Start by choosing according to the space available and how often you’ll need access: a chest freezer is ideal for storing large quantities in a suitable room, while an upright freezer makes sorting and daily access easier. A compact model is mainly useful as an extra freezer; if you’re also replacing your fridge, compare the freezer compartment capacity of a large fridge freezer, then check the climate class, dimensions, ventilation requirements, kWh/year and storage time of the exact model.
You need space for frozen foods, fresh produce to freeze or homemade meals. A chest freezer can be a good choice when capacity is the priority and the room meets the model’s installation requirements. In a 2014 UFC-Que Choisir survey of almost 1,500 respondents, 83% said they stored homemade food and 65% fresh food that they had bought and then frozen.
If you want to find food quickly and organise it by meal or category, the drawers in an upright freezer are generally more convenient. Also check the door opening, drawer removal and ease of cleaning in the intended location.
For installation under a worktop, in a niche, cellar, garage or utility room, the format alone isn’t enough: the dimensions, ventilation clearances and ambient temperature range permitted by the model are decisive.
Start by working out how much food you need to store and where the freezer will go, then compare appliances using specifications declared for the exact model.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable capacity in litres with the amount you usually store. A chest freezer offers an open cavity for large containers, while a compact under-worktop model is better suited to occasional extra storage. | I want to store bulk purchases, fresh food to freeze or prepared meals without taking up unnecessary space in the room. In the 2014 UFC-Que Choisir survey of almost 1,500 respondents, 83% said they stored homemade food and 65% frozen fresh food. |
| Access and organisation | Look at the number of drawers, compartments and baskets, as well as the space needed to open the door or lid fully. If manual defrosting is a concern, check whether the model has No Frost. | I prefer to see the different food categories and take items out without moving several layers of products. For large containers, a chest freezer remains practical as long as you use baskets, labels or date-based organisation. |
| Installation and food preservation | Check the climate class, permitted ambient temperatures, specified clearances and the reserve cold-storage time. A door or temperature alarm may also be useful depending on where the appliance is installed. | The room may be hot, cold or far from the kitchen: I want an appliance suited to these conditions, with a clear indication in the event of a power cut. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the A to G energy label, kWh/year, capacity and noise level between models with a similar format and capacity. The European A to G scale has been in use since 1 March 2021. | I want to anticipate the ongoing electricity usage and avoid an appliance that is too audible near an open-plan kitchen or living area. |
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range in which the appliance is designed to operate correctly. A freezer intended for a kitchen will not automatically be suitable for a cellar, garage or utility room.
Record the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year, then compare them with the climate class shown on the model’s rating plate and in its instructions.
Since March 2021, energy labels for household refrigeration appliances have used an A to G scale and also show annual energy consumption, capacity and noise.
Compare the kWh/year, litres and dB of the appliances you’re considering rather than relying on an old A+, A++ or A+++ rating.
The large cavity of a chest freezer makes it easier to store batches and bulky containers, but food placed at the bottom is less immediately accessible than items stored in drawers.
Use baskets or boxes, label your food and rotate your stock by date. If you access the freezer frequently, an upright model with drawers is worth comparing.
Energy consumption is continuous, while the reserve cold-storage time is a separate measure from capacity. Noise matters more when the appliance is close to a living area.
Before buying, check the label for kWh/year and dB, then consult the technical specifications for storage time and any door or temperature alarms.
Bosch offers freezers and installation documentation that places particular emphasis on climate class and upright formats.
Electrolux offers upright freezers, compact integrated models and No Frost appliances for households that prioritise organised storage.
Liebherr sells freestanding upright freezers, with NoFrost and SmartFrost technologies available in some ranges.
Beko offers both chest and upright freezers, including models designed for storing larger quantities.
Joybuy options for increasing your household’s frozen-food storage, including an upright model, a compact under-worktop freezer and several chest freezers to suit different capacity and access requirements.
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For households that want to organise food and access it frequently.
161 L, three drawers, two shelves, LED display, alarm, reversible door, fast-freezing function down to -22 °C and energy class C.
Not designed for built-in installation. Check the model’s documentation for climate class, dimensions, ventilation, storage time and noise level.
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For adding a small amount of extra storage in a kitchen or under a worktop.
60 L, three drawers, reversible door, adjustable thermostat, 4-star freezing, up to 6 kg/24 h and energy class E.
This capacity is intended as additional storage rather than for bulk purchases. Check the model’s clearances, annual energy consumption, storage time and noise level.
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For building up substantial stocks when floor space is available.
291 L, top opening, removable basket, LED lighting, five-level digital control, defrost drain and declared consumption of 226 kWh/year.
Storage relies mainly on the basket, so organise items by category or date. Climate class and storage time should be confirmed before installing the freezer in a garage or utility room.
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For adding limited extra capacity in a restricted space.
99 L, 4-star freezing, adjustable thermostat, removable wire basket, sliding lid, castors, 39 dB and energy class E.
A single basket does not offer the same everyday organisation as drawers. Check the model’s climate class, ventilation and storage time.
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For adding a moderate amount of extra storage in a chest-freezer format.
140 L, storage basket, lid that stays open, adjustable temperature control, adjustable feet and energy class E.
Top access and a single basket require manual organisation. Check the label and instructions for the climate class, noise level, kWh/year and storage time.
The reference temperature for frozen storage is -18 °C, according to the French Ministry of Agriculture. At home, minimise door openings and follow the manufacturer’s instructions as well as the guidance on the packaging.
No. Compare the exact model’s climate class with the minimum and maximum temperatures actually recorded in the room. Bosch states that the ranges may include 10 to 32 °C for SN and 10 to 43 °C for SN-T; these values should not be assumed to apply to another model.
Follow the installation diagram and instructions for the model concerned. Ventilation requirements and, for a built-in appliance, niche dimensions depend on the installation type and manufacturer.
No, it isn’t essential for keeping food frozen. According to Electrolux and Liebherr, their No Frost systems prevent or reduce frost formation; nevertheless, check this feature on the exact model, as it is not available on every upright and chest freezer.
Compare the reserve cold-storage time stated for each model on a clearly identified basis. UFC-Que Choisir measures, among other things, the time taken for the temperature to rise from -17 °C to -9 °C without an electricity supply, showing that this is a separate criterion from capacity or format.