Households building up large stocks
If you prepare several meals in advance or buy in bulk, look at the available freezer capacity first, then consider the space needed to install and open the appliance.
Who is this choice for?
Households that often use frozen portions
If you regularly take meals or ingredients out of the freezer, drawers or baskets can help you organise different categories and find what you’re looking for.
Homes with limited space
If you mainly need extra capacity in a small kitchen or under a worktop, measure the space and check the ventilation requirements before choosing a compact model.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
Chest freezer
Consider it: for storing large stocks if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise the contents carefully to reach items at the bottom, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Upright freezer
Consider it: for keeping portions in accessible compartments when you use them frequently.
Bear in mind: drawers can make it harder to store particularly bulky containers.
Small freezer
Consider it: for extra capacity if there’s no room for a chest freezer or a full-height upright model.
Bear in mind: its smaller capacity is less suited to large bulk shops.
Fridge freezer
Consider it: if you want to replace an appliance that’s become too small for both fresh and frozen food.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee a large freezer compartment.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Stocking up | Net freezer capacity in litres and the size of the containers you need to store. | I want to freeze lots of meals or large food shops, even if it takes up more floor space; around 33% of consumers prioritise this need for capacity. |
| Access to portions | The layout and dimensions of the drawers or baskets. | When I take out a portion often, I want to find it without rummaging through a deep chest. This need to keep things organised comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Available space | The appliance’s dimensions, the space needed to open the door or lid, and the ventilation requirements in the manual. | There’s little room in my kitchen for another appliance, so being able to install it is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Replacing a fridge freezer | The net capacities of the fridge and freezer, listed separately. | If both compartments are too small, I’d rather consider a single replacement appliance; around 20% of consumers prioritise this need for both fresh and frozen food. |
For your chosen location, also check the model’s climate class and installation instructions. The energy label lets you compare annual energy consumption. Electrolux France advises that ventilation requirements are listed in the manual or installation guide.
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage or utility room
The permitted ambient temperature and ventilation requirements vary by model. So an unheated room won’t automatically be suitable for the appliance you choose.
Check the climate class and installation instructions against the temperature of the room you have in mind. Beko says that the advertised compatibility of some Freezer Guard chest freezers with ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C applies to those models, not all of its freezers.
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
A chest can hold a large stock of food, but it takes up floor space and items at the bottom are harder to find.
Measure the space and the clearance needed to open the lid, then choose between baskets, dividers or an upright freezer with drawers, depending on how you’ll access your food.
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Treating an ice compartment like a freezer for home-cooked meals
The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between an ice compartment, intended for temporarily storing food that has already been frozen, and a freezer, which is used to freeze food.
If you prepare portions to freeze, choose an appliance with a proper freezing function and follow the food safety guidance for your dishes.
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Comparing only the letter on the energy label
The energy efficiency class alone doesn’t tell you how much freezer capacity you’ll have or what each appliance’s stated annual energy consumption is.
Compare the annual kWh consumption and net capacity in litres on the labels of models that meet your storage needs. The European Union describes the energy label as a tool for comparing how much energy appliances use.
Brands to consider
Beko
A brand to consider for chest freezers designed for storing food at home.
- Beko says some of its Freezer Guard models are designed to work in rooms where the ambient temperature drops as low as −15 °C.
- This feature doesn’t apply across the whole range: check the model number, climate class and manual.
Liebherr
An option to explore if you’re looking for an upright freezer with compartmentalised storage.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 238 L and dimensions of 165,5 × 59,7 × 67,5 cm for its FNe 5006 NoFrost upright freezer.
- Check that there’s enough space for installation and confirm the usable capacity of the model you’re considering. Liebherr’s NoFrost feature doesn’t mean you can skip the care instructions.
Electrolux
A brand to look at for compact or built-in models, as well as fridge freezers with separate capacities.
- Electrolux lists a 70 L freezer and a 179 L fridge for its KNS3SE18S built-in fridge freezer.
- If you’re prioritising a large stock of frozen food, compare the 70 L capacity with your needs and follow the specified niche dimensions and ventilation requirements.
Bosch
A brand to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your fridge freezer rather than adding a separate freezer.
- Bosch highlights its high-capacity fridge freezers for households looking to store more groceries in a single appliance.
- For the model you choose, compare the freezer capacity in litres, dimensions and annual energy consumption. Don’t rely on the total capacity alone.
Appliances to suit your needs
These appliances offer a few ways to add freezer capacity or replace a fridge freezer: upright and chest freezers for keeping a separate stock, a small freezer for extra capacity, and fridge freezers with different freezer capacities. The CHiQ model, with a stated freezer capacity of 74 L, isn’t suited to the same storage needs as the Samsung fridge freezer.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you’d rather organise portions across several compartments than stack them in a chest.
The product name lists No-Frost protection, drawers and an energy efficiency class of C. Check its dimensions and installation requirements for your chosen location.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge freezer, black
Consider this if you’re replacing a single appliance and need room for both fresh and frozen food.
The product name lists a total capacity of 495 L and an energy efficiency class of E. Before choosing it for your food stocks, compare the freezer capacity separately and measure the installation space.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
This chest freezer is suited to a household looking for separate storage, with enough floor space and clearance above the lid.
The product name lists a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an energy efficiency class of E. Check the climate class and installation requirements if you plan to put it in an unheated room.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer, white
This model is worth considering for extra freezer capacity rather than a large family stock.
The product name lists a freestanding design, three drawers, a reversible door and an energy efficiency class of E. Measure any alcove you’re considering and check the ventilation requirements: don’t assume a freestanding appliance can be built in.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge freezer, silver
Worth comparing if you’re replacing a fridge freezer in a compact kitchen and don’t need a very large stock of frozen food.
The product name lists 153 L for the fridge, 74 L for the freezer and a width of 54 cm. It also mentions Low Frost, which doesn’t mean you’ll never need to defrost it, and an energy efficiency class of E.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put any freezer in an unheated garage?
No. Choose a model whose permitted ambient temperature range suits your garage and follow its installation instructions. Beko says that only some Freezer Guard chest freezers can be used at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C; this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
Is the ice compartment in my fridge enough to freeze prepared meals?
An ice compartment isn’t necessarily a substitute for a proper freezer for this purpose. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes it from an appliance designed to freeze food: check what your appliance can do and follow the rules for preparing and storing meals.
What temperature should I set my freezer to for storing meals?
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting your freezer to −18 °C to store frozen food. Also check the appliance instructions and any guidance specific to the food you’re storing.
What should I compare on the energy label before choosing?
Compare the stated annual energy consumption, then check that the net freezer capacity meets your needs. The energy label presented by the European Union helps you compare appliances, but its rating alone isn’t enough to choose between very different formats or capacities.