If you often prepare meals in portions that you want to find quickly, start by looking at upright freezers. For a larger stock, a chest freezer may be a good option if you have room to open it and organise what’s inside. A larger fridge freezer is better suited to replacing the appliance you use every day as well: compare the capacity of its freezer compartment alone with the largest amount you expect to store. Whatever the format, check the available space, climate class, specified ventilation and the model’s annual energy consumption.
If you cook several dishes in advance and often take out a portion, the drawers and front access of an upright freezer can make it easier to keep everything organised. Check that your containers will fit in the compartments of the model you’re considering.
If you freeze large batches or lots of containers, check the capacity of a chest freezer and allow enough space for the lid. Top access also means you’ll need to think about how to find food stored at the bottom.
If your everyday appliance needs replacing, a fridge freezer can keep fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance. Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment separately from the advertised total capacity.
UFC-Que Choisir lists format, capacity and climate class among the key criteria when choosing a freezer. For prepared portions, start with the largest amount you’ll need to store and how often you’ll need to access it.
Consider this if: you want to keep portions separate and take them out frequently from the front.
Allow for: the drawers need to fit your containers, and the door must be able to open where you plan to put the appliance.
Consider this if: having plenty of storage matters more than being able to reach every portion straight away.
Allow for: floor space, room above the lid and an organisation system that keeps older portions easy to reach.
Consider this if: you’re replacing your everyday appliance and want to keep all your chilled and frozen food in one place.
Allow for: some of its capacity is taken up by fresh food, so the freezer compartment needs to be large enough for your portions.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity with the space your containers actually take up. If you freeze large batches at a time, also check the stated freezing capacity. | When I prepare large batches or stock up, I want enough room without overloading my everyday fridge freezer; around 36% of consumers prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access to portions | Check the number and size of the drawers or baskets, and whether you can keep newer portions separate from older ones. | If I often take out a prepared meal, I want to find it without having to move all my other food. For around 29% of consumers, access and organisation come before other criteria. |
| One or two appliances | For a fridge freezer, check the fridge and freezer capacities separately, then measure the available space. | If my fridge also needs replacing, I want a freezer compartment that’s big enough without adding a second appliance; this is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Installation and use | Measure the appliance with the door or lid open. Compare the room temperature with its climate class, then check the manual for ventilation requirements and the energy label for kWh/year. | In a room with limited space or challenging temperatures, I need to be able to install the appliance correctly and consider its ongoing energy consumption; around 14% of consumers put these constraints first. |
Total capacity includes the fridge compartment, so it doesn’t tell you how much room there is for frozen portions.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone with the largest amount you plan to store.
A room that’s too cold or too warm may be outside the appliance’s intended operating range. Bosch highlights the importance of ambient temperature, while ventilation clearances vary by model.
Note the room temperature throughout the year, then check the climate class and the ventilation clearances specified in the manual for the appliance you’ve chosen.
New food can cover portions stored underneath, making them difficult to find.
Label containers with their contents and date, and use the baskets for food you reach for often.
According to ADEME, an appliance’s actual energy consumption depends on factors including its size and how it’s used. You can’t judge a chest freezer, upright freezer or fridge freezer by its format alone.
Compare the kWh/year figures for the models you’re considering, taking into account how much capacity you need.
Its upright freezers may appeal if you value front access and an organised way to store portions.
The brand offers models in all three formats to compare: chest freezers, upright freezers and fridge freezers.
A brand worth considering, particularly if you’re looking for a built-in freezer and value easy defrosting.
These appliances cover the three options discussed here: fridge freezers if you’re replacing your fridge too, chest freezers for dedicated storage, and an upright freezer for organised portions. Compare their usable capacity and installation requirements to find the right fit for you.
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Worth considering if you want to replace your everyday appliance while still having room to store frozen portions.
The advertised 467 L is the total capacity, not the freezer capacity alone. The model name indicates a Total No Frost system; check the freezer compartment’s capacity and the space needed to open the doors.
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A dedicated storage option, provided you have enough floor space and headroom to open the lid.
This model is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, and comes with a removable basket. Plan how you’ll rotate portions stored at the bottom, and check the climate class and installation instructions for your room.
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Another option if replacing your fridge is part of the plan and you don’t want to add a dedicated freezer.
The advertised 360 L is the fridge freezer’s total capacity. Its name mentions the Total No Frost system; compare the freezer compartment separately with the amount you plan to store, and check the installation clearances.
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Worth considering if you want separate storage and this capacity suits your containers.
This model is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, and comes with a removable basket. Measure the space needed to open the lid, and check the climate class and ventilation instructions before choosing where to put it.
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Worth considering if you’d rather organise portions in drawers than in a chest freezer with a top-opening lid.
The model name mentions three freezer drawers, No Frost and an alarm. Check its dimensions, climate class and annual energy consumption to make sure they suit your space and how you plan to use it.
Only if the room’s temperature suits the model’s climate class and you install it in accordance with the manual. Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the appliance’s specified operating range; don’t assume an unheated space is suitable.
No: a large storage capacity is only useful if you can find the portions you need. Compare a chest freezer’s top access, any baskets and the space needed for its lid with an upright freezer’s drawers and front-opening door.
No: this feature relates to frost and maintenance, but it doesn’t replace the need for suitable capacity and a suitable location. According to Electrolux, the No Frost system in the KUN7NE18S prevents frost from forming; check the features of the model you’re considering.
Don’t assume they’re safe again just because you’ve put them back in the freezer. ANSES notes that keeping food at a low temperature slows the growth of micro-organisms; follow the guidance for the foods concerned and food-safety advice if the cold chain has been interrupted.
If you buy from a professional seller in France, you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity for two years, according to the Ministry of the Economy. A commercial warranty is optional, as DGCCRF explains, and does not replace the legal guarantee.