If you regularly take out a variety of portions, choose an upright freezer with easy-to-access storage. If you want to stock up on bulky items, a chest freezer is a good option, provided you have room to open it and organise its contents. A large fridge-freezer may be enough if you only need a little extra freezer space. In every case, compare the freezer capacity, dimensions, room temperature and energy label of the model you choose.
If you prepare several meals in advance, drawers or compartments can make it easier to organise and access your portions. Que Choisir distinguishes between upright and chest freezer formats in particular, based on how they are organised.
To store bulk buys or bulky items, check the usable freezer capacity and how much space the appliance will take up. Also consider how easy it will be to reach food at the bottom.
If you’re installing your freezer in a garage, cellar or utility room, compare the room temperature with the ambient temperature range stated for the exact model. A claim that applies to one model doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Choose this if: you often take out different portions and want to find them in separate storage compartments.
Bear in mind: check that your bulkiest items will fit in the compartments and that the door can open where you plan to put the freezer.
Choose this if: you’re stocking up on bulk buys and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: the top-opening lid and stacked food mean you’ll need an organised storage system if you access the contents often.
Choose this if: you mainly want more space for your regular shopping, rather than a separate freezer reserve.
Bear in mind: only the freezer compartment capacity tells you how much room there is for your bulk buys and portions.
Once you’ve chosen a format based on how often you need access and the size of your bulk buys, check these three points on the product information for the specific model.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Usable freezer capacity in litres; freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you freeze large quantities at once. For a fridge-freezer, don’t use its total capacity. | If I bring home bulky items, I want to be able to store them without confusing storage space with the amount that can be frozen in one day. Around 38% of consumers prioritise this reserve. |
| Access to portions | Drawers or compartments in an upright freezer; the number and layout of baskets in a chest freezer. | If I often take out different prepared meals, I’d rather find them without moving other food. Easy access and organisation come first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Location | Dimensions and clearance required; climate class or stated ambient temperature range, especially in an unheated space. Also compare kWh/year for appliances with a similar function and capacity. | If the appliance needs to go in a cold room or a tight space, I first need to make sure it can operate there and that the door can open properly. This compatibility is the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
Some of that capacity is for refrigeration and can’t be used for frozen food.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the bulk buys and containers you plan to store in it.
The climate class and any suitability for low temperatures depend on the model. For example, Whirlpool states that the WHM2112 is suitable for temperatures down to −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to other chest freezers.
Note the temperatures in the room and compare them with the product information or manual for the model you’re considering.
If you often use a variety of portions, food stored underneath other items may be harder to find.
Check how many baskets are included and plan how you’ll organise the contents, or choose an upright freezer if easy access is your priority.
The energy efficiency rating alone doesn’t tell you an appliance’s stated annual energy consumption.
Also check the kWh/year figure on the energy label and compare models with a similar function and capacity.
The range includes upright freezers and large-capacity fridge-freezers: two options to consider depending on whether or not you want a separate freezer reserve.
Its chest freezers let you consider the size of your reserve, basket storage and where you plan to put the appliance separately.
Its range of chest freezers is worth considering if the appliance will be installed in a room where the temperature varies.
Its built-in models are designed for fitting into a kitchen, rather than simply providing a large freezer reserve.
These models include chest freezers for stocking up on frozen food and an upright freezer for organising portions. First choose the format that suits how you’ll use it, then check the capacity and location requirements of the model you select.
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For storing bulk buys with top access; plan how to organise the contents if you often use different portions.
Stated capacity of 291 L, energy efficiency class E, 5-level digital control and removable basket.
If you’re putting it in an unheated room, check the ambient temperature range permitted for this model.
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For a dedicated freezer reserve, with a basket to keep some smaller items within easy reach; food underneath may take a little more effort to get to.
Stated capacity of 197 L, energy efficiency class E, 5-level digital control and removable basket.
Before installing it in a cellar or cold garage, check the model’s ambient temperature range.
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For organising portions in drawers and accessing them regularly, rather than creating a horizontal freezer reserve.
Stated capacity of 161 L, No Frost system, energy efficiency class C and reversible door hinge.
Before comparing installation requirements and energy consumption, check the dimensions, ambient temperature range and kWh/year figure in the documentation for this model.
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For extra freezer storage while keeping a few items in a basket; the basket doesn’t divide up the whole freezer.
Stated capacity of 141 L, energy efficiency class E, 7-level thermostat and removable basket.
Check the ambient temperature range before choosing an unheated room.
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For a little extra freezer storage; compare its capacity with the size of your bulk buys before choosing it for shopping in larger quantities.
Stated capacity of 95 L, energy efficiency class E, 7-level thermostat and removable basket.
If you plan to put it in a cellar or cold garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range.
It may be, if its freezer compartment can genuinely fit the bulk buys and portions you want to keep. Compare its usable freezer capacity, not the appliance’s total capacity, with your need for a separate freezer reserve.
No: the room temperature must be within the range specified for the exact model. Measure the temperatures it will be exposed to and check its climate class or any specific suitability stated in the manual.
Check the energy efficiency class and stated annual consumption in kWh/year on their energy labels. To make a useful comparison, look at appliances with a similar function and capacity. The European energy labelling information provided by the European Commission cannot predict your exact energy consumption.
No. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that a commercial warranty does not deprive consumers of their statutory rights. For a new product, you can claim under the statutory guarantee of conformity for two years; check the terms of any commercial warranty offered separately.