Add a standalone freezer if your fridge’s freezer compartment no longer has enough room for all the portions and food you need to store at once. An upright freezer makes it easier to access meals regularly, while a chest freezer is well suited to larger stocks if you have enough space. An under-counter model can provide extra capacity when height is limited. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare fridge freezers by the capacity of their freezer compartment rather than their total capacity.
If you often take out tubs and bags, being able to find and organise them by meal or date matters just as much as capacity. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide and tests cover factors such as accessibility and ease of use.
If you buy food or prepared meals in bulk, the freezer’s capacity needs to match the amount you store at any one time. You’ll also need to set aside a suitable space and be able to reach food stored at the back.
If there’s no room for a tall upright model or a chest freezer, an under-counter option is worth measuring up. Make sure it has enough capacity for the containers you plan to use; Bosch, for example, lists the GTV15NWEB under-counter model at 83 L.
For portions you access often, look at the layout of an upright freezer. For larger stocks, check how much room a chest freezer needs and how easy it is to access. An under-counter model can solve a height constraint, while a large fridge freezer makes most sense if you need to replace both appliances. UFC-Que Choisir identifies capacity, access, footprint and energy consumption as key factors to consider.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare usable capacity with the portions and food you’ll store at once, then check the shape of the compartments. | If prepared meals are in addition to bulk shopping, you’ll need room for everything. Around 29% of consumers put capacity first. |
| Access to portions | Check the drawers or baskets, and make sure there’s room for your containers and their labels. | If you regularly take meals out, finding them without losing track of dates becomes a priority. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance, the space needed to open it and the delivery route. If it’s going in a cold room, check the model’s permitted ambient temperature range. | A small kitchen or an unusual installation space can determine your choice before capacity comes into play. Space and installation conditions come first for around 24% of consumers. |
| Running and upkeep | Compare the stated energy consumption, defrosting method and claimed storage time in the event of a power cut. | If you’re keeping food in the freezer all year round, you may be particularly keen to keep on top of maintenance and know how long it will stay cold during a power cut. Around 18% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
Don’t assume an appliance’s autonomy or energy consumption based on its format alone. UFC-Que Choisir measures energy consumption at 25 °C and 32 °C as part of its test protocol, as well as how long food stays below −9 °C during a simulated power cut. Where available, these are results to check for each model.
An appliance may have all the storage space you need but still be impossible to get through the door, install or open properly. A chest freezer needs room for its lid to open, while an upright model needs clearance in front of the door.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check them against the dimensions and clearances specified for the model you’re considering.
Whether a freezer can be used in an unheated room depends on the model, not just its brand or format. Only certain Beko and Liebherr models have features designed for cold rooms.
Check the manual for the permitted ambient temperature range of the exact appliance, and compare it with the conditions in the room where you plan to install it.
A larger stock won’t organise itself. ADEME recommends planning meals and buying the ingredients you need without buying more than necessary.
Choose a layout that keeps portions visible, then label them with their contents and date to help you plan when to use them.
When you’re storing prepared meals, ease of access, defrosting and how well the freezer maintains its temperature during a power cut can also affect day-to-day use. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses several of these factors separately.
Compare the energy consumption and features of specific models. Don’t assume you’ll know their autonomy or ease of use from the energy rating alone.
A brand worth considering for upright and chest freezers, especially if you plan to install one in an unheated room.
A brand worth comparing for upright freezers, with different configurations and features available depending on the model.
A brand to consider if the dimensions of an under-counter freezer determine whether you can install one.
This Joybuy selection includes fridge freezers to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too, as well as standalone chest and upright freezers. Before choosing between these options, compare the freezer capacity you actually need with the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you want to replace your fridge while still having freezer space for prepared meals; check the freezer capacity separately. The model name lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E.
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Another option if you need to replace both appliances: check how much space is allocated to the freezer before planning where to keep your portions. The stated total capacity is 360 L; the model name lists Total No Frost, Wi-Fi, My Zone and an energy rating of E.
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Worth considering if you want extra, separate storage and have enough floor space and clearance to open the lid. This 291 L chest freezer is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a removable basket and an energy rating of E. If keeping food frozen during a power cut is important, check the claimed storage time for this model.
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Its upright format is worth considering if you regularly take portions out and prefer vertical storage. The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, an LED display and an energy rating of C. Before buying, check the external dimensions and how much usable space there is inside for your containers.
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Worth considering if you need an extra 140 L of storage and a top-opening design suits you. The model name lists a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, adjustable feet and an energy rating of E. Be sure to measure the clearance needed to open the lid too.
Anses uses −18 °C as the reference temperature for home freezing and explains that most micro-organisms survive freezing, even though they stop multiplying at this temperature. For prepared meals, also follow its advice on freezing food soon after preparation and defrosting it appropriately: a freezer can’t make up for poor storage before freezing.
Yes, provided the model’s permitted ambient temperature range matches the conditions in the room. Beko states that Freezer Guard works down to −15 °C on certain models, while some Liebherr FrostProtect chest freezers are designed for unheated rooms. Always check the manual for the appliance you’ve chosen rather than assuming these features apply to every model from either brand.
No: check the energy consumption shown on the label too, taking the capacity and format of the appliances you’re comparing into account. European energy labelling provides a useful basis for comparison, but the rating letter alone won’t tell you how much room there is for your meals or how long the freezer will stay cold during a power cut.