If you mainly need more room for frozen food, choose a separate freezer based on how much you need to store and how you want to access it. An upright model makes it easier to organise food, while a chest freezer is suited to storing larger quantities if you have enough floor space. A compact model may be enough for extra storage; consider a larger fridge freezer if you also need to replace your fridge. If the appliance will be kept in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range for the model you choose before comparing energy use and how long it can keep food frozen during a power cut.
For bulk buys, home-grown produce or meals prepared in large quantities, capacity matters just as much as the space available in your cellar, pantry or garage. Measure the appliance’s footprint and check that its operating range is suitable for the room.
If you open your freezer often to prepare meals, drawers and easy vertical access may matter more than maximum capacity. Also check that there’s enough room to open the door fully.
A compact model can provide extra storage in a small kitchen or under a worktop. Compare its capacity with what you actually want to keep frozen, then check the dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions.
Consider one if: you open the appliance often and want to organise food in drawers.
The trade-off: vertical access makes it easier to organise food, but you’ll need to assess the capacity and the space required to open the door for each model.
Consider one if: you store large packages or food you’ve prepared in advance, and have enough floor space.
The trade-off: food at the bottom is easier to manage with baskets, and you’ll need clear space to open the lid.
Consider one if: you need extra storage and have limited width or height available.
The trade-off: a smaller footprint means less capacity, so check that it’s enough for the amount you want to store.
Consider one if: you also need to replace your fridge and want more room for all your food.
The trade-off: check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately. The total capacity of a fridge freezer doesn’t tell you how much space is available for frozen food.
| What matters | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Usable capacity in litres and appliance dimensions; freezing capacity in kg/24 h if you regularly add fresh food. | I want to shop less often or freeze large batches of food without immediately filling the freezer. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise capacity. |
| Storage and access | Arrangement of drawers or baskets, and access to food at the bottom. | For everyday meals, I’d rather find food quickly than rummage through a chest freezer. Organisation would come first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Location | The permitted ambient temperature range for the model and the installation clearances specified in its instructions. | If the only suitable place is an unheated cellar or garage, I first need to know whether the appliance can operate there. Around 23% of consumers would put this compatibility at the top of their list. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Annual energy use in kWh and the stated storage time during a power cut, comparing models of similar capacity. | I want to consider the electricity the appliance uses continuously and how long it’s said to keep food frozen if the power goes off. Around 15% of consumers would prioritise these factors. |
A chest freezer’s format doesn’t determine the ambient temperature at which it can operate. If the room is outside the permitted range, the appliance may not work as intended.
Check the room’s usual temperatures, then look at the climate class and any specific guidance from the manufacturer for the exact model.
An appliance may fit in the room but leave too little space to open the door or lid and reach the food inside.
Measure the delivery route too, and allow for the installation clearances specified in the instructions.
A freezer runs continuously, and the rating alone doesn’t give you a useful way to compare models with different capacities.
Compare kWh/year alongside usable capacity and the format you need. The ADEME notes that freezers are among appliances that run continuously.
The stated storage time applies to the appliance under certain conditions; it doesn’t guarantee that every food can be kept or refrozen after a power cut.
Keep the door or lid closed during the power cut, then check the food before deciding whether to keep it. The Anses advises that thawed food must not be refrozen.
The following features apply to specific models. To choose the right one, compare their specifications with your storage needs and where you plan to put the appliance.
The HSM14540 chest freezer is worth considering if you plan to install it in a cold room.
The WHFF6403W4E upright freezer is an example of a drawer-based option for keeping food separate.
The Fd 1404 Pure is an example of a compact, top-opening format; the CFe 2500 Pure is a chest freezer to consider if you’re planning to store larger quantities.
These models offer three ways to add extra storage: a small upright freezer for occasional use, chest freezers for stocking up, and an upright model for organising food. Compare their capacity and layout, then check the installation requirements for each model.
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An extra-storage option to consider when space and storage needs are limited.
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This chest freezer is a good option if you need extra storage and have room to open the lid.
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Worth considering if you’d rather organise frozen food vertically than reach in from the top.
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This compact chest freezer can provide extra storage, but check that its capacity is enough for the amount of food you want to keep.
No. The permitted ambient temperature range for the model must cover the temperature of the room. For example, Liebherr gives a range of +10 °C to +32 °C for climate class SN; guidance for a model designed for a colder room does not apply to other freezers.
Compare annual energy use in kWh with freezer capacity and noise levels, preferably between appliances suited to similar needs. The European Commission says the energy label scale for household refrigerators and freezers has run from A to G since 1 March 2021; the letter alone doesn’t replace a comparison of the models’ features.
No. It helps you compare appliances, but you should also check the condition of the food after the power cut. The Anses notes that domestic freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying but doesn’t destroy most microorganisms, and that thawed food must not be refrozen.