Households that prepare meals in advance
If you regularly freeze meals, drawers or separate compartments can help you sort them by contents and find what you need without moving everything else.
Which format is right for you?
Households that buy in bulk
For bags of frozen food, larger packs or bulk buys, compare freezer capacity and the floor space required. With a chest freezer, also plan how to keep the items you use regularly within easy reach.
Households with limited space
If you’re thinking of replacing your fridge, check whether the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer can hold your usual stock before planning for a second appliance.
What should you consider before buying?
For prepared meals and bulk shopping, first think about how you’ll use your freezer, then check its usable capacity, how easy it is to reach food and any restrictions on where it can go.
Upright freezer
Consider it if: you often take out portions and want to organise them in separate compartments.
Bear in mind: capacity and how long food stays frozen during a power cut vary by model; the upright format alone doesn’t tell you either.
Chest freezer
Consider it if: you mainly store bulky packs and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: access from the top means you’ll need to organise the contents so that everyday portions don’t end up at the bottom.
Fridge freezer
Consider it if: you’re also replacing your fridge and the freezer compartment in the new appliance will meet your needs.
Bear in mind: the total capacity of a fridge freezer isn’t the same as its freezer capacity.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers’ needs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable freezer capacity in litres with the size of the containers you need to store. Don’t use the total capacity of a fridge freezer. | If I buy in bulk, I want to be able to put everything away without running out of space for meals I’ve already prepared. Capacity would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Access to portions | Check the drawers, baskets or easy-access compartments, and see whether they’ll fit the containers you usually use. | When I often take a meal out of the freezer, I want to find it without moving other food. Around 31% of consumers would put easy, organised access first. |
| Storage time during a power cut | Check the number of hours stated for the exact model and, where provided, the conditions under which it was measured. Also look for any alerts. | If I have a large amount of food in the freezer, I want to consider the risk of a power cut before choosing an appliance. This would be the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Location and use | Check the dimensions, noise level in dB(A), energy consumption in kWh/year and the permitted ambient temperature range for your chosen location. | In a small room or an unheated space, I need to be able to install and use the appliance within the conditions specified for that model. Around 15% of consumers would put these practical considerations first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a large chest freezer without planning how to reach your portions
A chest freezer can hold bulky items, but stacked meals can be harder to spot and take out.
Before you buy, check your containers will fit inside the freezer and plan to sort food by category or date.
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Assuming the appliance format determines storage time during a power cut
There isn’t a fixed storage time during a power cut for upright and chest freezers. The figure given depends on the model and the conditions under which it was measured.
Check the specifications for the model you’re considering. In its simulated power-cut test, Que Choisir measures how long food stays below −9 °C. Don’t compare this with a manufacturer’s figure that was recorded under different conditions.
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Comparing only the energy label rating
The rating alone doesn’t tell you how much food you’ll be able to freeze or how much energy the appliance will use each year.
Also check the kWh/year, usable freezer capacity and noise level. Then compare appliances designed for similar storage needs.
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Planning to keep it in a cold garage without checking the manual
Whether an appliance can operate in a cold space depends on the model. For example, Whirlpool states that Freezer Guard works down to −15 °C for the W3RHS31DW2, but this feature doesn’t apply to other freezers.
Check the temperature of the space and the operating range stated for the model you’re considering before deciding where to put it.
Brands to consider, model by model
These models highlight features to compare on each appliance. They aren’t necessarily shared by every model from the same brand.
Beko
The B3RFNE274W upright freezer is worth considering if you want to organise portions in drawers.
- Beko lists a usable capacity of 220 L, five drawers and a reversible door for this model.
- Its stated storage time during a power cut is 13 h. Compare this figure and its capacity with other models you’re considering.
Hisense
The HCF500D4AWLYE chest freezer is designed for storing very large quantities.
- Hisense lists a capacity of 500 L, two baskets and 47 h of storage time during a power cut for this model.
- Make sure its dimensions and top-opening lid suit your room, then plan how you’ll organise items stored beneath the baskets.
Whirlpool
The W3RHS31DW2 convertible chest freezer is worth considering if its capacity and location suit the way you’ll use it.
- Whirlpool lists a capacity of 308 L, 36 h of storage time during a power cut and a noise level of 40 dB(A) for this model.
- The Freezer Guard feature, stated to work down to −15 °C, applies to this specific model. Check the manual before installing it in a cold space.
Haier
Haier offers chest and upright freezers in a range of capacities. Compare them based on the space available and how much you plan to store.
- This range lets you compare the format and capacity you need separately.
- Check the specifications for each model you’re considering, including its dimensions, storage time during a power cut, noise level, energy consumption and installation requirements.
Joybuy products for these needs
These models offer three ways to build up your freezer storage: a separate upright freezer to keep food organised, a chest freezer for extra capacity, or a fridge freezer if you’re also replacing your fridge. Compare the capacity available for freezing before choosing a format.
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Heinrich´s 161 L upright freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you want to organise portions in a separate freezer.
Stated capacity of 161 L, three drawers, No Frost system and energy rating C.
Check its dimensions and storage time during a power cut to make sure it suits your space and the amount you plan to store.
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AUCMA 95 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you want extra storage without choosing a large-capacity chest freezer.
Stated capacity of 95 L, fridge and freezer modes, removable basket, seven-level thermostat and energy rating E.
If you’ll be storing frozen food, check the setting for freezer mode and the operating conditions for your chosen location.
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Heinrich´s 253 L fridge freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want to keep your portions in the same appliance.
The stated 253 L capacity comprises 182 L of fridge space and 71 L of freezer space; the product title also specifies No Frost and 39 dB.
Compare your usual containers and shopping with the freezer compartment’s 71 L capacity, then check its storage time during a power cut.
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CHiQ JR99DWE 99 L chest freezer
Worth considering if you want a separate chest freezer for a modest amount of extra storage.
Stated capacity of 99 L, removable basket, sliding lid and energy rating E.
Check how much room you’ll need to open the lid and read the model’s defrosting instructions.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E) 60 L upright freezer
Worth considering as extra freezer space if bulk buying isn’t your main need.
Stated capacity of 60 L, reversible door and energy rating E.
Estimate how much space your portions will take up before choosing this capacity, and check how to adjust the temperature.
Frequently asked questions
What should you compare on the energy labels of two freezers?
Compare the energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level. To work out which one better suits your needs, compare appliances with a similar capacity and format rather than relying on the letter alone.
Can you put a freezer in a cellar or cold garage?
It depends on the ambient temperature range allowed for the model you choose. Check its specifications and manual before installation. Whirlpool states that Freezer Guard works down to −15 °C for the W3RHS31DW2, but this doesn’t apply to other models.
Can you compare the stated storage times during a power cut directly?
Only compare them after taking into account the stated measurement conditions for each figure. Que Choisir simulates a power cut and measures how long food stays below −9 °C as part of its test. A figure given by a manufacturer may be based on different conditions.
Does No Frost mean you never have to maintain your freezer?
No. Bosch, for example, describes No Frost as a way to avoid manual defrosting. However, you should still follow the model’s manual for cleaning, door seals and the clearances required for installation.