For a few portions, first check whether the four-star compartment or freezer in a fridge freezer offers enough space. If you regularly build up a stock of prepared meals, it may be worth considering a dedicated appliance: an upright freezer makes it easier to organise food in drawers, while a chest freezer offers more flexibility for larger quantities, although you’ll need to consider its floor space requirements and how easy it is to reach your food.
If your portions are starting to pile up, compare freezer capacity and how easy it is to access your food. The drawers in an upright freezer help you separate meals; a chest freezer may suit larger containers, as long as you organise what’s at the bottom.
A fridge freezer or a four-star compartment could save you from adding another appliance. Check the space available for frozen food rather than the fridge’s total capacity.
A chest freezer may be worth considering if you have enough floor space. If you’re putting it in an unheated room, check that the room’s usual temperatures are within the limits specified for the exact model: not all chest freezers are suitable.
Start with how much food you need to freeze and how much space you have, then compare the freezer compartment’s features and installation requirements.
| Criterion | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Check the capacity of the freezer compartments in litres, separately from the total capacity. Also compare drawers, baskets and open space to see what suits the containers you use. The European Commission’s energy label lists freezer and non-freezer compartment volumes separately. | I want to be able to store my usual portions without confusing the freezer capacity with the space for fresh food. |
| Freezing fresh meals | Check for a four-star rating and the stated freezing capacity in kg/24 h for the model you’re considering. Don’t confuse freezing fresh food with simply storing products that are already frozen. | If I prepare several meals at once, I need to compare how much each appliance is rated to freeze in 24 hours. |
| Storage and defrosting | Check how easy it is to access your containers and how the model defrosts. A No Frost label alone doesn’t tell you how quickly the appliance freezes food or how stable its temperature is; UFC-Que Choisir assesses these separately in its testing protocol. | I need to be able to find the oldest meals and know what maintenance the appliance will require. |
| Energy use, noise and power cuts | For appliances of a similar size and capacity, compare the annual consumption in kWh and the noise level shown on the European energy label. Check the model’s stated storage time during a power cut separately. | Noise matters to me in an open-plan kitchen; if I’m storing lots of meals, I also want to know how long they’ll stay frozen during a power cut. |
| Location | Measure the available space and the access route needed to install the appliance. If it’s going in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range for the exact model. | If my freezer is going in a garage or pantry, I need to make sure the chosen appliance is suitable for that location. |
The fridge section of a fridge freezer can’t store your frozen portions. The European Commission’s energy label lists freezer and non-freezer compartment volumes separately.
Compare each appliance’s freezer capacity with the amount of meals and frozen food you expect to store at the same time.
The room temperature needs to be within the appliance’s operating limits. Liebherr’s stated compatibility for some FrostProtect chest freezers doesn’t apply to every model.
Note the room’s usual temperatures, then check the permitted range in the documentation for the freezer you’re considering.
No Frost relates to frost build-up and defrosting. UFC-Que Choisir assesses temperature stability, freezing performance and storage time during a power cut separately in its tests.
If you often add freshly prepared meals, also compare the stated freezing capacity and storage time during a power cut for each model.
A larger capacity doesn’t automatically make it easier to keep track of stored meals: containers at the bottom can be hard to find.
Label and date your portions, then choose drawers, baskets or bins that let you see your stock and rotate it.
These examples highlight features to compare on a specific model, and don’t necessarily reflect other appliances from each brand.
Upright freezers to consider if you like the idea of everyday storage in drawers; features vary by model.
Upright models to consider for drawer storage and, depending on the model, a large capacity or No Frost.
Chest freezers to consider, particularly if you’re planning to install one in an unheated room.
These models include fridge freezers and upright freezers. Before choosing between these styles, compare the space actually available for frozen portions.
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This four-door appliance combines fridge and freezer storage, with Total No Frost listed as a feature. The 467 L figure is the total capacity: check the freezer compartment’s capacity against the number of portions you store, as well as the space needed to install it.
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A fridge freezer gives you space for a few portions without needing to add a separate freezer. The product title lists Low Frost, a width of 54 cm and a height of 176 cm; 262 L is the total capacity, so don’t confuse it with the freezer compartment’s capacity.
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This 60 L dedicated freezer has three drawers to keep portions separate. Its reversible door and adjustable thermostat may be useful when deciding where to put it and how to use it day to day; check that the capacity is enough for your usual stock.
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This fridge freezer has a total capacity of 174 L and combines fridge and freezer storage, with Low Frost and a reversible door listed as features. To find out how many portions it can hold, check the freezer compartment’s capacity separately.
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This dedicated freezer is listed as having a capacity of 161 L, No Frost and three freezer drawers for storing portions. If you regularly add fresh meals to freeze, check this model’s freezing capacity in kg/24 h; the No Frost label alone doesn’t tell you this.
It may be enough for a moderate number of portions if its freezer capacity suits your usual stock. Compare the capacity in litres, not the fridge freezer’s total capacity: the European Commission’s energy label lists freezer and non-freezer compartments separately.
An upright freezer lets you organise portions in drawers and access them directly. A chest freezer offers open space for containers of different shapes, but you’ll need to allow for its floor space requirements and access to food stored at the bottom. UFC-Que Choisir also distinguishes between the typical capacities of these two styles.
Manufacturers that offer this feature describe it as a way to avoid manual defrosting. Check that it’s included on the exact model you’re considering: you can’t assume it’s available based on the brand or appliance style.
For the household appliances covered in the EU, the European Commission’s energy label shows an A to G rating, annual energy consumption, compartment capacities and noise level. In particular, compare kWh/year for appliances of a similar style and capacity, then check their storage time during a power cut separately.
Only if the garage temperature stays within the limits specified for the model. Liebherr lists FrostProtect down to −15 °C for its CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer; this doesn’t apply to other models. Check the permitted ambient temperature range and installation instructions for the appliance you’re considering.