To store several weeks’ worth of frozen food, start by choosing a freezer to suit the space you have and how you like to access your food. A chest freezer is better suited to bulky packs, while an upright model lets you organise food in drawers. A small under-counter model is more suitable as extra storage. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a large fridge-freezer with that of a standalone appliance before deciding.
If you want to keep a supply of frozen food for several weeks, work out how much usable capacity you need, then check the floor space required and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. Que Choisir highlights the generous capacity of chest freezers and the organised storage offered by upright models.
If you often open the freezer to take out portions, bags or ready meals, the drawers in an upright model can make it easier to keep everything organised. However, check that they are large enough for your biggest packs.
Whether you’re looking for a freezer for a cellar, garage, utility room or under-counter space, check the dimensions, the clearance needed to open it and the ventilation requirements in the instructions. The model’s climate class must also be suitable for the room’s temperatures, as Bosch Électroménager France explains.
First decide whether the amount of food you need to store calls for a standalone appliance. Then choose a format to suit the space you have and how you want to access your food. Que Choisir distinguishes between chest and upright freezers, and points out that a simple freezer compartment may not be enough for a household that eats a lot of frozen food.
Worth considering: for bulk shopping or bulky food, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising to keep it within easy reach.
Worth considering: if you take food out frequently and want to sort it into drawers.
Bear in mind: drawers can limit the space available for very large packs.
Worth considering: as extra storage when kitchen space is limited.
Bear in mind: it may not have enough capacity to store several weeks’ worth of food as your main freezer.
Worth considering: if you’re also replacing your fridge and its freezer compartment has enough capacity for your needs.
Bear in mind: the fridge-freezer’s total capacity is not the same as the space available for frozen food.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare usable capacity in litres and the space available for large packs. Don’t judge capacity by the external dimensions alone. | When I shop several weeks apart, I want room for my big purchases without running out of space. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the size and layout of the drawers or baskets against the food you store most often. | If I regularly take out portions or ready meals, I want to find them without moving the whole stock around. Around 27% of consumers would put easy access first. |
| Space required | Measure the space where the freezer will go, the route to get it there and the clearance needed to open the door or lid. | In a compact kitchen, I first need an appliance that will genuinely fit, even if that means less capacity. Around 20% of consumers would make this their main consideration. |
| Installation and storage time | Check that the room’s temperatures are suitable for the model’s climate class, then look up its ventilation requirements and stated storage time in hours. | If I’m installing my freezer in a room where the temperature varies, or protecting a large stock during a power cut, I want to know how it operates and how long it can keep food frozen. Around 26% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
A chest freezer offers open space for bulky food, but it’s harder to find items at the bottom. The drawers in an upright model make it easier to organise food, but may not suit the same large packs.
Make a list of the packs you actually store. If you choose a chest freezer, plan how you’ll organise it into baskets or sections before you fill it.
According to Bosch Électroménager France, a climate class sets the ambient temperature range an appliance is designed for. A room outside that range can affect how it works. Choosing a chest or upright model doesn’t, by itself, mean it’s suitable for your space.
Check the room’s temperature during its coldest and warmest periods, then look up the climate class and installation instructions for the exact model.
The energy rating letter alone doesn’t tell you the annual energy use or storage capacity. For an appliance that runs continuously, you need to consider these figures together.
Compare the stated energy use in kWh/year, usable capacity in litres and noise level on the labels and product specifications of the models you’re considering.
The range includes upright, chest and under-counter freezers. Features and installation requirements vary by model.
The range includes under-counter freezers that are worth considering when space is limited.
The chest freezer range offers options for storing food in an open compartment.
These chest freezers and this upright model let you compare open-compartment storage with drawer storage. For each one, compare its stated capacity with your usual stock and check the installation requirements before choosing.
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Worth considering for storing bulk purchases in an open compartment. Plan how you’ll organise food placed at the bottom.
Fridge or freezer mode, a removable basket and an E energy rating are listed. Check the climate class, storage time in the event of a power cut and the space needed to open the lid.
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Worth considering if you want to organise portions and access food regularly using the drawers. Compare its 161 L capacity with the size of your usual shop.
The product name lists No Frost, a C energy rating and a reversible door hinge. Check the dimensions, climate class and storage time in the event of a power cut for your chosen location.
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Worth considering as extra storage if 95 L is enough for your needs. This capacity may be limiting if you need to store several weeks’ worth of food for a family.
Fridge or freezer mode, a removable basket and an E energy rating are listed. If you’re installing it in an unheated room, check the model’s climate class.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a chest freezer for a moderate amount of food. Check that its 140 L capacity will genuinely cover several weeks’ worth of shopping for your household.
The product name lists a storage basket, counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Check the climate class and stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
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Worth considering as extra freezer capacity. With a stated capacity of 99 L, check how much food you need to store before choosing it as your main appliance.
The product name lists a removable basket, a four-star rating and an E energy rating. Confirm the defrosting method for this version and check its climate class.
Yes, as long as the room’s actual temperatures stay within the range specified for the model you choose and you follow the installation instructions. Bosch Électroménager France explains the role of climate class. Also check the ventilation requirements in the instructions, rather than assuming that a chest freezer will automatically work in a cold room.
A chest freezer is worth considering if you store bulky food and have enough floor space. An upright model may suit you better if easy access and organising food in drawers are more important. Que Choisir distinguishes between these two formats. Compare their usable capacity and the dimensions of the food you store before making your choice.
Check the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh, then compare these with each appliance’s usable capacity and noise level. The rating letter alone isn’t enough to compare models with different capacities. The energy label described by ADEME lets you check these characteristics together.
No, the stated storage time in hours varies by model. Check the specifications for the exact model, especially if you’re planning to store a large amount of food. For example, manufacturers state 9 h for the Beko B1RFNE314W and 16 h for the Bosch GTV15NWEB, but these figures don’t apply to other freezers.