Choose an upright freezer if you regularly access sorted foods and mainly have vertical space; a chest freezer is better suited to a large stockpile when you have sufficient floor space in a suitable room. Consider a large fridge freezer if you are replacing the fridge as well, but compare freezer capacity, dimensions, power-cut storage time and kWh/year separately.
You are running out of space in your fridge freezer and regularly store prepared meals, multipack purchases or bulky food. Your choice should first depend on the capacity you need and how often you access the food.
You mainly have vertical space and want to separate food by drawer or category so you can find it quickly. An upright freezer is better suited to this use when daily access matters.
You have enough floor space for a chest freezer and are looking for substantial storage. Check the climate class and permitted temperature range for the intended room before installation.
Best for: sorting food by category and finding it easily in a vertical format.
Bear in mind: capacity is often lower than with a chest freezer, and you need to measure the space required to open the door.
Best for: a substantial family stockpile, bulk purchases or bulky packaging.
Bear in mind: it requires more floor space, and food at the bottom is less immediately accessible.
Best for: replacing the fridge as well while keeping both functions together in the kitchen.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity does not necessarily mean the freezer compartment will be sufficient for a substantial stockpile.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable capacity of the freezer compartment in litres. Check that the format you choose suits bulk purchases and bulky food. | I want to add substantial storage without overcrowding my home with an unnecessarily large appliance. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the drawers, shelves, baskets and adjustable areas. Also check how easy it is to remove food stored at the bottom. | I want to find frequently used products quickly and avoid food being forgotten. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width, depth, delivery route and door opening. Compare the climate class with the temperatures in the room. | My appliance must fit in the intended kitchen, utility room or garage and operate there in suitable conditions. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Compare kWh/year, the A to G rating, noise level and storage time in hours. The European Commission states that this information appears on the energy label for refrigeration appliances. | I want to assess long-term running costs and know how long food will remain frozen in the event of a breakdown. |
A high usable capacity does not make up for an impossible installation or a door that cannot open properly. UFC-Que Choisir points out that chest freezers take up considerable floor width, while a large fridge freezer can also be more than 70 cm wide.
Measure the width, depth, height, delivery access and door-opening clearance before comparing litres. Check the unpackaged dimensions on the specifications for the exact model.
Compatibility with a cold room depends on the climate class or on the manufacturer explicitly stating that the appliance is suitable. It cannot be inferred from whether the appliance is a chest or upright freezer.
Check the minimum and maximum temperatures specified for the model, then compare them with the actual conditions in the cellar or garage, both in winter and summer.
The European energy label also shows annual energy consumption, storage volumes and noise level. Two appliances with different capacities will not necessarily meet the same storage needs.
Compare the A to G rating with kWh/year, actual freezer capacity, noise and dimensions, using appliances of similar capacity and category.
This figure shows how long food remains frozen without a power supply; the value varies between models.
Look for the storage time in hours in the technical specifications and choose a duration that suits your exposure to power cuts and the amount of food stored.
Worth considering for a freestanding upright freezer focused on vertical storage and organised access. The GSN29EWEV is an example of a model offering 200 L of usable capacity.
Worth considering for a chest freezer intended for substantial storage, particularly in a room whose conditions match the technical specifications.
Consider it if you are also replacing the fridge and want a large fridge freezer rather than a dedicated freezer.
Joybuy options covering family storage in a chest freezer, vertical storage in an upright freezer, and the simultaneous replacement of a fridge and its freezer compartment.
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A chest freezer designed to provide substantial family storage, with a removable basket for everyday products.
291 L; 1100 × 597 × 872 mm; E rating; 226 kWh/year; LED lighting; five-level digital control; defrost drain.
Check the climate class, ambient temperature range and storage time during a power cut before installing it in a garage or cellar.
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Worth considering if you are replacing your fridge while keeping integrated frozen-food storage in a narrow kitchen.
187 L fridge and 75 L freezer; 54 cm wide; 176 cm high; Low Frost; 215 kWh/year; stated storage time of 10 h; three freezer drawers.
The 75 L freezer compartment is better suited to a limited stockpile than very substantial family storage. The stated ambient temperature range is 16 to 38 °C.
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A vertical format for separating food by category when frequent access and organised storage are the priorities.
161 L; three drawers; two shelves; No Frost; Fast Freeze; LED display; alarm; reversible door; temperature adjustment from −14 °C to −22 °C; C rating.
Before buying, confirm the dimensions, climate class and storage time during a power cut for the intended room.
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Additional storage for a smaller space, with a basket for smaller products you use frequently.
140 L; 637 × 556 × 846 mm; E rating; storage basket; lid that stays open; adjustable thermostat; wheels; adjustable feet; front drainage.
With 140 L of capacity, this chest freezer is better suited to supplementary storage. Check its ambient temperature range and storage time before using it outside the kitchen.
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A compact solution if the fridge also needs replacing and a small amount of frozen-food storage is sufficient.
153 L fridge and 74 L freezer; 54 cm wide; Low Frost; four-star freezer; reversible door; adjustable feet; E rating.
The 74 L freezer capacity may be limited for a large family stockpile. Check the full dimensions, storage time and climate class.
Choose a chest freezer if maximum storage and floor space are your priorities; choose an upright freezer if you open the appliance frequently and want to organise food in drawers. According to UFC-Que Choisir, chest freezers can reach 600 L, while upright models generally offer around 200 L and can go up to 400 L.
Compare the climate class and ambient temperature range of the exact model with the actual temperatures in the room. Do not assume that a standard appliance is suitable for an unheated garage: the Beko HSM14540 is stated to work down to −15 °C, but this feature is specific to that model.
At a minimum, compare the A to G rating, annual consumption in kWh, freezer compartment capacity and noise level. The European Commission confirms that this information appears on the energy label; above all, compare appliances with similar formats and capacities.
Look for the storage time during a power cut, expressed in hours, in the product specifications or the model’s EPREL information. This value varies between appliances: the Bosch and Beko specifications mentioned state 9 h for the GSN29EWEV and 23 h for the HSM14540 respectively.
The take-back of used electrical equipment by distributors is governed by the French Environmental Code. Légifrance states that when a new appliance is delivered to its place of use, the used appliance must be taken back at that location during delivery; confirm the practical arrangements with the seller before placing your order.