If you want to stock up on groceries or larger meals, a chest freezer is a good choice if you have enough floor space and can organise access to the food. An upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to sort portions you use often; a large fridge freezer is mainly worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too. Check the capacity of its freezer compartment on its own. In every case, check the overall dimensions and the permitted ambient temperature range for the room.
If you freeze a variety of dishes and portions each week, the drawers in an upright freezer can help you sort them and find what you need. Check that your containers fit in the drawers and that you’ll be able to pull them out once the appliance is in place.
A chest freezer gives you open storage space for bulk supplies or bulky items, provided you have enough floor space. Baskets and grouping food by category make it easier to find items stored at the bottom.
A fridge freezer keeps fresh and frozen food in one appliance. Compare the capacity of its freezer compartment—not its total capacity—with the amount of meals and groceries you want to store.
Consider it: for storing large quantities or bulky containers, if you have dedicated floor space.
The trade-off: food stored underneath other items takes more organisation to keep accessible.
Consider it: for sorting a variety of portions into drawers and accessing them regularly.
The trade-off: drawer sizes can limit your choice of dishes and larger containers.
Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge and would prefer to combine both functions.
The trade-off: the total capacity includes the fridge, so it doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and access | Compare the freezer capacity, the size of your containers and the internal layout. Make sure you can open the lid or door and handle the drawers. | I store large bags or lots of portions: I need enough space, but also a way to find what I’ve put away. |
| Location | Measure the appliance, the delivery route and the clearances specified in its manual. As ADEME advises, compare the model’s climate class or ambient temperature range with the conditions in the room. | In an unheated cellar or garage, I need to choose a model whose operating range covers the temperatures in that room. |
| Energy, noise and frost | Compare the energy label, annual consumption in kWh and noise levels of appliances with a similar format and capacity. Check the defrosting method specified for each model. | If the appliance is near a living area, noise matters to me just as much as frost maintenance and energy use. |
| Meal storage | Check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut and the available storage options. For a fridge freezer, check the freezer compartment capacity separately. | I prepare meals in advance: I want clearly identifiable portions and enough freezing capacity for the amount I store. |
A chest freezer needs room for its lid to open; an upright freezer needs enough space to open the door and pull out its drawers. The stated capacity won’t be much use if the appliance or its contents are difficult to access.
Measure the width, depth and height, delivery routes and the clearances needed for use.
The permitted ambient temperature varies by model. A claim that certain models can operate at temperatures as low as -15 °C doesn’t apply to every freezer.
Compare the room’s temperatures throughout the year with the climate class or temperature range given in the documentation for the exact model.
Food stored underneath other items becomes harder to reach, especially when you prepare meals in batches.
Group food by category in baskets or containers, label the contents and date, then keep the portions you plan to use first within easy reach.
Total capacity combines spaces for different purposes, so it doesn’t tell you how much room is available for frozen groceries and prepared meals.
Check the freezer compartment capacity separately before ruling out a standalone appliance.
Haier offers upright and chest freezers to compare based on the space you have and how you want to organise your food.
Liebherr offers upright freezers and fridge freezers, giving you two distinct options: add extra storage or replace your fridge as well.
Beko’s chest freezer range may appeal to households planning to stock up and considering installation outside a heated room.
These models offer three ways to store more: an upright freezer for organising portions, chest freezers for stocking up, and a fridge freezer if replacing your fridge is also part of the plan. Compare their freezer capacity and installation requirements before choosing.
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An option to consider if you’d rather keep portions separate than stack them in a chest freezer. The product name lists three freezer drawers, No Frost protection, a reversible door and energy rating C. Check the dimensions and ambient temperature range for your chosen location, as well as the storage time in the event of a power cut if that’s important to you.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge as well. The 467 L in the name refers to the fridge freezer’s total capacity: compare the freezer compartment separately with the amount of food you plan to store. The model is listed with Total No Frost and energy rating E; check its ambient temperature range for your chosen room.
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This chest freezer can help you stock up if you have enough floor space and organise access to items stored underneath. The product name lists a removable basket, a convertible fridge and freezer function, and energy rating E. Check the ambient temperature range before installing it in an unheated room, and check the stated storage time if a power cut is a concern.
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This model adds 99 L of storage, with a removable basket to keep smaller items more accessible. The product name mentions a sliding lid and energy rating E. The description specifies manual defrosting, so factor in the maintenance required, then check the clearances and ambient temperature range before installation.
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Another chest freezer capacity to compare with the amount you want to store and the space available. The product name lists 140 L, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and energy rating E. Check the space needed to open the lid, the ambient temperature range and the storage time in the event of a power cut for your installation.
No. ADEME recommends checking the ambient temperature advised for the room where the appliance will be installed. Compare the exact model’s temperature range or climate class with the garage temperatures throughout the year; the ability to operate at temperatures as low as -15 °C, stated for some models, doesn’t apply to all of them.
The European Commission states that the energy label for fridges and freezers includes information such as the energy rating from A to G, energy consumption, storage capacities and noise emissions. When choosing, compare these details across appliances of a similar format and capacity, rather than looking at the rating letter alone.
No. According to Anses, home freezing at -18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive freezing. Follow the storage and defrosting guidance appropriate for the food you prepare.
In France, Service-Public.fr states that the retailer must take back your old appliance free of charge when you buy a new one, including when you buy online. Check the take-back arrangements offered when you place your order.