Households that stock up after shopping
If you store frozen food, multipacks or ready meals for several days, compare the capacity of a chest freezer with the easy access offered by an upright model.
Who are these options for?
Households short of space in both compartments
If you’re running out of room for both fresh and frozen food, a larger fridge-freezer could give you everything you need in one appliance. Be sure to check the freezer capacity separately.
Households with a garage, cellar or utility room
An additional room could accommodate a separate appliance, provided its minimum and maximum ambient temperatures fall within the range specified for the model you choose.
What should you prioritise?
Large fridge-freezer
Consider this if: you need more room for both fresh and frozen food but don’t want to add a second appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the two compartments, so it doesn’t tell you how much room there is for frozen food on its own.
Upright freezer
Consider this if: you’re adding extra freezer storage and want to find food quickly when it’s sorted into categories.
Bear in mind: drawers make it easier to organise food, but divide up the space available for bulkier items.
Chest freezer
Consider this if: you have enough floor space and want a large, open area for frozen food.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising and you’ll need to reach in from above.
| Factor | What to check before buying | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer storage | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity in litres, separately from the total capacity. If you add lots of food at once, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h too. | I want to store frozen food and ready meals between shops without filling the compartment to the brim. Freezing capacity would be the top priority for around 36% of shoppers. |
| Access and storage | Check the size of the drawers or baskets and how easily you’ll be able to reach the food, including items at the bottom of a chest freezer. | I often take something out of the freezer and want to find it without moving everything else. For around 29% of shoppers, easy access and organisation would come before other factors. |
| Kitchen space | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then measure the height, width, depth and clearance needed. | There’s no room in my kitchen for another appliance, but I need more space for fresh and frozen food. More capacity in a single appliance would be the priority for around 21% of shoppers. |
| Room temperature | Note the room’s temperature extremes and check them against the climate class and any specific temperature range stated for the model. | I plan to use a cellar or garage where the temperature changes throughout the year, so the appliance needs to be suitable for those conditions. This compatibility would be the top priority for around 14% of shoppers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on a fridge-freezer’s total capacity
Total capacity combines the fridge and freezer space. For example, Joybuy’s product listing for the Whirlpool WB70E973W gives a total capacity of 462 L, including 153 L for the freezer.
First compare the capacity of the compartment you actually need more space in, then check the other compartment.
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Putting an appliance in an unheated room without checking its climate range
The temperature in a cellar or garage may fall outside the appliance’s specified operating range. Beko notes that ambient temperatures that are too low or too high can affect how an appliance works.
Measure the room’s temperature extremes and check the range specified for the model, including any specific protection against low temperatures.
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
A chest freezer needs floor space and access from above, and food at the bottom may be harder to reach.
Check there’s enough room to open the lid and plan how you’ll organise the contents using baskets or categories.
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Forgetting about your old appliance when replacing it
Old fridges and freezers need to be disposed of through an appropriate collection scheme because of their components. ADEME notes that you may be able to hand the old appliance to the retailer or delivery driver when it’s replaced.
Confirm the collection arrangements before delivery, or find out about taking it to a recycling centre.
Brands to consider for these styles
Bosch
The GSN58AWEV is an example of a high-capacity upright freezer to consider when vertical storage matters as much as extra freezer space.
- According to Bosch’s product information, this model offers 366 L of usable capacity, removable fittings and a Big Box compartment to help you organise items of different sizes.
- The GSN58AWEV measures 191 × 70 × 78 cm. Check its depth in particular, along with the space needed to pull out the drawers.
Liebherr
The CFe 2500 Pure is an example of a chest freezer to consider if you need plenty of storage and are thinking of using it in an unheated room.
- Liebherr states that this model has a capacity of 497 L and FrostProtect, which allows it to be used in ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Its stated footprint is 167 × 71 cm, and it has the storage and access considerations typical of a chest freezer. Check the climate range for every other model you’re considering.
Whirlpool
The WB70E973W lets you look at how capacity is divided in a large fridge-freezer, rather than judging it by a single figure.
- Whirlpool states that this fridge-freezer has a total capacity of 462 L. Its Joybuy listing splits this into 309 L for the fridge and 153 L for the freezer.
- If you mainly need more freezer space, compare its 153 L freezer capacity with that of the separate appliance you’re considering.
Products to suit your needs
These Joybuy models offer several ways to organise your food at home: fridge-freezers for fresh and frozen food, upright freezers for easy sorting, and chest freezers for extra storage. Compare their freezer capacity and dimensions with the space you have available.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge-freezer, black, E energy rating
Worth considering if you want to keep fresh and frozen food in a single multi-door appliance.
Stated total capacity: 495 L; E energy rating.
If you plan to use it in an unheated room or freeze large amounts of food at once, check the model’s ambient temperature range and freezing capacity.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel, C energy rating
An option to consider if you want a separate appliance with compartments for organising frozen food.
Stated capacity: 161 L; the title mentions three drawers, No Frost technology and a C energy rating.
Before installing it in a cellar or garage, check the climate range specified for this model.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge-freezer, silver
Worth comparing if you need to keep fresh and frozen food in one appliance and have a narrow space available.
Stated capacity: 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer; stated width of 54 cm, reversible door, Low Frost and E energy rating.
Check the full dimensions and the clearance needed to open the door before choosing where to put it.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer, E energy rating
A separate chest freezer to consider if you want extra freezer storage and have room to open the lid.
Stated capacity: 140 L; the title mentions a storage basket and counterbalanced lid.
Check the floor space, how easy it is to reach food at the bottom and the climate range if you plan to use it in an unheated room.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible fridge-freezer chest
Worth considering if you want to use a chest freezer for either refrigeration or freezing, depending on your needs.
Stated total capacity: 291 L; removable basket, LED lighting and E energy rating.
Check the usable capacity in your chosen mode: the stated total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much room there is for frozen food.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a freezer in an unheated garage or cellar?
Yes, as long as the room’s actual temperature stays within the range specified for the model. For example, Beko gives a range of 10 to 32 °C for climate class SN. Some appliances have specific features to protect them from the cold, such as the Liebherr CFe 2500 Pure, which the brand says can be used in ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C. Always check the specifications for the model you’re considering.
Chest or upright freezer: which should you choose for lots of frozen food?
Choose based on how much capacity you need and how you want to access your food. A chest freezer offers an open storage area if you have enough floor space, while an upright model divides food between compartments. In either case, make sure you can reach and remove food easily once the appliance is full.
What should you look at beyond the capacity in litres?
First check the freezer capacity rather than relying on the total capacity alone. Then look at the dimensions, energy rating, noise level and stated storage time in the event of a power cut. If you add a lot of food after shopping, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h too.
What should you do with your old appliance when replacing it?
ADEME notes that you can hand an old refrigeration appliance to the retailer or delivery driver when it’s replaced, or take it to a recycling centre that accepts electrical and electronic equipment. Confirm the collection arrangements before your new appliance arrives.