Families who batch-cook and freeze meals
Prepared portions and bulk buys can take up space in a fridge-freezer for a long time. The challenge is finding enough capacity without making food hard to locate.
Who is this choice for?
Households with a pantry, cellar or garage
A separate room frees up space in the kitchen, but its temperature may fluctuate more. Before choosing a capacity, check that the model’s operating range covers the temperatures in that room.
Households that open the freezer frequently
If you use portions and ingredients often, well-organised drawers or baskets matter just as much as capacity: they make it easier to spot and retrieve food.
How do the different types compare?
According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, chest and upright freezers suit different needs when it comes to capacity and access. However, the first decision is whether you need a separate appliance or whether replacing your fridge would also meet your needs.
Chest freezer
Consider this if: you store large quantities and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to reach, so use baskets or containers to keep it accessible.
Upright freezer
Consider this if: you often take food out of the freezer and want to organise it in drawers.
Bear in mind: the door and drawers need room to open, and you should compare the capacity with that of the chest freezer you’re considering.
Under-counter freezer
Consider this if: you need extra capacity and only have space under a worktop.
Bear in mind: check that its freezer capacity is enough for the quantities your family wants to store.
Large-capacity fridge-freezer
Consider this if: your fridge also needs replacing and you’d prefer to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: compare the freezer compartment capacity, not just the total capacity of the fridge-freezer.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Work out how much food you usually store, then compare the net freezer capacity in litres. If you often add a lot of fresh food at once, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | I prepare portions in advance and my bulk buys regularly fill up the current compartment; around 36% of consumers would put extra capacity at the top of their list. |
| Access and storage | Check the clearance needed for the door or lid, and how easy it is to access drawers or baskets once the appliance is full. | I often reach for a particular portion or ingredient and want to find it without moving everything else; easy access to food would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Room temperature | Compare the lowest and highest temperatures in the intended location with the permitted ambient temperature range. According to Beko, climate class SN-T is suitable for room temperatures between 10 and 43 °C. | The only place I can put the freezer has significant temperature fluctuations; around 21% of consumers would prioritise whether it is suitable for their room. |
| Use and power cuts | For appliances of a similar type and capacity, compare energy consumption in kWh/year on the energy label, then check the stated storage time during a power cut and whether there is an alarm. | The freezer will be running all the time, and I want to consider both its energy use and how it protects my food during a power cut; this would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
Capacity alone won’t make it easier to reach portions stored at the bottom. This matters particularly if you open the freezer several times a week.
Compare a chest freezer with baskets against an upright model with drawers. Whichever type you choose, organise food by category and date each portion.
-
Assuming climate class SN-T suits every garage
Beko gives a temperature range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T. This does not cover a cellar or garage that drops below 10 °C; you’ll need to confirm that the model is specifically suitable for colder conditions.
Check the possible temperatures in the room and compare them with the technical specifications and manual for the exact model before installing it.
-
Comparing only the energy label rating
The energy rating doesn’t replace comparing capacity, annual energy consumption and suitability for your needs. According to UFC-Que Choisir, storage time during a power cut can be assessed by how long food stays below −9 °C.
Compare the kWh/year figures for appliances of a similar type and capacity, then check the stated storage time, noise level and dimensions.
-
Confusing a commercial warranty with your statutory rights
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity and any commercial warranty are separate. The DGCCRF says that you can claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity for two years for new or second-hand goods.
Before taking out an extended commercial warranty, check how much extra cover it provides, what it excludes and how repairs are handled. Don’t confuse it with your statutory rights.
Brands to consider by model
Beko
A brand worth considering for chest freezers and, for a cold room, for models that are specifically stated to be suitable for low temperatures.
- Beko lists its CF200EWN chest freezer with a net capacity of 198 L, climate class SN-T and a stated storage time of 36 h.
- This model’s SN-T rating does not confirm that it will work below 10 °C. Check separately whether the model you’re considering is specifically suitable for colder conditions.
Liebherr
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a chest freezer for an unheated room, provided you choose a model equipped for this use.
- According to Liebherr, its chest freezers equipped with FrostProtect can operate in a room where the temperature falls as low as −15 °C.
- This feature is not available on every model. Check the dimensions, capacity and frost-management features of the model you choose.
Whirlpool
A brand worth considering for a family-sized upright freezer with drawer storage.
- Whirlpool lists its WHFF6403W4E upright freezer with a capacity of 404 L, six drawers, No Frost technology and a noise level of 38 dB.
- These specifications apply to the WHFF6403W4E only. Whirlpool also states that this model has a storage time of 11 h during a power cut; compare this with what you need to protect your food.
Two standalone freezers on Joybuy
These two appliances represent the two types of standalone freezer covered here: a chest freezer for extra storage capacity, and an upright freezer for organising food. Choosing a new fridge-freezer is a separate decision if your fridge also needs replacing.
Image unavailable
AUCMA 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want to dedicate a large-capacity appliance to frozen food. This top-opening chest freezer is described as switching between fridge and freezer modes. The product title also mentions a removable basket, LED lighting, five digital temperature settings and an energy rating of E.
For a cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range. If you often fill the freezer in one go or are concerned about power cuts, also check the model’s freezing capacity in kg/24 h and its stated storage time during a power cut.
Image unavailable
Heinrich´s 161 L No Frost upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you’d rather organise food in an upright freezer than in a chest freezer. The product title lists drawers, No Frost technology, an LED display, an alarm and an adjustable temperature of −14 to −22 °C. This last figure refers to the freezer setting, not the permitted room temperature.
Measure the space and check the door clearance, then check the permitted ambient temperature range, annual energy consumption in kWh and storage time during a power cut.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a freezer in an unheated garage or cellar?
Yes, if the model’s documentation covers the temperatures in that room. Beko states that climate class SN-T is suitable for ambient temperatures of 10 to 43 °C, so this rating alone is not enough for a room that falls below 10 °C. Liebherr says its chest freezers equipped with FrostProtect are suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C; check that the model you choose has this feature.
What should I compare on a freezer’s energy label?
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh and the energy rating of appliances with a similar type and capacity. According to the European Union, the label helps you compare appliances’ energy consumption; it doesn’t replace checking the capacity you need, noise levels or storage time during a power cut.
What should I check if I’m worried about power cuts?
Before buying, compare the stated storage time during a power cut and check whether the models you’re considering have a temperature alarm. UFC-Que Choisir assesses storage time by measuring how long food stays below −9 °C without a power supply. During a power cut, keep the door closed and consider how long the outage has actually lasted before deciding what to do with the food.
Does an extended commercial warranty replace a freezer’s statutory guarantee?
No. If you buy from a professional seller in France, a commercial warranty is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity. The DGCCRF says you can claim under the latter for two years for new or second-hand goods. So check what extra cover an extended warranty provides and what it excludes before taking one out.