If your fridge is still working and you simply need more room for frozen food, start by comparing standalone freezers based on their usable capacity and the space available. An upright freezer makes it easier to find portions, while a chest freezer is better suited to larger stocks if you can easily reach food at the bottom. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of fridge-freezers separately from their total capacity. For a cellar or garage, check the permitted temperatures and the instructions for the exact model.
You want room for larger packs: compare usable capacity, the space the appliance takes up and how easy it is to reach food at the back. Que Choisir Ensemble’s buying guide distinguishes between large chest freezers and more compact upright models.
You store several prepared dishes and take them out regularly: drawers or baskets can make them easier to find. A 2014 Que Choisir Ensemble survey noted that respondents used their freezers for both shop-bought frozen food and home-cooked preparations.
You’re considering a niche, utility room, cellar or garage: check the dimensions, ventilation and permitted temperature range for the exact model. Electrolux also recommends checking the manual for ventilation requirements.
Choose this if: you take out portions often or want to separate different types of food into compartments.
Bear in mind: drawers can make it harder to store very large packs. Check their size, the appliance’s width and how much room the door needs to open.
Choose this if: you store a lot of food or bulky containers and have enough clearance above the lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom is less easy to reach, so the baskets and layout are important factors when choosing.
Choose this if: you have a suitable niche and need extra storage rather than a very large stock-up space.
Bear in mind: a compact capacity may not be enough for bulk shopping. Check the required installation dimensions and ventilation in the manual.
Choose this if: you also need to replace your fridge or can’t fit a second appliance, and the freezer compartment meets your needs.
Bear in mind: the total capacity alone won’t tell you how much freezer space you get. Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately.
The shares below represent consumers, grouped by the factor that matters most to their home storage needs.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the litres of freezer space, the size of your containers and, for a fridge-freezer, the fridge and freezer capacities separately. | If I store large packs and several prepared dishes, I want enough room for the containers I use. Around 31% of consumers prioritise available capacity. |
| Access and storage | Check the drawers or baskets, how the appliance opens, visibility at the back and the size of the containers you use regularly. | When I take out portions often, I want to find them without moving several packs. Around 25% of consumers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Location | Measure access routes, the appliance dimensions, door clearance and surrounding space. Compare the room temperature with the limits specified for the model. | If the appliance needs to fit in a niche or an unheated room, I want to check that it can be installed and run in those conditions. Around 25% of consumers prioritise suitability for the location. |
| Power cuts | Compare the stated storage time and the conditions under which it was measured. Don’t mistake it for a guarantee that food will remain safe after a power cut. | If there’s a power cut, I want to compare the stated storage time without treating it as food safety advice. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this feature. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Check the kWh/year figure and distinguish between a feature that reduces frost build-up and NoFrost on the exact model. | If I want to assess day-to-day use, I compare the stated energy consumption and the maintenance required. Around 6% of consumers prioritise these factors. |
Fridge and freezer capacities are different. For the Bosch KGV36VWEAS, Bosch Electroménager France states a fridge capacity of 214 l and a freezer capacity of 94 l.
Compare the litres of freezer space alone with the amount you need to store before deciding to replace your fridge.
If the compartment is too small, you may still need a second appliance.
Permitted ambient temperatures and ventilation requirements vary by model. Electrolux Assistance recommends comparing the room temperature with the appliance’s climate class. Beko states that the HSM27050 can operate at a minimum ambient temperature of −15 °C, but this does not apply to other models.
Check the room’s temperatures and consult the permitted range and clearance requirements in the manual for the exact model.
If the appliance isn’t suitable, you may have to find another location or choose a different model.
According to the brands’ descriptions, LowFrost and MinFrost reduce frost build-up, while NoFrost refers to a different feature. Maintenance requirements vary by model.
Check the exact feature and the maintenance instructions in the manual, rather than relying on the name alone.
A feature that reduces frost may still leave you with maintenance to do.
The duration depends on the conditions under which it was measured and, on its own, doesn’t determine whether food is safe to eat. Que Choisir Ensemble’s test protocol describes measuring the time taken for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C. The DGCCRF deals separately with the risks associated with breaks in the cold chain.
Compare the stated storage times for different models, then follow the food safety guidance that applies to the actual situation after a power cut.
Examples to compare if you’re considering adding a large standalone upright freezer or replacing your fridge with a fridge-freezer.
The HSM27050 chest freezer is worth considering if you need plenty of storage, particularly if it will be installed in a cold room.
The WHCF 204 4 is an example of a mid-capacity chest freezer to compare based on the access you need and the floor space available.
The CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer is an example of a high-capacity model to compare against your room dimensions and installation conditions.
The LUB3AE88S built-in freezer is a compact option to assess based on your niche dimensions and how much you need to store.
This selection brings together standalone freezers and fridge-freezers, so you can compare storage options, stated capacity and the space available.
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Separate access and two freezer drawers that can be combined may suit you if you store bulky food or take items out regularly.
Stated total capacity: 474 L. Energy rating E.
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Drawer storage can help you separate different types of food and find portions more easily.
Stated capacity: 161 L. The product details list three freezer drawers and two drawers, as well as a No Frost feature. Energy rating C.
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Worth comparing if you also need to replace your fridge. Assess the freezer capacity separately to see if it will hold everything you need.
Stated total capacity: 444 L, including 276 L for the fridge and 168 L for the freezer. No Frost feature. Stated width: 83 cm. Energy rating E.
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The stated capacity and removable basket may suit a large stock of food, provided there’s enough room to open the lid and organise items at the bottom.
Stated capacity: 291 L. The product details list a convertible fridge-freezer mode, five temperature settings and a minimum ventilation clearance of 10 cm. Energy rating E.
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Worth comparing if you’re also replacing your fridge and want a separate freezer compartment with drawer storage.
Stated total capacity: 525 L, including 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer. No Frost feature. Energy rating E.
Compare the amount of frozen food you keep with the usable capacity of your current compartment, and check whether its layout works for you. If you’re also replacing your fridge, compare the fridge-freezer’s freezer capacity separately: a large total capacity may still include a relatively small freezer compartment.
No. Suitability depends on the model and the temperatures the room actually reaches. Check the climate class, permitted ambient temperature range, manual and ventilation requirements. Beko’s stated operating temperature of −15 °C for the HSM27050 doesn’t apply to other appliances.
It’s a feature to compare from model to model, not a guarantee that food will remain safe to eat after the stated time. Under its test conditions, Que Choisir Ensemble’s protocol measures how long the temperature takes to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C. If there’s a real power cut, follow the food safety guidance that applies to the situation.
Not necessarily. Bosch describes the NoFrost feature on the GSN58AWEV as eliminating the need for manual defrosting, while Electrolux says LowFrost on the LUB3AE88S reduces frost build-up. Check the features and maintenance instructions for the model you choose.
For a purchase made by a consumer from a professional retailer, the legal guarantee of conformity may be invoked for two years for new or second-hand goods, subject to the applicable legal conditions. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that an optional commercial warranty does not replace this legal guarantee.
Ask the retailer about taking back your old appliance when you buy a new one. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition distinguishes between take-back when buying a replacement (‘one for one’) and take-back without a purchase. Confirm the practical arrangements before delivery.