If you’re building up a large stock of frozen food, consider a chest freezer if you have enough floor space. For regular access to individual portions, an upright freezer with drawers may be more convenient. A large fridge freezer could be enough if you only have a limited amount of extra food to store. Whatever type you choose, check that the room temperature is within the model’s operating range.
If you buy in bulk or prepare plenty of portions to freeze, start by comparing the usable capacity with the space the appliance will take up at home. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the potentially large capacity of chest freezers.
If you regularly take out prepared meals, easy-to-reach drawers and contents that are easy to see may matter more than maximum capacity. Check that you’ll be able to use each compartment when it’s full.
If you’re installing the appliance in a cellar, pantry, garage or utility room, check the highest and lowest room temperatures. They must fall within the climate class operating range specified for the model, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Your choice depends first on how much you need to store and how often you’ll access your food. The space where you plan to put the appliance may also rule out a model, whatever its type.
Consider one: if you need plenty of storage and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: smaller portions at the bottom of the freezer may be harder to find. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the potentially large capacity of this type of appliance.
Consider one: if you often take out portions and want to organise them in easy-to-reach compartments.
Bear in mind: according to the UFC-Que Choisir guide, upright freezers generally have a lower maximum capacity than chest freezers.
Consider one: if you only have a moderate amount to freeze or can’t install a second appliance.
Bear in mind: only part of the total capacity is reserved for freezing. Check that it’ll be enough when you do your biggest shops.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the stated usable capacity, external dimensions and internal layout, rather than looking at total capacity alone. | If bulk buys and prepared meals regularly take up more room than you have available, having dedicated storage becomes a priority; around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Access to portions | Look at how the drawers or baskets are arranged and handled, and how easy it is to reach food when the appliance is full. | If you often want to take out a meal without rummaging through other food, I’d prioritise an easy-to-follow layout; this would be the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Installation room and continuous use | Compare the room’s highest and lowest temperatures with the model’s climate class range. Also check its annual energy consumption and power-cut storage time. | In a room where temperatures vary, I’d want an appliance suited to its location and to know how much energy it uses; around 20% of consumers would put this consideration first. |
| Limited extra storage | Compare the freezer compartment capacity of a large fridge freezer with how much extra space you actually need. | If you only occasionally have a few extra groceries or prepared meals to store, I’d prefer to avoid a separate appliance if the fridge freezer is enough; nearly 20% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
A chest freezer also needs room for its lid to open and space to move around it. UFC-Que Choisir says this type of appliance generally takes up more floor space than an upright freezer.
Measure the space, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the lid, then follow the clearances specified in the model’s instructions.
The climate class defines the room temperature range the appliance is designed to operate in. UFC-Que Choisir warns that cooling may slow down if the temperature drops below the stated minimum.
Check the room’s winter and summer temperatures, then compare them with the full range shown in the instructions or on the rating plate.
Two appliances of the same type won’t necessarily keep food frozen for the same length of time without power. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this when testing freezers.
Compare the stated or tested storage time for the exact model, particularly if you plan to store a lot of food.
Room temperature and maintenance also affect ongoing use. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a 3 mm layer of ice increases the energy consumption of an appliance that needs manual defrosting.
Check the stated annual energy consumption, climate class and defrosting instructions for the model you’re considering.
These models illustrate three ways to meet your needs: a chest freezer for separate storage, a small upright freezer for extra capacity, or a fridge freezer if its freezer compartment is large enough. Compare their capacities with what you actually need before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want separate storage and have enough room for a chest freezer.
The product title describes a convertible fridge-freezer, a removable basket, LED lighting and a five-level digital control.
Check the space needed to open the lid, the permitted room temperature range and how long food stays frozen during a power cut for your intended use.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a fridge freezer rather than a large amount of frozen storage in a separate appliance.
The stated 467 L capacity is for the whole appliance, not just the freezer compartment. The title specifies Total No Frost and an E energy rating.
Compare the freezer compartment capacity with your needs, then check the dimensions and installation clearances.
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Another fridge freezer to consider if you only need a limited amount of extra freezer storage.
The stated 360 L capacity is for the whole appliance. The title mentions Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone.
Check the freezer compartment capacity, as well as the dimensions and clearances needed for your chosen location.
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This chest freezer is better suited to providing extra storage than to holding a large stock of food.
The title specifies four-star freezing, an adjustable thermostat and a removable basket.
Check that 99 L is enough, then check the climate class, annual energy consumption and power-cut storage time for your installation.
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Worth considering for extra freezer storage in a small space, rather than for holding a large stock of food.
The title specifies a reversible door. It describes three drawers, while the detailed description shows a different layout, so confirm the actual compartments before buying.
Also check the climate class, annual energy consumption and power-cut storage time to make sure they suit your priorities.
Not necessarily: a large fridge freezer could be enough if you only have a limited amount of extra food to store. If you regularly prepare lots of portions or buy bulky multipacks, compare its freezer capacity with that of a separate appliance. UFC-Que Choisir says some chest freezers hold up to 600 L.
An upright freezer with drawers is worth considering if you often take out portions. Make sure the drawers are easy to use and that you can still reach the food when the compartments are full.
Yes, as long as the room’s actual temperatures stay within the climate class range specified for the model. UFC-Que Choisir gives the SN range of 10 to 32 °C and the N range of 16 to 32 °C as examples. Check the instructions or rating plate for the appliance you choose, particularly if the room gets cold in winter.
Check the annual energy consumption on the energy label and find out how the appliance defrosts. For an appliance that needs manual defrosting, UFC-Que Choisir says a 3 mm layer of ice increases energy consumption. Follow the maintenance instructions for your model.