Households that batch cook
You prepare several meals in advance and want to find portions easily. How often you add food and how the inside is organised matter just as much as the stated capacity.
Who is this guide for?
Households freezing home-grown produce
Sometimes you need to store a large quantity of fruit or vegetables in one go. Make sure you have enough space for the appliance and easy access to your supplies.
Households short on space
You’re looking for an extra freezer that can actually be installed and opened in the space available. The dimensions and usable capacity will help you choose the right type.
Which priorities should you compare?
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Storing and finding meals | Layout and dimensions of the drawers; freezer compartment capacity. | If you prepare portions that you’ll take out often, easy-to-reach storage may matter more. Around 31% of consumers prioritise organising and accessing meals. |
| Storing a harvest or a large shop | Usable capacity; freezing capacity in kg/24 h for larger additions. | If you need to freeze a harvest or a large amount of food in one go, compare the storage capacity and freezing capacity. Around 25% of consumers prioritise handling these larger quantities. |
| Fitting and opening the appliance | Dimensions, route to the installation spot and clearance needed to open the door or lid; climate class suitable for the room. | If space is limited, you need to be able to get the appliance into position and open its door or lid. Around 19% of consumers make the appliance’s footprint their priority. |
| Managing energy use and noise | Annual energy consumption in kWh/year and stated noise level in dB(A). | These figures may influence your choice if the appliance will be near living areas or you’re keeping an eye on your electricity use. Around 13% of consumers put them at the top of their list. |
| Preparing for a power cut | Stated storage time for the specific model and the relevant conditions; whether it has an alarm, if applicable. | If you want to compare how long a model stays cold during a power cut, check the details for each model and don’t treat them as a guarantee of food safety. Around 12% of consumers prioritise this factor. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Going by a fridge freezer’s total capacity
The space for frozen food is only part of the total capacity. LG states that the LG GBV22NCDPY has a total capacity of 387 L, including 110 L for the freezer.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the amount you want to store.
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Confusing storage capacity with freezing capacity
Litres indicate volume, while kg/24 h tells you the stated freezing capacity. They answer different questions.
If you add a lot of food at once, compare both figures for each model.
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Assuming a chest freezer will suit a cold room
Whether an appliance can cope with a low room temperature depends on the specifications of that particular model, not just on its chest-freezer design.
Check the climate class and the manufacturer’s stated temperatures for the room where you plan to install it.
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Treating the stated storage time as a guarantee about your food
UFC-Que Choisir measures, among other things, how long it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C. This measurement alone cannot tell you the condition of each food after a real power cut.
Compare storage times based on their test conditions, then assess the condition of your food separately after an outage.
Brands to consider by freezer type
Haier
Haier France’s range includes both upright and chest freezers. The H4F240WEE is an example of an upright model with vertical storage.
- Haier France states that the H4F240WEE has a 240 L capacity and four drawers.
- These specifications apply to this upright model; they don’t apply to every model or to the brand’s chest freezers.
Liebherr
The CFd 2085 chest freezer is an example of a model suited to storing larger quantities.
- Liebherr states that the CFd 2085 has a 248 L capacity and measures 82 × 125 × 71 cm.
- FrostProtect and SmartFrost are features stated for this particular model; check the product documentation for details of what they offer.
Bosch
The GTV15NWEB is an example of an under-counter freezer for a more restricted space.
- Bosch states that this model has 83 L of usable capacity and a freezing capacity of 4,0 kg/24 h.
- A compact capacity may leave less room when you need to store larger quantities, so compare it with your needs and the dimensions of the space.
Whirlpool
The WHM4612 chest freezer is an example of a model with storage baskets.
- Whirlpool’s product information lists three baskets and a freezing capacity of 20,0 kg/24 h for the WHM4612.
- The stated figures of 247 kWh/year and 42 dB apply to this model. They shouldn’t be generalised to all chest freezers or compared without taking the models into account.
LG
The GBV22NCDPY fridge freezer is an option to consider if you also need to replace your fridge.
- LG states that it has a total capacity of 387 L, including 110 L for the freezer.
- Compare the freezer capacity, not the total capacity, with the quantities you want to store.
Products available on Joybuy
This selection includes upright and chest freezers, an under-counter appliance and a fridge freezer, so you can compare storage options based on capacity and available space.
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Hisense RS3P558NEID, 544 L American-style fridge freezer
Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want a dedicated freezer compartment.
Stated total capacity: 544 L; freezer capacity: 197 L; freezing capacity: 12 kg/24 h.
Stated dimensions: 911 × 1786 × 615 mm. Check the route to the installation spot and whether the appliance is suitable for the room temperature.
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Heinrich’s, 161 L upright freezer
Worth considering if you want to organise food or portions separately in an upright freezer.
The description lists three drawers and two trays, a No Frost function, a Fast Freeze function and an alarm.
Stated temperature range: −14 °C to −22 °C; stated energy rating: C. Check the dimensions and installation requirements for this model.
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YASHE BC-150Q-EU, 150 L chest freezer
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer to build up a stock of food and want basket storage.
Stated capacity: 150 L; two removable baskets and six temperature settings are listed.
Stated dimensions: 51,5 × 83,3 × 71,5 cm. Check the clearance needed to open the lid and the climate class suitable for the room.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want a large-capacity chest freezer that, according to the model description, can be switched between refrigeration and freezing.
Stated capacity: 291 L; one removable basket, five-level digital control and LED lighting are listed.
Stated dimensions: 1100 × 597 × 872 mm; stated energy rating: E. Check the available space and installation requirements.
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COMFEE’ RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
Worth considering as a compact extra freezer if you have space to install it under a worktop.
Stated capacity: 60 L; three drawers, a reversible door and a freezing capacity of 6 kg/24 h are listed.
Stated dimensions: 44,5 × 47,5 × 84,5 cm. Check the clearance required and whether the appliance is suitable for the room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How can I work out how much freezer capacity I need?
Make a note of the containers you want to store at the same time, as well as the amount of food from your biggest cooking session or harvest. Then compare the usable capacity of the freezer compartment alone and, separately, its freezing capacity in kg/24 h. LG states that the GBV22NCDPY has 110 L of freezer capacity out of a total 387 L.
Can I put a chest freezer in a cold garage?
Only if the product documentation confirms that the model is suitable for the temperatures in that room. Liebherr states that FrostProtect allows the CFd 2085 to operate down to −15 °C; this feature doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
How can I compare models’ electricity consumption?
Compare the figures in kWh/year given for each model, then multiply them by the price per kWh on your tariff to estimate the cost at that rate. UFC-Que Choisir also measures consumption under different conditions; the figure on an energy label won’t predict your actual bill exactly.
What statutory guarantee applies to a freezer bought from a business in France?
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual, subject to the conditions of that guarantee. The Ministry of the Economy distinguishes this statutory guarantee from any optional commercial warranty.
Does a new domestic freezer need an energy label in French?
Domestic refrigeration appliances are subject to energy labelling. In France, the DGCCRF states that the energy label and product information sheet must be in French. Different requirements may apply in certain circumstances, particularly for some refurbished products.