If you often store individual portions that you want to find quickly, consider an upright freezer. If you need to store larger quantities and have enough floor space, a chest freezer could be a better fit. An under-counter model can work well when space is limited, while a larger fridge freezer could save you needing a second appliance, provided its freezer compartment has enough capacity. In every case, compare freezer capacity, how easy it is to reach your food and the permitted room temperature range.
If you regularly take out prepared meals and bags of food, drawers can make everything easier to organise and access. Consider an upright freezer or the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer, and check that its capacity can genuinely accommodate what you need to store.
If you need to store large batches of food or more frozen items, a chest freezer is worth considering if you have enough floor space. For a garage, cellar or unheated utility room, also check that the room temperature stays within the range permitted for the model.
A small under-counter freezer or a larger fridge freezer could save you having to install a tall appliance or chest freezer. Compare the freezer capacity of each option, its dimensions and the space needed to open the door and allow ventilation.
Start by considering how much food you want to freeze and how often you’ll need to take it out. Then see how each format fits the space you have in mind.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the litres allocated to freezing, rather than just the total capacity of a fridge freezer. According to UFC-Que Choisir, chest freezers can hold up to 600 litres, while upright models generally have a capacity of around 200 litres. Check the capacity of the specific model you’re considering. | I want to store more meals and frozen food than a small compartment can hold, without choosing an appliance that still doesn’t offer enough freezer space. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers in an upright freezer or fridge freezer, and any baskets in a chest freezer. Check that the door, drawers or lid can open fully in the space you have available. | For portions I use often, I’d prefer to be able to organise them and find them easily. For larger containers, I might prefer a more open compartment. |
| Space and installation | Measure the floor space, height, access routes and clearances specified in the instructions. An under-counter model can work well when height is restricted, but make sure its capacity is still enough for what you need to store. | In a small kitchen, I need to work out whether there’s room for a second appliance that will still be easy to access, or whether a fridge freezer would better meet both needs. |
| Room temperature | Compare the minimum and maximum room temperatures with the range permitted in the instructions. Bosch gives a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T, but this class alone won’t cover a colder cellar. | If I need to put my freezer in a garage or unheated utility room, I’ll check that it’s suitable for that specific location. |
| Everyday use and power cuts | Check the energy label for energy consumption, capacity and noise emissions, then look at the model’s storage time during a power cut and any alarms it may have. UFC-Que Choisir assesses how well freezers maintain their temperature during a power cut in its tests. | If the appliance is near a living area, noise matters to me. For storing meals, I also want to know how long it’s designed to keep food frozen for. |
The permitted room temperature range may rule out an unheated space. For example, Bosch specifies a minimum temperature of 10 °C for climate class SN-T.
Check the temperatures the room could reach throughout the year and compare them with the instructions for the model you’re considering. The model must be explicitly stated as suitable for low temperatures.
With a fridge freezer, some of the capacity is taken up by the fridge. And while a chest freezer may have a large compartment, that doesn’t mean small packs stored at the bottom will be easy to find.
Compare the freezer capacity alone, then check whether the interior layout works for your portions, bags and larger containers. Also measure how much space you’ll need to reach your food.
The stated storage time can help you understand how long an appliance will keep food frozen without power, but you’ll still need to check the food after an outage. Anses reminds us that freezing does not eliminate most micro-organisms.
Check the storage time and whether the model has an alarm. For prepared meals, follow Anses guidance on freezing and defrosting, including its advice not to refreeze food once it has defrosted.
Bosch offers a range of upright freezers, with features varying by model.
Beko’s Freezer Guard range is worth considering if you need to install your appliance in a cold room.
Some Liebherr chest freezers combine a large capacity with a stated suitability for cold spaces.
This selection from Joybuy includes fridge freezers, chest freezers and an upright freezer. Compare them based on the space you have, the freezer capacity you need and how you prefer to access your meals.
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Worth considering if you’d like to combine fridge and freezer storage in one appliance. The model name lists a total capacity of 360 L and Total No Frost technology. Compare the freezer compartment capacity separately with what you need to store. Check the dimensions, clearances and permitted room temperature before installation.
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This 99 L chest freezer provides dedicated freezer space, and its removable basket can help keep smaller items within easy reach. Check how much room you’ll need to access the contents from above, as well as the permitted room temperature range and the storage time during a power cut in the instructions.
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Its stated width of 54 cm could be useful if kitchen space is limited. The 262 L figure is the stated capacity for the whole appliance, so check whether the freezer section has enough room for your portions. The product information advises against using this model in a garage or cold outbuilding. Check the permitted room temperature range before deciding where to put it.
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An upright model is worth considering if you want to organise meals and access them regularly. The product name lists a capacity of 161 L and No Frost technology. Check the interior layout, installation dimensions, permitted room temperature range and storage time during a power cut for this specific model.
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This 141 L chest freezer is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes. Check that it’s set to the mode you need before storing frozen food. Its removable basket isn’t a substitute for drawer storage, so check access from above, the permitted room temperature range and the storage time during a power cut, especially if you plan to install it in a garage.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range permitted for the model. Bosch gives a range of 10 to 43 °C for climate class SN-T, so this won’t be suitable for a room that drops below 10 °C. Some Beko ranges and certain Liebherr models are stated to work at lower temperatures, but always check the instructions for the specific model.
Yes, if its freezer compartment has enough room for your meals and frozen food. Compare the freezer capacity separately from the total capacity, and check that the layout suits how often you need to access it. If you need more storage, it may be worth considering an upright or chest freezer.
Check the stated energy consumption, compartment capacity and noise emissions. The European Commission explains that this information appears on the energy labels for refrigeration appliances. To make a useful comparison, look at appliances with a similar type and capacity rather than focusing only on their energy class.
Anses states that home freezing at -18 °C stops bacteria multiplying, but does not eliminate most micro-organisms. Freeze meals as soon as they’re prepared, defrost them according to its recommendations and don’t refreeze food once it has defrosted.
No. This feature is worth considering if you want to reduce frost build-up and avoid manual defrosting, as manufacturers describe for the models that include it. Also compare freezer capacity, energy consumption, noise and suitability for the room where you plan to install it.