Choose an upright freezer if you want to organise and regularly access your food in drawers, or a chest freezer for large stocks if you have enough floor space. A top-mounted or under-counter model is more suitable as an extra freezer in a compact space, while a large-capacity fridge freezer is mainly worthwhile when you are replacing your fridge as well. Always compare freezer capacity, the energy label, storage time during a power cut and the climate class.
You regularly buy in bulk, freeze home-grown produce or prepare meals in advance, and need more space than the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer can provide. A chest freezer is a sensible choice if you have enough floor space and are happy with less direct access to food at the bottom.
Your main priority is organising food and finding it easily every day. An upright freezer with drawers is generally better suited to this use than a chest freezer, provided you check the dimensions and door clearance.
You are considering moving the appliance out of the kitchen to free up space. The choice should first be based on the actual minimum and maximum temperatures in the room and the climate class specified for the model, rather than simply on whether it is a chest or upright freezer.
Start by measuring the available space and deciding how much frozen food you need to store. Then compare energy, noise, storage time and installation specifications between appliances of a similar format.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and footprint | Compare usable freezer capacity in litres, followed by the width, depth, height and clearance required to open the lid or drawers. For a fridge freezer, look at the freezer compartment capacity separately from the total capacity. | I want to increase my food stocks without overcrowding the room or buying an appliance that is difficult to use. A chest freezer can hold up to 600 L, while upright freezers are often around 200 L, according to Que Choisir. |
| Storage and access | Check the number of drawers, shelves or baskets, as well as how easy it is to remove food from the bottom. Also compare the cooling system and the stated noise level if you are considering a No Frost function. | I want to find regularly used products before they are forgotten at the bottom. The drawers in an upright freezer make sorting easier, while a basket is mainly useful for keeping food near the top of a chest freezer within easy reach. |
| Installation outside the kitchen | Check the climate class and the ambient temperature range for the exact model. Follow the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions and keep the appliance away from heat sources. | I want to install the appliance in a cellar, utility room or garage without risking unsuitable operation. The climate class must cover the temperatures actually recorded in the room, in both summer and winter. |
| Energy and storage time | Compare the A to G energy label, annual consumption in kWh, noise level in dB(A), freezer capacity and storage time during a power cut. Assess these figures between appliances with similar capacities. | I want to avoid a capacity increase leading to uncontrolled energy consumption or unexpected defrosting. ADEME reminds us that freezers run continuously. |
The appliance format does not prove that it can operate in a cold or hot outbuilding. Temperatures outside the specified range can affect performance or increase energy consumption, and functions designed for unheated rooms only apply to references that explicitly advertise them.
Measure the minimum and maximum temperatures in the room throughout the year, then check the climate class and any mention of low-temperature operation in the product information or instructions for the exact model.
A chest freezer offers plenty of capacity, but requires more floor space and makes food at the bottom less accessible. An appliance that is difficult to open, clean or organise can reduce the benefit of the capacity you have bought.
Check the width, depth, height with the lid open and delivery access route. Choose an upright freezer if organising food in drawers every day matters more than maximum capacity.
A freezer runs continuously. Its capacity, installation and features can affect actual consumption, so the energy rating should be considered alongside annual kWh consumption and usable capacity.
Compare the annual kWh consumption, freezer capacity, noise and storage time stated on the energy label or product information, then relate them to your actual storage needs.
A freezer is electrical and electronic equipment covered by a specific take-back scheme. Collection and installation should be arranged before ordering, especially for a heavy appliance or one intended for an outbuilding.
Request free “one-for-one” collection at the time of purchase and check that access, the destination room and the delivery slot are suitable for your installation.
A brand worth considering for a freestanding upright freezer with internal storage and features designed to reduce the need for defrosting.
A brand to consider when a chest or upright freezer is to be installed in a cold outbuilding, provided the specific reference mentions the relevant technology.
A brand worth looking at for a chest freezer when a household wants plenty of capacity and aims to limit frost build-up.
These Joybuy options include upright freezers, chest freezers in different capacities and a fridge freezer to increase household storage, depending on the space available and the type of access you prefer.
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An option for adding organised storage with easy everyday access through drawers.
161 L, three drawers, two shelves, C energy rating, LED display, alarm and reversible door advertised. Check the dimensions, annual consumption, storage time and climate class before buying, particularly for an unheated room.
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This chest freezer is suitable for substantial food stocks when top opening and less compartmentalised access are acceptable.
291 L, E energy rating, 226 kWh/year, 38 dB, LED lighting, removable basket and five-level digital control advertised. Dimensions: 1100 × 597 × 872 mm; allow 10 cm for ventilation and check the storage time and climate class.
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An extra storage solution for a limited space rather than an option for very large food stocks.
99 L, E energy rating, stated noise level of 39 dB, 4-star freezing, adjustable thermostat and removable wire basket. Dimensions: 54.5 × 47.6 × 83.5 cm; manual defrosting is required when frost exceeds 5 mm.
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A medium-capacity chest freezer for adding to your household food stocks without moving up to a large model.
140 L, E energy rating, storage basket, counterbalanced lid, adjustable thermostat, castors and adjustable feet advertised. Dimensions: 637 × 556 × 846 mm; check annual consumption, noise, storage time and climate range before installation.
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An option to consider if you are also replacing your fridge and want a moderate increase in freezer capacity.
262 L in total, including 75 L of freezer space across three drawers; 215 kWh/year, 39 dB(A), stated storage time of 10 hours and Low Frost system. Width: 54 cm; the stated range of 16 to 38 °C is not suitable for a cold outbuilding.
No. Check the climate class and the permitted minimum and maximum ambient temperatures for the exact model, on the rating plate or in its documentation. Bosch states that temperature ranges vary according to the class, while Beko advertises operation down to -15 °C only on certain Freezer Guard models. Also ensure that air can circulate around the appliance in accordance with the instructions.
The European label uses a scale from A to G and indicates, among other things, annual consumption in kWh, the capacity of the frozen compartments and noise level. The European Commission recommends comparing these points between appliances with similar capacities and formats, rather than choosing solely on the basis of the displayed letter.
Compare the storage time during a power cut, expressed in hours, on the product information or label. Que Choisir regards this as an essential criterion, as it indicates how long food remains frozen during a power failure.
Yes. When buying an equivalent new appliance as a replacement, the retailer must offer free “one-for-one” take-back, including for distance sales. According to ecosystem, when the new appliance is delivered to your home, the old one must be collected from its place of use during delivery.
The legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual, including new, second-hand and refurbished products. economie.gouv.fr states that it covers, in particular, goods that do not match their description or normal intended use, or for which the installation instructions are inadequate.