If you’re stocking up on frozen food, start by considering a chest freezer if you have enough floor space and don’t mind storing items further down. An upright freezer makes it easier to reach what you need, thanks to its drawers. A fridge-freezer is best if you also want to upgrade your chilled food storage. Whichever you choose, compare the net freezer capacity, the space it takes up and the installation requirements for that particular model.
If you buy in bulk or freeze family-sized portions, start by working out the net capacity you need, then check how much floor space you have. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the chest freezer’s ability to hold large quantities of food.
If you want to find food quickly by category or date, look at the layout of the drawers, baskets and compartments. Don’t rely on the advertised capacity alone.
In a narrow kitchen, cellar or garage, measure the appliance and the space needed to open it. If the room is unheated or gets very warm, also check the ambient temperatures allowed for the specific model.
Consider it: for storing large bags or stocking up in a spacious area.
The trade-off: items at the bottom take more organising, and you’ll need enough room to open the lid fully.
Consider it: if you want to organise food in drawers and access it frequently.
The trade-off: the shape of the compartments may make it harder to store bulky items.
Consider it: if you need more space for both fresh and frozen food in your kitchen.
The trade-off: its total capacity is split between two compartments, so check the freezer capacity separately.
| Criterion | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the freezer’s net capacity with the space available for installing the appliance. | If I do a big shop and freeze family-sized portions, I want to be able to store them without running out of room. Around 29% of consumers prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the layout of the drawers or baskets and whether there’s room for the sizes of items you store. | When I reach for frozen food several times a week, I want to find each item without having to move everything else. Easy access and organisation come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Location | Measure doorways and clearance space; check the room’s temperatures against the limits specified for the model. | In a cellar, garage or narrow kitchen, I need to make sure the appliance can be installed and used in the conditions it’s designed for. This compatibility is the priority for around 24% of consumers. |
| Power cut performance and energy use | Compare the stated storage time during a power cut, energy rating and annual consumption in kWh. | For food I keep in an appliance that runs continuously, I want to check the stated storage time during a power cut and its energy consumption. These factors come first for around 18% of consumers. |
A chest freezer may fit on the floor but still be awkward to use if there isn’t enough clearance for the lid. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the amount of horizontal space it takes up.
Use the dimensions of the model you’re considering to measure doorways, its final position and the space above it.
The permitted ambient temperature varies by appliance. If one model is stated to be suitable for a cold room, that doesn’t mean other models from the same brand are too.
Check the room’s temperatures throughout the year and compare them with the climate class and the limits set out in the manual.
Part of a fridge-freezer’s capacity is reserved for fresh food. So a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee the freezer space you need.
Check the freezer compartment’s net capacity and drawer layout before ruling out a separate appliance.
Two appliances with similar capacities may differ in storage layout, energy use and stated storage time during a power cut. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these factors separately in its freezer reviews.
For each model, compare the net capacity, compartments, annual kWh, storage time during a power cut and installation requirements.
One to consider if you’re looking for an upright freezer with separate compartments, subject to checking the features of the model you choose.
One to consider for family-sized storage in a chest freezer, provided you check in advance that it will fit where you plan to put it.
One to consider if you need a very large chest freezer and have enough floor space.
One to consider when comparing upright freezers and fridge-freezers with separate compartments.
These appliances show three ways to add to or refresh your frozen food storage: an upright freezer, chest freezers and a fridge-freezer. Compare their stated capacities with your usual shopping and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you’d rather organise your food in drawers than stack it in a chest freezer.
The product name lists five drawers, a No-Frost system, an alarm and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions and the installation requirements for your chosen room.
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This chest freezer could be a useful extra if its capacity suits the amount of food you buy.
Its name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Allow enough room to open the lid and check the installation requirements.
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Consider this if you’d like one appliance for both fresh and frozen food, rather than adding a separate freezer.
The product name lists a total capacity of 282 L and an E energy rating. Check the freezer’s net capacity separately: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much frozen food it can hold.
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This capacity could work as extra storage; compare it with the amount you want to freeze after a big shop.
The product name lists fridge or freezer modes, a removable basket and an E energy rating. If you’re planning to put it in a garage or cellar, check the permitted ambient temperatures.
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Worth considering as extra storage, rather than assuming it will hold a very large bulk shop.
The product name lists a removable basket, a sliding lid and an E energy rating. Check how much room you’ll need to open it, as well as the installation requirements for its location.
Compare the net capacity dedicated to freezing, then check that the appliance and its lid or door will fit in your available space. UFC-Que Choisir says chest freezers can reach 600 L, while upright freezers are generally around 200 L, although some models are larger. These figures are only a guide; check the capacity of the model you choose.
Yes, as long as the room’s temperature stays within the limits specified for that model. The climate class gives the permitted ambient temperature range; some appliances also state that they’re suitable for cold rooms. Compare the information in the product details and manual with the conditions where you plan to put it.
Yes, especially if you’re stocking up, but don’t assume that a chest freezer will always keep food frozen for longer than an upright model. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this as one of several separate criteria; compare the stated figures for the models you’re interested in.
Look at each model’s energy rating and annual consumption in kWh, as well as the net capacity you need. If the appliance will be near a living area, compare the stated noise level too.