If you only need more space for frozen food, a separate freezer is worth considering, provided you have a suitable place to put it. Choose a chest freezer for a large stock if you have enough floor space, an upright freezer for easier access to separate compartments, or a compact model for extra capacity. If you also need to replace your fridge, compare the freezer capacity of a larger fridge freezer instead.
If you buy in bulk or freeze home-cooked meals, capacity matters just as much as the space you can set aside for the appliance. Que Choisir’s guide highlights the large capacity chest freezers can offer, as well as the floor space they require.
If you plan to use a cellar, garage or utility room, start by checking the temperatures there. The climate class and any specific suitability for cold conditions must match the model you choose, as Beko and Liebherr explain in their product information.
An under-counter freezer or compact upright model can complement your existing fridge freezer, as long as its capacity, dimensions and door opening suit your space.
First decide whether you only need more space for frozen food or whether you also need to replace your fridge. If you’re adding a separate appliance, then compare the type with the space available, the room temperature and how you like to access your food.
Consider one: if you have a large stock of frozen food and enough floor space for the appliance.
Bear in mind: getting to food at the bottom may take a little more organisation. Que Choisir describes this trade-off between capacity and the space required.
Consider one: if you open the appliance often and want to sort food into separate compartments.
Bear in mind: capacity and access depend on the drawer layout. According to Que Choisir, an upright freezer may not offer the same capacity as a large chest freezer.
Consider one: for extra storage in a small kitchen.
Bear in mind: capacity is more limited. For example, Beko France lists the Beko FSE1174N under-counter model as having a capacity of 95 litres.
Compare one: if your current fridge is also too small or needs replacing.
Check: the total capacity is not the same as the space available for frozen food alone.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Compare the freezer compartment capacity with the appliance’s width and depth, and the clearance needed to open it. | When my fridge freezer is overflowing, I want more space for frozen food without blocking a walkway or stopping the appliance from opening; around 36% of consumers would prioritise finding enough capacity to suit their available space. |
| Room temperature | Check the room’s highest and lowest temperatures, then compare them with the climate class and instructions for the specific model. | If my only option is a cellar or garage, I need to be able to run the appliance there as intended; almost 29% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Access and storage | Look at the drawers and shelves, and how easy it is to reach the bottom of a chest freezer. Check the defrost management features on the model you’re considering. | If I often need to find different foods, I prefer storage compartments that are easy to use; around 21% of consumers would prioritise everyday access above all else. |
| Replacing your fridge freezer | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, along with the dimensions and annual energy consumption in kWh. | If my fridge also needs replacing, I want to know whether a new fridge freezer can meet both needs without adding another appliance; around 14% of consumers would first weigh up adding a freezer versus replacing their appliance. |
The climate class describes the ambient temperatures an appliance is designed for. Beko France says some models are suitable for use in cold rooms, but this doesn’t apply to every model.
Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then check the climate class and instructions for the exact model. Check separately whether it has any specific features for use in an unheated room.
A large chest freezer can be difficult to fit if you haven’t considered the lid, the space needed to move around it or the route it will take when delivered.
Measure the space and the route to it, allowing for the lid to open, before comparing the usable capacity for frozen food.
The European Commission says the energy label for household refrigeration appliances also shows annual energy consumption, capacity and noise levels. So the same rating alone isn’t enough to compare appliances with different capacities.
Once you’ve checked the dimensions and the room, compare the kWh/year, usable capacity for frozen food and noise levels of the models you’re considering.
Manufacturers list Freezer Guard, FrostProtect and No Frost on certain models or ranges. You can’t assume a model has these features just because of its brand name.
Make a note of the full model number and check its product information for features, ambient temperature range and dimensions.
Beko France offers chest, upright and under-counter freezers, with features that vary between models.
The range shown by Bosch Électroménager France includes freestanding and integrated upright freezers.
Liebherr offers chest freezers, some of which are designed to be installed in a cold room.
These models let you compare three chest freezers for extra storage, an upright freezer for organising frozen food, and a fridge freezer if you also need to replace your fridge. Before you decide, check that the ambient temperature range is suitable for your space.
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Worth considering if you want to significantly increase your frozen food storage and have room for a chest freezer.
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Worth comparing if you need extra freezer space but don’t need as much capacity.
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Consider this if you’re planning to replace your fridge rather than add a separate freezer.
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Worth considering for extra storage if a small chest freezer suits your space better than a larger model.
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Worth comparing if you’d rather organise frozen food in compartments than store it in the open space of a chest freezer.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model you choose. Beko France explains that the climate class indicates the operating ambient temperature range. Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then consult the instructions and check whether the model you’re considering is specifically suitable for cold conditions.
As well as the energy rating, compare annual consumption in kWh, capacity for frozen food and noise levels. The European Commission says the energy label for household refrigeration appliances has used the A to G scale since March 2021. Compare these details between models that already suit your space and room.
A chest freezer may be suitable if its capacity and location meet your needs. Que Choisir says some chest freezers can hold up to 600 litres, but check the floor space, lid clearance, access to food at the bottom and room temperature before choosing a specific model.
Bosch describes No Frost as a feature that avoids manual defrosting on appliances equipped with it. Check that it’s listed for the model you choose, and consult the instructions for maintenance. Make sure the drawers and seals are also easy to access.