To store more frozen shopping, start by choosing a freezer that suits the space available and the way you access your food. A chest freezer is ideal when capacity is your priority, while an upright freezer makes it easier to organise food into compartments. An under-counter model is more of a useful extra when space is limited. If you’re already replacing your fridge, compare fridge freezers too, but look at the capacity of the freezer compartment alone. In every case, check the dimensions, the energy consumption shown on the energy label and the model’s permitted ambient temperature against your installation requirements.
If you buy in bulk, batch-cook or freeze home-grown produce, look at the usable capacity of a chest freezer and the space it needs. Que Choisir and Whirlpool France highlight capacity and footprint as important considerations for this format.
If you open your freezer often and sort food into categories, the drawers in an upright model are worth considering. Check how they’re arranged and the model’s usable capacity rather than judging it by height alone.
If a chest freezer would take up too much floor space, compare the footprint of an upright freezer, an under-counter model and a higher-capacity fridge freezer. Also measure the space needed to open the door and access the appliance.
To compare the different formats, start with your main constraint, then check how much food each model can actually freeze. Que Choisir distinguishes between chest and upright freezers in terms of capacity, footprint and access to food.
Consider it: when a large stock of food is your priority and you have floor space available.
The trade-off: reaching food at the bottom and opening the lid may require more space and organisation.
Consider it: if you often need to access different categories of food and have enough height.
The trade-off: make sure the usable capacity and door clearance also meet your needs.
Consider it: if the space under your worktop means you need a low appliance and you’re looking for extra storage.
The trade-off: check its usable capacity against the amount of shopping you actually want to store.
Consider it: if you’re already replacing your main appliance and want both functions in one.
The trade-off: only part of its total capacity is available for frozen food.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment and, for a chest freezer, how the interior is organised. | When my bulk shopping starts to pile up, I want to be able to build up a stock without relying on the total capacity of a fridge freezer. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise this storage capacity. |
| Space available | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to open the appliance. | If my kitchen can’t accommodate a chest freezer, I’m looking for an appliance that adds storage without blocking the way. For around 29% of shoppers, floor space is the main concern. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the layout of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. | As I open the freezer often, I’d rather find food by category than move everything in my stock around. Easy access comes first for around 21% of shoppers. |
| One appliance | With a fridge freezer, distinguish the freezer capacity from the capacity reserved for refrigeration. | If I’m already replacing my fridge, I’d rather check whether one new appliance can meet my needs. Around 14% of shoppers put having both functions in one appliance at the top of their list. |
Some of that capacity is for chilled food, so it won’t meet your need for frozen storage.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity in litres on the energy label or appliance specifications with the amount you want to store.
A chest freezer may offer the capacity you’re looking for, but some food can be hard to reach and the lid may be awkward to open.
Measure the space, the clearance above the appliance and the delivery route. Check the baskets and dividers included with the model you choose.
Permitted ambient temperatures vary by model, even if your garage or cellar has enough space.
Before planning where to install it, check the permitted ambient temperature range or climate class in the manual for the exact model.
This feature affects maintenance; it isn’t enough to compare the energy consumption of two appliances. ADEME recommends using the energy label when choosing household appliances.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, energy class and the capacity of appliances that meet the same storage needs.
Worth considering for upright freezers, especially if the interior layout is important to you.
Worth considering across its chest and upright freezers if frost or installation in an unheated room is a factor in your choice.
Worth considering if you want to compare a chest and an upright freezer from the same brand.
These appliances let you explore a chest freezer, an upright model or replacing your fridge with a fridge freezer. For smaller upright freezers, check that the capacity is right for your bulk shopping.
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Worth considering if you want separate freezer storage with drawers. The product title lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost protection, energy class C and a freezing temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C.
Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions and permitted ambient temperature. Also check its annual energy consumption on the energy label.
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Worth considering if you want extra storage in a chest freezer rather than replacing your fridge. The product title lists a capacity of 140 L, a counterbalanced lid, an adjustable thermostat and energy class E.
Check the clearance needed to open the lid, and confirm what’s included in the box if you plan to use a storage basket.
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Worth considering if a 99 L chest freezer is enough for your needs, rather than opting for a larger appliance. The product title mentions a removable wire basket, an adjustable thermostat, a four-star rating and energy class E.
Compare its capacity with your usual shopping and make sure you can access it easily from above. Check the maintenance requirements and permitted ambient temperature for this model.
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Worth considering as extra storage when space is limited; 60 L may not be enough if you’re building up a large stock of food. The product title lists three drawers, a reversible door, freestanding installation and energy class E.
Measure the space and check the installation requirements before considering placing it under a worktop: freestanding installation isn’t the same as built-in installation.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your main fridge rather than adding a separate freezer. The stated 495 L capacity is for the whole appliance, not just the freezer compartment; the product title lists energy class E.
Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and layout separately, then confirm the dimensions and clearances needed for installation.
No. You also need to be able to install it and access its contents easily. Whirlpool France generally associates chest freezers with larger quantities, but measure the available floor space, lid clearance and delivery route before choosing a model.
An upright freezer may be a better fit than a chest freezer when floor space is limited, as Whirlpool France points out. However, compare the exact dimensions and door clearance. If you’re placing it under a worktop, also check the model’s installation requirements.
Compare the freezer compartment capacity in litres, not the fridge freezer’s total capacity. European information on energy labels for refrigeration appliances distinguishes between compartment capacities, so you can check whether the freezer space meets your needs.
For the models that have it, Bosch and Liebherr describe No Frost as a feature that prevents the need for manual defrosting. Check that the model you choose includes it, and compare its annual energy consumption separately: the feature alone doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses.
Yes, as long as the installation requirements and permitted ambient temperature range for the model are suitable for the room. Liebherr offers FrostProtect on selected appliances, but not all its freezers have this feature. Check the manual for the model you’re considering before installation.