers.
Consider it: if you need extra freezer space and have limited height available.
Bear in mind: it may not have enough capacity for large stocks; follow the installation instructions in the manual.
Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge and want one appliance for fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: the total capacity includes several compartments; compare the freezer capacity separately.
If you’re stocking up, first compare the usable capacity and how easy it is to access your food. If the appliance needs to go in a cold room or a tight space, check its operating temperature range and dimensions too.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity for stocking up | Usable capacity of the freezer compartment and the dimensions of the drawers or chest, taking your usual containers into account. | If I store large food shops or batches, I want to know how much space is actually available for my supplies. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this capacity. |
| Access and food rotation | Number and dimensions of the drawers or baskets, access to food and the clearance needed to open the appliance. | If I take out portions often, I want to find them and rotate my food without having to move everything around. Around 25% of consumers prioritise easy access to portions. |
| Room temperature | Minimum and maximum temperatures in the room, the model’s permitted range and the ventilation instructions in its manual. | If my appliance needs to go in a garage or unheated room, I want to check it’s suitable for the temperatures it may actually be exposed to. Around 19% of consumers prioritise suitability for the room. |
| Space needed | Overall dimensions, delivery access, clearance for the door or lid to open and the clearances specified in the manual. | In a kitchen where space is limited, I want to make sure the appliance can be installed and opened where I plan to put it. Around 13% of consumers prioritise a compact design. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Annual energy consumption in kWh, compared between models that meet the same needs, and the type of cooling listed for the specific model. | If I want to keep track of energy use and reduce manual defrosting, I compare the label and specifications for the exact model. Around 12% of consumers prioritise running costs and maintenance. |
Total capacity combines the fridge and freezer compartments; it doesn’t show how much space is available for frozen food.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres and check that your usual containers will fit.
Bosch states that the SN-T class covers an ambient temperature range of 10 to 43 °C; this does not confirm that the appliance can be used below 10 °C.
Compare the possible temperatures in your room with the permitted range for the exact model, and follow the instructions in its manual. Any special suitability for cold conditions must be stated for the model in question.
The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between a three-star compartment, designed to store food that is already frozen, and a four-star compartment, which can freeze food.
If you prepare batches to freeze, check the star rating and the appliance’s freezing capacity. The Ministry recommends setting the freezer to −18 °C.
The chest, baskets, drawers and cooling system affect how easy the appliance is to access and maintain; these features vary by model.
Measure access routes and opening clearance, read the manual and confirm which services are included before placing your order.
Depending on the services you choose, delivery or installation may require extra planning. Organising the contents and defrosting also take time, depending on the model.
The CFd 2505 Plus is an example of a chest freezer to consider if you’re looking for a large-capacity model.
The B5RFNE315G upright freezer is worth considering if you want to organise food across different levels.
Bosch describes the GTV15NWEB as a freestanding under-counter freezer, worth considering for extra capacity in a limited space.
The WHCF 204 4 is an example of a medium-capacity chest freezer with baskets.
The GBV22NCCPY is worth considering if you also need to replace your fridge.
This selection includes chest and upright freezers, as well as fridge freezers, so you can compare an appliance dedicated to frozen food with one that also replaces your fridge.
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Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want a dedicated compartment for frozen food.
The stated total capacity is 488 L, including 159 L for the freezer. The product specifications list four shelves and two drawers in the freezer compartment, along with a stated freezing capacity of 12 kg/24 h.
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Worth considering if you prefer to organise your supplies in an upright freezer with drawers and trays.
The product specifications state a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, two trays, a No Frost function and a C energy rating. The temperature range given in the title is −14 °C to −22 °C.
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Worth considering if you want to replace your fridge and have a separate compartment for frozen food.
The product specifications state a total capacity of 525 L, including 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer. They also list No Frost and Multi-Airflow for the appliance; the total capacity isn’t the same as the freezer capacity alone.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freezer dedicated to food storage and a top-opening design suits the space available.
The title states a capacity of 140 L and an E energy rating; the product specifications list a storage basket and counterbalanced lid. With a chest freezer, you may need to sort through the contents to find food stored at the bottom.
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Worth considering if you want a chest freezer for storing supplies, with the option to switch between fridge and freezer modes.
The product specifications state a capacity of 291 L, a four-star compartment, interior lighting, a removable basket and a defrost drain. With a chest freezer, you may need to sort through the contents to find food stored at the bottom.
No. Compare the temperatures the room may reach with the permitted range for the exact model. For example, Bosch states a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T, which doesn’t confirm that the appliance can be used below 10 °C. Beko and Liebherr separately state that the models mentioned are suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C. Also follow the ventilation and installation instructions in the manual.
Not necessarily. Check that the appliance can freeze food, rather than only store food that’s already frozen. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between three-star and four-star compartments for this purpose; it recommends setting the freezer to −18 °C.
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until it’s close to its use-by date. It advises defrosting food in the fridge, using the defrost setting on a microwave, or defrosting it quickly through cooking or reheating. It recommends eating defrosted food promptly, within three days at most, and not refreezing it.
Compare the kWh/year figures on the labels of models with enough freezer capacity for your needs. To estimate the difference in annual cost in pounds, multiply the difference in energy use by your own price per kWh. ADEME points out that freezers run continuously; the energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how much storage space is available.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to eligible goods sold by a professional to a private individual. According to the DGCCRF, claims must be made within two years of delivery (guidance dated 3 October 2023). For an old household appliance of the same type, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition’s guidance describes a “one-for-one” take-back service with no minimum sales-area requirement. Ask the seller what arrangements apply to your order; an optional commercial warranty doesn’t replace the legal guarantee.