Start by choosing according to the room and how you access your food: a chest freezer prioritises capacity, while an upright freezer makes organising food and accessing it frequently easier thanks to its drawers. An under-counter or compact model is better suited as an additional freezer where space is limited. For each model, check the dimensions, ambient temperature range, capacity, kWh/year, noise level and stated storage time in the event of a power cut. UFC-Que Choisir, ADEME and the European Commission indicate that these criteria should be considered together.
If you often organise and retrieve portions, prepared meals or frozen food, the drawers in an upright freezer generally make access easier than storing items deep inside a chest freezer. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of ease of use and access to food.
A chest freezer may be suitable if you mainly want plenty of space for bulk purchases and have a suitable pantry, cellar or garage. Measure its floor area and check the model’s climate class before installation. UFC-Que Choisir and the European Commission.
An under-counter or compact model can provide modest additional capacity when space is limited. Compare its dimensions, capacity and temperature range with the actual location; these specifications vary from one model to another.
Start by measuring the available space, then choose the format that suits your storage habits before comparing energy consumption and storage time in the event of a power cut.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for the room | Measure the width, depth, height and clearance needed to open the doors or lid. Also compare the climate class and stated ambient temperatures with those of the room. | I want to install the appliance without blocking access or risking use outside its intended range, particularly in a cellar, garage or hot kitchen. |
| Capacity and access | Compare the litre capacities of models in the same format. Check for drawers, shelves, baskets and how easy it is to reach products stored at the bottom. | I want to store more meals without wasting time looking for a portion. Drawers help separate categories, while a chest freezer offers more flexibility for bulk purchases. |
| Energy consumption and noise | Read the energy class, kWh/year, usable capacity, airborne noise emissions in dB and noise class together on the label of the exact model. | As the appliance runs continuously, I want to compare its energy consumption with its actual capacity and check the noise level if it is near a living area. ADEME and the European Commission recommend taking this information into account. |
| Storage time during a power cut | Compare the stated storage time in hours, which is separate from capacity and energy class. A door or temperature alarm may be useful, but does not replace this information. | I want to know how long the freezer is stated to maintain a low temperature during a power cut, especially if I have substantial food reserves. |
Two appliances with a similar capacity can offer very different experiences: a chest freezer provides open space for bulk purchases, while an upright freezer with drawers makes everyday access easier. A large capacity does not guarantee easy access to meals. UFC-Que Choisir.
Before choosing the format and capacity, consider how often you will access the freezer, the types of containers you use and whether you need to separate different categories.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. A range such as +10 to +43 °C, shown for a specific model, cannot be applied to all freezers. European Commission and French product information.
Compare the actual room temperature with the limits shown on the product page or in EPREL for the model you are considering; a garage or cellar is not automatically suitable.
A freezer runs continuously. The European label shows the class, annual consumption, capacity and noise level: read these figures together when comparing models with a similar capacity and format.
Compare kWh/year, usable capacity and noise rather than relying solely on the energy-class letter.
ADEME reminds consumers that a freezer’s continuous energy consumption affects running costs; the relevant figure remains the one shown for the chosen model.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual, while an extended warranty may be optional. French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.
Before taking out an extended warranty, check who is responsible for the sale, its duration, exclusions, whether installation is included and what is already covered by the statutory guarantee.
In France, Bosch offers freestanding and built-in upright freezers, as well as high-capacity appliances. This range is worth considering if you prioritise drawers and a vertical format.
In France, Liebherr offers freestanding, built-in and table-top freezers, making it possible to compare an upright freezer with a compact model according to the space available.
Whirlpool offers chest and upright freezers, making it useful to compare high-capacity horizontal storage with a vertical drawer-based solution.
These Joybuy options include chest freezers, an upright model and a compact vertical freezer to increase your storage capacity for meals and frozen food at home.
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A chest freezer for storing batches of meals and frozen food when floor space is available.
291 L; dimensions 1 100 × 597 × 872 mm; stated consumption of 226 kWh/year; removable basket, LED lighting, digital controls and defrost drainage.
Allow 10 cm of ventilation space around the appliance. Check the climate class and storage time during a power cut before buying.
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Medium capacity to complement your household storage while retaining the benefits of a chest freezer.
197 L; dimensions 816 × 554 × 848 mm; stated consumption of 197 kWh/year; removable basket, digital controls and defrost drainage.
The basket keeps some products within easy reach, but storage is less convenient than drawers for small portions. Allow 10 cm of ventilation space and check the climate range and storage time during a power cut.
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An upright freezer for separating meals by category and accessing them regularly.
161 L; three drawers, two shelves, LED display, alarm, reversible door, Fast Freeze function and an adjustable range from -14 °C to -22 °C.
Check the model’s product information for its dimensions, annual consumption, noise level, climate class and storage time during a power cut.
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A compact chest freezer for extra freezing capacity when the floor space available must remain limited.
99 L; stated dimensions of 54,5 × 47,6 × 83,5 cm; stated noise level of 39 dB; removable basket, sliding lid, adjustable thermostat and castors.
Manual defrosting is required when the frost layer exceeds 5 mm. Install it on a level floor with at least 10 cm of clearance and check energy consumption, climate class and storage time during a power cut.
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A small additional vertical freezer for a compact kitchen or narrow space.
60 L; dimensions 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm; two compartments with flaps, one bottom drawer, reversible door, adjustable feet and adjustable thermostat.
The 60 L capacity is best suited to additional storage rather than large bulk purchases. The thermostat is located behind the bottom drawer; also check the clearances, kWh/year, noise level, climate class and storage time during a power cut.
Measure the width, depth and height, the space needed to open the door or lid, and the route into the room. Then check the exact model’s climate class and minimum and maximum ambient temperatures: these vary between models. UFC-Que Choisir and the European Commission.
At a minimum, compare the class from A to G, annual consumption in kWh, freezing capacity in litres and airborne noise emissions. The European Commission states that the QR code on the label provides access to EPREL, which contains detailed information about models sold in the European Union.
An upright freezer is generally better for meals you access often, as drawers make separation and retrieval easier. A chest freezer is better suited to situations where capacity and bulk storage are the priority, provided you organise it so that products at the bottom can still be found. UFC-Que Choisir.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual. According to the Ministry for the Economy, it covers, among other things, a product that does not match its description or whose intended installation is defective due to the seller or the instructions. Keep your order, proof of delivery and the product description.
The “1-for-1” take-back scheme applies in shops when buying an appliance of the same type. The Ministry for Ecological Transition states that the “1-for-0” take-back of electrical and electronic equipment depends, among other things, on a threshold of 400 m² of floor space dedicated to this category.