If you’re short on freezer space but your fridge is fine, compare how much extra capacity you really need with the space available before adding another appliance. Replacing your fridge-freezer makes more sense if the fridge needs replacing too. A chest freezer prioritises storage capacity, an upright model makes portions easier to access, and an under-counter model could meet a smaller, top-up need. For the model you choose, also check the installation requirements, permitted ambient temperature, kWh/year and stated power-cut storage time.
You’re looking for extra storage for bulk shopping and need to weigh up a chest freezer’s capacity against the space it takes up. Que Choisir identifies capacity and format as important factors when choosing, particularly when a fridge-freezer’s compartment isn’t large enough.
You want to find prepared portions easily, so the internal layout and access to drawers can matter just as much as the stated capacity.
You need to weigh up a small, separate freezer against possibly replacing your fridge-freezer, comparing the space allocated to the freezer compartment with the appliance’s dimensions.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Useful storage capacity | Compare the freezer capacity in litres with the amount you need to store, and check the appliance’s dimensions. | When shopping in bulk, I want to store my supplies without choosing a capacity that doesn’t suit my needs. Around 33% of consumers prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access to portions | Look at the layout, drawer size and whether any parts are removable. | If I often take out prepared portions, I want to store and find them easily while keeping room for larger packs. Around 27% of consumers prioritise access and food organisation. |
| Suitability for the location | Measure the available space and check the manual for clearance, ventilation and permitted ambient temperatures. | When space is limited or not well heated, I want to know whether the appliance can genuinely be installed there. Around 20% of consumers put suitability for the location first. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the stated kWh/year, defrosting method and stated storage time for each model. | If I want to plan for the maintenance and energy use of an additional appliance, I compare these features across the models I’m interested in. Around 20% of consumers prioritise running costs. |
Fridge and freezer capacities are separate figures. The Bosch KGN39AIAU has a stated fridge capacity of 260 l and freezer capacity of 103 l.
Compare the freezer capacity, not the appliance’s total capacity, with the amount you want to store. If the fridge also needs replacing, then assess both compartments.
Permitted ambient temperatures and installation requirements vary by model. An appliance described as « table-top » or « freestanding » isn’t necessarily designed to be built in.
Measure the space and check the manual for the exact model to find out the permitted temperatures, ventilation requirements and clearances.
Liebherr describes SmartFrost as a technology that reduces frost build-up. Bosch says the No Frost system in the GSN29UWEW eliminates the need for manual defrosting. These details apply to the models named and shouldn’t be taken as interchangeable promises for every model.
Check the care and defrosting instructions for the model you’re interested in rather than assuming how it works based on the name of a technology.
The models reviewed include a large-capacity chest freezer and a small freestanding freezer for extra storage.
The models reviewed let you compare a separate upright freezer with a fridge-freezer for when the fridge also needs replacing.
The UW8F2YWBIF2 upright freezer is worth considering if you prefer vertical storage.
This selection includes separate upright and chest freezers, as well as a fridge-freezer to consider if your fridge needs replacing too.
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Drawers and shelves can help you organise portions in an upright freezer.
Stated capacity: 161 L; 3 drawers and 2 shelves; LED display; reversible door and alarm function listed in the product name.
Stated temperature range: −14 °C to −22 °C.
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A chest freezer could suit you if you’re looking for extra storage and have enough room to open the lid.
Stated capacity: 140 L; storage basket; counterbalanced lid and temperature control listed in the product information.
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Its stated capacity could suit households looking to store bulk shopping. Check that its overall size and lid opening are suitable for the room.
Stated capacity: 291 L; fridge-freezer conversion, removable basket, LED light, 5-level digital control and defrost water drain listed in the product information.
Allow at least 10 cm of ventilation clearance around the appliance, as instructed in the information supplied with the product.
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A chest freezer could meet your need for extra storage. Compare its capacity and lid opening with the space you have available.
Stated capacity: 197 L; removable basket, 5-level temperature control and defrost water drain listed in the product information.
The description states that it is a 4-star freezer. The product information recommends at least 10 cm of ventilation clearance.
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Worth considering if you also need to replace your fridge. Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity, not the total capacity, with your storage needs.
Stated capacities: 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer. The product also lists No Frost, an Inverter compressor, Multi-Airflow and a noise level of 37 dB.
E-rated; reversible door listed in the product name.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity separately from the fridge’s with the maximum amount you expect to store. The Bosch KGN39AIAU has a stated fridge capacity of 260 l and freezer capacity of 103 l: its total capacity doesn’t represent the freezer space alone.
Only if the ambient temperature and installation conditions are suitable for the model you’ve chosen. ADEME recommends checking the permitted room temperature. The Bosch GSN29UWEW’s EU product fiche lists a range of +10 to +43 °C, while Liebherr states that its CFe 1870 Pure’s FrostProtect works down to −15 °C. Don’t assume that a model described as « table-top » and freestanding can be built in: check its manual for clearance and ventilation requirements.
Not on its own: a stated storage time applies to the specific model and can’t automatically be applied to another appliance. Bosch states 9 h for the GSN29UWEW. For its own tests, Que Choisir uses a different measure: the time it takes for the temperature to rise from −17 °C to −9 °C without power. These figures use different measures.
Compare the energy label’s kWh/year, the defrosting method and the specifications of the exact model. According to the European Commission, the EU energy label for the domestic refrigerators and freezers concerned has used an A to G scale since 1 March 2021.
No, don’t treat them as the same promise. Liebherr describes SmartFrost as a technology that reduces frost build-up, while Bosch says the No Frost system in the GSN29UWEW eliminates the need for manual defrosting. Check the care instructions for the model in question.