For storing a big shop or home-cooked meals, start by considering how much you need to freeze and how often you need to find things: a chest freezer suits a large stock that you don’t access often, while an upright makes it easier to sort food into compartments. A fridge-freezer may be enough if you’re replacing your fridge too and its freezer compartment can hold what you need. In every case, check the dimensions and room temperature before comparing energy use and features.
If you buy in bulk or prepare several meals in advance, compare the usable freezer capacity with the amount you actually want to store. Also check that the appliance and its lid or door will fit in the space you have in mind.
If you often take food from your freezer, drawers, baskets and shelves can help you keep portions separate. Consider the layout as well as the advertised capacity.
If the room is unheated, check that its temperatures fall within the operating range of the specific model. The fact that it’s a chest or upright freezer doesn’t guarantee that it will be suitable.
First work out how much you need to store and how much space you have, then decide how you want to access your food. A small secondary freezer is worth considering if you only need a little extra space; a fridge-freezer is for a different situation, where you also need to replace your fridge.
Consider it: for large quantities and food you don’t take out every day.
Bear in mind: the top-opening lid and deep interior mean you’ll need a plan for finding items at the bottom.
Consider it: if you use your frozen food regularly and want to divide portions between compartments.
Bear in mind: drawers and height affect both the space you can actually use and the room you’ll need for the appliance.
Consider it: if space is limited and you only need a modest amount of extra storage.
Bear in mind: its usable capacity may not be enough after a big shop.
Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge and its freezer compartment can hold your stock.
Bear in mind: the fridge-freezer’s total capacity is not the same as the space available for frozen food.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the usable freezer capacity in litres with the amount you need to store, then measure the width, depth and height. | If I freeze several batches of shopping or large quantities of home-cooked food, I want to fit everything in without relying on the fridge capacity of a fridge-freezer. Around 31% of consumers put capacity first. |
| Access to food | Check the layout of the drawers, baskets or shelves, and whether there’s space for larger containers. | If I often take out a particular portion, I want to find it without moving all my other food. Easy access is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Location | Check the model’s climate class and ambient temperature range against the temperatures in the room, and allow for the clearances specified in the manual. | If my only option is a cellar, garage or small space, I need to know whether the appliance can operate there and whether the door or lid can open properly. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Compare the kWh/year and noise levels listed for each model, and check how it defrosts. | I prefer to consider what it means to run an appliance continuously and how much maintenance it will need. Around 19% of consumers prioritise these practical aspects. |
When comparing appliances, ADEME recommends checking the energy label. The European Commission also provides product-specific data in EPREL, including annual energy consumption and freezer compartment capacity. Compare these figures for appliances that meet similar needs.
A chest freezer isn’t automatically suitable for a garage. Bosch says that very high or low ambient temperatures can affect how an appliance works.
Measure the space, allow room to open the door or lid, and check the room temperature. Then compare these with the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Two appliances with different styles or capacities won’t necessarily meet the same needs, even if their energy efficiency ratings seem easy to compare.
Also check the kWh/year and freezer capacity shown on the energy label and the product information for the exact model.
Any stated storage time during a power cut, alarm or suitability for a cold room applies to the specific model that lists that feature.
Keep the full model reference handy and check its product information for the features that matter to your installation and the amount you need to store.
A convenient external size doesn’t guarantee enough room for a big shop and home-cooked meals.
Work out how much you need to store after a big shop, then compare this with the model’s usable freezer capacity.
These brands illustrate different features to consider. The equipment mentioned applies to the ranges or models specified, not every appliance they make.
Worth considering if you prefer an upright freezer with flexible storage.
A range to consider if the temperature where you plan to install your freezer is a key concern.
The range includes chest and upright freezers, as well as compact models.
Chest freezers to consider if you prefer to store your food horizontally.
This selection includes chest and upright freezers for separate storage, as well as two fridge-freezers to consider if you’re replacing your fridge too. Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone and the installation requirements before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want a chest freezer for large quantities and have enough room to open the lid.
The title lists a capacity of 291 L, an E energy efficiency rating, a removable basket, LED lighting and a defrost drain.
If you plan to use it in a cellar or garage, check that the permitted ambient temperature range matches the room. Also check how long food will stay frozen during a power cut if you’re storing a lot.
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Worth considering if you’d rather access portions stored in drawers than search through a deep chest freezer.
The title lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost protection, an alarm and a C energy efficiency rating.
Check the dimensions and ambient temperature range before choosing where to put it. The temperature setting range in the title doesn’t tell you what room temperature the appliance can operate in.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge too, rather than adding a separate freezer.
The title lists a capacity of 495 L for the whole appliance and an E energy efficiency rating. To see whether it can hold your shopping, compare the freezer compartment capacity with what you need.
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This fridge-freezer is best suited to a household that needs to replace its fridge and wants enough space for frozen food in the same appliance.
The title lists a capacity of 333 L for the whole appliance and a C energy efficiency rating. Check the freezer compartment capacity, then make sure the ambient temperature range suits the room.
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Compare its capacity with the amount you usually store if you’re looking for a secondary chest freezer rather than a large amount of storage space.
The title lists a capacity of 140 L, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy efficiency rating.
Before installing it in a cold room or regularly putting large quantities of fresh food inside, check the ambient temperature range and the model’s freezing capacity.
No. It depends on the ambient temperature range the model can operate in. Compare this with the temperatures in your room and follow the instructions in the manual. Bosch warns that a room that’s too cold or too hot can affect how an appliance works.
Yes, if you’re replacing your fridge too and the freezer compartment has enough space for your big shops and home-cooked meals. Compare the freezer compartment capacity, not the total capacity of the fridge-freezer, and check how its storage is arranged.
Check the annual energy consumption in kWh, along with the freezer capacity and noise information. Don’t look only at the energy efficiency rating. ADEME recommends using the energy label to help you choose, and you can find product information for the exact model in the European Commission’s EPREL database.
If a business sells goods to an individual, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies, as the French Ministry of the Economy points out. Contact the seller and keep a copy of the product description and proof of purchase. A voluntary returns policy doesn’t replace this guarantee.