For portions you access regularly, an upright freezer makes everything easier to organise and see; a chest freezer is better suited to large bags and supplies you open less often. A large fridge freezer may be enough if its net freezer capacity genuinely covers your additional storage needs. The UFC-Que Choisir and ADEME guides also recommend checking the dimensions, required ventilation and climate class suited to the room.
This option is suitable if prepared portions regularly fill your existing compartment and you want to find boxes and bags easily. An upright freezer is often the first format to consider: check the net capacity, drawers and available space for bulky containers. Based on information from UFC-Que Choisir and Bosch Electroménager France.
A chest freezer is worth considering if you need to store bags, multipacks or bulky items and are happy with less immediate access to products at the bottom. Take account of the floor space, lid clearance and how often you access the freezer. Based on information from UFC-Que Choisir and Beko France.
If installing a second appliance would be difficult and you only need a limited amount of extra storage, compare the net freezer capacity rather than the appliance’s total capacity. For example, Electrolux France distinguishes between 70 L of freezer space and a total capacity of 249 L.
Start by estimating how much extra stock you need to store, then choose the format according to how often you access it and check that the room is suitable for installing the model.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available capacity | Compare the net freezer capacity with your current stock and the extra amount you plan to add. Also check the drawers, baskets, shelves and space for your boxes or bags. | I want to know whether my prepared portions, frozen food and bulky purchases will permanently exceed the capacity of my current compartment. |
| Access and organisation | For frequent access, look at the drawers and shelves in an upright freezer. For large quantities, check the opening, basket and possible organisation of a chest freezer. | I want to find my portions without having to move a large part of the stock every time I open it. |
| Installation room | Measure the height, width, depth, access routes and opening area. Check the climate class and ventilation clearances specified for the exact model. | My appliance must work in a kitchen, utility room, cellar or garage that meets its installation requirements. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the energy label for appliances of a similar type and capacity. Also check the noise class and, if necessary, the EPREL information for the exact model being sold. | I want to compare energy consumption and noise levels, particularly if the appliance will be near a living area. |
A combination appliance may allocate most of its capacity to refrigeration. Electrolux’s KNS3SE18S model, for example, has a total capacity of 249 L, including 70 L of freezer space.
List the volume or number of portions you want to add, then compare it with the net freezer capacity and the way the interior is organised.
The recommended ambient operating temperature may vary between a kitchen, utility room, cellar and garage. This compatibility affects both performance and energy consumption.
Note the likely minimum and maximum temperatures in the room, then check the climate class on the product information or rating plate.
A chest freezer can hold large quantities, but food stored at the bottom is less immediately accessible than it would be in an upright freezer with drawers.
Sort food into categories and label bags or boxes. If you mainly access portions every day, compare upright freezers with drawers first.
Ventilation requirements are given in the manufacturer’s instructions or installation guide. A door or lid that cannot open fully also makes everyday use more difficult.
Before ordering, check the overall dimensions, operating clearance and ventilation distances required for the model you have chosen.
In France, Bosch offers freestanding and integrated upright freezers, with flexible storage solutions on selected models.
Beko sells several chest freezers in its official range in France.
Electrolux offers fridge freezers and installation documents for its appliances sold in France.
These Joybuy options include upright freezers, chest freezers and a fridge freezer alternative to increase household storage for frozen food.
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An option for organising prepared meals and frozen food you access regularly in a standalone upright appliance.
Advertised capacity of 161 L, three drawers, two shelves, No Frost protection, LED display, alarm and reversible door. Check the dimensions, ventilation clearances and compatibility with the temperature in your room.
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A chest freezer designed for large bags and bulk purchases, with a removable basket for smaller items you need to access easily.
Advertised capacity of 291 L, fridge/freezer mode, five-level digital control, LED lighting and a defrost drain. Allow at least 10 cm of ventilation clearance and check the climate class for use in a garage or cellar.
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This option provides extra storage for prepared meals and bulk purchases in a more compact format than a large chest freezer.
Advertised capacity of 197 L, dimensions of 816 × 554 × 848 mm, removable basket, five-level digital control and fridge/freezer mode. Allow at least 10 cm of ventilation clearance.
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Extra storage for frozen food when you want to keep smaller products in a basket separate from the main compartment.
Advertised capacity of 140 L, storage basket, counterbalanced lid, castors, front drain, adjustable feet and adjustable temperature control. Check the climate class, ventilation and how you plan to organise the contents before installation.
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An alternative if you are replacing your main fridge and only need a limited amount of extra freezer space.
Advertised capacities of 187 L refrigeration and 75 L freezing, with three freezer drawers, a reversible door and an N-ST climate class from 16 to 38 °C. The manufacturer states that it is not suitable for a garage or unheated room.
Measure the available space, the routes needed for delivery, the opening space for the door or lid and the clearances specified in the instructions. Do not rely solely on the width of the alcove: depth, height and ventilation can prevent correct installation. Based on information from Electrolux France.
Climate class indicates the ambient temperature range in which the appliance is designed to operate. Check that the stated range covers the temperatures that are actually possible in the room, as this compatibility affects performance and energy consumption. Based on information from Bosch Electroménager France and Electrolux France.
Compare the energy label for appliances of the same type and similar capacity, then consult EPREL using the exact model number if necessary. EPREL is the European Commission’s public database for energy efficiency and performance information on products covered by the energy label in the European Union.
Not necessarily: first check the net capacity and layout of the freezer compartment. Total capacity alone does not show how much freezer space is available; Electrolux France gives the example of an appliance with a total capacity of 249 L, of which 70 L is dedicated to freezing. If this capacity covers your additional stock without regularly becoming overcrowded, you may not need a second appliance.
A freezer is covered by the waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. Use an appropriate take-back or collection service rather than putting it in household waste, as refrigeration appliances may contain components that need to be handled correctly. Based on information from the French Ministry for Ecological Transition.