If you often take out individual portions, start by comparing upright freezers with drawers. If you mainly store large packs and have floor space to spare, consider a chest freezer. A small dedicated freezer can work well as an extra appliance, while a large fridge-freezer saves you from having to add a separate unit. In every case, check the freezer compartment’s capacity, the dimensions, annual energy consumption and the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model.
You freeze ready-made meals and take them out regularly, so easy access and organisation matter just as much as the advertised capacity. Que Choisir Ensemble lists capacity and interior layout among the factors to consider.
You buy frozen food or provisions in large packs and need to balance capacity, access to items at the bottom and the floor space available.
You don’t have room for a tall appliance or are considering a cold room. The dimensions and the ambient temperature range allowed for the model will help guide your choice.
Consider one if: you regularly take out meals or portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: check the door clearance, dimensions and usable capacity. Don’t assume that an upright design will necessarily offer enough room for large packs.
Consider one if: you have floor space to spare and mainly store provisions or bulky packs.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise items carefully to reach those at the bottom. Also allow enough room to open the lid.
Consider one if: you’re looking for a small dedicated appliance to provide extra freezer space.
Bear in mind: the Liebherr FNdi 1624’s 92 L capacity is more limited than the upright and chest freezer examples shown here.
Consider one if: you also need to replace your fridge and don’t want to add a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: compare the capacity of the freezer compartment, not just the appliance’s total capacity.
| Priority | What to check | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Number and size of drawers, usable capacity and door opening. | If you often take out ready-made meals, how they’re organised and accessed may matter more than space for large packs; around 29% of consumers prioritise taking out and storing portions. |
| Storing bulky items | Usable capacity, floor space, lid clearance and baskets. | For bulk buys or large packs, consider whether a chest freezer will suit your space and how you find what you need; around 23% of consumers prioritise storing larger quantities. |
| Available space | Appliance dimensions, access through your home’s doorways and clearance needed to open it. | If space is limited, measure the room needed for everyday use too, not just the area taken up by the appliance; around 18% of consumers put size at the top of their list. |
| Room temperature | Minimum and maximum room temperatures, climate class and any stated suitability for cold conditions for the exact model. | For a cellar, garage or other cold room, check the actual conditions against the model documentation; around 18% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Annual consumption in kWh, capacity and defrosting method in the specifications for the exact model. | If you want to compare running costs and day-to-day upkeep, look at annual consumption and maintenance requirements rather than the energy rating alone; around 12% of consumers put these factors first. |
The energy rating on its own doesn’t tell you the ambient temperature range the model is designed for.
Check the climate class separately, along with any additional cold-weather suitability stated for the exact model, then compare these with the room temperature.
Some of the total capacity is for chilled food, so it may not solve a shortage of space for frozen portions.
Compare the capacity in litres of the freezer compartment or compartments, and check that they can accommodate the containers you want to store.
Baskets help you organise food, but items at the bottom may take more effort to find.
If you often take out small portions, compare the interior layout of both styles and plan how you’ll keep track of your stock.
The French models featured include upright freezers with drawers and chest freezers: two styles to compare depending on how you want to access your food.
The models featured include a convertible chest freezer and a large-capacity fridge-freezer, designed for different needs.
The FNdi 1624 is an example of a dedicated table-top freezer for extra freezer space.
The French range includes freestanding and integrated upright freezers, which you can compare according to your installation requirements.
This selection includes dedicated upright and chest freezers, as well as fridge-freezers with a separate compartment for frozen food.
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This fridge-freezer could suit you if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The product name gives a total capacity of 488 L and an E energy rating. The description lists 159 L for the freezer, along with four shelves and two drawers. So the total capacity isn’t the same as the freezer capacity.
The description also mentions Twin Cooling, fast freezing and an open-door alarm.
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An upright freezer could suit you if you want to store different types of frozen food separately.
The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, two drawers and a C energy rating. It also gives a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C.
The product is listed with No Frost, an LED display, an alarm and a reversible door hinge.
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This model is worth considering if you’re looking for one appliance for both fresh and frozen food.
The product name gives an appliance capacity of 444 L and an E energy rating; this shouldn’t be confused with the freezer capacity. The description lists Total No Frost for both compartments.
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A dedicated chest freezer could suit you if you want extra freezer space for storing provisions.
The product name lists a capacity of 140 L and an E energy rating. The description mentions a basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and a front water drain.
The stated dimensions are 637 × 556 × 846 mm. Check that you have enough room, including clearance to open the lid.
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This smaller-capacity chest freezer could be an option if you need dedicated freezer space and its size suits the amount you plan to store.
The product name lists a capacity of 98 L and an E energy rating. The description mentions a basket, a counterbalanced lid, wheels, temperature control and a front water drain.
No. Compare the room temperature with the climate class and any additional guidance from the manufacturer for the exact model. Bosch describes climate class SN-T as a range of +10 °C to +43 °C; you’ll need to check separately whether each model can operate at a lower temperature.
Check the stated capacity of the freezer compartment or compartments separately from the fridge capacity, then check the appliance dimensions. The European Commission says the label on household fridges and freezers includes information such as capacity and annual energy consumption.
No. Also compare the stated annual energy consumption, usable capacity and installation conditions. The European Commission says the label for the appliances concerned shows details including the energy rating, annual consumption, capacity and noise level.
Anses advises freezing food as soon as it has been prepared, rather than waiting until it is close to its use-by date. To defrost food, it recommends using the fridge, the microwave’s defrost setting, or defrosting it quickly by cooking or reheating. Defrosted food should be eaten promptly, within three days at most, and must not be refrozen.
The DGCCRF reminds consumers that retailers of electrical and electronic equipment must take back used appliances free of charge, subject to the applicable arrangements. Ask the seller how the take-back will work when you place your order.