Households that buy in bulk
You want extra frozen-food storage separate from your fridge-freezer. The available capacity matters, but so does the amount of space the appliance will take up in your home.
Who is this guide for?
People who prepare portions in advance
You freeze meals and containers that you want to find easily. Compartments or baskets that help you organise your food may matter more than a large capacity that’s difficult to search through.
Households considering installation outside the kitchen
You’re thinking of putting the appliance in a cellar or garage. The temperature in the room must fall within the operating conditions specified for your chosen model.
Which features should you prioritise?
Start by working out how much freezer space you need and how you like to access your food. Then make sure the type you choose suits the room and your day-to-day needs.
Chest freezer
Consider it: for storing a large amount of food bought in bulk, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising, and you’ll need enough clearance to open the lid fully.
Upright freezer
Consider it: for organising portions and regularly finding food in drawers.
Bear in mind: check that its freezer capacity is enough for your needs and that it will fit the height of your room.
Under-counter freezer
Consider it: for extra storage when the space under your worktop determines your choice.
Bear in mind: this type may not offer enough storage for a large family.
Large-capacity fridge-freezer
Consider it: if you’re replacing your fridge too and want to keep everything in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how many litres are available for frozen food.
| Feature | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the net freezer capacity, dimensions and space needed to open the appliance. | When a big shop quickly fills my current freezer, I want enough extra storage without taking up unnecessary room. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise capacity. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers or baskets and consider how much room they leave for containers and bulky items. | For portions I use regularly, I want to find a meal without searching through all my food. Around 31% of consumers would put easy access first. |
| Installation location | Check that the room temperature falls within the range permitted for the model, and make sure there’s enough clearance. | If the appliance is going in a cellar or garage, I need to know whether it can work at the temperatures there. This would be the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Use and maintenance | Check the annual energy consumption in kWh, the noise level and how the appliance handles frost. | If it’s near a living area, I pay attention to noise, energy use and defrosting. Around 15% of consumers would prioritise these everyday considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing a chest freezer for capacity alone
A chest freezer can offer plenty of storage, but food at the bottom is harder to find.
If you use portions regularly, compare upright freezers with drawers too. For a chest freezer, plan to organise food in baskets and by date.
-
Assuming every model is suitable for a garage
Whether an appliance can be used in a cold room depends on the conditions specified for the exact model, not just its type. ADEME recommends checking the recommended room temperature for the appliance.
Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then compare them with the product specifications and manual before you choose.
-
Comparing only the energy label rating
Appliances with different capacities won’t meet the same storage needs. The rating alone doesn’t tell you their annual energy consumption or noise level.
Compare similar capacities and types, then check the energy label details for the model you’re considering.
-
Planning to refreeze food that has been defrosted
The Ministry of Agriculture states that refreezing defrosted food encourages bacteria to multiply.
Portion your food so you only take out what you need, and avoid refreezing food once it has defrosted.
Brands to know when comparing types
Bosch
Bosch offers a range that includes freestanding and integrated upright freezers, worth considering if you’re looking for vertical storage.
- The range includes models advertised with NoFrost.
- Check the capacity, dimensions and whether this feature is included on the specific model you’re considering. Range information doesn’t apply to every model.
Beko
Beko offers upright freezers, including some No Frost models and some designed for unheated rooms.
- Beko states that the B5RFNE315G model is compatible with room temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- This temperature range doesn’t automatically apply to other models. Check the conditions specified for the model you’re considering against the temperatures in your room.
Liebherr
Liebherr’s chest freezer range lets you explore extra storage options, including some models designed for unheated rooms.
- Liebherr describes StopFrost as helping to reduce frost build-up on some chest freezers, and FrostProtect as a feature on some models designed for garages or cellars.
- Check the permitted room temperature range, capacity and features of the exact model before deciding where to put it.
Freezers available on Joybuy
This selection includes two chest freezers, offering either extra or more substantial storage, and an upright freezer with drawers to help you organise food. Choose according to how much you need to store and how you plan to access it.
Image unavailable
AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Consider it for separate storage for your bulk shopping, if you have enough room to open the lid.
Advertised capacity: 291 L; energy rating E. The title lists fridge or freezer modes, a removable basket and LED lighting.
If you plan to install it in a garage or cellar, check the permitted room temperature range for this model.
Image unavailable
Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost freezer (stainless steel)
Consider it if you freeze portions and prefer separate compartments to one large chest.
Advertised capacity: 161 L; energy rating C. The title mentions drawers, No Frost and a reversible door hinge.
Measure the space and check the annual energy consumption and permitted room temperature range before planning its installation.
Image unavailable
AUCMA, 95 L convertible chest freezer
Consider it for extra storage, but check that 95 L will be enough if you plan to buy a lot in bulk.
Advertised capacity: 95 L; energy rating E. The title lists fridge or freezer modes, a removable basket and a seven-setting thermostat.
The product’s stated suitability for garage use doesn’t replace checking the permitted room temperature range for this model.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a chest freezer and an upright freezer?
A chest freezer is a good choice for storing a large amount of food if you have enough floor space. An upright freezer makes it easier to organise and access portions in its compartments. Que Choisir distinguishes between these types in terms of capacity and access to food, among other things. So compare the usable freezer capacity and how you like to organise your food before deciding.
Can you install a freezer in a cellar or garage?
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for the exact model. ADEME recommends checking the recommended room temperature. A feature advertised for one model doesn’t mean that every model in the range is suitable for an unheated room.
What should you look for on a freezer’s energy label?
Compare the energy rating with the annual energy consumption, freezer compartment capacity and noise level. Ideally, compare appliances that meet similar storage needs. The European Commission also makes the declared data for relevant models available in the EPREL database.
Does No Frost mean there’s no maintenance?
No. Bosch and Beko describe No Frost as a technology that limits frost build-up and the need for manual defrosting on models equipped with it. You’ll still need to follow the manual, particularly for looking after the seals and ventilation.
Can you refreeze food once it has defrosted?
Avoid refreezing food once it has defrosted. The Ministry of Agriculture explains that defrosting and then refreezing food encourages bacteria to multiply. Dividing food into portions helps you take out only what you need.