If you regularly reach for your frozen food, an upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to organise. For bulky items and a suitably spacious room, a chest freezer offers more storage options, according to the UFC-Que Choisir guide. An under-counter model is better suited to providing extra capacity when space is limited. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a large fridge-freezer with the amount you plan to store before adding a separate appliance. Whatever you choose, check the dimensions and the permitted room temperature range.
The amount you need to store isn’t the only factor when choosing a style: how often you need access and where the appliance will go matter too.
If you regularly store prepared meals, vegetables or ingredients, the drawers in an upright freezer make it easy to keep everything separate. Beko describes this compartmented layout in its guide to freezer styles.
A chest freezer can hold bulky items if you have enough floor space and room to open the lid. If it’s going in an unheated room, also check that the model’s operating temperature range covers the temperatures the room actually reaches.
An under-counter freezer can give you a separate storage space without the need for a wide appliance. Compare its capacity with the amount you plan to store, and measure the space, clearances and door opening. For example, the Bosch GTV15NWEB has a capacity of 83 L.
First work out how much you need to store and how much space you have. Then check the installation requirements and features that suit the way you freeze food.
| Factor | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and access | Compare the usable capacity with the amount you usually store and any bulky items. Consider drawers or baskets based on how often you need access: UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between compartmented upright freezers and larger-capacity chest freezers. | I want to find the portions I use every week easily. If I’m storing larger items for longer, I can set aside more space for a chest freezer. |
| Location | Measure the appliance, its delivery route and the clearance needed for the door or lid. Check the model’s specified ambient temperature range: according to Beko, class SN-T is suitable for a room temperature of 10 to 43 °C. | My garage can get cold in winter, so I need an appliance whose stated temperature range includes the minimum temperature it may reach. |
| Freezing fresh food | If you freeze fresh food, check for a four-star rating and the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting the freezer to −18 °C. | After preparing meals or doing a big food shop, I want to know how much fresh food the model can freeze in a day. |
| Power cuts | Compare stated storage times using the same definition; they aren’t a food-safety guarantee that applies in every situation. UFC-Que Choisir’s test, for example, measures the time it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 to −9 °C without power. | If the power is cut, I want to know the figure stated for my appliance, without treating it as a guarantee for all food. |
| Everyday use | On the European energy label, compare the A to G rating, annual energy consumption, capacity and noise level, as set out by the European Commission. Also check the cooling system and the model’s defrosting instructions. | The appliance will run continuously near my living areas, so its stated energy consumption, noise level and maintenance requirements all matter to me. |
| Large fridge-freezer | If you need to replace your fridge, compare the fridge and freezer capacities of the new fridge-freezer separately, along with its dimensions. A large total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is set aside for frozen food. | I also need more space for fresh food. A new fridge-freezer will only work for me if its freezer compartment can hold the amount I plan to store. |
A spacious chest freezer won’t be practical if there isn’t enough room to open the lid or if the appliance won’t fit along the route to its intended location.
Measure the delivery route, width, depth, height and clearance needed to open it. For an upright freezer, also check that you can access the drawers with the door open.
The temperature in a cellar or garage may fall outside the appliance’s specified range. Beko notes, for example, that class SN-T doesn’t cover temperatures below 10 °C.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the specifications for the exact model, including any stated suitability for low temperatures.
A compartment designed to temporarily store food that’s already frozen may not be suitable for freezing fresh food or meals you’ve prepared.
For this purpose, check for a four-star rating and the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. The Ministry of Agriculture associates a four-star rating with the ability to bring the centre of food quickly down to −18 °C.
The number of hours shown depends on the measurement definition and the model. UFC-Que Choisir’s test measures the time it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 to −9 °C without power.
Compare figures measured on a like-for-like basis. If the power goes off, avoid opening the freezer and follow the appropriate storage advice for the food inside.
These examples of product ranges and models can help you identify features to check. They don’t describe every appliance made by each brand.
Beko’s buying guides cover upright, chest and under-counter freezers.
Whirlpool offers domestic upright and chest freezers, among other appliances.
Bosch offers under-counter and integrated solutions for kitchens where space dictates precise dimensions.
Liebherr offers chest freezers and features that vary between models.
These five chest freezers offer different amounts of extra storage. Their inclusion here isn’t a comparison with upright, under-counter or large fridge-freezer models. First choose the style that suits how you access your food and the space you have available.
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Consider this model if you plan to store a large amount of food and have room for a chest freezer with a top-opening lid. The title lists an E energy rating, LED lighting, five-level digital controls and a removable basket. The fridge and freezer modes are alternatives, not simultaneous functions: use freezer mode to store frozen food. Before installing it in an unheated room, check the permitted temperature range and the storage time in the event of a power cut.
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Compare this capacity with the amount you plan to store if you’re looking for an extra freezer rather than a large reserve. The title lists an E energy rating, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket. The fridge and freezer modes can’t run at the same time. Measure the space needed to open the lid, and check the room’s temperature range and the stated storage time.
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This 99 L chest freezer is intended as an extra storage option. Compare its capacity with the amount your family wants to keep frozen. The title lists a four-star rating, an adjustable thermostat, a removable basket, a sliding lid and an E energy rating. Before deciding, check the temperature range suitable for its location and the storage time in the event of a power cut.
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The stated 95 L capacity makes this an extra storage option to compare with the amount you plan to keep, rather than assuming it will be enough for a large family’s needs. The title lists an E energy rating, a seven-level thermostat and a removable basket. This model switches between fridge and freezer modes: only freezer mode is suitable for storing frozen food. Also check that there’s room to open the lid, as well as the operating temperature range and storage time.
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This 140 L chest freezer offers a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for extra top-opening storage. The title lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating. If you plan to freeze fresh food, check the star rating and freezing capacity in kg/24 h. Before choosing a location, also check the operating temperature range and storage time.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends −18 °C. If you want to freeze fresh food, also check that the compartment has a four-star rating and that the model’s freezing capacity suits the quantities you plan to store.
It describes a time measured under specified conditions, not a food-safety guarantee that applies equally to every type of food. For example, UFC-Que Choisir’s test measures how long it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 to −9 °C without power. Compare models using the same definition and follow food storage advice in real-world situations.
Yes, but only if the model’s stated operating temperature range covers the garage’s minimum and maximum temperatures. Beko states that class SN-T is suitable for 10–43 °C, so this class alone isn’t sufficient for a room that drops below 10 °C.
For the relevant refrigeration appliances, the European Commission says the label includes the A to G rating, energy consumption, storage capacities and noise emissions. Compare energy consumption with the usable capacity you actually need, rather than relying on the rating alone.
According to information published by the Ministry of the Economy in September 2026, the statutory conformity guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. The seller is responsible for any lack of conformity present at the time of delivery. Keep your proof of purchase and the product specifications.