Households that store large quantities
If you do a big shop, freeze batch-cooked meals or store bulky items, start by working out how much capacity you need. Then measure the floor space and the clearance needed to open the appliance.
Which households are these formats suited to?
Households that use frozen food regularly
If you often take out food from different categories, an upright model with drawers is worth considering. Its layout makes items easier to reach, as long as there’s enough room to open each drawer.
Households with limited space
If you want a little extra storage in a kitchen or under a worktop, check the exact dimensions and capacity of a compact model. In a cellar or garage, also check the ambient temperature range the model is designed for.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you simply need more freezer space or whether your fridge also needs replacing. For a separate freezer, the amount you need to store, how often you’ll access it and where it will go will help you choose the right format.
Chest freezer
Consider it: if you buy in bulk or store bulky items, and have enough room for the freezer and its lid to open.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising and is less easy to reach.
Upright freezer
Consider it: if organising food in drawers and accessing it regularly matters more than having a large open storage space.
Bear in mind: the compartments may make it harder to store particularly bulky items.
Compact or under-counter freezer
Consider it: for extra storage in a kitchen where height or available space is limited.
Bear in mind: capacity is more limited, and an integrated model also requires a compatible housing unit.
Larger fridge freezer
Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge or want more fridge space.
Bear in mind: you’ll be replacing the whole appliance, so compare the usable capacity of both compartments and its overall dimensions separately.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the capacity in litres with the floor space available. For a chest freezer, check the baskets and the clearance needed to open the lid. | If I do a big shop or freeze meals in bulk, I don’t want the freezer to be full from the moment I install it. Around 27% of consumers prioritise having enough capacity. |
| Access to food | Check the layout of the drawers or baskets and how easy it is to reach items at the bottom. | When I take frozen food out often, I want to find each category without moving the rest of the stock. Easy, organised access comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Space required | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the space needed to open the door or lid. For an integrated model, check the housing unit and specified ventilation requirements. | If I don’t have a dedicated room, I need extra storage that will genuinely fit in the space available. Space is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Room temperature | Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the operating range specified for the exact model. | If I’m installing the appliance in a garage or unheated cellar, I need to know it can cope with the temperatures in that room. Around 13% of consumers consider this installation requirement their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity alone
A spacious chest freezer can take up a lot of floor space, while food stored at the bottom needs to be kept well organised.
Measure the space, allow enough room to open the lid or door fully, and choose baskets or drawers to suit how often you use the food inside.
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Assuming any model will work in a garage
The climate class indicates a range of ambient temperatures. A cellar or garage may experience temperatures outside the range the appliance is designed for.
Check the room’s temperatures and compare them with the instructions for your chosen model. A general mention of garages in a product title is no substitute for checking.
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Assuming the defrosting system based on the format or brand
No Frost availability varies by model, so you can’t assume that every upright freezer or every appliance from a particular brand has it.
Check the defrosting system on the product page and follow the maintenance advice in the manual.
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Overlooking maintenance and stock rotation
Food that’s difficult to find may be left at the back of the appliance for too long. The Ministry of Agriculture also advises against refreezing food once it has thawed.
Organise food by category and date, and follow the cleaning and defrosting instructions for your appliance.
Brands to consider
Beko
The range includes chest freezers and Freezer Guard models, which may be worth considering if you plan to install your appliance in an unheated room.
- Beko says the relevant Freezer Guard models can operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- This feature isn’t available across the whole range. Check the exact model, its operating range and its dimensions.
Liebherr
The range includes chest and upright freezers, as well as under-counter and integrated models, depending on where you plan to put yours.
- Liebherr lists the SUFNc 375i under-counter freezer as having a capacity of 80 litres.
- This model requires a housing unit measuring 86 to 92 × 60 × 56 cm. Check the measurements and installation requirements before choosing an integrated appliance.
Electrolux
The upright and integrated freezer ranges may appeal to households that prefer to organise food in compartments.
- Electrolux says the transparent drawers on some models make it easier to see what’s inside.
- Capacity, alarms and No Frost availability vary by model. An integrated model also requires a compatible housing unit.
Freestanding freezers on Joybuy
These models offer two ways to add extra freezer space at home: four chest freezers, from compact to larger capacity, and an upright model with drawers for organising food you access regularly. Check where each model could go before deciding which capacity you need.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want to store a large amount of food and have enough room for a chest freezer with a top-opening lid.
- Listed capacity: 291 L; removable basket and LED lighting.
- Convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a 5-level digital control and listed energy rating E.
If you’re putting it in a cellar or garage, compare the model’s ambient temperature range with that of the room. Also allow for the ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost upright freezer, stainless steel
The upright design suits food you want to organise in drawers and access regularly.
- Listed capacity: 161 L; drawers, LED display and reversible door hinge stated in the title.
- No Frost function and energy rating C listed.
Check the dimensions and the clearance needed to open the door at your chosen location. For an unheated room, also check the ambient temperature range. Consult the manual to clarify what the “−14 °C to −22 °C” range in the title refers to.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
Consider this chest freezer if you want extra storage without needing the capacity of a large family-sized model.
- 140 L capacity stated in the title; storage basket and counterbalanced lid.
- Adjustable thermostat and energy rating E listed.
Confirm the capacity on the full product page, measure the clearance needed to open the lid and check the ambient temperature range before installing it in an unheated room.
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AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
This model is suited to households looking for a little extra storage in a chest freezer with a top-opening lid.
- Listed capacity: 95 L; removable basket and 7-level thermostat.
- Convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a defrost drain and listed energy rating E.
Allow enough room to open the lid and ventilate the appliance. If you’re putting it in a cellar or garage, check that the room’s temperatures fall within its operating range.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
This compact chest freezer can add to your fridge’s freezer compartment if a top-opening lid suits your space.
- Listed capacity: 99 L; removable wire basket and adjustable thermostat.
- Energy rating E and 4-star rating listed.
Bear in mind that this model requires manual defrosting, and check the ventilation clearances. If you’re installing it in a cellar or garage, you’ll also need to check its ambient temperature range.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a freezer in a garage or cellar?
Yes, as long as the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the temperatures the room actually reaches. Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the manual. According to Beko, climate class SN-T covers 10 to 43 °C, while the claim that the appliance can operate down to −15 °C applies only to certain Freezer Guard models.
What temperature should you set a freezer to for storing frozen food?
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting a domestic freezer to −18 °C. Also follow the appliance manual and any food-specific storage instructions.
Can you refreeze food after it has thawed?
The Ministry of Agriculture advises against refreezing thawed food to help reduce the risk of bacterial growth. Dividing food into portions and organising it by date makes it easier to take out only what you need.
What should you compare on a freezer’s energy label?
Compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level for the models you’re considering. Energy labelling for refrigerating appliances is governed in the European Union by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016. Also check the dimensions and installation requirements separately on the product page.