If you need to store a large amount of frozen food or prepared meals, choose a chest freezer if capacity matters more than easy access, or an upright freezer if you open it often and want to keep portions separate. A compact freezer is suitable as an extra; if you’re also replacing your fridge, first compare the freezer capacity of fridge-freezers. In every case, check the location, installation requirements and annual energy consumption before deciding.
If you buy in bulk or prepare several meals in advance, first work out how much capacity you need and how much room your containers will take up. The Observatoire des Nouvelles Consommations E.Leclerc describes preparing meals in advance as a home-cooking practice; on its own, this doesn’t determine which freezer format to choose.
If you check the contents often, an upright freezer with drawers makes it easy to separate different categories. A chest freezer can hold large quantities, but you’ll need to organise it carefully to reach items at the bottom.
If you’re looking for a freezer to fit in an alcove, a small space or an unheated room, check the dimensions, required clearance and permitted ambient temperature range for the model before choosing its capacity. A feature listed for one appliance doesn’t apply to every freezer.
First decide whether you need a separate appliance or whether the freezer compartment in a new fridge-freezer would be enough. If you’re choosing a freestanding appliance, then weigh up storage capacity, access to your food and the space available.
Consider it: if you regularly use portions stored in different categories.
Bear in mind: its height, depth and door opening must suit the space available.
Consider it: if buying in bulk or storing large packs is more important than having frequent access to individual portions.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow for its floor space, make room for the lid to open and organise access to items at the bottom.
Consider it: if you need limited extra capacity in a small space.
Bear in mind: check that it has enough capacity for your portions and packaging.
Consider it: if you’re also replacing your fridge and don’t need separate freezer storage.
Bear in mind: compare the net capacity of its freezer compartment with your needs. Don’t assume it will match a separate appliance.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the net capacity in litres with the space available for your boxes, bags and larger packs. | If bulk buys and prepared meals are already filling the fridge’s freezer compartment, I want more room to store food. Around 36% of consumers would put capacity first. |
| Access and organisation | Check the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach items at the bottom. | If I regularly use a variety of portions, I want to find them without moving everything else. Easy, organised access would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space required | Measure the space, delivery route and clearance needed to open the appliance; for a built-in model, check the dimensions of the housing unit. | When there’s little room in the kitchen or alcove, I need to make sure I can install and open the appliance before looking for extra capacity. This would be the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cold room and energy consumption | Check the minimum ambient temperature permitted for the model, then its annual energy consumption in kWh and noise level. | For an unheated utility room, I want to make sure the model is suitable for the space; I also want to compare its ongoing energy consumption. Around 14% of consumers would put these conditions first. |
A freezer might have the right capacity but still be unsuitable because of its dimensions or the way it opens. According to specifications published by Liebherr France, the CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer takes up 167 × 71 cm of floor space; Whirlpool France lists dimensions of 70 × 191,2 × 81,3 cm for the WHFF 6403 W4E upright freezer.
Measure the space and delivery route, then allow for the clearances specified in the manual. For a built-in model, also check the exact dimensions of the housing unit.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the appliance. Beko France states that the B1RFNE314W operates down to −15 °C, as does Liebherr France for the CFd 2505 Plus; this doesn’t apply to other models.
If you’re installing a freezer in a cellar, garage or unheated outbuilding, compare the possible room temperature with the range specified in the documentation for the model you’re considering.
The energy rating letter doesn’t replace the annual energy consumption, capacity and noise figures you need to make your choice. ADEME recommends checking the energy label when comparing appliances.
Note the kWh/year and decibel figures, then compare models with a similar format and capacity that meet the same needs.
A large space accessed from above can make it less convenient to find small portions at the bottom. The drawers in an upright freezer suit a different way of storing food, without necessarily telling you anything about its capacity or the space it takes up.
If you often look for items in different categories, check the internal layout. For a chest freezer, look in particular at the baskets supplied and how you’ll reach the bottom.
The range includes freestanding upright freezers, with specifications that vary by model.
The brand offers chest freezers designed for storing food in bulk.
The range includes both chest and upright freezers; compare the specifications of each model.
Some of the brand’s upright freezers combine a large capacity with drawer storage.
These models include chest freezers for extra storage and upright freezers with separate compartments. Choose according to how much you need to store and the space available; if you’re using it in an unheated room, check the installation requirements for the specific model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer for bulk buys. Its stated capacity is 291 L; the product title mentions a removable basket, LED lighting and five-level digital control. Select freezer mode for this use and check the permitted ambient temperature before installing it in a cold room.
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Consider this as extra storage rather than for large bulk buys. This freestanding model has a stated capacity of 60 L, three compartments and a reversible door. Check that it has enough capacity for your portions, and that its dimensions and permitted ambient temperature are suitable for the space you have in mind.
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Worth considering if you prefer to access portions stored in an upright freezer. The model name lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, three freezer drawers and a reversible door. Check its dimensions, annual energy consumption and permitted ambient temperature before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering for extra storage if you prefer a top-opening chest freezer. This model has a stated capacity of 95 L, a removable basket and a seven-level thermostat. Check that its capacity meets your needs, select freezer mode and check the permitted ambient temperature for the room you’ve chosen.
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Consider this for extra storage with easy access from above. The model has a stated capacity of 99 L, an adjustable thermostat and a removable wire basket. Its description recommends manual defrosting when the frost exceeds 5 mm; also check its annual energy consumption and the permitted ambient temperature for your space.
Yes, if you’re also replacing your fridge and its freezer compartment has enough room for your frozen food. If you buy in bulk or prepare lots of meals, compare its net capacity and layout with those of an upright or chest freezer before deciding against a separate appliance.
No. Whether it can operate in a cold room depends on the model. Beko France and Liebherr France state that the B1RFNE314W and CFd 2505 Plus respectively are suitable down to −15 °C; check the ambient temperature range for the freezer you plan to install.
Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh, capacity and noise level listed for each freezer. ADEME describes the energy label as a useful guide when choosing an appliance: the rating letter alone doesn’t tell you whether two appliances meet the same storage needs.
No Frost may be useful if you want to reduce the upkeep associated with frost, provided the feature is listed for the model you choose. If it’s important to your decision, also check the defrosting and maintenance instructions for that specific appliance.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check the clearances specified in the manual. For a built-in model, also check the housing unit dimensions and the required fitting; for a freestanding upright or chest freezer, allow for the door or lid to open.