If your fridge’s freezer compartment is no longer big enough, choose an upright model for easy access to a variety of foods, or a chest freezer if storing large quantities is your priority and you have enough floor space. A large fridge-freezer is worth considering if you also need to replace your main appliance. Before deciding, compare the capacity of its freezer compartment alone.
If you regularly buy ready meals or different frozen food bags, an upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to separate and reach everything. Bosch’s description of the GSN58AWEV shows how this can work, but check the details of the model you choose.
If you mainly need to store large quantities of shopping or prepared food, check a chest freezer’s usable capacity and how much floor space it will take up. Plan how you’ll organise it, too, so you can reach food at the bottom.
The temperature of the room could determine your choice before you even consider the format. Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the operating range specified for the exact model. For example, Liebherr states that the CFd 2505 Plus is suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C.
First decide whether you want to add a separate appliance or replace your fridge as well. For a dedicated freezer, ease of access and available space will help you choose between an upright and a chest model.
Consider one if: you often reach for different portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: check that the height, depth and door clearance will suit the space.
Consider one if: you mainly store food in bulk and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is less easy to reach; baskets help, but you’ll still need to organise the contents.
Consider one if: you also need to replace your main appliance and would like more fridge space.
Bear in mind: the total capacity isn’t the same as the space available for frozen food.
| Feature | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Access and storage | Check the drawers or baskets, then measure the space and the clearance needed to open the door. | When I often reach for different portions, I want to find them without moving everything else. Around 42% of shoppers prioritise easy everyday access. |
| Capacity and power-cut performance | Compare the usable capacity in litres and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut for each specific model. | To store large amounts of shopping or prepared food, I look for enough capacity; the stated storage time during a power cut matters, too. Around 33% of shoppers prioritise having enough in reserve. |
| Location and energy use | Compare the room’s temperatures with the range specified by the manufacturer; compare kWh/year between appliances of similar capacity and for similar use. | If my appliance needs to run in an unheated room, I need to choose a suitable model and consider its ongoing energy use. This is the top priority for around 25% of shoppers. |
Suitability for low room temperatures depends on the specific model. The −15 °C limit stated by Liebherr for the CFd 2505 Plus, or by Whirlpool for the WHM2112, doesn’t apply to every chest freezer.
Keep track of the room temperature throughout the year and check the specified operating range for the model you’re considering.
The letter tells you nothing about usable capacity or the interior layout. To assess energy use, ADEME recommends checking the energy label. Comparing kWh/year is more useful between appliances of similar capacity and for similar use.
Once you’ve settled on a format and capacity, also check annual energy use, the stated noise level and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
Extra capacity is less useful day to day if it’s hard to find food at the bottom. A basket makes the top section easier to reach, but won’t organise the rest of the freezer.
Check the storage features and plan how you’ll group food by category before choosing the capacity.
A freezer may fit in the room but not through the access route, or there may not be enough clearance to open its door or lid.
Measure the route to the space, the appliance itself and the clearance needed to open it. If it’s near a living area, check the stated noise level, too.
These models illustrate different features; their specifications won’t necessarily apply to other models from the same brand.
The GSN58AWEV is an example of an upright freezer designed to help organise a family’s food supplies.
The WHM4612 and WHM2112 chest freezers let you consider storage capacity and the challenges of a cold room separately.
The CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is worth considering for an unheated room.
A Beko fridge-freezer is worth considering if you’re also thinking of replacing your main fridge.
These models give you a chance to explore adding a dedicated freezer: an upright for separating foods, and several chest freezers with different capacities. If you’re thinking of replacing your fridge-freezer instead, compare the freezer capacity of the new main appliance, too.
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Worth considering if you want to add a chest freezer for family food supplies and have enough space to open the lid from above.
The title states that it has a 291 l capacity, an E energy rating, LED lighting and a removable basket. You can switch between fridge and freezer modes, so check that you won’t need both at the same time.
If you plan to keep it in a garage or cellar, confirm the model’s operating temperature range. Also check its stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
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Worth considering if you want to keep different foods separate in an upright freezer rather than stacking them in a chest model.
The title states that it has a 161 l capacity, drawers, No Frost technology, a reversible door and a C energy rating.
Before choosing where to put it, check its dimensions, operating temperature range and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
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Worth considering if you need a little extra storage. Check that 95 l is enough for the amount of food your family wants to freeze.
The title states that it has an E energy rating, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket. You can switch between fridge and freezer modes, but they aren’t designed to operate at the same time.
If you plan to keep it in an unheated room, check the operating temperature range specified for this model.
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Worth considering if you want a 140 l chest freezer and are happy to organise your food so you can reach items at the bottom.
The title mentions a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating.
If these features matter to you, check the annual energy use and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
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Worth considering if you need a little extra storage. If you store large quantities, first check whether its 99 l capacity will meet your needs.
The title states that it has a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating.
Before putting it in a garage or cellar, check the operating temperature range specified for the JR99DWE.
No. The model’s specified operating temperature range must cover the temperatures in the room. Liebherr states that the CFd 2505 Plus can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, and Whirlpool gives the same limit for the WHM2112. This doesn’t apply to every chest freezer.
Compare the kWh/year shown on their energy labels, preferably between models with similar capacities and intended uses. ADEME recommends using the energy label; also consider capacity and noise level in relation to where you plan to put the appliance.
Replacing it is worth considering if you also need a new fridge and would like more space for fresh food. If you mainly need extra room for frozen food, compare the freezer compartment capacity of the new fridge-freezer with that of a dedicated freezer. Don’t rely on the total capacity.