Start by choosing according to the amount you need to store and the space available: a chest freezer is best suited to large batches in a suitable room, while an upright freezer makes frequent access easier thanks to its drawers. If you are replacing your fridge as well, a large fridge-freezer could be a sensible choice, but compare the freezer capacity, installation dimensions and kWh/year shown on the energy label separately.
To separate portions, dishes and frozen ingredients, an upright freezer makes frequent access easier thanks to its drawers; a chest freezer is better suited to situations where capacity is the priority. The Electrolux France and Beko France guides explain these organisational differences.
A dedicated chest freezer can be suitable for holding large reserves if you have a suitable room available. Check its floor space, top-opening access and the climate class of the model you choose. Electrolux France and Beko France present chest freezers as a solution for storing large quantities.
A large fridge-freezer can combine refrigeration and freezing in a single appliance, but your choice should be based on the freezer compartment’s litres, not just the total capacity. Whirlpool France and Electrolux France product specifications illustrate how much this can vary.
Start by estimating your actual stock, then choose the most suitable access format and check the installation requirements before comparing the stated energy consumption.
Best if: you regularly take out portions and want to organise them by drawer, while keeping the floor width to a minimum.
Check: the net freezer capacity and available height, as a vertical format is not automatically the most spacious.
Best if: you store large batches and bulky containers and have enough floor space in a suitable room.
Plan for: baskets, labels and an inventory, as food stored at the bottom is less accessible.
Best if: replacing your fridge is also part of the plan and you want a single appliance.
Check: the freezer capacity in litres, dimensions, any housing requirements and the clearances specified by the manufacturer.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the net capacity of the freezer compartment in litres, separately from the fridge capacity. Also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you plan to add large quantities at once. | I want to be able to freeze my portions, dishes and ingredients at the same time without confusing the appliance’s total capacity with the space that is actually frozen. |
| Access and footprint | Consider drawers, baskets and compartments in relation to your storage boxes. Measure the width, height, depth and door-opening clearance. | I want to find everyday portions easily while taking into account the room where the appliance will be installed. |
| Energy label and noise | Compare kWh/year between appliances with similar capacities and formats. Check the A to G rating alongside the capacities and noise level in dB(A). | I want to compare similar appliances based on their stated consumption and anticipate the noise in an open-plan kitchen or living space. The European Commission states that the label for refrigeration appliances displays this information, among other details. |
| Maintenance and food preservation | Check the defrosting system, any alarms and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut for the exact model. | I want to avoid meals being forgotten and organise their rotation while following food storage guidance. |
A fridge-freezer may look very large while offering little room for frozen food. Whirlpool France states that its WHK26493WX5E has 150 L of freezer capacity, while Electrolux France lists 62 L for the built-in ENT6NE18S.
List the portions, dishes and supplies you need to freeze, then compare the net freezer compartment capacity before looking at the total capacity.
Height, depth, door opening and housing dimensions can prevent installation or make everyday use difficult.
Measure the width, height and depth, then check the clearances and the instructions in the exact model’s manual before ordering.
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the individual model. Beko states that its HSM35050 can operate down to -15 °C, but this does not automatically apply to other freezers.
For a garage, cellar or unheated utility room, explicitly check the minimum ambient temperature stated in the product specifications and manual.
A chest freezer’s large compartment prioritises capacity, but older meals can become difficult to find. Anses points out that poor storage or a break in the cold chain can encourage contamination.
Use baskets, write the date and contents on the packaging, and set aside an area for meals that should be eaten first.
Beko can be a useful benchmark when comparing the two dedicated freezer formats: its French documentation distinguishes between upright freezers and chest freezers.
Electrolux is worth considering if you prioritise vertical organisation, automatic defrosting or integration into a fitted kitchen.
Whirlpool is worth considering if you are replacing a fridge with a large fridge-freezer offering more freezer capacity.
Joybuy options for increasing your home freezer capacity, including upright, chest and fridge-freezer formats to suit the space available and the amount of food you plan to prepare.
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An upright freezer designed to keep meals and ingredients separate when you need regular access.
Stated capacity of 161 L, with three drawers, two shelves, LED display, alarm and reversible door. The No Frost system and C energy rating are stated for this SKU.
Check the overall dimensions, clearances, annual energy consumption and noise level before installation.
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An organised storage extension for a compact kitchen or a moderate need for frozen portions.
Stated capacity of 60 L, split across three compartments, with a reversible door, adjustable feet and dimensions of 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm. E energy rating stated.
This capacity may be limited for large family stocks; check the energy label, noise level and ambient temperature conditions.
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Worth considering if your existing fridge also needs replacing, with a separate freezer compartment.
Stated freezer capacity of 75 L with three drawers; dimensions of 1760 × 540 × 550 mm, energy consumption of 215 kWh/year and noise level of 39 dB(A). Stated operating range of 16 to 38 °C.
The Low Frost system does not eliminate manual defrosting, and the appliance is not intended for an unheated outbuilding according to the stated ambient temperature range.
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A dedicated chest freezer for bulky dishes and large batches when a top-opening appliance is practical.
Stated capacity of 140 L, with a basket, balanced lid, castors, front water drain and dimensions of 637 × 556 × 846 mm. E energy rating stated.
Plan your storage by zones; check the manual for the permitted ambient temperature, kWh/year, noise level and freezing capacity.
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A compact chest freezer for creating additional storage for meals and ingredients.
Stated capacity of 99 L, with a removable metal basket, castors, adjustable thermostat, noise level of 39 dB and dimensions of 54,5 × 47,6 × 83,5 cm. E energy rating stated.
Defrosting is manual; check the ambient temperature range in the manual before installing it in a garage or outbuilding.
At a minimum, compare the A to G rating, annual consumption in kWh, the capacity of the freezer compartments in litres and the noise level. According to the European Commission, these details appear on the label of the relevant refrigeration appliances; compare kWh/year between models with similar capacities and formats.
No. Chest freezers are suitable for large quantities and rooms with enough floor space, but their contents are less immediately accessible than those in drawers. For portions taken out every day, an upright freezer may be more convenient; for bulky batches, a chest freezer may be the better solution.
Check the ambient temperature range and installation instructions for the exact model. Beko states that its HSM35050 can operate down to -15 °C in an unheated room, but this does not mean that every freezer is suitable for a garage or cellar.
It can, but only if its freezer capacity covers your actual stock. Whirlpool France states that the WHK26493WX5E has 150 L of freezer capacity, while Electrolux France lists 62 L for the built-in ENT6NE18S fridge-freezer: total capacity alone is not enough to make the decision.
Follow the temperature and storage instructions provided on the food packaging and in the appliance manual. Anses points out that poor storage or a break in the cold chain can encourage contamination; this guide does not replace personalised food safety advice.