Who is each type best for?

The amount of food you want to store isn’t the only factor when choosing a freezer. How often you access your food and how much space you have available also make a difference.

Households that store large quantities

If you buy in bulk or freeze lots of portions, consider a chest freezer if you have enough room in a cellar, pantry or utility room. Also think about how you’ll find food stored at the bottom.

Households that want to find meals quickly

If you often open the freezer to take out a portion or a bag, look at the layout and ease of use of an upright freezer’s drawers, not just its stated capacity.

Households with limited space

If a large chest freezer won’t fit in your kitchen, compare the footprint of an upright or under-counter model. If you’re also replacing your fridge, check whether the freezer compartment in a large fridge-freezer can hold enough for your needs.

Which features should you prioritise?

Choose a type based on the largest amount you’ll need to store and the space you can actually use. Then compare the features of models that can be installed in your home.

Chest freezer

Consider if: you buy in bulk or need to store bulky food, and have enough floor space in a room.

Bear in mind: food stored at the bottom takes more organising to keep it accessible.

Upright freezer

Consider if: you often need to find meals and portions stored in drawers.

Bear in mind: the drawers may limit the space available for bulky containers.

Compact or under-counter freezer

Consider if: you only need a little extra storage and need it to fit in a small kitchen.

Bear in mind: check its capacity against what you plan to store before ruling out a larger appliance.

Large fridge-freezer

Consider if: you’re also replacing your fridge and the freezer section can hold your shopping.

Bear in mind: the fridge-freezer’s total capacity is not the same as its freezer capacity.

Feature What to check What matters to shoppers
Storage capacity Net freezer capacity and the space available for your usual containers; freezing capacity if you regularly freeze lots of fresh food. After a big shop, I want to store bulk buys and prepared meals without overfilling the appliance. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise this capacity.
Access to food The layout and dimensions of drawers or baskets; how easy it is to reach food stored at the bottom. When I take out a portion every day, I want to find it without moving all my other food; easy access comes first for around 29% of shoppers.
Installation Dimensions and clearance requirements; the climate class or ambient temperature range that suits the room. If my kitchen is narrow or the room isn’t very warm, I first need an appliance that will fit and work there. This is the main consideration for around 21% of shoppers.
Everyday use Annual energy consumption on the energy label, storage time during a power cut and defrosting method. I want to keep a large stock without overlooking energy use, maintenance or power cuts. These everyday-use considerations come first for around 14% of shoppers.

When comparing capacities, look at the litres for the freezer section alone: a fridge-freezer’s total capacity also includes the fridge. UFC-Que Choisir describes chest freezers with capacities of up to 600 l and upright freezers generally around 200 l, with the largest reaching 400 l. These are only guidelines, so check the specifications for the model you choose. In a cellar or pantry, the appliance’s type alone doesn’t guarantee that it will work at the room temperature.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing based only on the stated capacity

    An appliance may offer enough capacity but still make it difficult to store your containers or get it through the route you’ve planned for installation.

    Measure the space, access route and clearance needed to open it. Then compare your usual containers with the layout of the drawers or baskets.

  • Putting a chest freezer in a cold room without checking anything else

    Whether an appliance can be used in a cellar, pantry or garage depends on the model, not its shape. Some appliances are designed to work at low ambient temperatures, but this doesn’t apply to all models.

    Check the room temperature throughout the year and compare it with the model’s climate class and the temperature limits in its manual.

  • Overlooking power cuts and big freezing sessions

    Storage time during a power cut and freezing capacity meet two different needs: keeping food cold without electricity and freezing fresh food after a shop.

    Compare these two figures separately, follow the ventilation clearance requirements in the manual and use the model’s defrosting instructions.

  • Confusing fridge-freezer size with freezer capacity

    A large fridge-freezer can save you from needing a second appliance, but only if its freezer compartment can hold the amount you plan to store.

    Check the net capacity and layout of the compartment, then compare them with the largest amount you expect to keep.

Brands to consider

These examples highlight features to compare on the models in question; they don’t describe every range from each brand.

Bosch

Worth considering if you’re comparing drawer-style upright freezers and easy access to portions is important.

  • Bosch lists a 328 l freezer capacity, No Frost and 14 h of storage time during a power cut for the GSN54EWCV.
  • These features apply to the GSN54EWCV: check the dimensions and climate class of the model you’re considering.

Liebherr

Worth considering if you’re looking at chest freezers for a room that isn’t very warm.

  • Liebherr states that the relevant appliances fitted with FrostProtect can operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
  • Don’t assume this applies to other chest freezers from the brand: check the exact specifications and the temperature of your room.

Beko

Worth considering if you’re comparing a mid-sized chest freezer and its everyday-use specifications.

  • Beko lists a net capacity of 198 l, storage time of 36 h during a power cut, climate class SN-T and annual energy consumption of 199,94 kWh for the CF200EWN.
  • These figures apply only to the CF200EWN; check that its installation temperature range suits the room you have in mind.

Whirlpool

Worth considering if you’re comparing chest and upright styles based on the space you have and how you want to access your food.

  • Whirlpool’s range includes both styles, giving you different storage layouts to compare.
  • Compare net capacity, dimensions and installation requirements for each model rather than choosing based on style alone.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a chest freezer always better for big shops?

No. A chest freezer is a good option if capacity and space for bulky food are your priorities, but an upright freezer may be more convenient if you often need to find portions stored in drawers. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these styles in terms of capacity and organisation, among other things. Also compare the floor space they take up and how easy it is to access food in the models you’re considering.

How can I tell if a freezer will work in a cellar or pantry?

Compare the actual room temperatures with the climate class and ambient temperature range listed for the model. The words ‘chest freezer’ alone aren’t enough: for example, Liebherr states that only the relevant appliances fitted with FrostProtect can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C.

What should I compare for power cuts and big shops?

Check storage time during a power cut, measured in hours, and freezing capacity, measured in kg/24 h, separately. The first tells you how long food can stay cold without electricity; the second relates to freezing fresh food. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at how appliances perform during a power cut, among other things.

Can a large fridge-freezer replace a separate freezer?

Yes, if you also need to replace your fridge and the freezer compartment’s net capacity is enough for the largest amount you plan to store. Check the size and layout of its drawers: the fridge-freezer’s total capacity alone won’t tell you how much it can freeze.